“There’s nothing wrong with it.” Pang Xiao said sternly: “She should be grateful that my temper has improved considerably.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining felt somewhat worried for Tianji Zi: “She is Young Master Mu’s martial uncle after all. If nothing else, at least for Young Master Mu’s sake. Moreover, I see that Tianji Zi has already made her intentions clear and offered you her loyalty.”

Pang Xiao naturally understood what Qin Yining meant.

Tianji Zi could have simply minded her own business and just been a guest, but she had just prepared that strange drug to help Pang Xiao extract the truth from Manager Liu.

Setting aside whether Mu Jinghu would be in an awkward position after learning of this, just the matter of helping to prepare the drug indeed demonstrated where her loyalties lay.

“I know. Don’t take this matter to heart, and don’t listen to her nonsense. We’ll live our own lives and do what we should do. If we had to listen to her calculations before doing anything, would all the people in the world have to act according to her wishes? She’s not a deity!”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded.

Regarding what Tianji Zi had said, she was actually still somewhat concerned. There were too many hardships ahead of them, and she was truly afraid that something might happen to Pang Xiao and their sons.

But Pang Xiao’s attitude toward this matter was completely in her favor, which made her heart especially joyful.

It wasn’t appropriate for Qin Yining to remain in the military camp, so Pang Xiao gave instructions about military affairs again and told Huzi to stay behind to watch over Tianji Zi.

“If she makes the slightest suspicious move, immediately gag her, tie her up, and throw her in a corner.”

Huzi rubbed his hands together eagerly: “Yes! Understood!”

Pang Xiao then brought Qin Yining back to the Qin mansion, where they spent a wonderful yet exhausting night.

The next morning, Pang Xiao woke up under the gaze of two little ones.

Pang Xiao vaguely sensed someone’s presence and alertly opened his eyes to see Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er standing beside the bed, both cupping their little faces with their chins resting on the bed’s edge as they looked in.

These two children were beautiful, with large eyes that especially resembled Qin Yining’s. Pang Xiao was delighted beyond measure, his expression softening as he reached out to pat the children’s heads.

“Daddy, Han Ge’er wants to fly-fly.” Han Ge’er saw that Pang Xiao was awake and began chattering like a little sparrow: “The wet nurse said Daddy and Mother weren’t up yet and told Han Ge’er not to make noise. Han Ge’er didn’t make noise—Daddy woke up by himself.”

The children’s voices woke Qin Yining: “What’s wrong?”

“Mother!” Zhao Ge’er reached toward Qin Yining.

Afraid that Qin Yining was tired, Pang Xiao quickly lifted both children onto the bed.

Han Ge’er clung to Pang Xiao like a little sticky rice cake, sitting on his stomach with both hands around his neck: “Daddy, Han Ge’er wants to fly-fly high, and Brother wants to fly-fly high too.”

Zhao Ge’er, nestled in Qin Yining’s arms, nodded upon hearing this: “Fly-fly.”

Pang Xiao didn’t immediately understand.

Qin Yining smiled: “Did you forget how you played with them yesterday?”

Pang Xiao suddenly understood. These two little ones were too adorable—how could he refuse such a request?

Pang Xiao smiled: “Come, Daddy will make you fly-fly. One at a time. Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er, who goes first?”

Zhao Ge’er: “Little brother.”

Han Ge’er’s eyes sparkled brightly, but he still shook his head and said insincerely: “Brother fly first, Han Ge’er fly after.”

“Proper order of seniority.” Pang Xiao smiled: “Then Zhao Ge’er flies ten times first, then we’ll let Han Ge’er fly ten times. Is that good?”

“Good!” the children said in unison.

Pang Xiao casually put on his outer robe, picked up Zhao Ge’er to ride on his neck, raised both hands above his head to grab Zhao Ge’er’s wrists, and began moving about the room with flash-like agility, even nimbly leaping onto the canopy above, making the child shriek and laugh with delight.

Han Ge’er tilted his neck back to watch Pang Xiao, clapping his hands until they were red: “Daddy amazing, Daddy most amazing!”

With such commotion in the room, the maids knew their masters were up and hurried into the room.

Qin Yining washed and dressed while watching Pang Xiao play with the two children like a big monkey. If she hadn’t stopped him, Pang Xiao would have nearly tucked a child under each arm and leaped out the window to run along the eaves for flying high.

“Don’t make such a fuss. How am I supposed to take them flying high when you’re not home? I don’t feel comfortable entrusting them to others, so don’t start this precedent.”

Pang Xiao scratched his head at her words: “Then I’ll teach the children lightness skills.”

“If you want to teach them, fine, but plan it properly. The children aren’t even two years old yet. Don’t you think it’s a bit early to teach them now?”

Pang Xiao was momentarily speechless.

The children, however, were unappreciative. Upon hearing that Pang Xiao wanted to teach them, they immediately hugged his thighs, both little faces looking up at Pang Xiao expectantly.

“Daddy, learn!”

“Daddy, Han Ge’er wants to learn martial arts—hiya hoo!”

Pang Xiao’s heart melted with tenderness, but he still maintained his firm stance and coughed: “Your mother has the final say. You’re too young now and can’t learn.”

However, when Qin Yining turned her back, Pang Xiao quickly winked at the two children.

Han Ge’er opened his mouth wide and made an “ah” sound.

Zhao Ge’er, cleverly, covered Han Ge’er’s little mouth to prevent his brother from speaking.

Qin Yining didn’t see the little conspiracy between the father and sons and continued fixing her hair before the mirror.

Since Pang Xiao couldn’t continue taking the children outside to play, he could only develop various new games at home, willingly “serving as an ox and horse.”

Bingtang pinned a white jade hairpin in Qin Yining’s hair and whispered: “If someone told me that the mighty Prince Zhongshun would crawl around on the ground, I definitely wouldn’t believe it.”

“Hearing is false, seeing is believing.” Ji Yun was suppressing laughter: “Fathers throughout the world who love their children are probably all like this.”

Lian Xiaozhou said earnestly: “But His Highness really does sound like a horse when he neighs.”

“Of course, His Highness spends all day in the military camp. He’s seen countless war horses and trains troops daily, always dealing with horses. How could his imitation not be realistic?” Qianyun giggled secretly.

Qin Yining feigned anger, glaring at the several people in the mirror.

The maids all covered their mouths and laughed.

The family of four had a lively breakfast together, then Pang Xiao smiled: “I’ll return to the military camp first and come back tonight. Don’t tire yourself at home. There are wet nurses and maids for the children—don’t do everything personally.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Just go about your business. We…”

Before she could finish, a young maid came to report: “Your Highness, Your Highness, Young Master Mu and Mrs. Mu request an audience.”

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao exchanged glances.

They must be here about yesterday’s matter.

Pang Xiao thought for a moment: “Please invite them in.”

Qin Yining had the wet nurse watch the two children first, then went with Pang Xiao to the front flower hall for receiving guests.

Just as Qin Yining and Pang Xiao arrived, they saw Mu Jinghu and Qiu Feishan walking in hand-in-hand, led by a maid.

Qiu Feishan’s powdered face was lovely, Mu Jinghu was glowing with health, and when their gazes met, one could see traces of tender affection.

It seemed the misunderstanding between them had been resolved.

Qin Yining felt somewhat relieved, but her gaze toward Qiu Feishan became complicated again.

The two-pronged preparation Qiu Feishan had made could be called ruthless. To put it bluntly, to save her husband’s life, she had deceived another woman’s husband into going out to risk his life. Such behavior was truly unlikable.

But putting herself in Qiu Feishan’s shoes, if something happened to Pang Xiao, she would certainly spare no cost to save him, preferring to be shameless rather than let Pang Xiao die. This gave her some understanding of Qiu Feishan’s actions.

Moreover, Mu Jinghu had helped them repeatedly and had saved Qin Yining’s life. He was also a reliable friend to Pang Xiao.

Given such complex relationships, Qin Yining couldn’t bring herself to scold Qiu Feishan.

Perhaps knowing what Qin Yining was thinking, as soon as Mu Jinghu and Qiu Feishan approached, they both performed a formal bow to Qin Yining and Pang Xiao.

Both Qin Yining and Pang Xiao were startled.

Pang Xiao reached out to help them up: “What are you doing, Mutou? Get up quickly.”

Mu Jinghu said: “This bow is rightfully mine to give. This time Shanshan was forced into desperate measures. To save me, she plotted against you. I know that yesterday you still wanted to persuade me to go home, afraid that I might become estranged from Shanshan over those petty thoughts of mine… You’ve been so righteous toward me, yet we…”

“Forget it. Let’s never mention this matter again.” Pang Xiao forcefully helped Mu Jinghu to his feet.

Qin Yining also helped Qiu Feishan to sit down nearby: “You’re heavy with child—don’t copy these men’s dramatic gestures.”

Qiu Feishan’s face was bright red as she stammered: “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have deceived you that day…”

Qin Yining smiled: “Didn’t His Highness say not to mention this matter again? Everything is past, and fortunately everyone is safe.”

Qiu Feishan felt guilty: “During these days, I owe so much to your care, yet I committed such an act of repaying kindness with ingratitude. Whenever I think back on it, I truly feel terrible.”

“Yes.” Mu Jinghu also said: “I was ultimately too careless and got captured. Shanshan really had no choice in this matter. I’ve already spoken to her about it. If there’s ever such a situation again, she must speak openly and honestly so we can all discuss it together.”

Qiu Feishan smiled bashfully.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao knew that Mu Jinghu and Pang Xiao had a deep friendship and naturally trusted each other—theirs was a profound bond tested through many trials. But Qiu Feishan’s current relationship with Pang Xiao was merely cooperative. Pang Xiao couldn’t completely trust Qiu Feishan, and naturally Qiu Feishan couldn’t completely trust Pang Xiao either.

So Qiu Feishan’s actions weren’t entirely surprising to them, nor were they deeply disappointed. From beginning to end, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao hadn’t invested much emotion or trust in Qiu Feishan.

However, being able to speak openly face-to-face was better than each keeping their grievances hidden in their hearts.

Mu Jinghu stood and bowed to Qin Yining: “Shanshan told me everything. These past days, I’m so grateful you took care of her. She has no female elders around her and no experience. She’s so fortunate to have had you there.”

Qin Yining quickly stood up to avoid the bow: “What are you doing, Young Master Mu? We’re all family. If we’re really talking about gratitude, shouldn’t I kowtow to thank you for saving my life multiple times that day?”

“But this time I truly wronged you. We had planned our strategy so well that day, but I was suddenly called away by my martial uncle, putting you in danger…” Mu Jinghu bowed again: “I wronged you and nearly caused you harm.”