Qiu Feishan naturally knew that Pang Xiao had never been easy to get along with, but having such blunt mockery spoken aloud still left her somewhat embarrassed.

Qiu Feishan suppressed her displeasure and said, “Your Highness is truly busy with important matters to forget such a significant thing. But no matter—let’s set aside what we’ve cooperated on before and focus on the future.”

Everyone fell silent. In such an awkward atmosphere, Mu Jinghu even wanted to gag Qiu Feishan and throw her out.

But Qiu Feishan paid no attention and continued, “Now Lu Heng has colluded with the Tatars to attack Great Zhou. Huichuan County is so close to the capital—if it falls, I’m afraid the capital won’t be able to respond in time to defend itself. Won’t that lead to widespread suffering?

“Although Duke Dingguo is a fierce general with experience defeating Tatars, back then preparations were thorough, and the situation was far from comparable to the current circumstances.”

Pang Xiao remained completely unmoved and asked with an indifferent expression, “Whatever you want to say, speak directly. Why beat around the bush?”

Qiu Feishan didn’t mind his attitude and smiled slightly. “Very well, since that’s the case, I’ll speak plainly. Setting aside other matters, our previous cooperation should be considered quite pleasant. I hope to continue cooperating with Your Highness. As long as Your Highness agrees to petition for a campaign to expel the Tatars and eliminate Lu Heng’s group, then the military provisions the court cannot provide, I’m willing to supplement privately.”

At this point, Qiu Feishan stood up, her voice full of righteousness and her tone very passionate. “The court can’t produce silver for disaster relief, let alone silver to repel the Tatars. When the common people are in dire straits, what do they hope for most? If Your Highness appears like divine troops descending from heaven, easily resolving foreign threats—forget everything else—the War God Prince’s reputation would surpass all previous glory!”

Taking a few steps closer, Qiu Feishan cupped her hands. “I know Your Highness is a great hero with deep strategic thinking, naturally understanding what should be said at what time. Such a win-win situation with mutual benefits—what reason would Your Highness have to refuse?”

Mu Jinghu’s hands clenched into fists behind his back, almost making cracking sounds. This mercenary woman who was taking advantage of national disaster to negotiate with Pang Xiao was actually his son’s mother! Mu Jinghu truly wished he could strangle her!

Qiu Feishan waited confidently for Pang Xiao’s answer. She believed that with Pang Xiao’s intelligence, he would know best what to do at what time. He would never give up this excellent opportunity to perform.

So when Pang Xiao’s mocking smile appeared at the corners of his lips, Qiu Feishan was momentarily stunned.

“Boss Qiu’s calculations are quite good.” Pang Xiao’s voice was relaxed, but his words weren’t friendly. “Let me put it this way: even if this Prince were to campaign in the future, to quell the Tatar rebellion, it would be because this Prince wants to go himself. It has absolutely nothing to do with you, and there’s no cooperation involved. If there’s insufficient silver, the court has its own arrangements. This Prince has no need for Boss Qiu’s funding.”

Qiu Feishan was stunned. Having been confident since entering, she finally completely understood the current situation. Pang Xiao wasn’t someone to be manipulated. She knew his stubbornness, but she hadn’t expected that even at this critical juncture, Pang Xiao still refused to cooperate with her!

“Your Highness, please think carefully. The current situation is truly too disadvantageous for the common people. If we delay further and the Tatars break through Huichuan, the consequences will be unthinkable!”

“You’re concerned about the common people?” Pang Xiao’s mockery became even more obvious. “How can someone with such concern for the world and sense of justice not care about the revenge for killing her own grandfather? As far as this Prince knows, your grandfather cherished you, carefully nurturing you as you grew up, and the one who killed your grandfather was precisely Qiu Yuanqing. Now you can still stand on the same side as Qiu Yuanqing—Boss Qiu’s actions truly confound this Prince.”

“But none of this matters. This Prince doesn’t want to understand either. This Prince is a rough man—if I can’t figure out some things, there’s no need to force myself to. Those with different paths shouldn’t conspire together. Boss Qiu, you needn’t waste effort trying to persuade this Prince.”

Standing to the side, Mu Jinghu had already turned red with shame for Qiu Feishan after hearing Pang Xiao’s words. He was clearly deeply ashamed of Qiu Feishan’s behavior.

But after the initial shock, Qiu Feishan gradually regained her composure. She showed no concern for Pang Xiao’s mockery, even his face-slapping words, and instead said, “Prince Zhongshun is a smart man. Think about it—if you agree to cooperate with me now, you’ll receive funding for provisions after the campaign begins. But if you don’t agree, you might still have to campaign in the future anyway. Will you count on the Emperor to provide you with provisions then?”

On the surface, this seemed like stating facts and reasoning, but it was actually a blatant threat.

Mu Jinghu had mentioned before that after the Lu family’s failure, the Qiu family had gradually completed their transformation. Now the Qiu family had become a prominent family, with people planted in court for years finally able to be activated. Combined with Qiu Feishan’s use of the Qiu family’s wealth and connections, if she wanted to influence something in court, there were plenty of people who could step forward.

If Pang Xiao didn’t agree to cooperate with Qiu Feishan now, she had the ability to make Pang Xiao have to campaign anyway! And by then, the court might very well be unable to produce any silver.

Not agreeing to cooperation would lead to an even more difficult outcome!

“Enough!” Before Pang Xiao could speak, Mu Jinghu had reached his limit and roared angrily, “Haven’t you disgraced yourself enough!”

Qiu Feishan was immediately stunned by Mu Jinghu’s roar, staring blankly at him. “You…”

“How could I have married a woman like you! Your mind is full of nothing but profit. You see everyone as someone to be used. Is our marriage also something you can casually exploit?”

“How can you say such things?” Qiu Feishan finally lost her composure, saying anxiously, “Between us as husband and wife, when have I ever harmed you? Think carefully—have I ever done anything detrimental to you? Everything I’ve done hasn’t implicated you. I also made it clear just now—family matters are family matters, and important affairs are important affairs. How can they be confused? No matter how much I do outside, I’ve never harmed you!”

“Enough! Please leave!” Mu Jinghu shouted, stepping forward to grab Qiu Feishan’s wrist and pushing her away.

Biying hurried to support Qiu Feishan, shrieking angrily, “Young Master, what are you doing? Our Miss…”

“Shut up! What business is it of yours!” Mu Jinghu rudely shouted back, driving both of them out together. “Haven’t you disgraced yourselves enough! Get out!”

Qiu Feishan and Biying stumbled several steps before managing to steady themselves. Looking up at Mu Jinghu on the steps, his eyes full of anger, tears had already gathered in Qiu Feishan’s eyes.

Worried that Mu Jinghu might use excessive force in his anger, Qin Yining quickly had people push Pang Xiao outside with everyone else.

Mu Jinghu said, “Go away. Don’t think of using us anymore in the future. Neither I nor Zhixi are marionettes in your hands to be manipulated at will.”

“I didn’t—my feelings for you…”

“I don’t want to believe your words anymore.” Mu Jinghu descended the steps one by one, looking at Qiu Feishan’s tearful eyes mockingly. “Tell me, how much has that clever tongue of yours deceived me before? How long have I unknowingly been your accomplice? Acting this way, aren’t you afraid Yan Ge’er will follow your example? Who can you ever speak a single word of truth to?”

Tears streamed down Qiu Feishan’s face.

Mu Jinghu felt great sorrow in his heart, and his eyes also reddened. To avoid losing composure, he turned and headed toward the side courtyard.

Looking again at the calm-faced Pang Xiao and Qin Yining, Qiu Feishan opened her mouth, finally managing only to squeeze out, “I take my leave,” before quickly departing with Biying.

Qin Yining frowned as she watched Qiu Feishan’s seemingly fleeing figure, sighing deeply. “What can be done? Such a fine young couple…”

Pang Xiao also sighed. Mu Jinghu was his brother after all, and this situation between the young couple had resulted from getting involved in their affairs. He truly felt bad about it.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao returned to their bedroom, removed their outer garments, and sat in silence facing each other.

After a long while, Qin Yining finally said, “Zhixi, I feel Qiu Feishan won’t give up easily. She might really use the influence in her hands to persuade the Emperor to issue an edict commanding you to campaign.”

Pang Xiao nodded. “I think so too. Don’t look at how this woman is currently heartbroken over Mutou’s words—when she turns around, won’t she do whatever she planned to do? She’s a cunning and crafty person who certainly has backup plans.”

Just as Pang Xiao and Qin Yining had guessed, in the imperial study, Li Qitian sat upright behind his desk in dark everyday robes, looking down at the minister kneeling before him.

Vice Minister of Revenue Fang Shouru, though over fifty, was still vigorous. His voice was loud and forceful as he spoke: “…Therefore, this minister requests Your Majesty’s gracious approval to employ Prince Zhongshun, temporarily setting aside his previous offenses without investigation. For now, expelling the Tatars from our territory is the priority. If Prince Zhongshun could cooperate with the Marquis of Dingbei, and with the strength of the Huben Army added, surely the Tatars would be defeated. Then the crisis facing the trapped Longxiang Army could also be resolved.”

Currently, the Longxiang Army remained trapped. Fortunately, they were numerous and had been trained by Ji Zeyu. Moreover, the Tatar forces were also dispersed, so they could barely hold on with neither side able to immediately defeat the other. But continuing this way, the Longxiang Army’s losses would only grow greater—wouldn’t that be heartbreaking?

Li Qitian rubbed his aching temples.

These past few days, more than one minister had been advising him to employ Pang Xiao. Not only the faction of Northern Ji’s veteran ministers, but even his own direct supporters thought the same way.

He just didn’t understand—why did everyone think of Pang Xiao whenever war was mentioned? Could wars not be fought without Pang Xiao in this world?

Seeing that Li Qitian didn’t immediately respond, Fang Shouru urgently said, “Your Majesty, this minister…”

“Enough.” Li Qitian interrupted Fang Shouru. “You may withdraw first. We still need to consider this.”

Fang Shouru’s words were stuck in his throat, neither up nor down. He took a breath before finally calming down, bowing his head respectfully in acknowledgment, kowtowing before quietly leaving.

Li Qitian remained silent for a long time, still sitting quietly behind his desk, seemingly contemplating the current situation.

After Fang Shouru left the palace gates, he immediately instructed a servant to deliver a letter. Though nothing was written on the envelope, the first character at the top of the letter inside was “Qiu.”