“What is she going to Huichuan County for?” Pang Xiao was astonished.

Xie Yue looked around and, seeing no outsiders nearby, said quietly, “The princess consort heard that you were beaten with boards by the Emperor. She was furious beyond words and insisted on venting her anger for you.”

“Yes, the princess consort said she wants to… wants to destroy the imperial tombs.” Xu Weizhi lowered his voice even more. To speak such treasonous words in the capital – if the walls truly had ears, these words could become evidence of Pang Xiao’s high treason.

Pang Xiao was silent for a moment. “She did this to vent anger for me?”

“Yes.” Both Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi nodded, carefully observing Pang Xiao’s expression.

For a moment, neither could quite grasp Pang Xiao’s thoughts. How was it that they didn’t see the expected worry and anger? Even if the prince remained calm in crisis, he should at least show some shock, right?

But what they didn’t know was that at this moment, Pang Xiao felt his heart wrapped in warm water, and all the accumulated depression of recent days had dissipated.

This was his beloved woman – for his sake, she could disregard everything.

He had a feeling of being valued, being treasured.

All these years, he had always been strong, relied upon by others. He was like a great mountain – solid and dependable. But very few people cared whether this great mountain was truly tireless, whether his heart also had vulnerable moments.

Only by Qin Yining’s side could he let down his guard, could he feel that he too had backing, that he too could rely on others. Even though Qin Yining was a delicate woman he constantly wanted to protect under his wings, at certain specific moments like now, she would suddenly give him a sense of support.

“Your Highness, what do you think should be done about this matter?” Xie Yue couldn’t contain himself and said anxiously, “This matter is of great importance. One wrong move could cause Your Highness’s reputation to plummet. Your Highness is upright and honorable, has acted steadily for many years, and has always maintained a good impression among the people. You’ve also established an image of loyalty to ruler and love of country among the officials. If the princess consort makes a big scene of this and gives scheming people ammunition, wouldn’t Your Highness’s lifetime of honor be completely destroyed!”

Seeing that Xie Yue was truly anxious and his words were becoming sharp, Xu Weizhi worried about damaging the master-servant relationship and couldn’t help but cough lightly as a reminder.

“Your Highness, the princess consort’s wholehearted devotion to you is truly rare. It’s just that this old man worries that in her impulsiveness, the princess consort might act carelessly. Leaving evidence for the Emperor would be a small matter, but if she truly encounters danger, that’s no joking matter. A place like the imperial tombs must surely be heavily guarded. The Emperor has already promoted Lu Weigui to Huichuan County Magistrate. This man is known for his caution. After so many incidents in Huichuan, Lu Weigui will surely maintain strict guard after taking office.”

Xie Yue nodded. “Exactly so. If things go wrong, the princess consort might end up confronting both the troops guarding the imperial tombs and the local prefecture. If something happens, the consequences would be unthinkable.”

Pang Xiao had now recovered from his deep shock. The two advisors’ analysis was penetrating, and he had to take it seriously.

“Since things have come to this, immediately ordering people to catch up with Sister Yi’s pace is what’s urgent. Tang Xiu, take people and secretly leave the city for Huichuan. Try to catch up with the princess consort and persuade her to return.”

Tang Xiu nodded in agreement and was about to set out immediately.

But Xu Weizhi said, “Your Highness, in this old man’s opinion, I’m afraid she cannot be persuaded back this way. We two have already earnestly pleaded with the princess consort, but she remained unmoved, determined to vent this anger for you. Even if Guard Tang goes, I fear it will be of no use.”

Pang Xiao said, “Actually, this prince is also clear that Sister Yi is stubborn by nature. Since she’s made this decision, there’s probably no room for turning back. If she can’t be persuaded to return, we can only intensify protection. She brought her own people and went alone precisely because she doesn’t want to implicate me if something happens. I understand her good intentions. It’s just that with more personnel, the chances of exposure would be somewhat smaller.”

Now Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi finally understood – the prince simply couldn’t be harsh with the princess consort. The scene they had imagined of “the prince sending troops to capture her back” would probably never occur.

Both couldn’t help but sigh simultaneously.

Pang Xiao could see their thoughts, but since he couldn’t give Qin Yining the stable life of an ordinary woman, he had to give her sufficient space. Even if something happened, they would face it together – that was better than using forceful means to hurt her heart.

Pang Xiao also knew his thinking wasn’t rational enough, but when it came to Qin Yining’s matters, he would always be like this. He delighted in it and found it sweet as honey.

Just as Tang Xiu was about to go out, a guard hurried in to report, “Your Highness, Young Master Mu’s group has returned.”

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao was immediately overjoyed. “Quickly invite them in!”

Qin Yining’s group had a fairly smooth journey. On the road to Huichuan County, they encountered fewer disaster refugees than near the capital, so without having to constantly avoid people, their carriages and horses could travel somewhat faster.

Huichuan was already not far from the capital, and they dared to enter the city before month’s end.

Since Qin Yining was a familiar face here, everyone simply disguised themselves before entering the city.

Qin Yining wore a dark green, half-worn fine cotton jacket, her hair bound up with a dark blue headscarf. On her face, neck, and hands she applied a special paste that Xie Yue had given her, making her complexion dark and sallow – even acquaintances standing before her might not recognize her.

The people around her were similarly disguised, made to look like a family of brothers and sisters relocating.

The group went to an inn to stay, but unlike before, they didn’t book an entire courtyard. Instead, they chose three adjacent rooms – Qin Yining and Ji Yun shared one room, while the other eight people squeezed four to a room.

The inn had little business. With continuous natural disasters and man-made calamities, plus Huichuan being a sensitive area, refugees were unwilling to come and outsiders rarely traveled here. When the innkeeper saw Qin Yining’s group generously book three rooms, he served hot water and dry provisions very attentively.

After everyone rested briefly, Jingzhe and Liao Zhibing went into the city to gather information. When they returned in the afternoon, they quietly reported on Huichuan County’s current situation.

“County Magistrate Lu is cautious by nature and quite meticulous in his actions. The imperial tombs and stone quarry, having experienced such incidents, have now become key protected sites with tight security all around. Ordinary people cannot get close. If you wish to take action, I’m afraid you’ll need to plan carefully.”

Liao Zhibing sighed somewhat – the actual situation was quite different from what he had envisioned.

Qin Yining nodded. “This is also predictable. The Emperor values the imperial tombs so much, and County Magistrate Lu, learning from the lessons of previous magistrates, cannot help but be wholehearted in his efforts.”

She was rubbing her temples, thinking of countermeasures, when suddenly the sound of gong-beating echoed from the street below.

Ji Yun pushed open the window to look down and saw many common people curiously crowding onto the street. The gong-beater was accompanied by more than ten men, all stretching their necks to shout loudly:

“Everyone must immediately go to the large square on the east side of the county seat – the court has urgent matters to announce!”

When the people heard it was the court making an announcement, many retreated, resisting and unwilling to show themselves. Anything involving the word “court” they avoided like the plague.

Ji Yun looked worriedly toward Qin Yining. “Master, what should we do?”