Pang Xiao sat up and held Qin Yining in his arms, saying in a deep voice: “What apology! This matter isn’t your fault. You’re not the one who should be apologizing. I forbid you to go.”

His tone was fierce.

But Qin Yining was amused by his appearance.

“Enough, I’m the junior. It’s not shameful to apologize to an elder. This matter is settled.” Qin Yining covered her mouth and yawned, pushing Pang Xiao to lie down. “Sleep quickly, or you’ll go out tomorrow with dark circles under your eyes. People who don’t know might think I punished you by not letting you sleep.”

Pang Xiao laughed with a puff.

The great mountain pressing on his heart seemed to be moved away all at once.

He lay down, turned over to hold Qin Yining in his arms again, and treasuringly kissed her forehead: “Be good, sleep now.”

Qin Yining closed her eyes and hugged Pang Xiao’s waist, her hands grasping his snow-white undergarment, and quickly dozed off in a daze.

She didn’t know that after she fell asleep, Pang Xiao remained sleepless.

The next morning, after Qin Yining finished dressing and grooming, instructed Bingtang to apply medicine to Ji Yun’s hands, and everything was ready, she went to pay her respects to the Grand Dowager.

Yesterday’s incident was already known throughout the household, but everyone was well-bred enough not to discuss the matter further. Perhaps because Qin Huaiyuan was home, everyone in the household showed restraint.

Qin Yining paid her respects to the Grand Dowager and had Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er bow as well.

The whole family smiled broadly at the two children’s adorable appearance.

Qin Huaiyuan took the opportunity to smile and say: “Mother, our luggage is packed properly, and I see the in-laws are the same. How about we prepare some wine and food at noon today and all eat a reunion dinner together?”

As soon as Qin Huaiyuan said this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Calling it a reunion dinner, it was actually a farewell banquet. Regardless, with separation imminent, the family all felt somewhat reluctant to part with Qin Yining and Pang Xiao. After all, once they left, only Pang Xiao and Qin Yining would remain fighting alone, and no one knew when they would meet again.

Qin Yining smiled: “Then I’ll have someone invite Elder Yao and the others.”

Seeing his daughter’s face show no grudge, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but secretly admire Qin Yining’s growth and understanding.

Because only after growing up would one know that sometimes family members didn’t need to compete for superiority. If one person won but destroyed the family’s harmony, that wasn’t really winning. Only achieving one’s goals was truly winning. Taking a small step back to accomplish greater things—among the choices, many people knew which was more important, but very few could actually control their emotions and do it.

Pang Xiao felt very ashamed and kept his head down without speaking today.

Seeing this, Qin Huaiyuan really didn’t want to make things difficult for Pang Xiao or damage the young couple’s relationship because of this, so he smiled and said: “Zhixi isn’t in a rush to go to the military camp today, right? At least eat the banquet before you go.”

Overjoyed that his father-in-law was actively speaking to him, Pang Xiao nodded repeatedly: “Yes, thank you, father-in-law.”

His thanks were very complex.

Qin Huaiyuan understood and was quite pleased: “What kind of talk is that? These are all small matters. Remember, no matter what, we’re all one family.”

“Yes.” Qin Huaiyuan’s words moved Pang Xiao so much his eyes grew warm. Having such an understanding wife and such reasonable in-laws—if he didn’t appreciate this, heaven itself wouldn’t tolerate him.

Later he absolutely had to speak clearly with Yao Shi, whether through emotional appeals and reasoning or direct intimidation. He absolutely couldn’t let Yao Shi continue causing trouble after reaching the desert.

Qin Yining had Bingtang personally make a trip to the guest courtyard.

Knowing that Bingtang was Qin Yining’s most capable attendant, Ma Shi heard that the in-law family was hosting a banquet and had even invited them to join without holding grudges. She immediately breathed a long sigh of relief.

“Good, good. Tell Yining we’ll come shortly.”

“Yes. Then this servant takes her leave.” Bingtang smiled and bowed to Ma Shi and Yao Chenggu. Her almond-shaped eyes turned, not seeing Yao Shi in the room, but she didn’t show any emotion on her face and respectfully withdrew.

Yao Chenggu felt somewhat displeased.

This Mrs. Qin was truly putting on airs. Had she figured out that they wouldn’t tear their relationship apart? Did she really consider herself a noble princess consort, sending a little maid to invite elders to a banquet?

Seeing Yao Chenggu’s sour expression, Ma Shi snorted coldly without saying more.

She had lived with the Yao family for most of her life. When young, she knew Yao Chenggu had some cleverness, but his character seemed good. It was just that as time passed, Yao Chenggu’s petty thoughts grew more and more, until now he had even led their daughter astray.

Ma Shi felt very melancholy. It was precisely because she was too foolish and incompetent that things had turned out this way.

Yao Chenggu had no idea what his wife was thinking. His mind was working like an abacus, and his final conclusion was that the current situation was already quite good. At least the Qin family hadn’t immediately decided to do something to their family of three, so there was still room for maneuvering later.

After the elderly couple prepared themselves, they got ready to leave when the time came.

Ma Shi had been observing Yao Chenggu and, seeing he apparently had no intention of bringing Yao Shi along, couldn’t help but ask playfully: “What, you’re not bringing your precious daughter? She hasn’t eaten or drunk anything since yesterday.”

Yao Chenggu said righteously: “If one makes mistakes, one must be punished. Missing one or two meals won’t starve her. Letting her reflect properly is the right thing to do, to prevent her from causing some irreparable trouble in Xi Yue later.”

Yao Chenggu’s words truly struck Ma Shi’s heart.

Ma Shi was somewhat suspicious, shaking her head: “If you had taught her this way earlier, she wouldn’t have grown crooked like this.”

Yao Chenggu didn’t respond to Ma Shi’s words, only pursing his lips.

The two walked silently to the flower hall where the banquet was set. Qin Yining was already standing at the door waiting. Seeing the two arrive, she quickly stepped forward, respectfully bowing: “Elder, grandmother, your daughter-in-law was just helping mother arrange the banquet, so I couldn’t personally come to escort you both. Please forgive me, elder and grandmother.”

Yao Chenggu smiled: “Saying such things makes it sound distant, doesn’t it? The Qin family has so many people. Setting up a banquet while considering that everyone eats well isn’t easy. Besides, we’re family—who cares about such formalities?”

Qin Yining smiled with curved eyes: “Yes, thank you for your understanding, elder.”

Ma Shi stepped forward to take Qin Yining’s hand, wanting to go into the flower hall.

But Qin Yining looked behind the two of them: “Grandmother, where is my mother-in-law? Why didn’t she come with you both?”

Upon hearing Qin Yining mention Yao Shi, Yao Chenggu immediately became alert. He squinted and studied Qin Yining’s expression, worried that Qin Yining harbored resentment and wanted revenge.

Was today’s banquet a trap?

Yao Chenggu almost couldn’t control himself and was about to turn back.

Seeing Yao Chenggu’s strange expression, Qin Yining looked questioningly at Ma Shi.

Ma Shi said: “Don’t mind her. Otherwise she’ll come and bully you again, like a troublemaker.”

Hearing Ma Shi speak this way didn’t sound right, Yao Chenggu coughed heavily.

Ever since Qin Yining went to the door to greet people, Pang Xiao had been standing under the corridor of the flower hall like a wooden post, watching from afar with his ears perked up, afraid that Qin Yining might suffer more grievances.

The young couple’s behavior amused Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi, who were separated by only a window.

Qin Huaiyuan had already counseled Sun Shi last night, carefully analyzing the situation and telling Sun Shi how he planned to respond if Yao Shi caused trouble again in the future.

So after one night, the resentment in Sun Shi’s heart had long since dissipated. She even somewhat looked forward to Yao Shi causing another scene, so she could find another opportunity to vent anger for Yining.

They could all clearly see Pang Xiao’s dejection today. Now seeing their daughter actively going to speak with the in-law grand dowager while their son-in-law stood in the corridor watching, afraid their daughter might be wronged, Sun Shi and Qin Huaiyuan felt even more pleased. The two walked out of the flower hall, smiling as they came forward.

“Elder Yao, Grand Dowager.” Qin Huaiyuan bowed and smiled: “Why not go inside to sit? The wine and food are ready, and the banquet is about to begin.”

Seeing Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi’s kind smiles, as if no unpleasant incident had occurred, Ma Shi was deeply moved and grasped Sun Shi’s hand.

Yao Chenggu’s reaction was quite the opposite—alarm bells rang in his heart.

This was bad! With Qin Huaiyuan’s attitude, was he holding back something sinister?

Qin Yining turned back to tell Qin Huaiyuan: “Father, I was just saying that I haven’t seen my mother-in-law today.”

Pang Xiao also walked over at this time, looking questioningly at Ma Shi.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “In-law madam is probably still angry with Yining?”

“No, not at all.” Yao Chenggu quickly waved his hands.

Qin Yining said bashfully: “Actually, yesterday was truly a misunderstanding. It was also my thoughtlessness that made old madam so angry. I’ve been waiting just to apologize when everyone arrived.”

Ma Shi felt sorry for Qin Yining and quickly said: “Good child, grandmother knows your heart and the grievances you’ve suffered. To tell you the truth, your troublesome mother-in-law is currently kneeling in punishment in the side room.”

Qin Yining was surprised: “How can this be allowed?”

Yao Chenggu said righteously: “How can it not be allowed? Acting that way, losing her temper without distinguishing right from wrong, speaking carelessly and hurting people randomly—punishing her with kneeling is appropriate.”

Qin Huaiyuan quickly said anxiously: “This won’t do. Originally it should be my daughter apologizing to in-law madam. How can we punish in-law madam with kneeling?”

These words…

Yao Chenggu’s pupils contracted, silently cursing that officials always spoke without mercy. Qin Huaiyuan’s words seemed to be for Yao Shi’s sake, but actually blamed Yao Chenggu for meddling, not distinguishing the reasoning clearly and just having someone kneel in punishment directly. Wouldn’t this make Yao Shi hate Qin Yining even more?

Yao Chenggu was also someone with an exquisite mind and eloquent tongue, but at this moment he couldn’t say a single word in response.

Qin Huaiyuan thought for a moment: “How about this—we’ll all go together to fetch in-law madam, let Yining apologize to in-law madam. This reunion dinner should truly have the whole family reunited.”

Ma Shi felt guilty, always feeling that Qin Yining had been wronged. So at this moment she held Qin Yining’s hand with one hand and Sun Shi’s with the other, her face full of shame. This made both Qin Yining and Sun Shi feel sympathy for this kind-hearted and upright elderly lady, no longer wanting to make things difficult for her.

Yao Chenggu quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the Qin family was willing to provide a way to save face, that was good. After a night had passed, Yao Shi should have come to her senses too. If there were steps to climb down, she would come down. When the family met in the future, they could speak and act amicably. Otherwise, if they remained at an impasse, how could they get along in Xi Yue?

“Having the whole family reunited like this would naturally be good. It’s just that this would inevitably make Yining feel wronged.”