Qin Yining followed behind Pang Xiao to a side room. The night was deep, and to prevent anyone from discovering their hiding place, only one silk lamp was lit inside, with thick light-blocking curtains drawn over the doors and windows.

Two large wooden tubs of hot water had already been prepared behind the screen.

Pang Xiao helped Qin Yining sit down behind the screen, his well-defined large hands removing grass bits stuck in her hair.

“Conditions are limited—let’s clean up well. Making you crawl through tunnels with such a heavy body truly pains my heart.”

Qin Yining took the hot cloth Pang Xiao handed her to wipe her face. With the current tense situation, this wasn’t the time for her to be particular—she didn’t mind not being able to bathe thoroughly.

“Don’t think like that. Though the tunnel was narrow, it wasn’t particularly difficult to navigate. Besides, being disheveled is better than being injured.”

A cold glint flashed through Pang Xiao’s eyes: “I’d like to see who dares hurt you.”

Qin Yining was amused by his protective manner, handing the cloth back to him: “Don’t be nervous. I’m right under your nose—who has the ability to hurt me? Moreover, this time everyone can be considered a strong alliance. You, His Majesty, and Marquis Dingbei are all skilled at planning. This strategy is the most direct and swift choice. I believe by this time tomorrow, everything will return to calm.”

Pang Xiao washed the cloth and took Qin Yining’s fair, delicate hands, clumsily helping her clean them.

“Anyway, with you by my side, I can be calm. If I were separated from you, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Warmth surged through Qin Yining’s heart as she looked at him with a smile: “Always with sweet words. A man’s aspirations lie in all directions. If your soldiers heard what you said today, would they still respect you in the future?”

Pang Xiao threw aside the cloth and embraced Qin Yining, biting the corner of her mouth.

“If they’re not convinced, a beating will make them comply. I only want to give you some peaceful days.”

“Your Highness.”

Before Qin Yining could respond, a servant said quietly outside the door: “Guard Deng has returned.”

Pang Xiao’s expression became serious: “Understood.”

Turning to Qin Yining: “Huzi has returned. I arranged for him to go to the palace. Rest well in the room—I’ll go to His Majesty to hear about the situation.”

Qin Yining said: “I’m not tired at all right now. With such a big matter weighing on my mind, I can’t sleep either. Let me go with you.”

Seeing Qin Yining’s determined attitude, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but sigh softly: “Alright. I was planning to stay with you all along anyway, absolutely not letting you leave my sight. Let’s go.”

Qin Yining nodded, supported by Pang Xiao as they returned to the conference hall.

Huzi was kneeling on one knee, reporting to Li Qitian: “Mission accomplished without dishonor. Your Majesty’s foresight was divine—the Regent indeed left the palace. I immediately led people to retake the imperial palace.”

“Excellent!” Li Qitian was somewhat excited, his voice involuntarily rising: “How is the situation in the palace?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager was surrounded and frightened but unharmed. However, the Empress was locked in Kunning Palace by Prince Li’s orders, with doors and windows sealed with wooden boards, and no food or drink left for Her Majesty. Fortunately, the Empress has a resilient temperament and didn’t become too agitated. Both Her Majesty and the dragon heir are safe.”

Hearing that Prince Li had actually locked up the pregnant Empress without food or drink, everyone present frowned. Especially Qin Yining—as a pregnant woman, she best understood the hardships of pregnancy. Being cut off from food and drink and locked up at such a time could easily cause a breakdown. That the Empress was now unharmed showed her temperament was indeed very resilient.

Li Qitian harbored a burning anger inside.

He could no longer tolerate Prince Li’s various evil acts and only wanted to tear him apart to satisfy his hatred!

However, now that the strategy of luring the tiger from the mountain had succeeded and the imperial palace was retaken, capturing Prince Li wasn’t impossible either.

“We understand. Truly, Zhixi’s people are all exceptionally capable. Being able to lead the mansion guards of Prince Zhongshun’s and the Prince Consort’s residences to retake the imperial palace—We record this as a great merit!”

Huzi hurriedly said: “This commoner dares not claim credit. When we entered the palace and encountered resistance, as soon as we revealed Your Majesty’s banner, most people shared our righteous anger. This shows that Prince Li only controlled a minority—most people still revere Your Majesty’s legitimacy and hope for Your Majesty’s return!”

These words greatly pleased Li Qitian.

During these days of wandering and displacement, Li Qitian had nearly lost everything he possessed, including his life. He truly couldn’t accept repeated losses. Now someone told him there were still people willing to continue serving him loyally—this news brought joy equivalent to telling him he had successfully retaken the imperial palace.

Li Qitian extended both hands to help Huzi up.

Huzi was overwhelmed by this favor, repeatedly saying “this commoner doesn’t dare.”

Huzi was a guard at Pang Xiao’s side, no longer considered military personnel, with no official rank or position in the court.

After Li Qitian finished questioning, Pang Xiao worriedly asked: “What about casualties in the palace?”

The people Huzi brought this time were all trusted followers of Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu. Excluding these people, the Imperial Guards, Palace Guards and others in the palace were all living beings. If soldiers fought against Tatars and shed blood on the battlefield, though Pang Xiao would feel sorry, he wouldn’t be so impatient. But the problem was that this sacrifice was due to unexpected complications.

Huzi replied: “Reporting to Your Highness, palace casualties were acceptable—not very many.”

That meant there were still quite a few.

Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu both lowered their gazes, feeling very uncomfortable inside.

Li Qitian smiled: “We will richly reward those who assisted in retaking the throne this time. All who contributed will be heavily rewarded.”

“Thank Your Majesty.” Several people bowed and responded quietly.

In Li Qitian’s eyes, even if all the people who attacked the palace died, it wouldn’t exceed a thousand, and moreover these were Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu’s elites—their deaths would actually be better. For a battle to retake the throne, he felt the sacrifice of about a thousand people was already very few.

Li Qitian stood with hands behind his back in high spirits. Though facing dark window curtains blocking lamplight, he seemed to be standing in the Golden Hall with everything under his control.

“Today is the day for grand court assembly. Has notice been sent for court attendance?”

Pang Xiao replied: “Reporting to Your Majesty, we’ve found ways to send notice.”

“Very good. Everyone!” Li Qitian suddenly turned around, declaring proudly: “Follow Us back to the palace.”

“Yes.”

With the order given, everyone left the front hall without hesitation.

In front of the courtyard gate, a spacious carriage had been prepared. Several Elite Tiger Guards were lined up neatly on both sides.

Li Qitian was first to board the carriage, then extended his hand to Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu with a smile: “Two worthy brothers, ride with Us.”

Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu exchanged glances, didn’t decline, and leaped up one after another.

Li Qitian looked at the heavily pregnant Qin Yining and smiled: “Sister-in-law, please board the carriage too.”

Qin Yining chuckled inwardly—this move to win hearts was quite beautiful. Didn’t she see that the Elite Tiger Guards all seemed quite satisfied with this gesture?