Ji Zeyu smiled and glared at Pang Xiao, finding it quite amusing himself: “We haven’t seen each other for a long time. When I saw you, I couldn’t help but talk more.”

Pang Xiao couldn’t help but sigh. Ji Zeyu’s life was different from his.

Even during the period when he and Qin Yining were forced to be apart, his heart still held concern for each other. He knew Qin Yining was silently sacrificing for him, so even when doing things, he had direction and goals to strive for. But Ji Zeyu wasn’t as fortunate as he was…

Pang Xiao said: “When you have free time, come find me for drinks in the future. If the main gate won’t work, climbing over the wall is fine too. I’ll tell the guards later to let them not stop you if they discover you climbing over the wall.”

“How nice of you – inviting someone for drinks but not letting them use the main gate.”

“Hey, how can you be so good at twisting people’s words?”

The two brothers joked with each other, and this meal lasted until midnight.

When Ji Zeyu was taking his leave, Pang Xiao thought for a moment and said: “Why don’t you practice climbing over the wall today.”

Li Qitian had definitely arranged spies outside the prince’s mansion. Ji Zeyu had been here for so long – if he swaggered out now, it would probably be reported back to Li Qitian.

They were both military generals and both Li Qitian’s sworn brothers. The two of them gathering together for so long – what exactly had they been discussing?

Pang Xiao didn’t want Li Qitian to misunderstand Ji Zeyu. If there ever came a day when they tore off the mask, he didn’t want Ji Zeyu to be implicated for no reason.

Ji Zeyu immediately understood what Pang Xiao was thinking.

“I’ve had quite a bit to drink today – it’s not suitable for climbing walls. I’ll just use the gate.”

Pang Xiao was taken aback by Ji Zeyu’s response and pulled at his sleeve: “You should still listen to me.”

“No need, I know your good intentions.” Ji Zeyu smiled: “It’s fine. I’ll leave now. Next time I want to practice climbing, I’ll come to your courtyard wall.”

Pang Xiao was made to laugh heartily by Ji Zeyu’s teasing.

Since Ji Zeyu didn’t care, it would be meaningless for him to continue being coy like a child. He smiled and escorted him to the second gate.

Ji Zeyu stopped him: “You go back and take good care of yourself.”

Seeing Ji Zeyu return to his usual cold and frosty appearance, Pang Xiao cooperatively nodded, covered his mouth and coughed twice: “Then I won’t see you off further.”

“No need to see me off.”

The two cupped their hands in farewell.

Pang Xiao watched Ji Zeyu stride away before returning to the main room.

As soon as Ji Zeyu left the prince’s mansion, this was immediately reported to Li Qitian.

Li Qitian was preparing to retire for the night. Upon hearing this, he sneered and dismissed the spy.

The drowsiness that had originally surged up immediately dissipated by more than half. Li Qitian paced on the ground with his hands behind his back, wearing his dragon robe, and didn’t rest until the zi hour.

What happened in court naturally couldn’t reach the ears of the common people.

But Duke Changguo seemed unable to accept that one impeachment wasn’t enough. The next day, he impeached Pang Xiao yet again.

The content of this impeachment was still the same as the previous time, and those censors were also the same, making the emperor on high even feel that they had drafted articles in private and memorized them.

Li Qitian still couldn’t punish Pang Xiao and threw out another “awaits investigation.”

At this time, most people in court were observing the attitudes of His Majesty and Prince Zhongshun in order to make the best judgment.

The news that Pang Xiao had been impeached twice somehow spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.

Li Qitian had originally been angry about Pang Xiao delaying his return to the capital, and due to public opinion couldn’t punish him. Now seeing him impeached on a large scale twice, even if he couldn’t nod in approval, he could sit on the mountain and watch tigers fight. He was watching the show with great interest, but didn’t expect this matter to actually be publicized.

Many common people had personally gone to receive Pang Xiao and witnessed his collapse with their own eyes. This great hero Pang Xiao had already taken on tragic colors.

Not only the common people, but Pang Xiao’s subordinates and some former troops, including the Huben Army, were all sighing and feeling indignant for Pang Xiao. Now with such events occurring, those who were already feeling indignant for Pang Xiao had their dissatisfaction rise several more levels.

However the common people discussed it, many censors in court didn’t care.

What they cared more about was Pang Xiao’s reaction.

Although Pang Xiao claimed illness and hadn’t participated in court assemblies for a long time, they didn’t believe that Pang Xiao would be completely unaware of outside news. He clearly knew his situation, yet still refused to make a sound – could it be that he was already afraid?

Many people felt that Pang Xiao was learning to bow his head and be low-key. They thought he himself had also sensed the danger of achievements overshadowing his master, so before His Majesty took action, he had already admitted defeat.

This kind of thinking wasn’t held by just one person. Pang Xiao, who had formerly been such a domineering figure, now seemed like a different person, lying in his mansion all day recuperating. Even when people unreasonably caused trouble, he paid no attention. Such behavior was completely different from his formerly tough stance – it was like he had become a different person.

This showed that even the greatest heroes had to bow their heads before imperial power.

The censors were suddenly like they had been injected with stimulants.

Pang Xiao’s silence became evidence of his admission of defeat in their eyes. The more Pang Xiao remained silent, the louder their impeachment voices became in both major and minor court assemblies. The content of their impeachments was varied – they even brought up how Pang Xiao had once trampled farmers’ fields with his horse when leading the Huben Army to attack the Yan Dynasty years ago. Some went even further, describing Pang Xiao as a tyrant who bullied men and women and committed all kinds of evil.

In these people’s mouths, Pang Xiao transformed from a hero who had made great contributions to the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty into a bandit leader who would commit any evil for personal gain.

Not to mention Li Qitian’s frustration at only being able to listen to impeachments without being able to nod in agreement.

These impeachment voices ultimately aroused dissatisfaction among some people.

Among these people were both civil and military officials, most of whom had worked with Pang Xiao or were his former subordinates. They knew Pang Xiao’s character and admired his conduct. They couldn’t imagine that someone who had wholeheartedly served the country would now meet such an end – not only being impeached so miserably, but His Majesty not even stopping these petty people from speaking nonsense!

No matter how thick and strong a towering tree was, it couldn’t withstand these worms gnawing at it every day. No matter how good a person’s reputation was, it couldn’t withstand rumors destroying it.

Many people felt chilled and even wondered if they would one day fall to such a state.

Li Qitian at this time was focused only on watching Pang Xiao’s misfortune and overlooked this point.

“Your Highness, your body hasn’t recovered yet, but those mad dogs have started barking wildly! The brothers truly feel indignant for you!”

In the prince’s mansion, several of Pang Xiao’s former subordinates from the Huben Army came together to visit. Looking at Pang Xiao wearing a half-new, half-old azure wide-sleeved long robe, he looked even more like a scholar – frail and unlike his mighty appearance when killing enemies on the battlefield.

The several men felt even more sorrowful.

“When Your Highness led us to kill enemies, those shameless things were still in women’s beds! Now they’re just bullying Your Highness for not speaking up and having no military power. His Majesty too – he just lets that group run wild!”

Pang Xiao smiled and waved his hand to stop the continuation of this topic.

“Don’t discuss state affairs, and don’t presume to criticize His Majesty.”

Pang Xiao’s gentle appearance formed a stark contrast with his former domineering manner. In these men’s eyes, Pang Xiao was obviously being suppressed by His Majesty to the point where he couldn’t raise his head, and even his proud backbone was almost worn away.

When leaving the prince’s mansion, everyone was so depressed their eyes were red.

“Damn it, what kind of situation is this!”

“Those who serve the country loyally don’t get good rewards! Look at what Your Highness eats, wears, and lives in now, and see how deserted the prince’s mansion is – the whole family is almost extinct!”

“Your Highness’s illness probably also relates to his family’s wrongful deaths. Your Highness’s pair of twins… alas, what a pity!”

…

The crowd’s discussions weren’t limited to small circles.

Soon, such discussions spread from Pang Xiao’s old subordinates and die-hard loyalists, gradually spreading among the common people. Pang Xiao’s image as a tragic hero was once again heavily engraved in everyone’s minds.

Both Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue advised Pang Xiao.

“Your Highness’s current situation is worrisome. You should make plans early. Things have reached this point – wavering might damage your reputation.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Looking at His Majesty’s methods, regardless of Your Highness’s situation, this old man feels chilled. If he were truly a wise ruler who had secured his throne, why would he need to guard against someone with no disloyalty to this extent, yet not give a quick resolution?”

Not only were Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi indirectly advising Pang Xiao to make a decision, even the elite Tiger Guards were on high alert, guarding the upper courtyard where Pang Xiao and Qin Yining lived like an iron barrel.

Tang Xiu had been tense-faced these past few days, gathering with Huzi to discuss the mansion’s defense and layout.

After Pang Xiao and Qin Yining finished lunch and strolled in the courtyard, Tang Xiu and Huzi immediately followed with their men, looking ready for battle.

Pang Xiao smiled: “Why so tense? This is our own home – there’s no need for this, right?”

But Tang Xiu kept his handsome face stern, frowning: “Your Highness, even in the mansion, we cannot let our guard down. If someone can impeach Your Highness behind your back, someone might send assassins against Your Highness. Even in the capital, it’s not entirely peaceful now.”

Qin Yining exchanged glances with Bingtang and Ji Yun but said nothing.

Qin Yining was very satisfied with such results in her heart. It seemed that after promoting the tragic hero image, the injustices Pang Xiao suffered had been magnified countless times in everyone’s hearts. Those close to him felt even more indignant for Pang Xiao – it was just that at the feet of the emperor, some words couldn’t be spoken directly.

This was the purpose of all Qin Yining’s planning. She wanted to give Pang Xiao a good reputation and establish a lofty image. No matter what direction things developed in the future or what the final outcome was, she would never allow Pang Xiao to bear infamy.

Just as the servants and elite Tiger Guards in the prince’s mansion were holding back their anger, and many people outside were feeling indignant for the recuperating Prince Zhongshun, an invitation was delivered to Prince Zhongshun’s mansion by a steward from Earl Zhongyi’s mansion.

Hearing that someone from the Lu family had come, Qin Yining personally went to the front hall.

“Princess Consort.” The Lu family steward respectfully bowed and presented the invitation with both hands, saying: “This humble one has come under the earl’s orders to deliver a wedding invitation to you. Our earl’s wedding will be on the eighth day of next month. We hope Your Highness and the Princess Consort will personally attend the banquet and drink a cup of celebratory wine.”