Pang Xiao received the black riding whip, looking at the tassels at the tip and the pendant on the handle, his heart deeply moved.

“Then use mine for now.” He walked to Huzi’s side to get his own whip that he’d used for years, then handed it to Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu took it, gripped the whip in his hand and gave it a swing, smiling: “Good, I’ll consider it a gift from you. Go quickly – it’s getting late.”

Pang Xiao nodded, then suddenly spread his arms and embraced Ji Zeyu.

Both men were similar in height and very tall. Pang Xiao was moved by Ji Zeyu’s brotherly loyalty, and the hand holding Ji Zeyu’s whip gently tapped twice on Ji Zeyu’s back.

Ji Zeyu was startled at first, then slowly raised his hand to return the embrace. Warmth and smile that couldn’t be hidden flowed from his peach blossom eyes.

“Good brother, when I return, we’ll drink together.”

“Alright, we won’t return until we’re drunk.” Ji Zeyu tapped Pang Xiao’s shoulder.

Pang Xiao laughed heartily, embraced Ji Zeyu heavily once more, then turned to mount his horse. He waved spiritedly at Ji Zeyu: “I’m leaving.”

Ji Zeyu held Pang Xiao’s whip, led his silver-white Ferghana horse back a few steps, and cleared the way.

All the Tiger Guards followed behind Pang Xiao, spurring their horses past Ji Zeyu’s side, quickly disappearing into the distance.

Only then did Ji Zeyu grip the whip Pang Xiao had given him tighter, resumed his expressionless demeanor, mounted his horse, and urged it back toward the capital.

He didn’t immediately return to his Prince Consort mansion, but detoured first to the Qin family home. However, fearing there might be spies watching around the Qin residence, he didn’t dare show himself, only observing from afar.

Who knew that just as he turned a corner from an alley, he saw at the far end, directly facing the Qin family’s main gate, what appeared to be a group of riders slowly coming to a stop.

The leader rode a chestnut stallion, wore a sable cloak, and had a sable-trimmed warm hat. With a face dark as water, he was being served by someone in an iron-gray cotton robe who bowed obsequiously as he dismounted.

Though the distance was great, Ji Zeyu still effortlessly recognized that the visitor was none other than Emperor Li Qitian, who should have been sitting high in the palace halls!

Ji Zeyu quickly dismounted, pressed himself against a wall corner and carefully peered around to observe, his brows furrowed tightly with worry.

At this time, Li Qitian stood with hands clasped behind his back before the Qin family gate, his face gloomy. Li Guanwen and a group of imperial guards were all flustered, carefully protecting him from all directions.

They had just gone to Prince Zhongshun’s mansion, only to find it empty. Only servants remained in the residence. Pang Xiao’s maternal grandparents and mother had supposedly left early in the morning with bundles to visit relatives, with no word of when they’d return.

How could it be such a coincidence that they’d gone visiting relatives? He hadn’t known Pang Xiao for just one day – where did the Yao and Pang families have relatives to visit? They were clearly mocking him!

Fine, fine, fine! If they claimed to be visiting relatives, wasn’t their greatest in-law the Qin family? He wanted to see how the Qin family would react! If Qin Huaiyuan really dared to harbor and hide them as he suspected, then he couldn’t be blamed for what followed!

Li Qitian, in his fury, had lost all reason. He ordered in a low voice: “Go knock on the door.”

The attending guards didn’t dare delay, immediately responding and quickly going to knock.

The gatekeeper answered very quickly, but seeing the ill-intentioned group standing before the gate, he nervously didn’t know what to do for a moment: “Gentlemen, this is the Qin residence. Who might you be?”

Li Qitian stood with hands behind his back, silent.

Li Guanwen glanced back at Li Qitian. In this situation, should they reveal their identity or not? His Majesty wasn’t expressing his position, which was truly difficult!

Grumbling internally, Li Guanwen could only try to divine His Majesty’s thoughts: “Distinguished guests have arrived. Quickly go request your master to come out.”

The gatekeeper looked puzzledly at this pale, beardless but richly dressed person before him, then at the wealthy middle-aged man beside him whose face was dark as water, seemingly suppressing anger. He couldn’t help but nod: “This humble one will go immediately.”

Speaking thus, not daring to hesitate, he quickly turned and ran into the residence.

Compared to the servants of Prince Zhongshun’s mansion, the Qin family servants were clearly more knowledgeable about etiquette and hospitality.

Li Qitian kept a cold face. Seeing the nervous attitude with which they treated him, he felt slightly better.

But even so, the stifled anger in his heart still had no outlet. He had already sent people to pursue and bring back Pang Xiao. If they couldn’t bring him back, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t take out his anger on others.

In any case, he first needed to see Qin Huaiyuan’s attitude.

In just a moment, footsteps came from within the residence. Then the main gate opened wide, and Qin Huaiyuan, wearing a somewhat worn deep blue silk jacket, stood inside the door. Seeing the visitors outside, he was immediately so frightened that he fell to his knees as if pushed down like a golden mountain or jade pillar.

Seeing this, Li Qitian didn’t stop him but accepted his salute with hands clasped behind his back.

Qin Huaiyuan, seeing Li Qitian was in civilian dress, didn’t dare use formal address, only saying: “Please come inside quickly.”

The servants attending nearby, though they didn’t know Li Qitian’s identity, could tell from Qin Huaiyuan’s attitude that the guest must be extremely distinguished. None dared show any negligence, hurriedly going to arrange the front hall and prepare tea and refreshments.

After entering the house, Li Qitian hesitated briefly, then still ordered the guards to remain outside, bringing only Li Guanwen inside.

Qin Huaiyuan also knew discretion and didn’t let servants come in to disturb them.

After Li Qitian was seated, Qin Huaiyuan knelt again and performed full court ceremony before daring to speak: “Your Majesty honors this humble residence with your presence. This subject failed to welcome you properly – please forgive this transgression.”

Li Qitian pressed his lips together and stared at Qin Huaiyuan, saying in a low voice: “Beloved Minister Qin, do you know why I have come?”

Qin Huaiyuan knelt properly upright. Hearing this, his eyes showed confusion, then after pondering for a moment, he said: “Presumably Your Majesty came out of concern for this subject. That Your Majesty values me so highly, this subject…”

“Silence!” Li Qitian angrily pounded the table hard, leaning forward and saying through gritted teeth: “You want to play tricks before me? You clearly know why I’ve come, yet you pretend ignorance? Minister Qin, I have always valued your talents and never made things difficult for you because of your status as a surrendered minister. Is this how you repay me now?”

Qin Huaiyuan’s face went completely pale from these words. He urgently kowtowed: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your Majesty’s meaning – this subject doesn’t understand. Whatever Your Majesty wishes to instruct this subject, please speak freely. This subject will certainly do everything in my power to accomplish it. This subject deeply knows Your Majesty’s kindness in recognizing my worth, and has always handled duties conscientiously and diligently. This subject has no intention whatsoever of daring to defy Your Majesty’s will!”

“No matter how you argue, I ask you – do you know about Pang Zhixi leaving the capital?”

Li Qitian stared intently at Qin Huaiyuan’s face, not wanting to miss any expression.

But Qin Huaiyuan looked shocked, his eyes wide with disbelief: “Your Majesty means Prince Zhongshun has left the capital? Your Majesty gave him no assignment, so this is…”

Li Qitian didn’t answer, still staring at Qin Huaiyuan, seemingly wanting to pressure him into fearfully telling the truth voluntarily.