“Naturally I remember.”

Speaking of this matter, even after all this time had passed, Pang Xiao still felt frightened. Qin Yining had told him that back then in the desert when water was insufficient, Si Qin couldn’t bear to let his subordinates die, so naturally he would abandon other unrelated people. If they hadn’t been fortunate enough to encounter Khan A’na Ri coming to their rescue, the next person to be abandoned would have been Qin Yining.

“You mean…”

“If it were someone else, I’m afraid I couldn’t distinguish them, but this person’s voice is too distinctive. He is one of those who were abandoned in the desert that day.

“At that time, Si Qin threw Lady Liao and her two trusted confidants into the desert. Because they questioned them about the location of the treasure, they had already suffered some punishment. If they hadn’t been in the desert at that time, Si Qin and his subordinates, in order to conserve their strength, would never have let them off so easily.

“When they were driven away, they were already short of water and injured, and in the desert where directions couldn’t be discerned. Not only Si Qin, but everyone was certain they would never make it out of the desert alive. Yet now this person has actually survived.”

Qin Yining contemplated while murmuring in a low voice: “I wonder how many of them left the desert that day. Did they all survive, or did only he survive alone? Also, Lady Liao knew about the treasure’s information that day, and her subordinates should have known it too. So this person wants to buy the position of county magistrate of Huichuan County…”

Speaking to this point, Qin Yining slowly raised her head, her clear bright eyes looking at Pang Xiao with disbelief.

Pang Xiao had the same expression, “You’re saying that the treasure might possibly be in…”

Qin Yining nodded heavily, “Other than this reason, I can’t think of any other reason why he would spend such a large sum to buy the position of county magistrate in Huichuan County. The Emperor is constructing imperial tombs in Huichuan County with massive construction projects. That place is definitely not somewhere one can peacefully serve as an official. Even though I’m not in the imperial court, I know that at least two county magistrates have been beheaded there in one year.”

“Exactly. When the Emperor first ascended the throne, he had people select an auspicious site with good feng shui to build the imperial mausoleum, and Huichuan County was chosen. However, there have been continuous wars – first the matter of the Great Yan Dynasty in the south, then the Tatar invasions from the north, plus the earthquake, and with years of warfare leaving the national treasury empty, the Emperor’s private funds are nearly depleted. Naturally, the mausoleum construction stops today and resumes tomorrow.

“Moreover, as you said, throughout all dynasties, high officials overseeing imperial mausoleum construction never had good endings. The previous supervisor of the current imperial mausoleum construction in Huichuan was dismissed for ineffective progress, and the local county magistrate was also beheaded for embezzling gold and silver meant for imperial mausoleum construction. Since the last county magistrate was beheaded, Huichuan County still hasn’t had a new county magistrate.”

The more Pang Xiao told Qin Yining about Huichuan County’s affairs, the more certain he became of Qin Yining’s speculation.

“Even if the treasure isn’t in Huichuan County, it might be related to Huichuan County. Otherwise, no one would be foolish enough to willingly walk into danger.”

“I think so too.”

With this analysis, both their expressions contained several parts of barely concealed excitement.

Truly, after wearing out iron shoes searching everywhere without finding it, obtaining it required no effort at all. For the sake of the treasure, so many people had exhausted their minds without getting even a single clue, yet they had gone out on one trip and unexpectedly obtained such a lead.

Pang Xiao swept Qin Yining up in his arms, holding her like a child sitting on his strong arm.

“You really are my lucky star.”

Qin Yining gave a soft cry, hurriedly wrapping her arms around Pang Xiao’s neck, smiling with squinted eyes: “We don’t have any concrete leads yet, so don’t get too excited too early. The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.”

“I know. Previously we were completely in the dark, but now finding this thread of a clue is already a major breakthrough.” Pang Xiao carried Qin Yining as he paced around the room, not feeling tired at all. “Tell me, who could be so capable as to intercept the treasure back then and actually take it all the way around the Great Zhou capital, sending it north without anyone knowing?”

“I also find it incredible.” Qin Yining patted Pang Xiao’s arm, indicating for him to put her down. “However, the treasure might not necessarily be there. You should first send people to investigate.”

Pang Xiao set Qin Yining down, holding her waist with both hands, and kissed her cheek. “I understand. I’ll have someone go later. It’s just that the people I brought are all Tiger Guards. When it comes to fighting, they’re like tigers descending the mountain, but when it comes to investigation skills, they’re not as good as the Azure Heaven Alliance’s infiltration capabilities. Only… I don’t know if the current Azure Heaven Alliance can still be trusted.”

After all, Lady Liao was a member of the Azure Heaven Alliance. If it didn’t involve the treasure, when Qin Yining’s interests aligned with theirs, naturally everything would be fine. But if it involved the treasure, neither of them could guarantee that the Azure Heaven Alliance was completely without ulterior motives. Even when the Azure Heaven Alliance initially followed Qin Yining to help Li Qitian reclaim the imperial palace, it was because they had common interests and goals – for the Azure Heaven Alliance to emerge from the shadows and no longer be just a martial world organization, but an existence recognized by the imperial family.

Qin Yining lowered her eyes in contemplation for a moment, then said: “Your words remind me – let me observe for a while first. The larger the organization and the more people there are, the less unified their hearts become. The leaders can be trusted, but the members below might not all be reliable.”

Pang Xiao nodded, “You’re right. Now that conditions permit, let’s first have the Tiger Guards investigate. We might have some gains.”

“Mm. Our affairs here are almost finished. When shall we return?”

“Missing the children?” Pang Xiao bent down to look at her.

Qin Yining nodded, lowering her eyes to rest against Pang Xiao’s shoulder. “Although I’ve had great fun playing outside with you, without the children by my side, I always feel like something is missing. Having them gives me more to worry about.”

Pang Xiao’s large hand patted her back, and for a moment the guilt in his heart nearly overwhelmed him like a tide.

After all, it was because of him that she was burdened, causing her to wander displaced, unable to be like ordinary women who only revolved around children and family. What she had to do was far more than what those women did, requiring a hundred times more worry and countless more dangers. If her family understood it would be one thing, but she happened to encounter such a mother-in-law…

Pang Xiao lowered his head and kissed Qin Yining’s forehead repeatedly, filled with both tenderness and guilt. However, repeating many words would be useless and would only make Qin Yining uncomfortable, and she might even end up comforting him instead.

“Don’t worry. Once the imperial envoy takes office, we’ll return as soon as possible. With two great-grandmothers at home and the whole family doting on them, they must be living very well and safely.”

Qin Yining nodded and obediently agreed.

In the following days, besides arranging for people to go to Huichuan County to investigate any anomalies in the county, Pang Xiao continued to bring Qin Yining to freeload at the Lu family.

Lu Zheng still hadn’t given up on Qin Yining, but he no longer continued the direct harassment as before. He would only occasionally encounter them by chance in the mansion, or when he had business dealings, he would still invite them both to listen in.

Qin Yining knew this person wanted to show off in front of her, so she was even more unwilling to pay attention to him. But the more she ignored him, the more Lu Zheng seemed to care.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed. On this day, Lu Zheng sent Lu Xi to invite Pang Xiao and Qin Yining to the front hall to speak.

Pang Xiao covered his mouth and yawned, tightening the fur-collared cloak draped over his shoulders. “Don’t tell me your young master is asking me to accompany him in business negotiations again? I just don’t understand – does having me there increase the chances of successful negotiations?”

Lu Xi pursed his lips, thinking to himself that this person’s face was really thick enough – where did such confidence come from?

“Please come, Young Master Wan. The young master surely has good news for you.”

Qin Yining, standing nearby, took the cloak Ji Yun handed her and put it on. Looking at Lu Xi’s expression and analyzing the meaning in his words, she had a general guess.

Counting the days, the matter of arranging the imperial envoy was probably settled, right?

Obviously, Pang Xiao had guessed the same. His narrow phoenix eyes narrowed, and he raised an eyebrow: “Good. Since it’s good news, of course we should go. Maybe your young master has found good wine and wants to treat this young master to a drink.”

Pang Xiao pulled Qin Yining over and roughly helped her arrange the white rabbit fur collar of her cloak, then strode out with large steps.

From the guest courtyard to the front hall, he had long since become familiar with the route. Lu Xi, who wanted to lead the way, was completely ignored and could only follow behind the two with his hands tucked in his sleeves.

In the front hall, Lu Zheng wore an ivory-colored brocade wide-sleeved Daoist robe with a gray squirrel fur collar cloak draped over his shoulders. He wore a net cap on his head, his hair bun secured with a white jade hairpin, and stood in the center of the room with his hands behind his back.

When he saw them arrive, his gaze involuntarily fell on the beauty he had been longing for day and night.

She looked even more radiant wearing the white fur collar cloak.

“Young Master Lu, I heard from Lu Xi that you have some good news here?” Pang Xiao asked with a hearty laugh.

Lu Zheng nodded: “Yes, I’ve received word that the court has selected Personnel Ministry Vice Minister Lu Tingzhong as imperial envoy to the old capital. The matter has been accomplished.”

“Really?” Pang Xiao was overjoyed.

Lu Zheng said: “This naturally won’t be wrong.”

“Good, excellent!” Pang Xiao rubbed his hands together repeatedly, excitedly spinning twice, then said: “Since it’s done, then I’ll prepare to set off and return to the old capital. We agreed that once the matter was accomplished, you would dispatch a chief manager to go with me, right? I’m preparing to leave, so you should also quickly select the person.”

Lu Zheng, seeing his undignified manner, was already impatient. Looking again at Lady Ning, who also appeared eager to leave immediately, he became even more displeased.

“Why such haste to leave? Is there something lacking in the Lu family’s hospitality?”

“Not at all. Even if you put us up in an immortal palace, we’d get tired of it after a long time.” Pang Xiao waved his hand. “However, during these days at your home, we’ve eaten well and lived well – I’ve even gained weight without noticing. You’ve really worked hard. When you have the opportunity to visit the old capital in the future, this young master will certainly fulfill the duties of a host and treat you well.”

Lu Zheng scoffed, dismissing his words, and only asked Qin Yining gently: “Lady Ning won’t stay a few more days?”

“Thank you for Young Master Lu’s kind intention. I naturally must follow my young master.”

Lu Zheng nodded and didn’t ask further.

Pang Xiao bid farewell to Lu Zheng and immediately brought Qin Yining back to the guest courtyard to pack their luggage, then moved back to their boat to prepare for departure.

Watching their figures walk away, Lu Xi carefully asked: “Young Master, why didn’t you speak to Young Master Wan about Lady Ning’s matter? Given the current situation, if you spoke up, Young Master Wan probably wouldn’t refuse.”

Lu Zheng snorted with laughter: “What fun would that be? In the future, I want her to come begging me to take her in herself.”

Turning around, Lu Zheng’s expression showed complete confidence in victory: “Tell Yuan Yujiang to prepare. Go find the Wan family’s boat and have them depart together. Quickly remind Yuan Yujiang to act carefully and not ruin my plans.”

Lu Xi immediately nodded in agreement and quickly went to handle the matter.