Everyone suddenly understood upon hearing this, and couldn’t help but admire Qin Yining’s meticulous thinking and bold decision.

“Just now I thought the princess consort’s actions were too risky, but it turns out this was the consideration behind it.” Ji Yun’s brow furrowed slightly. “It’s just that we shouldn’t fear the expected, but rather the unexpected…”

Qin Yining patted Ji Yun’s shoulder consolingly. “Put your mind at ease. Through observation and inquiry, I can determine that Ishikawa Daimyo won’t stoop to argue with a small woman like me. Even if he wants to make a move, he’ll only do so secretly and quietly. But we won’t give him the opportunity to act secretly.”

Ji Yun ultimately nodded gently. Though the others also had concerns, they trusted Qin Yining’s judgment.

Liao Zhibing took the opportunity to report to Qin Yining the results of today’s reconnaissance.

“…So Hirasawa Sai probably didn’t spread this matter around.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded. “No need to worry. Since Hirasawa Sai didn’t fly into a rage yesterday, he won’t have any reaction in the future.”

“The alliance leader thinks more clearly. I was always worried that Hirasawa Sai would reveal our secrets to Ishikawa Daimyo.”

She wasn’t worried at all. Actually, even if Hirasawa Sai leaked information, it wouldn’t matter. In the face of absolute martial force, any conspiracies and schemes were worthless.

Qin Yining gave quiet instructions, clearly arranging what each person needed to do, then returned to her room with Ji Yun to change clothes and apply makeup.

Ji Yun hid soft weapons at her waist and selected two of the bottles and jars that Bingtang had made to carry on her person.

Seeing her prepare so thoroughly for battle, Qin Yining only smiled and didn’t stop her.

Having just finished a simple lunch, Jingzhe hurried in. “Madam, Master Adachi has arrived.”

Qin Yining stood up, took a handkerchief to wipe her lips, rinsed her mouth with tea, touched up her rouge, then took Ji Yun, Jingzhe, Xiao Xue, and Gao Delai out the door.

Liao Zhibing and the others had already left the tower ship one by one earlier, quietly positioning themselves to provide support.

Adachi Manya had changed into a black wide-sleeved robe, re-styled his hair, and trimmed his beard. When he saw Qin Yining bring her maids and attendants down from the ship, his gaze fixed on the woman dressed in cloud brocade silver outer robe and couldn’t move away.

She had changed into light-colored dress today, yet her makeup remained bright and beautiful. Her full set of precious jewelry accessories added even more magnificence. If she told him now that she was a fairy who had descended from heaven, he would believe it.

Adachi Manya walked up eagerly. “You are very beautiful today.”

Qin Yining felt nauseated by his gaze, but her face showed only a faint smile. “Master Adachi flatters me. Let us depart now, lest the daimyo and nobles wait too long.”

Adachi Manya nodded and turned to wave his hand.

Immediately someone brought over a small palanquin carried by two people.

The palanquin here was different from those Qin Yining had ridden in the Great Zhou. This palanquin was furnished with mats and cushions inside, requiring one to kneel or sit cross-legged, rather than sitting on benches as in the Great Zhou. Thus the palanquin looked like a square box.

Qin Yining followed local customs, sat in the palanquin, and arranged her skirts properly.

Ji Yun, Jingzhe, and the others carried several types of silk and followed on both sides of the palanquin. Adachi Manya rode a horse at the front to lead the way. Throughout the journey, he held his chin high with a triumphant expression, accepting occasional greetings from pedestrians on both sides.

Adachi Manya casually turned back to examine the several attendants beside Qin Yining.

Ji Yun, Jingzhe, and Xiao Xue were all clever. Jingzhe and Xiao Xue had worked as secret agents for many years and knew best what to do at what time. Upon discovering Adachi Manya’s gaze, the three immediately put on worshipful expressions, as if they had finally curried favor with the powerful and would enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of their lives. Gao Delai was rather wooden and reacted half a beat slower, but the reactions of the other three were enough to please Adachi Manya and completely dispel his suspicions about Qin Yining.

It seemed the other party was indeed an ordinary merchant, with nothing fake about her.

The Mizusawa Kingdom wasn’t large to begin with. Walking to the front gate of the daimyo’s residence was no more than like taking a stroll around Danfu County.

At this time, the wooden gates stood open on both sides, with quite a few horses and palanquins already gathered there.

Everywhere around her ears were filled with languages Qin Yining couldn’t understand, but she remained completely calm, sitting properly in the palanquin waiting for the crowd at the gate to thin out a bit before going out.

But Adachi Manya didn’t want to miss this good opportunity to show off his abilities in front of Qin Yining.

He dismounted, tossed the reins to a servant at the gate, and personally guided the palanquin bearers forward. “How could honored guests of Adachi Manya fall behind others?”

People around heard Adachi Manya speaking words they couldn’t understand and were somewhat surprised.

Qin Yining mockingly curved her lips, but when the palanquin curtain was lifted, she had resumed her usual dignified composure.

“Madam Yao, we have arrived.”

“Thank you, sir.” Qin Yining lowered her eyes feigning shyness, just avoiding Adachi Manya’s extended hand, and stepped down from the palanquin herself. Ji Yun and Jingzhe immediately went to support her from left and right, imperceptibly blocking Adachi Manya behind them.

Adachi Manya glared dissatisfiedly at the backs of Ji Yun and Jingzhe, but when Qin Yining stood steady and looked up, he smiled gently again. “Madam Yao, please enter.”

Qin Yining nodded slightly and followed behind Adachi Manya into the residence.

At this time, many guests around were already looking at her curiously, their eyes full of scrutiny and curiosity. Some people gathered together whispering, then covered their mouths and laughed quietly.

Qin Yining kept her eyes straight ahead, following Adachi Manya around the spacious courtyard and onto corridors laid with wooden flooring. On both sides of the courtyard were green bamboo and pine trees, lush and verdant. A deer scarer made crisp sounds, and the clear sound of flowing water was full of elegant charm.

The courtyard here had its own unique interest.

Among all the greenery, Qin Yining arrived at the front of the main hall. Adachi Manya raised his hand to indicate she should wait, and entered the door first.

Taking this opportunity, Ji Yun whispered, “The other guests also brought attendants. This servant and Jingzhe will accompany you inside.”

Qin Yining nodded slightly. Seeing Adachi Manya coming out to meet them, a smile bloomed on Qin Yining’s exquisitely made-up beautiful face.

Adachi Manya’s steps faltered, his heartbeat skipping a beat.

He strode forward, his voice gentle. “Madam Yao, the daimyo requests you to enter.”

Qin Yining nodded and turned back to instruct, “You two bring the silk and follow me in.”

Adachi Manya’s mind was entirely on Qin Yining, so he had no inclination to look at what attendants Qin Yining had brought. Ji Yun and Gao Delai took the trays and carried them in their hands, following behind Qin Yining and Adachi Manya. Jingzhe and Xiao Xue remained at the door to provide support.

Qin Yining’s beautiful eyes swept around, taking in the hall’s furnishings.

The hall was open on all four sides with thick grass mats on the floor. The guests sat in two rows, each with a square table in front of them bearing several small, exquisite dishes.

In the very center of the hall, a man dressed in an ivory wide-sleeved brocade robe, bright red trousers, and wearing an unknown tall hat was leaning lazily against an armrest. The man appeared to be in his fifties, with extremely sharp and fierce eyes. Behind him knelt a young man with hair bound high, holding a black long sword in his hands.

This should be Ishikawa Minao.

His scrutinizing gaze made Qin Yining very uncomfortable. Being swept by his eyes immediately reminded her of the feeling when encountering snakes in the mountains.