Having a clever and capable wife who always thought of everything for him, Pang Xiao felt he was about to drown blissfully in this water-like tenderness.

Embracing Qin Yining’s waist, he dropped a kiss on her forehead, then lightly kissed her eyelashes and cheeks.

Qin Yining’s shy face flushed red, her fluttering long lashes brushing against Pang Xiao’s face with each blink, directly stirring his gradually deepening breath.

Pang Xiao simply stopped restraining himself and scooped her up in his arms.

Qin Yining cried out in surprise, nervously looking around, only to discover that at some unknown time, all the servants who had been attending them had withdrawn, and they had even thoughtfully closed the door when leaving.

“No, it’s broad daylight – this isn’t proper!” Qin Yining extended her hands to push him away.

Pang Xiao chuckled softly as he placed her on the bright red bedsheet of the canopy bed, casually pulling out the hairpin from her hair. Her long hair instantly cascaded down in disarray, along with some delicate hairpins and ornaments that scattered onto the pillow embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water.

Qin Yining’s skin was fair and delicate, with the particular fineness of Jiangnan women. As she lay back in panic, her beautiful eyes still held moisture, like a small animal that had been thoroughly bullied.

Pang Xiao simply adored her appearance – whether she was strong-willed or bashfully shy, whether she was clever and cunning or playing hard to get.

He sat astride her, one hand supporting the pillow, the other gently caressing her cheek.

“Don’t… let’s wait until evening.”

“No, I want to look at you properly. You don’t know how beautiful you are.”

Pang Xiao’s passionate eyes burned intensely, like a child who had received a gift carefully untying the silk ribbon with butterfly knots on the gift box. Those hands of his, which had gripped knives for years and bore thick calluses, could now be filled with such tenderness.

“Yi Jie’er, bear me a child. I want a child that belongs to us.”

Qin Yining’s cheeks flushed pink with shame, her whole body weak, like a fine ancient guqin that sang exquisite melodies under the playing of Pang Xiao, this eager-to-learn musician.

When she awakened, the lanterns had already been lit for the evening.

Qin Yining pulled the quilt around herself as she sat up, softly calling for someone to enter.

When Bingtang and Ji Yun saw the purplish marks on her body, they both smiled knowingly.

Even though Qin Yining was shy, she could only accept this. Fearing they might say something face-reddening, she decided to bring up a topic first.

“Where is the prince?”

“The prince is in the study in the front courtyard meeting with a distinguished guest. The prince also said that if you awakened, you should come to the study immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining raised her eyebrows and asked, “Didn’t the prince say who the visitor was?”

Both Bingtang and Ji Yun shook their heads.

Qin Yining smiled, “Then help me arrange my hair. I’ll go take a look right away. For this trip, I also plan to bring you two along, and I’m also planning to bring Jingzhe and the other three with us. Help me pass along the word, and prepare yourselves as well.”

“Yes.” Both Bingtang and Ji Yun smiled, “Being able to go out and about with the princess consort, they’ll definitely be delighted.”

Qin Yining was amused and chuckled, “You all should know beforehand that this trip out will also be fraught with dangers. Going south for disaster relief, we don’t know what unexpected situations we might encounter on the road. In the worst case, we might even encounter an epidemic. You all need to be mentally prepared.”

“We know! When has there ever been a shortage of troubles around the princess consort?” Bingtang said playfully, “Ever since I’ve been following you, your troubles have never ceased. But I also know that with your wisdom, any vexing matter can be met with soldiers blocked by generals, water blocked by earth. I’m not afraid at all.”

Ji Yun also smiled, “The prince will definitely protect you well. As long as we follow by your side, we’ll definitely be fine.”

“You’re such a smooth talker.” Qin Yining pinched Ji Yun’s cheek without any anger.

Ji Yun was slender and graceful with bright, beautiful features, while Bingtang was petite and delicate, also a charming person.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but think of their marriages. “You two aren’t young anymore. After we finish with all these matters, I’ll find good marriages for both of you. If either of you has someone you fancy, you can come tell me. I don’t want to arrange blind marriages for you with unfamiliar, unreliable people.”

Upon hearing this, Bingtang blushed and stamped her feet, “Princess consort, you’re so mean, always teasing us!” With that, she turned and ran off.

Ji Yun also blushed deeply, saying, “I’m not like Bingtang. I don’t have anyone in mind. If the princess consort doesn’t mind, please keep me by your side to serve always. I don’t want to be forced to marry someone just because of age. Following you, please allow me to slowly choose a good one.”

Qin Yining nodded understandingly, “I won’t force you. Take your time choosing someone suitable.”

Being able to meet the right person at a good age is actually an extremely fortunate thing. Many people struggle their entire lives without being able to marry someone they truly love.

At this moment, Qin Yining felt incredibly lucky to be able to love, know, and stay with Pang Xiao. To come to his side in the most beautiful years and integrate all her best qualities into his memories.

“Are Bingtang and Huzi getting along well?” Qin Yining asked in turn.

Ji Yun laughed softly, “Nothing escapes the princess consort’s eyes. I can see that Huzi is sincere toward Bingtang. It’s just that Bingtang won’t agree. She spends all her time either studying herbs or researching fragrant balms. In her free time, she accompanies Xiao Zhou, spending more time with Xiao Zhou than with Huzi.”

Qin Yining also found this amusing.

“She’s someone who has experienced major events and has her own opinions. I think she has good judgment.”

“Mm.” Ji Yun nodded in agreement.

Qin Yining took Ji Yun to the outer courtyard. She stopped at the entrance to the courtyard where the study was located, had Ji Yun wait outside, then entered alone, walking through the covered walkway all the way to the main hall.

Huzi was standing in front of the door. Seeing Qin Yining from afar, he immediately bowed.

“Princess consort, you’ve come! Allow me to inform the prince.”

“Thank you for the trouble.”

“You’re too polite.” Huzi scratched his head and hurried to make the announcement.

Shortly after, the study door was pushed open, and Pang Xiao strode out with his long legs. As soon as he saw her, those sharp phoenix eyes immediately filled with tenderness.

“Awake?”

Qin Yining nodded.

“Come on, it’s father-in-law who came quietly. It’s inconvenient to tell outsiders. I was thinking that if you didn’t wake up, I’d discuss things with father-in-law alone, but since you’re awake, that’s perfect – we can deliberate together.” Pang Xiao took Qin Yining’s hand, explaining in a low voice by her ear.

Qin Yining smiled, “I see.”

Entering the room, Huzi closed the door for the two of them and withdrew to continue standing guard at a distance.

Qin Huaiyuan wore ordinary home attire – a light blue round-collared wide-sleeved robe – and sat on one side of the heated kang by the window.

“Father.” Qin Yining respectfully bowed to Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled, “You’ve come. Please sit.”

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao moved embroidered stools to sit across from him. Pang Xiao even thoughtfully laid a thick brocade cushion for Qin Yining.

Qin Yining bit her lip, nearly fleeing in embarrassment.

She was indeed uncomfortable sitting now, but having this so blatantly displayed still made her extremely mortified.

However, Qin Huaiyuan seemed not to understand at all, merely smiling with satisfaction as he looked at Pang Xiao.

This made Qin Yining both touched and embarrassed.

After sitting down, Pang Xiao said openly, “Father-in-law, you just mentioned that Prince Yan might have received news of the treasure, which is why he volunteered to go. Could there be a mistake?”

“There won’t be.” Qin Huaiyuan said gently, “Recently, Prince Yan has been in very frequent contact with his concubine, the Gu family. You both know whose granddaughter she is.”

Qin Yining said, “Elder Gu knows the location of the treasure. Perhaps he’s using his granddaughter to inform Prince Yan. The note left in the first treasure trove that His Majesty found does seem like Elder Gu’s doing.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded approvingly, “You’re absolutely right. I have the same feeling. Although Gu Shixiong is a smooth old minister, he also has a stubborn side. He doesn’t know how to be flexible, nor does he necessarily value the survival and happiness of the common people highly. What he cares more about is the dynasty’s inheritance and bloodline. So he must be thinking about restoration.”

Pang Xiao said, “There should be quite a few people like this. It’s just that many lack the ability, and many who have ability lack connections. Those with both ability and connections don’t share their ideology.”

“Exactly. Take me, for example.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled, “I don’t want to cause more turmoil. When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer – it’s always the common people at the bottom who are most unfortunate. Even without warfare, disasters like drought, floods, and earthquakes are already enough for the people to bear, not to mention the existing harsh taxes and levies. If we stir up conflicts for personal beliefs, that would truly be unwise.”

Pang Xiao couldn’t help but smile, “So they say birds of a feather flock together. In this regard, father-in-law and I think exactly alike.”

Qin Huaiyuan laughed, “Indeed. I could tell early on that you’re an honest person. Although your hands are stained with killing, it’s the kind of killing one to save ten thousand. Many people spread rumors behind your back about what kind of fierce deity you are, saying you’ve been too tainted by slaughter and will suffer consequences, but I don’t think so. Buddhist stories say ‘If I don’t enter hell, who will?’ You are that person who bears the burden of killing for the peace of millions of common people. How could such a person not receive good karma?”

Pang Xiao’s face grew hot from Qin Huaiyuan’s praise, but his heart warmed. He hadn’t thought so deeply about it. He was simply following his heart in his actions.

Seeing her father and Pang Xiao getting along so well, Qin Yining smiled joyfully.

“Father, we will carefully watch Prince Yan during this trip.”

“Mm. Zhixi just told me you have some arrangements?”

“Yes. I’ve arranged meetings with people from the Azure Sky Alliance and with Madam Cao. Before we leave, I want to make some arrangements. However, the Silver Mask agents are probably all under His Majesty’s surveillance. If I meet with Madam Cao, it would be rather conspicuous. It would be better if father could help deliver a message when you return.”

“That works well. What message do you want to convey?”

Qin Yining smiled, “Among the Silver Mask agents, sixteen are currently in the capital and eight are stationed elsewhere. I want to discuss with Madam Cao about deploying those eight agents from outside. Additionally, I need several carrier pigeons.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan understood her meaning somewhat, “Rest assured, I’ll deliver the message. If she has any questions, I’ll have her quietly avoid prying eyes to meet with you.”

“That would be wonderful. Madam Cao is skilled in martial arts – avoiding people’s eyes would be effortless for her.”