Qin Yining pressed her lips together.

At this moment, she couldn’t quite distinguish whether Tianji Zi’s intentions toward Pang Xiao were benevolent or malicious, or whether she had her own schemes.

However, Qin Yining could be certain that Tianji Zi definitely wanted her dead as quickly as possible. Back in Tatar territory when Tianji Zi had instigated A’na Ri to kill her, she had already recognized this reality.

Qin Yining again focused her gaze on the note, murmuring, “‘Person of extreme nobility, protected by purple qi, dwelling peacefully in the manor brings safety.’ Again with extreme nobility and purple qi – she still maintains you’re the Purple Forbidden Emperor Star.”

“Yes.” Pang Xiao pondered. “What is she hinting at? ‘Dwelling peacefully in the manor brings safety’ – is she reminding us not to go out recently?”

“I think so. But whether we go out or not isn’t really up to you to decide. What if His Majesty issues an edict ordering you to campaign against the Tatars? Could you disobey the imperial command? That would be sticking your neck out for His Majesty to grab hold of your weak points.”

Pang Xiao nodded, though he was thinking that if he really didn’t want to comply with an edict, he could find appropriate ways to achieve his own purposes.

Previously when he openly defied thirty-three imperial edicts, it was largely because he was acting out of spite. When Qin Yining was lost and he couldn’t find her, he felt he might as well follow her in death, which was why he had acted so recklessly without regard for consequences.

“Don’t worry. Right now all I’m thinking about is letting you give birth safely and peacefully. I don’t want fame or fortune – I’ll just honestly stay home with you, and then nothing will happen.”

Qin Yining nodded, but her heart still felt uneasy, sensing that Tianji Zi was brewing some great conspiracy.

At this moment someone came to report from outside: “Your Highness, we didn’t catch him. By the time our people gave chase, that monk had already run away.”

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao exchanged glances.

“Perhaps it was Young Master Mu.”

“Yes.” Pang Xiao nodded.

Actually, they had expected this long ago. Since Tianji Zi was willing to leave behind a note with a hidden signature, she must have been confident they definitely couldn’t catch up to her. Moreover, Mu Jinghu had superior martial arts and excellent lightness skills – protecting Tianji Zi wouldn’t be difficult.

Pang Xiao sighed softly. “Forget it, we needn’t take it too much to heart. We were planning to live peacefully anyway and wouldn’t be wandering around outside. Let’s just proceed this way.”

Qin Yining nodded in agreement, temporarily hiding away her worries and doubts.

Over the next few days, Qin Yining paid extra attention to changes outside. When meeting with Qin Huaiyuan, besides chatting about family matters, they also casually discussed state affairs.

Though Qin Huaiyuan had been dismissed from office, his keen political instincts remained. His pointed criticism of current affairs was quite brilliant, and when he spoke he was logical and well-reasoned, deliberate and persuasive.

This day Qin Yining was talking with Qin Huaiyuan when they heard servants outside greeting Pang Xiao.

Father and daughter looked toward the door and saw Pang Xiao wearing a moon-white, half-new arrow-sleeved shirt, walking in with a smile. Seeing that Qin Huaiyuan was also there, he first bowed. “Father-in-law.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and nodded. “You’re back.”

“Yes.” Pang Xiao went to the washroom to change clothes and wash up. After getting properly dressed, he came to the outer room and sat down beside Qin Yining, first smiling as he looked at her belly.

Seeing the young couple like this, Qin Huaiyuan felt very satisfied.

After the three chatted for a while, Qin Huaiyuan said, “The Empress Dowager’s birthday is approaching – is there any news from the palace?”

Pang Xiao smiled and nodded. “I was just about to tell father-in-law. This year isn’t a milestone birthday for the Empress Dowager. His Majesty’s intention is to hold a family banquet at Ci’an Palace, inviting only imperial relatives and select nobility.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded. “You’ll definitely be invited. His Majesty might have both of you enter the palace together – you’ll need to be extra careful then.”

“Yes, father-in-law, please rest assured. I’ll definitely be careful.”

Indeed, that very afternoon His Majesty’s edict was delivered to the manor by a young eunuch.

Li Qitian had indeed invited Prince Zhongshun and the Princess Consort to attend the Empress Dowager’s birthday family banquet on the twenty-sixth of the eighth month.

Pang Xiao politely received the edict and even gave the eunuch a large red envelope. But afterward he became melancholy, though he dared not show his worried expression in front of Qin Yining.

He knew Li Qitian’s character best. While others might not do anything excessively inauspicious at their own birth mother’s birthday banquet, Li Qitian wouldn’t be “constrained” by such “minor considerations.” Given Qin Yining’s current condition, she couldn’t withstand even the slightest risk.

Pang Xiao went to his study and summoned Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi.

Seeing Pang Xiao’s grave expression, Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue also became serious and respectfully inquired, “What orders does Your Highness have? Please feel free to instruct us both.”

Pang Xiao frowned and told them both about the Ci’an Palace family banquet for the Empress Dowager’s birthday.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi also became grave-faced.

“The birthday family banquet should invite imperial relatives and nobility. Not all nobility would qualify to attend either. In my view, we should first clarify whom His Majesty has invited to participate, then analyze accordingly.” Xu Weizhi pondered, his voice slower than usual. “His Majesty isn’t someone constrained by filial piety. We need to prepare for both possibilities in case of sudden changes.”

“This Prince thinks the same way. What I’m worried about is the Princess Consort. She can’t withstand any upheaval right now. If something goes wrong because of attending the birthday banquet, and once in the palace I can’t stay by her side every moment…”

Though Pang Xiao didn’t finish his words, they conveyed his deep concern.

Having lost her once, he had become especially cautious and anxious about gains and losses.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi could understand – not only because of Pang Xiao’s protection of Qin Yining, but also because the twins in Qin Yining’s womb represented the continuation of the Pang family bloodline. Inheritance of offspring was a major matter – nothing else could be more important.

Xu Weizhi was skilled at strategy while Xie Yue was good at making decisions. The two quietly deliberated, with Pang Xiao also thinking of some countermeasures. Finally, the three agreed on a method of coordinating inside and outside the palace to prepare for any emergency.

Pang Xiao felt this plan was feasible and went to consult Qin Huaiyuan, explaining their method to him.

When Qin Huaiyuan heard that Pang Xiao wanted to arrange manor troops outside the palace, he hesitated. “Deploying manor troops, though a last resort, could give ill-intentioned people leverage if they catch wind of it – that would be another set of problems.”

“Father-in-law is right. But at this critical moment, nothing is more important than Sister Yining’s safety. I plan to arrange several dozen manor troops, while having the rest find ways to infiltrate appropriate trades before the birthday celebration, so it won’t be too conspicuous.”

Qin Huaiyuan frowned and pondered for a moment, then still nodded. “Monitoring the palace situation is necessary, but don’t forget about the rear.”

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao was immediately enlightened. Qin Huaiyuan was reminding him that the other side might use a diversionary tactic – taking advantage of Pang Xiao deploying all his people away to act against the household.

Qin Huaiyuan continued, “Two families live in the Prince’s manor – they’re all yours and Sister Yining’s relatives. For your future happiness, these considerations can’t be ignored. I also hope I’m just worrying unnecessarily. But that catastrophe our household suffered back in Great Yan was too unforgettable for a lifetime.”

In that catastrophe, they had lost many relatives and close friends. Qin Yining had been severely injured at the time and nearly lost her life.

Though Qin Yining later spent large sums of silver to compensate the families of those servants, human life comes only once and can’t be bought back with any amount of money.

Pang Xiao obviously also remembered that incident and nodded seriously. “Father-in-law, please rest assured. I’ll definitely prepare everything properly.”