“You!” Li Qitian was left speechless by Pang Xiao’s words, blinking repeatedly. Although these truths were obvious and he understood them in his heart, having Pang Xiao lay them out like this still made his earlier behavior seem like unreasonable troublemaking.

Li Qitian felt his imperial dignity had been violated. He angrily strode forward, grabbed Pang Xiao by the collar, leaned close to his ear and sternly questioned:

“Pang Xiao! Are you trying to rebel!”

Pang Xiao calmly looked directly at Li Qitian and said in a deep voice: “If Your Majesty had rebellious intentions, would I have fallen to the point where my wife is captured and I must take the blame for others?”

“What do you mean by that!”

Li Qitian’s eyes blazed with fury. Pang Xiao was clearly telling him that if he had rebellious intentions, Li Qitian wouldn’t even have the chance to sit on the throne now!

These were truly treasonous words, but what was even more detestable was that they were true – any clear-sighted person could see it, and when Pang Xiao spoke these words, all the palace attendants and the two elderly ministers heard every word clearly.

Pang Xiao was slapping his face!

Li Qitian’s face flushed red with anger, his hand gripping Pang Xiao’s collar trembling continuously, unable to speak for quite a while.

But Pang Xiao said sorrowfully: “Elder Brother, you and I are sworn brothers. Don’t you know what’s in my heart? The reason I could overlook the grudge of my father’s death and accept the Qin family was precisely because of my love for her. If I didn’t truly love her, how could I possibly let my enemy’s daughter enter my household and acknowledge my enemy as my father-in-law?

“All that is in the past. I don’t want to dwell on it anymore. I’ve followed Elder Brother through life and death for so many years, and now that we’ve finally found stability, I too wanted to live some peaceful days. But who would have thought that just after we married, Qin Shi would be captured, and now that bastard Si Qin inexplicably claims Qin Shi is the murderer who assassinated A’na Ri!

“Just empty words – does whatever he says become truth? I don’t believe it! I won’t accept it!”

Pang Xiao’s appearance was like that of a bullied child with nowhere to turn. He sat helplessly on the ground, his eyes reddening as if about to cry.

This display completely bewildered Li Qitian.

Usually such a proud, domineering, and cold person, one who had killed countless enemies on the battlefield and was called a “fiend” by all, now appeared like a helpless child. This stark contrast left Li Qitian momentarily at a loss, as if blaming such a Pang Xiao would make him, as emperor, appear too heartless.

Pang Xiao’s current vulnerability also stunned Li Guanwen and the others who were kneeling on the ground, making them sigh that even heroes fall to beauty’s charms – even Prince Zhongshun, a figure like an overlord, now had moments of heroic despondency.

Qin Huaiyuan glanced out of the corner of his eye at his aggrieved son-in-law, then at Li Qitian, inwardly amused though his face showed no trace of it.

Pang Xiao always handled matters this way – sometimes throwing tantrums and acting unreasonably, even swearing in front of Li Qitian, stubbornly disobeying imperial edicts when he said he would disobey. Yet just when he had provoked Li Qitian to the point of wanting to kill him, he could timely display his most vulnerable side, filling people’s hearts with sympathy. For the sake of his own reputation, Li Qitian would be unable to severely punish him no matter what.

This kind of measured advance and retreat maximized his own interests.

Qin Huaiyuan timely kowtowed and said sincerely: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Prince Zhongshun has been overly worried these past days, his internal fire is strong, making his tone somewhat harsh. Please, for the sake of his devoted love, do not hold his childish temper against him.”

Li Qitian gritted his teeth.

Childish temper? A man in his twenties – commoners of this age were already fathers of several children, yet they still dared to call it childish temper!

But if he truly took issue with Pang Xiao at this moment, wouldn’t that make him someone who argues with children? In the ministers’ hearts, they would surely think he was not a mature person either.

Moreover, after venting his anger, Li Qitian had also calmed down.

He could not pursue Pang Xiao’s responsibility at this time. Because he was, after all, a wise ruler, not a tyrant, and he had to consider his external reputation. Furthermore, the Tatars’ current behavior clearly showed southern invasion intentions – who knew when he might need Pang Xiao to go to battle again.

Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu, these two great generals, were currently the Great Zhou’s stabilizing pillars. With them, he had more confidence. Otherwise, in such a vast court with ministers divided into several factions, an empty treasury, unfound treasures, and no military general capable of contending with Si Qin, how could he continue to sit on the throne?

Moreover, even if he disliked Pang Xiao and wanted him dead, he wouldn’t let people see his intentions openly and earn the reputation of murdering meritorious officials. He had countless ways to take Pang Xiao’s life while others remained unaware – that would be truly wise.

Thinking of this, Li Qitian helped Pang Xiao up with both hands, then said to Qin Huaiyuan and Elder Lu: “All of you, rise. I too was overly anxious for a moment. Li Guanwen, arrange seating.”

“Yes.”

The palace servants busied themselves, quickly and orderly arranging chairs and helping the trembling Elder Lu to his seat.

Pang Xiao also sat in the lower seat, head down, lost in thought.

Li Qitian said: “Regardless of whether there truly was an assassination attempt, Si Qin’s public proclamation is already extremely detrimental to our Great Zhou’s public opinion. I believe Si Qin’s intentions lie elsewhere.”

“Your Majesty is wise.” Qin Huaiyuan rose and bowed: “In this old minister’s humble opinion, Prince Zhongshun’s earlier analysis also makes sense. Si Qin very likely is diverting trouble eastward, using this to provoke conflict. His ambitions don’t stop at the Tatars alone.”

Li Qitian nodded.

Carefully recalling Si Qin’s journey to his current position, he seemed to have reached it entirely through his own schemes, using A’na Ri as a stepping stone to climb step by step to high position, finally removing the stepping stone so he could sit at the highest position himself.

Perhaps Lu Heng and Qin Yining just happened to be caught up in it and became scapegoats.

Even if they hadn’t been captured, Si Qin would very likely have found ways to frame the Great Zhou, thereby provoking conflict. He used them to take the blame – all the bad deeds were done by others while he not only got to be Khan but also earned a good reputation for protecting his wife.

This person was truly brilliant, earning even Li Qitian’s grudging respect.

“Then according to Minister Qin’s thinking, what should we do now?” Li Qitian looked at Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan lowered his eyes in thought, then said: “Regardless of who actually killed Khan A’na Ri, Si Qin has already decided to throw dirty water on us. This old minister believes now is the time to prepare early for Si Qin’s next move. This old minister feels Prince Zhongshun’s analysis makes sense – Si Qin might use this opportunity to invade south. The Great Zhou has two war gods and naturally doesn’t fear Si Qin, but this old minister knows Your Majesty takes pity on the common people.”

Li Qitian immediately nodded.

Qin Huaiyuan’s suggestion hit exactly what he was thinking.

Not only because he pitied the people, but more importantly – if they wanted to fight, they had no money!

The Great Zhou now had a good facade, but was actually quite hollow inside. To mobilize troops for war, feeding men and horses – where didn’t that require silver? But where could this silver be found?

If they could find the treasure, that would be one thing. The problem was no one knew where the treasure was now.

Li Qitian’s mind turned to the treasure while worrying about potential warfare, temporarily setting aside his blame toward Lu Heng and Qin Yining. He consulted with Qin Huaiyuan, Elder Lu, and Pang Xiao until very late before letting the three return. After they left, he immediately instructed Li Guanwen: “Go summon Prince Consort Ji to the palace.”

Li Qitian currently trusted Ji Zeyu most.

Outside the palace gates, Elder Lu was directly carried onto his carriage.

Qin Huaiyuan and Pang Xiao politely saw off Elder Lu’s carriage before heading toward their own carriages.

Pang Xiao took the opportunity to say quietly: “Father-in-law, we must find a way to rescue Yi Jie’er. I can see His Majesty’s intention – if war breaks out over the assassination matter, he very likely will push all the blame onto Yi Jie’er and Lu Heng. Sacrificing two people and paying some compensation would be much more economical than launching a war.”

“I think the same. Unfortunately, after Jingzhe and the others returned to the capital, they were monitored along with other secret agents. I currently have no one available.”

“What does Father-in-law have in mind? I have people available. All hundred elite Tiger Guards are my loyal followers with trustworthy character.”

Qin Huaiyuan said: “Then I’ll trouble your subordinates to make a trip to the Tatars, find Yi Jie’er, and provide close protection. But they cannot return to the Great Zhou for now – they should wait in Tatar territory for a while and observe how things develop.”

“Good. We’ll do as Father-in-law says.” Pang Xiao nodded, then said wistfully: “If possible, I truly wish I could go personally. I wouldn’t feel at ease with anyone else going.”

Qin Huaiyuan patted Pang Xiao’s shoulder: “Stay calm. The more critical the moment, the more we cannot panic. If we all panic, Yi Jie’er out there will be even more at a loss. Don’t you think so?”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao nodded: “Father-in-law is right.”

The two boarded their respective carriages, not daring to leave together but heading in their own directions.

When Qin Huaiyuan returned to the Qin Manor, he first went to the main quarters to visit the ailing Old Dowager.

“Mother.” Qin Huaiyuan bowed.

The Old Dowager was leaning against a large, soft pillow. After taking a sip of the white fungus soup Nanny Qin fed her to moisten her throat, she said: “You’re back. Is there more official business to attend to?”

“Nothing major. Is Mother feeling better?”

“Better. Much better.” The Old Dowager nodded with a smile: “The imperial physician we invited this time has excellent medical skills. Meng Ge’er should properly thank him later.”

“Your son knows.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled and nodded.

The Second Madam and Second Young Madam Han, who were attending to her illness, both laughed and teased: “Old Dowager’s illness improves by half just seeing the Master. With the imperial physician’s examination on top of that, she’ll naturally recover completely.”

“You two monkeys.” The Old Dowager was made to chuckle, then looked at Qin Huining and Qin Baoning who were serving nearby, saying: “Hui Jie’er and Eighth Miss should go rest. Don’t stay here and catch the illness.”

Qin Huining and Eighth Miss Qin Baoning understood this meant the Old Dowager had something to say and wanted them to withdraw.