“Although the people from the Azure Sky Alliance are just a rabble, they still possess some courage and morale. The Silver-Masked Spies may only have six people, but each one is an elite. They already knew that the Dragon Soar Army’s treasure escort had nearly three hundred people, and they also knew the approximate timing of the return journey. They must have made detailed plans—where to strike would be most secure, what timing would be most appropriate. So I think there’s no need to worry about this aspect.”
Pang Xiao’s words were very soft, each sentence whispered, his warm breath spraying against Qin Yining’s ear, causing her to shiver.
Qin Yining wanted to raise her hand to rub her ear, but her arms were wrapped in the blanket and held by Pang Xiao, so she could only nuzzle against Pang Xiao’s shoulder.
Pang Xiao chuckled softly, feeling that this Qin Yining was like an adorable little animal that made one unable to resist cherishing her.
Qin Yining didn’t know what Pang Xiao was thinking. She was analyzing the current situation, and after a long while, whispered in Pang Xiao’s ear: “The Silver-Masked Spies are relatively more loyal, but the Azure Sky Alliance may not be.”
“Oh?”
Qin Yining lowered her voice even more: “Originally, the leader of the Azure Sky Alliance was my maternal grandmother. She did all that to seek revenge. After completing her revenge, she didn’t want to participate in these matters anymore. Perhaps she also saw that the Azure Sky Alliance was difficult to control, so she withdrew and handed the Azure Sky Alliance over to me.
“Although I bear the title of Azure Sky Alliance leader, if something happens within the alliance, they might come to me for help or even to take the blame. But in reality, if I order them to do something, if it brings them no benefit, they won’t help either.
“They were once rebels in Great Yan, and they never settled properly in Great Zhou to begin with. Each one of them conducts business with the Tatars at the border. They’re only being so obedient this time because they can make a profit from it. But as for their loyalty, I truly have no confidence.”
Pang Xiao now completely understood. He kissed Qin Yining’s temple and softly comforted her: “It doesn’t matter. This isn’t your fault either. My forces are all being watched and cannot act rashly. I can only rely on your people—this is also a helpless measure. Using them is still better than watching the treasure fall into Li Qitian’s hands.”
“Actually, I’m also conflicted. If we don’t act, I’m afraid Li Qitian won’t be willing to spend much of this money on the people—he’ll use it all to strengthen his army, which would be disadvantageous to you. That’s why I decided to secretly intercept the treasure. Whether it’s the aristocratic families or Li Qitian, we can’t let them gain this wealth for nothing. Keeping it in our hands, we can at least ensure this money is used for the right cause. If there comes a day when we must tear off all pretenses, we’ll also have some confidence. But sometimes, I feel guilty.” Qin Yining sighed softly.
Being in the midst of the situation, in order to survive and protect those around her, she seemed unable to find any other way.
Pang Xiao could actually understand Qin Yining’s feelings, because he had the same sensation.
But now neither of them represented only their own lives—they also had to be responsible for those people who followed them, so they couldn’t help but consider more carefully.
“Don’t overthink it. We’re also acting out of necessity. If we can succeed, naturally that’s good. If we fail, then we’ll meet soldiers with generals and cover water with earth.” Pang Xiao murmured softly, “But this trip is the most peaceful I’ve ever been. Because you’re by my side accompanying me.”
Qin Yining also smiled: “Yes, fortunately I came with you. Otherwise, I don’t know how worried I would have been.”
He kissed her neck, and Qin Yining laughingly dodged away.
The two played around for a while, then closed their eyes to rest together.
Although Qin Yining appeared to be sleeping, her mind was still racing rapidly.
Actually, she was still worried.
If they couldn’t successfully seize the treasure, it would be fine if they managed to escape successfully. But if they couldn’t escape and someone was captured and exposed them, things would become troublesome.
If they successfully seized the treasure, naturally it would be better if it didn’t go according to Li Qitian’s wishes. But she was also worried that once the treasure was in hand, disputes would arise between the Azure Sky Alliance and the Silver-Masked Spies.
The known Silver-Masked Spies in the capital didn’t dare act rashly, and the four she brought out were also limited in number, so they contacted six people currently reachable outside.
These six people were highly skilled in martial arts and had received professional training. If disputes really broke out, whether the numerically superior Azure Sky Alliance would win or the martially superior Silver-Masked Spies would prevail was still unknown.
Qin Yining now only prayed that such things wouldn’t happen.
They currently had no carrier pigeons, and under the surveillance of so many people, they also couldn’t contact the outside world. In this completely sealed situation, they could only wait.
Time quickly passed by half a month.
The weather became sweltering, and the mosquitoes and insects in the forest increased. Nearly two months had passed since the earthquake, and these disaster relief teams were actually trapped in the forest by Li Qitian’s imperial edict because of the treasure.
Although their lives were inconvenient, their daily needs were still guaranteed. However, Qin Yining had been bitten by a poisonous mosquito two days ago. A hard lump had swollen on her wrist that was both itchy and painful, and the wound had become somewhat infected and inflamed. She had been running a low fever for the past two days.
“Sister Ning, how do you feel?” Pang Xiao held a round fan in one hand to fan Qin Yining while lovingly rubbing her palm and fingers with the other.
Qin Yining smiled: “Don’t be so nervous. How could I be so delicate? It’s just a mosquito bite with some infection—it’s nothing serious.”
“It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t brought you out, you could be at home instead of living in this forest full of mosquitoes.” Pang Xiao felt remorseful, and his resentment toward Li Qitian increased even more.
“Stop thinking nonsense. Are there no mosquitoes anywhere else? Besides, we brought Bingtang along too. With her here, we can all rest assured.”
Pang Xiao nodded, somewhat gratefully saying: “Fortunately you brought Bingtang. Initially, who could have thought we’d be trapped in these mountains for so long? Now that the weather is hot and there are many mosquitoes, insects, snakes, and ants, we rough men don’t mind, but you have a delicate constitution and are suffering needlessly with us.”
Qin Yining opened her arms, smiling as she looked at her man.
Sometimes this man was just like a child. His current aggrieved appearance was even more like a large dog that had been kicked.
When he saw her open her arms to embrace him, the joy and delight that burst forth in his eyes infected her too.
Pang Xiao supported himself with both hands on either side of her, burying his face against her soft shoulder and chest. Surrounded entirely by the elegant, delicate fragrance from her body, he couldn’t help but take several deep breaths.
“Sister Ning, you smell so good.”
Qin Yining embraced his head and shoulders with both arms. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but blush and chide: “Nonsense. I’m not even wearing perfume. How could I smell good?”
Living in the mountains, Qin Yining rarely wore makeup.
But Pang Xiao didn’t believe her and buried himself in her embrace, taking several more deep breaths: “It’s not perfume—it’s you that smells good, your body smells good.”
His earnest declaration made Qin Yining’s face heat up, but she still couldn’t bear to let go. She thoroughly enjoyed these quiet moments of embracing Pang Xiao.
“Your Highness! An imperial edict has arrived!” Huzi’s startled cry from outside the bamboo partition door shattered this moment of tranquility.
Both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining were stunned and hurriedly got up to receive the edict.