When Pang Xiao returned to the Prince’s mansion, his expression still maintained the appearance of suppressed anger and having to forcibly control his emotions. Only when he reached their room and saw Qin Yining did his composure break as he burst into laughter.

“What’s gotten into you, making you so happy?” Qin Yining heard the commotion and came out to greet him. Seeing Pang Xiao standing alone at the door laughing, she couldn’t help but smile as well.

Pang Xiao shook his head and sat down with Qin Yining on the edge of the daybed.

“Nothing much, just thinking of Earl Zhongyi and finding it quite amusing.” After telling Qin Yining about his earlier conversation with Lu Heng, Pang Xiao shook his head with a smile. “He’s probably cursing me as a fool in his heart right now.”

Qin Yining said with amusement, “Isn’t that exactly what we want?”

Thinking about how Pang Xiao, someone who preferred direct confrontation when facing difficulties, had gradually become skilled at acting and scheming, Qin Yining couldn’t help but sigh. “To outsiders, whether it’s you or Earl Zhongyi, you’re both outstanding figures enjoying unlimited glory. We enjoy great wealth and status far above ordinary people. But only we ourselves know what we’ve truly endured beneath the glamorous exterior. Acting is the simplest part – dancing on knife’s edge between life and death is our daily bread.”

Pang Xiao kissed Qin Yining’s cheek and said nonchalantly, “Acting doesn’t matter, and one can get used to life-and-death situations. The amount of wealth and status a person can enjoy corresponds to the suffering they must endure. Just face it all with a peaceful mindset. Anyway, our future days will only be better than now.”

Qin Yining smiled ruefully.

She had intended to console and comfort Pang Xiao, but unexpectedly he was the one who thought things through clearly and ended up comforting her instead.

“It’s good that you can think things through. In that case, I’ll have people prepare – we’ll set out tomorrow.”

Pang Xiao nodded. “I’ll go outside to discuss things further with Master Xie and Master Xu.”

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining each prepared separately. The next day, taking sufficient personnel, their procession of carriages left Huichuan County in grand fashion.

Besides the carriage the two rode in, the convoy also included several blue-curtained carriages and flatbed wagons.

The accompanying guards appeared relaxed, chatting and laughing. Qin Yining frequently lifted the window curtains to look outside, her leisurely manner making it seem less like they were going on official business and more like they were out for pleasure.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s departure from the city created quite a spectacle. Lu Heng, upon hearing the news, specially stood with Lu Wenru at a street corner to observe from afar, ensuring they had indeed left.

However, seeing through the open carriage window how Qin Yining obediently and gently leaned against Pang Xiao, the two of them intimately talking and laughing, thinking that even when they reached Danfu County, even if the sky fell, Pang Xiao would still have Qin Yining to share his fortunes with, Lu Heng’s good mood diminished by more than half.

“Let’s go.” Lu Heng turned and walked away with a stern expression.

Lu Wenru didn’t dare ask more questions and hurriedly followed. However, in his heart he somewhat understood Lu Heng’s feelings. Compared to the Earl’s wife who was still frequently losing her temper at the mansion, Prince Zhongshun and the Princess Consort were truly an enviable pair.

Danfu County wasn’t very far from Huichuan County. Fearing they might delay important matters, as soon as the procession reached the outskirts, Qin Yining discussed with Pang Xiao about departing ahead of schedule.

Although Pang Xiao had made his decision long ago, seeing Qin Yining now dressed in ordinary fine cotton robes with a white gauze veil hat, he couldn’t help but worry.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I arranged more Tiger Guards to accompany you? You’re only taking Ji Yun and Jingzhe’s group of four – I really can’t feel at ease.”

Qin Yining lifted the white veil from her hat and looked up at Pang Xiao with a smile. “I’m just an ordinary merchant’s wife now. Having one maid and four assistants already represents a substantial business. If we had more people, it might arouse suspicion, and wouldn’t we fail to gather any intelligence? Moreover, the Tiger Guards are all outstanding individuals with distinguished bearing – they’d be too conspicuous. Unlike Jingzhe’s group of four, who have always excelled at reconnaissance work, have experience in this area, and know better how to blend in among the crowd.”

Pang Xiao knew everything Qin Yining said was correct and said helplessly, “Alright, we’ll do as you say.”

He turned to instruct Tang Xiu, “Take people to check if anyone is following us.”

“Yes.” Tang Xiu responded and led the Tiger Guards to investigate. Soon he returned to report, “Your Highness, there’s nothing suspicious.”

Pang Xiao helped Qin Yining into the carriage, then turned to instruct Jingzhe and the other three.

“Although gathering intelligence is important, the Princess Consort’s safety is more crucial. If you encounter any trouble, protecting the Princess Consort’s safety comes first.”

“Yes. Your Highness, please rest assured – we will not fail in our mission.” Jingzhe and the others solemnly bowed.

Qin Yining lifted the carriage curtain and smiled at Pang Xiao. “Don’t worry. I’m going to gather intelligence, not to cause trouble. Besides, dressed like this and wearing a veil, no one can tell who I am. What danger could there be?”

“I know your capabilities, but I still can’t help worrying.” Pang Xiao said helplessly. “Go on then. If you encounter anything, withdraw immediately. It doesn’t matter if you can’t gather intelligence – I’ll be following close behind. I don’t believe that Cheng Weimin would truly dare to defy imperial orders.”

“Understood.” Qin Yining smiled as she bid farewell to Pang Xiao, then instructed Jingzhe and the others to depart.

An ordinary blue-curtained carriage followed by two flatbed wagons loaded with daily goods slowly made their way onto the main road.

Watching Qin Yining’s group disappear into the distance, Pang Xiao finally instructed his subordinates, “Let’s also depart. We’ll take the official road slowly.”

The journey to Danfu County went smoothly. On the morning of July 13th, their group used their travel permits to drive their wagons directly through the city gates.

The summer weather was hot, so the carriage windows were open with only a curtain separating inside from outside. As they moved forward, the curtains billowed in wave-like arcs. Qin Yining and Ji Yun sat on either side, lifting the curtains slightly to peek outside.

As a large county with fertile land and well-developed agriculture, Danfu County appeared much larger in scale than Huichuan County. People walked through the streets, and from their clothing and demeanor, one could tell these residents lived very peacefully.

“Madam, the atmosphere here seems very good – more comfortable than Huichuan County. People have more smiles on their faces and appear to be kind-hearted.” Ji Yun said softly.

Qin Yining nodded. “Although they’ve encountered flooding, Danfu County has a solid foundation. The common people don’t have to worry about starving to death, so naturally they’re all in good spirits. Only when one lives comfortably without having to compete for survival can one afford to be genuinely kind.”

Qin Yining remembered Liang City, which had been at the border between two warring countries. When war broke out, even spouses and parents and children couldn’t care for each other. For just one mouthful of food that could keep someone alive, should it be kept for oneself or given to family? She had witnessed many people’s warm and selfless sides, but also many selfish and dark aspects. Back then, many people like her had been forced to flee into the mountains, but not many had survived. She had truly been very fortunate.

Outside the carriage, Jingzhe, Xiaoman and the others had begun ringing bells and chatting with passersby, starting to hawk the goods on their wagons.

Since they were traveling merchants, they naturally had to act like traveling merchants.

The two cargo wagons moved very slowly, and Qin Yining’s carriage didn’t stay close, following at a distance while carefully observing the surroundings.

The several Silver Mask secret agents had no difficulty disguising themselves as merchant assistants. Each wore smiles while conducting business. The goods they brought were mostly daily necessities – hair ribbons for women, rouge and powder, and inexpensive small jewelry – immediately attracting many people’s attention.

Some came to ask about prices but left when they found them unsuitable, while others hesitated. Since Jingzhe and the others’ purpose was to gather intelligence, their pricing was naturally very flexible, even accepting barter trade.

Soon, news spread throughout the city that traveling merchants had arrived with rare and curious goods.

Qin Yining didn’t show herself, watching from afar as Jingzhe and the others conducted business while inconspicuously gathering information about city affairs. After more than an hour, the carriage turned toward the next corner.

Jingzhe found an opportunity to approach Qin Yining’s carriage and said in a low voice, “Master, something seems off about this place.”

“How so?”

“This county is home to three major clans with large populations – the Liu family, Yuan family, and Yu family. The combined population of these three major clans accounts for eighty percent of the county’s residents. From conversations, it’s clear that the people here are very united because of this. They’re peaceful and have the honest nature of farming folk. But whenever we casually mention that an imperial mausoleum is being built nearby, they all clam up. Several people who were originally enthusiastic about buying things turned and walked away upon hearing the words ‘imperial mausoleum.'”

Qin Yining frowned. “But according to the records, when the previous supervisor was building the imperial mausoleum, most of the civilian laborers came from Danfu County. There’s no reason they should be so cold upon hearing about mausoleum construction. Could something have gone wrong back then?”

“Perhaps that’s the case.” Jingzhe said. “At our current pace, it seems our group will need at least two days to cover the entire county. Today we’ll first take this main east-west road. What do you think?”

“That’s naturally good.” Qin Yining said. “Don’t be too deliberate about it – just occasionally mention it casually when you encounter friendly people.”

“Yes, master, please rest assured.”

After their brief conversation, Jingzhe returned to the flatbed wagon like an ordinary assistant, cheerful and happy.

The two flatbed wagons led the way while Qin Yining’s carriage followed, continuing their gradual progress.

Soon they reached the most prosperous area of Danfu County’s main street.

Qin Yining peered through the gap in the curtains, her gaze falling on a large tree at an alley entrance, causing her to furrow her brow slightly.

Under the tree lay a man in tattered clothes, his body so thin it resembled a bamboo pole. The man had graying temples, hair like dried weeds, and a dirty face that made it impossible to discern his actual appearance and age. Only his prominent nose bridge was clearly visible. He clutched a bamboo stick as thick as an egg as if it were his treasure, curled up with bare feet.

Seeing Qin Yining’s expression change, Ji Yun asked softly, “Madam, what’s wrong?”

“Look there – there’s a beggar.” Qin Yining pointed to the person under the tree.

Ji Yun looked as directed and nodded. “Indeed there is.”

“Don’t you find it strange?”

“What’s strange about it?”

Qin Yining frowned. “All along this journey, we haven’t seen a single beggar until now. Only here is there one.”

Ji Yun smiled. “Perhaps they’re all staying in remote earth god temples rather than coming to the main street.”