“Father-in-law, please calm your anger.” Seeing that Qin Huaiyuan was truly furious, Pang Xiao immediately knelt down without another word or hesitation, completely disregarding his status as a prince and commander-in-chief of the Great Zhou’s Huben Army.

“If father-in-law is angry, you may scold me however you wish, but please don’t say such heart-piercing words. I know full well that Yining must have suffered deeply in this war—not just Yining, but the common people have also been greatly harmed. That’s why I took today’s rash action of forcibly bringing father-in-law here.

“Father-in-law is a person of great wisdom and divine calculation. How could you not understand this son-in-law’s helplessness? You feel sorry for the people and feel sorry for Yining—you may scold me however you wish, but please don’t say that I don’t treasure her. My heart is already being cut like knives.”

Pang Xiao knelt with his head bowed, becoming more dejected as he spoke. Actually, it was no wonder Qin Huaiyuan was angry with him.

He had only heard Huzi describe the tragic conditions in the capital and couldn’t help but feel heartbroken. Thinking again that Qin Yining was in such an environment, her injuries not yet healed, having to go hungry all day—his heart had long been in agony. How much more so for Qin Huaiyuan, who was there every day?

Qin Huaiyuan looked down at Pang Xiao, momentarily unsure what to do with him.

From a national perspective, this person was a criminal who came to destroy Great Yan.

But from a personal standpoint, this person was an outstanding young man—scholarly and martial, talented and handsome, completely sincere toward his daughter. Moreover, in strategy and conquest, he had not only demonstrated his wisdom but also possessed a benevolent heart that loved the people, as seen from his previous refusal to massacre cities despite imperial orders.

Qin Huaiyuan sat down wearily, rubbing his forehead: “How are things in Xihua City now?”

Pang Xiao, being so clever, immediately understood from this question that father-in-law wasn’t so angry as to refuse to acknowledge him anymore—this was giving him an opportunity.

Pang Xiao immediately replied: “Xihua City is perfectly fine.”

“But what I heard was that nine out of ten households in Xihua City are empty, that your Huben Army killed all the people and hung their heads on tall poles like lanterns.” Qin Huaiyuan sneered. “Are you trying to fool me?”

“Father-in-law, please understand—that was merely a strategy to confuse the enemy.” Actually, it was to save up money for a wife, but Pang Xiao would never say that even if beaten to death.

Huzi, who was kneeling alongside, also explained: “Reporting to Master Qin, our prince indeed didn’t kill innocents indiscriminately. Those whose heads were displayed outside Xihua City’s gates were all people who had previously done bad things in the city. After entering the city, the prince secretly investigated and recorded all those whom the people called things like ‘skin-peeler’ or ‘king of hell’—those wealthy but heartless people. Only after verifying their crimes did he pass severe judgment.”

“So now you’ve become knights-errant dispensing justice.” Qin Huaiyuan’s anger had diminished considerably, but he still felt awkward looking at Pang Xiao, so he simply turned his face away and refused to look at him.

Seeing this, Pang Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that his son-in-law status could probably still be preserved. He quickly kowtowed again: “Father-in-law, this son-in-law would never dare do anything unconscionable. It’s just that war is war—when we stand in different camps, there are times when we can’t help ourselves.”

Pang Xiao knelt upright and observed Qin Huaiyuan’s expression. Seeing no displeasure, he continued: “Just as in father-in-law’s heart, haven’t you long had thoughts of abandoning the defense of the city for the sake of the people?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan’s heart trembled, and he closed his eyes with a light sigh.

On one side was whether the Yan royal family could continue ruling this territory; on the other side were the people of this territory sacrificing themselves for their rulers’ power struggles. How could he not have such thoughts? It was just that he was ultimately still a worldly person and couldn’t be the one to stick his neck out.

“Rise. As a prince and military commander, what does it mean for you to kneel before this old man?”

If I don’t kneel, you won’t calm down! If I put on airs upon meeting you, old sir, could this conversation even continue?

Pang Xiao grumbled inwardly but ultimately breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up, went to fetch the noodles, and smiled: “Father-in-law has been unconscious for a day and hasn’t eaten yet. Please eat the noodles first, then we can continue talking.”

Qin Huaiyuan originally had no appetite. When people have been hungry for a long time, their stomachs seem to shrink, and they don’t have much desire to eat.

However, looking at the noodles Pang Xiao brought—the broth was clear, the noodles were thin and uniform, topped with bright green vegetables and scallions, with a fragrant aroma—it was quite appetite-inducing.

Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t very well let a Great Zhou prince keep holding a bowl for him, so he took it over. He first used a spoon to taste the broth—it was refreshing, with just the right saltiness, naturally arousing his appetite, so he simply picked up chopsticks and began eating.

Seeing his father-in-law willing to eat the noodles he cooked, Pang Xiao felt somewhat more at ease.

After Qin Huaiyuan finished the noodles, Huzi brought over a bowl of tea: “Master Qin, please have some.”

Qin Huaiyuan rinsed his mouth before saying: “These noodles were quite well-prepared.”

“If father-in-law thinks they’re good, then that’s the noodles’ good fortune. Yining also likes eating the noodles I cook.” Thinking of Qin Yining, Pang Xiao’s smile became several degrees gentler.

“You cooked them?”

“Yes. Before this son-in-law joined the army, my family ran a restaurant. I enjoyed cooking and learned a few techniques from my grandfather and hired chefs.”

“Mm.” Qin Huaiyuan lowered his eyes in thought. Pang Xiao had expressed his sincerity extremely clearly, and he couldn’t continue maintaining his dignified stance—first, it wouldn’t benefit either country, and second, he was afraid of wronging his daughter. What if Yining still had feelings for this young man? He couldn’t ruin their good fortune.

Qin Huaiyuan stood up and said solemnly: “Just now I spoke in a private capacity. Now let’s discuss official business. Prince, what important matter brings you to invite this official here today?”

Pang Xiao silently praised his father-in-law’s wisdom—this categorized the earlier scene as private grievances, not affecting relations between the two countries at all.

He was happy to have it so. He took out a thick letter from his bosom: “Grand Tutor Qin, today I privately invited you here to find a way for the people here to survive. Please look at this letter.”

Qin Huaiyuan curiously took it. Upon seeing the handwriting on the envelope, his expression immediately changed.

Qin Huaiyuan had always possessed an extraordinary memory and could distinguish most of his colleagues’ handwriting. The handwriting on this envelope was clearly Duke Anguo Li Mian’s!

Thinking of Duke Anguo’s attitude toward the war, he already guessed much of the letter’s contents and hastily tore it open to read through it quickly.

This was a pledge of allegiance.

The general content was that with just one word from Prince Zhongshun, and an agreed-upon time, Duke Anguo would be willing to open the city gates to welcome the Huben Army into the capital. He was even willing to cut off Grand Tutor Qin Huaiyuan’s head and present it to Prince Zhongshun for revenge, expressing his sincerity in surrendering.

Most importantly, at the end of the pledge was a long list of names.

This list had every name written in blood, each name in different handwriting, and each name followed by a handprint.

It actually included ninety percent of Great Yan’s military generals and nearly half of the civil officials!

Qin Huaiyuan smiled sadly. How could this war continue? There was simply no way to fight on!

“I understand.” Qin Huaiyuan calmly put the letter back in its envelope. “This official still needs to present this letter to His Majesty for imperial review.”

Pang Xiao nodded: “Grand Tutor Qin can rest assured. This prince guarantees that no one will be wrongfully killed.” This was a guarantee not to kill civilians, and also a guarantee not to kill Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan laughed once: “This official naturally trusts the prince. Since you were able to bring this official out, please send me back as well.”