“In broad daylight, what are you saying?”

Qin Yining blinked before understanding Pang Xiao’s meaning, her cheeks immediately flushing crimson as she pinched his arm.

That little bit of force seemed no stronger than a mosquito bite to Pang Xiao. Embracing her slender waist that couldn’t be fully grasped, breathing in the faint jasmine fragrance from her hair, with such warm fragrant softness right beside him, Pang Xiao was immediately stirred with restless desire.

He leaned close to Qin Yining’s neck and took a deep breath, his voice hoarse as he said, “Yi Jie’er, you smell so good.”

Qin Yining pushed him away forcefully in embarrassment, “Don’t do this – we’re in a carriage!”

“I know, I’m just holding you.” Pang Xiao extended his strong arm to pull her to sit on his sturdy legs, his large hands inevitably becoming mischievous. “You’re so fragrant and soft – I love it so much.”

Qin Yining gasped in alarm as she pushed away his wandering hands, “Don’t do this.”

“Shh, don’t make a sound.” He found her lips and gently bit them.

The carriage continued forward, the tightly closed curtains concealing the scene within.

When they reached a village where everyone needed to stop and rest for the night, Deputy General You Meng discovered with shock that the people sitting in Yuchi Yan’s carriage were no longer Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong.

In his fury, he raised his blade to execute the substitutes immediately. Pang Xiao quickly stepped forward, “General You, wait. If you kill them now, do you no longer intend to investigate the clues?”

Only then did You Meng realize he had been too impulsive and nearly destroyed all leads.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s guidance.” This tall northern man of nearly forty blushed, waving for people to come and take the two substitutes away for questioning.

“Your Highness, how should we proceed now?”

The imperial commissioner leading this expedition was Prince Yan, but Prince Yan had actually escaped. You Meng dared not make decisions arbitrarily and could only ask Pang Xiao’s opinion.

Pang Xiao lowered his eyes, “Now we must first quickly pursue the whereabouts of Prince Yan and Gu Shixiong. We’re not far from the old capital of Great Yan now, and this prince worries these two are heading for the treasure. Second, we should quickly report today’s situation to His Majesty and await his imperial decision.”

You Meng nodded, “Your Highness speaks correctly. This subordinate will immediately give the orders.”

Pang Xiao didn’t participate in questioning the two substitutes, because they were Prince Yan’s people. Although anyone with eyes could understand that these two expendable pawns definitely knew nothing, to avoid suspicion, Pang Xiao not only kept his distance but also restrained his subordinates from approaching.

Qin Yining was tired and drowsy. When Pang Xiao returned to their temporary lodging in the farmhouse bedroom, Qin Yining was already lying sideways, half-asleep.

Hearing light footsteps, she didn’t even want to open her eyes, asking in a soft, gentle voice, “You’re back? Has You Meng handled everything?”

Hearing her naturally seductive voice, Pang Xiao’s thoughts stirred again. Seeing her charming posture lying sideways, his very bones felt like they were melting.

“Everything’s been handled.” He sat beside Qin Yining’s bedside, his large hand gently massaging her back, ambiguously sliding downward.

Qin Yining glared at him reproachfully, her beautiful eyes holding a thin layer of mist, looking like a small animal that had been thoroughly bullied as she complained, “I’m tired.”

She was usually composed and experienced, thoughtful and decisive, often making people forget she was actually just a young girl. Such coquettish behavior was rare indeed.

Now after marriage, she showed her most authentic self before him without reservation – she had playful and lively moments, and moments when she acted spoiled and clingy.

Pang Xiao’s heart melted into a puddle of water. He lay down beside her and pulled her into his embrace, “Alright, alright, I won’t, we won’t tonight. I’ll just hold you while you sleep.”

Qin Yining pressed her face against his shoulder hollow and nodded wearily. Soon her breathing became even.

Pang Xiao looked down at her trembling long lashes as she slept, her slightly parted cherry lips, and the hair black as satin scattered across the pillow. He loved her so much he couldn’t help but quietly kiss her forehead.

Seeing she was sleeping deeply, he simply loosened his own hair with one hand reaching over his head, intertwining his hair with her long locks, and dozed lightly as well.

Outside the village, activity was bustling. Three hundred Dragon Guard Army soldiers made camp and cooked meals. You Meng led men into the woods to urgently interrogate the two substitutes.

But this small courtyard in the village was unusually peaceful and quiet.

Those two substitutes from actor backgrounds were merely found to take the blame – what valuable information could be extracted from them? Despite You Meng’s exhaustive methods, he only learned that the two had been hired by a young man surnamed Lu, knowing nothing else.

Among Yuchi Yan’s favored inner attendants was one called Xiao Luzi.

But Yuchi Yan’s escape was already reality – what use was knowing that Yuchi Yan had arranged for Xiao Luzi to hire replacements? Reporting this to His Majesty would probably result in His Majesty rudely scolding them first, then demoting them three ranks.

You Meng was very anxious.

But having come bearing imperial orders, he naturally had exceptional qualities – he wasn’t someone who couldn’t keep his composure.

The next day, Pang Xiao called Huzi over and whispered a few words. Within an hour, the search party You Meng had sent out returned.

“General! Mission accomplished – we’ve discovered Prince Yan’s escape route.”

“Truly!” You Meng exclaimed joyfully.

“Yes. I’ve already ordered two brothers to secretly follow. General, shall our group set out?”

You Meng felt his precarious official hat was finally secure, and his smile toward Pang Xiao became more genuine.

“Your Highness, what do you think?”

“Mm. Let’s follow them. We’ll set out and trail far behind. As for disaster relief, since the imperial commissioner has fled, we can only temporarily set it aside and await His Majesty’s decision.”

“Yes. Give the order – break camp and set out!” You Meng acted on the command.

Pang Xiao wrote a note and released a carrier pigeon.

Seeing Pang Xiao only sending a message now, You Meng couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Your Highness, didn’t you send a message yesterday?”

“His Majesty handles countless daily affairs and court business is busy. If every matter requires His Majesty’s worry, wouldn’t that show our incompetence as ministers? Yesterday Prince Yan escaped without a trace – sending news would only increase His Majesty’s worry unnecessarily. Today we have a lead, so while His Majesty will be furious, he won’t be overly concerned. And you and I also have some buffer time.”

You Meng smiled and nodded, but inwardly sighed: No wonder he could become a prince of different surname at such a young age! In conducting himself, how could he be so steady? How was it that he himself lacked this intuition?

Simply telling His Majesty that the person had fled would naturally cause imperial fury.

But telling His Majesty that the person had fled but they were secretly tracking and might find the treasure would definitely earn praise for their wisdom and courage. Otherwise it would seem like they had deliberately let Prince Yan escape.

This was truly the way of being a minister!

You Meng unconsciously demonized Pang Xiao in his thoughts.

Qin Yining still shared a carriage with Pang Xiao as everyone followed Prince Yan’s escape route from a distance.