Upon learning such good news, Pang Xiao’s desire to quickly resolve the battle became even more urgent. Everyone around him noticed that his methods during attacks were becoming increasingly aggressive, with every battle, large or small, showing an unexpected brilliance and ruthlessness. It was as if he had previously been a treasured sword still in its sheath, but now the blade was fully exposed.

Moreover, both Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu discovered some details on the battlefield.

“Why do I feel that the discord between Si Qin and Lu Heng has deepened?” Pang Xiao said in a low voice.

“You think so too?”

Ji Zeyu’s words immediately confirmed Pang Xiao’s suspicions.

“It seems our previous actions had effect.”

“Indeed. After all, they’re not of the same clan. There was already mistrust between them, and on the battlefield where things change in an instant, any small matter could affect the outcome. Neither of them could afford not to care about their own safety, so naturally they trust each other less and less.”

Pang Xiao smiled mockingly, feeling even more confident about this battle.

Looking at the new recruits training earnestly on the training ground, Pang Xiao sighed, “These new soldiers all came harboring deep blood feuds. As we’ve driven the Tatars all the way here, every place we’ve passed was once these new recruits’ homeland.”

“When the Tatars invaded initially, everywhere they passed suffered inhumane slaughter. Who among those fortunate enough to escape wouldn’t want to avenge their families?”

Fighting with anger and determination for revenge, they battled as if their lives didn’t matter. In terms of morale, the Tatars were already defeated. It seemed the day of driving the Tatars out of Great Zhou was drawing nearer.

Seeing Pang Xiao so confident, Ji Zeyu thought of Pang Xiao’s current family situation and asked quietly, “Have you named your son and daughter?”

“Already done.” When Pang Xiao mentioned this, even his facial expression changed, “The son is called Xuan Ge’er, the daughter is called Yun Jie’er. Pang Ruxuan, Pang Ruyun—both follow the Pang family’s generational character ‘Ru’.”

Ji Zeyu smiled, “Beautiful names.”

“The children will certainly be beautiful too.” Mentioning his children, Pang Xiao became somewhat excited, talking more, “I’ve always preferred daughters. Daughters are well-behaved, and it would be even better if she looks like her mother. I still remember how Sister Yi looked when I first saw her in Liang City. She was still young then, but at such a tender age, she was going everywhere with a stern face trying to find ways to treat her adoptive mother’s illness. If it were my daughter, I definitely wouldn’t bear to let her suffer so much. Back then I lacked the ability to help Sister Yi and didn’t participate in her childhood life, but now I can care for a child who looks like Sister Yi.”

Pang Xiao spoke incoherently, the joy and hope in his words making Ji Zeyu shake his head and laugh despite himself.

“Being able to see you so childlike is also thanks to your little miss’s blessing.”

Pang Xiao was startled, then burst into hearty laughter.

Despite the tense battle situation ahead, Pang Xiao could always find joy and hope.

Under the care of Bingtang and others, Qin Yining peacefully observed her postpartum confinement.

“I wonder what names His Highness will give the young master and young miss.” Ji Yun sat sideways by the warm kang near the window, looking at Zhao Ge’er wrapped in a bright red magpie-and-plum-blossom swaddling cloth, his big eyes looking around, then couldn’t help but gently touch the other child’s face with her finger.

Qin Yining smiled, “No rush. He might not be hurrying to name the children either. Previously when I was in the countryside, children only got proper names when they were older. Haven’t they all been healthy as usual?”

“Right, I’ve also heard that humble names help children grow up healthy, so many wealthy families deliberately give their children crude names. Things like ‘door bolt,’ ‘bench,’ and such.” Bingtang couldn’t help laughing, “But our little miss is as beautiful as a flower—we couldn’t give her a vulgar, unpleasant name.”

Qin Yining was amused by Bingtang’s conflicted expression, even forgetting the irritation brought by not being able to wash her hair during confinement.

Seeing Qin Yining smile, Bingtang coaxed, “Princess, persevere for a few more days. In three more days it will be the 17th, and when the young master and miss reach their full month, this servant will definitely serve you well for a good bath and grooming session. Not letting you wash your hair now and not opening windows is to prevent you from developing chronic ailments. If you fall ill during confinement, it can only be cured during the next confinement period. Would Princess want to suffer normally?”

“I know you mean well.” Qin Yining couldn’t help smiling, “You’re all being too cautious. I’m fine—I still know what should be done when.”

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the children reached their full month. Due to the current tense situation, Qin Yining worried about incidents where she couldn’t protect the children, so she didn’t hold grand ceremonies for the third-day washing or full-month celebration. She always kept the children within her sight, afraid of any accidents that might make the children follow her old path.

This day, Qin Yining had just instructed the wet nurse to bring the children when Bingtang hurried in, smiling, “Princess, His Highness’s family letter has arrived!”

“Quickly bring it for me to see.” Qin Yining eagerly rose, taking the letter and unfolding it while saying, “His Highness has probably already thought of names for the children. Now sending letters is much slower than before—it’s made me wait so long.”

“Because His Highness and they are driving the Tatars farther and farther away.” Ji Yun had also received a letter from Tang Xiu and had just finished reading it. In excellent spirits, she walked in.

Qin Yining carefully read the family letter, not missing a single word or sentence, finally savoring the two names “Ruxuan, Ruyun” and smiling, “So wonderful—Ruzhao, Ruhan, Ruxuan, Ruyun—you can tell at a glance they’re one family.”

After her words fell, she worried again after a long while: “If Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er knew they had a younger brother and sister, would they think I don’t care about them anymore?”

Ji Yun and Bingtang burst into laughter, “Princess is being too cautious. Don’t worry, it’s fine. Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er are both grown up and staying with their grandfather—how could they go astray?”

Thinking of her father’s capabilities, Qin Yining finally relaxed somewhat.

“In a flash, Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er are almost four years old. Yet I haven’t been able to stay by their side for most of the time.” Qin Yining felt somewhat dejected, walking to the cradle and bending down to look at the sleeping dragon and phoenix twins, “I don’t know when these days of displacement will end. When Xuan Ge’er and Yun Jie’er grow up in the future, I must learn from this experience.”

She had experienced the most painful separation of flesh and blood in this world—surely future circumstances wouldn’t be worse than now?

Just as Qin Yining was peacefully caring for the children, the people Pang Xiao had secretly arranged outside the mansion simultaneously noticed something unusual.

“How strange—why do there seem to be more young men walking on Jingang’s main street than before?”

“Yes, didn’t most people go with His Highness to fight the Tatars? Yet suddenly there are so many unfamiliar faces—it’s truly puzzling.”

“Should we tell Master Xie about this?”

“Naturally we should. His Highness arranged for secret protection of Princess, and it’s not necessarily meant to be hidden from Princess. Now with tensions high, safety is paramount.”

After discussing among themselves, several Elite Tiger Guards decided to have one person report to Xie Yue while the others continued guarding their positions.

Upon learning of this, Xie Yue dared not conceal it and immediately went to inform Qin Yining.

Qin Yining was holding Yun Jie’er and gently rocking her when she heard this. Her movements paused, and she said hesitantly, “This matter is indeed not simple. These people very likely came with purpose, most probably targeting us.”

“Yes.” Xie Yue’s expression was serious as he said, “Princess, rest assured. I’ve already ordered tight defenses—we won’t let anyone ambush us. However, if we could contact Magistrate Chen at this time, we’d be much safer. You and His Highness have done so much for the people, and Magistrate Chen is straightforward and values loyalty—he would certainly remember what you and His Highness have done and protect you with all his might. Magistrate Chen has people from the government office under his command, so his actions would be more convenient.”

“Master Xie speaks perfectly.” Qin Yining nodded in agreement, “Please trouble Master Xie to make this trip?”

“Naturally, Princess can rest assured.”

Xie Yue bowed and withdrew.

Qin Yining, however, held Yun Jie’er and fell into a daze.

These people who suddenly appeared in Jingang—she was certain they were targeting her. Her first suspicion was Li Qitian. Li Qitian was very jealous, and he struggled with succession issues. Now that Pang Xiao had dragon and phoenix twins again, who knew how jealous Li Qitian would be? It was possible he might even try to kill them over this.

Qin Yining was very worried. She wasn’t afraid of anything herself, but Xuan Ge’er and Yun Jie’er were still in swaddling clothes—how could they endure hardship and travel?

Just as Qin Yining suspected.

Li Qitian had just received good news from the front lines. Although his face bore a satisfied smile, his heart had been harboring anger.

“Thanks to Prince Zhongshun’s brave fighting skills, the Tatars have finally been driven out of Tianyu Pass! From now on, Great Zhou’s territory remains Great Zhou’s, with no foreign enemies able to invade!”

“Exactly so, and it’s also thanks to His Majesty’s wisdom in recognizing talent!”

The ministers were jubilant—nothing was more exciting than driving out foreign enemies. When these astute people praised Prince Zhongshun, they didn’t forget to flatter Li Qitian.

However, listening to the ministers lavishly praise Pang Xiao, Li Qitian couldn’t very well object to maintain his dignity.

He had only become emperor now and couldn’t personally lead campaigns anymore. Otherwise, if he led troops, he might not necessarily be much worse than Pang Xiao. With so many people, the Tatars would naturally be scared into fleeing back beyond Tianyu Pass.

All the credit had been taken by him—it was truly nauseating.

In court, Li Qitian suppressed his anger. Who knew that upon returning to the imperial study, he would receive another letter from his spies.

“Qin Shi actually bore dragon and phoenix twins for that scoundrel Pang Xiao!” Li Qitian’s eyes bulged like copper bells, gnashing his teeth as he glared at the spy.

The spy lowered his head, “Yes.”

“How dare he!” Li Qitian flew into a rage, grabbing the inkstone from the table and hurling it at the wall corner, then kicking over the high table with bone legs and束腰design standing in the corner. The blue and white porcelain vase on top crashed to the ground and shattered!

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!” Eunuch Xiong Jinshui and other eunuchs couldn’t care about the broken porcelain on the ground and hurriedly kowtowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

How could Li Qitian calm down? What he hated most was that even though he was already emperor, there were always people who felt he was inferior to Pang Xiao.

Now while his three palaces and six courtyards showed no signs of activity, Pang Xiao had another pair representing dragon and phoenix auspiciousness. What was he to deserve dragon and phoenix auspiciousness?

“Someone come! Surround Jingang tightly for me! With just one command from me, I want them to live if I say live, and die if I say die!”