Pang Xiao and Qin Yining exchanged glances, then immediately rose to go out and greet him.

Mu Jinghu looked very well. Although he had lost quite a bit of weight from hunger during his time on the mountain with Qin Yining, his deep cultivation meant that after two hearty meals plus a night’s rest, he already appeared refreshed and energetic.

Pang Xiao smiled as he approached, affectionately patting Mu Jinghu’s shoulder: “Did you rest well last night?”

Mu Jinghu nodded with a smile: “Very well. Your place here is much better than the situation in the city. I haven’t eaten my fill for a long time. Last night I ate well, so naturally I slept well. What about you—did you sleep well last night?”

Mu Jinghu was purely curious, constantly looking over at Qin Yining nearby. His gaze was too innocent, but being looked at this way, how could Qin Yining not understand?

Her face instantly flushed red. Qin Yining wished she could immediately hide somewhere. Yesterday she had directly rested in Pang Xiao’s tent—who knew what those people outside would speculate!

Pang Xiao naturally thought of this too. Looking back at Qin Yining’s embarrassed red cheeks, he coughed twice and said, “You blockhead, what are you saying!”

Mu Jinghu was a pure-hearted person and also felt his words had been somewhat excessive, so he no longer dwelt on this topic. With a serious expression, he said: “I’ve come to bid you farewell. Now that your warfare has ended and there’s nothing critical requiring my presence, I’m going to the Tatar lands to find my master’s senior brother.”

Both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining were startled upon hearing this.

Tianji Zi was in the Tatar lands?

Qin Yining couldn’t help but think of Mu Jinghu’s mention that the “Greedy Wolf Star” was in the Tatar lands. With Tianji Zi going there, could there be some inevitable connection?

Pang Xiao nodded: “Good. Thank you for your help this time. In the future, if there’s anything you need me to handle, just speak up—I absolutely won’t refuse.”

“What are you saying? This time I lost to you, so consider it something I should do—not really helping.” Mu Jinghu was an honest person. In his eyes, Pang Xiao wasn’t some powerful noble, just an ordinary friend, so he showed no flattering or credit-seeking manner, appearing completely natural.

The more he didn’t take it to heart, the more precious his sincerity became. Pang Xiao patted his shoulder and smiled: “When do you plan to depart?”

“I’m planning to leave shortly.”

“Then I’ll have people prepare dry rations for you and give you two good horses.”

Mu Jinghu smiled and nodded: “Good.”

Watching these two interact, Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile. Having such a sincere friend was Pang Xiao’s good fortune.

At this time, Qin Huaiyuan was slightly frowning, sitting with his head lowered beside the Emperor in a Grand Preceptor’s chair, keeping him company in conversation.

After the Emperor returned to the palace yesterday, he had gone to find the Empress, and immediately there were rumors reaching his ears about the Emperor having a huge fight with the Empress—even that the Emperor had whipped the Empress.

Qin Huaiyuan wasn’t one to easily believe rumors, but he had already thoroughly understood Yuchi Yan’s character.

Yuchi Yan had been furious beyond control just from seeing that “pledge of allegiance.” With additional external stimulation, Qin Huaiyuan wouldn’t be surprised no matter how crazy the Emperor’s actions became.

Qin Huaiyuan watched Yuchi Yan rambling about this and that, seeming to have something to say but unable to speak, so he wasn’t in a hurry to press him—he just smiled and listened quietly.

Yuchi Yan had already gotten to discussing the customs and local conditions of the Great Zhou Dynasty. With really nothing left to ramble about, he finally used the action of drinking tea to mask his awkwardness.

Ultimately, no matter how much he rambled, he still had to politely escort Qin Huaiyuan out of the palace.

“Keeping you in the palace to accompany me these past two days has probably delayed many of your affairs.”

Yuchi Yan’s tone was very polite, making Qin Huaiyuan quite surprised. When the Emperor was still a prince, he had treated him with great courtesy, but after ascending the throne as ruler of a nation, his status was different so his bearing was naturally different too. Such politeness was still a rare occurrence.

Qin Huaiyuan quickly stood up and bowed: “Your Majesty overstates—you do this humble minister too much honor.”

“What words are these from Grand Preceptor Qin?” Yuchi Yan also stood up, saying somewhat awkwardly: “Actually… there is still one matter I must inform Grand Preceptor Qin about.”

“Yes. Please instruct me, Your Majesty.” Qin Huaiyuan lowered his eyes and cupped his hands.

Yuchi Yan chose his words carefully: “Duke Anguo previously used someone close to you to deceive Fourth Miss into coming out, intending to use her as a hostage to lure Prince Zhongshun into a trap to kill him. After I investigated, I learned they had made contact with people from Great Zhou.”

Qin Huaiyuan’s heart jumped upon hearing this.

Someone close to him who also had sufficient status to deceive Qin Yining into coming out—he could think of no one but Qi Tai. No wonder he hadn’t seen Qi Tai for two days.

Qin Huaiyuan said without revealing his thoughts: “I see.”

Only these four words?

Yuchi Yan had originally been waiting for Qin Huaiyuan to ask questions, which would have allowed him to naturally provide explanations. Who knew Qin Huaiyuan would only say this one sentence—how could he continue with his prepared words?

Yuchi Yan could only cough twice to mask his inner embarrassment and continue: “When I learned of this news, Fourth Miss was already in the military camp. I specifically went to check—Fourth Miss was safe. Because of their behavior threatening Prince Zhongshun, Prince Zhongshun wrote me a letter at that time…”

Yuchi Yan’s tone paused slightly. In the end, he didn’t voice the psychological content, as it was really too embarrassing.

He only said: “I felt Prince Zhongshun spoke sincerely, so I ordered Fourth Miss to be sent to Prince Zhongshun. I also know their relationship is very good. After Great Yan surrenders in the future, those of us who were once core members of the Yan Dynasty will inevitably have to make a trip to Great Zhou. Having Prince Zhongshun’s relationship will make things easier to handle.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded: “Your Majesty is wise.”

From the Emperor’s hesitant attitude and his attempt to cover up the truth, Qin Huaiyuan had actually already guessed the general situation. Moreover, the Emperor had probably been involved in this matter from the beginning—otherwise he wouldn’t have detained him in the palace for two days under the pretext of chatting. And Pang Xiao’s letter to the Emperor had probably truly frightened him.

Qin Huaiyuan felt surging anger in his heart.

But the matter was already past. Even if he pursued it, it would be useless. Moreover, although surrender had been decided, everything hadn’t yet begun—Yuchi Yan was still the Emperor and still held the power of life and death.

Qin Huaiyuan felt there was no need to tear off the mask over something that had already passed. Besides, he trusted Pang Xiao’s feelings for Qin Yining. With Qin Yining going to Pang Xiao’s side, she could actually live better—certainly better than suffering on the mountain.

But Qin Huaiyuan truly had no more good feelings left for the Yuchi family.

However, he didn’t show his dissatisfaction, maintaining his usual respectful and humble demeanor as he bowed: “Your Majesty is wise. This approach is good. Prince Zhongshun is the sworn brother of the Emperor of Zhou. Becoming friendly with him would presumably benefit Your Majesty as well.”

Qin Huaiyuan showed no trace of dissatisfaction and even spoke such understanding words, which instead made Yuchi Yan feel embarrassed.

He attentively spoke with Qin Huaiyuan for quite a while longer before ordering the guards beside him to escort Qin Huaiyuan back to Ning Garden, even having the guards bring some grain for Qin Huaiyuan.

After kowtowing his thanks for the imperial grace, Qin Huaiyuan immediately returned to Ning Garden to reunite with his family.

Because Qin Yining had been missing for two days, everyone on the mountain was nearly mad with anxiety. Sun Shi had already cried countless times. Seeing Qin Huaiyuan and Cao Yuqing return, she immediately rushed forward anxiously: “You’ve finally returned—Yi Jie’er has disappeared!”