Hearing Pang Xiao praised so highly, Qin Yining naturally felt proud, but beyond her joy, she was even more worried about him.

“I had previously guessed that Pang Zhixi’s days appeared glamorous on the surface but might not actually be pleasant.”

Qin Yining stood up and paced back and forth anxiously. “He was the vanguard who broke through Northern Ji, and he killed some Northern Ji officials with cruel methods for revenge. I originally thought that among those Northern Ji officials who surrendered and now serve in Great Zhou’s court, they must surely stand in opposition to Pang Zhixi. Combined with his high military prestige, the Zhou Emperor must harbor wariness. Just these two factors together would create unimaginable consequences. If we add what you mentioned, the Zhou Emperor definitely won’t allow him to remain in this world.”

Qin Yining frowned and slowly stopped pacing, gripping the armrest of the round chair until her knuckles gradually turned white.

After her analysis, Mu Jinghu also felt that Pang Xiao’s situation was truly dangerous, so startled that his face turned pale.

“From what you say, wouldn’t he be in danger when he returns this time?”

Qin Yining shook her head. “These people’s attacks on him are probably just adding fuel to the fire. The Zhou Emperor won’t make a move against him for now, after all, he still needs him to take down Great Yan. The Huben Army is currently the main force of the Pingnan Army. Changing commanders before battle is a great taboo – he’ll be safe in the short term.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinghu let out a long sigh of relief. “Fortunately so.”

On second thought, he had said all this just to let Qin Yining know about Pang Xiao’s difficulties outside, never expecting that she understood the situation better than he did. He had ended up entangling himself instead.

Mu Jinghu scratched his head. “Since you know everything, I’ll take my leave first.”

“I must thank you as well.”

Mu Jinghu asked strangely, “Thank me for what?”

“Thank you for caring so much about Pang Zhixi. Having such a devoted friend as you is Pang Zhixi’s good fortune.”

Mu Jinghu’s face turned completely red from her praise. Not knowing how to respond to such direct compliments, he coughed while blushing and said, “It’s nothing. I’ll go first then.”

For someone who wasn’t good with words but was exceptionally sincere, Qin Yining responded with a smile and politely escorted him out.

Watching him walk away quickly, Qin Yining frowned and turned back up to the pavilion.

Last night he had been by her side. Although separated by a small table, they had still slept on the same bed, close enough to hear each other’s breathing. Even while asleep, she could sense his strong presence.

But their reunion had been so brief, and he had returned again, having to face accusations of “colluding with the enemy” from who knows whom. Even though her analysis showed the Zhou Emperor wouldn’t make a move against him temporarily, just thinking about it made her worry for his difficulties.

Qin Yining’s mind was full of concern. She suffered from insomnia again that night, finally managing to fall asleep only when dawn was breaking. After sleeping for just an hour and a half, she got up again to pay her morning respects.

Not only Sun Shi, but even the Old Madam with her failing eyesight could see Qin Yining’s haggard appearance. Worried that her old illness might relapse, they urged her to go rest.

While Qin Yining was catching up on sleep, Pang Xiao and Huzi had already returned to Xihua City.

Facing the glowering, white steamed bun-like Grand Eunuch Zhao Yueshui before him, Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly. “Eunuch Zhao’s greeting is truly special – right off comes a big hat pressed down: colluding with the enemy? Treason? Eunuch Zhao, are these the crimes you’re setting for this prince?”

Zhao Yueshui was a supervising eunuch specially dispatched by the Zhou Emperor to observe Pang Xiao’s activities at the front lines, with authority to directly submit memorials reporting front-line news to the Zhou Emperor.

Zhao Yueshui himself was valued by the Zhou Emperor, and moreover, he and Li Guanwen, the head eunuch of the Bureau of Ceremonial, were both fellow townsmen and adoptive father and son.

Before leaving, Eunuch Li had privately given him much advice and he had heard various rumors, so he harbored some contempt for Pang Xiao in his heart. Besides, regardless of how he performed, his adoptive father in the capital would help protect him. What smart person would dare disrespect a supervising eunuch?

Zhao Yueshui smiled smugly. “Your Highness really knows how to joke. How could this servant have the authority to determine Your Highness’s crimes? However, as the commander-in-chief, Your Highness abandoned your post without permission. In doing so, are you worthy of His Majesty’s trust in you? Are you worthy of His vast imperial grace?” As he spoke, he bowed toward the north and arrogantly raised his chin to glare at Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao leisurely took a back cushion to lean against and comfortably reclined in the round chair. His straight legs in black silk trousers were propped on the table as he said casually, “The enemy’s new commander has avoided battle for thirty days in a month. This prince was bored – wasn’t it reasonable to go survey the terrain?”

“If the enemy won’t fight, Your Highness should find ways to make them fight. Your casual wandering – have you considered how much provisions the Huben Army consumes daily? His Majesty trusts you, gives you silver and supplies, and this is how you repay him?”

Zhao Yueshui’s tone was very harsh, his black eyes like small black beans embedded in a white steamed bun. “Your Highness’s current behavior – this servant will have to report directly to His Majesty.”

“Tsk tsk.” Pang Xiao toyed with the horse whip in his hand. “How interesting. Zhao Yueshui, have you forgotten where this place is?”

Pang Xiao’s voice was very lazy, his tone as mild as if discussing the weather.

But Zhao Yueshui felt his whole body tighten, and said with outward strength masking inner fear, “Your Highness should not forget either – whose territory this entire realm belongs to!”

“Audacious!” Huzi had long been unable to stand this chubby steamed bun. He flew up with a kick that sent Zhao Yueshui staggering back several steps and falling hard on his bottom.

“How dare you act presumptuously before our prince!”

“Pang Zhixi, you’re the audacious one! You actually dare assault this servant!”

“Assault?” Pang Xiao chuckled, lazily supporting his forehead with one hand while his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. “List all of Eunuch Zhao’s crimes: selling information at high prices, embezzling military provisions, colluding with local gentry. He’s been caught red-handed by this prince’s guards for treason and collaboration with the enemy, yet still dares to lie with his eyes wide open. Report all of this to His Majesty.

“This prince, as commander of an army, cannot tolerate such a menace by his side, so he was executed on the spot. Draft a memorial for this prince, submitting a petition to His Majesty for forgiveness, but urgent circumstances require urgent measures – spies cannot be tolerated in the army.”

Having said this, Pang Xiao closed his eyes and pretended to doze.

Hearing this, Huzi responded with acknowledgment, his eyes gleaming as he dragged Zhao Yueshui out by his collar.

Zhao Yueshui was terrified pale, wetting his pants on the spot. “You can’t do this! This is slander!”

“Slander? Not only did you sell military intelligence at high prices, you dare pin blame on the prince! I see you’ve clearly taken benefits from outsiders and want to eliminate the prince, making His Majesty lose a great loyal minister!” Having stayed by Pang Xiao’s side for so long, Huzi had become quite glib. While dragging Zhao Yueshui to the open ground in the military camp, he had already made his evil deeds public.

The Huben Army soldiers had long been disgusted by a eunuch pointing fingers in their military camp, and Zhao Yueshui was indeed very hateful. Now hearing Huzi say he dared slander Pang Xiao, as Pang Xiao’s direct troops, everyone who heard was furious and competed to tear Zhao Yueshui to pieces.

In an instant, the military camp was filled with discussions about Zhao Yueshui’s treason and collaboration with the enemy, with clamoring to kill him.

In just moments the situation had become tense – if they didn’t kill Zhao Yueshui, it might trigger a mutiny.