Qin Yining’s mind was made up. Despite Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi’s earnest persuasion for half the day, they achieved no effect and could only retreat with worry.

Ji Yun hesitated somewhat before trying to persuade, “Princess Consort, actually Master Xie and Master Xu have some valid points. If the matter is discovered and gives the Emperor reason to pursue the prince, that would ultimately be bad.”

“I’m clear on this point as well.” Qin Yining slowly took her seat, her posture dignified and elegant. Lowering her long lashes, she pondered, “So this operation must be more thorough and we absolutely cannot let anyone catch us. Fortunately, the Qingtian Alliance brothers are more skilled at this type of work compared to the mansion guards, so it shouldn’t be particularly difficult to handle.”

Thinking of what the Qingtian Alliance did, Ji Yun couldn’t help but nod.

Though worried about Qin Yining’s approach, Ji Yun’s thoughts were much simpler than those of Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi. As long as the princess consort made a decision, she, as the personal maid, only needed to follow loyally.

Qin Yining had Liao Zhibing and Jingzhe prepare for departure. But this night, Qin Yining couldn’t fall asleep at all. Separated by just a city gate, she and Pang Xiao seemed isolated in two different worlds. Pang Xiao might also be unable to sleep from pain right now, or might even be running a high fever from his wounds.

If she was this angry, when Pang Xiao was pressed down and beaten with boards, he must have been even more furious and desperate, right?

Holding such thoughts, she tossed and turned all night. It wasn’t until dawn broke with fish-belly white that she finally dozed lightly from sheer exhaustion.

Jingzhe and Liao Zhibing dared not delay the princess consort’s important business. They worked through the night selecting reliable people to accompany Qin Yining to Huichuan. Ji Yun was originally quietly blocking them outside the tent, saying “The princess consort just fell asleep,” and the two were planning to temporarily withdraw.

Who knew that in her light sleep, Qin Yining’s hearing was remarkably sharp, and she immediately received them.

“Princess Consort, for this trip we’re bringing four Silver-Masked Scouts. Ji Yun will also come along to personally attend to you,” Liao Zhibing said.

Jingzhe also said, “Master Liao and Meng Qin must definitely go. Additionally, Master Liao selected two other Qingtian Alliance brothers with excellent martial skills. Quality is more valuable than quantity – altogether eight guards and one maid. Does the princess consort think this arrangement works?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining smiled and nodded, “Your arrangement is very appropriate. I originally planned to act secretly without bringing people in a grand display, so this is perfect.”

Having decided, Qin Yining went to inform Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi.

The two were deeply worried but helpless, only thinking that when the prince sent word later, they would definitely first tell the prince what the princess consort planned to do.

With everything prepared, Qin Yining boarded her carriage and set out with eight guards and one maid.

At the same time, in the prince’s mansion.

Pang Xiao had run a high fever all night, tossing and turning half the night before improving slightly. His sleep was also restless.

The moment he opened his eyes, he immediately ordered someone to summon Zhu Yu to report.

“Did you see the princess consort yesterday?” Pang Xiao lay prone on the couch, turning his face to study Zhu Yu’s expression.

Zhu Yu bowed and said, “Reporting to Your Highness, I have already seen her.”

“Is the princess consort currently camped outside the city? How did their situation look?”

“The princess consort is camped outside the city with her guards. Upon my inquiry, I learned that along the way, the princess consort encountered many refugees and was even intercepted once. However, I didn’t ask about the specific details. Since the princess consort appeared safe and sound, that interception incident probably wasn’t serious.”

Pang Xiao’s handsome face showed pallor and fatigue from repeated injuries. Upon hearing this, his brows furrowed tightly.

“If it’s an interception she could tell you about, then it wasn’t a small matter.” After thinking, Pang Xiao cleared his slightly hoarse throat and called to Tang Xiu beside him, “Go outside the city to invite Master Xie or Master Xu back to answer questions. Also, dispatch additional personnel to protect the safety around the princess consort’s camp.”

Tang Xiu nodded seriously, “Yes. This subordinate will handle it immediately.”

Pang Xiao thought again and instructed, “If the princess consort asks, don’t reveal my injuries. Just say that because refugees are increasingly numerous in the city, the Emperor ordered people to clear out the refugees, forcing many to hide and take to banditry. When the city situation stabilizes, I’ll personally go fetch her.”

“Yes, this subordinate understands.” Tang Xiu nodded and was about to withdraw.

Seeing Pang Xiao give such instructions, Zhu Yu felt inevitably guilty.

The prince trusted him so much, yet he had revealed things the prince didn’t intend to tell the princess consort. Now thinking about it himself, he found it somewhat strange why he had been so afraid of the princess consort at that time.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yu suddenly knelt down with a thud, “Your Highness, this subordinate has transgressed. Please punish me.”

Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow, “Oh? What happened?”

Zhu Yu lowered his head and with great difficulty recounted what happened after he met Qin Yining. Finally he said, “This subordinate doesn’t know what came over me. Though I knew to follow Your Highness’s instructions, when the princess consort glared, this subordinate became afraid and somehow told the truth. Please severely punish me, Your Highness!”

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao half-propped himself up, both angry and amused. His precious treasure could make a fierce general like Zhu Yu scared into telling the truth with just “one glare” – how formidable and cute must that expression have been?

Whenever Pang Xiao thought of Qin Yining’s appearance, his heart became completely soft. Helplessly he said, “Forget it, get up. This isn’t really your fault.”

Zhu Yu rose shamefully, hanging his head without speaking.

Pang Xiao said, “It’s this prince’s poor consideration. I should have anticipated that with her intelligence and spirit, she would definitely notice something. Moreover, even if you hadn’t spoken, she would likely investigate the city situation anyway. This prince being beaten isn’t a secret – she would learn of it soon.”

“Exactly. Your Highness, you don’t know – at that time the princess consort felt so sorry for you that her eyes turned red,” Zhu Yu shook his head. “When the princess consort truly became angry, this subordinate felt quite panicked watching her.”

Pang Xiao smiled gently. Thinking of Qin Yining’s temperament, he sighed, “Forget it. Since things are as they are, Tang Xiu, take people outside the city to bring the princess consort’s group back. Remember to avoid prying eyes on the road and find a way not to attract any faction’s attention.”

Tang Xiu nodded in agreement. Before leaving, he made a fist gesture at Zhu Yu, meaning that Zhu Yu had botched his assignment and would definitely receive a lesson later.

Zhu Yu was scared enough to shrink his neck – being threatened by his direct superior really didn’t feel good.

Pang Xiao touched his stubbled chin and sighed, “Someone come, help this prince wash and dress.”

Even with injuries and looking sickly, he had to be the most handsome and imposing person even while ill!

However, Pang Xiao had just finished preparing – he’d even ordered the bedding changed to one scented with light mint fragrance – when Tang Xiu returned with Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi, all looking anxious.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing them like this, Pang Xiao was surprised and half-propped himself up. “Where’s Sister Yi?”

Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue hurriedly bowed, saying shamefully, “It’s our dereliction of duty – we failed to stop the princess consort. This morning the princess consort set out for Huichuan County with four scouts and four Qingtian Alliance members. The princess consort said that when we saw Your Highness, we should tell the truth.”