Just as Qin Yining fell into deep thought, Tao Hanshan also returned to the main hall, sitting in the seat of honor with a gloomy expression.

“Brother Tao, what’s wrong?” A middle-aged advisor with a long beard carefully observed Tao Hanshan’s expression and asked cautiously.

This person was named Chen Jing, also an advisor under Pang Xiao, though his position was far inferior to Tao Hanshan’s. Over the years, he had always followed Tao Hanshan’s lead in all matters, clearly becoming his confidant.

Tao Hanshan shook his head.

Seeing that he seemed to have something to say, Chen Jing turned and signaled for the other advisors and guards to withdraw.

Only when no one else remained in the room did he lower his voice to ask, “Did Your Highness say something that angered Brother Tao?”

Tao Hanshan frowned at these words. “Your Highness has a body worth a thousand gold. Even if there were any friction, it would be us subordinates who handled things improperly and angered Your Highness. How could it be the other way around, saying Your Highness angered us?”

Chen Jing smiled. “Brother Tao needn’t be so tense. There are no outsiders here, just us two brothers. What can’t we say between ourselves?”

In the past, Tao Hanshan would never have allowed Chen Jing to speak such words, whether in public or private. But he had indeed been quite angered by Qin Yining just now, and since he couldn’t lose his temper with the princess consort, he was still fuming about the matter.

Seeing Chen Jing speak this way, he snorted. “A woman’s narrow views, not worth consulting for strategy. To think His Highness praises her as a living Sleeping Dragon—yet she turns out to have long hair and short wisdom. His Highness is such a brilliant figure, yet ultimately cannot overcome the beauty trap.”

Chen Jing laughed. “Since ancient times, heroes have found it hard to overcome the beauty trap—what’s so unusual about that? If Your Highness were just an ordinary woman from the inner chambers, possessing only beauty and knowing how to serve His Highness, that would be fine. The problem is that she has some cleverness and thinks herself clever—such women are the most difficult to handle. If she goes to advise His Highness, it will more or less influence his decisions. If she speaks ill of anyone before His Highness, he would most certainly believe her.”

“Exactly, that’s where the trouble lies.” Tao Hanshan said, “Take today’s events—in such a crisis situation, we should naturally ensure His Highness acts correctly! His Highness is devoted to the country, but His Majesty harbors deep suspicions toward him. When we were in the capital, how much mistreatment did His Highness suffer? This wasn’t just witnessed by us subordinates—the capital’s citizens all saw it!

“His Highness’s achievements overshadowing his master and being suspected by His Majesty is already an indisputable fact. In such circumstances, we should be even more careful and cautious, absolutely not giving His Majesty any leverage against us. Yet today Your Highness spoke to me about ‘original intentions,’ disapproving of my order to send troops to pacify the Danfu County people’s treason. Tell me, isn’t this ridiculous?”

Chen Jing feigned surprise, raising his eyebrows. “Did Your Highness explain why she thinks this way?”

Tao Hanshan sneered coldly. “Nothing more than saying the people are innocent. Right now she only thinks about those lowly people, but doesn’t consider how His Majesty will blame His Highness after the incident, and cares even less about what great things His Highness needs to accomplish. If you ask me, women should just stay properly in the inner chambers and handle domestic affairs. Your Highness is a living example—spoiled rotten by His Highness!”

Hearing this, Chen Jing also let out a mocking laugh, joking, “So since ancient times, women who are too beautiful have all been materials for bringing ruin to countries and people. This can’t entirely be blamed on His Highness. So how does Brother Tao plan to handle this matter?”

Asked about the crucial matter, Tao Hanshan immediately grew cold-faced, his fingers rapidly tapping the table. The sharp tapping sounds continued for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before suddenly stopping.

“This matter cannot be left to the whims of a mere woman.”

Tao Hanshan propped his elbow on the small table between two round chairs, leaning close to Chen Jing’s face and speaking in a low voice. “People like you and me aren’t like Brothers Xie and Xu, who can be counted upon before both His Highness and Your Highness. If we’re planning for the future, what should we care about most? If His Highness succeeds in great things, you and I can at least become high court officials. But if His Highness cannot succeed, I’m afraid we won’t even have anywhere to flee.”

Chen Jing nodded repeatedly. “Brother Tao speaks truly. You and I follow His Highness partly because we value his character, but secondly, isn’t it also for these benefits? If we had no selfish motives, we’d be Buddhas.”

“Exactly. I believe not just you and I, but everyone thinks this way. His Highness is a righteous man who still endures His Majesty’s suspicions with forbearance, and can’t make up his mind to resist, all for the sake of loyalty and righteousness. His Highness’s character truly earns our admiration and makes followers like us even more devoted.”

Chen Jing nodded in agreement.

Tao Hanshan continued, “Some things His Highness cannot do—if we subordinates also don’t do them, matters will ultimately develop in an uncontrollable direction. So we must find every way to help His Highness succeed. His Highness now has his heart set on serving His Majesty, but once certain events force His Highness onto that path, he won’t be able to resist.”

Chen Jing nodded again.

He agreed with Tao Hanshan’s thinking, but hearing these words, he felt an ominous premonition in his heart, and his spine grew somewhat cold.

Tao Hanshan carefully lowered his voice. “Your Highness standing in the way of this matter truly serves no good purpose. If we want His Highness to agree to suppress the Danfu County people’s treason to divert attention, we need to give His Highness a reason he can accept—for example, hatred.”

“Brother Tao, you mean…”

Tao Hanshan made a gesture with his palm across his neck.

“You’re saying we should… Your Highness?” Chen Jing also made the same gesture. Seeing Tao Hanshan nod, he immediately shuddered, the hair on his back standing up. “This, this isn’t appropriate, is it? Your Highness is the apple of His Highness’s eye. If His Highness knew, even if you were thinking of him, I’m afraid he would only rage and not appreciate it.”

Tao Hanshan smiled. “How many beauties are there in the world? When His Highness ascends to the throne in the future, he’ll naturally have the world’s beauties to serve him. Would he worry about not finding someone better than the Qin family? Moreover, when His Highness possesses the world and ascends the throne, many thoughts will naturally change. He won’t dwell on current matters anymore. He’ll miss Your Highness, but he won’t blame me.”

Speaking to this point, Tao Hanshan whispered a few sentences in Chen Jing’s ear. Seeing Chen Jing nod, he continued, “Besides, what’s there to worry about? Doesn’t Your Highness have a ready-made scapegoat by her side? When His Highness believes it was Danfu County people who killed Your Highness, given His Highness’s temperament and deep affection for Your Highness, let alone pacifying treason—even massacring the city would be something His Highness could do. That would be the best of both worlds.”

Chen Jing hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Brother Tao’s words also make sense. So you’ve decided on this method?”

Tao Hanshan smiled slightly, not immediately answering.

At this moment, Qin Yining’s expression had changed from initial anxiety and worry to calm.

She stood up and slowly walked to the window, quietly pushing it open a crack to carefully observe the courtyard situation.

Today was the fifteenth of the seventh month, with a bright full moon hanging high, illuminating the quiet courtyard completely. Perhaps due to considerations of propriety between men and women, no guards were arranged outside her courtyard—only shadows moving about at the courtyard gate.

Qin Yining found this somewhat amusing. She had already arrived at Pang Xiao’s subordinates’ location. Though Tao Hanshan disagreed with her views, he would at least respect her as the princess consort. Why should she be so careful?

She simply pushed the door open and came into the courtyard, carefully observing her surroundings.

Seeing Qin Yining leave the room, the young man also quickly followed.

The courtyard was spacious, and the night breeze stirred the loose hair at Qin Yining’s temples. She could smell the heavy, fishy odor of dried blood on her body.

This was precisely why Qin Yining remained vigilant.

If it were Xu Weizhi or Xie Yue, even without maidservants around, they would find a way to seek out village women to help her change clothes and wash. But Tao Hanshan had only had someone bring clothes of unknown origin and a basin of hot water.

Tao Hanshan didn’t give her enough attention, yet Qin Yining couldn’t afford to break relations with the people Pang Xiao had left behind.

She wanted to find Meng Qin. If it were Xie Yue’s people, she would directly order someone to go outside and find him. But Tao Hanshan’s actions and words made Qin Yining unable to trust him.

However, the signal flares she used to contact the Azure Sky Alliance would be too conspicuous in the night sky. That red light shooting up might bring the estate’s guards before Meng Qin could arrive.

Qin Yining lowered her eyes, hesitating about how to proceed.

Would it be feasible to openly seek out Meng Qin? Presumably Tao Hanshan also knew she was the Alliance Leader of the Azure Sky Alliance and shouldn’t prevent her from communicating with the outside world. After all, someone as skilled at maneuvering as Tao Hanshan cared more about his position before His Highness. Even with differing opinions, they were all still in Pang Xiao’s camp—it wouldn’t come to such wariness.

Thinking of this, Qin Yining began walking toward the exit, intending to find someone to go look for Meng Qin.

Seeing Qin Yining walking toward the entrance, the young man also followed with his bamboo staff.

Who would have thought that after just two or three steps, they heard the soft tapping sound of small pebbles hitting the ground behind them.

The young man reacted swiftly, spinning around with his blade already drawn.

However, when he saw who the person was, the young man’s movements paused.

Qin Yining also turned to look and saw someone lying on the back courtyard wall—wasn’t it Meng Qin?

Qin Yining dared not speak, fearing to attract attention, and hurriedly walked quickly in that direction.

Meng Qin flipped over the mud wall and landed lightly.

Qin Yining quickly beckoned to both Meng Qin and the young man.

The courtyard wasn’t a suitable place for discussion. Qin Yining also quickly understood and followed, with all three hurriedly entering the room.

Meng Qin lowered his voice. “Alliance Leader, your lodging is in too remote a location.”

Qin Yining smiled slightly. “Advisor Tao and I have differing opinions. I imagine he wants me to calm down in this remote place.”

“He’s His Highness’s advisor, yet dares to treat you this way?” Meng Qin almost couldn’t help jumping up.

Qin Yining smiled bitterly. “I’m just a useless woman after all. Many people look down on women—you know this too.”

Meng Qin shook his head. “Don’t those who look down on women realize they were born from mothers?”

Qin Yining didn’t want to dwell on this topic and asked in a low voice, “How is the situation with His Highness?”

Meng Qin said, “I came specifically to bring news to the Alliance Leader. His Highness is still surrounded, but no conflicts have occurred yet. His Highness has kept his subordinates well under control.”