“How could I deserve such praise from you two gentlemen? These are merely the small insights of a woman from the inner quarters. Consider it throwing out a brick to attract jade.” Qin Yining thought briefly, then said: “My meaning is that when entering the city, Prince Pang and I should still travel separately.”

“Travel separately?” Pang Xiao asked in confusion: “How do we travel separately?”

Qin Yining replied: “Not dividing our forces into two routes, but having me take some people and enter the city first as the vanguard. We haven’t returned for quite some time. The capital is far from the old capital after all—mountains are high and roads are long, so messages inevitably sometimes fail to arrive. Returning so suddenly without knowing His Majesty’s attitude, we need to probe the situation. That’s the first reason. Furthermore, Your Highness has been in the old capital for so long, and with such distance, you’re unclear about the current attitude of court officials and common people toward Your Highness in the capital. I also plan to build momentum for Your Highness first. It won’t be too late for Your Highness to enter the city after preparations are complete.”

Hearing this, Xu Weizhi couldn’t help stroking his long beard and nodding: “What the Princess Consort says is extremely right. Making thorough preparations before entering the city has only benefits and no harm.”

Pang Xiao seemed somewhat hesitant.

If he couldn’t discern Li Qitian’s attitude toward him, even if he wanted to test it, he couldn’t use Qin Yining as a pathfinding stone.

Qin Yining immediately saw Pang Xiao’s hesitation and smiled: “Don’t worry. When I enter the capital with great fanfare, no one will dare touch me. They might want to use me against you, but they care too much about face.”

Hearing this, Xie Yue also said: “Your Highness, this old man feels the Princess Consort’s words are reasonable.”

Pang Xiao’s brows were deeply furrowed, his brow creasing into the character “chuan.”

Qin Yining smiled: “I understand Your Highness’s concerns, but you should know that this is the capital’s important territory. Things that can be done recklessly outside cannot be done here. Once they go too far, it becomes a lifelong stain.”

“Of course I understand that. But when you were in the palace…”

Pang Xiao didn’t finish his words, but everyone understood his meaning. He was still frightened by how Qin Yining had nearly been framed in the palace. If not for Qin Yining’s own cleverness, with him so far away and unable to help, all he could have done in the end was collect her corpse…

Qin Yining smiled: “You’re worrying excessively. I’m not in the palace now.”

Both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi felt Qin Yining’s strategy was feasible. But they also knew that Pang Xiao valued Qin Yining greatly and would absolutely not allow her to take risks for his sake. As advisors, they couldn’t urge too much—everything required Pang Xiao’s nod of approval.

Pang Xiao pondered for a long time, carefully considering the capital’s situation in his mind before finally nodding reluctantly: “Alright then, but take more people with you.”

“That’s not necessary. We didn’t bring many people back in total. I’ll take my maids and a few guards.”

“No, you leave me just a few people and take the rest.”

“This is the capital. Even if I took all our dozens of people, if something really happened, could they fight one against a hundred?”

Pang Xiao fell silent.

How many troops guarded the capital’s surroundings? Never mind dozens of people—even if there were hundreds or thousands, if Li Qitian truly wanted to act, they would be helpless.

This was why Pang Xiao often resented his own incompetence.

Seeing Pang Xiao’s frustration, Qin Yining wanted to console him but felt it inappropriate to say much in front of Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi, so she could only soothingly pat the back of his hand.

“Don’t worry, I guarantee nothing will happen. Have people outside the city pay close attention to movements within, and when the time is right, you can appear.”

Pang Xiao pressed his lips together and after a long while said: “It’s my incompetence.”

“What are you saying, Your Highness? You and I came to fight side by side. If I wanted comfort, wouldn’t it be better to hide somewhere along the way?”

Xie Yue was moved and also joined in persuading: “The Princess Consort speaks truly. Your Highness, the Princess Consort has your best interests at heart—you mustn’t disappoint her intentions.”

“Indeed, the Princess Consort’s righteousness moves this humble person to admiration.” Xu Weizhi also cupped his hands.

Qin Yining quickly waved her hands: “Please don’t be so formal, gentlemen.”

Mu Jinghu, who had been listening quietly, said: “Don’t worry, I’ll accompany the Princess Consort into the city.”

Pang Xiao looked at Mu Jinghu and nodded heavily: “With you there, I can set aside most of my worries.”

Mu Jinghu smiled: “As I’ve said before, I can’t guarantee anything else, but protecting the Princess Consort’s life is something I can accomplish.”

Pang Xiao nodded. Though he had agreed to Qin Yining’s proposal, he had already prepared for the worst in his heart.

With the strategy decided, Xie Yue asked: “When does the Princess Consort plan to depart?”

“Tomorrow. The sooner this matter is settled, the better we can properly restore the prince’s residence.”

When they had originally left the capital, Qin Yining had brought the entire household, thinking they would never return. The servants who should have been dismissed were all dismissed. After the residence being uninhabited for so long, who knew what state it was in.

After everyone had discussed matters thoroughly, Pang Xiao went to select twenty elite Tiger Guards.

“Along with Bingtang and Ji Yun, take Mutou as well.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Don’t worry. I’ll adapt to circumstances as they arise—there won’t be any danger.”

What could Pang Xiao say? As Qin Yining had said, she was his partner in battle, not someone who had always hidden under his wings needing his protection.

The next morning, Qin Yining took the elite Tiger Guards that Pang Xiao had selected and departed the estate by carriage.

Pang Xiao, along with Xie Yue, Xu Weizhi, Huzi, and the remaining dozens of people, temporarily stayed at the estate. Pang Xiao made arrangements, ordering them to take turns monitoring the situation in the city and report promptly, so that if anything happened, he could rush there immediately.

In the northern first month, snow still covered the ground everywhere. This year’s snow was heavier than in previous years, making the roads very difficult to travel. Originally, they could have arrived in two days if they hurried, but unexpectedly it took three days.

When they reached the city gates, it was already the first quarter of the hour of hai on the twenty-fourth day.

By this time, the city gates had long been closed, and curfew had begun within the city.

Qin Yining frowned: “We’ve returned at a most inopportune time.”

“Yes, it’s all because the roads were so difficult to travel. Princess Consort, must we camp in the wilderness again?”

Qin Yining thought for a moment: “That’s not necessary. Though there’s a curfew in the city, the targets of curfew also depend on the person. I am a princess consort after all—let’s use our influence for once.”

She then turned and instructed the elite Tiger Guard named Tang Xiu: “Xiao Tang, go and scout around. See what kind of background today’s gate captain has.”

Tang Xiu immediately nodded upon hearing this and spurred his horse toward the city gates.

Qin Yining sat in the carriage watching the situation at the distant city gates. Tang Xiu looked up and exchanged a few words with those above, then spurred his horse back, reporting: “Princess Consort, today’s gate captain is surnamed Gong. He previously served as a soldier under Your Highness for two years and has now been promoted to company commander.”

Qin Yining smiled: “Your prince really does have extensive connections—perfect. Take this and go tell him that the prince’s family members have returned from their journey, but were delayed too long on the road. Having finally reached the city gates at this hour, ask if he can be accommodating and open the gates to let us in.”

As she spoke, she handed Tang Xiu a round jade pendant with long tassels hanging below—clearly a sword tassel.

Tang Xiu immediately recognized it as the tassel from Pang Xiao’s sword. He received it with both hands, smiling: “Yes, I’ll go right away.”