“How can this be allowed! Is Father Emperor planning to split the Great Yan Dynasty?”

Qin Huaiyuan shook his head.

Cold sweat beaded on Yuchi Yan’s forehead. The more he thought about it, the more alarmed and despondent he became. He stepped forward and grasped Qin Huaiyuan’s hand.

“Could it be that Father Emperor already felt the Great Yan Dynasty was beyond saving, so he abdicated to me to make me the emperor of a fallen state? He hollowed out the foundation of the nation, took away talented people from all departments, and could still move the capital south, allowing the Great Yan Dynasty to rise again?”

Qin Huaiyuan finally nodded, saying in a low voice, “Your Majesty, please speak more quietly.”

The accompanying palace servants had already turned pale with fright upon hearing these words, lowering their heads and trying to minimize their presence.

But Yuchi Yan paid no attention to Qin Huaiyuan’s reminder, only staring blankly at him. After a long while, he suddenly let out a bitter laugh.

“Laughable, truly laughable. Did I ascend to the throne just to become the emperor of a fallen state?”

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself.” Qin Huaiyuan could understand Yuchi Yan’s emotional breakdown from the shock, but such lack of self-control was ultimately inappropriate.

“Your Majesty need not think about these things now. In any case, you have already intercepted the Great Emperor. The most urgent matter at present is finding the whereabouts of that silver. Otherwise, our war with the Huben Army may fall into an irresolvable stalemate. Not to mention that prolonged attrition brings no benefit to our Great Yan, the displacement of common people during war is truly too bitter.”

But Yuchi Yan remained immersed in sorrow, paying no attention to Qin Huaiyuan’s counsel, walking back in a daze.

Qin Huaiyuan frowned, sighed, and followed, continuing to pursue the emperor with his advice. “Your Majesty, you should first consider investigating those accompanying people. Perhaps someone will know the whereabouts of that vast sum.”

…

News that the Great Emperor had nearly left the capital with his confidants soon reached Qin Yining’s ears.

She lowered her gaze and toyed with the lid of the white porcelain tea bowl on the square table, finally setting down the lid with a “ding.”

“That old scoundrel refuses to do a single good deed in his lifetime. He’s too brainless and too selfish. At this time, he doesn’t know to share common hatred with the new emperor, or at least not be a burden. Yet he’s fine with just thinking about finding another place to continue being emperor, never considering that when the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact?”

“Indeed, though Miss often says the new emperor lacks keen political insight, this servant sees that the Great Emperor not only lacks insight but has character that’s reached the lowest depths.” Ji Yun brought over a covered bowl to refill Qin Yining’s tea.

“Stop letting Miss worry about these things. Instead of advising her, you’re indulging her.” Bingtang entered carrying medicine, frowning as she scolded:

“Your own body hasn’t recovered yet, and you’re worrying about these matters. Do you think losing so much blood is trivial? Scarring on your shoulder is certain. Even using my medicine, I don’t know if every trace of scarring can be removed. Now that you have this opportunity for ‘cultivation,’ why not seize it to rest and recuperate properly? It’s better to inquire less about outside affairs.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll listen to everything you say, Doctor Tang.”

Qin Yining had nearly been frightened into submission by Bingtang’s bitter medicine these past few days.

No matter how uncritical she was about food or unafraid of bitterness, facing daily medicine, acupuncture, Bingtang’s cold face, and frequent nagging, Qin Yining deeply experienced how unwise it was for patients to offend their doctors.

Seeing Qin Yining’s helplessly submissive appearance, Ji Yun and Qiu Lu beside her couldn’t help laughing. Even Bingtang was amused by Qin Yining’s expression.

As several people were joking around, urgent footsteps suddenly came from outside, followed by a low male voice.

“Perfected One! Is the Perfected One present?”

Qin Yining hadn’t yet adapted to the identity of Perfected Xuan Su. Hearing someone address her this way, she didn’t react immediately, blinking before saying, “Who is outside?”

“Reporting to the Perfected One, the city is now in great chaos. Please be careful with your doors and remain in your chambers – absolutely do not go outside.” The imperial guard tasked with protecting Qin Yining naturally didn’t want anything to happen to her and also wanted to perform well before her.

Qin Yining asked in surprise, “What do you mean the city is in great chaos? What’s happening outside?”

The guard replied, “Reporting to the Perfected One, it’s said that Prince Ning fell into Little Prince Pang’s trap. Of the tens of thousands he brought, most were either killed or captured, and the Prince was severely wounded and brought back to the city for treatment. The common people, grateful for Prince Ning’s achievement in purging treacherous ministers, became agitated upon hearing that the Prince was severely injured and returned to the city. Someone also revealed the matter of the Great Emperor selling the tax grain. The common people became even more chaotic upon hearing this, and some, fearing future starvation, have already run to grain shops to queue for purchasing food!”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining lowered her eyes, and after a moment said, “Thank you for your trouble – you did well.” Glancing at Bingtang beside her, Bingtang immediately understood and went outside the hall, giving the guard speaking in the corridor a large red envelope.

“My Perfected One’s safety will depend on your efforts in the future.”

“The Perfected One is too kind. I’ll take my leave now.”

Having performed before Qin Yining, received praise, and gotten a reward, the guard left in good spirits.

But Qin Yining inside couldn’t feel cheerful.

If something happened to Prince Ning, who else in their Great Yan Dynasty could lead troops? That would be like losing a mountain!

Moreover, news of the Great Emperor emptying the treasury and even selling the tax grain, coming precisely when Prince Ning was gravely ill, would certainly cause enormous panic and make people compete to buy grain.

Even if grain shops took the opportunity to inflate prices, people wanting to survive wouldn’t care about cost – as long as they had silver, they’d want to store grain.

Then grain merchants’ inventories would gradually be emptied.

Currently, the capital was in a state of being watched by the Huben Army. Though water routes to the south existed and sometimes opportunities arose to slip away, wanting to go out and buy grain was very difficult. Moreover, after already collecting one batch of tax grain, wanting to purchase more food would probably require going to grain merchants everywhere and spending silver to buy again.

With the treasury already empty, what could they use to buy grain to support over three hundred thousand troops?

Qin Yining closed her eyes and sighed, “The situation is indeed dire. Bingtang, since you have connections with Prince Ning, why don’t you go examine him? Consider it doing your best for him.”

Bingtang had been hesitating, wondering if Qin Yining would agree to let her treat Prince Ning.

After all, Qin Yining was Pang Xiao’s fiancée, Prince Ning was wounded by Pang Xiao – they were enemies.

Hearing this now, she felt she had been petty-minded.

“Yes, thank you, Miss.”

“We’re family – why be polite? Take two guards and hurry over. Tell Prince Ning that I’m confined to the villa by imperial decree and cannot visit him, but please ask the Prince to take care of himself.”

“Alright.”

Bingtang took her medical kit, explained to the guards, and hurried toward Prince Ning’s mansion.

Qin Yining’s mood also became heavy as Bingtang departed.

She was very afraid something would happen to Prince Ning.

But worldly affairs often bring exactly what one fears most.

Early the next morning, Bingtang returned with red-rimmed eyes from crying.

“Miss, Prince Ning’s time may be up. When this servant returned, Prince Ning was completely unconscious. He has several knife and arrow wounds that have become infected, with persistent high fever. Yesterday when I went, he was still proudly boasting to me, saying that though he was wounded by Little Prince Pang, Little Prince Pang didn’t get off easy either. But by evening he was delirious with fever. Today he can’t even swallow water or rice. Miss, I’m truly frightened.”

Qin Yining knew Bingtang had some feelings for Prince Ning. After all, when the Tang family fell, Prince Ning, remembering his friendship with Imperial Physician Tang, extended a helping hand to save Bingtang. Despite outside criticism and willing to be misunderstood by the world, he brought Bingtang to his side for protection.

Without Prince Ning’s righteous intervention, Bingtang probably couldn’t have escaped the pursuit of the then-powerful Cao family. The Cao family was accustomed to lawlessness – considering the demon empress’s later practice of steaming and cooking human flesh, they might well have captured Bingtang to flay and dismember her.

Though Prince Ning was unrestrained in his actions and somewhat lustful, he was clear-headed on matters of principle.

In the current Great Yan Dynasty, only Prince Ning had the qualifications and prestige to command troops in battle against Great Zhou.

If something really happened to Prince Ning, military morale would likely collapse!