Thinking of Zhou Meng’s inexplicable death without any wounds, everyone couldn’t help but shudder.

Those who had wanted to speak a few words in defense of the First Princess Consort also couldn’t help but close their mouths.

After this incident, they had become convinced that Zhou Meng’s death must have been divine punishment. If they spoke carelessly and angered the heavenly god, they might end up with the same fate as Zhou Meng—a death without warning that was truly spine-chilling.

The First Princess Consort’s expression became even more unsightly.

She could never have imagined that the opportunity she had hoped for over many years was right before her eyes, yet things had evolved to this point.

She was the woman who had followed Zhou Meng the longest, and her son was the most qualified person to inherit the throne! If anyone wanted to obstruct the wealth and glory of her latter half of life, she would fight them to the death!

“You ignorant people! You’re utterly foolish! This witch is bewitching people’s hearts, deliberately misleading you, and you actually all believe her! Don’t let her devour you until not even bone fragments remain, I just… mmph mmph…”

The First Princess Consort’s vicious words that hadn’t yet left her mouth were blocked by the Second Princess Consort’s order to have her gagged.

The Second Princess Consort said through gritted teeth, “If you want to die, you can go die yourself. Don’t drag all of us down with you!”

Several ministers nearby had long been annoyed by the First Princess Consort’s crude language. Seeing the Second Princess Consort order people to grab the First Princess Consort’s arms and tie her up, also covering her mouth, their respect for the Second Princess Consort increased even more.

However, in the current situation, the divine maiden had already been angered. The people probably wouldn’t dare directly rob the divine maiden’s grain, but if this matter didn’t comply with public opinion, the Xiyue people might directly devour them alive!

The ministers unanimously reached a consensus—they must satisfy the people’s wishes. Otherwise, with so many people, even if each person spat once, they could drown them!

Everyone turned their gazes toward the Second Princess Consort.

Even Zhou Meng’s sons were all frightened silly by now and all looked toward the Second Princess Consort, expecting her to make a decision.

The Second Princess Consort pulled her two sons close, her hands unconsciously tightening their grip.

If this had been in the past, receiving such attention from so many people would have certainly made the Second Princess Consort happy.

But the current situation was different. She only felt these people’s gazes were substantial, like steel needles, making her feel cold all over and sending chills down her spine.

However, the Second Princess Consort was different from the rashness of the First and Third Princess Consorts.

She was meticulous in thought, born into a scholarly family, with deeper schemes than the other two, and was best at assessing situations.

Zhou Meng was already dead. Regardless of whether it was truly divine punishment, the people believed it, so it was as good as true.

So even if she wore her lips thin talking, she couldn’t change the people’s thinking. To survive and to be able to integrate into community life in the future, she could only comply with public opinion now!

The Second Princess Consort quietly shared her thoughts with the ministers and other princes and princesses. Everyone felt her analysis made sense and all agreed unanimously.

As for the First Princess Consort’s side, she had already been trussed up tightly and gagged. The First Princess Consort’s sons and daughters were also tied up, lest they cause more trouble.

Everyone left the palace walls and directly opened the palace gates.

The wooden door creaked, causing the people in the square to fall silent for a moment.

Everyone turned to look at the palace gate, only to see the Second Princess Consort leading the ministers and Zhou Meng’s children filing out. When they reached ten steps away from Qin Yining, they knelt down and bowed.

The Second Princess Consort pressed her forehead to the ground and said, “Divine maiden above, please receive our bow! We are all convinced by what the divine maiden said earlier. Moreover, the prince has indeed passed away. He had no illness or pain, no wounds on his body, it wasn’t murder nor suicide, but the heavenly god took him away. The divine maiden was sent by the heavenly god to benefit our Xiyue people. The First Princess Consort spoke evilly and slandered the divine maiden earlier, which was truly inappropriate. We have already tied up those who were defiant, and henceforth await the divine maiden’s disposition! Please, divine maiden, for the sake of the god’s arrangement, bestow grain upon the Xiyue people as planned.”

Although the Second Princess Consort’s voice wasn’t loud, all the surrounding people heard her very clearly. They were moved by the Second Princess Consort’s actions and felt very grateful toward these people who had opened the palace gates to come out and plead.

The people began kowtowing to Qin Yining again, saying in various voices, “Please have mercy, divine maiden!”

Qin Yining had anticipated this would happen, so she said with a compassionate expression and heavy voice, “Very well, since the Xiyue people have such sincere hearts, how could I not follow the god’s decree?”

Speaking thus, she introduced Pang Xiao to everyone, “This person is the true king of Xiyue. The meaning in the holy book is also that I should marry the true King of Xiyue. Today, witnessed by everyone, we will hold a simple wedding ceremony. After the wedding, we can follow the holy book’s guidance and distribute grain to all people.”

The people listened quietly to Qin Yining finish these words and finally cheered with joy.

There were even some lively children who clapped their hands in delight, as happy as if celebrating New Year.

The Second Princess Consort kowtowed and said, “The divine maiden speaks truly. The divine maiden follows the god’s guidance, so the decisions made are naturally correct. It’s just that we people didn’t know before that Zhou Meng was impersonating the prince. It seems that from the first generation prince onward, they were all imposters. We didn’t know the inside story and listened to Zhou Meng’s deception. Please have mercy, divine maiden.”

Saying this not only cleared herself completely, but also cleared all the officials and all the Xiyue people completely.

This explanation served the interests of the masses, thus earning the Second Princess Consort much more goodwill.

The people all echoed in agreement, saying they had indeed been deceived.

Since things were developing exactly according to Pang Xiao’s plan without the slightest deviation, Qin Yining naturally wouldn’t let any complications arise, so she said, “The ignorant are not guilty. The god’s decree is to bring seeds to the Xiyue people, which naturally includes you all.”

The Second Princess Consort was delighted to hear this and kowtowed repeatedly.

Being a princess consort again in the future was impossible. But being able to obtain seeds, to live a self-sufficient life, and to live together with family members wasn’t bad at all.

Obviously, many people shared the Second Princess Consort’s thinking.

Everyone thanked the divine maiden together.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao’s wedding this time was both simple and grand. They married amidst the cheers of all Xiyue people, then immediately ordered the distribution of grain and seeds. Everything proceeded methodically according to Pang Xiao’s plan.

When everything was finished and it was ensured that all Xiyue people had grain and seeds in their hands, and everything was registered and recorded, it was already three days later.

Now, the Minuo tribe members no longer had to stay only in their camp. They could move around freely. When meeting Xiyue people on the streets, they would receive warm greetings. Even the troops who had once been ordered to surround them now had extraordinarily friendly attitudes, and some even came to apologize voluntarily.

Zhou Meng had already been buried after a simple ceremony.

As for the First Princess Consort and others who still refused to submit, Pang Xiao handed them over to other Xiyue officials, letting them decide on the punishment themselves. Anyway, his status was awkward—whatever he did might be criticized, so it was better to let the Xiyue people resolve everything internally.

In the afternoon, everyone gathered in the largest tent in the middle of the Minuo tribe’s camp.

Lu Heng said, “Your Highness, with matters here concluded, what do you plan to do next?”

Uncle A’er Han and others all looked over as well.

Pang Xiao smiled casually and said, “Actually, my coming out this time could indeed be considered acting against orders. His Majesty has never allowed me to leave the capital, and everyone knows the reasons without me explaining in detail. But I was worried something would happen to Yining, so I brought my subordinates out without permission. This matter angered His Majesty. When I left the pass, His Majesty had already announced to the world, charging me with treason.”

Pang Xiao’s words made everyone frown.

Qin Yining’s brow furrowed so tightly it could crush a fly.

“How could this happen? Such a major matter, why are you only mentioning it now?”

Lu Heng was even more astonished, “His Majesty is truly… How much effort has Your Highness put in for Great Zhou’s realm? It can be said that without Your Highness, there would be no Great Zhou now. Whether the Northern Ji cities could even be conquered is unknown! Moreover, Your Highness’s wife just killed the former Tatar Khan. To say Your Highness committed treason? Where could Your Highness defect to? Wouldn’t that make people laugh their teeth out?”

These words stirred everyone’s indignation.

Qin Yining was also very angry.

However, after the anger came understanding and helplessness.

When achievements overshadow the master, this was a difficult problem that consolidated nobles of any dynasty or country in history could hardly avoid.

She very much hoped such history wouldn’t repeat itself with Pang Xiao, but when history’s heavy wheels rolled forward, who could escape?

Seeing Qin Yining frowning and remaining silent, Pang Xiao patted her shoulder comfortingly and smiled, “It doesn’t matter. This isn’t the first time I’ve been scolded. Didn’t you people use my name to stop children from crying at night before? I’m still living well and haven’t lost any flesh. A great man’s aspirations span the four seas—he doesn’t care about these empty reputations.”

“Is being fierce enough to stop children from crying at night something glorious?” Qin Yining looked at Pang Xiao speechlessly, but her anger and depression subsided considerably.

Lu Heng had been carefully observing from the side. Seeing that Pang Xiao didn’t care about this matter at all and didn’t blame Qin Yining for the infamy he bore, but instead looked upon such empty reputations very lightly.

Such magnanimity and devotion to relationships made Lu Heng deeply admire him. Although he could be considered a rival in love, Lu Heng couldn’t dislike Pang Xiao at all.

“Given this situation, returning would probably be very dangerous.” Lu Heng frowned and said, “His Majesty is suspicious and especially wary of you. Now you’re also wearing the big hat of treason. If you return like this, what you’ll probably face next is the court’s arrest and interrogation. Not just you—even your family members probably won’t fare well.”

How could Pang Xiao not understand this reasoning?

But Pang Xiao couldn’t not return, because his and Qin Yining’s relatives were still in the capital. Just because Li Qitian didn’t dare act rashly now didn’t mean he wouldn’t fly into a rage later and take out his anger on Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s family members.

Neither of them was the type who could build their happiness on their family’s sacrifice, so returning to Great Zhou was imperative.