Cao Yuqing waved her hand: “No need to be polite.”

Actually, Cao Yuqing felt some sympathy for Lu Heng. Seeing him unable to obtain what he desired yet having to endure the bitterness while pretending to be carefree in front of Qin Yining and Pang Xiao reminded her of herself, which was why she agreed to escort Lu Heng part of the way.

Anyway, having Qin Yining and Pang Xiao together was the most reassuring situation.

Compared to when Qin Yining and Lu Heng had led the Minuo tribe members in avoiding pursuit by Tatar cavalry, Pang Xiao’s Jinghu Guards were expert professionals who handled such matters with practiced ease, as simple as drinking water and eating.

They had clear divisions of labor – scouts had their duties and guards had theirs. Thus they cleverly crossed Tatar territory to reach the Great Zhou border without encountering Tatar forces even once.

The day before reaching the border pass, Cao Yuqing said to Lu Heng: “Get ready. Today we must leave the group first and then find an opportunity to enter the city.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Heng’s heart skipped a beat. Having to leave Qin Yining filled him with reluctance.

They had been together for so long. Even though he couldn’t possess her, being able to stay by her side just watching her was satisfying. But now he had to leave first, and that feeling of reluctant parting was like having his flesh cut away.

Seeing Lu Heng’s expression, Cao Yuqing couldn’t help but sigh.

“Second Master Lu should be more open-minded and not torment yourself – delaying yourself is what matters.”

After saying this, Cao Yuqing turned and left the tent.

Standing outside the tent, after breathing the cold air deeply for a while, Cao Yuqing’s depressed mood improved.

Although she and Lu Heng shared similar circumstances, she could now find joy in this life of wholehearted devotion without expecting return. Qin Yining was a good child who truly accepted her. Being able to gain Qin Huaiyuan’s friendship and trust, and having such an obedient and filial niece like Qin Yining – this was already the best situation. It was much better than demanding everything and ending up with nothing.

Soon, Lu Heng had packed his simple belongings.

Standing before Qin Yining and Pang Xiao, Lu Heng showed no inappropriate emotions, smiling as he bid them farewell: “Temporary parting – we’ll meet again in the capital.”

Pang Xiao also cupped his hands toward him: “I believe Brother Lu will definitely solve all difficulties on this trip. We await your good news.”

“Me too. Take care. Farewell.”

“See you again.”

Lu Heng looked at Qin Yining once more.

Qin Yining wore a rather large black sable fur cloak with a sable fur hat – clearly Pang Xiao’s clothing.

The black fur wrapped her tightly, her palm-sized face half-hidden in the fur collar. Her face seemed to have gained some flesh, and her complexion looked good. When their eyes met, her watery eyes were full of gentle smiles.

“Be extra careful.”

“I will. Farewell.” Lu Heng suppressed his reluctance, thinking that with Qin Yining together with Pang Xiao, she could indeed be well protected, and he no longer needed to worry.

Having made up his mind, Lu Heng turned, mounted his horse, and left the group with Cao Yuqing and Liao Zhibing.

Pang Xiao watched Lu Heng’s retreating figure, pressed his lips together, then smiled carefreely. His large hand pulled Qin Yining’s small hands hidden in the cloak into his palm, breathing on them and vigorously rubbing to warm them.

“Are you cold? Come, let’s go back to the tent to rest.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, carefully lifting the hem of her cloak to avoid dragging it in the snow and getting it dirty. Her other hand was tightly held by Pang Xiao’s warm, dry large hand as she followed beside him step by step.

“When do we enter the city?”

Pang Xiao smiled: “We need to make some commotion to attract those people’s attention, making it convenient for Brother Lu and the others to enter the city. I think after lunch, I’ll have someone send word to the city saying this Prince has returned with the Princess Consort, telling them to open the city gates and come out to kneel in welcome.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh: “The Emperor has definitely arranged people in the city. Since he’s already proclaimed throughout the realm that you’re a traitor, he knows you went to the Tatars to find me. There must be people in the city responsible for surveillance, waiting to capture you as soon as you return. You’re telling them to kneel in welcome? Are you planning to scare them into kneeling?”

Pang Xiao said indifferently: “Whether it’s beating them into kneeling or scaring them into kneeling, as long as we don’t kneel.”

His large hand ruffled her head. Because the warm hat was a bit big, this rubbing made her hair bun loose and the hat covered her eyes. She looked incredibly adorable.

Qin Yining complained: “What are you doing?” raising her hand to adjust the hat.

But Pang Xiao pressed down the hat, keeping it covering Qin Yining’s eyes. He bent down and gently bit her lips, then his nimble tongue slipped in, entangling with hers in a dance.

Because her vision was blocked by the hat, her senses became much more acute than usual.

Qin Yining felt as if her whole body was about to burn. She breathed his scent, and even her body was dominantly surrounded by his aura. Whether from lack of oxygen or not, for a moment even her legs felt somewhat weak.

When she came back to her senses, she was already placed by Pang Xiao on the simple wooden couch in the tent. He supported himself with one arm beside her cheek, his whole body leaning over her, his phoenix eyes seeming to hold burning flames. Those sparks spread like wildfire, irresistibly soon igniting her as well.

Lunch was naturally slept through by Qin Yining.

When she woke up in the afternoon from exhaustion and soreness all over, Pang Xiao had already finished negotiations with the city.

Pang Xiao crouched beside the bed, not looking at all like someone who had engaged in strenuous activity, as refreshed as if he had taken a great tonic pill.

Qin Yining rubbed her aching waist and glared at him fiercely.

Pang Xiao smiled, grabbed her hand and kissed it: “Are you awake? Are you still uncomfortable? When we enter the city and get to the inn, we can continue sleeping, alright? Get up now, be good.”

He spoke while pulling her up, as if coaxing a small child.

Qin Yining was coaxed until her face flushed, complaining: “I’m not a child, don’t be so mushy.”

“Mushy? How is it mushy? Sweetheart? Baby? Big baby? Little darling?”

Pang Xiao deliberately lowered his voice, his deep and magnetic voice carrying breath sounds that blew against Qin Yining’s ears. Each endearment made her heart flutter chaotically, her face growing redder.

“Who’s your little darling? You’re the little darling.”

Seeing her face red enough to drip blood, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but embrace her, letting her sit on his lap and rocking her like holding a child.

“How is it that I love our Yi Jie’er so much? Truly, you are my sweetheart, my baby. If you’re not by my side, I start missing you intensely after just a moment. This feeling wasn’t so strong before – I would definitely miss you, but we could be apart for a while. But since this incident, if I don’t see you before my eyes for even a moment, I panic and worry that you’ve been kidnapped again.”

Speaking of this, Pang Xiao lowered his head to kiss her forehead: “Tell me, did you steal my heart?”

Qin Yining buried her face in Pang Xiao’s chest, leaving only her thoroughly red ears visible outside, saying in a muffled voice: “Nonsense, who taught you to say such things?”

Seeing that Qin Yining was truly embarrassed, Pang Xiao stopped saying things that made her blush and her heart race. He personally helped her dress, put on shoes and socks, and even clumsily helped her comb her hair. Although his technique wasn’t very good and he pulled her scalp painfully, the hair bun he created was quite beautiful.

After draping the black sable fur cloak over her and carefully adjusting her collar, Pang Xiao smiled: “My baby is so beautiful.” He then planted another loud kiss on her cheek.

Qin Yining’s face was rosy, more radiant than if she had applied rouge. Too embarrassed to stare at Pang Xiao, she obediently followed behind him as they left the tent.

Huzi and the other Jinghu Guards had long been ready. Seeing Pang Xiao and Qin Yining emerge, they all stood holding their horses’ reins with very orderly military bearing.

After organizing their gear, Pang Xiao loudly commanded:

“Depart.”

“Yes!”

At Pang Xiao’s command, everyone mounted their horses and headed straight toward the “Tianyu Pass” city gate at the forefront of the border between the Tatars and Great Zhou.

Great Zhou’s northern border had four passes: Tianyu Pass, Tianlang Pass, Tianshu Pass, and Tianmen Pass.

The one closest to the front lines was Tianyu Pass. Previously, Ji Zeyu had led the Longxiang Army stationed here.

Although the Longxiang Army was still stationed here, the commander had changed several times. The current acting commander of the Longxiang Army was named Kang Qiong, someone arranged by Li Qitian, who didn’t integrate well with the former generals of the Longxiang Army.

Since the major incident of Prince Zhongshun’s treason, the court had been like hot oil with boiling water poured in, already in complete chaos.

Knowing that Pang Xiao had taken his troops to the Tatars, Li Qitian specially arranged for a trusted general to bring over a hundred men to guard Tianyu Pass, waiting to capture Pang Xiao as soon as he returned.

The official Li Qitian sent was named Yi Binghu, twenty-nine years old. Currently holding the rank of Martial Righteousness General of the fifth grade, temporarily assigned to the Capital Garrison, though he previously had some connections with the Huben Army.

As everyone knew, Pang Xiao’s Huben Army of one hundred thousand soldiers were all selected through strict testing and screening. Even after entry, it didn’t mean they would never be eliminated – there were regular strict assessments to determine personnel retention.

Yi Binghu had once been a member of the Huben Army, but he had only stayed for a month before being discovered by Pang Xiao trying to use money for connections after failing assessments. He was severely reprimanded in public.

Yi Binghu’s family was a clan from the Northern Ji Kingdom that had produced many officials in court. He had always considered himself heaven’s chosen one, so being humiliated by Pang Xiao left him resentful. After repeatedly scheming and being kicked out of the Huben Army, he used family connections to secure a position in the Capital Garrison, but the grudge remained in his heart.

This time, Li Qitian arranged for Yi Binghu to guard the border pass and wait – he actually knew about this background. Not only Yi Binghu, but the hundred-plus subordinates he brought were also all formerly expelled from the Huben Army.

Li Qitian capitalized on their resentful psychology, giving them this opportunity for revenge. He also didn’t need to worry about his subordinates going easy on Pang Xiao.