“Elder Lord Gu’s loyal heart is truly admirable,” Qin Yining smiled in praise. “In this world, people like Elder Lord Gu who don’t forget their former master and disregard their own safety to remember old affections are already quite rare.”

“Not at all, this old man is nothing special. I no longer have prospects in my official career – I’m merely in my twilight years. The truly admirable one is your esteemed father, Minister Qin. After Minister Qin entered the palace regarding Prince Yan’s matter, he hasn’t returned even now, has he?”

Gu Shixiong’s face was also full of appreciation.

However, Qin Yining’s heart was clear as a mirror – Gu Shixiong was threatening her.

Because even if she didn’t save Prince Yan, Qin Yining couldn’t possibly not care about Qin Huaiyuan’s safety.

At this moment, Qin Yining truly felt that these people who had struggled and fought their way up in court were really too cunning.

Now Li Qitian’s eyes should already be fixed on the Qin family – perhaps he already knew that Gu Shixiong had come to the Qin residence.

Qin Yining also knew that someone as clever as Gu Shixiong would understand that his every move was under the Emperor’s surveillance.

Yet he had deliberately done this, and now made this request – clearly seeing through his intention to drag the Qin family into troubled waters.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but narrow her eyes in contemplation.

Could it be that Gu Shixiong wasn’t afraid she would spread the news that he knew the treasure’s location?

Could he really be willing to give such an enormous sum of wealth to her for nothing?

Wasn’t he afraid that once she obtained the treasure, she would directly give it to Pang Xiao?

Qin Yining didn’t believe that Gu Shixiong’s words about giving her the treasure to support Pang Xiao for protection were sincere.

But thinking it over, Qin Yining began to understand somewhat.

First, if she didn’t agree to help, then Gu Shixiong naturally wouldn’t tell her the treasure’s location, so only Gu Shixiong would know where the treasure was.

Once she leaked the secret, Gu Shixiong could simply die rather than let others benefit from the treasure along with him. So he wasn’t afraid of secrets being leaked at all.

Second, if she agreed to help and rescued Prince Yan, then once she possessed this treasure, Gu Shixiong would probably find ways to make her give up this enormous wealth. He might even find ways to interfere with her marriage to Pang Xiao and arrange for her to marry Prince Yan instead, making the treasure her dowry. Prince Yan wouldn’t lose out either.

Finally, if she agreed to help, rescued Prince Yan, and gave the treasure to Pang Xiao, Gu Shixiong wouldn’t be afraid either.

He could go before Li Qitian and sow discord, making Li Qitian even more suspicious of Pang Xiao who now possessed financial resources, causing great chaos in Great Zhou Dynasty.

So after analyzing for a while, Qin Yining discovered that no matter what, Gu Shixiong’s move was profitable.

Even if she refused now and none of the above three situations occurred, Gu Shixiong’s visit had already planted seeds of suspicion.

Truly worthy of being an old minister – this was calculating without any oversights!

Qin Yining’s analysis of all this took only a moment’s breath. She remained silent for a long time before slowly saying:

“Elder Lord Gu, this matter is of great importance, and my father is not at home. Please allow me to consider it carefully.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shixiong looked at Qin Yining’s beautiful face and felt somewhat disappointed.

It seemed that women were women after all. He truly shouldn’t have expected a woman to have a man’s decisiveness and methods.

“Very well. This old man truly has no other options now. Please consider carefully, Miss Qin. I await your good news.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining nodded with a pleasant smile.

Seeing that he had finished speaking, Gu Shixiong took his leave.

Qin Yining escorted him all the way to the courtyard gate before returning.

In any case, Gu Shixiong’s visit couldn’t be hidden from Li Qitian. Given Gu Shixiong’s former position in Great Yan Dynasty, with Qin Huaiyuan not at home, if she, representing her father in receiving guests, had been impolite in sending him away, that would have aroused suspicion and made people think she was feeling guilty.

But Qin Yining truly didn’t feel guilty.

This Old Gu was so calculating and scheming, determined to drag the Qin family into troubled waters, and his calculations were flawless, leaving her momentarily unable to think of how to respond.

Qin Yining knew she had to quickly think of a solution. Otherwise, once this news reached the Emperor’s ears, she would be the next one summoned to the palace.

She was still preparing to marry Pang Xiao – how could she allow herself to fail at this matter?

Qin Yining pursed her lips and sat cross-legged on the warm kang by the window, hugging a soft light purple satin pillow as she fell into deep thought.

Having listened nearby for quite a while, Ji Yun also felt the situation was very thorny.

Seeing Qin Yining like this, Ji Yun said in a low voice: “Miss, now that Master is not at home and this matter cannot be publicized, why don’t you go ask the Prince? The Prince will surely be able to think of a proper solution to help ease Miss’s worries.”

Qin Yining understood Ji Yun’s good intentions and smiled: “What you say makes sense, and I also believe the Prince could help me think of a solution. However, the Prince’s identity is special, and the current situation is sensitive. If I go ask him, wouldn’t I be dragging him into troubled waters too?”

“Miss, the Prince wouldn’t mind.”

“Even if he wouldn’t mind helping me solve troubles, I don’t want to add to his worries unnecessarily.”

Qin Yining got down from the kang and paced with her hands behind her back. After thinking for a full hour, she finally had a plan.

Her eyes bright, she turned around and instructed: “Ji Yun, go find me a somewhat antique wooden box, and also find some nails. Bingtang, help me grind ink – oh, and I also need cinnabar.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Qin Yining like this, everyone knew she had thought of a solution and hurried to prepare.

Once Qin Yining had everything ready, she said: “Quickly go to the Gu residence and deliver an invitation, saying I’ve thought it through and have urgent business requiring Elder Lord Gu to come over.”

Ji Yun nodded quickly and ran out.

At the Gu residence, just as Gu Shixiong was waiting restlessly, news came from outside that a servant from the Qin family was requesting an audience.

Gu Shixiong’s face lit up with joy. He hurried out to meet Ji Yun, and upon learning that Qin Yining was requesting his presence, he didn’t care about etiquette and protocols, immediately ordering someone to prepare a carriage and rushing to the Qin residence.

This time, Qin Yining received Gu Shixiong at the main gate, courteously leading him to the front hall.

After tea was served, Qin Yining said with a face full of regret: “Elder Lord Gu, I’m afraid I cannot fulfill your request.”

Gu Shixiong had come full of hope. Upon hearing these words, his face showed disbelief, his beard trembling as he said: “You, why do you say this?”

Qin Yining replied: “Elder Lord Gu, one dynasty’s emperor brings one dynasty’s ministers. Since I came to Great Zhou, my loyalty has been only to the Emperor. Although I have feelings for my former country, I cannot betray my loyalty to the Emperor. Even if you told me the treasure’s location, I would definitely turn around and tell the Emperor.”

“You! Don’t forget you are a Great Yan person!”

Qin Yining smiled slightly: “Great Yan no longer exists. Now we are in Great Zhou.”

“Aren’t you afraid that after you marry Prince Zhongshun, the Emperor will settle accounts with the Pang family? If you had this treasure, you could assist your future husband!”