Pang Xiao smiled: “After your explanation, sir, this matter truly has great potential. It won’t be so easy for the Qiu family to use an imperial commissioner against me.”

At this moment, Xu Weizhi looked at Qin Yining, who had remained silent. “Does the princess consort have some thoughts?”

Qin Yining was suddenly called upon and came back to her senses with a smile: “Mr. Xu is perceptive. I do indeed have some ideas.”

Meeting three pairs of curious eyes, Qin Yining smiled gracefully: “I was thinking that naturally we cannot let them complete this transaction. Knowing they intend to harm Your Highness, how could we allow them to unite? If there’s a first collaboration, there will be a second and a third. That would be terrible for Your Highness. Better to ruin it from the first attempt—ideally, make them turn against each other.”

“The princess consort speaks truly.” Xu Weizhi nodded with a smile.

Xie Yue also said: “To think the Lu family and Qiu family have such a relationship. Both are old established families with deep roots spanning centuries—their foundations are even more solid than during the Northern Ji Kingdom. Regardless of whether their relationship involves one rising as the other falls or mutual benefit, it’s true that neither harbors good intentions toward Your Highness.”

“Moreover, not only must we prevent them from completing this transaction—if we can profit from it ourselves, that would be even better.” Qin Yining paced thoughtfully.

Watching her back, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but smile: “Truly a clever little sprite. I say the children’s intelligence all comes from you.”

“The princess consort’s wisdom is something we’ve long known.” Xie Yue smiled, but swallowed the latter half of his sentence.

Actually, he had wanted to say that if this matter were placed in “Wise Pan An’s” hands, it might not even be considered difficult. If Your Highness asked your father-in-law and spoke a few words with him, wouldn’t the solution come readily?

Qin Huaiyuan used to frequently discuss court matters with Pang Xiao, offering striking insights when criticizing current affairs. Having weathered the storms of officialdom for many years, he understood best what should be done when, and had truly guided Pang Xiao considerably.

Unfortunately, heaven didn’t grant him more years…

Both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi feared bringing up Qin Yining’s sad memories, so they deliberately avoided this topic.

Qin Yining thought for a moment and said: “I have some ideas, but we need to know what people both families have arranged for the negotiations. Previously, Qiu Yuanqing arranged for his son to come, but now that Qiu Feijing is dead, we don’t know whom the Qiu family will arrange to take over Guangtong Trading House.

“As for the Lu family, they’ve been operating for so many years—we don’t know how extensive their business is in Danzhou Prefecture. Ah, Your Highness, have you ever been to Danzhou Prefecture?”

Pang Xiao nodded: “I’ve been there once. It’s not too far from here—you go toward Liang City from here, then southeast. The scenery there is pleasant, like spring all year round. They say it specializes in producing talented scholars and beautiful women.”

“So you went there specifically for the talented scholars and beautiful women?” Qin Yining teased with a smile.

Hearing this, Pang Xiao repeatedly bowed in mock apology, making Qin Yining giggle. Even Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi couldn’t help but laugh at the young couple’s affectionate banter.

After a hearty laugh, Xu Weizhi said: “According to the princess consort’s words, a trip to Danzhou Prefecture is indeed indispensable. After all, sending people to investigate easily leads to missed information. Moreover, many things require seeing with one’s own eyes to form ideas, and many opportunities must be seized in a timely manner.”

“Mr. Xu speaks truly.” Qin Yining turned back with a smile to look at Pang Xiao. “You still need to guard the Pingnan Army and can’t leave. How about I make a trip to Danzhou?”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao’s expression immediately became serious, and he refused curtly: “No.”

Qin Yining was somewhat surprised by such a blunt refusal. “Why is Your Highness so resolute?”

Pang Xiao also realized his attitude wasn’t very good and quickly explained: “Every time I let you leave my sight, trouble always occurs. Tell me, how many dangerous situations have you encountered? Which time wasn’t a matter of life and death? These are men’s affairs. From now on, you should just stay home and properly care for the children and family—isn’t this what we agreed on long ago?”

Qin Yining smiled: “I know you’re worried about me, but…”

“In any case, it’s not happening. I won’t let you go to Danzhou Prefecture.”

Pang Xiao’s attitude was so firm that even Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi, the bystanders, felt intimidated.

However, Qin Yining said: “But this matter is extremely important. Mr. Xu and Mr. Xie have already analyzed the stakes involved. I feel this matter should still be investigated personally before deciding, especially since our opponents are two major families, one prominent and one hidden. Who knows if there isn’t some design from that person above behind all this?”

Qin Yining’s such direct statement made Pang Xiao fall silent. After a long while, he said: “Yi Jie’er, be good. This time I’ll go personally.”

Qin Yining knew Pang Xiao’s capabilities, but she still felt this matter wasn’t simple behind the scenes.

“Can you leave the military camp? This time you can’t bring troops out to ‘suppress bandits.'”

Pang Xiao thought for a moment and fixed his gaze on Xie Yue: “With Mr. Xie here, creating a substitute prince for a short time would be easy enough.”

Only then did Qin Yining remember that Xie Yue was skilled in disguise arts. When she first traveled to the capital with Xie Yue, she had once pretended to be Pang Xiao to fool people.

Qin Yining’s eyes sparkled as she suddenly said: “Since that’s the case, let’s go together—it would be more convenient for conducting business. Mr. Xie’s disguise skills can help us all make slight changes, making it easier to act when the time comes.”

Hearing about traveling together, Pang Xiao was actually somewhat tempted.

Danzhou Prefecture was the most famous scenic area in the south. Since Qin Yining married him, apart from going to provide disaster relief during the earthquake and being kidnapped, they had never truly traveled together peacefully to see the outside scenery.

This trip to investigate the Qiu family and Lu family negotiations, if they could take the opportunity to walk around and see Danzhou Prefecture, would fulfill this regret of theirs.

Seeing Pang Xiao waver, Qin Yining pressed her advantage: “While grandmother and the others are all at home now and can help care for the children, later when the children are older and begin their education, I’ll be even less able to leave. Even if I want to go out then, I won’t be able to.”

“Alright.” Pang Xiao quickly agreed, then paused and smiled: “Fine, let’s go together. We’ll treat it as going out to have fun while handling business on the side.”

Both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi smiled.

“Since Your Highness and the princess consort plan to go out, you must certainly disguise yourselves, and also arrange affairs in the military camp.” Xie Yue said.

Xu Weizhi lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then continued: “However, fortunately Danzhou Prefecture isn’t far from here. If we travel by boat, it would take three or four days. If the princess consort’s condition allows, traveling by boat would both reduce the jolting of carriages and horses and allow viewing the scenery along both banks—it couldn’t be better.”

Qin Yining was moved by this description and smiled: “Taking a boat is fine—I’ve taken small boats before. If we’re going out to take a large boat, it would naturally be more stable.”

Seeing the matter was decided, Pang Xiao smiled at Qin Yining: “Then I’ll escort you home now, then I’ll arrange some things. You should also go back and properly arrange the household, think about what you need to bring when going out, and what people to take. There’s still over a month until the tenth day of the tenth month—this time is sufficient for our preparations.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, returning home first.

The tenth day of the tenth month was the exact date for the Qiu family and Lu family transaction. Although, as Pang Xiao said, this time was sufficient for preparation, the journey alone would take three or four days. Once they reached Danzhou Prefecture, they would still need to investigate who both families had arranged for negotiations, then break them down individually. Adding the pile of affairs at home and in the military camp, both Qin Yining and Pang Xiao became busy.

Fortunately, there were many people at home. Qin Yining entrusted Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er to her mother and two grandmothers—she couldn’t be more at ease.

When Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er heard that Qin Yining and Pang Xiao were going out, they surprisingly didn’t make any fuss at all.

Han Ge’er even hugged Qin Yining’s neck and kissed her face: “Mother works the hardest. Mother is the best.”

“Why do you say that?” Qin Yining’s heart felt soft as she hugged Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er, also kissing their cheeks.

Han Ge’er said: “Great-grandmother said Mother is going out to work, to buy lots of sweets for Han Ge’er.”

“To earn silver.” Zhao Ge’er nodded.

“Right, right, earn silver to marry Han Ge’er a pretty wife!” Han Ge’er said.

Qin Yining knew her grandmother feared that always being away from the children would make them grow distant from her and resent her for not accompanying them. The two children didn’t understand much, but seeds of gratitude and filial piety had already been planted in their little hearts.

But hearing the end, she found it amusing again.

“Han Ge’er isn’t even two years old yet, and you’re already thinking about marrying a wife?” Qin Yining deliberately teased him.

Zhao Ge’er seriously nodded: “Marrying a wife is good.”

“How is marrying a wife good?”

“Great-grandmother said so. Marrying a wife is good.” Zhao Ge’er worked hard to express himself.

Han Ge’er jumped in: “Great-grandmother said Father was lucky to marry a good wife. So marrying a wife is good!”

Qin Yining felt moved in her heart. Zheng Shi truly cared for her, and how could Ma Shi not truly cherish her?

Hugging the children and kissing them again and again, Qin Yining seemed to have endless things to say. Even though the two children spoke in childish words, it didn’t affect their happy mood at all.

Only when thinking about separating from the children did Qin Yining feel reluctant in her heart. But with the situation before them, she had to face and solve it together with Pang Xiao. Only by resolving all the outside matters could the children grow up safely and live without future worries.

After two days, everything was prepared. Very early in the morning, Qin Yining brought Ji Yun and Bingtang and quietly left the Qin household with Pang Xiao.

Xie Yue had already found a Tiger Guard with a build similar to Pang Xiao’s, dressed him up as Pang Xiao, and arranged for him to live in a certain residence in the former capital city, only occasionally having him come out to walk around as Pang Xiao’s substitute.

With Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi accompanying him, presumably there wouldn’t be any mistakes.

Originally, to make it look realistic, Huzi nearly had to be left behind. It was Qin Yining who persuaded Pang Xiao: “When we go out, we shouldn’t treat Huzi and Bingtang badly either. I specifically brought Bingtang, so you can’t not bring Huzi. Besides, even though everyone knows Huzi is your most capable attendant, there’s no guarantee you wouldn’t arrange for him to scout some bandit den. You could have Huzi depart separately from us and meet at some location outside the city.”

Pang Xiao thought this made sense, and seeing Huzi’s puppy-dog-like expression, he immediately agreed with a laugh.

Thus, Huzi had already openly ridden out of the city on horseback, then disguised himself as a servant and boarded the boat with the boatmen first.