Qin Yining pondered and slowly shook her head, speaking deliberately: “There’s no need for such measures. Since this news is known by all, His Majesty won’t allow the prince to come to harm. We have more pressing matters at hand. If we don’t handle them well, there will be far more trouble ahead.”

Qin Yining spoke cryptically, but everyone present was intelligent enough to understand her meaning.

Xie Yue mused: “Logically speaking, even if this news spreads by word of mouth, it shouldn’t have reached here so quickly. There must be something suspicious about it. But His Majesty is, after all, someone who values face. If something truly happened to the prince, His Majesty couldn’t escape responsibility.”

“Indeed. If Your Highness hadn’t mentioned it, this servant wouldn’t have realized.” Ji Yun said, “His Majesty probably won’t harm the prince now, but will instead protect him well.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Qin Yining worried about Pang Xiao’s injuries, her mood somewhat heavy.

But she knew what the most urgent matter was right now.

She had long prepared herself mentally that things might not go smoothly on Pang Xiao’s end. No matter what happened, she had to find ways to develop and strengthen the forces under her control. Only when the power in her hands grew strong could it serve as a check against Li Qitian, making him think twice before moving against Pang Xiao, not daring to act rashly.

Taking a deep breath to adjust her emotions, Qin Yining temporarily suppressed her worries and said instead: “Now we can only see whether the other groups succeed. If we can safely transport the goods here, our plan will be half complete. The remaining half depends entirely on Master Lü.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi nodded in agreement, then asked: “Does Your Highness plan to personally meet Master Lü?”

“Naturally I must go,” Qin Yining said with a solemn expression. “Master Lü is a great scholar, his virtue and status need no elaboration. If Master Lü had not considered the dynasty’s welfare this time, if he didn’t care about the warship matter, my understanding of him would have remained at the level of knowing his learning was exceptionally outstanding. Now I can see he is a virtuous sage who worries about the country and people. I am but a mere woman – even if I personally go to disturb him, Master Lü might not be willing to see me.”

After the Tao Hanshan incident, Qin Yining increasingly recognized how little regard women received in this world. And the more learned and erudite a person was, the more they looked down upon women.

Xie Yue smiled: “You needn’t worry. The prince should have arranged everything clearly. Since Master Lü agreed to the prince’s proposal and is willing to stay here, it shows he won’t mind that Your Highness is a woman.”

Understanding Qin Yining’s concerns, Xu Weizhi also smiled reassuringly: “Your Highness yields to no man in talent. We often say privately that without such a virtuous helpmate as Your Highness by the prince’s side, how could his endeavors proceed so smoothly? Your Highness has been of great assistance to the prince – only those blockheads would mind that Your Highness is a woman.”

Qin Yining felt their goodwill and smiled gratefully: “Thank you both for your reassurance. Actually, I’ve long come to terms with it. Everyone has different circumstances, different personalities, so naturally different thoughts. I only wish to help the prince complete the great undertaking at hand and not hold him back – that would satisfy me.”

“How could Your Highness hold the prince back? With such a virtuous helpmate as you, the prince is like a tiger with wings.”

Just as the atmosphere in the room was lively with everyone chatting and laughing, footsteps suddenly came from outside, with people speaking in low voices, then the footsteps gradually approached.

Qin Yining composed her expression and looked up to see several sturdy men striding in quickly. The leaders looked somewhat familiar, though she couldn’t recall their names.

The five men came forward and respectfully bowed in succession.

“Subordinates Lin Yue, Wen Tianqi, Zang Wenxuan, Yan Rong, and Ji Dashun greet Your Highness!”

“Please rise quickly, everyone has worked hard. Please take your seats.” Qin Yining courteously stood and gestured for them to rise.

The five men rose together but dared not take seats.

Lin Yue, the leader who was one of the Elite Tiger Guards previously ordered to contact the others, explained: “This subordinate was ordered to investigate the situation. After confirming all was well, we contacted several brothers. The transported goods are now hidden in an abandoned village by the sea. The villagers have all moved into the city, and there are even rumors the village is haunted – the place looks inauspicious, which is perfect for our concealment.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile: “You certainly know how to choose locations. Places considered inauspicious – even if common folk hear sounds, they won’t dare investigate.”

“Exactly!” Wen Tianqi, the youngest at just seventeen, seeing the princess consort was so approachable, couldn’t help scratching his head and grinning honestly: “This was actually Brother Ji’s idea. I initially said this place was unsuitable and scary, but Brother Ji said with him there, it would be auspicious.”

Ji Dashun, already thirty, looked at Wen Tianqi like his own younger brother and helplessly blushed at the praise.

Qin Yining smiled: “Brother Ji’s name is both auspicious and smooth – this is a good omen. We’ll surely succeed this time.”

Everyone laughed.

Qin Yining continued: “Since the goods are safe, brothers will need to take more care, guard them well, and watch the dock situation. Use fire signals as communication…” She leaned closer and whispered a few instructions.

The men nodded upon hearing: “Your Highness may rest assured, this matter isn’t difficult.”

Everyone bowed and left the inn in scattered groups, returning to the desolate seaside village by different routes.

Qin Yining then stood up and smiled: “I’ll now go visit Master Lü. Please accompany me, gentlemen, to bolster my courage.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “You’re a heroine among women – where would you lack courage? You’re simply giving us two old fellows a chance to meet Master Lü.”

“Not at all. I’m young with shallow knowledge. I have no standing to speak before Master Lü. With you two gentlemen present, I’ll have some confidence.”

The two men could tell Qin Yining spoke from the heart and felt particularly warmed, yielding to each other as they left the inn’s courtyard and headed toward the sea.

What was called “building a cottage dwelling” was actually a simple grass hut – a wooden frame covered with grass mats for the roof and four walls.

Qin Yining stepped over large and small stones and gravel on the beach, facing the strong sea winds that made her robes and sleeves flutter.

Before the group could approach, one side of the grass hut was pushed open slightly. Lü Yun poked his head out and, seeing Qin Yining’s group, seemed surprised by the handsome appearance of the young person in the lead. His eyes widened slightly, then his face showed a look of understanding.

“Is this young master surnamed Qin?” Lü Yun asked with a smile.

Seeing Lü Yun’s courtesy, Qin Yining quietly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed even more politely: “Master Lü, greetings. This humble person is indeed surnamed Qin. I come by Brother Pang’s command to ask Master Lü to fulfill our agreement.”

Lü Yun smiled gracefully and casually pointed to the grass hut behind him: “Since you’ve all come from afar, if you don’t mind the humble accommodations, shall we share a cup of tea?”