Having been persecuted to this extent, the Qin family members were all filled with hatred. Hearing Qin Yining’s words, everyone looked at her with burning eyes.

Qin Huaiyuan said in a deep voice: “What method have you thought of? Tell us.”

“Right now, there are four urgent matters to handle. First, let everyone know that the Great Zhou Emperor harbors sinister intentions. Because he learned of Tianji Zi’s fortune-telling about me, and because he fears Father’s talents, he ruthlessly struck at the Qin family. We should publicize the tragic state of our mansion, so people can see what the Zhou Emperor’s persecution has done to our family.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded: “This is also what I planned to do.”

Third Master thought for a moment and nodded: “It’s good to make this matter known. If we remain silent, who knows when His Majesty might suppress this matter, and then we’d suffer in vain.”

“Third Uncle is right, that’s exactly what I think.” Qin Yining said thoughtfully: “Whatever His Majesty feels most guilty about, he least wants people discussing. So once this matter is publicized, should anything happen, to silence gossip, His Majesty will have to consider his reputation. Moreover, given Father’s reputation outside, this matter will surely stir public anger, which might even have some beneficial effect on the war.”

Second Master, Qin Han, and Qin Yu all nodded upon hearing this.

“Second, let everyone know that on the day of the funeral, I will subject those three assassins to death by a thousand cuts before the graves of the victims.”

“Death by a thousand cuts!” Second Master’s eyes widened as he stood and paced a few steps, saying with some concern: “This matter might not be proper. Those three men haven’t been tried in court after all. Our secretly interrogating them is already enough to be criticized by those with ulterior motives. If we further use private punishment to subject them to death by a thousand cuts, this goes against the law. Being gossiped about behind our backs is a small matter, but I fear the Cao family will seize this handle to persecute your father again.”

Qin Han also said: “Yes, the Ministry of Revenue matter isn’t resolved yet. Adding another charge would only give the Cao family more confidence.”

“What Second Uncle and Second Brother say is reasonable, but law must yield to human sentiment. Given our family’s tragic state, let alone subjecting these three to death by a thousand cuts—even if we cooked and ate them, I believe the common people who know the truth would only applaud.

“Besides, is our family really such a soft persimmon? People have killed their way to our door, and we caught the assassins but don’t dare seek revenge? Wouldn’t that be laughable? Great Yan and Great Zhou are already at war—there’s no longer the old relationship of accommodation to prevent conflict. This is precisely when we should show our attitude. If His Majesty lacks backbone, there should at least be someone with backbone in this court.”

Qin Han suddenly understood.

Second Master nodded.

Qin Huaiyuan said: “Though this strategy has some danger, it’s not without merit. Once the news spreads, if their accomplices wish to rescue them, they’ll naturally come, and we need only set an ambush. If they don’t come, killing those three will at least temporarily comfort the spirits in heaven.”

“Exactly.” Qin Yining nodded, her eyes bright: “Moreover, the Great Zhou Emperor ordered them to come assassinate me. If they can’t complete their mission, they’ll likely be punished by the Zhou Emperor. On the funeral day, I’ll reveal a flaw—I don’t believe they can remain completely indifferent.”

“No, this is too dangerous.” Qin Yu frowned: “Fourth Sister, Brother knows you’re eager to avenge the family and fear delays will cause complications, but you’re still injured, and our family has finally achieved temporary stability—we can’t afford to lose anyone else. If we draw the assassins and something happens to you, what then?”

Qin Yu very much wanted to avenge his wife, but he was even more unwilling to lose more family members.

Qin Yining smiled gratefully at Qin Yu and sighed: “How can one catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger’s den? Besides, with careful planning, the danger isn’t so great.”

When Qin Yining said these words, Qin Huaiyuan had already thought of something.

“For this matter, I’ll discuss with that person and find a way to borrow the experts under her command.”

Qin Yining looked at Qin Huaiyuan and nodded with a smile.

Others didn’t know who Qin Huaiyuan meant, but Qin Yining knew.

Qin Huaiyuan planned to ask Cao Yuqing about borrowing the silver-masked secret agents, which was exactly what Qin Yining had originally planned.

“Good, then I’ll trouble Father. As for Young Master Mu, I’ll ask personally, and also the Azure Sky Alliance.”

“The Azure Sky Alliance?” Qin Han stared in surprise.

Qin Yining smiled: “I know people in the Azure Sky Alliance. If properly arranged, they could also help us.”

“But the Azure Sky Alliance are rebels!” Qin Han murmured.

“Rebels?” Qin Yining laughed: “Heaven and earth are unkind—things have reached this point, and we still worry about such distinctions? Without these ‘rebels’ Second Brother speaks of charging in to scare off the assassins, we probably wouldn’t be sitting here now!”

Only then did Qin Han and Qin Yu realize that the group who had charged into the inner residence that day were Azure Sky Alliance members.

Second Master and Third Master had actually suspected this and weren’t surprised to hear the answer from Qin Yining.

Qin Yining carefully explained her plan to Qin Huaiyuan in low voices. Several people offered various opinions, and finally Qin Huaiyuan chose the most appropriate approach.

Seeing Qin Yining’s poor complexion, Qin Huaiyuan said: “It’s getting late today. Let’s all rest. Once Yining feels better, we’ll begin the next steps.”

“Mm.” Qin Yining stood up, her vision darkening. She closed her eyes and steadied herself before feeling somewhat better.

Returning to Shuoren Studio, Qin Yining took her medicine and immediately fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Qin Huaiyuan arranged to meet Cao Yuqing in the rear garden, where they discussed something in low voices for half an hour before finishing.

In the military camp outside Xihua City, after several days of anxiety, Pang Xiao finally welcomed back his Elite Tiger Guards.

The Elite Tiger Guards were his trusted confidants—not only were they all highly skilled in martial arts, but they were also utterly loyal to him. Due to the war between the two countries and martial law in the capital, it wasn’t easy for ordinary spies, let alone Elite Tiger Guards, to travel back and forth with messages.

Pang Xiao had been unable to focus on training these past two days, so anxious he felt like grass was growing in his heart. Now seeing the messenger return, his heart finally settled somewhat.

Leading the man out of the main tent to an open area outside, confirming the surroundings were empty with nowhere for eavesdroppers to hide, he asked in a low voice: “Speak quickly—how is the capital? Did His Majesty’s people enter the city?”

“Your Highness, His Majesty arranged a hundred death warriors who disguised themselves as merchants and entered the capital in groups. The day before yesterday, those people raided Great Yan’s Marquis Anping’s mansion. This subordinate specifically went to look at the marquis’s mansion—indeed many people died. Most of the servants were lost, and many capable maids and nannies who served the masters also perished. Additionally, Marquis Anping’s Third Madam, eldest daughter-in-law, Sixth Miss, and Seventh Miss all…”

“I don’t want to know about these people. Just tell me if Fourth Miss is all right.” Pang Xiao stood with hands behind his back, his hidden fists clenched tightly. Though his expression appeared normal, his aura was coldly intimidating, like an unsheathed blade eager for blood, making him fearsome to behold.

This was the first time the Elite Tiger Guard had seen the prince so angry. Not daring to elaborate further, he simply said: “Fourth Miss was struck by a blade and lost excessive blood, which may have damaged her constitution. When this subordinate left, Fourth Miss was still unconscious.”

“What did you say?”

Pang Xiao’s voice remained low, but the oppressive force hidden in his words seemed to materialize, pressing the reporting Elite Tiger Guard to drop to one knee with a thud: “Your Highness, please calm your anger.”

Pang Xiao took several deep breaths, telling himself he must stay calm.

But thinking of the Zhou Emperor’s insistence on killing Qin Yining, using the excuse that she was the “protective talisman” that Tianji Zi had divined existed to protect the Great Yan dynasty, made Pang Xiao’s teeth itch with rage.

That day, when the Zhou Emperor sent a eunuch with an edict commanding him to assassinate the legitimate daughter of Great Yan’s Marquis Anping, he had refused to comply. The eunuch then lectured him by imperial decree, saying he couldn’t distinguish priorities and dared to defy the imperial order.

This was his second act of defiance against the emperor while in Xihua City.

Pang Xiao had always been adaptable. In the past, even if that eunuch was arrogant and long-winded, he wouldn’t have shown too much. Everyone would have maintained face and gone about their duties.

But that eunuch’s every word aimed at Qin Yining’s life.

Such a precious person—he couldn’t bear to touch even a finger of hers. Would he tolerate others harming her?

So Pang Xiao had a huge argument with that eunuch and even struck him.

The eunuch left in tears, surely returning to embellish and slander him before His Majesty.

But when it concerned Qin Yining, Pang Xiao discovered his usual rationality had long since vanished, leaving only instinct.

It was precisely because he had beaten the eunuch, who left in a hurry that same day, that Pang Xiao urgently sent a carrier pigeon, urging Mu Jinghu to quickly enter the capital to protect Qin Yining.

How much he wished he could go himself!

But he had already left the camp once recently to accumulate funds for his future wife. With the war situation now tense, for him as commander to leave without permission would be a grave military taboo.

So he could only grit his teeth and suppress his anxiety, praying outside the camp for the Qin family’s safety while secretly hoping Mu Jinghu would arrive in time.

But Qin Yining was still injured!

Pang Xiao closed his eyes, fists clenched, knuckles white.

When had the Elite Tiger Guard ever seen Pang Xiao so emotionally exposed? The prince was always inscrutable, most taboo about letting people see his emotions clearly, yet now he disregarded all this.

“This prince understands.” After a long while, Pang Xiao slowly exhaled, his voice returning to normal: “Take a few men and secretly follow to protect Fourth Miss Qin from now on.”

The Elite Tiger Guard was stunned.

He never imagined that someone as well-trained as himself would be assigned to protect a boudoir lady.

“Any problem?” Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow.

“No, this subordinate obeys and will arrange it immediately.”

The Elite Tiger Guard bowed and hurriedly withdrew.

Pang Xiao stood with hands behind his back in the open ground, looking up at the crescent moon, slowly grinding his teeth: “How excellent!”