Pang Xiao’s voice was low and pleasant. Though he wasn’t seen shouting loudly, his voice still carried far through the air. His final “hmm” carried thick threatening undertones, intimidating everyone present into silence.

The area outside the Meridian Gate, which had been bustling with voices just moments before, was now extremely quiet, with only the sound of banners fluttering in the wind.

The common people fearfully retreated, clearing a large space.

The several men beside Qin Yining melted into the crowd as if their protective mission was complete.

The delicate young lady with two maidservants stood at the front of the group of common people, appearing like a crane among chickens.

Pang Xiao first glanced at Qin Yining, raising an eyebrow and smiling at her, then looked back at the supervising official.

The supervising official had already hurried forward with his subordinates, his voice dry and hoarse as he asked, “Are you Great Zhou’s Prince Zhongshun?”

As soon as the words fell, Pang Xiao lashed out with his riding whip.

With a crisp “crack,” the whip tip struck the supervising official’s shoulder, making him cry out “Aya!” in pain.

“What kind of thing are you? Is it your turn to speak with this king? Call your Emperor here!”

Pang Xiao dismounted, casually tossing his large bow and riding whip backward. Huzi quickly caught them.

The supervising official covered his bleeding shoulder, hissing in pain, and quickly sent someone to report back.

Pang Xiao then strode purposefully toward Qin Yining.

Seeing his arrogance, the common people dared to be angry but not speak, all looking at Pang Xiao with eyes full of suppressed fury.

Even if their Great Yan Emperor was a foolish ruler, it wasn’t the turn of Great Zhou people to bully them on their own territory!

But Pang Xiao seemed to greatly enjoy this kind of attention, raising an eyebrow and glancing at the supervising official.

The supervising official was so frightened he retreated again, stumbling and falling to the ground in panic, his sorry state unbearable to watch.

Pang Xiao laughed heartily with pleasure.

The common people also felt their country’s officials were too cowardly and began discussing in low voices.

Pang Xiao walked up to Qin Yining and removed the black sable-collared cloak from his shoulders, draping it over Qin Yining’s shoulders.

“Look how cold you are. Were you frightened?” His voice contained laughter, his gaze caring.

“I dare not trouble Your Highness with concern.” Qin Yining raised her hand to remove the cloak, but his large hand pressed it down.

“You’ve only been back a few days and you’ve become so haggard? It seems I shouldn’t have let you return in the first place.” That old dog Yuchi, how dare he bully my woman! Someone I can’t bear to touch with a finger, and after just a few days back in the capital, she’s been bullied like this!

Qin Yining frowned and looked up, meeting his gaze that still hadn’t shed its wildness and killing intent. She couldn’t help but shudder and quickly broke free from his palm, retreating two steps and removing the warm cloak that carried his scent, throwing it back to him.

“This young lady doesn’t recall when she became so familiar with Your Highness. Prince Zhongshun, please conduct yourself with dignity!”

Being rejected by her twice in succession, Pang Xiao’s expression turned cold.

He had ridden hard to get here, fearing she would be bullied, and what did she do? She spoke to him so coldly, not even giving him a good look—what did she take him for!

His sword-like eyebrows knitted tightly, his gaze icy, Pang Xiao suppressed his temper and glared at Qin Yining, his anger almost ready to explode.

Qin Yining felt her whole body tense under his stare, as if being watched by a wild wolf. She had no doubt that Pang Xiao could snap her neck at any moment.

But at this time, she couldn’t show weakness.

Though she was grateful that Pang Xiao had saved her several times, she was also annoyed that he spoke nonsense and took liberties with her, even dragging her into his affairs.

The Emperor was suspicious—if Qin Huaiyuan were accused of treason, the Qin family might follow in the Sun family’s footsteps.

How could she dare show willingness?

Moreover, between them, it had always been Pang Xiao’s domineering forceful seizure!

She pursed her lips and glared at him without backing down, as if glaring at a scoundrel who had offended her.

Seeing her palm-sized thin face and her obviously weak but stubbornly defiant appearance as she challenged him, Pang Xiao lost all his temper.

He stepped forward again, with a stern face wrapping the cloak around Qin Yining, his large hands tying a bow at the collar as he said through gritted teeth, “If you dare be ungrateful again, this king will immediately kidnap you back!”

His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone around could hear it clearly.

Moreover, his gorgeous purple python robe was brilliantly eye-catching in the sunlight, his handsome face suppressing anger, his tall frame bending to accommodate her height, those large hands that wielded weapons to take lives now helping a young lady tie her cloak.

This scene was both pleasing to the eye and bizarre.

The common people’s discussions grew louder.

“You!”

Qin Yining felt like she was being stabbed by countless stares. Her already pale complexion became even paler with anger, her lips trembling.

“You what? This king has a temper too. Don’t think you can challenge this king’s bottom line just because you have some beauty!”

What kind of words were these!

She was an innocent young lady who had never seduced him, yet he spoke like this in public—truly making it so she couldn’t clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River!

Qin Yining was so angry her mind buzzed and her vision darkened. Having not slept all night, being both anxious and angry, plus her monthly cycle just arriving when the pain was unbearable—under this combined assault, Qin Yining, who thought she had an iron constitution, suddenly had her vision go black and collapsed softly.

“What’s wrong with you!” Pang Xiao was startled by her sudden fainting, quickly extending his arms to catch her, holding her in his embrace. His large hand patted her ice-cold cheek, then covered her slightly cool forehead as he anxiously asked Bingtang, “What’s wrong with your young lady?”

Bingtang glared fiercely at Pang Xiao, lowering her voice to scold, “You made her faint from anger, and you still have the nerve to ask!”

Pang Xiao looked down at the person leaning against his shoulder, feeling somewhat guilty. Her face appeared even paler against the black sable fur and purple python robe, her long lashes casting shadows under her eyes. She looked so soft and docile that his heart melted, and he completely lost his temper.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have been fierce with her just now.

Just then, the mixed sounds of carriages and horses came from not far away.

Pang Xiao carefully lifted Qin Yining and placed her on the military felt blanket that Huzi had spread on the ground, entrusting her to Bingtang for treatment, then turned to face the approaching party with his hands behind his back.

The Emperor in bright yellow, accompanied by the Empress, Crown Prince, and Qin Huaiyuan, was approaching quickly surrounded by palace attendants.

The common people were all stunned.

Who would have thought that with just one word from the Great Zhou prince, their Great Yan Emperor would actually bring his wife and children running over!

The common people were thoroughly disappointed in the foolish ruler, but had no choice but to perform grand ceremonies and shout “Long live” three times.

The Emperor’s eyes held no one else, only seeing that young man whose imposing presence was like an unsheathed blade. That young man’s gaze was like knives, cutting him until his whole body felt cold. The Emperor’s usually tall and martial bearing seemed somewhat hunched in front of Pang Xiao.

“This must be Great Yan’s Sacred Majesty? This king offers his respects.” Pang Xiao cupped his hands in salute, his attitude perfunctory to the extreme.

The Emperor didn’t mind at all, smiling, “Prince Zhongshun’s mighty reputation spreads far and wide. Even in the capital, We have heard of it. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true. How does Prince Zhongshun have time to visit Great Yan’s imperial capital today?”

Pang Xiao sneered, “With successful peace negotiations and Zhou-Yan friendship, this king originally thought that with no need for future wars, our two countries should interact well. Who would have thought that upon entering the capital, I would see such a spectacle. May I ask if Great Yan’s Sacred Majesty is dissatisfied with the peace negotiations, that you would immediately execute the wife of your country’s official who presided over the negotiations?”

Such arrogant, such direct words made cold sweat break out on the Emperor’s forehead.

Mini Theater: Pang Xiao: Seems like I made bunny angry, wuu wuu wuu…