Hearing this, Pang Xiao lowered his eyes. If Sakurai hadn’t firmly blocked in front of Qin Yining, when he arrived, he probably would have seen Qin Yining’s corpse, and the person who committed such evil deeds was someone he had once trusted!
“Actually, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I wanted to do something for Sakurai. A drop of water’s kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. She sacrificed her life to save you—no one can forget such a debt, neither you nor I can forget. But…” Pang Xiao sighed, “You don’t want to entrust this matter to my subordinates—is it because Master Tao had many criticisms of you?”
Qin Yining’s long lashes fluttered. She hadn’t expected Pang Xiao to be so perceptive, capturing even that tiny bit of grievance in her heart.
“It’s not as serious as you say.” Qin Yining smiled bitterly, leaning against Pang Xiao’s shoulder somewhat wearily, her voice soft like a wronged little animal. “Master Tao’s methods, though unexpected, aren’t too difficult to accept. People making plans for themselves, using any means necessary to compete for fame and profit—isn’t this the norm of court life? I’m just somewhat surprised that in the eyes of your strategists, I’ve become like Daji or Baosi.”
She had shared hardships with Pang Xiao, faced life and death together, given him so many ideas, and braved so many dangers. In the end, she earned only infamy, with people wishing they could kill her to eliminate a hidden threat. To say she felt nothing would be impossible, but to say she felt very wronged wouldn’t be accurate either.
“I can understand their thinking, but his methods harmed innocent lives, even wanting to use all the people of Danfu County as stepping stones to pave his way. Such a person, I truly…”
Her tone paused. Qin Yining seemed to be considering something and ultimately didn’t finish her words.
Pang Xiao sighed softly, kissing her forehead. “I know your grievance. Ultimately, this matter was my failing—I didn’t let my subordinates understand your importance.”
“This can’t be blamed on you.” Qin Yining shook her head. “What ordinary noble ladies are like is how I appear in their eyes. When deep-dwelling women meddle too much in external affairs, it indeed is very taboo. But since ancient times, the power of ‘pillow talk’ has been formidable, so their wariness is natural.”
“Pillow talk?” Pang Xiao drew out the words. “Yining is right—the power of pillow talk is indeed very great.”
Qin Yining thought of something, her cheeks flushing with two patches of red, making her complexion look much better. She glanced at Pang Xiao reproachfully: “At a time like this, you can still joke around.”
Pang Xiao held her slender waist and swayed, his tone gentle: “All right, all right, it’s my fault. But with me, pillow talk will always work.”
Qin Yining quietly leaned against Pang Xiao, nodding wearily.
After a moment, Qin Yining adjusted her mood and said seriously: “I’m fine now. This isn’t a place to linger long—why don’t we set off for the camp first?”
Pang Xiao hesitated as he looked at the disheveled bloodstains on Qin Yining’s body.
Following Pang Xiao’s gaze, Qin Yining looked down at herself: “It doesn’t matter. I can clean up properly after returning to camp. If the Five Army Camp people arrive too quickly and we’re not prepared, we won’t be able to protect the people of Danfu County.”
The two had already agreed on this earlier. Seeing that Qin Yining was fine, Pang Xiao naturally didn’t want to delay further and gave his orders.
Taking the people they needed to bring and leaving several behind to handle aftermath at the manor, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining left the city that very night.
With such a commotion in the city, the gate officials naturally didn’t dare obstruct Pang Xiao, allowing them unimpeded passage back to camp.
Qin Yining cleaned herself up properly while Pang Xiao went to find Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi to inform them of his thoughts.
Upon hearing this, both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi first fell into silence.
After all, the treasure was a substantial sum. Hadn’t they seen how enthusiastic Yuchi Yan, Li Qitian, Yuchi Xujie, Lu Heng, and others were about it?
This large treasure, if it couldn’t fall into their own hands, might be obtained by enemies, which would definitely not be good for Pang Xiao.
But after hearing Pang Xiao’s detailed analysis of the reasons, both men couldn’t help but admire him. After careful consideration, both nodded.
Pang Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Many of his subordinates followed him precisely because they regarded him as their future path to rapid advancement. Giving up the treasure, no longer pursuing the responsibility of Danfu County’s people, revealing the injustices the people suffered—the treasure might very well be seized by opponents, leaving him in a disadvantageous position.
This logic was very clear. With Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi’s intelligence, they couldn’t fail to understand. Yet they agreed without hesitation and expressed their support, proving these two men had upright character, completely different from the opportunistic Tao Hanshan.
Having made this decision, given their current situation, many plans needed to be reconsidered.
After a moment, Xie Yue asked: “Since this is the case, we need to find ways to first placate the Five Army Camp generals who are hurrying here to quell the rebellion. They’ve rushed here, but in the end gain nothing. His Majesty will surely inquire, so how to placate people’s hearts then, and how to respond to His Majesty’s side—we’d better prepare for all these in advance.”
Xu Weizhi nodded in agreement. The two didn’t feel disappointed by Pang Xiao’s decision, but instead thought even more carefully about future strategies than before. Finally, they discussed Magistrate Cheng.
“…So speaking, Magistrate Cheng is indeed a good official with his heart set on the country.”
“How could that be? For his scheme to be implemented, he was even willing to let the Princess Consort and many passersby be buried with it. How could such a person simply be a good official? He’s just someone skilled at reading situations and hiding himself.”
Pang Xiao thought for a moment, and the three exchanged glances, suddenly all unable to help laughing.
“Looking at it this way, we’re quite foolish, never thinking about how the people should live after natural disasters and man-made calamities break out. But this Magistrate Cheng managed to do so.” Xu Weizhi sighed.
Xie Yue said: “Actually, these aren’t the most important matters either. Before settling on this strategy, Magistrate Cheng probably already prepared himself mentally to die.”
Pang Xiao nodded in understanding.
Now it seemed Magistrate Cheng would sacrifice small details for great achievements, even sacrificing some people to reach his goals. At critical moments, he was someone who could sacrifice even himself.
And it had to be said, Magistrate Cheng’s strategy was already half successful. His scheme had calculated even himself into it.
“His Majesty places such importance on the imperial mausoleum matter. For such civil unrest to break out under Magistrate Cheng’s governance, when His Majesty is enraged, Magistrate Cheng’s fate is predictable.” Pang Xiao said. “But having the courage to use himself to delay the imperial mausoleum construction shows he’s already placed life and death beyond consideration, completely unconcerned about how His Majesty will deal with him.”
“From Your Highness’s tone, you somewhat approve of this Magistrate Cheng’s methods?” Xie Yue raised an eyebrow.
Pang Xiao shook his head: “Approval is too strong a word. His actions are too subjective, but his consideration for the people is admirable.”
Xu Weizhi sighed: “Your Highness actually shares the same purpose as him, just with different methods. For the people, isn’t Your Highness also willing to sacrifice the opportunity to obtain the treasure?”
Pang Xiao shook his head with a serious expression: “His sacrifice will be even greater.”
Just as his words fell, Tang Xiu came from outside to report: “Your Highness, Magistrate Cheng of Danfu County requests an audience.”