Pang Xiao gestured toward the door, and Ji Yun and Qian Yun immediately appeared, each supporting a young lady on either side. Upon closer inspection, it was Governor Yang’s daughter.

“Father, Mother.” Miss Yang entered and walked forward with a smile to pay her respects, taking Yuan Shi’s arm and asking, “Mother, why did you call for me?”

Yuan Shi’s body trembled violently as she stared in shock with wide eyes, shaking her head: “What… what does Your Highness intend to do?”

Governor Yang’s drunkenness immediately sobered by half: “What does Your Highness mean?”

Pang Xiao smiled: “This prince enjoyed conversing with Governor Yang immensely, so I’m inviting the governor’s family to stay briefly at my humble residence. We can have intimate conversations frequently—wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Governor Yang was both shocked and furious. Even drunk, he could now understand Pang Xiao’s meaning. Was this imprisoning his entire family?

“This subordinate appreciates Your Highness’s kind intention. If we wish to meet, it’s quite easy—there will be many opportunities in the future. Please allow us to leave, Your Highness. This subordinate takes his leave now.” Governor Yang grasped Yuan Shi with one hand and pulled his daughter with the other, turning to exit.

But the flower hall was already surrounded by Elite Tiger Guards, encircled so tightly that not even water could leak through.

The coachman and guards Governor Yang had brought, having relaxed their vigilance, had all been enthusiastically taken away by Pang Xiao’s servants to eat and rest. At this moment, they had no guards around them!

Governor Yang spun around abruptly, his wine completely sobered by shock.

“Your Highness planned this long ago? What do you want to do? Are you planning rebellion!”

At these words, Yuan Shi clutched her daughter tightly to her chest, her eyes wide with terror as she hid behind Governor Yang.

Pang Xiao continued smiling: “Governor Yang mustn’t randomly pin such labels on this prince—I cannot bear such accusations. It’s merely inviting the governor’s family to stay at my home for a few days. How could this be called rebellion?”

With a wave of his hand, Huzi immediately understood Pang Xiao’s meaning and led people forward to surround Governor Yang.

“Governor, please. We’ve already prepared guest rooms for you. You’ve had much to drink and should rest to sober up.” Huzi smiled.

Governor Yang flew into a rage: “Audacious Pang Zhixi! You’ve eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard! This official is still a court-appointed official, a governor personally appointed by the Emperor, yet you dare kidnap this governor!”

Pang Xiao was too lazy to continue arguing with Governor Yang. Whether he said more or less, Governor Yang would still have to stay for this “visit.” So he simply said nothing more and had people take them away.

Governor Yang was shocked and furious, screaming: “I will definitely impeach you! Have the Emperor severely punish you! You traitorous minister and rebel!”

Pang Xiao took Qin Yining’s hand and followed behind the group as they left the flower hall, smiling: “Before that happens, this prince will first explain to the Emperor about Governor Yang’s collusion with merchants to influence court decisions and appointments. The complex relationships involved—I’m sure the Emperor will be very interested.”

Governor Yang immediately couldn’t curse anything more, his mouth like it was stuffed with a raw egg, only able to gape and pant heavily.

In his shock, Yuan Shi and Miss Yang had long been frightened to tears. They naturally didn’t know what Governor Yang had been doing outside and felt somewhat resentful. Governor Yang himself was completely stunned with fear.

Colluding with merchants and influencing court appointments—he had indeed done these things. After making contact with Qiu Feishan, gaining her trust, and repeatedly handling affairs according to her instructions, Governor Yang’s constant thought was that his actions absolutely couldn’t be discovered by anyone—he had to be extremely careful.

But now, his weakness was firmly grasped in Pang Xiao’s hands.

Only now did Governor Yang come to his senses. Previously he had been too overconfident, having smooth sailing for too long. He had actually forgotten that the person before him wasn’t a soft persimmon to be bullied, but a fierce beast not to be provoked!

Now Qiu Feishan had disappeared to who knows where, and with no one from the Sitong Trading Company backing him, Pang Xiao naturally wanted to seize this opportunity to settle old scores!

Governor Yang thought of many things, though it was actually just a matter of breaths. By now, his family was about to be escorted out by a crowd of armed men.

Governor Yang hurriedly turned back: “If Your Highness cares about the previous grain and salary matters, we can discuss everything. You don’t need to do this.”

Pang Xiao squinted his eyes, smiling very gently, but completely ignored Governor Yang’s pleas as if he hadn’t heard them at all.

Seeing that begging was useless, Governor Yang turned to cursing again: “Pang Zhixi, you traitorous rebel! You want to betray the dynasty! I will definitely impeach you!”

Pang Xiao cared even less.

After the people had gone far and their curses could no longer be heard, Qin Yining asked Pang Xiao: “Was my suggestion not good? I’m actually worried that the Emperor might seize upon this matter to criticize us.”

“Don’t think so much. This is also a desperate measure during a critical moment. We’ve made enemies with the Qiu family, so we can’t expect support from the Sitong Trading Company anymore. Maintaining such a large Pingnan Army, with men and horses to feed and salaries to pay—without money, wouldn’t we have to return to the old days?”

“Yes.” Qin Yining said helplessly, “Weighing the options, it’s still better to use Governor Yang’s seal to obtain silver and rice from the treasury to temporarily appease the Pingnan Army. We don’t know when the Qiu family’s retaliation will come. If we can’t manage our own troops, won’t we be attacked from both inside and outside?”

“Exactly. Moreover, Governor Yang really isn’t any kind of good person. I have quite a bit of evidence of what he’s been doing outside. If he impeaches me, that evidence will be useful. It’s fine.”

Pang Xiao put his arm around Qin Yining’s shoulder as they walked toward Xueli Court, saying in a low voice: “I’ve already arranged for people to watch the courtyard where Governor Yang’s family is staying. Make sure to have people attend to their meals carefully, and the servants should be polite—don’t neglect them. Make sure to treat them just like guests.”

“I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” Qin Yining smiled as she looked up at Pang Xiao.

From Pang Xiao’s angle, he could see her long eyelashes fluttering like little fans, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes. Her pair of watery eyes curved slightly when she smiled, sparkling like they contained two pools of lake water.

“Good girl.” Pang Xiao couldn’t help but nuzzle her forehead with his chin.

Pang Xiao escorted Qin Yining back to rest, and soon after, Huzi arrived.

“Your Highness, everything went according to the original plan. Our people have obtained the governor’s seal.”

Pang Xiao stood up: “Let’s go. Next we need to take control of the silver treasury.”

“Yes.” Huzi immediately acknowledged.

Qin Yining watched Pang Xiao’s tall figure with concern.

Pang Xiao seemed to sense this and turned back to smile at Qin Yining: “Sleep early. I’ll send word once I’ve handled everything properly.” After that, he would need to return to the military camp.

Qin Yining nodded: “I understand. Be careful yourself.”

Qin Yining, along with Bingtang and Ji Yun, watched until Pang Xiao left before returning to her room.

Ji Yun and Bingtang exchanged glances, both noticing that Qin Yining seemed somewhat dejected.

Bingtang softly consoled: “Princess Consort, don’t worry. His Highness has so many people with him, and besides, this matter isn’t very difficult. It’s much more convenient than rescuing you from Jianchuan City. Facing a place like Jianchuan, didn’t His Highness manage without losing a single hair?”

Qin Yining took both maids’ hands and sat down at the Eight Immortals table: “I’m just worried about how this matter will develop. We’ve now offended the Qiu family, and to avoid future retaliation, His Highness and I had to discuss striking first. But His Highness is currently at a critical juncture—one wrong move could put evidence in the Emperor’s hands. I’m worried about problems arising. My heart feels like there’s a needle suspended in it, constantly pricking me.”

But things had already reached this point—there was no other way.

Ji Yun and Bingtang couldn’t think of any other way to comfort Qin Yining, so they could only change the subject to other matters.

In the afternoon, Pang Xiao returned.

“Don’t worry. Everything proceeded smoothly. The treasury silver is now under control. Once I finish handling military affairs, I can release Governor Yang.”

Qin Yining smiled: “We’ve finally gained some time. We delayed on our journey back, and no matter how slow the Qiu family’s actions, their countermoves should be coming. I was thinking it would be in the next few days, and they’d probably target affairs within the Pingnan Army.”

“You’re right.” Pang Xiao smiled as he put his arm around Qin Yining’s shoulder. “We’re fully prepared, so we don’t fear whatever the Qiu family might do. Don’t worry. Although your idea was good, ultimately I agreed it was feasible before acting on it. My judgment won’t be wrong—just set your mind at ease.”

Had he noticed her tension and dejection?

Qin Yining leaned against Pang Xiao’s shoulder and nodded lightly: “I understand. Don’t worry.”

Pang Xiao still had to oversee the Pingnan Army, and daily training was essential. So after sharing just one meal with Qin Yining, he hurried back.

With Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er not at home, Qin Yining had no children to care for and nothing requiring her attention—she suddenly found herself idle.

Qin Yining simply did needlework with Bingtang, Ji Yun, and Qian Yun, planning to personally sew a cloak for Pang Xiao to wear.

Although her days appeared very peaceful, Qin Yining had actually been anxiously waiting for the Qiu family to make their move.

Until seven days later, when Pang Xiao returned to the mansion.

“Yining, my people just brought news from Jianchuan City.” Pang Xiao’s expression was serious. “Something happened to the Qiu family—they probably can’t spare attention for us.”

Qin Yining was shocked: “The Qiu family is such a great clan, peaceful for over a hundred years—what could have happened?”

Pang Xiao said: “Qiu Guang was murdered.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining was immediately stunned.

“And the killer was Qiu Yuanqing.”

“How do you know who the killer was? Did your people investigate this?”

“Not so. Qiu Yuanqing assassinated Qiu Guang but didn’t clean up properly—the truth came to light. Now everyone in the Qiu family and all the people of Jianchuan know that Qiu Yuanqing killed his own father for the position of family head. His infamy probably can never be washed clean.”

Qin Yining lowered her eyes and was speechless for a moment. “Qiu Yuanqing’s ambitions were already obvious, and he himself isn’t particularly outstanding in schemes. His successful assassination of Qiu Guang was probably mostly due to luck. But his methods were too foolish. Taking on such a name as a patricide—his reputation will stink forever. He still wants to become the Qiu family head, but how could that possibly work?”