Pang Xiao nodded with a smile, his large hand gently caressing her cheek. “I’ve always known you to be magnanimous and not one to fuss over small matters. I was worried earlier that you might harbor resentment toward Boss Qiu and no longer wish to associate with her.”

“Not associating with her wouldn’t matter much, but I’m very fond of Yan Ge’er, and Young Master Mu has helped us considerably. With such complex relationships, how could we completely sever ties? As for being magnanimous, I can hardly claim that—I’m quite petty, actually. It’s just that I know what’s most important right now.”

Pang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. “I haven’t noticed you being petty anywhere. I imagine Mutou is caught in the middle and finds it quite difficult. I don’t want him to be in such a bind either. Next time I see Boss Qiu, I’ll be more pleasant toward her.”

“When she seeks you out next time, she’ll probably avoid Young Master Mu.” Thinking of Qiu Feishan’s temperament, Qin Yining couldn’t help but sigh again. “She’s a proud person. Having been embarrassed twice by Young Master Mu in front of you, how could she bear it? After returning, who knows how dejected she’ll be. When she comes to find you again, she’ll have to wait until her heart is completely calm and she’s gotten past that hurdle.”

Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow, completely believing Qin Yining’s words.

Mu Jinghu was an honest man, and he naturally hoped his friend could find happiness. It seemed he would have to think more of Mu Jinghu in the future and at least leave Qiu Feishan some face when they met again. Even Yi-jie, a woman, could be so magnanimous—could he, a grown man, still cling to past grievances and make his brother uncomfortable?

Over the following days, even while traveling, Pang Xiao found opportunities to counsel Mu Jinghu.

Initially, Mu Jinghu was quite resistant, but eventually, perhaps moved by the words, he often simply maintained silence.

The route Pang Xiao and Qin Yining took to the capital was the same path they had traveled for disaster relief. The welcome and affection of the people along the way went without saying, and many common folk even joined the Pingnan Army. Originally departing from the old capital with one hundred thousand Pingnan troops, by the time they reached the capital, the forces following Pang Xiao had grown to two hundred and eighty thousand.

This was an enormous number!

When Li Qitian learned that Pang Xiao had actually brought two hundred and eighty thousand troops to the capital, he was so shocked that he sprang up from the dragon throne in the imperial study, pointing at the reporting spy and asking in a shrill voice:

“What? You’re saying Pang Zhixi brought back two hundred and eighty thousand troops! Where did he get the money to feed so many people!”

“Reporting to the Emperor, as His Highness returned along the route, wealthy households and local gentry continuously donated money and grain, and the common people all followed voluntarily. The places passed during the return journey were all areas His Highness had provided disaster relief to, so all along the way back, they accepted common people enlisting. The Pingnan Army has now recruited one hundred and eighty thousand new soldiers.”

Li Qitian felt only deep exhaustion for a moment.

The troops of the various princes from different regions, now incorporated under Ji Zeyu’s command, totaled only a little over one hundred thousand altogether. Pang Xiao alone had brought back one hundred thousand elite Pingnan troops and one hundred and eighty thousand new soldiers.

Once Pang Xiao harbored rebellious intentions, with Ji Zeyu and Gao Wenliang having to resist the Tatars, who else could restrain Pang Xiao? Wouldn’t he, the Emperor, be like stretching out his neck waiting for Pang Xiao to chop it off?

He seemed to already see the scene of Pang Xiao leading his army to storm into the city and directly force him to abdicate.

Li Qitian’s back was soaked with sweat, and for a long time he couldn’t speak.

The spy knelt on one knee, head lowered, quietly awaiting Li Qitian’s instructions.

After a long while, Li Qitian finally instructed Xiong Jinshui in a hoarse voice, “Go, urgently summon the ministers of all departments. I will hold court.”

“By your command!” Having heard the instruction, Xiong Jinshui ran out at full speed.

Having clearly heard the conversation between the Son of Heaven and the spy, Xiong Jinshui’s heart went cold. If Prince Zhongshun came back to attack, those of them who served the Son of Heaven personally would probably find their lives in danger. Originally thinking that serving the Son of Heaven was a great opportunity to rise in the world, now why did he increasingly feel he had made a terrible move?

For days now, the Tatars had been besieging the capital. Ji Zeyu led the army in stubborn resistance, and while the people in the capital were closely protected, they could often hear the sounds of slaughter and roaring from the battlefield. Medical halls in the capital and nearby temples were helping treat the wounded and sick, and the common people often saw the tragic state of those casualties.

This was their first time experiencing war at such close range, and their first time feeling the shadow of death so acutely. Everyone was worried. Some felt the capital was no longer safe and planned to relocate their entire families. Others felt that since the capital was the heart of Great Zhou, if it fell, fleeing anywhere else would be useless.

Just when people were in a state of panic, though the small morning court had already been held, the Son of Heaven urgently arranged for a grand court session. Some officials from various departments were still handling business, others had already returned home, but upon receiving the news, they all hurriedly rushed back.

The common people were accustomed to seeing high officials in composed states. This was the first time they had seen them so anxious, and many secretly discussed whether some major event had occurred in the court, or whether the Tatars were about to break through.

Li Qitian had no time to consider other matters. When all the officials had gathered, he immediately said, “Pang Zhixi leads an army of two hundred and eighty thousand and is expected to arrive at the city gates tomorrow. Beloved ministers, do you have any thoughts? Feel free to speak openly—I absolutely will not blame anyone.”

“Your Majesty, this old minister believes Prince Zhongshun is wholehearted in serving the country. This time bringing troops to serve the king loyally, if His Highness joins forces with Marquis Dingbei, the Tatars will surely be defeated. This is truly a great joyous occasion!”

“Yes, Your Majesty, with just Marquis Dingbei already pressing the Tatars hard, adding Prince Zhongshun, our Great Zhou will undoubtedly be victorious.”

Some had always supported Pang Xiao taking over the position of Huben Army commander. The Emperor had consistently refused, but with the war reaching the capital, once they were defeated, they would all become subjects of a fallen nation! At this time, naturally they had to first consider whether this battle could be won—other matters were not for immediate consideration.

Li Qitian remained impassive, but his slightly furrowed brow and the constantly shifting sitting positions born of irritation all showed his disapproval of Pang Xiao.

Thus someone stood out to persuade, “Your Majesty must not listen to these people’s shallow words. Your Majesty commanded all troops under heaven to serve the king loyally. Prince Zhongshun’s disaster relief mission has not yet been completed, and he is not the Pingnan Army commander, yet this time he brings troops—his intentions are truly suspicious! Once we invite the wolf into the house, the consequences will be unthinkable!”

These words struck Li Qitian’s heart, but he did not immediately take a stance.

At this moment, a burly military general stood forth, his eyes glaring like bronze bells, his bowl-sized fists clenched tight, as if he couldn’t wait to rush forward and punch the person who had just spoken.

“Damn your ‘inviting the wolf into the house’! When His Highness was leading troops in battle, you were still sucking your thumb under your mother’s skirts! You boot-licking coward! If you have the guts, pick up a blade and go kill some Tatars! Slandering Prince Zhongshun at this time—what are your intentions!”

“You! Crude brute, how can the Emperor’s presence tolerate your wild behavior!”

“Bah! Don’t try to drive a wedge between the Emperor and this minister!”

“Now we’re discussing Prince Zhongshun’s matter—why are you bringing up so much else! The Pingnan Army only had one hundred thousand, but Prince Zhongshun brought back two hundred and eighty thousand—isn’t his intent obvious at a glance? If he truly harbors no ulterior motives, why would he be so eager to recruit troops!”

“That’s because the people are grateful to His Highness for saving their lives! How many people has His Highness saved along this journey! The people want to repay him and voluntarily follow His Highness to fight the Tatars—that’s His Highness’s influence and the people’s righteousness. Compared to you, this parasite who only points fingers, even farmers carrying hoes are a hundred times better than you!”

…

Seeing the situation below becoming the same as before, with supporters and opponents of Pang Xiao again arguing in chaos with no help whatsoever, Li Qitian irritably rubbed his temples.

He now deeply regretted his actions.

If he hadn’t arranged for Pang Xiao to provide disaster relief, where would he have had the opportunity to win people’s hearts? Now look what had happened—not only were his arrangements completely disrupted, but Pang Xiao appeared to be deeply beloved by the people, while he had become the villain instead.

Pang Xiao simply seemed born to conflict with him!

“Enough.” Li Qitian stood up, looking down at the two people below the golden throne who had stopped arguing and stood with hands at their sides. He snorted coldly, turned, and swept his sleeves as he left.

The ministers looked at each other in confusion. They had never seen the Emperor leave halfway through a court session.

Could it be that the Son of Heaven urgently summoned them for court just for this one matter concerning Prince Zhongshun?

Even with the Tatar war being so pressing, they hadn’t seen the Emperor so anxious!

Those with clever minds had already discerned his wariness from Li Qitian’s reaction.

It seemed that compared to external enemies, the Emperor was even more wary of Prince Zhongshun.

On Qin Yining’s side, she was supporting herself on Ji Yun’s hand, standing to one side watching Jingzhe and the others efficiently set up the tent.

Recently she had been vomiting severely, almost retching at the mere smell of rice porridge. Combined with the travel, after several rounds of this ordeal, Qin Yining’s face was full of exhaustion.

The camp of the two hundred and eighty thousand Pingnan troops stretched for several li. Surely Li Qitian, standing high at the city gates, could clearly see this tide-like mass of people.

Having traveled this far, the Tatars hadn’t had time to break through—everything was still manageable. As Qin Yining breathed a sigh of relief, exhaustion quickly overwhelmed her. Supporting herself on Ji Yun’s hand, she nearly dozed off.

Pang Xiao was leading people in strict inspections throughout the camp. When he returned, Qin Yining had already lain down to sleep.

Bingtang sat quietly to one side. Seeing Pang Xiao lift the tent flap and bend to enter, she quickly rose to pay her respects.

Pang Xiao waved his hand, first going to look at Qin Yining’s sleeping form, then gesturing to Bingtang to step outside to talk.

Bingtang nodded and followed Pang Xiao to a spot not far from the tent.

“Your Highness? What are your instructions?”

“Is the princess consort’s health alright?”

“The princess consort appears weak, but she has a good constitution. Combined with previous care, the losses from bearing the two young masters have already been replenished. It’s just that this journey has been quite exhausting. With proper care, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

Pang Xiao quietly breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

These days, coordinating with the new soldiers brought back by the Pingnan Army, Pang Xiao had been so busy his feet barely touched the ground. Fortunately, Qin Yining required no extra worry from him.

Just as he was thinking this, Huzi quickly approached from outside. “Your Highness, news of your return to the capital has already spread. The Son of Heaven urgently convened a grand court session, though we don’t know what was discussed. In any case, we haven’t received any instructions here.”

This was also within expectations. Li Qitian’s way of handling things was exactly like this—he would certainly think everything through thoroughly before laying the first trap for others to fall into.

Huzi said worriedly, “Your Highness, should we wait for the Emperor’s instructions, or should we directly attack and annihilate the Tatars completely?”