Ji Zeyu hadn’t thought so much about it and said in a low voice: “Zhixi, since the Qin family has already escaped, there’s no need for you to return to the capital.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao slowly nodded: “You’re right. Going back now wouldn’t serve any purpose.”

When she needed him most, he wasn’t by her side. What use would it be to go back now?

Seeing that Pang Xiao was no longer fixated on going to the capital to die, Ji Zeyu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the atmosphere in the tent was too heavy, making it difficult for Ji Zeyu to say much more.

Pang Xiao stepped back two paces and sat powerlessly on a wooden stool, then asked: “I see you brought back quite a few Elite Tiger Guards?”

“It was Master Xie’s idea. Since the Princess Consort needs to remain hidden, too many people would actually draw attention.”

“I see. You’ve all worked hard on the journey – go rest first.”

“Yes.”

Tang Xiu and the others bowed and filed out of the tent.

Only then did Ji Zeyu step forward to console him: “Don’t worry. Good people have their own fortune – since she was able to escape, she’ll be fine.”

“Mm.” Pang Xiao nodded, but his expression was full of panic.

Ji Zeyu simply half-crouched in front of Pang Xiao to meet his eyes at the same level: “You should also take action. If you let things continue like this, who knows what the Emperor will do next. He’s clearly pushing you toward a dead end – are you going to sit and wait for death? Or do you want to abandon the frontline battle and go back to accompany the Qin family? Wouldn’t that be too irresponsible?”

“I won’t do that.” Pang Xiao smiled and pulled himself together: “Since they’re no longer in the Emperor’s grasp, I naturally don’t need to go back and die.” He turned to look at Xu Weizhi: “Master Xu, I have an idea.”

“Please speak, My Lord.” Xu Weizhi cupped his hands.

Pang Xiao thought for a moment, then spoke a few sentences in a low voice.

In a manor at Shili Village, ten miles outside Huichuan County.

Qin Yining lay pale, leaning against her pillow, urging: “Alright, quickly take the children downstairs. Don’t let them catch any illness from being here.”

“Yes.” The wet nurses respectfully bowed and carried the children away.

Ji Yun beside her brought over a small white porcelain bowl: “Princess Consort, take your medicine. It’s not hot anymore.”

Qin Yining nodded. Impatient with using a spoon to take the bitter medicine bit by bit, she simply took the bowl and drank it all at once, immediately grimacing and gasping from the bitterness.

Ji Yun quickly brought warm water for her to rinse her mouth.

Qin Yining rinsed with nearly a small bowl of water before sighing in relief: “I consider myself not picky – I’m not afraid of any bitter things. But this time I wonder if Bingtang is deliberately tormenting me. This medicine is both fishy and bitter – it makes me nauseous as soon as it touches my mouth.”

“Princess Consort, good medicine tastes bitter. You were seriously injured this time. Bingtang said the damage to your body will take at least three to five years to recover from. During this period you’ll need to take medicine, so you’d better get used to it early.”

“I’ll have to get used to it whether I want to or not.” Qin Yining sighed and patted her pale cheeks, then asked: “How is Tianji Zi?”

Ji Yun’s expression became grave as she shook her head.

Qin Yining struggled to sit up: “Help me find some thick clothes. I want to go see her.”

“Princess Consort, it’s cold outside. You just broke your fever – you mustn’t catch cold again.”

“It’s fine. She saved me.”

Ji Yun knew Qin Yining’s stubborn temperament – once she made a decision, she would never change it. She could only helplessly fetch a light, warm cloak to drape over Qin Yining, then brought a hood to put on her, wrapping her up completely before carefully helping her up to go to the main room next door.

Outside the door was a spacious courtyard. Not far away, Jingzhe and others were practicing martial arts in the open space. Seeing Qin Yining come out, they all hurried over.

“Master.”

Qin Yining’s pale face wore a slight smile as she waved her hand: “I’m fine. Go about your business.”

“Yes.” Everyone bowed and withdrew.

Qin Yining went next door.

As soon as she lifted the door curtain, a wave of hot air mixed with the smell of bitter medicine hit her face. In the outer room sat over a dozen men dressed as farmers – all disciples of Tianji Sect. Seeing Qin Yining arrive, Fang Hailing led everyone to stand and bow to her.

Qin Yining nodded in acknowledgment, went around the animal hide screen, turned a corner, and lifted the warm curtain to enter the inner room.

Bingtang was sitting on a small stool beside the heated brick bed, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

Tianji Zi had become much thinner overall, lying face down on the heated bed with her eyes slightly open, her dry, pale lips moving as if she were saying something.

“Immortal Lady, how are you feeling?”

Qin Yining came close, and Bingtang quickly stood to give her the seat.

Tianji Zi glanced at Qin Yining with her white eyes, her dry, hoarse voice extremely weak: “This Immortal Lady has really fallen this time.”

Hearing Tianji Zi say this herself, Qin Yining’s heart skipped a beat, and indescribable bitterness filled her heart: “That won’t happen. We’ll all do our utmost to save you. I’ve already sent people to find the medicinal materials you need.”

“Wasted effort. I was just advising little Miss Tang. People’s life and death are fated.” Tianji Zi glared at Qin Yining again: “This old woman originally had a lifespan of one hundred and thirteen years, dying in late autumn. But look what happened – meeting you, this big trouble, I have to go west at only sixty. I’m living nearly half less, all because of you.”

Qin Yining felt heavy-hearted and shook her head: “You’ll be fine.”

“This is all fate.” Tianji Zi coughed a few times and said weakly: “I can calculate everything – this and that – but I alone cannot see through you, this variable. Whenever I encounter you, my calculations are inaccurate, plans change, and even my own little life gets thrown into the mix. Think of my lifelong reputation – I may not be a good person, but I never thought I would actually die saving someone, and saving you, this big trouble at that! Cough, cough cough cough!”

“Immortal Lady, calm down, stop talking.” Qin Yining’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, her face even paler.

Tianji Zi coughed for a long while, wheezing for several breaths. When she spoke again, her voice was even weaker.

“Forget it. Things have come to this – I have nothing more to say. From now on, stay well with Pang Xiao.”

Hearing what seemed like final words of farewell in her speech, Qin Yining finally began shedding tears. The tears slid down her pale cheeks, falling onto her fur collar and then onto the back of her hand.

Seeing her cry, Tianji Zi snorted: “Forget it. You’re not a bad person. My saving you can be considered a good deed. Right now, I really… can’t bear to leave.”

“Does the Immortal Lady have any unfulfilled wishes? Tell me – if I can manage it, I’ll certainly do my utmost.”

Tianji Zi closed her eyes, as if keeping them open to speak was very exhausting. Her voice was tired: “I have only one wish. What’s the use of telling you? You yourself are a variable – what can you guarantee? Right now, I’m just waiting for news.”

Qin Yining sniffled. Ji Yun beside her brought a handkerchief to wipe her tears, gently advising: “Princess Consort, please take care of yourself. You haven’t recovered yet either. Be careful not to cry too much and get another headache.”

Tianji Zi seemed quite impatient as she rolled her eyes again.

Qin Yining took the handkerchief to wipe her tears, rubbing her temples: “If something really happens to you, how can I explain to Young Master Mu? Immortal Lady, hold on. Though the situation looks dangerous, there’s still a glimmer of hope.”

But Tianji Zi kept her eyes closed, as if extremely tired, and refused to speak anymore.

Looking at Tianji Zi’s weak appearance, Qin Yining’s heart was full of guilt.

At this moment she particularly hated her own incompetence. This feeling of watching others sacrifice themselves to save her while being powerless to help was even more unbearable than being cut by a dull knife. Sakurai’s death had already left Qin Yining with lifelong regret. Going further back, there was Rui Lan who died saving her, and the guards who repeatedly risked their lives to save her in danger, whose fates she didn’t even know.

Calculating carefully, her ability to live until today was built upon how many people’s sacrifices.

A single life – who knew how heavy a burden of souls it could bear.

“Princess Consort.” Suddenly, Xie Yue’s somewhat urgent voice came from outside the door.

Qin Yining stood up with Ji Yun’s help and slowly walked to the door: “Master Xie?”

Xie Yue’s expression showed some excitement as he said in a low voice: “The Prince has issued a proclamation from the northern frontier.”

“What?”

Qin Yining was extremely shocked.

Xie Yue said: “This news has already reached us here, so the capital must know by now. The Prince’s proclamation doesn’t call for attacking the Emperor, but it clearly shows his position. The Prince said that his sincere intentions are for the people of the world and for Great Zhou’s peace, but His Majesty listens to petty people’s slander, refuses to trust a loyal minister, and instead wants to persecute the loyal minister’s family, chilling the hearts of soldiers fighting abroad. However, for the people’s peace, at this crucial moment in the Tatar war, he won’t abandon the frontline battle. But regarding the Emperor’s actions – doesn’t he feel even a bit ashamed when examining his conscience?”

Qin Yining’s fists hidden in her sleeves gradually clenched tighter.

From Xie Yue’s retelling, one could fully see Pang Xiao’s current anger and helplessness, while also making his position known to all under heaven.

Li Qitian’s previous actions had already stirred considerable discussion and dissatisfaction among people. Added to this, her being paraded daily in a prison cart in the capital and then being hunted were not secrets. With this proclamation released, public opinion throughout the realm would surely arise. Li Qitian would probably be so angry his teeth would itch and he’d stamp his feet!

Who knew what crazy things Li Qitian would do next.

But thinking again, with Pang Xiao currently at the front lines, aside from capturing her and the two children as hostages, Li Qitian really had no other way to restrain Pang Xiao. After all, all the military provisions for this Tatar campaign were “self-funded.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but raise one corner of her mouth, turning from surprise to joy. Finally, this day had come.

“Master! Master!”

Suddenly, Bingtang’s cry of alarm came from inside the room.

Qin Yining’s heart jumped in alarm as she quickly turned to go back inside.

But the Tianji Sect people were a step ahead – over ten people rushed in at once, pushing Bingtang aside from the bedside and kneeling in unison: “Sect Master!”

Qin Yining reached the doorway and was just about to enter while supporting herself on the door frame when she saw Tianji Zi powerlessly close her eyes, murmuring: “Good, good…” Then a line of blood flowed from her nostril and the corner of her mouth, and she immediately lost all signs of life.