Hearing this, Ji Zeyu lowered his eyes and smiled slightly: “Actually, letting go of hatred isn’t a bad thing. You originally had no connection with your family, and your father didn’t even know you existed in this world. Now that you can let go of hatred, you also have less burden and pressure. Living freely and at ease from now on—what’s wrong with that? There’s no need to cling to rigid principles. As long as you can be happy.”

Ji Zeyu’s words deeply moved Pang Xiao.

Only someone who truly cared about him would pay attention to his emotions and care whether he was happy or unhappy.

All along, he and Ji Zeyu had coordinated with remarkable understanding, mutually using and guarding against each other. But Pang Xiao knew that even so, these were merely their means of self-preservation—they had never actively tried to harm each other.

To maintain this friendship amid such chaos in court was already extremely precious.

“Zeyu, thank you.” Pang Xiao smiled at Ji Zeyu, his expression filled with pure joy.

Looking at Pang Xiao’s handsome face, Ji Zeyu couldn’t help but smile too: “Between brothers, there’s no need for such courtesy.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao smiled again.

The two rode slowly forward. Pang Xiao said with amusement: “If His Majesty knew about our current relationship, who knows how angry he’d become.”

Ji Zeyu also laughed: “That can’t be helped. Life must go on. We can maintain brotherly feelings with His Majesty, but the prerequisite is staying alive. Besides, now that you have family responsibilities, you can’t just throw yourself away without considering the elders and wife at home.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao nodded.

“Actually, we three were originally sworn brothers. If His Majesty didn’t suspect and scheme against me so excessively, I wouldn’t mind sacrificing everything for brotherhood. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as hoped.”

Ji Zeyu also nodded with some regret, then smiled: “You needn’t be so melancholy. Feelings between people are mutual—he schemes against us, so we guard against him. But between you and me it’s different. Though we sometimes have tacit understandings, I’m still willing to sacrifice my life for you.”

Pang Xiao knew how aloof Ji Zeyu was. Yet now, Ji Zeyu could speak these words so frankly.

From his eyes, Pang Xiao saw only sincerity, without the slightest falsehood or calculation.

“How could I be any different?” Pang Xiao also spoke from his heart.

Hearing this, Ji Zeyu looked at Pang Xiao and couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “That’s enough. Fortunately, we two can maintain our original intentions.”

Pang Xiao also felt quite fortunate.

The two spurred their horses for another circuit through the forest, then bid farewell and entered the city through different gates.

After entering the city, Ji Zeyu didn’t immediately return to Prince Consort’s mansion. Instead, he made a detour to outside the Qin residence.

He stood with White Cloud at a secluded alley corner diagonally across from the Qin residence, revealing only half his body while the other half was hidden behind a thick tree trunk. He watched the bustling Qin household expressionlessly.

The Qin family was also busily preparing for Qin Yining’s wedding. The area in front of their gate was crowded with people, very lively.

Ji Zeyu didn’t know why he was standing here. His mind was empty at the moment, just silently watching the coming and going in front of the Qin gate.

When returning to the city, for an instant he had wanted to ask whether Qin Yining’s feelings for Pang Xiao were genuine, or if she was merely afraid of Pang Xiao’s revenge and deliberately seducing him.

But now he felt his thoughts were unreasonable.

First, he had no standing to ask.

Second, since His Majesty had bestowed the marriage, this wedding was already settled. To put it bluntly, as long as they both drew breath, regardless of any accidents, they would definitely complete the marriage.

Things had come to this point—what use were more words?

Moreover, Pang Xiao liked Qin Yining so much that even if she were somewhat willful, it might be endearing to him.

Ji Zeyu lowered his eyes for a moment, smiled self-mockingly, and was about to leave with the reins.

Just then, he suddenly saw a carriage turn the corner and slowly stop in front of the Qin residence.

A familiar graceful figure alighted from the carriage with her maid’s assistance and was about to enter the residence.

White Cloud beside Ji Zeyu seemed to recognize that figure and became somewhat restless, stamping its hooves and whinnying loudly.

Ji Zeyu soothingly stroked White Cloud’s mane, but unexpectedly, Qin Yining seemed to sense something and looked in his direction.

Their eyes met, and Qin Yining appeared somewhat surprised.

She had just visited Manager Zhong’s residence to discuss opening an inn in the capital and had arranged for Manager Zhong to definitely attend the wedding feast.

Just as she returned home, she heard the horse’s whinny. Finding it somewhat familiar, Qin Yining turned around to see a red-clothed youth with half his body hidden behind a large tree, yet his presence was so strong it couldn’t be diminished in the slightest.

Ji Zeyu was truly too handsome—so handsome that his presence was too powerful to ignore.

Qin Yining looked around.

She wasn’t sure if there were His Majesty’s people monitoring the area, nor whether Ji Zeyu knew the Qin family might be under surveillance.

But if there really was surveillance, the spies would have already seen Ji Zeyu arrive. If she didn’t actively approach to speak, it would seem suspicious instead.

Thinking this, Qin Yining brought Ji Yun and walked around the carriage toward Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu had resumed his cold-as-frost appearance, watching Qin Yining approach with an expressionless face.

He had to admit that Qin Yining indeed had the qualities to move Pang Xiao’s heart—she had the beauty to topple kingdoms. Though she was strikingly beautiful, she didn’t seem vulgar, nor did she have the fawning manner of many women. Instead, her brow showed intelligence, clearly indicating she was well-educated and reasonable.

“Prince Consort Ji, why are you here? Why don’t you come in and sit?” Qin Yining approached with a smile and curtseyed.

Ji Zeyu replied coldly: “Just passing by. Seeing your household’s lively preparations, I took a look.”

Qin Yining smiled: “Thank you for Prince Consort Ji’s concern.”

“It’s not concern, just passing by.” Ji Zeyu’s tone was cold and hard.

Qin Yining found this somewhat awkward and smiled uncomfortably.

She could see that Ji Zeyu had always disliked her. She didn’t know what she had done to offend him—was he still resenting that she was the daughter of Pang Xiao’s father’s killer?

Qin Yining cleared her throat lightly and said: “Well then, since Prince Consort Ji has other matters, I won’t insist on inviting you in. Another day, Prince Consort Ji must definitely visit for a wedding cup.”

Ji Zeyu looked at her expressionlessly without any reaction.

Qin Yining felt she might have truly offended Ji Zeyu at some point without knowing it. Otherwise, how could a war god-level figure who could lead troops in battle be so poor at conversation?

To put it plainly, he was just naturally aloof and disliked her.

Qin Yining didn’t want to continue embarrassing herself and turned to return to the residence.

But she heard Ji Zeyu ask: “Miss Qin, do you truly like Pang Zhixi? Will you treat him sincerely? If it involves the grudges between your two families, can you put Pang Zhixi first and everything else secondary?”

Hearing this, Qin Yining froze and suddenly looked up at Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu definitely wasn’t just passing by. It seemed he had come specifically to ask her these questions.