“…The Duke is truly wise. This way, he’s resolved that villain Qin’s treacherous scheme!”

“Exactly. Originally, this old man was the first to pledge allegiance, but who knew that scoundrel Qin Meng would steal the initiative! Not only did he take that pledge of loyalty to His Majesty to set this old man up, but he also wanted to score major points with Great Zhou. He plays both sides – are all the benefits supposed to be his?

“His plan was good enough, but unfortunately this old man learned of it first. Great Zhou’s secret envoy has negotiated with this old man several times about eliminating that demon Pang Zhixi. It seems the man surnamed Pang isn’t doing so well in Great Zhou either.”

“The Duke is brilliant! That man surnamed Pang is too arrogant – achieving great merit yet not knowing to keep a low profile. He really can’t blame others. But the Duke truly has unmatched wisdom – we’re all deeply impressed!”

“This is merely a trivial skill. First use this little hussy to lure the man surnamed Pang here, kill him, then frame Qin Huaiyuan for it. This way, even if we surrender, Qin Huaiyuan will bear the crime of murdering Prince Zhongshun. Even with a hundred mouths, he won’t be able to explain himself clearly. Thus we kill two birds with one stone – avoiding this old man having to suffer under these people when we reach Great Zhou, while also helping the Empress eliminate this little wretch!”

…

Qin Yining closed her eyes, hearing every word these two said clearly. Her heart was already shocked beyond measure – she never imagined Duke Anguo Li Mian could be such a despicable scoundrel!

Also, who was this secret envoy from Great Zhou mentioned in Duke Anguo’s words? Who wanted Pang Xiao dead?

With these thoughts in mind, Qin Yining continued pretending to be unconscious, only carefully opening her eyes to a thin slit.

She discovered the carriage she was in was extremely spacious. Bingtang, like her, also had her hands bound and was lying at her feet. Duke Anguo sat with his back to her alongside a thin man. In the front corner of the carriage, blocked by them, someone else appeared to be tied up.

Just as Qin Yining thought this, she heard “mmph mmph” sounds from the corner – clearly someone trying to speak. The voice seemed to be Qi Tai’s.

Duke Anguo laughed coldly: “Tsk, I forgot about this thing. He has something to say – let him speak.”

Duke Anguo’s attendant stepped forward and yanked out the torn cloth stuffing Qi Tai’s mouth.

After gasping a few times, Qi Tai immediately demanded: “Didn’t you say we’d use Fourth Miss to lure that demon Pang Zhixi here to kill him, causing the enemy army to fall into chaos so we wouldn’t need to surrender! You actually deceived me! Duke Anguo, you’re supposed to be the Imperial Uncle-in-law! You’ve been secretly planning to surrender all along! How can you face His Majesty? How are you worthy of being a Great Yan person! You made me deceive Fourth Miss into coming out and want to harm my master! You’re absolutely despicable and shameless!”

“Ha! Don’t speak as if you’re so loyal.” Duke Anguo laughed mockingly: “Your master only has this one daughter. Regardless of the reason, by deceiving his precious treasure out, you’ve already betrayed him!”

“But I never intended to harm the Marquis! I did it for the greater good! For Great Yan!”

“Foolish.” Duke Anguo closed his eyes and waved dismissively: “Who brought this filthy thing into the carriage? The horse is pulling extra weight. Throw him out and remove his head.”

“Yes.”

The carriage slowly stopped, and guards came up to drag Qi Tai out.

Qi Tai cursed in terror: “Li, you won’t die well! You won’t die well!”

“This old man is just helping your Marquis clean house. Who would have thought a dog raised for over twenty years would turn and bite him – he’s truly incompetent.”

The carriage curtain slowly lowered. Qi Tai’s curses outside abruptly ceased, and the carriage resumed moving.

Qin Yining closed her eyes, unable to suppress slight trembling. She struggled to calm herself and not let the other party discover she had awakened.

Once Duke Anguo discovered she was awake, he would suspect how much of their conversation she had heard, and she would certainly be silenced. The other party wanted to use her to lure Pang Xiao over – they might poison her, destroy her body, and let her die once they’d used her enough.

She believed that what even she, a young woman, could think of, a cunning old fox like Duke Anguo would certainly also consider. She absolutely couldn’t take this risk.

However, she could now confirm that father was temporarily safe.

Before Duke Anguo successfully lured Pang Xiao here to kill him, he wouldn’t reveal anything to her father. After all, father’s reputation for wisdom was well-known – ordinary people wouldn’t dare let father know of their schemes, fearing he would deduce the truth.

Qin Yining continued pretending to be unconscious while her mind began formulating countermeasures.

Before long, the carriage slowly stopped.

Qin Yining heard what seemed like strong winds making banners flutter loudly, along with chaotic footsteps and the sound of armor friction. She didn’t dare open her eyes to look, but guessed she must have arrived at a military camp.

Someone lifted the carriage curtain and respectfully invited Duke Anguo to disembark. Then someone entered the carriage and lifted her up.

Her nostrils were immediately filled with the sour smell of sweat from the unfamiliar man. Military men weren’t like those on the mountain who had access to hot springs – bathing wasn’t easy in such drought conditions.

Qin Yining endured the discomfort and continued feigning unconsciousness.

She heard Duke Anguo instruct: “Lock this girl alone in a tent. She’s still useful for now – none of you are to touch her.”

“Duke, you mean…” Qin Yining heard someone nearby speaking with barely concealed excitement. She felt many malicious gazes focused on her. If not for forcing herself to stay relaxed, the alertness developed over years might have made her immediately tense up and flee.

“These rascals – are you all about to die from frustration?” Duke Anguo laughed and scolded.

Several men around him chuckled.

It seemed these people were all Duke Anguo’s trusted confidants. Duke Anguo probably intended to use her, then give her to these men…

“Wake up that little maid. Send her across to report to the man surnamed Pang – tell him if he doesn’t come, this old man will bestow his beloved woman upon the soldiers in the camp. Send someone to watch that little maid and don’t let her play tricks!”

Duke Anguo gave instructions while gradually walking away.

Someone brought water and splashed Bingtang awake.

Bingtang only had her hands bound – her mouth was still free. Upon awakening and understanding the situation, she immediately screamed: “What are you trying to do! Aren’t you afraid of our Marquis punishing you when he finds out!”

“To be punished, we’ll have to see about later. Right now, if you little maid don’t behave, we’ll slaughter you first!”

Someone relayed Duke Anguo’s earlier words to Bingtang.

As for how Bingtang responded and what her expression was, the unconscious Qin Yining had no way of knowing.

Qin Yining felt the person carrying her begin to move, then bring her into a tent and gently set her down.

The man’s rough fingers, carrying the smell of sweat and smoke, lingered on her cheek.

Qin Yining heard the man swallow with a “gulp” and his breathing gradually becoming heavier.