Qin Yining never expected her father would ask her such a thing directly.

As an unmarried young lady discussing this topic with her father, she was truly so embarrassed that her face flushed red.

Seeing Qin Yining’s bashfulness, Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said, “You’re a grown young lady now, and our family’s situation is special. Moreover, your mother’s temperament isn’t suitable for participating in court affairs, yet your marriage cannot possibly be separated from court matters. Given my current position and status, with you as my only daughter, I must make decisions about your marriage.”

“Yes, your daughter will comply with all of Father’s arrangements,” Qin Yining nodded obediently.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled, “Then if I were to make you Crown Princess, would you be willing?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know why she felt a wave of sadness, but still nodded, “As long as Father feels the marriage is suitable, your daughter will naturally listen to Father.”

Since ancient times, marriage had been by parental command and matchmaker’s words. She couldn’t abandon her family for the pursuit of her own happiness. Having enjoyed the benefits the Qin family brought her in ordinary times, if she refused to contribute to the family at crucial moments, what kind of person would she be?

Qin Huaiyuan had some mischievous thoughts, observing her expression while saying, “His Highness the Crown Prince has a gentle nature. Though he lacks great political talent, he’s sufficient as a ruler who maintains the status quo. He’s devoted to you, and knowing that His Majesty and the Empress wanted to kill you, he was the first to rush and inform me. I think his feelings for you are genuine.”

Qin Yining gently pressed her lips together and nodded, “Father speaks truly. His Highness the Crown Prince indeed has his merits, but the ‘status quo’ he would maintain is perhaps too corrupt.”

“Your daughter speaks words of great disrespect and insubordination. The realm is currently in great chaos, and Great Yan’s peaceful days are only temporary. Even without foreign enemies, the corruption within the court needs rectification, and the people’s suffering and displacement must be addressed. But His Majesty himself leads by example in pursuing pleasure and ignoring the people’s livelihood. I think hoping for His Majesty to work diligently for good governance is less likely than hoping he ascends to heaven soon.”

“As for the Crown Prince’s abilities, with such a massive mess handed to him, I fear he simply cannot maintain stability, not to mention the Tatars and Great Zhou watching like tigers outside. In your daughter’s humble opinion, our Qin family should make early plans and prepare escape routes. Even if Father doesn’t care about dying for the country to preserve honor and integrity, you must consider the Grand Dowager and others.”

“The bloody lesson of Duke Dingguo’s mansion is right before our eyes. Even if we don’t fear death, we shouldn’t die for such foolish and incompetent people. Therefore, your daughter doesn’t recommend entangling ourselves further with the imperial family.”

Qin Huaiyuan had long known that Qin Yining was quick-thinking with a clear mind, often able to perceive the subtle and foresee consequences regarding court politics, and her criticism of current affairs was quite accurate.

But hearing her speak so bluntly now felt different.

Though her words showed disrespect toward the imperial family, Qin Huaiyuan had to admit Qin Yining was right. This feeling was something he experienced almost constantly while navigating the court.

He too wanted to turn the tide, to support the Crown Prince’s ascension and properly correct Great Yan’s improper practices.

Unfortunately, the Crown Prince’s talents lay in calligraphy and painting, not in politics.

“You little girl, I’m discussing your marriage with you, yet you use political relationships to reject the Crown Prince.”

Qin Yining’s face reddened as she smiled, “Your daughter isn’t speaking nonsense. Since your daughter’s marriage can be decided by politics, why can’t it be rejected for political reasons? Father is a court official, so your daughter is naturally involved. These are all matters that must be considered.”

“So you’re saying you lean more toward Prince Zhongshun?” Qin Huaiyuan asked curiously.

Qin Yining’s breath caught, and after a moment she said, “Father should first decline the Crown Prince’s matter. As for other things, it’s better to take things step by step.”

Qin Huaiyuan understood the subtle meaning and laughed, “You clever little thing, you clearly look down on the Crown Prince and don’t want me to arrange your marriage with others, so you speak of taking things step by step.”

Qin Yining’s face grew even redder.

She was reluctant to admit she was somewhat moved by Pang Xiao. But when her father actually put her marriage on the agenda, she unconsciously compared Pang Xiao with those others, always feeling the Crown Prince’s talents fell short compared to Pang Xiao’s. As for other noble sons, they weren’t even worth mentioning – she had never properly looked at them.

But even so, she had to accept reality.

“Don’t worry,” Qin Huaiyuan put away his teasing expression and said, “Do you think any of those court ministers would dare come seeking your hand for their family’s sons or nephews?”

“What does Father mean?” Qin Yining didn’t immediately understand.

Qin Huaiyuan chuckled, “That’s why they say you can’t see clearly when you’re in the middle of it. Think about it – during the peace negotiations, Prince Zhongshun already took a fancy to you. As soon as we returned to the capital, interested parties spread the news throughout the city. Prince Zhongshun never concealed his affection for you. When he rescued your mother, his declaration was equivalent to confirming the rumors. To please you, he gave you Ning Garden, overshadowing even the Empress’s limelight, which the other seven great families’ women saw with their own eyes. Even when encountering Tatar assassins before leaving, he ignored everyone else and pulled you onto his horse to escape with you.”

“Pang Zhixi is a man of courage and strategy. From the beginning, he’s been planning step by step, setting up this situation long ago, just waiting for you to walk into it. Now that the situation is formed, you’ve long been marked with his brand. If others want to marry you or make moves on you, they’ll likely face his thunderous fury. And he already has a fearsome reputation – who would dare harbor thoughts about you? Among those families matching our status who witnessed Pang Zhixi’s special treatment of you at Ning Garden, who would come seeking your hand in marriage?”

After hearing this explanation, Qin Yining was truly so embarrassed that her face and ears turned red – not just her cheeks, but even her ears and neck were completely flushed.

“So Father had already made up his mind and was teasing me from the beginning.” She turned her face away in annoyance, refusing to look at Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan was delighted by Qin Yining’s girlish behavior and laughed heartily, “Life is too dull – there must be some entertainment.”

“Father really treats his own daughter as entertainment,” Qin Yining glared at Qin Huaiyuan in frustration.

Seeing her like this, Qin Huaiyuan shook his head with amusement.

Seeing her father’s reaction, Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile too.

So it seemed she was bound to Pang Xiao for life.

With this realization, her heart felt not anger but rather some excitement. She touched the red bean bracelet on her wrist, and the cool touch reminded her of the night Pang Xiao left, causing a smile to unconsciously spread across her face.

At the same moment, in the Great Zhou military camp outside Liang City, Pang Xiao looked at a slip of paper and in his fury overturned the table before him with a tremendous crash, startling both Zheng Pei and Huzi into stunned silence.

Pang Xiao was not someone who showed his emotions openly, unless he deliberately wanted to display them for others to see. The rest of the time, especially in private, he was calm to the point of coldness.

That a message brought by a carrier pigeon could make him so angry truly couldn’t help but astonish Zheng Pei and Huzi.

Zheng Pei asked worriedly, “Has the Old Madam or Grand Madam been summoned to the palace again?”