It had to be said that Li Qitian’s words were extremely provocative.

Good men have aspirations in all directions. Pang Xiao wasn’t a weakling who only knew how to indulge in wine and pleasure. When he originally rose up in rebellion, he must have thought that when the day came to change heaven and earth, when he himself stood in high position with the ability to resist the cruel old system, he would definitely accomplish great things.

Li Qitian’s words precisely hit the itch in Pang Xiao’s heart.

Qin Yining hid behind the screen, her mind rapidly calculating and connecting recent events before and after. She immediately felt that things were not simple.

She nervously held her breath and concentrated.

She heard Pang Xiao’s voice rise slightly: “Does Your Majesty truly mean this?”

“Of course I mean it!” Li Qitian was also very excited. “When we originally conquered the world, what was it for? Wasn’t it so that one day we could stand on top of those corrupt officials’ heads and stomp on them hard? Who would have thought that although the world is now ours, we still can’t be the ones making decisions about court matters.”

Pang Xiao agreed: “Yes, but this is also unavoidable. When I originally followed Your Majesty in rebellion, we were searching everywhere for provisions and funds. If not for the support of several great families, our money wouldn’t have been enough to sustain us. Your Majesty naturally had to consider the conditions of those great families. These families, even the one with the shallowest roots, have been entrenched in the Northern Ji Kingdom for over a hundred years. They not only have abundant wealth, deep foundations, and extensive connections, but the officials in court probably also have many ties with them.”

“You’re right.” Li Qitian said. “Only brothers like you who walked this path together with me can understand my difficulties. People often gossip behind my back, saying I’m afraid of those Northern Ji surrendered officials and actually let them control court affairs. But who can know my difficulties?”

Li Qitian said this, then waved his hand: “But now there’s nothing to fear. Tomorrow I’ll appoint you as a Cabinet Grand Secretary. Although you can’t become Second Grand Secretary or Chief Grand Secretary in the short term, we’ll have enough of our own people in the cabinet with three votes total, sufficient to contend with those Northern Ji veterans. Then for some decisions, we won’t have to look at those people’s faces anymore.”

Pang Xiao also appeared quite passionate, though his expression still showed some worry: “Your Majesty speaks truly, but I fear my talents are shallow and I’m afraid I cannot bear the responsibility of Cabinet Grand Secretary.”

Li Qitian waved his hand: “You needn’t belittle yourself. If I say you can bear it, then you can bear it! Don’t decline anymore—tomorrow we’ll proceed as we’ve discussed.”

Pang Xiao nodded excitedly, responding with high spirits: “I accept the decree. Thank you, Your Majesty!”

…

Qin Yining listened as Li Qitian and Pang Xiao became increasingly excited, even planning about future decision-making and strategizing matters. After a while longer, Li Qitian finally took his leave, and Pang Xiao followed him out to see him off.

For a moment, the front hall was completely quiet with no one else around.

Qin Yining still hid behind the screen and didn’t dare come out immediately.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the door creaked and Pang Xiao returned.

“Yi jie’er?”

Pang Xiao entered and, not seeing Qin Yining, called out.

Qin Yining emerged from behind the screen. Seeing that she had been hiding there all along, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but smile, stepping forward to embrace her: “Are you tired? Why didn’t you come out to sit for a while?”

“I was worried there might still be others outside. I can’t see clearly outside through the gaps in this screen. What if I came out as soon as you left and there were still His Majesty’s people in the room? Better to be cautious.”

“You…” Pang Xiao lovingly scraped Qin Yining’s nose bridge.

Qin Yining said seriously: “What His Majesty just discussed with you—what do you plan to do?”

“I was just coming to call you to the study to discuss. I’ve already had Huzi go notify Master Xu and Master Xie.”

Qin Yining shook her head: “After all, I’m just a woman. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to participate in your affairs?”

“If it were other women, randomly meddling in outside affairs would certainly be inappropriate, but you’re not an ordinary woman.”

Pang Xiao took her hand and walked to the door, carefully adjusting her cloak: “Master Xie and Master Xu greatly admire your intelligence and have already accepted you. I was previously worried that bringing you to discussions would make them unconvinced, but now it seems my worries were unnecessary. You naturally have your ways to win them over.”

Qin Yining smiled: “What methods are there? It’s just being sincere toward you. They’re utterly loyal to you, and if I sincerely treat you well, they’ll naturally accept me.”

Pang Xiao felt warmth in his heart from her words and couldn’t help pulling her into his embrace, planting a loud kiss on her forehead.

Qin Yining also embraced his waist. After a moment, she smiled and said: “Don’t keep the two masters waiting long. Let’s go quickly.”

“Good.”

The two left together hand in hand. When they reached the courtyard, they walked one in front of the other.

All the way to the outer courtyard study, Pang Xiao ordered Huzi to carefully watch the surroundings, then entered with Qin Yining.

After carefully recounting what Li Qitian had said when he came, Pang Xiao asked: “Now there are no outsiders. Both masters can speak freely.”

“Yes.” Both men cupped their hands in acknowledgment, then both showed thoughtful expressions.

Qin Yining actually already had some thoughts from earlier and now appeared somewhat hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Pang Xiao smiled and asked: “Does Yi jie’er have any views?”

Not expecting him to ask her first, Qin Yining was stunned for a moment and looked hesitantly toward Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue beside her.

Seeing this, Xie Yue smiled: “Miss Qin is extraordinarily intelligent and heard everything clearly just now. You must have already thought it through carefully. Why don’t you share your views first, Miss Qin?”

“Yes, Miss Qin needn’t be too cautious. Since we’re discussing matters, naturally we should speak freely. We’re exchanging opinions with each other—Miss Qin, please feel free to share any thoughts.”

Qin Yining then stood and curtsied, smiling: “Then I’ll make a fool of myself showing off before experts.”

Both advisors cupped their hands in response.

Qin Yining sat back down in the junior position and, after thinking briefly, said: “I feel that His Majesty’s actions today are extremely suspicious. It doesn’t seem like he’s truly inviting Your Highness into the cabinet, but rather deliberately playing the emotional card to deceive Your Highness. Not only does he not want to give Your Highness an official position, he also wants Your Highness to bear infamy while gaining nothing.”

“Oh?” Xu Weizhi raised an eyebrow, then showed understanding.

Qin Yining continued: “We all understand Your Highness’s situation. When we originally took Northern Ji, Your Highness contributed the most but also bore the most infamy. In the camp of Northern Ji surrendered officials, probably everyone regards Your Highness as an enemy, which actually diverted quite a bit of hatred from His Majesty.”

Pang Xiao nodded: “You’re right.”

“That’s why I find this matter suspicious. From the conversation between Your Highness and His Majesty just now, we can learn that behind the Northern Ji surrendered officials stand many great families with deep foundations. These families originally provided Your Majesty’s and Your Highness’s armies with much economic support, allowing you to persist until you conquered Northern Ji.

“Now the cabinet situation is such that if Your Highness joins, it would change the cabinet’s structure and make the Northern Ji old officials faction lose their voice. Not to mention the surrendered officials—even those great families probably wouldn’t allow it. Not to mention others, the connections that Northern Ji old officials and great families have in court will definitely unite to oppose Your Highness entering the cabinet.”