From Huichuan County to Wuning Dam, even by swift horse would take three or four days. But driving ox carts to transport extremely heavy cargo like granite would make the journey exceptionally slow.

The entire journey went very smoothly.

Several people in the convoy who had received Lu Heng’s special instructions also gradually relaxed their vigilance.

Seven days later, the convoy finally arrived at a small village just one day’s journey from Wuning Dam to rest temporarily. Everyone ate and drank their fill, left people to keep watch through the night, then relaxed and went to sleep. One more day to Wuning Dam—once they delivered the goods, their mission would be safely complete.

The next day, the convoy set off again. However, no one noticed that two of the carts had already been switched.

When Pang Xiao received the message from the Elite Tiger Guards, he could finally set his mind at ease.

He divided part of the Elite Tiger Guards he had brought with him, ordering them to protect the “cargo’s” safety all the way to the designated location.

Over the following half month, six more convoys from the Huichuan County stone yard set off in different directions.

Pang Xiao continued using this method and successfully switched out two more batches of treasure.

“Everything is proceeding so smoothly—could it be that Count Lu hasn’t discovered the transported stone materials were replaced?” Qin Yining reclined against a soft bamboo-faced bolster, lazily waving a plain crabapple-shaped silk fan in her hand.

Pang Xiao used a bamboo pick to spear a piece of honeyed melon and brought it to Qin Yining’s lips, smiling: “He’s such a meticulous person, preparing for months ahead of time. He must be extremely patient, only bringing the treasure back to light after he’s certain everything is safe and the storm has passed. Precisely because I guessed he would think this way, I was able to use this method to steal the beams and replace the pillars.”

Qin Yining chuckled, picked up her tea bowl to rinse her mouth: “This shows that being overly cautious in some matters can actually delay important business.”

“Indeed. Excessive caution becomes indecisiveness. In battlefield situations, this could very likely cause one to miss opportunities. And on the battlefield, victory and defeat involve human lives.”

“That’s why you developed such a decisive character in killing and attacking.” Qin Yining set down her silk fan, sat up, and rested her arm on Pang Xiao’s shoulder and neck.

As she drew near, her elegant fragrance enveloped him.

Pang Xiao smiled and grasped her slender waist, stealing a kiss from her cherry lips that still carried the sweet fragrance of honeyed melon, laughing: “I can no longer remember how many times making swift decisions saved me from disaster. This makes me understand even more the importance of decisiveness. However, the prerequisite is thinking matters through clearly—one can’t just make decisions carelessly, or that becomes rash judgment, and might cost the brothers their lives, harming others and oneself.”

Qin Yining nodded obediently, her slender fingers twirling a strand of loose hair that fell on Pang Xiao’s shoulder, her autumn-water eyes full of tenderness.

Pang Xiao’s body and soul were nearly melting in her gentle gaze. As if bewitched, he slowly drew closer, his deep voice slightly hoarse: “Even if someone came to stab me with a knife right now, I wouldn’t want to dodge.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining burst into laughter.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Ji Yun’s slightly anxious voice suddenly came from outside.

“Your Highness, Princess, there’s word from Tang Xiu. Master Xie says it must be reported to Your Highness immediately.”

Pang Xiao’s movements stopped, and he sighed lightly with some disappointment.

Qin Yining said: “Go quickly. With such urgency, it must be important business.”

She pulled him up to straighten his clothes.

Pang Xiao said: “Come with me to take a look. You’d just be bored sitting idle in the room anyway.”

Qin Yining thought this made sense. The cut clothes were all finished, she’d also made two pairs of shoes, there was nothing urgent in her needlework, and she’d just be reading miscellaneous books if left idle.

“Alright.” Qin Yining agreed, then called for Ji Yun to come in and help her dress properly.

The two quickly hurried to the front courtyard.

As soon as Tang Xiu saw Pang Xiao arrive, he couldn’t be bothered with proper etiquette. After hastily cupping his hands in salute, he pulled out a letter from his chest.

“Your Highness, when I left the city today, a little beggar delivered this to my hands. Suspicious, I opened it to look, only to discover this was a letter within a letter. The note inside said it must only be given to Your Highness—it’s a matter of life and death. This subordinate dared not delay and hurried back immediately.”

As he spoke, Pang Xiao had already taken the envelope. Inside there was indeed another, smaller envelope.

Upon seeing the familiar handwriting on the letter paper, Pang Xiao’s brow immediately furrowed.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi had also gathered here. Seeing this, they were very curious and wanted to lean in for a look, yet were somewhat worried about overstepping propriety.

“Please, both gentlemen, take a look.” Pang Xiao seemed to understand their thoughts and handed the letter to Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi.

Facing Qin Yining’s inquiring gaze, Pang Xiao said: “This is a letter Tao Hanshan wrote to me. Besides pleasantries, he also told me some crucial information.”

“Crucial information?” Qin Yining asked puzzledly. “Previously when Master Tao left, he also left you a letter saying that no matter where he wandered to the ends of the earth, he would always devote his heart and strength to Your Highness’s great cause.”

“Yes. Tao Hanshan says we shouldn’t touch this last batch of goods. He has already informed His Majesty of this matter, and His Majesty will definitely rush to Huichuan.”

What?

Qin Yining stared with wide, astonished eyes.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi also returned the letter to Pang Xiao with complex expressions.

“This last batch is to be transported to Wanzhou Town, and we’ve already deployed everything. If we stop now, what would that accomplish?” Xie Yue knitted his brow, the wrinkles on his face becoming more pronounced due to his troubled expression.

Xu Weizhi, however, said: “From years of working together, though Tao Hanshan is somewhat obsessive in temperament and sometimes unscrupulous in his methods, he truly has skill in grasping the overall situation and places very high expectations on Your Highness. This time he should have indeed done as stated.”

Xu Weizhi’s words were somewhat reserved, but reading between the lines, he had expressed very clearly that Tao Hanshan must have informed the Emperor of the news that treasure would be transported to Wanzhou Town, just as written in the letter.

Given Li Qitian’s suspicious nature and his regard for treasure, he would definitely rush here urgently this time.

Even the treasure that Pang Xiao had successfully intercepted might very well catch Li Qitian’s attention.

Pang Xiao said: “Tao Hanshan’s assassination attempt on Sister Yi was truly detestable. But this prince also understands his character from our years together. This time, as Master Xu said, this letter should be genuine. His desire for power is extreme—he’s probably still placing his hopes on this prince, so he assists this prince in what he considers the best way.”

After a moment’s contemplation, he continued: “This prince believes Tao Hanshan’s abilities are still worthy of recognition, and his ambitions for power mean he won’t betray this prince for now. So for this batch of goods being transported to Wanzhou Town, we’d best observe secretly.”

Xie Yue, Xu Weizhi, and Tang Xiu all nodded in agreement.

Xie Yue said admiringly: “Your Highness knows people well and employs them wisely, with a broad mind. To be so tolerant even toward that traitor Tao Hanshan is truly admirable.”

Pang Xiao waved his hand: “It’s not that this prince is tolerant, but that I increasingly understand Tao Hanshan as a person.”

“However, I’m somewhat worried about chaos under Heaven.” Qin Yining frowned. “Given His Majesty’s temperament, he’ll definitely rush here with all speed at the first opportunity. He values treasure so highly that news of His Majesty leaving the capital for treasure will inevitably spread.”

Qin Yining let out a breath, her tone somewhat heavy: “According to messages from my people, though the flooding in the south has subsided, there truly isn’t enough food in various places. Common people are digging wild vegetables and stripping tree bark to fill their stomachs. At such a time, court relief has yet to arrive, yet His Majesty is making a great commotion over treasure matters. Who knows how interested parties might twist this?

“Those common people are going hungry, watching as greater famine is about to break out. The Son of Heaven doesn’t provide them relief but only knows to build imperial tombs and dig for treasure, showing no consideration for the people. If popular sentiment becomes inflamed and they rebel against him, what would be good about that? That would truly bring chaos to the realm, and the realm has only just been peaceful for a short while.”

Qin Yining’s analysis was reasonable in every point, leaving everyone feeling heavy-hearted.

After a moment, Xie Yue said: “The Princess speaks correctly. Precisely because of this, everything we’ve done to obtain that treasure wasn’t wrong. Actually, calling it treasure—these things were all obtained by the former Yan Dynasty’s foolish ruler by exploiting the people. If we can take from the people and use for the people, it would also be a good deed.”

“Exactly so.” Pang Xiao said. “Now that matters are complex, we can only take things step by step. Tao Hanshan informing the Emperor of this matter may not be without consideration of stimulating the Emperor to take extreme actions. We’ll observe and wait. If the Emperor doesn’t come, we can succeed. If he does come, we’ll need to plan for the long term.”

“Not necessarily.” Qin Yining shook her head. “I’m afraid if His Majesty really comes, we won’t have time for long-term planning.”

With Qin Yining’s reminder, Pang Xiao immediately understood, realizing: “Given His Majesty’s suspicions, he’ll only suspect me, and worse still, Lu Heng will implicate me.”

“Exactly. So Your Highness had best make preparations in advance.”

With their plans decided, Qin Yining didn’t linger further to avoid disturbing Pang Xiao’s discussion of other matters with his advisors, and returned alone to the inner courtyard.

Ji Yun was directing the young maids in cleaning the courtyard. Seeing Qin Yining return, she smiled and came forward to greet her: “Princess, you’ve returned.”

“Mm. The matter I had you investigate—have you investigated it clearly?”

Ji Yun nodded, followed Qin Yining into the room, went to the eight-immortals table to pour a bowl of tea and place it at her side, then said: “The Wang household appears normal in all respects. The household still doesn’t have many servants, but I heard some people gossiping that Master Wang the Philanthropist seems to have developed hysteria.”

“Oh?” Qin Yining paused in lifting her tea bowl, then smiled coldly: “That’s still not enough for him.”

Ji Yun looked at Qin Yining puzzledly.

Qin Yining then said: “He harbors hatred toward the Yue family who took his property, hates his wife’s heartless betrayal, and thus vents his anger on all the people of Danfu County. Because most of Danfu County’s residents come from three families, and the three great families influence each other, the people all pedantically believe in family teachings and don’t care about law and order. When his property was plotted against, even though the people of Danfu County knew about it, no one stood up for him because he was an outsider.

“He always wanted revenge. What Magistrate Cheng did that day was his idea from behind the scenes. He wished His Majesty would kill all the people of Danfu County before his anger could be vented. In his early years, he betrayed Sakurai, later he used Sakurai. Now his purpose hasn’t been achieved, so he must have been stimulated.”