The longing from days of separation and the reunion after enduring hardships caused a layer of mist to quickly gather in Qin Yining’s eyes.
When being pursued by killers, when hiding in a small shed on the mountain that could barely fit one person during the snowstorm with nothing to eat or drink, she had prayed in the deepest part of her heart for Pang Xiao’s appearance.
When she learned that Pang Xiao would truly rather bear the crime of defying imperial orders than lead troops to find her, the emotion in her heart was already about to burst its banks. However, due to the pressing circumstances, Pang Xiao had to return to the capital early and couldn’t meet with her.
Her emotion gradually transformed into longing. Along the way, while disguised as Pang Xiao, she would often stare blankly at her bronze mirror, looking at Pang Xiao’s handsome face reflected in it. Though there was an indescribable sense of incongruity, it could still provide some comfort.
Now that they had met, the tightly wound string in her suddenly relaxed. The stubbornness she maintained in front of others disappeared. Seeing him, she was left only with a heart full of grievance, like a child who had been lost for many days and finally found home.
And Pang Xiao’s earlier burning gaze echoed her feelings.
Qin Yining couldn’t help but take a step forward.
But Pang Xiao stood in place, not coming forward, and even stiffly turned his head away, refusing to look at her anymore.
Qin Yining’s steps stopped in place, and the excitement in her heart also cooled down.
She felt a moment of grievance.
But thinking again, she was now in Great Zhou’s capital, and Pang Xiao was in a difficult position here. She was also the daughter of a surrendering official, so her words and actions indeed needed careful consideration. Qin Yining lowered her head and didn’t look at Pang Xiao either.
At this time, Qi Rugang and others had already arranged for the troops to camp outside the city, opened the city gates to continue allowing normal civilian passage, and the family members of Great Yan surrendering officials rescued by the Huben Army were being led by Ministry of Rites officials who had rushed over to temporarily stay at the guest house.
Someone came before Qin Yining and said: “Miss Qin, please come along to the guest house to stay temporarily.”
Qin Yining silently nodded, turned around and followed that person.
The guest house was a place Great Zhou specifically used to receive envoys and entertain distinguished guests. Emperor Zhou making such arrangements was already extremely grand treatment for the families of surrendering officials.
These people had endured hunger and lived in constant fear during the Yan court, encountered such dangers on the road, and now upon arriving in Great Zhou, many felt uncertain, even vaguely thinking it would be fortunate if they could avoid being thrown into prison upon entering the capital. They never expected Emperor Zhou would graciously allow them to stay at the guest house.
These people felt overwhelmed by such unexpected favor, followed immediately by peace of mind.
Looking at Emperor Zhou’s attitude, their lives could be preserved.
Here, Qin Yining took Lian Xiaozhou’s hand and approached the carriage, with both efficiently getting into the carriage one after another.
Seeing that Qin Yining could remain so rational when meeting the prince, Xie Yue’s heart, which had just been hanging in suspense, settled down. He continued playing the role of the Qin family’s old servant and climbed onto the carriage shaft.
The carriage set off, following the Ministry of Rites officials toward the guest house.
Pang Xiao stood by the roadside, expressionlessly watching Qin Yining’s carriage enter the city.
Then from the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure.
Pang Xiao looked left and right, seeing that the people at the city gate had all dispersed, then slowly walked toward that person who was wrapped in a cloak with his face hidden in the cloak’s shadow.
“How are you here? Come to watch the excitement?” Pang Xiao lowered his voice.
Ji Zeyu looked at Pang Xiao. “Your heart’s flesh has entered the city. Aren’t you going to chase after her?”
Pang Xiao looked at Ji Zeyu expressionlessly.
Ji Zeyu’s face, which usually showed little expression, maintained the same lack of exception for Pang Xiao.
The two stared at each other silently for a moment before Pang Xiao said: “Thank you for the reminder. I should indeed go chase after her.”
Ji Zeyu nodded coldly: “Then go.”
Pang Xiao stared at Ji Zeyu for another moment, ultimately not asking the questioning words that came to mind. He turned and returned to his carriage, coldly ordering: “Catch up to the Qin family’s carriage.”
Seeing Pang Xiao’s wooden expression—though he showed no anger, the aura surrounding him was like arriving at a battlefield ready to behead enemies—Huzi and the accompanying Elite Tiger Guards could sense his fury. Each was frightened into silence.
Stealing glances at Ji Zeyu in the distance, then looking back at Pang Xiao getting into his carriage, Huzi couldn’t help but click his tongue inwardly.
If this were anyone else, the prince would probably have killed them already. Would he still acknowledge them with a word? To be able to refrain from erupting at Marquis Dingbei in such rage, neither quarreling nor fighting—the prince and Marquis Dingbei were truly sworn brothers after all.
The carriage set off, with the Elite Tiger Guards escorting Pang Xiao’s carriage into the city, ordered to chase after Qin Yining’s carriage.
Ji Zeyu watched Pang Xiao’s carriage disappear at the city gate, and only after a long while did he also enter the city with a cold expression.
Qin Yining’s carriage followed the other carriages all the way to the guest house entrance. Just as they were about to enter under the Ministry of Rites officials’ guidance, the sound of a rapidly approaching carriage came from behind.
Everyone didn’t have time to enter before turning to look, only to see that luxurious carriage racing along. Then the carriage window was pushed open a crack, and Prince Zhongshun showed only half his face, looking grimly in Qin Yining’s direction.
When the carriage slowly stopped, Prince Zhongshun inside smiled coldly and pointed at Qin Yining: “Bring her back to this prince’s mansion.”
“Ah?” Huzi was stunned. What was his master’s attitude? What was he trying to do?
Those equally shocked as Huzi couldn’t react immediately.
Was Prince Zhongshun openly robbing someone in broad daylight?
Qin Yining calmly looked at Pang Xiao’s cold appearance in the carriage, her first reaction being that something was wrong.
His current attitude was very uncomfortable.
But Pang Xiao had always been gentle and caring toward her. She could be certain of Pang Xiao’s feelings for her. If there were no feelings, how could Pang Xiao risk coming to rescue her personally?
Now, in front of everyone, Pang Xiao displayed the grim expression of forcible seizure.
In the instant her thoughts flashed, Qin Yining already understood Pang Xiao’s meaning, couldn’t help but secretly marvel at this man’s thoughtfulness.
“You, you…” Qin Yining seemed to be angered to the extreme, her body actually swaying unsteadily.
Seeing Qin Yining’s body sway, Pang Xiao immediately sat up straight, his hands clenching into fists. In just a breath’s time, his fists slowly loosened again.
“You what! Now that you’re on this prince’s territory, you won’t be allowed to say half a word of refusal!” Pang Xiao said to his followers: “What should be done—must this prince teach you?”
“Ah? Oh! Yes!” Huzi was still confused, but he knew how to follow orders, so he directed people to seize Qin Yining.
Seeing so many people about to capture Qin Yining, Lian Xiaozhou’s face turned deathly pale with anxiety, frantically trying to pull Qin Yining’s hand to escape.
Qin Yining was dragged along by her for a few steps before the people behind caught up and surrounded them both.
Lian Xiaozhou’s eyes were like those of a bristling kitten, still desperately gripping Qin Yining’s hand.
Xie Yue cooperatively came forward wailing: “What are you doing! Robbing people in broad daylight! Our young miss is not someone you can casually assault! Our young miss is the daughter of Marquis Anping! You cannot do this!”