County Magistrate Cheng said politely: “Upon learning of Your Highness’s arrival, this humble official immediately led the people out to welcome you. The people of this county all admire Your Highness’s character and deeply respect Your Highness’s illustrious military achievements. Today they all came spontaneously, all wanting to witness Your Highness’s bearing. The area before the city gates became somewhat chaotic—please do not blame us, Your Highness.”
“Not at all,” Pang Xiao said with slight emotion. “This Prince has merely done what should be done. If we speak of military achievements, where is this Prince’s merit? This Prince merely follows His Majesty’s instructions—everything is proper under His Majesty’s will.”
County Magistrate Cheng immediately showed a face full of admiration: “Prince Zhongshun is truly a loyal and righteous man. This humble official was too narrow-minded. Please, Your Highness. Please, Your Highness the Princess.” As he spoke, he stepped aside and gestured for them to proceed.
“Please.”
With mutual courtesies, Pang Xiao walked toward the city with County Magistrate Cheng. Qin Yining followed behind Pang Xiao with their entourage.
The people lined the streets in welcome with high enthusiasm. Each one became extremely excited upon seeing Pang Xiao—some stretched their necks from the outer edges of the crowd to peer in, while others closer praised continuously, directly complimenting Prince Zhongshun’s fine bearing.
Pang Xiao maintained a smile as he walked forward, politely nodding to acknowledge the people, which caused even greater cheering and discussion among the populace.
Qin Yining walked behind with lowered eyes, feeling as if she were being paraded through the streets. If she hadn’t come to investigate beforehand and known that the people here held deep prejudices and hostility toward Pang Xiao, she might have been deceived by this false appearance and developed feelings of pride and satisfaction upon seeing their current behavior.
But now, she only felt that the people here were difficult to deal with, and even more difficult to handle was County Magistrate Cheng who followed beside Pang Xiao.
She very much wanted to know—how had County Magistrate Cheng managed to gather so many people to welcome Pang Xiao when the people’s hearts resisted him?
If she had thought wrongly, and truly only a small portion of the people held enmity toward Pang Xiao while the majority had come spontaneously today, then so be it. But if all this was County Magistrate Cheng’s orchestration, this person’s capabilities would be evident.
Qin Yining smiled as she followed Pang Xiao in greeting the people, while taking the opportunity to roughly analyze the current situation in her mind.
Soon, the group reached the front of the government office. County Magistrate Cheng politely guided Pang Xiao’s group into the office to rest, leaving officials outside to persuade the people to return home and rest.
As Qin Yining had expected, the people departed very readily.
When County Magistrate Cheng was instructing his subordinates, Qin Yining looked up at Pang Xiao. Their gazes met, and they smiled at each other.
“Upon learning that Your Highness and the Princess had honored this county with your presence, this humble official specially arranged the rear courtyard of the government office. I must trouble Your Highness and the Princess to temporarily reside here.”
“Not at all. County Magistrate Cheng truly need not be so courteous. This Prince can rest anywhere—in past battlefield campaigns, even sleeping on haystacks was considered excellent treatment.”
County Magistrate Cheng said admiringly: “Your Highness is truly a genuine hero, a true champion! Your Highness’s dedication to the people truly makes this humble official admire you. This official also understands that Your Highness is being considerate of this official, not wanting to mobilize troops unnecessarily. But the government office is already prepared. Please move to your honored position and temporarily settle in the government office. This official has also prepared a simple meal—please honor us with your presence, Your Highness.”
“County Magistrate Cheng has worked hard. This Prince came to handle official business, yet must trouble County Magistrate Cheng with arrangements—it truly makes me feel guilty.” Pang Xiao carefully observed County Magistrate Cheng’s expression. Coming here on official business was for the matter of conscripted workers—County Magistrate Cheng couldn’t possibly be completely unaware. He wanted to see how County Magistrate Cheng would respond.
But County Magistrate Cheng didn’t take the bait at all, only saying humbly and respectfully: “Not at all, not at all. Receiving Your Highness’s great presence and making arrangements—these are all within this official’s duties. Your Highness truly need not feel guilty.”
Qin Yining listened with cold laughter. This person was as slippery as a loach—it seemed impossible to directly extract information from him.
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao returned to the rear courtyard, made brief preparations, then went to the front hall to attend the evening banquet.
Originally County Magistrate Cheng had prepared singing girls and dancing girls with orchestral music, but since Pang Xiao was in mourning and it was inappropriate to make merry, he dismissed them.
County Magistrate Cheng tactfully changed approach, introducing the county’s deputy magistrate, clerk, and elders from various families to Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao treated these people with both nobility and complete courtesy. Qin Yining also cooperated, and through conversation and laughter could enliven the atmosphere, making this banquet without singing, dancing, or music become lively.
After the banquet, County Magistrate Cheng respectfully said: “This humble official will take leave now. Please rest early, Your Highness and Princess.”
“Thank you, County Magistrate Cheng.” Pang Xiao smiled and nodded. “Tomorrow I’ll consult with the magistrate about official business.”
County Magistrate Cheng appeared completely open and straightforward, repeatedly agreeing, and said: “To have the opportunity to work with Your Highness on official matters is this official’s honor. Please rest assured, Your Highness.”
After more courteous exchanges, Pang Xiao instructed Tang Xiu to escort County Magistrate Cheng out, then returned to his room to rest.
At this time, Qin Yining had already changed into a half-worn water-green jacket for casual wear, her long hair loose and flowing. She dismissed Ji Yun to rest and sat on the edge of the canopy bed, reading leisurely while waiting for Pang Xiao.
In the warm, gentle lamplight, Qin Yining’s appearance with loose flowing hair was truly too alluring—Pang Xiao’s gaze softened.
“Yining. Are you tired?”
“I’m fine.” Qin Yining smiled and put down her book, rising to help Pang Xiao wash and change clothes.
“This Danfu County truly has significant problems. It’s hard on the Lu family—where did they find such a clever person?”
“You also think there’s something abnormal here?”
“Yes.” Pang Xiao said seriously: “I’ve been observing the people here. I can still distinguish between genuine welcome and going through the motions. Moreover, County Magistrate Cheng’s actions could be called flawless—whether verbal probing or provocation, he completely refuses to engage, which shows this person’s deep scheming. Perhaps he has already prepared for everything.”
“So resolving the conscripted workers matter will indeed be difficult.” Qin Yining handed Pang Xiao a towel to wipe his face. “If the approach is too gentle, the problem won’t be solved, and in the end His Majesty will blame you for ineffective handling. But if the approach is too harsh, it could easily arouse public dissatisfaction. They already have some misunderstanding about you—if another layer of bad impression is added, it might spark civil unrest.”
Pang Xiao also became serious. “You speak correctly. So we must arrange everything in advance to avoid giving anyone leverage against us. If real civil unrest erupts, then things will become truly difficult to handle.”
Dealing with enemies was one thing—his blade wasn’t afraid to drink blood. But toward the Great Zhou’s people, Pang Xiao deeply understood the principle that water can carry a boat but can also overturn it. He treasured his reputation greatly and didn’t want to be slandered by anyone.
Having been traveling continuously all along, both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining were very tired. After washing up properly, they settled down to sleep.
Qin Yining opened her eyes again when awakened by a voice outside the door.
“Your Highness, Princess, there’s trouble outside!”
Pang Xiao leaped up, his expression showing no impatience from insufficient sleep, but seriously asked: “What’s happened?”
Outside the door, Tang Xiu was so anxious that sweat covered his forehead. “Your Highness, the government office is surrounded!”
Pang Xiao’s expression turned stern. He turned back to pull Qin Yining’s hand, helping her up: “Yining, quickly change clothes and take all your personal belongings—the government office is surrounded.” As he spoke, he himself moved efficiently.
Qin Yining hurriedly got up, put on her jacket, and threw on a large cloak. Without time to arrange her hair, she first tucked the small medicine pouch Bingtang had left into her bosom. After thinking, she also tucked in silver notes and a dagger, finally finding a hair ribbon to tie her long hair in a bundle.
The entire preparation process took only moments.
“Your Highness.” Outside the door, Tang Xiu asked anxiously: “There are many people gathered outside who have completely blocked the front and back of the government office. They appear to be local people—how should we handle this?”
Pang Xiao stepped forward and pushed open the door with one motion, saying calmly: “No need to worry. Follow this Prince to the front gate to investigate the situation.”
“Yes.” Seeing Pang Xiao so composed, Tang Xiu immediately felt reassured, responding in a low voice and following.
Qin Yining had also finished preparing. Ji Yun, Jingzhe, and the others had all heard the news. Several people followed beside Qin Yining, quickly heading toward the main gate.
At this time the government office’s main gate was tightly closed. However, in the darkness of night, even with the gate closed, it wasn’t difficult to see the firelight outside from over the wall and hear the sounds of crowding people.
Pang Xiao’s expression turned cold as he snorted with laughter: “How very interesting. There’s also a guesthouse in this area. When this Prince arrived, I didn’t stay at the guesthouse—who leaked this information? These people want to block this Prince’s door, not going to the guesthouse but coming to the government office instead, knowing this Prince’s whereabouts so clearly.”
Obviously, the problem lay with County Magistrate Cheng and his group! If not County Magistrate Cheng himself, then someone close to him.
Xie Yue said worriedly: “Judging by the sound, quite a few people have come. Your Highness, the guards we brought are limited. A good tiger can’t withstand a pack of wolves—if rioters break in, I’m afraid things will be difficult to handle.”
Just as Xie Yue finished speaking, they heard a loud shout from outside the gate.
“Open the door! Let Prince Zhongshun come out!”
“Right, let the highest official here come out!”
…
Then someone stepped forward to bang on the door.
The gatekeeper was now so frightened he was nearly crying, his legs weak as noodles, collapsing limply in front of the gate, wanting to flee but unable to stand up.
The Elite Tiger Guards and palace guards remained very calm, looking back at Pang Xiao: “Your Highness, please give your orders.”
Pang Xiao thought for a moment, then said: “Open the gate.”
“Your Highness, please reconsider!” Tang Xiu advised: “Once the gate is opened, if the other side rushes in…”
“This one gate can’t stop the people of this county. Opening or not opening makes no difference. Open the gate.” Pang Xiao turned back to pull Qin Yining’s hand, keeping her by his side. “This Prince wants to see exactly who has such audacity to dare surround and block a reigning prince in the middle of the night!”
“Yes!”
Infected by Pang Xiao’s composure and bearing, everyone present felt much more at ease, especially the Elite Tiger Guards—they had all fought bloody battles on the battlefield with Pang Xiao. What grand scenes hadn’t they witnessed? These current people coming to cause trouble, compared to facing thousands of troops on the battlefield where life and death hung in the balance, simply couldn’t make them feel afraid.
The gate opened with a creak. The dense crowds of people standing outside came into view, their bright torches blazing in the night like fallen stars from heaven.
These people all held shovels, pickaxes, sickles, clubs, and other implements in their hands, all raising torches. Looking out, one couldn’t even see the end of the human tide.
“Princess.” Ji Yun, both shocked and fearful, supported Qin Yining’s arm. “Please don’t leave this servant’s side later. With so many people, I’m afraid His Highness’s men won’t be able to stop them all.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” Qin Yining wasn’t afraid and patted Ji Yun’s shoulder comfortingly, saying in a low voice: “These people aren’t here to fight us to the death. Since they’ve come in this manner, they must want something. Let’s see what their purpose is and what they’re seeking. If it’s something that can generally be resolved, as long as we give them a promise, there should be no trouble. If all else fails, His Highness will protect us.”
Ji Yun nodded: “Princess, this servant isn’t afraid. If there’s real danger later, this servant will definitely be able to protect you.”
Qin Yining chuckled softly and said quietly: “Your Highness, ask these people what they want.”
Hearing Qin Yining’s voice so relaxed, Pang Xiao looked back and saw that under the firelight’s reflection, Qin Yining was actually smiling relaxedly—she showed no fear at all.
Pang Xiao’s heart felt as if someone had gently tickled it with a feather.