“Which of your affairs don’t I know about?” Pang Xiao laughed smugly, whispering in Qin Yining’s ear: “When I first met you, I even groped you a bit.”
At the mention of this, Qin Yining couldn’t help but recall those early days when she had just returned to the manor. Now, revisiting this familiar place, everything had changed while the people remained different. The scoundrel who had scared her half to death back then had now become her husband, treating her with utmost care and protection.
Wasn’t this fate’s best arrangement?
Qin Yining smiled and asked Pang Xiao: “I remember you still have one of my hairpins somewhere.”
That was the one Pang Xiao had plucked from her head and stolen away.
Pang Xiao nodded with a laugh: “That’s right, but don’t even think about getting it back. What I’ve stolen belongs to me.”
“What a bandit.” Qin Yining chided him, but the smile on her face grew increasingly cheerful, completely dispelling the gloomy atmosphere from their journey.
Bingtang, Ji Yun, Xian Yun, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou all followed behind Qin Yining and Pang Xiao. Hearing their conversation, they each recalled their own early days when they first came to serve Qin Yining, and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
Qin Yining, together with Pang Xiao, carried the children through the ceremonial gate, circled around the former Garden of Filial Devotion. To the left was a pathway paved with square bricks, and at its end stood the Snowy Pear Courtyard, closest to the edge of the Qin Manor.
That was where Qin Yining had lived when she first returned to the manor.
On the right side, the garden lay quiet under the moonlight, with only the reflection of lantern light visible on the lake surface. A pavilion stood silently by the lakeside—that was the courtyard where Shuoren Study, where Qin Huaiyuan once lived, was located.
Seeing that Shuoren Study had been renovated and almost restored to its original appearance, Qin Yining immediately remembered that day of catastrophe. Thinking of Rui Lan, who had sacrificed her life to protect her, tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
“If not for Rui Lan that day, I would have been long gone.”
Upon hearing Rui Lan’s name, Qiu Lu also lowered her head, secretly wiping away the tears that sprang to the corners of her eyes, forcing a smile as she consoled: “Princess, please don’t say such things. That you remember Rui Lan is already this servant’s blessing. Moreover, you’ve always been taking care of Rui Lan’s family. Rui Lan was devoted with all her heart—seeing that you’re living well, she would be happy too.”
Qin Yining shook her head, and hot tears still rolled down her cheeks.
It wasn’t just Rui Lan.
There was also Third Aunt who had died, and Sixth Miss Qin Shuangning and Seventh Miss Qin An’ning…
Those twin sisters had been in the prime of their youth. Even if there had been small frictions, even if they would bicker over a bowl of bird’s nest soup, ultimately neither had committed any heinous crimes. What’s more, what wrong had little Qin Xuan done at such a young age? The eldest sister-in-law had always been gentle and non-confrontational—what wrong had she done?
Not to mention those loyal servants who had wholeheartedly protected their masters and lost their lives for the Qin family.
The winter night wind cooled the hot tears on her face. Qin Yining’s vision was blurred by tears, unable to see the surroundings clearly.
Pang Xiao held her tenderly, his large hand patting her shoulder. “Don’t cry, it’s bad for your eyes. Look at Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er—aren’t they laughing at you? As soon as I have some free time, I’ll accompany you to pay respects to them. We can also take care of their families. Yining, don’t cry anymore, don’t cry.”
Pang Xiao coaxed Qin Yining just like he was coaxing a child. Seeing him anxiously frowning and pursing his lips, as if facing some earth-shattering disaster, his clumsy appearance made Qin Yining couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Her sorrow was diluted by this moment. Qin Yining lightly punched his shoulder and said softly: “I won’t cry anymore… lest people laugh at me.”
“Who would laugh?” Pang Xiao pretended to be angry as he turned to scan the surroundings.
The maids and attendants looked at the night sky, the lake water, and the tips of their own shoes—everywhere except at them.
Their uniform absent-mindedness was as fake as it could possibly be.
This made Qin Yining’s face turn completely red, and she hurriedly changed the subject: “Snowy Pear Courtyard is the right size to gather everyone in one place, and it’s close to both the back gate and the courtyard walls. If anything happens, it’s convenient for coming and going. Let’s stay at Snowy Pear Courtyard.”
“Good.” Pang Xiao walked ahead with Qin Yining, and the group proceeded in a grand procession along the pathway to Snowy Pear Courtyard.
The old servant responsible for watching over the residence unlocked the large lock hanging on the courtyard gate, smiling as he said: “The courtyard and rooms are cleaned regularly, but the bedding isn’t complete.”
“No problem. We brought everything with us.” Ji Yun took charge of organizing people to tidy the rooms, moving trunks and bedding, lighting fires and boiling water, fetching water for cleaning and sweeping—everything proceeded in perfect order.
Pang Xiao accompanied Qin Yining in the inner chamber to tend to the children. When braziers were brought into the room and it gradually warmed up, Pang Xiao went to carefully inspect the courtyard’s defensive arrangements.
Originally, he had wanted to leave all the Elite Tiger Guards behind. But Qin Yining strongly objected, so in the end, Pang Xiao had to listen to her, leaving only four to provide care, working together with Da Han, Jingzhe, and the others to guard Snowy Pear Courtyard.
After confirming that the shift rotations had no flaws whatsoever, Pang Xiao returned to the room and said: “Yining, I’ll be leaving now.”
Qin Yining nodded and smiled: “Rest assured, I’m here to take care of things at home. Do your work properly, pay attention to your safety, and if anything happens, send someone to tell me immediately. Don’t make me worry.”
“I know. You’re the same.” Pang Xiao leaned forward and planted a kiss on Qin Yining’s forehead. He had intended to say farewell, but couldn’t resist kissing her nose bridge as well, and finally captured her soft lips, gently sucking and grazing them with his teeth.
This kiss didn’t go deep, nor did it contain any desire—it held only deep, deep cherishing.
When their lips parted, the two looked at each other simultaneously, their eyes reflecting only each other’s image.
Pang Xiao sighed softly. “I’ll work hard to handle everything well, so that we’ll never have to be forced apart again. Then, wherever I go, I’ll take you with me. No one will criticize us behind our backs anymore, and we won’t need to consider anyone else’s feelings.”
Though she knew that achieving what Pang Xiao spoke of was almost impossible, Qin Yining still couldn’t help but show a bright smile, nodding as she said: “Good, then we’ll take the children and go touring mountains and waters together!”
“Mm, be good.” Pang Xiao kissed her cheek again.
Seeing that it was already deep into the night and both children had already fallen asleep in their cradles, it truly wouldn’t be proper to delay any longer. Pang Xiao finally left the Qin Manor with Huzi and the Elite Tiger Guards, spurring their horses toward the direction of the Pingnan Army camp.
As the sound of hoofbeats gradually faded, Qin Yining slowly sighed.
Seeing that everyone around her seemed somewhat heavy-hearted, Qin Yining composed herself and said with a smile: “Alright, it’s too late today. Everyone go and rest well. We’ll discuss any arrangements tomorrow.”
“Yes.” Everyone responded in unison.
Xian Yun remained to serve Qin Yining as she prepared for rest, while the two wet nurses also stayed in the inner chamber, specifically responsible for caring for Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er.
A peaceful night, passing safely.
The next morning, after Qin Yining had tended to the two children, she instructed someone to investigate the movements at the Pingnan Army camp. She also called Jingzhe to her side and whispered: “You’re familiar with this place. I want you to go out and help me find someone.”
“Princess, whom should this servant seek? Please give your orders.”
Qin Yining whispered a few words in Jingzhe’s ear. Jingzhe accepted the command, bowed, and quickly withdrew.