What Qin Yining loved most was precisely this confident and domineering appearance of Pang Xiao’s. Whether for her or those who followed him, he was like a ray of sunlight – scorching and bright, able to bring them hope. So when he showed such reluctance before her, Qin Yining actually felt guilty instead.

“In that case, I won’t accompany you to see Xiong Jinshui. I’ll just stay here. With Xiong Jinshui’s cleverness, when he doesn’t see me come, he naturally won’t ask much about it. Moreover, he doesn’t have the guts to come search the inner residence for me. Even if he gossips before the Emperor, it won’t help matters – by then I’ll have already taken people to find the treasure.” Qin Yining smiled carefree.

Pang Xiao smiled and tapped the tip of her nose. “What a clever little sprite.”

The two huddled together and quickly discussed what they roughly needed to do next. Then Qin Yining said: “You should go quickly too. After all, he’s a chief eunuch from the Emperor’s side. Making him wait too long and angering him wouldn’t be good either. Some people don’t make sweet sugar but make quite sour vinegar – it’s better to be kind to others.”

“I understand. Then I’ll go out now.” Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining, stepping backward with his hands behind his back as he headed outside.

Qin Yining maintained her smile throughout, waving at him. “Don’t worry.”

Those words “don’t worry” simultaneously brought bitterness and reluctance to both their hearts.

They were concerned about each other – how could they truly feel at ease? In this lifetime, how many opportunities were there where parting could guarantee reunion?

Qin Yining’s nose felt sour, but she told herself over and over that she couldn’t make Pang Xiao worry at this moment. She only smiled as she bid him farewell.

Seeing the corners of her eyes seemed tinged with light pink rouge, as if she was about to cry, yet she kept smiling at him, Pang Xiao understood her meaning. Gritting his teeth, he turned around and strode out with large steps.

Arriving in the courtyard and taking two deep breaths, Pang Xiao’s hatred for Li Qitian in his heart reached an unprecedented level. If not for his repeated actions like this, why would they as husband and wife be forced to separate again and again? Why would they and their family be scattered across the world?

He would end all this sooner or later!

“Mr. Xie, Mr. Xu.” Pang Xiao cupped his hands to the two elders standing guard at the door. “I entrust Yining to you both.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi were greatly shocked. They had just been quietly discussing outside which of them the Prince would take to Huichuan, never expecting that the Prince actually didn’t plan to take either of them.

“Your Highness…”

Pang Xiao raised his hand, stopping Xie Yue’s words.

“Going to see the Emperor this time, the situation is uncertain. I’ll only bring a few bodyguards and the ceremonial guards bestowed by the Emperor. When necessary, we martial men can quickly retreat. If there are no major accidents, I’ll peacefully remain under the Emperor’s watchful eyes. Yining will have to coordinate everything outside and also set out for the Eastern Sea, which will inevitably be overwhelming. Please help support her, gentlemen.”

Both men were extremely intelligent and naturally reacted immediately.

“Your Highness plans to temporarily entrust outside affairs to the Princess Consort?”

“Precisely my intention.” Pang Xiao nodded with a smile.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

“This is also good. The Princess Consort is intelligent, very keen regarding political affairs, and quite strategic. I imagine she can handle outside matters well during this period.”

Xu Weizhi also said: “With us two assisting at her side, Your Highness can completely rest assured about the Princess Consort’s safety.”

Actually, both men admired Qin Yining’s wisdom. If Pang Xiao instructed them to accompany Qin Yining in doing things, they could agree. However, if they were to acknowledge Qin Yining as their master and obey her commands like that, they were unwilling in their hearts. No matter how capable, Qin Yining was ultimately just a woman.

But Pang Xiao acted decisively. Once he made a decision, he wouldn’t easily change it. Since he had spoken to them, he had already made up his mind.

Moreover, given the current situation, having the Princess Consort lead the Prince’s external forces to obtain treasure and preserve strength was indeed best for the Prince. It would also be a powerful check against Li Qitian’s side, at least making Li Qitian weigh his options more carefully when moving against Pang Xiao. This was better than having both the Prince and Princess Consort trapped together.

With the two of them present, the Princess Consort presumably wouldn’t encounter any major troubles either.

The two had worked together for many years. Often they could understand each other’s meaning with just an exchange of glances. Without any objections, they accepted Pang Xiao’s arrangement.

“Your Highness must be especially careful on this trip. Preserving strength comes first. If you encounter critical moments, you must also prioritize your own safety.”

“This old man shares the same sentiment. Your Highness might as well adopt a softer posture. The Emperor values his reputation and won’t act rashly before thoroughly investigating. This time can be used for us to prepare well.”

“What both gentlemen say is extremely correct.” Pang Xiao smiled. “Please rest assured, gentlemen. This Prince will definitely act carefully.”

Receiving Pang Xiao’s assurance, both men felt relieved and bowed: “Your Highness, take care.”

“Gentlemen, take care.”

Pang Xiao bid farewell to the two men. With them present, Qin Yining’s actions would be smoother. At least those subordinates unfamiliar with Qin Yining wouldn’t privately make decisions like Tao Hanshan had, hurting Qin Yining.

Xiong Jinshui was currently sitting in the front hall drinking tea, his demeanor calm, showing no signs of anxiety.

Because he was someone from the Emperor’s side, he received considerable respect wherever he went. Today when he came with an edict, the Prince hadn’t immediately come out to meet him, making Tang Xiu very uneasy. He stood tensely at the door, emotions churning in his mind as he thought about how he should respond if something went wrong.

Just then, Tang Xiu saw Pang Xiao’s tall figure striding toward them. The nervous emotions in his heart instantly vanished completely. He hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, bowing: “Your Highness.”

Xiong Jinshui had sharp ears and clear eyes. Hearing this, he quickly put down his teacup, rose with a bent waist, walked to the door, and bowed: “This servant greets Your Highness.”

“Eunuch Xiong, please don’t be so courteous. Making you wait so long was truly this Prince’s fault.”

Xiong Jinshui served Li Qitian daily. At this moment, he could see no trace of moisture on Pang Xiao and his hair wasn’t even damp, clearly showing he hadn’t actually been bathing earlier. However, this wasn’t something a eunuch like him could question. If he nitpicked about this, the Prince could naturally say he had dried his hair before coming out, which would only create unpleasantness.

Therefore, Xiong Jinshui didn’t mind these details and smiled: “Your Highness, the Emperor instructed this servant to come escort you back to Huichuan County.”

Pang Xiao’s eyes widened with delighted surprise: “Could it be that the Emperor has arranged some assignment? To be frank, this Prince has been idle these days. After my injuries gradually healed, I’ve become increasingly restless. If the Emperor has assignments to arrange, it would perfectly suit this Prince’s wishes!”

Xiong Jinshui carefully examined Pang Xiao’s expression. Seeing that his joy didn’t seem feigned, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: “Your Highness, this servant doesn’t know what assignments the Emperor might have. I was only instructed that you should quickly go for an audience. Please set out with this servant immediately?”

“An audience? The Emperor went to Huichuan County? To inspect the imperial mausoleum?”

Seeing that Pang Xiao truly didn’t know the situation, Xiong Jinshui couldn’t help but sigh even more in his heart. That Earl Zhongyi had probably been caught by the Emperor and hastily accused Prince Zhongshun to take the blame for himself!