Qin Yining hadn’t felt so refreshed in a long time. Ever since returning to the marquis manor, her days had been like walking on thin ice, her mind constantly scheming just to get by. Later, she experienced her maternal family’s downfall, was forced to participate in peace negotiations, her mother nearly lost her head, and she herself was abducted by her grandmother…

Counting all these events, in the less than half a year since returning to the manor, she had used her mind more than in the fourteen years living outside. Her suppression and restraint of herself had likewise reached their limits.

Today’s free gallop seemed to have shaken off all her troubles.

Gradually slowing her pace, gazing at the man in dark python robes sitting upright on his tall horse, Qin Yining’s thoughts grew momentarily confused.

The tall, handsome man sat upright on his gleaming black steed, his back straight, carrying the unique masculinity and heroic bearing of a soldier. Combined with his long brows, phoenix eyes, high nose, and thin lips, his handsomeness revealed an air of freedom, while his smile held joy and innocence.

Scenes from their acquaintance flooded her mind. Qin Yining’s face uncontrollably flushed with color, forcing herself to look away, afraid of being burned by his elegance and piercing gaze.

Pang Xiao spurred his horse close, and both reined in their steeds. White Cloud and Dark Cloud seemed familiar with each other, snorting as they approached one another, rubbing necks and nuzzling affectionately.

Pang Xiao smiled at Qin Yining: “How was that? Don’t you feel much more refreshed after running for a while?”

Qin Yining’s cheeks were rosy as she nodded emphatically: “It’s been so long since I’ve had such a free gallop. I must thank you for giving me White Cloud.”

“If you want to thank me, surely not just with words?”

Pang Xiao flicked his reins, riding alongside Qin Yining as one black and one white thoroughbred slowly walked toward the official road.

Qin Yining laughed: “Is Your Highness really such a petty person? Fine then, tell me how you want me to thank you?”

“I want you to pledge yourself to me. Will you agree or not?” Pang Xiao smiled.

Qin Yining’s cheeks flushed crimson as she glared at him with red face and ears: “Why does Your Highness always joke like this? You’re not some lecher, yet you insist on keeping such words on your lips, inviting others’ ridicule.”

“Who dares ridicule me?” Pang Xiao moved closer to Qin Yining, looking at her seriously: “Besides, I’m not joking.”

Qin Yining pressed her lips together, her long lashes fluttering without a word, simply allowing Pang Xiao to lead her reins so White Cloud could walk alongside Dark Cloud.

From Pang Xiao’s angle, he could see her crimson ears and neck, as well as her long lashes trembling like butterfly wings when she was nervous. Seeing her silence, Pang Xiao felt a surge of joy.

She wasn’t refusing, which meant she didn’t dislike him. Perhaps she even fancied him.

No rush, no rush. As long as she didn’t dislike him, there was hope.

Pang Xiao chuckled softly, suddenly spurring his horse toward the official road.

Qin Yining was startled and quickly grabbed the reins: “Why did you suddenly speed up? You gave me quite a fright!”

Her playfully reproachful words carried on the wind to his ears, soft and gentle, making him itch from his very core.

Blue sky and verdant trees, vast heaven and earth—riding his beloved horse with his beloved woman beside him, Pang Xiao felt unprecedented satisfaction. A surge of heroic spirit arose spontaneously, making him laugh heartily.

His laughter rang long and clear. Huzi and the two elite Tiger Guards following behind could feel that joy and heroic spirit, laughing aloud as well.

Huzi remembered military songs and stretched his throat to sing loudly: “‘Don iron armor, carry long sabers. March to battle with you, though the road be long.'”①

Huzi’s voice had the unique clarity of someone between youth and manhood. In the vast heaven and earth, such a full-bodied song suddenly arose, stirring Qin Yining’s heart and mind with excitement.

Just as Qin Yining turned to look back, Pang Xiao’s deep, rich voice rang out beside her: “‘Share common hatred, live and die together. March to battle with you, hearts never weary.'”

The two elite Tiger Guards also sang loudly in unison: “‘Tread upon Yanran, chase the barbarians. March to battle with you, sing without fear!'”

The men’s deep, rich voices, without melodious technique but full of heroic spirit—in such vast heaven and earth, with comrades at their sides and hot blood surging, these iron-blooded warriors sang war songs with magnificent grandeur, carrying the momentum of collapsing mountains and roaring seas. It shook Qin Yining’s heart, bringing color to her cheeks, even arousing in her a longing to charge across battlefields.

These were true men who had watered distant battlefields with their blood. Despite different nationalities, living in chaotic times, they would rather be cut to pieces than fail to defend their countries.

But how did this compare to the prosperity and corruption in Great Yan’s capital?

Thinking of the foolish emperor and demon empress who sought pleasure daily, acting recklessly, having the audacity to harm meritorious officials yet lacking the courage to draw bows on battlefields or crush foreign enemies, Qin Yining couldn’t help but feel additional sighs of sorrow.

After galloping for a stretch, Pang Xiao slowed his pace.

Qin Yining looked intently and saw a large group of people by the official road in the distance. Though still far away, she immediately recognized the leading figure in bright red official robes as Qin Huaiyuan. The others all wore official garments. Though she couldn’t see their faces clearly due to unfamiliarity, she could distinguish that among this group were both Great Yan court officials and Great Zhou military officers.

Qin Yining’s heart skipped a beat as she looked questioningly at Pang Xiao.

But Pang Xiao had already released her reins, leading Huzi and the two elite Tiger Guards forward on horseback.

Qin Yining naturally slowed her horse’s pace, stopping at a distance with Bingtang.

Bingtang was also somewhat bewildered, saying quietly: “Miss, they are…”

“Probably here for farewells. Today should be the day His Highness departs.” Qin Yining’s expression couldn’t hide its complexity as she sighed softly, her heart filled with inexplicable melancholy.

This man had tricked her into coming out, probably wanting to see her one more time.

But having just experienced such joy and freedom, suddenly facing separation, Qin Yining felt indescribable bitterness. She was surprised to discover tears welling in her eyes.

This was truly troublesome.

What relationship did she have with him? Why should she feel sad?

On his side, seeing that Pang Xiao’s party was actually followed by his own daughter, and that both Qin Yining and Bingtang rode exceptionally fine horses that were larger than Great Yan horses, Qin Huaiyuan knew these must be gifts from Pang Xiao. Today’s outing was undoubtedly part of Pang Xiao’s plan.

Qin Huaiyuan felt somewhat helpless.

Today, many Ministry of Rites officials were present for the farewell. Originally, rumors about Pang Xiao and Qin Yining had already spread throughout the city like wildfire—publicly declaring his feelings, giving her a residence. Now, as Pang Xiao was returning to his country, a woman appeared at a place where no women should be present for farewells. Wouldn’t this further confirm the relationship between them?

The Ministry of Rites officials were already exchanging pleasantries with Pang Xiao, speaking nothing but conventional courtesies.

The farewell and escort procession moved forward in orderly fashion.

Taking advantage of Pang Xiao leading his men at the front, Qin Huaiyuan hurried to Qin Yining’s side: “You and Miss Tang should return first.”

Qin Yining nodded, about to agree.

Who knew that despite the distance, Pang Xiao could still hear the conversation here. He turned back and said: “This place is quite far from the capital. It wouldn’t be safe for Miss Qin to return alone. Since we’ve already come this far, why not let her accompany us? She can return to the city with Grand Tutor Qin’s party later.”

The Ministry of Rites officials exchanged glances with expressions of “as expected.”

Liang Shengjie stared blankly at Qin Yining sitting upright on the white horse, his eyes full of envious and covetous looks.

Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan could only sigh and mount his own horse: “Then come along. You’ll return with father later.”

Qin Yining had no choice but to nod, glaring at Pang Xiao from afar.

Though she knew he was probably reluctant to part suddenly and just wanted to spend more time with her, his planning everything without telling her still made her quite displeased.

Who knew that after being glared at by Qin Yining, Pang Xiao not only wasn’t angry but actually laughed aloud, continuing to chat elegantly with the officials beside him, while Qin Yining was the one left flushed with anger.

While speaking, the procession moved forward for about half an hour before the civil officials taking their leave had to return. The remaining road would be protected by Great Yan soldiers responsible for the envoy’s safety and the elite Tiger Guards beside Pang Xiao as they continued escorting him forward.

The procession slowly stopped, and Pang Xiao said to Liang Shengjie, who was accompanying them: “This prince has been summoned back to the capital. Henceforth, matters such as reparations between Yan and Zhou will be entrusted to Lord Liang. I hope you won’t forget your duties and won’t disappoint imperial grace.”

Liang Shengjie’s mouth twitched. Now he was thoroughly intimidated by Pang Xiao. Whenever he saw him, he wanted to hide. Even when Pang Xiao spoke in a condescending, lecturing tone, he only wanted Pang Xiao to leave quickly.

Therefore, Liang Shengjie bowed extremely respectfully: “Your Highness may rest assured.”

Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Among those seeing him off, the few who suspected Pang Xiao’s status had declined in Emperor Zhou’s eyes began reconsidering.

Pang Xiao was, after all, Emperor Zhou’s sworn brother. If his status had truly declined, how could someone as proud as Liang Shengjie submit to such lecturing from Pang Xiao? Perhaps the truth of the rumors needed further consideration.

Pang Xiao had already spurred his horse toward Qin Yining.

Dark Cloud gleaming black, White Cloud silvery white—the two equally precious magnificent steeds nuzzled each other upon meeting.

Sitting upright on Dark Cloud, Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining with a smile, staring until Qin Yining wanted to jump down from White Cloud’s back and flee, fearing he might say something shocking.

“Though we accompany you a thousand li, we must eventually part. Miss Qin, take care.”

Qin Yining secretly sighed with relief: “Prince Zhongshun, take care.”

Pang Xiao cupped his hands toward Qin Huaiyuan: “Grand Tutor Qin.”

Qin Huaiyuan returned the courtesy: “May Your Highness have smooth travels.”

Both sides bid farewell, and Huzi also made a face at Bingtang.

This time was truly goodbye.

Pang Xiao and Huzi turned their horses toward the front of the procession.

Qin Yining frowned slightly, watching his retreating figure.

But just then, a thunderous mixture of hoofbeats suddenly came from both sides of the road. Looking left and right, over thirty riders burst from the forests and thickets on both sides, each wielding weapons. Blade edges and sword points flashed brilliantly in the sunlight as they charged out with murderous intent.

“Kill that bastard Pang!”

“Kill him!”

…

The roars of over thirty men shook the heavens as they charged into the procession in the blink of an eye.

No one had expected assassins to be lying in ambush on the farewell route!

Qin Yining pressed her red lips tightly, assessing the combat strength of both sides. Just as she was about to turn and speak with Qin Huaiyuan, she suddenly felt her waist tighten. The next moment, her body was airborne, then landed in a warm embrace.

Pang Xiao had actually galloped over and swept her from White Cloud’s back into his own arms. Drawing his sword with one hand, he slashed away at the blade striking toward them. With his scabbard, he struck Dark Cloud, and the horse shot forward like black lightning, carrying Pang Xiao and Qin Yining as they raced ahead, swiftly breaking away from the farewell procession and leaving the chaos behind.

“Don’t let them escape! Give chase!”

The assassins’ roars shook the sky as they also spurred their horses in pursuit.

①: From the military song “Trampling Yanran” from the Eastern Han Dynasty over two thousand years ago. The allusion “Carving Stone at Yanran”—Dou Xian pursued beyond the frontier for three thousand li, decisively defeated the Northern Xiongnu, climbed Yanran Mountain, and carved stone to record his achievements. The Eastern Han soldiers sang this very military song during their great victory.