In an instant, Zhou Min, formerly revered by all as a virtuous minister, became a person with accumulated crimes of greed and lust. Most terrifyingly, the Northern Ji surrendered ministers also presented his evidence one by one, making it impossible for Li Qitian to say even a word in defense of his father-in-law.

Li Qitian felt like he had swallowed a live fly, or like eating a meal only to suddenly see half a mouse dropping in his bowl…

He had originally coordinated with Pang Xiao, just waiting to crush Pang Xiao in today’s court session, but unexpectedly, he was the first to be slapped in the face.

With Zhou Min in such a state, he had to judge him, but with this deputy chief minister gone, where were his people left in the cabinet? How could he control this group of Northern Ji old ministers in future cabinet deliberations?

For the sake of face, Li Qitian could only order Zhou Min to be strictly investigated and dealt with.

Thinking that there were suddenly no more of his people in the cabinet, there was no need to mention Pang Xiao’s entry into the cabinet. Li Qitian was about to dismiss court.

But just as he was wearily about to speak, another Northern Ji surrendered minister suddenly appeared, loudly asking, “The Emperor hasn’t finished speaking about Prince Zhongshun’s reward.”

Li Qitian was truly grinding his teeth at that moment – conferring the title wasn’t right, not conferring it also wasn’t right.

For the sake of dignity, Li Qitian still spoke, appointing Pang Xiao as “Grand Secretary of Wuying Hall.”

Li Qitian still held a sliver of hope that the Northern Ji old ministers would jump out to oppose it.

But having just driven away the Emperor’s father-in-law, the Northern Ji old ministers felt their faction had achieved great victory and should at least leave the Emperor some face. So this time, all the Northern Ji old ministers in court stood out to praise the Emperor’s wisdom and fully supported Pang Xiao’s entry into the cabinet.

In the entire incident, the biggest winner was Pang Xiao, who reaped the benefits without effort and smoothly entered the cabinet!

“The Emperor must be very frustrated now.” Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh.

Thinking of Li Qitian’s barely concealed rage and twitching mouth corners at the time, Pang Xiao also felt exhilarated. “It’s all because your idea was so good.”

“Indeed.” Xu Weizhi said admiringly, “Thanks to Miss Qin’s brilliant strategy, the Prince didn’t spend a single soldier and bloodlessly kicked Zhou Min out while gaining real benefits.”

Xie Yue also sighed and nodded continuously.

Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining with gentle eyes. “Yining, tell me how I should thank you?”

Qin Yining smiled, “As long as I don’t cause trouble, I’m already very satisfied. What thanks are needed? However… my Second Uncle and Third Uncle came today, and I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it? Just tell me.”

“I want to move out of the prince’s mansion and return to the Yingbin Pavilion.”

Pang Xiao became anxious upon hearing this. They had already agreed yesterday, and Qin Yining had promised – how could she change her mind after just one day!

Seeing his furrowed brow, Qin Yining quickly recounted the specific conversation content when Second Master and Third Master came today.

Finally, she said, “Only by moving out of the prince’s mansion can I freely go beat the Dengwen Drum and file an imperial petition. If I’m confined in the mansion, how can I go before the Emperor to petition against you?”

Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue showed thoughtful expressions, then both their eyes lit up, looking at Qin Yining with approval and admiration.

Pang Xiao also understood Qin Yining’s good intentions in his heart, but her words still made him laugh and cry.

“Tsk tsk, you want to petition against me before the Emperor, and you want me to let you go? You’re really too domineering.”

“I’m domineering? Those who live near vermillion become red.” Qin Yining laughed despite herself.

Although Pang Xiao was reluctant in his heart, he knew the urgency and importance of the matter. If he couldn’t bear to let her leave the mansion now, she would probably have to enter the palace in the future.

If she really entered the palace, that would be his lifelong regret.

So Pang Xiao could only nod, and with a gentle expression, violently smashed the covered bowl in his hand to the ground.

The sound of shattering porcelain echoed far in the quiet prince’s mansion in the evening.

“Get out! This prince finds you annoying just looking at you!” Pang Xiao’s voice was full of violence, but he was still smiling helplessly at Qin Yining.

Seeing Pang Xiao’s half-hearted acting, Qin Yining couldn’t help but glare at him.

She cleared her throat, suddenly tears welled in her eyes, and she cried sadly, “Prince, what tantrum are you throwing now! You were the one who insisted I come serve tea, and now you’re being picky again. I’m not a maid in the mansion – if you think my service is poor, why bother troubling me!”

As her words fell, Qin Yining had walked to the door, pushed it open forcefully, and rushed out covering her face.

Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue were almost stunned by Qin Yining’s tears that came on command.

Pang Xiao was also somewhat surprised, but he immediately got into character, following out the door and chasing to the corridor to angrily scold, “How dare you! The prince’s mansion is a restricted area – how can a surrendered minister’s daughter walk around freely! Someone come and arrest her!”

How could Huzi know what happened inside? Seeing Qin Yining collapsed in the courtyard, crying like pear blossoms in rain, and looking at Pang Xiao’s tense face with eyes almost shooting fire, he didn’t know what to do for a moment.

Why was the Prince so angry? Did he really dislike Miss Qin?

“Still standing there?” Pang Xiao glared at Huzi.

Huzi’s scalp tingled, and he quickly called sturdy women to lift Qin Yining up.

Bingtang and Ji Yun were both shocked and angry, feeling sorry for Qin Yining’s injustice, but Pang Xiao seemed to have become iron-hearted, showing no pity for Qin Yining whatsoever, coldly ordering:

“The prince’s mansion doesn’t support freeloaders. Since this prince has grown tired of her, keeping her is useless! All of you get out!”

Qin Yining looked up at the high and mighty Pang Xiao through tearful eyes, choking so much she could barely speak.

Bingtang’s face flushed red with anger. She broke free from the woman holding her and rushed toward Pang Xiao: “You ungrateful white-eyed wolf, what are you? Just a broken prince who can’t even keep his hat on steady! What’s there to be proud of? Are you bullying our Miss because she has no one to support her? You’re not human!”

She really couldn’t imagine that two people she had personally witnessed making eternal vows would now become like this.

Huzi quickly stepped forward, grabbing Bingtang and sternly scolding, “Shut up! How dare you slander the Prince!”

Unable to break free, Bingtang immediately spat in Huzi’s face: “Get away! You’re all cut from the same cloth, bullying our Miss. May you die horrible deaths, ptui!”

This was the first time Huzi had seen Bingtang so angry, and he was stunned by the spit.

Seeing Bingtang protect her so fiercely, Qin Yining felt both moved and guilty. She quickly went to hold her hand and squeezed it.

Bingtang was startled by the squeeze and looked at her in confusion.

Qin Yining looked at Pang Xiao. “Since that’s the case, we’ll leave. But I want to take my maids with me.”

“This prince doesn’t care to keep any of your people. Take those who served you these days too.” Pang Xiao spoke words he didn’t mean, forcing himself not to try to keep them.

Qin Yining seemed utterly disheartened, pulling Bingtang and Ji Yun to turn and leave.

When they walked out of the prince’s mansion gates, Qian Yun, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou were also thrown out carrying bundles.

The vermillion gates of the prince’s mansion slowly closed before the group.