Upon hearing this, Qin Yining merely smiled slightly and sighed: “I see that the Emperor holds the Prince in high regard. The Prince is, after all, a founding hero and has prestige in the military. Even for the sake of his own reputation, the Emperor wouldn’t do anything to the Prince. Elder Lord Gu is completely overthinking this.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shixiong became so angry that his breath caught in his chest, feeling like a scholar encountering a soldier.

People said that Qin Huaiyuan’s daughter was intelligent and decisive, with unique insights into court affairs.

Now it seemed the external rumors were false – they were probably just people flattering Qin Huaiyuan. This Qin Yining was merely an ordinary ignorant woman who couldn’t even see through such a perilous situation.

With a grave expression, Gu Shixiong analyzed for Qin Yining: “Miss Qin, your thinking is too simple and naive. The Emperor’s wariness toward Prince Zhongshun has already been quite obvious – it’s just that you don’t pay much attention to court matters, so you can’t see it clearly.

“This enormous sum of money would be wasted in anyone else’s hands, but in yours, it could help Prince Zhongshun in the future – this would be like giving a precious sword to a hero.

“Moreover, don’t forget that even though the Emperor has decreed your marriage, the fact that Minister Qin once caused the death of Prince Zhongshun’s father still exists. If you had this treasure, wouldn’t your position be stronger after marrying into the Pang family?”

Gu Shixiong’s analysis was methodical, with every sentence considering Qin Yining’s future.

Qin Yining felt that Gu Shixiong was truly a master at grasping people’s hearts. If she were an ordinary young lady, she probably would have believed him already.

She had always believed that struggling and fighting in court relied on each person’s abilities. Conspiracies and open schemes were all normal phenomena.

However, Gu Shixiong, in order to achieve his own ends, was willing to drag the innocent Qin family into this, pulling even a boudoir lady into troubled waters.

Such behavior, even if born from loyalty to the old country, was something Qin Yining despised.

“What you say makes sense. However, I must disappoint Elder Lord Gu – this young woman truly cannot help.” Qin Yining bowed in apology.

Gu Shixiong’s aged eyes, after meeting Qin Yining’s resolute expression, suddenly dimmed.

At this moment, Gu Shixiong truly felt despair.

Everyone was only interested in profit, only caring about their own safety, not considering whether Great Yan Dynasty could be restored.

Must he watch as Yuchi Yan, the only legitimate bloodline, was harmed by Li Qitian?

Gu Shixiong leaned against his chair, helplessly shaking his head and murmuring: “If you won’t help me, then truly no one can help me save Prince Yan.”

Qin Yining seemed unable to bear seeing an old man so helpless. She pursed her lips in difficulty and thought for a moment before speaking: “Elder Lord Gu, don’t be anxious first. Please listen to me.”

Gu Shixiong looked up at Qin Yining.

Qin Yining said: “You don’t necessarily have to come to me. I’m merely a boudoir lady who can only rely on my father, and my father isn’t home. My future in-laws’ attitude toward me is ambiguous – whom could I ask to help intercede?

“I think at this time, you’d be better off finding people with real capability to help. Think about it – in the capital city, who else has the ability to contend with the Emperor?”

Gu Shixiong straightened in his seat, lowered his eyes in thought, then suddenly said with realization: “You mean the Lu family?”

Qin Yining smiled without speaking.

But Gu Shixiong seemed as if the dead end before him had been broken through, revealing a bright path leading into the distance.

“The Lu family would indeed be excellent.”

In the capital, no one else could be found who could stand firm and challenge Li Qitian. The Lu family’s influence was truly not to be underestimated.

Gu Shixiong felt enlightened, but after only a moment, he shook his head helplessly again: “But what if the Lu family lacks integrity and swallows the treasure while not helping me save Prince Yan?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining laughed: “Elder Lord Gu, this is being confused by being too involved. When you came to find me, weren’t you afraid I might swallow the treasure and not do anything?”

This one sentence made Gu Shixiong suddenly see clearly.

Yes, whether it was the Lu family or Qin Yining, both had a fifty percent chance of swallowing the treasure and not helping to save anyone.

Looking at it this way, what difference was there between seeking the Lu family and seeking Qin Yining?

No matter how bad the Lu family was, they could still make their own decisions.

While Qin Yining, being just a woman, would have to go find Pang Xiao for help even if she took the treasure.

Comparing this way, of course it was most appropriate to directly find the Lu family to handle the matter.

“What you say also makes sense, but I have no dealings with the Lu family. I truly have nowhere to turn – how could the Lu family possibly see me or easily believe me?”

Qin Yining looked at Gu Shixiong, and after a long while seemed to make up her mind: “We are both Great Yan people. At this point, I must take action. Very well. Ji Yun.”

Qin Yining turned to instruct Ji Yun: “Go fetch the box I placed at the very bottom of the chest.”

Ji Yun bowed and agreed, then withdrew. Before long, she brought the box that Qin Yining had prepared earlier.

Qin Yining placed this box on the small table and pushed it toward Gu Shixiong.

“Elder Lord Gu, to be honest, I have some connection with Lu Heng, the second master of the main Lu family. Take this token to find Second Master Lu – when he sees this token, he will surely help you.”

Gu Shixiong took the box and discovered it was nailed shut with nails and couldn’t be opened.

Gu Shixiong asked: “What’s in this box?”

“Elder Lord Gu, don’t open it yourself. Give this box to Second Master Lu – he can naturally open it. When he sees the token, he will help you. I, a weak woman, can only help you this much.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shixiong had no other options, so he could only take the box, thank Qin Yining, then hurriedly left and returned to the Gu residence.

The Gu residence was quite far from Prince Yan’s mansion – it was merely a small courtyard with two sections. This was something Li Qitian had specially bestowed to show his benevolent heart, considering that Gu Shixiong was a senior minister who had served three dynasties in Great Yan.

As soon as he entered the house, Gu Shixiong urgently called for someone: “Quickly go find out where Lu Heng, Second Master Lu, is right now!”

The attendant immediately took the order and left.

Before long, he returned to report: “Reporting to the Elder Lord, today the Minister of War went to inspect the Three Thousand Battalion. Second Master Lu accompanied Minister Cheng to the Three Thousand Battalion garrison outside the city.”

Gu Shixiong thought for a moment, then handed the box to his attendant: “Take this token and immediately go to the Three Thousand Battalion to request an audience with Lu Heng. Tell him I have urgent business to discuss with him.”

“Yes!” The attendant solemnly bowed and immediately withdrew.

But just as the attendant had taken a few steps, Gu Shixiong called him back.

“No, I should go personally to show sincerity. If you go, it won’t carry enough weight. Prepare my carriage.”

Seeing Gu Shixiong so serious, the attendant immediately went to prepare quickly.

In less than the time for a cup of tea, Gu Shixiong was already holding the token and sitting in a galloping carriage.

He was worried about Prince Yan and felt anxious as fire.

But after the carriage had traveled more than half the journey, he gradually calmed down. The more he thought about it, the more he felt something wasn’t quite right.