Pang Xiao understood Qin Yining and knew she was also the most soft-hearted person who would absolutely never build their success on others’ sacrifices, so he didn’t object to Xie Yue’s suggestion.
Huzi went inside to ask Qin Yining to come out.
Qin Yining had just finished making a pair of boots for Pang Xiao and was carefully checking with Ji Yun and Bingtang to see if they had left behind a needle or anything similar. When she heard that Huzi had come, she smiled and said, “Perfect timing. I was just about to ask if the Prince is busy and have him come back to try on the boots.”
Hanxiao went to invite Huzi in.
As soon as he entered, Qin Yining asked with a smile, “Is your Prince busy?”
“Reporting to Princess Consort, the Prince is discussing important matters with Master Xie and Master Xu. The Prince asked this servant to invite you to the front to help deliberate and make decisions.”
Qin Yining blinked, handed the boots to Ziyuan to put away, took the warm cloth Ji Yun handed her to wipe her hands, and asked, “What important matter?”
“Reporting to Princess Consort, I’ve been standing guard outside the whole time, so I’m not clear on the details. But it seems the Prince’s opinion differs from Master Xie and Master Xu’s, which is why they want to ask you to make a decision.”
“How rare that Master Xie and Master Xu would disagree with the Prince,” Qin Yining said with a smile. “Then I’ll go take a look.”
“Princess Consort, it’s chilly outside. Wear this.” Bingtang draped a dark green brocade cloak over Qin Yining’s shoulders. The dark green was extremely pure, and the embroidered patterns were exquisite, making Qin Yining’s complexion appear like freshly fallen snow, even more delicate and fair.
As soon as Huzi saw Bingtang, he grinned widely.
Bingtang’s cheeks flushed pink as she shot Huzi a glance, then went to fetch Qin Yining’s wooden clogs.
It had been drizzling continuously these past days, and the courtyard could practically raise fish if not drained properly. When going out, if one didn’t wear higher wooden clogs over embroidered shoes, the shoes and socks would get wet every time, which was very cold.
Huzi sensibly went out to wait. After Qin Yining, Ji Yun, and Bingtang finished getting ready, leaving Hanxiao and Ziyuan to watch the house, the three of them left the main quarters and walked chatting and laughing toward the front courtyard study.
Pang Xiao, Xie Yue, and Xu Weizhi were still debating whether the method was feasible or not. When they suddenly heard crisp voices and bell-like laughter from the courtyard, all three stopped their argument and couldn’t help but look toward the door.
Qin Yining smiled as she lifted the door curtain and entered. “What decision does the Prince want me to make?” She also nodded in greeting to Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi both stood up to return the courtesy.
Pang Xiao smiled and stepped forward, taking Qin Yining’s hand. Feeling that her hands were a bit cold, he simply warmed them while leading her to sit in the main seat. “Master Xu thought of a method to inform Lu Heng about the treasure. I think it’s not feasible, but Master Xie and Master Xu insist on taking the risk. Listen to it and help me see if this is good or not.”
Upon hearing Pang Xiao say this, Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi immediately protested: “Prince, this is cheating! You’ve already told the Princess Consort you disapprove from the start. Even if the Princess Consort agrees, wouldn’t she not dare to say so?”
Pang Xiao said, “Yining is always practical and realistic. She won’t speak carelessly.”
“What exactly is this about?” Qin Yining accepted the hot tea Bingtang brought over.
Xu Weizhi then explained the method from earlier, concluding: “I think with my way of acting, even if Count Loyalty and Righteousness has some suspicions, he absolutely cannot determine whether what I’m saying is true or false. As long as he goes to investigate, he’ll know where the treasure really is. As long as he’s willing to pursue the treasure, my mission will be complete. Wouldn’t it be easy for you to rescue me afterward?”
Xie Yue also said, “Actually, there’s no need to rush the rescue. I could lurk beside Count Loyalty and Righteousness – perhaps it would be useful later. Of course, I think for this matter, it would be more suitable for me to go rather than Brother Xu.”
“This was my idea, so naturally I should go,” Xu Weizhi said with displeasure.
But Xie Yue said, “Brother Xu is too honest by nature. It would be more suitable for me to go.”
“Though I’m honest, I’m not stupid. I’m the right one to go.”
…
Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue actually began arguing over this matter.
Seeing this, Qin Yining quickly said, “Both masters, please don’t rush to argue.”
Both men temporarily stopped and looked at Qin Yining inquiringly. “Does the Princess Consort think this method is feasible?”
Qin Yining smiled slightly: “This method is feasible. But it’s not the best approach.”
“Oh?” Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi said in unison. “So the Princess Consort has a better method?”
Qin Yining nodded.
Pang Xiao immediately laughed. Fortunately his wife was clever, otherwise he would have to spend more effort trying to stop the two masters from taking risks.
“Yining, what method do you have?” Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining with great interest.
But Qin Yining looked somewhat guilty, sighing before saying, “Actually, there’s an even better candidate to go before Count Loyalty and Righteousness to inform him about the treasure.”
“Oh? Who is the Princess Consort referring to?” Xie Yue asked.
Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining’s uneasy expression and immediately frowned. “Yining, you’re not thinking of going yourself, are you?”
Qin Yining said with a mixture of laughter and tears, “How could that be? I’m not crazy. Would I deliver myself to his door and let him capture me to threaten you?”
Only then did Pang Xiao’s brow smooth out. “Good that you understand. Then who is this more suitable candidate you mentioned?”
Qin Yining gave Pang Xiao an apologetic smile and said, “Naturally it’s the remaining two survivors from the Azure Sky Alliance – the two you’ve been unable to catch.”
Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining and suddenly widened his eyes.
Qin Yining lowered her head embarrassedly and said, “I guessed there would definitely be a day like today when you’d want to approach Lu Heng but wouldn’t have suitable people to send. So I secretly asked Head Shopkeeper Yin from Sitong Trading Company to help, using Boss Qiu’s identity to hide those two.”
At this point, Qin Yining stood up and curtsied to Pang Xiao. “I’m sorry for making you lead people in the rain to search fruitlessly for so many days.”
Pang Xiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He had wondered how two rootless fellows could possibly hide from the Elite Tiger Guards when he was personally leading the search. So there had been an expert secretly helping them?
Pang Xiao said with a mixture of anger and amusement, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“If I had told you, in your anger at the time, wouldn’t you have dragged them out and killed them? I disagreed with you killing Manager Da Hu and the others from the beginning – keeping them would have been useful.”
Pang Xiao said helplessly, “Their existence threatened your safety. I couldn’t possibly keep them. Where did you have Head Shopkeeper Yin hide these two?”
“I haven’t seen them yet either. Didn’t you confine me to quarters? After the confinement was lifted, I was busy making boots for you and didn’t have time to go out.”
Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining with a stern expression, like an old father looking at a child who had done something wrong.
Qin Yining kept her head lowered, occasionally stealing glances at Pang Xiao’s reaction.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi, understanding the situation, laughed heartily and mediated: “Prince, don’t be angry with the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort had divine foresight, knowing we would need people, which is why she saved two. When you confined the Princess Consort, she was still able to secretly protect two people from under your nose – how difficult that must have been! You can’t hold a grudge against the Princess Consort.”