Pang Xiao stood up with some concern, following in the footsteps of Qin Yining and Yao Shi, grinning as he said, “Why don’t I accompany you both? How boring would it be with just you two chatting?”

Yao Shi turned to glare at her disappointing son: “When women are talking, must you listen too?”

Seeing her usually cold and aloof grandson now acting so lovesick, Madam Ma was in excellent spirits and laughed heartily: “Dafu, come, come over here and chat with Grandmother. Let your mother and Sister Yi have their talk—don’t go meddling.”

Madam Ma nimbly hopped down from the heated brick bed and pulled Pang Xiao to sit down.

Pang Xiao was helpless. He couldn’t very well push Madam Ma away, so he could only smile at Qin Yining and Yao Shi—a smile that looked as foolish as could be.

Yao Shi glared at Pang Xiao with mixed annoyance and amusement, then took Qin Yining’s arm and went to the outer room.

Maids immediately brought their cloaks, and after arranging everything properly, they also presented the two women with brass hand warmers at the appropriate temperature.

When they stepped onto the covered walkway, the maids and servants moved to follow, but Yao Shi waved them away: “We don’t need your attendance.”

“Yes.” The servants all bowed respectfully and stepped aside.

Yao Shi and Qin Yining walked slowly along the roofed corridor.

Since Yao Shi didn’t speak first, Qin Yining didn’t ask questions either, walking half a step behind beside Yao Shi.

After walking a full circuit along the roofed corridor, Yao Shi saw that Qin Yining still maintained that same composed demeanor. Nodding to herself inwardly, she slowly began in a gentle voice:

“Dafu campaigns outside and is often away from home. When he was sixteen, the Old Master and Grand Madam wanted to arrange a marriage for Dafu so he’d have a wife at home. But Dafu insisted that his life on the battlefield was uncertain, and he didn’t want to burden a good girl.”

Qin Yining smiled slightly without saying much.

Yao Shi continued: “Later, when they were fighting to establish their dynasty, the warfare became truly intense. I had previously disapproved of Dafu marrying hastily, but later, for the sake of continuing the family line, I also urged him several times. He refused to listen, only saying he was quite happy getting along with his brothers in the military camp, and that having a wife would be a hindrance. Listen to that—what kind of talk is that?”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile, her mind already conjuring an image of Pang Xiao as a hot-blooded youth.

Yao Shi also smiled and took Qin Yining’s hand, patting it: “The days passed one by one like this. We watched as his brothers around him married wives, and the family kept urging him, but since he himself was unwilling, we had no recourse. Of that group of brothers who fought to establish the dynasty together, aside from him and Ji Lan, the others all have several children. As his mother, I could only envy other families having grandsons to hold. Don’t laugh at us, but Dafu’s grandmother even said it would be fine as long as he didn’t marry his military saber or war horse.”

Qin Yining laughed again, though in her mind she carefully digested Yao Shi’s words.

Yao Shi continued: “This time, when he learned you were in danger outside, he immediately took troops and went out. His grandfather said this child finally won’t need to marry a military saber or war horse. His grandmother was very happy to hear this, and I also think it’s good that someone can tie down his heart and make him devote more attention to his own life. We’re all delighted that you could come to the capital.”

Qin Yining’s heart grew somewhat cold.

It seemed her future mother-in-law’s first impression of her wasn’t good. The reason she was being polite now was because Pang Xiao liked her.

After all Yao Shi’s rambling, the most meaningful part was that last section.

When she encountered danger outside, Pang Xiao had rushed to rescue her regardless of everything. Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu were actually both very dissatisfied. Moreover, Yao Shi believed that Pang Xiao viewed her existence as too important—for Pang Xiao in his current situation, having such an additional burden might not be a good thing. As elders, what they hoped to see was Pang Xiao’s safety and ability to continue the family line. As for who the person continuing the family line would be, they actually didn’t care.

Earlier in the room, they had also mentioned that the Emperor had bestowed ten beautiful concubines upon Pang Xiao.

However, Yao Shi was an extremely refined person who wouldn’t criticize directly, but would tactfully express her thoughts in her own way. If she’d been dealing with someone crude and careless, they might not have understood Yao Shi’s meaning.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Previously, when she was at Duke Dingguo’s mansion, she had heard her grandmother and two aunts chatting about her cousin’s marriage prospects. Her grandmother had disapproved of marrying her cousin to a certain talented scholar.

Her grandmother’s reasoning was that since the talented scholar was extremely clever, his mother must also be very intelligent, and the scholar was extremely obedient to his mother. If the family customs weren’t proper, once her cousin married over, she would have to face an extremely clever mother-in-law and a husband who only knew how to be filial to his mother—her future days wouldn’t be pleasant.

Now she didn’t know why she suddenly remembered her grandmother’s words.

She really didn’t know if Pang Xiao were to choose between herself and Yao Shi, which one he would favor.

However, Qin Yining wasn’t one of those sheltered daughters of great families who had never experienced trials. She had always known that if she wanted to obtain something, she had to strive for it herself.

Where in this world were there people who would like her upon first meeting? Never mind strangers—even her own mother had disliked her when they first met. It was only after spending time together that their relationship gradually grew closer.

Since she had feelings for Pang Xiao, she would play her role well. She wouldn’t put Pang Xiao in a difficult position between herself and Yao Shi, nor would she retreat easily.

These thoughts flashed through Qin Yining’s mind in the space of a breath.

“Thank you, Aunt. Outside affairs are complex, and as a mere woman, I don’t understand much about them. For now I can only temporarily impose upon your mansion. Once my father and family arrive in the capital, I can move back with them. At that time, I’ll come with my father and mother to offer proper thanks.”

Yao Shi raised her eyebrows. It seemed Qin Yining not only possessed beauty that made people forget worldly concerns upon seeing her, but also had an incomparably intelligent mind and a character that was gentle on the outside but strong within.

She was tactfully telling her that Qin Yining didn’t need to depend on Pang Xiao for survival—she had her own family, her own foundation.

Although Qin Huaiyuan was a surrendered minister, looking at the general trend, the Qin family would definitely receive important positions. Compared to Pang Xiao’s current situation of having his military authority stripped and being on leave at home with just his title, the Qin family’s prospects were immeasurable. Perhaps there would come a time when Pang Xiao would need a powerful father-in-law.

Not only had Qin Yining understood her tactful reproach, she had tactfully blocked her words right back!

Yet facing such a girl, she couldn’t bring herself to dislike her, and even felt somewhat fortunate that Pang Xiao had fallen for someone with this kind of temperament.

Given Pang Xiao’s current status and circumstances, having an intelligent and capable helpmate at home would benefit their entire family.

Yao Shi smiled: “What need is there for thanks? We’re not outsiders. I participate little in outside affairs—you just need to discuss things with Dafu.” The implication was that she wouldn’t interfere in external matters and that Qin Yining should simply discuss and act with Pang Xiao.

Seeing Yao Shi’s sincere smile with no remaining reservations, Qin Yining could finally put her heart at ease. She nodded emphatically: “Aunt, please rest assured—I will.”

Lunch was eaten in the upper courtyard. Yao Chenggu personally cooked fish for Pang Xiao and prepared several of his specialty dishes. The meal had fewer formal rules but much more warmth.

After the meal, Pang Xiao smiled and said: “I arranged to meet with Master Xie and Master Xu. They should already be waiting in the study with the other advisors by now, so I’ll go to the study with Sister Yi first.”

Both Yao Chenggu and Yao Shi were startled.

Pang Xiao had many advisors and retainers under him. Xu Weizhi, who was skilled at scheming, and Xie Yue, who was skilled at making decisions and proficient in disguise, were the two people Pang Xiao relied on most.

They hadn’t expected Pang Xiao would bring Qin Yining to meet them.

After Pang Xiao left the upper courtyard with Qin Yining, Yao Chenggu puffed on his pipe while asking Yao Shi: “You’ve talked with the Qin family girl. What do you think?”