Pang Xiao naturally would not underestimate women. Sister Ning was a woman, Qiu Feishan was a woman, Cao Yuqing was a woman, Sister Ning’s grandmother who was also the former Alliance Leader of the Azure Heaven Alliance was a woman. Even Tianji Zi was a woman.
If women truly employed their intelligence and strategies, they were no less capable than men. Even because they were as meticulous as hair and extremely sensitive, many things they did were quite unexpected. Although the inner palace didn’t interfere in politics, those were all Li Qitian’s family members. What they discussed privately were secrets to outsiders, but to them were merely family matters.
Outsiders didn’t know about Qin Yining’s affairs, but Pang Xiao knew that Qin Yining had most likely already reached the Japanese islands by now, and might have even met with the local daimyo. Sister Ning had treasure in her hands, plus over a thousand of his subordinates, so her safety should be without worry, right?
It’s just that situations at sea changed in an instant, and he was truly very worried.
All in all, if a person wasn’t kept under one’s own eyes, one could never feel at ease.
Pang Xiao picked up his wine bowl and tilted his head back to drain a large gulp.
Ji Zeyu had always known of Pang Xiao’s deep feelings for Qin Yining, and also anticipated he would react this way. He consoled him, “Don’t just drink in depression either. Since you’re worried about her, arrange more people to provide support.”
After thinking, he added, “She’s a woman who has followed you through life and death struggles, causing her family to be broken and scattered, yet she’s been wholehearted and devoted to you. You should also treat her well. If there’s any danger, arranging for her to leave early would be good too.”
Hearing this, Pang Xiao smiled and nodded, “You’re right. I’ll keep these things in mind. But looking at the current situation, I’m temporarily safe. His Majesty doesn’t have the mind to waste effort on me either.”
Ji Zeyu felt inexplicably moved that he spoke these things to him with complete trust.
Don’t think that just because he’d been running to Pang Xiao’s place these past days, he hadn’t actually hesitated when Pang Xiao first returned. He worried that Pang Xiao would suspect him—after all, he’d always been in the capital with many opportunities to contact the Son of Heaven. And although he too had been weakened in power and set aside unused, his situation was much better than Pang Xiao’s. If he were standing in Pang Xiao’s position, it would be hard to guarantee he wouldn’t develop suspicions about him.
But from these past days, it seemed Pang Xiao still trusted him as before, and between them there was still nothing they couldn’t discuss.
Ji Zeyu appeared cold and aloof, but his heart was very loyal to friendship. Since Pang Xiao treated him with such sincerity, he would repay it ten thousandfold.
“If you need anything, you can find me anytime.” Ji Zeyu smiled sincerely, “I also have some people outside.”
Pang Xiao couldn’t help but be moved, his large hand patting Ji Zeyu’s shoulder once, “Naturally, I won’t be polite with you.”
Ji Zeyu said, “Additionally, you must be careful. If your subordinates have familiar faces, try your best to avoid them a bit. If His Majesty’s people notice your people, then secret protection would lose its meaning. At that time, it would be equivalent to openly opposing His Majesty with weapons drawn, and tearing off the facade would bring you no benefit.”
“You’re right. I’ll be doubly careful.” Pang Xiao felt somewhat guilty in his heart. After all, he couldn’t explain clearly to Ji Zeyu, this brother of his, about the matters at home. Ji Zeyu was sincere toward him, yet he had to keep secrets, which truly made him feel bad about it.
But that involved the lives of his entire family after all. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Ji Zeyu, but was just being cautious.
So he could only wait until everything was over to come and apologize to him with thorns on his back.
Pang Xiao sighed, poured wine for both of them, and the two had another bowl each.
The two continued as usual, with Ji Zeyu only leaving after a long while.
After Ji Zeyu left, Pang Xiao instructed Tang Xiu, “Pay close attention to the outside situation. Once the princess appears, immediately have people secretly provide support and tell the princess about His Majesty arranging spies.”
Tang Xiu nodded, his expression grave as he said, “Your Highness, His Majesty arranging spies to search for the princess—could it be that he’s developed murderous intent?”
“That’s hard to say.” Pang Xiao’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his lips curving in a mocking arc, “If he were to act against a mere woman…”
Then His Majesty would truly lose all character.
Tang Xiu said, “Perhaps His Majesty only wants to capture the princess to use her to restrain you.”
“Of course, under normal circumstances, His Majesty wouldn’t want to kill Sister Ning. But nothing is absolute. If there truly were some sudden variable that provoked His Majesty to murderous intent, that would also be uncontrollable. So we absolutely cannot let His Majesty capture her.”
Tang Xiu saw that Pang Xiao’s brow was furrowed so tightly it could pinch a fly to death, and consoled him, “Your Highness, don’t worry. The princess is resourceful and intelligent, and she has Gentlemen Xie and Xu beside her. Perhaps when encountering His Majesty’s spies, before the other party can even act, they’ll already be captured.”
Speaking to this point, thinking of Qin Yining’s past actions, Tang Xiu couldn’t help but laugh aloud, “Haven’t all those people who thought they could look down on the princess because of their superior martial skills suffered losses? The princess is truly a heroine among women, and even the people brought up by the princess’s side are extraordinary.”
Pang Xiao was amused by Tang Xiu’s silly appearance and glanced at him sideways, “You’re missing that girl Ji Yun, aren’t you?”
Tang Xiu’s face heated up, but he said openly and honestly, “I am missing her. Doesn’t Your Highness miss the princess too? The princess has long been Your Highness’s person, yet you still miss her. Ji Yun won’t agree to me, and there are so many outstanding talents around the princess—what if Ji Yun takes a fancy to someone else? Where would I go to cry then?”
Pang Xiao was amused into hearty laughter, his large hand patting Tang Xiu as he said, “Rest assured, if you’re willing to treat Ji Yun with genuine sincerity, I’ll be your matchmaker when the time comes. I’ll help you speak to the princess.”
Tang Xiu nodded repeatedly, “Then I’m counting on Your Highness. If the princess doesn’t approve of me and feels I’d wrong Ji Yun, then Your Highness will have to employ some masculine wiles.”
Pang Xiao was again amused by Tang Xiu’s shameless statement and laughed, his mood improving considerably. He patted Tang Xiu’s shoulder to signal him to go make arrangements, then rested fully clothed in the study.
However, looking at the room gradually brightening under the morning light and thinking of Qin Yining’s current situation, Pang Xiao found it difficult to sleep peacefully.
At this time, the dock of Mizusawa Kingdom also welcomed the morning sun.
Qin Yining wore no cosmetics today, her hair only pinned up with a single white jade hairpin, dressed in plain colors. Rising early in the morning, she came to an unused cabin in the tower ship. Sakurai’s ashes and memorial tablet were currently placed here.
Qin Yining lit incense for him, pressed her palms together and closed her eyes, saying, “Sakurai, I have finally kept my promise and can bring you home for burial. May your spirit in heaven see Lord Ishikawa make amends and repent for you, clear your name before all the people of Mizusawa Kingdom, and find peace. May you be reborn in a peaceful country, in a prosperous family, and live a stable and happy life.”
As Qin Yining spoke, she performed three bows.
“Princess, the people of Mizusawa Kingdom are gathering at the dock. Ishikawa Sanao is also coming with his family members and subordinate samurai following behind.”
“I understand.”
Qin Yining rose, smiled at Sakurai’s memorial tablet, and when she turned to leave, her expression was again solemn and dignified.
“Let’s go. We’ll first go to the dock and have Ishikawa Sanao first proclaim to the crowd the crimes he has committed.”