“Slap—” came a crisp sound as Yuchi Yan’s face was struck sideways, and blood immediately trickled down from his split lip.

Yuchi Yan supported the kneeling Qin Huaiyuan with both hands, looking up in disbelief at the Emperor who was pointing and glaring with eyes blazing, panting like an enraged bull. For a moment, it seemed as if he no longer recognized this person.

When an emperor punished the crown prince, he might scold or confine him to his quarters. Even if there were beatings, he would never strike the face.

A slap to the crown prince’s face was equivalent to shattering all his dignity and prestige. How would the crown prince command respect before his ministers in the future?

But the Emperor, now shocked and furious, couldn’t care about any of that. In the Emperor’s eyes and heart, aside from resentment toward his ministers’ incompetence, there was only fear of the Zhou people attacking the capital. What else could remain?

“I think you’ve been crown prince for too long – it’s made your heart grow arrogant! Now you even dare to argue with me in front of important ministers. If you were to ascend the throne in future, wouldn’t your tail reach the heavens! Where would that leave me then!”

Still not satisfied with his anger, the Emperor grabbed an inkstone and hurled it heavily toward Yuchi Yan.

Fortunately, Prince Ning was quick and caught the adult palm-sized inkstone in his hand, preventing Yuchi Yan’s head from being split open on the spot. His hands and sleeves were covered with ink, but he didn’t dare wipe it away, only pressed his forehead to the ground and kowtowed again.

“Imperial Brother, please calm your anger.”

“Rebellion, rebellion!” The Emperor pointed at Prince Ning, becoming even more violently enraged.

“Imperial Brother, His Highness the Crown Prince was merely momentarily thoughtless. Moreover, he is your only heir. If you injured his life, wouldn’t Imperial Brother regret it afterward?”

Prince Ning’s persuasion was well-intentioned. The Emperor’s offspring were not abundant – he had only the crown prince as his sole descendant. If in his anger he beat the man to death or serious injury, who would inherit the throne in future?

But hearing these words, the Emperor couldn’t help but overthink, glancing sidelong at Prince Ning and wondering darkly whether he was mocking his abilities in certain areas.

Seeing that Prince Ning’s words had diverted the Emperor’s attention, Imperial Uncle Cao redirected the fire back toward Qin Huaiyuan, saying with righteous indignation, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. His Highness the Crown Prince has a pure and straightforward nature. That he would openly contradict Your Majesty today must certainly be because villains have instigated and misled him, corrupting his judgment. I implore Your Majesty to see clearly.”

Villains instigating? Who was the crown prince close to? Who had been instructing the crown prince recently? Who the villain was had become self-evident.

The Emperor looked toward Qin Huaiyuan, his expression grim as he snorted coldly. His trembling hand pointed at him, and after a long moment, he angrily flicked his sleeve. In the end, he didn’t continue his scolding, turning instead to look at Imperial Uncle Cao.

“Has Imperial Uncle’s contact with the Tatars yielded any news? If there’s still no news, I fear the Zhou troops will attack!” The Emperor irritably sat down in his official’s chair.

Imperial Uncle Cao’s expression didn’t look good at being questioned. He smiled apologetically and said, “Your Majesty, your subject has already done everything possible to persuade the Tatars, but recently some incidents have occurred on the Tatar side.”

“What incidents?”

“Your subject has learned that the Tatar Khan was assassinated and killed by his only son some time ago.”

“What? The son killed his father?” Upon hearing this, the Emperor instinctively looked toward Yuchi Yan nearby.

Imperial Uncle Cao nodded. “Yes, it’s said that the Tatar Khan took a fancy to his daughter-in-law and publicly forced himself upon her. When his daughter-in-law died in shame and anger, his only son killed him in fury. Then Princess A’na Ri killed her brother to avenge their father. Now the Tatar court affairs are controlled by Princess A’na Ri, and their three factions of Tatar ministers are currently fighting fiercely. Your subject worries that Princess A’na Ri has no time to send troops.”

Hearing this, the Emperor’s brows knitted tightly together.

“From this perspective, that woman may not necessarily be able to sit firmly in that position! Why didn’t Imperial Uncle find someone reliable to contact? What can a mere woman accomplish!” The Emperor complained irritably.

Imperial Uncle Cao’s expression grew even worse upon hearing this.

The Emperor himself lacked capability. At the crucial moment, unable to handle affairs within his own country properly, he still needed to reach across the great Zhou to beg the Tatar people for military assistance. Yet now he was criticizing the other party for being a mere woman.

Imperial Uncle Cao gave a cold laugh and said, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Regardless of whether the Tatars are governed by a man or woman, our primary concern is still convincing them to send troops. The Tatars and Great Zhou have been at war for many years – this old minister doesn’t believe Zhou’s treasury can support battlefields on two fronts. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have deceived us!”

“The Zhou Emperor can attack us with such confidence precisely because he relies on Ji Zeyu guarding their north! Without Ji Zeyu, the Tatar people would certainly invade. With Great Zhou facing enemies front and back, and with the bravery of our Great Yan’s soldiers and generals, we would certainly be able to intercept the Zhou people outside the pass and beat them back to their own territory!”

Imperial Uncle Cao spoke these words with passionate fervor, stirring the Emperor’s blood as if he could already see Great Zhou’s banners flying once again over those cities he had been forced to abandon.

“In that case, Imperial Uncle must continue contacting the Tatars. As long as they’re willing to send troops, our crisis can be resolved.” The Emperor stroked his beard with satisfaction.

Imperial Uncle Cao bowed and assented.

But Qin Huaiyuan’s brows were already tightly furrowed as he listened. He disapproved and advised, “Your Majesty, please hear your subject’s words. Although Imperial Uncle Cao’s analysis has merit, those Tatars are separated by high mountains and long roads – distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.”

“Pang Zhixi has godlike military tactics and excels at using stratagems. His hundred thousand Huben Army soldiers are each brave and skilled in battle. Now that they’ve occupied Xihua City, geographically they face the capital in a pincer formation. Given Pang Zhixi’s prowess, if we wait for the Tatars to send troops to divide Great Zhou’s attention, the Huben Army may have already attacked!”

“Now our Eastern, Western, and Northern route armies total three hundred thousand gathered outside the city. Combined with the Five Military Camps, Three Thousand Camps, and Divine Engine Camps of the outer city – nearly three hundred fifty thousand troops. With our geographical advantage of occupying the capital city, if we select an excellent general to command the forces, should the Huben Army attack directly, using three hundred fifty thousand troops to defend an impregnable imperial city wouldn’t be without hope of victory.”

Before the Emperor could respond, Imperial Uncle Cao was already speaking mockingly, “Oh? According to Marquis Anping’s meaning, is Pang Zhixi some war god descended to earth, undefeatable? Our Great Yan Dynasty has the True Dragon Son of Heaven and heaven’s protection – are we still to fear some young lad whose hair hasn’t even grown fully? I think Marquis Anping considers Pang Zhixi his son-in-law, praising him like a blooming flower!”

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Imperial Uncle Cao with furrowed brows, not arguing uselessly with him, only saying, “If Uncle Cao has opinions about me, we can settle them privately. At least I should call you father-in-law – you can beat me or scold me as you wish. But please don’t mix personal emotions into state affairs. This is Great Yan’s moment of life and death – it’s no joke!”

“You…”

Imperial Uncle Cao pointed at Qin Huaiyuan about to retort, but his unspoken words were interrupted by the Emperor.

“Stop arguing!”

Both Imperial Uncle Cao and Qin Huaiyuan fell silent and bowed.

The Emperor raged, “You can’t handle proper business well, but you’re each more capable than the other at verbal sparring. Have I raised you all these years just to watch you create internal strife at the crucial moment?”

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”

Everyone bowed again.

The Emperor snorted coldly, “This matter will be handled as Imperial Uncle suggested. Imperial Uncle Cao, contact the Tatars as quickly as possible.”

“Yes.” Imperial Uncle Cao bowed, then smiled triumphantly at Qin Huaiyuan.

The Emperor then said to Qin Huaiyuan, “Given your years of diligent service, I’ll spare you for now. Go home and reflect on your errors!”

Qin Huaiyuan’s face was deathly pale. He stared fixedly at the Emperor, the light in his eyes gradually dimming. Finally, he pressed his forehead to the ground and heavily responded, “Your subject obeys the decree.”

Since the marquis manor had dismissed most of the servants and everyone was gathered together in one place, rather than panicking in the face of disaster, everyone felt their family’s hearts had become more united.

The inner quarters had only thirty-nine servants in total, each responsible for their own masters. Qin Yining eliminated the morning and evening reporting routines – if there were matters, these people could come report for immediate decisions. This way, Qin Yining actually found managing this “small household” much easier than managing the previous “large household.”

After returning from the palace that day, Qin Huaiyuan began his days of not leaving the house. All day long, he was either reading in his quarters, admiring flowers and scenery by the back garden pond, or setting up an umbrella by his own fish pond to go fishing. He would pass entire days in such leisurely fashion.

In all these years, Qin Huaiyuan had never been so relaxed.

During this time of tense warfare and chaos in the city, Qin Huaiyuan had found the carefree ease he hadn’t experienced in many years.

Knowing that Qin Huaiyuan’s heart was full of pent-up frustrations that couldn’t be released, Qin Yining would often bring books to find him after finishing her work, either accompanying him fishing, drinking tea and chatting leisurely, or asking Qin Huaiyuan to explain the contents of books to her.

Qin Huaiyuan was far more learned than Qin Yining’s former private tutor. Not only could he quote classics extensively, he could often use current court affairs as examples. His language was witty and humorous, often leaving Qin Yining completely absorbed. Father and daughter would often sit for entire days in the garden pavilion or under the canopy by the fish pond.

“With national affairs in chaos this year and me being so busy, I didn’t properly celebrate your birthday, and your coming-of-age ceremony will have to be postponed as well.”

Qin Huaiyuan sat on a folding stool, wearing silk robes and a straw hat, holding his fishing rod, his voice carrying a smile.

Hearing this, Qin Yining smiled and said, “I never celebrated birthdays in previous years anyway. On the fifth day of the sixth month this year, I ate longevity noodles by myself. As for the coming-of-age ceremony, there’s no rush – as long as it’s done before age twenty, any time is the same.”

According to ancient customs, girls could have their coming-of-age ceremony upon turning fifteen, though it didn’t necessarily have to be at fifteen – any time before twenty was acceptable.

Qin Huaiyuan laughed, “That’s true. Having the ceremony before your betrothal would be the same.”

Betrothal?

Pang Xiao’s masculine and handsome face suddenly appeared in Qin Yining’s mind. She smiled bitterly and shook her head.

Given the current situation, was there still any possibility between her and Pang Xiao?

“Miss, Miss.” Song Lan came running over from outside.

Both Qin Yining and Qin Huaiyuan looked over with smiles.

Song Lan curtsied and said, “Miss, Manager Zhong has arrived and is currently in the side hall. This servant noticed Manager Zhong’s complexion doesn’t look good.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining stood up and said, “Father, I’ll go take a look. It’s probably about matters at Ningyuan.”

“Mm, go ahead.” Qin Huaiyuan lazily responded, continuing to focus intently on his fishing rod.

Seeing her father’s appearance, Qin Yining couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, then quickly walked toward the side hall.