Qin Yining naturally knew the road ahead would be fraught with difficulties, but with matters here concluded, she too felt an urgent longing to return home. Pang Xiao’s abilities were indeed outstanding, but Qin Yining still worried about his safety. He had been beaten with wooden boards, and she didn’t know the deeper circumstances behind it all. Qin Yining truly didn’t know what his current situation was like.

“Master Xu speaks correctly. We still have a very long road ahead of us.”

Qin Yining’s convoy stayed at the port for two days. The people of the Water Marsh Nation were already shrouded in the tense atmosphere of changing times, and the troops and warships stationed at the port posed an even greater threat to them. Therefore, the procurement of fresh water and provisions went even more smoothly than anticipated.

Before departure, Qin Yining once again brought her entourage to Sakurai’s grave.

She lowered her gaze to look at Sakurai’s tombstone, ultimately letting out a long, melancholic sigh. “Sakurai, I’m about to leave.”

The grass and trees rustled with a pleasant sound, as if Sakurai was laughing in response to her words.

Qin Yining took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, finally revealing a relieved smile.

People live for a lifetime, vegetation for a season. Those who have passed away are already gone, but those who live must continue on. She still had many important things to do, because she had never considered herself a woman who needed to be protected by others. The burden on her shoulders had never been any lighter than Pang Xiao’s.

“Let’s go.” After taking one last look at the tombstone, Qin Yining led everyone away, returning to the dock and immediately ordering them to break camp.

The guards, well-trained, boarded the ships in orderly fashion and raised anchor.

Qin Yining stood at the bow of the large ship, turning back to look at the shore one more time.

A slender figure stood on the dock, waving both arms in farewell to them.

Looking at that slender silhouette, Qin Yining couldn’t help but think of Sakurai.

“It’s Hirasawa Sai.” Qin Yining also waved toward Hirasawa Sai.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi stood to the left and right behind Qin Yining, also waving farewell to Hirasawa Sai.

“What does the Princess Consort think will become of the Water Marsh Nation in the future?”

Qin Yining shook her head. “Who can predict such things?”

“Actually, judging from Hirasawa Sai’s performance that day, this old man feels he has already taken your words to heart.”

“If that truly proves to be the case, it would be fortunate for the people of the Water Marsh Nation.”

While Qin Yining’s convoy was traveling day and night toward Golden Harbor, chaos had already erupted throughout the court and the nation.

The multiple groups Li Qitian had dispatched to investigate the treasure had indeed yielded no results. The Son of Heaven was furious, searching everywhere for Lu Heng’s whereabouts. The Lu family faction in court suffered unprecedented suppression. Even Consort Zhuang was demoted to Selected Lady and casually assigned to a remote corner to live out her remaining days, not to mention what would happen to the Bian family.

Lu Heng had deceived the Son of Heaven, secretly hoarding treasure with treasonous intent. How innocent could Lu Heng’s wife’s family possibly be?

Pang Xiao watched as Li Qitian devoted all his main energy to these matters daily. Even as refugees from the south were about to reach the capital, he paid no attention, which made anger burn in Pang Xiao’s heart.

Unfortunately, he was not currently trusted, and his counsel would not be adopted. Li Qitian was even unwilling to see him, so he could only instruct his subordinates to help Shopkeeper Zhong, who was currently responsible for disaster relief, as much as possible.

“Your Highness, with the Lu family being liquidated in such a manner, His Majesty seems to harbor deep hatred for the Lu family members. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so merciless, making such a grand display of dealing with everyone related to the Lu family one by one.”

Hearing Tang Xiu’s words, Pang Xiao merely smiled.

During the founding of the dynasty, the aristocratic families led by the Lu family had been of great help to Li Qitian. Now, because of the treasure matter, Li Qitian was taking such heavy-handed action against the Lu family, which would certainly make other great families wary. Once people’s hearts scattered, it would be difficult to unite them again. In Pang Xiao’s view, Li Qitian’s behavior was tantamount to killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

But he was currently under suspicion himself, and whatever he said, no one would be willing to listen. Even if he told Li Qitian his thoughts, Li Qitian would only suspect him of having ulterior motives and wouldn’t focus all his energy on the natural disaster at all.

Pang Xiao shook his head and sighed again, then asked instead, “Is there any news from the people you arranged?”

Tang Xiu smiled and said, “Your Highness has already asked once today. Our people have been avoiding prying eyes and ears, constantly waiting near Golden Harbor to receive the Princess Consort. When the Princess Consort returns, news should arrive immediately.”

Pang Xiao said, “I cannot leave the capital now, otherwise I would definitely go personally to bring her back. Not only are there ambushes along this route, but the possibility of encountering ‘heroes’ is also very high. After all, many refugees are now heading toward the capital. When people are driven to desperation, they might do anything to survive.”

“Fortunately, the Princess Consort has sufficient personnel around her. Your Highness need not worry too much.”

How could Pang Xiao not worry? It was just that there was no better solution at present.

Before landing at Golden Harbor, Qin Yining arranged the ships containing the treasure and the other warships at an uninhabited small island. Pang Xiao’s forces, who had been trained as princely mansion guards, also dispersed and scattered.

When they arrived at Golden Harbor and bypassed the dock destroyed by the great fire to land at a temporarily constructed dock, only Xu Weizhi, Xie Yue, and a few people who normally followed her remained by Qin Yining’s side.

Everyone disguised themselves as ordinary merchants. As soon as they came ashore, they discovered that Golden Harbor’s atmosphere was completely different from when they had left.

The city’s people looked worried, wine shops and teahouses had closed, the marketplace had few people, and everywhere presented a scene of desolation.

Xie Yue frowned tightly and said in a low voice, “Princess Consort, this situation doesn’t look quite right.”

Qin Yining pressed her lips together and nodded, her expression grave as she said, “It appears that during our absence, major events have occurred in court, already affecting the lives of ordinary people.”

After wandering the streets for half a day without seeing many pedestrians, Qin Yining said, “Let’s go to the inn to settle in first. Today we’ll buy horse carriages, prepare dry provisions, and get ready to depart. We can also take the opportunity to gather information and see what the court situation actually is.”

Qin Yining vaguely felt that the matter was related to Golden Harbor’s great fire.

But the information they gathered made Qin Yining’s heart leap with concern.

“You’re saying that famine has already erupted?”

“Yes.” Jingzhe said with great worry, “The southern famine is now severe. Many disaster victims have already banded together to journey to the capital seeking a way to live. Golden Harbor, being by the sea, has some seafood to eat, and when traveling to the capital, this isn’t a necessary route, which is why it only looks slightly different. If we were in the south, I’m afraid every household would have white silk, and everywhere there would be people gaunt as sticks from hunger.”

Ji Yun frowned and said, “No wonder when I just went to discuss banquet arrangements with the innkeeper, he looked troubled. Even a bowl of rice porridge costs more than five times the usual price.”

“At least we can still afford to eat with some silver. But the refugees from the south can’t manage even with silver. With no livelihood left at home, the people naturally band together in groups to seek places where they can continue living. His Majesty must already be overwhelmed at this time.” Xie Yue said.

Qin Yining shook her head. “My heart aches for those people.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi both sighed with emotion for a moment.

Just as everyone was discussing this matter in the inn’s courtyard, a figure suddenly flashed past the rear window.

Ji Dashun, who was standing guard, was greatly alarmed upon seeing this and urgently questioned in a low voice, “Who goes there!”