“Eunuch Lu, please rise first.” Qin Huaiyuan courteously helped Xiao Luzi up with both hands and had him sit in the round chair beside him, while he sat across from Xiao Luzi.

Qin Huaiyuan lowered his eyes, his expression remaining calm, revealing no emotion.

Xiao Luzi was so nervous he felt as if sitting on pins and needles, unable to sit steadily. Before long, sweat appeared on his forehead. He stood up and said: “Minister Qin, you are the prince’s teacher, the person the prince trusts most. Among all of us who came from Great Yan, only you have the highest position now. If you speak a word, His Majesty would show some consideration. Now only you can save the prince’s life.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled slightly, not denying Xiao Luzi’s words, only saying: “Looking at the specific circumstances, the prince entering the palace may not necessarily endanger his life. There should be some matter requiring the prince and princess consort to handle, so they were kept there.”

Actually, Qin Huaiyuan suspected much more in his heart.

He suspected Li Qitian was after the treasure.

Previously, when Li Qitian investigated Yuchi Yan, he arranged for people to spy and investigate around Yuchi Yan. This time, being able to bring Yuchi Yan into the palace must mean there were major clues about the Grand Emperor’s treasure.

Though Yuchi Yan was a fallen ruler, he was ultimately Great Yan’s last emperor. Li Qitian would certainly believe that Yuchi Yan knew things others didn’t.

Now Great Zhou appeared prosperous on the surface, but the national treasury was actually very tight.

Though he didn’t manage the Ministry of Revenue’s finances after arriving, from his observations, Great Zhou’s money was stretched thin. Though they had economic support from great noble families like the Lu clan, there was no such thing as a free lunch—obtaining the Lu family’s financial support would certainly require paying a corresponding price.

So Li Qitian should be determined to obtain the treasure left by the Grand Emperor.

With Li Qitian having such intentions, if seeds of suspicion were planted regarding Yuchi Yan, things would become difficult to handle in the future.

Qin Huaiyuan’s thinking was sharp—though he thought of much, it only took a moment.

“Xiao Luzi, I understand the situation. I will do my best to find a way to rescue the prince. You should return to the mansion and wait for news.”

Hearing this, Xiao Luzi looked at Qin Huaiyuan with great unease.

He was very afraid that Qin Huaiyuan was just placating him with words, afraid he was causing trouble here, so was sending him away first.

But he was just a eunuch who no longer had a place to speak in Great Zhou’s territory, nor the confidence to question anything.

Because besides trusting Qin Huaiyuan, he could find no other solution.

“Everything is entrusted to Minister Qin.” Xiao Luzi knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed three times to Qin Huaiyuan: “Minister Qin, good people have good rewards. You haven’t forgotten the prince or broken faith—your entire family will be blessed.”

Qin Huaiyuan was amused by Xiao Luzi: “I know your intentions. Go back now.”

“Yes, then this servant takes his leave.” Xiao Luzi bowed again before reluctantly leaving the Qin residence.

As soon as Xiao Luzi left, the relaxed expression on Qin Huaiyuan’s face vanished completely.

He sat upright in the round chair, his right index finger lightly tapping the teacup lid repeatedly. For this matter, he momentarily couldn’t figure out how to handle it properly.

When Qin Yining entered, she saw her father looking worried and troubled.

She gently placed a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup beside Qin Huaiyuan, smiling: “Father, why don’t you rest for a moment?”

Qin Huaiyuan came to his senses and looked at Qin Yining, laughing: “Father was just daydreaming—what’s there to rest from?”

“Father won’t say now—is this matter very difficult to handle?”

Qin Huaiyuan knew his daughter wasn’t easy to deceive, and moreover, this matter would involve the family and her future.

Qin Huaiyuan carefully explained how Yuchi Yan, Li Yanyan, and Gu Chang had been invited to the palace and never came out, finally saying:

“Yining, you’re about to marry soon. If father gets involved in this matter, it will inevitably cause other troubles. Father is afraid of delaying your wedding.”

Only then did Qin Yining understand, smiling as she asked: “Father, in your opinion, should Prince Yan’s life be protected or not?”

“After all, we shared a master-servant and teacher-student relationship. I feel I don’t have the iron heart to watch him die.”

“Then that settles it.” Qin Yining smiled: “Father, you only need to act according to your heart’s desires—no need to consider so much. Now daughter’s marriage to Pang Zhixi is imperially decreed, set in stone. Daughter isn’t afraid of trouble, much less afraid of facing trouble together with you. What is there left for you to hesitate about?”

Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan smiled with great satisfaction.

His daughter truly took after him—with an open and cheerful disposition, without those petty scheming thoughts, she was a frank and good child.

Seeing Qin Huaiyuan remain silent, Qin Yining thought he still hadn’t figured it out and said: “Father, just let yourself act freely, just like last time when you advised me—I also trust you. You’re intelligent and know how to assess situations. I know you’ll act with proper measure.

“After all, we’re all Great Yan people, and Yuchi Yan has always treated you with courtesy. If now when Xiao Luzi comes seeking help, we ignore him and stand by with folded arms, not to mention your conscience couldn’t bear it, outsiders would also think us too heartless.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “I understand. Father will handle this matter—you just focus on peacefully preparing for your wedding.”

“Yes, with father taking action, the matter is already half successful.”

Qin Yining chatted with Qin Huaiyuan for a while longer before returning to her room to continue doing what she should do.

The next day, Qin Huaiyuan went to court as usual, and Qin Yining paid it no mind.

Who would have known that once Qin Huaiyuan entered the palace, he didn’t return home that day. Only his accompanying personal servant came back looking worried to report to the Old Madam.

“He said His Majesty has urgent matters to discuss with Master, and Master told this servant to come back and inform the mansion, asking the Old Madam not to worry.”

Qin Huaiyuan was an important court minister, so being kept behind was common. Thus, the family didn’t take it to heart.

However, this indifference only lasted two days.

Qin Huaiyuan had already stayed in the palace for two nights and still hadn’t returned.

The personal servant went to inquire but couldn’t find out any information.

“What should we do, what should we do!” The Old Madam was so anxious she shed tears: “If His Majesty becomes angry and harms Meng Ge’er, what will we do? Those people in the palace have plenty of ways to quietly dispose of people!”

Once the Old Madam cried, all the women in the family became anxious.

Han’s Second Wife was already about to give birth, and now with emotional agitation and shock, she began going into labor.

Han’s Second Wife went to the birthing room, with Sun Shi and Second Madam both going to help.

The Old Madam was now like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth, worried about Han’s Second Wife but even more worried about Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Yining stayed with the Old Madam along with Eighth Miss and Qin Huining for company.

At dawn the next day, Han’s Second Wife gave birth to a six-pound baby boy, making Qin Han so happy he jumped three feet high.

But Qin Huaiyuan still hadn’t returned home.

Now Qin Yining was truly anxious. While she was in her room thinking of countermeasures, Bingtang came to report.

“Miss, Old Master Gu requests an audience.”