Qin Yining suddenly widened her eyes, so angry that her lips trembled and she couldn’t speak.

Li Qitian asked with great interest, “Oh? You didn’t forcibly abduct her?”

“Indeed I did not.” Pang Xiao replied righteously. “She willingly gave herself to me.”

“You, you…” Qin Yining was so angry she couldn’t complete a single sentence. Tears fell like broken pearls, and she sobbed like a wounded animal: “You’re bullying me too much!”

Pang Xiao arrogantly straightened his back, only glancing at Qin Yining from the corner of his eye, as if she were some ant that had fallen into the dust, not worth a bit of his attention. His handsome, angular features became even colder due to his disdain, and the mocking curve of his lips could deliver taunting words that would cast someone into an abyss of eternal damnation.

Qin Yining’s body shook like a leaf battered by wind and rain, looking truly pitiful.

Li Qitian coughed and cast a teasing glance at Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao seemed to sense something and turned to look at Li Qitian. The pity and hatred in his eyes that he hadn’t had time to clean up flashed by. Noticing Li Qitian’s gaze, Pang Xiao coughed awkwardly to cover his embarrassment.

Looking at these two people, Li Qitian felt as cheerful as drinking a bowl of hot soup on the coldest winter day. This was more interesting than watching a performance of “The Thorn Hairpin.”

He could see that Pang Xiao still had a trace of pity for Qin Yining. Unfortunately, his pity ultimately couldn’t overcome the hatred of his father’s murder.

This way he could confidently use the Qin family to balance the court without worrying about Pang Xiao allying with the Qin family.

Through her tears, Qin Yining knelt down: “I beg Your Majesty to give me justice. He’s actually denying it to my face and turning the tables on me. This subject did not, did not willingly…” Such words would make any woman blush with shame, and Qin Yining’s face turned as red as the evening glow.

But at this time, Li Qitian couldn’t possibly severely punish Pang Xiao.

Currently in the Cabinet, only Pang Xiao was his confidant. There would be many occasions to use him in the future, and Li Qitian wouldn’t let Pang Xiao’s reputation be damaged. Although Pang Xiao’s act of abducting someone that day was known to all, he still harbored some favoritism.

Besides, when a man takes a fancy to a woman, especially the daughter of his enemy, if he doesn’t forcibly take her, could he possibly go through proper matchmaking procedures?

However, these words couldn’t be said to Qin Yining. After all, she was Qin Huaiyuan’s daughter, and showing blatant favoritism while neglecting her wouldn’t look good either.

Li Qitian could only say: “I will investigate this matter carefully. You may withdraw.”

Qin Yining choked back tears and raised her head, her beautiful eyes flashing with grievance and sadness.

But she also knew that one couldn’t be willful before the Emperor. She could only bow submissively: “This subject takes her leave.”

Li Guanwen led Qin Yining out of the imperial study.

Pang Xiao couldn’t help but turn to watch her retreating figure. It wasn’t until the palace doors were closed by the eunuchs, blocking out the cold air from outside, that Pang Xiao came back to his senses.

Suddenly meeting Li Qitian’s teasing smile, Pang Xiao said awkwardly: “Your Majesty, what are you looking at?”

“My dear brother is having trouble passing the test of beauty.” With only the two of them left in the hall, Li Qitian’s tone became much more intimate. “Don’t blame me for not warning you—that little beauty is a thorny rose. Be careful not to get pricked.

“Fondness is fondness, but just treat her as a plaything. Don’t let yourself sink too deep. Don’t forget about General Pang that day either… In any case, what kind of women can’t we brothers have? My dear brother should also think of his reputation and not give people grounds for gossip.”

Li Qitian’s words seemed rambling, but the obvious intent to sow discord was very clear.

Pang Xiao’s heart was like a clear mirror. He nodded in agreement without revealing his thoughts and said hatefully: “How could this subject truly care for her? The hatred of a father’s murder cannot be shared under the same sky. When this subject executed those people, it wasn’t enough to avenge my father’s death. The main culprit hasn’t been eliminated yet.”

Upon hearing this, Li Qitian fell silent.

If Pang Xiao were to openly fight with Qin Huaiyuan, the balance he had planned would be broken. This was the situation Li Qitian least wanted to see. Moreover, Qin Huaiyuan was a person of real talent, and Li Qitian had developed some appreciation for his abilities.

Perhaps his provocative words just now had gone too far?

Seeing Li Qitian’s expression, aside from understanding, Pang Xiao felt no other emotion in his heart. He had truly seen through this “brother” Li Qitian.

But on the surface, Pang Xiao still showed adequate struggle and helplessness, finally saying considerately: “This subject knows Your Majesty values talent, and that Qin Meng does have some real ability. This subject is willing to think as Your Majesty thinks and will never have conflicts with Qin Meng, provided, of course, that they don’t actively provoke this subject.”

Li Qitian, having received Pang Xiao’s promise, nodded with great satisfaction. “You now have a fearsome reputation. How would they dare to act presumptuously before you? However, all the Qin family members have arrived in the capital, yet Qin Meng still hasn’t been found. The people I sent to search have also reported no trace of Qin Meng. This is truly troublesome. Could something have happened to Qin Meng?”

Another probe.

Pang Xiao said: “Perhaps he got separated and lost his way. Or maybe Heaven, knowing his deep sins, took him on this subject’s behalf.”

Although Pang Xiao’s words displeased Li Qitian, they at least confirmed the discord between the Qin and Pang families. Li Qitian didn’t want to dwell on this matter further and began discussing court affairs after entering the Cabinet with Pang Xiao.

At this time, Qin Yining had been led by Li Guanwen to a side hall where she washed her face, applied some ointment, and rearranged her hair.

Qin Yining thought to herself that the people in the palace were truly attentive. Being cared for by the head eunuch Li Guanwen, her attitude was extremely cautious. Li Guanwen intentionally showed her kindness, so both were very polite and harbored no ill feelings toward each other.

After Qin Yining had arranged herself properly, she boarded a small oil-walled carriage and was escorted away by young eunuchs.

The carriage was somewhat cold, which was just right for Qin Yining to settle her thoughts.

But unexpectedly, the slowly moving oil-walled carriage stopped.

Qin Yining asked in confusion: “What’s wrong?”

No one answered from outside the carriage.

Qin Yining immediately became alert. Just as she was about to lift the carriage curtain to look, it was raised from outside.

Standing in front of the carriage were two young women dressed in luxurious clothing.

One was dignified and noble, wearing red robes—Princess Imperial An’yang, whom she had met once before.

Standing beside her was a beautiful young woman in the prime of her life.

This young woman was of medium height with a full figure, wearing a cloak with a red fox fur collar and a matching rabbit-fur hat studded with rubies. Her makeup was exquisite, her red lips lustrous. Standing next to Li Helan, even though she was older, she completely overshadowed the Princess Imperial’s elegance.

Among the noble ladies of the capital, who could stand alongside Princess Imperial An’yang and also move freely within the palace?

Li Helan was already smiling: “Miss Qin, please don’t blame us. It’s truly because it’s rare to see a woman of similar age in the palace. Sister Lu and I had nothing to do, and hearing that Miss Qin had entered the palace, we specially came to see you.”

Li Helan addressed this young woman as “sister” rather than “madam.” And this young woman surnamed Lu, whom the Princess Imperial called sister, didn’t feel she was being presumptuous. She was looking at Qin Yining with curious eyes.