When questioned by his daughter, Imperial Uncle Cao wasn’t angry. He only said in a deep voice, “This matter still requires much assistance from Empress Your Majesty.”
Though the Empress was in a fit of anger, she knew her father’s capabilities and didn’t dare be too willful in front of Imperial Uncle Cao. She frowned tightly and said, “Father, please explain—why did you give Prince Zhongshun a garden?”
Imperial Uncle Cao shook his head: “This minister originally gave this garden to another person. Only today did I learn that this garden was transferred as a gift to Prince Zhongshun. This minister was just about to question this person.”
“Oh? What kind of person is qualified to enjoy such an exquisite garden?” The Empress originally asked lazily and casually, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately understood. She leaned forward and lowered her voice: “You gave it to her?”
Imperial Uncle Cao nodded: “It’s just that this minister never imagined that a dignified Tatar princess would actively curry favor with that surname Pang.”
The Empress pursed her red lips, her brow furrowing tighter and tighter as she murmured, “This situation is not good at all. The Tatars are ruthless and full of schemes. A’na Ri is no good person either, and that one called Si Qin by her side—this palace sees him as an even more cunning and treacherous type. Our cooperation with them is supposed to be a huge secret that absolutely cannot let His Majesty know. Otherwise, this palace and father will both face dire consequences. What if A’na Ri reveals this matter to that surname Pang? Wouldn’t that surname Pang then have leverage over us?”
“This minister is also worried, but Empress Your Majesty need not trouble yourself over this matter. This minister will handle it. Though the Tatar princess wants to check and balance you and me, it’s not so easy to accomplish. It’s just that when Spring Painting Garden was originally constructed, there was much fanfare. Though this minister didn’t show his face, ordinary people wouldn’t know that garden was built by our family. But I also fear His Majesty might inquire about it, so Empress Your Majesty will need to mediate extensively.”
“This palace naturally knows the stakes. Father need not worry.”
“Yes, with Empress Your Majesty saying so, this minister can rest assured.”
When Pang Xiao escorted Qin Yining and Sun Shi back to the residence gates, it shocked everyone in the household. Qin Huaiyuan hadn’t returned yet, but Second Master and Third Master were home, and everyone who received the news panicked.
This was no joke—this was someone who killed without blinking an eye. Hadn’t they heard that even His Majesty was respectful and deferential when meeting him that day at the Meridian Gate?
If this fiend came calling and they showed inadequate hospitality, giving him leverage, their own losses would be minor, but if it gave this person reason to slander Great Yan and provoke warfare, that would be a major catastrophe.
However, to everyone’s relief, Pang Xiao didn’t enter the gates at all, and didn’t even acknowledge those who came out to greet him.
From beginning to end, Pang Xiao’s gaze only fell on Qin Yining alone. He probably didn’t even notice who from the Qin family came out to welcome him. He only gently instructed Qin Yining, “Take good care of yourself and don’t wrong yourself,” before spurring his horse and leading his people away.
Qin Yining was truly helpless. Looking at Bingtang and Ji Yun following behind her, she could only say, “Let’s go back first. Since Ji Yun is new here, Bingtang should tell her more about household matters.”
“Yes.” Bingtang smiled warmly at Ji Yun.
Everyone returned to their respective courtyards. What they discussed behind closed doors need not be mentioned for now.
Sun Shi returned to Xingning Garden but couldn’t sit still.
Seeing Sun Shi spinning around the floor like a top, Nanny Jin couldn’t help but laugh: “What is Madam worried about?”
“Nanny, you saw what happened today too. What exactly does that surname Pang mean by doing this? If he truly likes our Yining, he could very well propose marriage to His Majesty for a proper wedding. He doesn’t mention this matter, yet acts so high-profile in public. Our Yining is a young girl who doesn’t understand these things, but how could I, as her mother, not understand? I’m really afraid Yining will suffer!”
Just thinking about Pang Xiao’s appearance and bearing, and seeing Qin Yining’s flushed cheeks today, made Sun Shi feel extremely anxious.
Nanny Jin helped Sun Shi sit in a carved high-backed chair nearby, presented a white porcelain tea bowl with both hands, and comforted her: “Madam, don’t overthink this. This matter isn’t something we can resolve by worrying about it. In this servant’s opinion, Fourth Miss has a clear head, and Master isn’t a confused person either. We should just leave this matter entirely to Master and Fourth Miss.”
“But Prince Pang does kill like cutting grass…”
“Born in chaotic times, it would be wronging our Fourth Miss if she followed some useless man. This servant sees that Fourth Miss is a formidable person who doesn’t yield to men. If she could truly win Prince Pang’s favor, it might not be a bad thing.”
“But Pang Zhongzheng died because he fell for Master’s alienation strategy!”
“Madam, court affairs are treacherous and complex. Back then, Northern Ji practiced tyrannical policies that disturbed the people, and the Northern Ji ruler was also autocratic and arbitrary. Perhaps he had already become wary of General Pang. Though General Pang’s death was tragic and seemed to result from Master’s successful alienation strategy, the Northern Ji ruler’s actions were certainly involved too. Even this servant can figure this out—Prince Pang must understand it too. Moreover, since Prince Pang is willing to be close to our Fourth Miss, that shows he doesn’t mind these things.”
Sun Shi nodded, uneasily set down her tea bowl, and tapped the table irregularly with her fingernails. After a long while, she said, “Do you think he might be deliberately getting close to Yining, intending to hurt her deliberately to avenge his father?”
“Madam is overthinking.” Nanny Jin smiled: “Madam is confused because you care. Tell me, with Prince Pang’s martial skills and abilities, if he really wanted revenge, couldn’t he charge into the residence with all his might to kill people?”
Sun Shi felt a chill run through her entire body. Just imagining that scene made her feel cold all over, but she had to admit Nanny Jin’s words made sense.
“So you think he might be sincere?”
“Since ancient times, what pass can heroes not overcome?” Nanny Jin smiled: “Fourth Miss has inherited all the best qualities of Master and Madam. Even this old woman finds her lovable when looking at her, let alone someone like Prince Pang. Not just Prince Pang—even His Highness the Crown Prince was moved when he saw our Fourth Miss, wasn’t he? When daughters grow up, it’s natural for a hundred families to seek one girl. Madam shouldn’t worry about this. After all, Master would never let Fourth Miss suffer.”
Nanny Jin’s words both praised Qin Yining and complimented Sun Shi and Qin Huaiyuan, making Sun Shi feel very comforted and much more relaxed.
However, thinking of the Old Madam’s filthy and unreasonable behavior still made Sun Shi feel aggrieved.
Without her backing, Sun Shi’s restrained behavior was forcing herself to change habits formed over decades. She was naturally feeling wronged, and with so many recent troubles—the Old Madam’s and sisters-in-law’s unkindness, the pressure of having a glamorous concubine above her head, and worrying about her daughter’s future—under these multiple pressures, Sun Shi had only gotten caught in a bit of rain on her way back from paying morning and evening respects to the Old Madam when she fell ill, developing a fever that very night.
When Qin Yining received the news, she was so startled that the account books sent by Zhaoyun Division fell to the ground. She quickly had Qiu Lu tidy up her account books, then hurried toward Xingning Garden with Bingtang, Song Lan, and Ji Yun.