“The Princess Consort speaks extremely correctly.” Xie Yue nodded in agreement. It seemed the Princess Consort understood Earl Zhongyi very well. It’s just that in front of the Prince, he couldn’t speak carelessly about this matter.

Xu Weizhi’s brows were tightly knitted. “If things truly develop according to the Princess Consort’s speculation, then this would be greatly inauspicious. When the Emperor had no pretext, he would still try every means to target Your Highness. Now that he has this reason, how could he easily let it pass? The Emperor is naturally not a foolish person and will certainly investigate the treasure matter. By then, regardless of whether we’ve left any traces or loopholes, the Emperor will push all blame onto Your Highness.”

Everyone present was intelligent and naturally could guess that current events were indeed developing in this direction.

Qin Yining lowered her eyes, her fingertips lightly tapping the back of her hand as she slowly said, “From the moment the Son of Heaven ascended the throne, he has never stopped paying attention to Tianji Zi’s calculations for even a moment, pressing step by step, leading to the current situation. Now he’s wholly focused on the imperial mausoleum and treasure. Natural disasters are no longer visible, Great Yan has been pacified, and the Tatars defeated – he must be complacent. Now that he’s found the treasure’s whereabouts, when it comes to eliminating threats after achieving his goals, he’ll have even less psychological pressure. We indeed should start preparing in advance.”

Both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi nodded repeatedly, looking toward Pang Xiao with inquiring gazes.

Pang Xiao had already given the matter deep thought during their conversation.

“During this time, for the treasures at the three locations of Wuning Dam, Qinghang Slope, and Linnan Township, most of my available people have already been dispatched. Due to Tao Hanshan’s letter, the last batch originally meant to be sent to Wanzhou Town remained behind, but this small number of people is insufficient to protect all of us against thousands of troops and horses. Those imperial ceremonial guards I was granted are completely useless – they’re only good for show, not for charging into battle. It’s too late to deploy additional manpower now.”

Pang Xiao turned to look at Qin Yining. “So this time…”

Before he could finish speaking, Tang Xiu’s somewhat anxious voice came from outside: “Your Highness! Eunuch Xiong from the Emperor’s side has arrived!”

Everyone was greatly shocked, not expecting Li Qitian to act so quickly!

Pang Xiao gripped the armrests of his chair with both hands, slowly rising, then said: “Go stall for a while. Tell him this Prince is currently bathing and will come shortly.”

“Yes!” Tang Xiu immediately responded and withdrew.

Pang Xiao suddenly turned to look at Qin Yining, his eyes flashing with intense reluctance and unwillingness.

Vaguely, Qin Yining understood Pang Xiao’s meaning.

Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue both silently rose and withdrew.

Ji Yun also retreated to outside the screen by the door, carefully listening to the movements outside.

Qin Yining sat in the round chair, looking up at Pang Xiao’s eyes. She had never known that a person’s gaze could contain such complex emotions, making her heart ache in waves.

Looking at Pang Xiao like this, Qin Yining felt agonizing pain in her heart, yet her face bloomed with a beautiful smile.

“Zhixi, whatever you wish to instruct, just speak. I’m listening.”

Pang Xiao’s large hand caressed Qin Yining’s fair cheek, his thumb’s rough calluses brushing across her earlobe: “You’re a clever person. Even without me saying it, you understand the current situation. The Emperor’s close companion has come, certainly to summon me for an imperial audience and accusation. This trip I’m taking is truly dangerous, and I may not necessarily return unscathed. If I take you along, it would just be one more person falling into the tiger’s den, which would truly bring more harm than benefit to both of us. So…”

Looking at Qin Yining’s gentle, water-like eyes, Pang Xiao couldn’t bring himself to make any demands.

He knew that in this critical moment, if he asked her to leave, she definitely wouldn’t be willing. Over these many years, they had weathered storms together as husband and wife, sharing countless hardships. Qin Yining didn’t retreat behind him like ordinary boudoir ladies – instead, she would face storms ahead of him, bearing burdens for him.

He wanted Qin Yining to be in a safe environment and didn’t want her to be trapped in danger, yet he also worried that she wouldn’t be willing, that she would agree in person but then take other actions behind his back.

Pang Xiao smiled and took Qin Yining’s hand: “Yining, isn’t Sakurai’s matter still unresolved? You could take this opportunity to make a trip to the Eastern Sea, have a good talk with that daimyo Ishikawa Jitsuo, and also meet with Hirasawa Nai to ask if Sakurai has any unfulfilled dying wishes. I’ll deploy all my external forces under your command. If necessary, we’ll use military intimidation – we should at least be able to give Sakurai a resting place and not let him continue wandering outside. He saved you, so we should also fulfill his wishes for him.”

Qin Yining lowered her eyes and smiled, knowing that Pang Xiao wanted to use this matter to lead her away. Indeed, as Pang Xiao said, she understood the current situation and knew that if she followed Pang Xiao back now, it would simply be one more person entering the tiger’s mouth.

Seeing Qin Yining remain silent, Pang Xiao became somewhat anxious.

“Yining, listen to me. Now is not the time for impulsiveness. Our future path is still long – there’s no need to stake everything now. Knowing this trip is fraught with danger, you really don’t need to accompany me. I…”

“I understand.” Qin Yining’s cool fingertips pressed against Pang Xiao’s lips. As she smiled and rose, Pang Xiao also gradually straightened up, only lowering his eyes to look at her.

Qin Yining said: “I will take your people and leave. Taking this opportunity, I’ll also make a trip to the Eastern Sea to resolve Sakurai’s matter.”

Pang Xiao stared in unexpected amazement, his phoenix eyes widening completely.

Seeing his surprised expression, Qin Yining couldn’t help but think of Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er. The two children’s expressions when surprised were identical to Pang Xiao’s now, making her heart involuntarily soften.

“I want to accompany you.” Qin Yining looked at Pang Xiao, smiling as she said: “But I’m even clearer that if I go with you, it would simply be delivering a lamb to the tiger’s mouth, allowing Li Qitian to effortlessly capture two people at once. If he uses me as a hostage to coerce you, that would be even worse for you. Moreover, your people are scattered outside, and without a leader, the threat they pose to him is limited. In that case, I might as well take your people and grow stronger outside. After obtaining the treasure, it would also be a threat to Li Qitian, at least making him not dare to act rashly.”

At this moment, Qin Yining hated Li Qitian to her bones and no longer wanted to even address him as “the Emperor.”

Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining, his expression gradually changing from surprise to a smile, then hearty laughter. His gaze became increasingly burning, emotions surging like boiling lava in his heart, and a heroic spirit arose spontaneously. The childish thoughts of temporarily parting with her had all vanished into thin air.

This was his woman – she always brought him surprises and amazement. Although he loved her beauty and occasionally her inadvertent gentleness, he loved even more her rational mind and strong soul. This woman seemed like an inexhaustible treasure that made him never want to let go for his entire life.

“Yining.” Pang Xiao was deeply moved as he embraced her.

Qin Yining smiled as she rested against his shoulder, saying: “Don’t worry. Even if you go this time, I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you’re safe. Li Qitian’s dynasty is on the verge of turmoil, yet he still doesn’t know restraint and continues acting this way – there are plenty of flaws to exploit.”

Pang Xiao laughed heartily: “Don’t worry. He may want to kill me, but he also needs to maintain face and find the right time and place. It’s not something he can just do as he pleases. If he thinks he can do anything to me this time, he’s dreaming!”