Actually, Pang Xiao hadn’t taken Tianji Zi’s divination to heart at all. But he also knew that many people nowadays took Tianji Zi’s calculations very seriously, including Li Qitian.

Seeing Qin Yining frowning with such concern, her face full of disgust, he couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.

“Alright, Sister Yi doesn’t need to be angry. Getting angry with such people isn’t worth it. Father-in-law sent word mainly to tell us to be more vigilant. Although I receive court bulletins quite quickly here, the Emperor has arranged for a secret envoy to come to the old capital, but there’s nothing about it in the court bulletins.”

Qin Yining’s brows knitted tightly as she said worriedly, “Why would he suddenly arrange a secret envoy? What does the Emperor want to do?”

“Father-in-law’s meaning is that the Emperor has two major concerns weighing on his mind. Since the northern affairs have already been resolved, what remains is the south. The secret envoy likely comes to demonstrate imperial grace while stirring up trouble in the south. He wants us to be mentally prepared in advance.”

Qin Yining nodded gravely and said, “My father wouldn’t speak carelessly. Since he’s made this speculation and told us directly, it must be quite close to the truth. Fortunately, you prepared early. Now the Pingnan Army has been trained well, military pay isn’t a problem, and those locally with treasonous hearts have all been controlled. Otherwise, wouldn’t we be completely defenseless? If the Emperor truly wants to move against you, we’d be attacked from both front and rear.”

Pang Xiao nodded, and both he and Qin Yining fell silent.

Reflecting on the journey they’d traveled recently, they both felt somewhat afraid in retrospect.

Ji Zeyu’s victory came suddenly. If they had delayed even slightly, they would still be completely unprepared by now. They would likely have stepped into an extremely difficult situation, with many constraints at the time, unable to face enemies without worries.

Fortunately, everything was developing in a positive direction.

“Tonight let’s celebrate properly, have a good meal, and celebrate victory over the Tatars.”

“Celebrate victory over the Tatars. The common people at the border can finally live in peace.”

Pang Xiao sighed, pulling Qin Yining into his embrace and patting her back.

The news Qin Huaiyuan sent was accurate. The secret envoy the Emperor dispatched soon arrived at the old capital. On this day, Qin Yining was sewing small clothes for Zhao Ge’er when urgent shouting came from outside.

“Princess Consort!”

“Is that Huzi?” Bingtang stood up, looking curiously toward the door.

Huzi came running to the corridor, saying anxiously, “Princess Consort, just now the secret envoy arranged by the Emperor went to the Pingnan Army camp to deliver an imperial decree. He said there’s also a decree to be issued to you, and he’s heading this way now. The Prince sent me ahead to inform you.”

Qin Yining set down her embroidery work and frowned, “What decree did the Emperor issue to the Prince?”

“The Emperor, to celebrate the great victory over the Tatars, specially declared a general amnesty. Remembering the Prince’s merit in guarding the south, he bestowed a reward of a hundred taels of gold. Additionally, the Emperor also elevated Marquis Dingbei to Duke Dingguo, with hereditary succession without diminishment. He also enfeoffed Yuchi Xujie of South Yan as Prince Xu.”

Huzi caught his breath and continued rapidly, “The decree also contained transfer orders, commanding Governor Yang to return to the capital for debriefing. A new governor will be dispatched to this locality. Most importantly, the Emperor has appointed you as the Marriage Reception Envoy! The secret envoy will come shortly to deliver the imperial decree to you. The Prince inquired around, and that secret envoy is also quite sensible. Knowing you’d learn the content of the decree sooner or later anyway, he immediately told the Prince. The Emperor’s meaning is that when Princess Tana arrives in Great Zhou, you’re to handle all reception duties from the welcoming onwards.”

Qin Yining pressed her lips together and stepped back two paces to sit in a soft chair.

Obviously, Li Qitian had truly begun to fear the world wasn’t chaotic enough.

Look at the decrees he issued!

He enfeoffed Ji Zeyu as a duke with hereditary succession without diminishment, yet only gave Pang Xiao some symbolic gold and silver rewards. Wasn’t this deliberately provoking a relationship between two people of equal standing?

Moreover, initially to stabilize the southern situation, Li Qitian had promised to later recognize South Yan as an independent country and acknowledge Yuchi Xujie as the Emperor of South Yan.

Who would have thought he’d go back on his word? What was clearly agreed upon initially, now he was still enfeoffing a sovereign of another nation as some prince. Wasn’t this deliberately trying to stir up trouble?

As for why Governor Yang would suddenly be transferred away, Qin Yining thought of two possibilities:

One was that the Emperor knew of Governor Yang’s ordeal and wanted to use Governor Yang to impeach Pang Xiao.

The other was even more terrifying – that the people the Qiu family had placed in the court now had the capability to influence the court’s appointment of local officials to such an extent. With Qiu Guang’s death this time and the Qiu family falling into Qiu Yuanqing’s hands, Qiu Yuanqing would be even more determined to purge Qiu Feishan’s people.

If the above matters were hard to handle, then the most difficult to handle was still Li Qitian wanting her to receive Princess Tana.

Princess Tana was A’na Ri Khan’s sister. Though it was unknown whether they were siblings by the same mother or cousins, according to external rumors, A’na Ri had died at her hands. The dirty accusation had long been pinned on her and couldn’t be removed. How could Tana not hate the enemy who killed A’na Ri?

Having her, this sister-killing enemy, receive Princess Tana – what a clever arrangement by Li Qitian!

Qin Yining’s thoughts raced as she quickly analyzed the situation. Just then, a maid came to report, “Princess Consort, the Prince has returned. There’s also an official from the court who wants to deliver a decree. The Prince is entertaining that official in front and asks the Princess Consort to prepare and come forward to receive the decree.”

Qin Yining nodded, “Understood.”

Huzi said, “Princess Consort, please prepare well. This subordinate will take his leave first.”

Qin Yining smiled, “Bingtang, help see him off.”

Huzi grinned and winked at Bingtang. Bingtang’s face immediately turned red, and she stamped her foot with a huff before following Huzi out.

Qin Yining was amused by this pair of young lovebirds, and the chaos in her heart eased somewhat.

Qin Yining dressed herself fully before going to the front courtyard.

Pang Xiao had already ordered people to prepare an incense table.

Since Qin Yining knew the content of the imperial decree, she was somewhat distracted while kneeling to receive it. Only when the decree-delivering official handed the imperial edict to Qin Yining did she come back to her senses and reach out with both hands to receive it.

“This subject’s wife receives the decree and thanks the Emperor for his great grace.” Bowing her head and kneeling, a pair of jade-white hands raised above her head. When the Son of Heaven trusted his subjects and entrusted them with important tasks, it was the greatest honor, especially so for female family members.

Director Cheng stepped forward two paces, placing the imperial edict in Qin Yining’s hands with both hands. His hoarse voice, tinged with sharpness, was very gentle as he said, “Princess Consort, please rise. The Emperor values the Prince and Princess Consort – it’s truly a tremendous blessing.”

“All due to the Emperor’s benevolence.” Qin Yining stood up holding the imperial edict.

Director Cheng smiled, “The decree states that Princess Tana’s marriage procession will arrive at the capital by year’s end. Princess Consort, please prepare early, as time is quite pressing.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile, “Yes, thank you for the reminder, Director.”

“Princess Consort is too polite, it truly overwhelms this humble servant.” Director Cheng bowed again to Qin Yining, then turned and walked toward Pang Xiao.

“Prince, might I have a word in private?”

Pang Xiao naturally nodded with a smile and followed Director Cheng to one side.

Lowering his voice, Director Cheng said, “Prince, when this servant left the palace, the Emperor had a secret decree commanding this servant to convey to you.”

“Oh? Please speak, Director.” Pang Xiao straightened his expression, looking very serious.

“Replying to the Prince, the Emperor’s oral instruction: The north is now trending toward stability, but the south retains Yuchi’s faction, colluding with old capital conspirators – this poses endless future troubles. The Emperor hopes the Prince will use proper methods to resolve this crisis, handling it cleanly and beautifully.”

Pang Xiao’s pupils constricted sharply, though his expression showed no change. He nodded, “The Emperor’s foresight is far-reaching; this subject hadn’t thought of it. Very well, please convey to the Emperor on this subject’s behalf that I will certainly not disappoint the Emperor’s trust.”

“Yes, Prince Zhongshun is utterly loyal. This servant will definitely convey your words properly to the Emperor.” Director Cheng nodded.

Pang Xiao then arranged guest quarters for Director Cheng to stay temporarily and personally went to present a very generous monetary gift, delighting Director Cheng thoroughly before finally returning to the main quarters.

After dismissing the servants, the husband and wife sat facing each other by candlelight, speechless for a long while.

After quite some time, Qin Yining finally asked, “What did Director Cheng take you aside to discuss? Does the Emperor have some instruction?”

“Mm. The Emperor doesn’t want to keep Yuchi Yan anymore.”

Qin Yining had already guessed somewhat in her heart. Hearing this, she smiled mockingly, “The north has just barely stabilized, and he can’t wait to deal with this side. One can see how anxious the Emperor’s heart is. Having you handle Yuchi Yan means you’ll end up carrying all the blame, won’t you? This secret decree – the Emperor likely deliberated with his ministers during court session when making this decision, but avoided my father. Probably afraid you’d have advance preparation.”

“Don’t be angry. Things are already like this; anger is useless.” Pang Xiao smiled soothingly at Qin Yining, saying carefreely, “Anyway, I already have plenty of troubles – one more won’t make a difference.”

Qin Yining fell silent.

Pang Xiao’s enemies were already numerous. Li Qitian watched Pang Xiao like a tiger eyeing its prey, Yuchi Yan was constantly thinking of stirring up trouble, and this time Pang Xiao had also offended the Qiu family. Add to that Li Qitian’s decree this time, enfeoffing Yuchi Xujie as prince, which essentially indirectly overturned previous promises.

The southern situation was already unstable. With Yuchi Yan in the old capital, Li Qitian and the Qiu family behind him, plus South Yan which could explode at any time, Pang Xiao’s situation was truly mired in a quagmire, with potential troubles arising at any moment.

Yet precisely at such a time, the Emperor’s decree was for her to serve as some “Marriage Reception Envoy” – she would have to return to the capital immediately.

At such a critical moment, she couldn’t stay by his side.

Qin Yining grew irritated, her face reddening with anger.

How could Pang Xiao not be angry?

Li Qitian’s series of decrees this time essentially stirred up the southern waters that had just calmed down again. He already had quite a few enemies, and now Yuchi Xujie was added to the mix.

Qin Yining pressed her cherry lips together. Only after a moment did she slowly say, “Also, with Governor Yang transferred back for debriefing, the old capital will definitely have a new governor taking office. What you controlled before probably can’t be maintained. Without controlling taxes and grain, what about military pay?”

The Pingnan Army had so many mouths to feed. Li Qitian had dismissed them with a single phrase about “self-funding,” and now he was creating so many troubles while still expecting Pang Xiao to figure out solutions for military pay. This was simply bullying to the extreme.

Thinking this way, Qin Yining nearly cried.

Pang Xiao naturally thought of this too. It was one thing for him to know the situation was tense, but there was no need to make Qin Yining worry along with him. Who knew Qin Yining was so clever that before he could analyze anything, she had already thought of everything herself.

Pang Xiao smiled, “It’s fine, it’s fine. At least we’re not too stupid – we both thought of these things. We’ll figure out solutions to break through each problem one by one. Haven’t we always gotten through things this way before?”