Qin Yining wasn’t in a hurry to express her position. She didn’t want to unduly influence matters between Pang Xiao and Qiu Feishan, though she also knew that both publicly and privately, Pang Xiao wouldn’t stand by and watch Mu Jinghu come to harm.

“Boss Qiu showing me this letter means you must already have a decision in mind,” Pang Xiao subtly observed Qiu Feishan.

It wasn’t that he was overly cautious, but whether this letter was truly sent from the Qiu family, or if someone had deliberately forged it, or if Qiu Feishan herself was that someone with ulterior motives – all of these possibilities couldn’t be completely ruled out yet.

Having commanded troops for many years, Pang Xiao naturally sought victory through stability. Though worried about Mu Jinghu’s safety, he wouldn’t easily trust anyone.

Qiu Feishan was extremely intelligent and immediately understood Pang Xiao’s concerns.

She said sincerely, “Your Highness, this matter is real. I can swear by the child in my womb.”

Both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s expressions became serious.

What was Qiu Feishan trying to do? They were people who had been parents themselves, so they naturally knew how serious it was to swear by one’s child. Yet Qiu Feishan spoke such words without hesitation.

They could indeed believe that Qiu Feishan wasn’t lying. But now they were even more confused about what Qiu Feishan actually wanted to do.

If Qiu Feishan truly wanted to save Mu Jinghu’s life, she should have concealed this matter and found a way to lure Pang Xiao to Bo’an Road, which would have given hope of rescuing Mu Jinghu.

But she hadn’t done so. Instead, she had come to surrender to Pang Xiao first. So in Qiu Feishan’s heart, her cooperation with Pang Xiao to reclaim the Qiu family was much more important than Mu Jinghu’s life or death?

Thinking this way, both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining simultaneously felt wronged and sorry for Mu Jinghu.

It seemed Tianji Zi’s method of choosing a spouse for Mu Jinghu wasn’t appropriate. Qiu Feishan clearly had little genuine feeling for Mu Jinghu, which was why she didn’t care about his life or death. A married couple could be ordinary, could be poor and humble, but they couldn’t lack sincerity.

Now it appeared that between Qiu Feishan and Mu Jinghu, there might be no sincerity.

Pang Xiao said, “What does Boss Qiu intend?”

“Your Highness, I’m willing to draw detailed maps of that location for you. I believe with Your Highness’s abilities, if you could set an ambush there in advance, you could surely annihilate Qiu Yuanqing completely.”

Pang Xiao looked at Qiu Feishan’s bright eyes filled with ambition. “Boss Qiu speaks reasonably.”

Qiu Feishan met Pang Xiao’s gaze without retreat, smiling. “Great minds think alike.”

Pang Xiao also smiled. “The idea is good and would indeed catch Qiu Yuanqing off guard. But what if Mutou ends up being killed by the other side in retaliation?”

Qiu Feishan said dismissively, “Those who achieve great things don’t worry about small details. I believe if Your Highness were in my position, when choosing between the entire family and personal safety, you would also make a wise decision. Moreover, he and I are husband and wife – he would surely understand my choice.”

Pang Xiao nodded seriously. “You speak reasonably. Then please draw the map. I’ll handle this as quickly as possible. I’m also very much looking forward to dealing Qiu Yuanqing a heavy blow.”

Qiu Feishan was then led by Huzi to a side hall to draw the map.

When Qin Yining saw the person had gone far enough, she couldn’t help but ask Pang Xiao in a low voice, “Won’t Young Master Mu be in danger this way? He’s already highly skilled in martial arts, yet he was still captured. There must be reasons for this – perhaps he’s even seriously injured. If we still don’t care about his life or death in such circumstances, what if Qiu Yuanqing finds out in advance? What will happen to Young Master Mu?”

Pang Xiao nodded. “I understand. I can only say… Mutou doesn’t have as good fortune as I do.”

Qin Yining blinked, not knowing where Pang Xiao’s sentiment came from.

But Pang Xiao was sighing in his heart for Mu Jinghu. The wife Tianji Zi had chosen for Mutou was capable enough, but she was too heartless. Such a woman could indeed achieve great things – husbands and children meant nothing in her eyes. This type of person probably had no weaknesses at all.

Meanwhile, Qiu Feishan carefully drew out the map of Bo’an Road, even listing the general routes to Bo’an Road and matters requiring attention. After carefully checking to ensure accuracy, she returned to the front hall with Huzi.

Pang Xiao took the map and examined it carefully.

Qiu Feishan then said, “Since the matter is resolved, I’ll take my leave.”

Pang Xiao had Huzi see her out on his behalf.

Qiu Feishan seemed not to notice Pang Xiao’s distance and coldness, and with Bi Ying’s support, boarded the carriage home.

By now, Bi Ying had completely changed her opinion of Qiu Feishan. The young lady was still the young lady of old – even after marriage, she wouldn’t change in any way.

Just as she was feeling pleased and proud, she suddenly heard Qiu Feishan say, “Bi Ying, go invite Manager Liu over later.”

Bi Ying was stunned for a moment, then nodded. “Yes.”

Manager Liu quickly arrived. Upon seeing Qiu Feishan, he bowed very respectfully.

Though Qiu Feishan was cumbersome with pregnancy, she still helped him up with both hands, saying, “I’ve asked you to come today because I have a favor to ask. I know this matter will be difficult for you, but though I have many capable people around me, there aren’t many I can trust…”

Manager Liu was Qiu Feishan’s confidant.

Seeing Qiu Feishan speak so sincerely, Manager Liu immediately said, “Boss, just say what it is. No matter what, even if it means going through fire and water, I will definitely accomplish it for you.”

Qiu Feishan said, “I know that though your martial arts are exceptional, you’ve never been willing to use them carelessly in front of others. But this time I must trouble you. My husband has been kidnapped by Qiu Yuanqing, and he wants me to…”

Qiu Feishan recounted the contents of the threatening letter, then detailed her visit to see Pang Xiao today. Finally she said, “I want you to secretly follow behind Pang Xiao. If Pang Xiao can deal with Qiu Yuanqing’s people and rescue my husband, that would naturally be good. But if anything goes wrong with Pang Xiao midway and he might be exposed, you must go find Qiu Yuanqing first and tell him about Pang Xiao’s arrangements there.”

“Boss, you’re…”

“For his safety, I have no choice but to make preparations on both fronts. If Pang Xiao can save him, that’s good. If not, I can only fulfill what the threatening letter demands and sell him out. In any case, I absolutely cannot let Mu Jinghu come to harm.”

Manager Liu sighed and nodded. “Boss, rest assured. I will definitely handle this matter well. However, if you do this and it’s discovered, you’ll have completely broken with Prince Zhongshun. I’m afraid there will be no opportunity for future cooperation. Even so, do you insist on proceeding this way?”

Qiu Feishan closed her eyes. “I can’t let my child grow up without a father.”

Manager Liu sighed again.

Bi Ying, who had been admiring Qiu Feishan’s decisive nature, finally came to her senses.

So her master had indeed changed after all. She didn’t know whether this change was good or not…

Manager Liu received his orders and departed. Though he hadn’t displayed his true skills in public for a long time and had the deceptive appearance of a scholar, as long as Qiu Feishan requested it, he would definitely accomplish it with all his might.

By this time, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao had already washed and settled in for the night.

Pang Xiao lay on his back with one arm as a pillow, his large hand around Qin Yining’s shoulder, pressing her against his chest.

In the quiet night, his voice carried deep emotion. “Sigh! Mutou is such a pitiful person.”

Qin Yining had already been drowsily falling asleep when Pang Xiao’s sigh startled her awake. She couldn’t help but laugh. “How many times have you sighed now?”

Pang Xiao was stunned, then shook his head. “I just think Mutou is pitiful. That man is so stubborn. Though his behavior in snatching a wife was wrong, he was ultimately tricked by Tianji Zi. Moreover, after marriage, he truly treated Qiu Feishan wholeheartedly.

“But even so, he couldn’t warm Qiu Feishan’s heart. At the crucial moment, he’s still the first to be sacrificed. In Qiu Feishan’s heart, the Qiu family’s foundation and the position of family head are probably much more important than Mutou, right?”

Speaking of this, Pang Xiao turned over and half-pressed Qin Yining, kissing the corner of her mouth. His dark phoenix eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight in the darkness.

“My Yi Jie’er would never treat me this way.”

Qin Yining giggled, her heart soft, and said teasingly, “Don’t be so narcissistic. This is because we haven’t faced such a situation. If we did, I might be even more vicious than Qiu Feishan – I’d be the first to sell you out.”

Pang Xiao chuckled, his large hand becoming restless. “If you sell me, I won’t be angry either. I’ll collect enough interest first, then when you sell me, I’ll see if I can escape back. Wouldn’t we both profit?”

As if he could really be sold off.

Qin Yining was amused and laughed heartily. With the vibration of her laughter, her entire soft body trembled lightly.

The side of Pang Xiao pressed against her felt like it was being roasted over fire, and his gaze gradually deepened.

His breathing also became heavy. He bit her lower lip mischievously. “If you want to sell me, you should first weigh my worth, right? Let me weigh it for you, okay? Hmm?”

Qin Yining’s voice was swallowed before she could make a sound. His large hand guided her small, soft white hand to linger over his tense muscles, while he whispered, “You should inspect the goods first.”

This inspection of goods lasted until deep into the night.

After inspecting goods came weighing worth.

They didn’t stop until the third watch, when Qin Yining was completely exhausted and Pang Xiao finally relented.

Her eyelids were too heavy to lift, but Qin Yining forced herself to maintain her last bit of clarity to tell Pang Xiao the serious matter she had wanted to say earlier but hadn’t had the chance.

“I think Qiu Feishan’s plan isn’t that simple. You should be more careful.”

Her final words gradually weakened, and she fell asleep just as she finished speaking.

Pang Xiao looked at the person in his arms with surprise, then chuckled softly. His large hand held her even tighter as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Good girl, sleep now.”

The next day, Pang Xiao arranged for people to make preparations.

He reluctantly held Qin Yining’s hand. “We just reunited yesterday, and I have to go out again. Fortunately, Grandmother is at home and can help me take good care of you. Just live peacefully at home. Don’t be afraid if you encounter trouble, and don’t let anyone bully you. I’ll be back soon.”

Qin Yining smiled. “I know. Who could bully me? Don’t worry. Just remember my advice – don’t be too naive.”

“Yes, I know.”

Qin Yining turned back to glance at Pan Keyu standing not far away. Clearly she and Pang Xiao were talking, and even maids wouldn’t approach, yet Pan Keyu acted like a blind fool, insisting on coming closer.

Qin Yining said to Pang Xiao, “I don’t have much patience. I don’t care whether you cooperate with people or not. When you’re not home, I’m going to do what I want to do.”