Qin Yining rode beside Pang Xiao. When their group just reached the city gate, they saw it slowly opening. Over a hundred soldiers came pouring out, forming ranks on both sides with their sharp weapons all pointed at Pang Xiao’s group.

Then they saw a man in his forties wearing golden helmet and armor riding out on horseback, followed by a stocky middle-aged man whose Capital Garrison armor was particularly conspicuous.

Pang Xiao held the reins of both his and Qin Yining’s mounts in one hand while playing with the whip in his other hand. He raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Not bad, your formation to welcome this Prince is quite impressive. This Prince is very gratified.”

Upon hearing this, Yi Binghu’s face flushed red with anger and he nearly fell from his chestnut horse. He spurred his mount forward and sternly rebuked: “Halt! You traitorous madman, how dare you still speak such nonsense here!”

Pang Xiao didn’t even glance at Yi Binghu, just smiled as he urged his horse forward and cupped his hands toward Kang Qiong: “Marshal Kang. It’s been a long time.”

“Your Majesty.” Kang Qiong hurriedly returned the greeting with cupped hands, smiling: “Your Majesty has traveled far and hard. Please enter the city to rest first. This subordinate has already ordered the best rooms in the post station to be cleaned, with hot water and wine prepared. The welcoming banquet is also ready, just waiting for Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for Marshal Kang’s arrangements.” Pang Xiao smiled and nodded, about to lead Qin Yining and his brothers into the city.

Seeing this, Yi Binghu’s eyes turned red with rage. He kicked his mount’s belly and charged forward, positioning himself horizontally to block Pang Xiao’s group.

“No! You’re a traitor who betrayed the country – how can you enjoy such high treatment! Since you know to return to the country, you should have some sense of shame! You betrayed Great Zhou back then, and now you return as a criminal. We’re already being lenient by not putting you in shackles, yet you still want a welcoming banquet?”

Yi Binghu drew his sword with a “clang,” pointing it directly at Pang Xiao: “Men! Arrest this traitorous criminal for this General!”

Silence.

Still silence.

Whether it was the Longxiang Army men brought by Kang Qiong or the Capital Garrison men brought by Yi Binghu, not a single person moved.

Meanwhile, the Jinghu Guards Pang Xiao brought back all stood expressionlessly, staring at Yi Binghu with cold eyes as if looking at a dead man. This frightened Yi Binghu so much that the hair on his spine stood on end.

Wind blew past, making Yi Binghu’s sword-wielding pose look rather desolate.

“Move! Wei Erbao! Li Daniu! And you others!” Yi Binghu turned around, angrily pointing at his subordinates.

But Pang Xiao chuckled and spurred his horse forward again, seemingly completely unconcerned that Yi Binghu’s sword point was aimed at him. He passed by the soldiers wearing Capital Garrison uniforms one by one, calling out their names individually.

“Wei Erbao, you seem to have gotten fatter?”

“Li Daniu, smile, keep smiling – look at those tobacco-stained teeth! I told you to smoke less!”

“Qian Dong, look at yourself – did Wei Erbao steal all your food?”

“Tsk tsk, Wu Xiaogui, how are you still skinny as a monkey?”

…

As Pang Xiao passed each person, he could accurately call out their names and easily joke with them. Clearly, although these people were all rejects from the Huben Army, Pang Xiao had never forgotten them and remembered their preferences and situations clearly.

When these people saw Pang Xiao, each pair of eyes shone with worship – there wasn’t a trace of hatred.

Li Daniu grinned sheepishly, then embarrassedly covered his mouth: “Your Majesty, this tobacco is hard to quit. When I’ve trained my martial arts well, I’ll try for the Huben Army again. If I succeed, will you take me?”

His honest words made everyone laugh heartily.

Pang Xiao smiled: “That won’t work. The current commander of the Huben Army is Ji Lan. I’ll talk to Ji Lan later – if you’re capable and can catch Ji Lan’s eye, then Ji Lan will take you.”

“Ay! Thank you, Your Majesty!” Li Daniu’s response was very loud.

The Ji Lan mentioned by the Prince was the current Prince Consort Ji Zeyu, former commander of the hundred thousand Longxiang Army, also a hero on par with the Prince, one of the rare generals of this era. To catch Prince Consort Ji’s eye would be excellent indeed!

Pang Xiao chatted warmly with people, making the scene particularly relaxed and lively. Rather than Yi Binghu bringing men to intercept them, it was more like a reunion between Pang Xiao and former acquaintances from the Huben Army.

Yi Binghu was now completely dumbfounded. Watching those who should have arrested Pang Xiao now talking to him with worshipful faces, with no intention of capturing him, Yi Binghu was both anxious and furious.

“What are you people thinking! Have you forgotten the Emperor’s painstaking efforts! You followed this General out here, so you must obey my commands! I now order you to immediately arrest Prince Zhongshun and the Princess Consort and return to the capital!”

Yi Binghu was already furious, his hair nearly standing on end, his shouts loud enough to cause an avalanche in the distant mountains.

But those very close to him wouldn’t listen to him! Although he came under orders, his commands weren’t imperial edicts. If no one was willing to follow his instructions, what could he alone accomplish?

Especially since the entourage Pang Xiao brought were now stabbing him with their eyes. He was certain that if Pang Xiao gave the word, these Prince’s mansion guards and attendants would immediately rush forward recklessly to perish together with him.

Thinking of this, Yi Binghu couldn’t help but shiver again. He was still young and didn’t want to lose his life here for nothing.

So receiving no response, Yi Binghu didn’t dare continue shouting. He could only clench his teeth tightly to prevent himself from saying anything else to anger the other party.

After Pang Xiao finished reminiscing with old acquaintances, he said: “Open the city gates.” Then he turned to Yi Binghu: “Your coming is actually just right. This Prince was planning to return to the capital to see the Emperor anyway. It’s good for you to escort us together.”

Escort?

How about escorting in a prison cart?

Yi Binghu clenched his teeth tightly, and after a long while said: “Since Your Majesty is willing, this subordinate naturally dares not refuse.”

Anyway, the closer they got to the capital, the more of the Emperor’s people there would be, making it less likely for Pang Xiao’s group to escape and easier for him to complete his mission.

Kang Qiong timely said: “Your Majesty has finally come to Tianyu Pass – you must at least have a drink with the brothers before leaving. The banquet is already set. If Your Majesty doesn’t eat, wouldn’t it be wasteful? Moreover, the brothers Your Majesty brought also need to drink some wine to warm up, and the Princess Consort needs proper rest.”

Yi Binghu gritted his teeth and glared at Kang Qiong, thinking this person was really meddling unnecessarily – what business was it of his to interfere!

Pang Xiao looked at Yi Binghu’s nervous appearance. Having seen enough of his anxious state, he kindly stopped teasing him and smiled: “In that case, how could this Prince disappoint Marshal Kang’s kind intentions?”

Upon hearing this, Kang Qiong smiled cheerfully: “Your Majesty, please!”

“Marshal Kang, please!”

Kang Qiong and Pang Xiao dismounted and walked together toward the city gate.

Yi Binghu was left aside. Watching as the soldiers Pang Xiao brought followed the Tianyu Pass garrison into the city one after another, Li Daniu and others beside Kang Qiong also appeared quite anxious.

Actually, even if these people entered the city, they weren’t qualified to drink with Pang Xiao, but they worshipped him in their hearts. It seemed that staying close to him would let them absorb some of the war god’s aura. Seeing Yi Binghu not giving the word, everyone waiting became somewhat impatient.

Yi Binghu now deeply felt Pang Xiao’s prestige and popularity in the army. It seemed all the officers and soldiers at this border pass worshipped him like a deity, making his earlier actions look like those of a clown.

He was both embarrassed and furious, secretly cursing Kang Qiong as an old fox who was best at pleasing his subordinates. Knowing his men worshipped Pang Xiao, he went with the flow and invited him in for a banquet – truly cunning.

After turning over such thoughts for a long while, seeing the city gate about to close, Yi Binghu coldly called to those beside him: “What are you standing around for? Are you waiting for your Prince to come receive you?”

Yi Binghu kicked his horse’s belly and charged in. His subordinates looked at each other, then all curled their lips disdainfully and followed into the city.

Qin Yining was settled in the rear office of the Tianyu Pass yamen, led by Kang Qiong’s wife, Madam Chen, and accommodated in the main room of the rear office.

“The Princess Consort has traveled far and hard, truly exhausting. This border region is harsh and cold, naturally incomparable to the capital, but we do have warm rooms. Please don’t disdain them, Princess Consort.”

“Madam Chen, please don’t be so polite. This is already too good. Madam Chen really needn’t vacate the main room – the Prince and I will soon head to the capital. We’re only staying briefly, so why go to such trouble?”

Hearing Qin Yining address her as Madam Chen, Chen Shi felt somewhat happy. When women marry, they follow their husbands, and most are addressed by their husband’s surname. But some women have their own careers or excellent reputations and are addressed by their maiden names. Qin Yining calling her Madam Chen showed extreme respect.

Chen Shi looked again at Qin Yining’s appearance and such proper demeanor, and couldn’t help but secretly praise: Truly the daughter of the wise Pan An, indeed different from ordinary women. No wonder the Prince flew into a rage for a beauty, even defying thirty-three imperial edicts to find her, and for her sake didn’t hesitate to bear the crime of treason, venturing deep into Tatar territory to bring her back.

Among all the women in the world, knowing that the war god Prince could be so devoted to the Princess Consort, probably none wouldn’t envy Qin Yining.

But now actually seeing Qin Yining, Chen Shi thought: This is truly an extremely excellent woman, otherwise she couldn’t have made the war god Prince’s steel heart become tender as silk.

The two women appreciated each other and chatted as they entered the main room. Chen Shi ordered people to prepare hot water for bathing, and carefully checked the charcoal fire, bedding, and other items in the room. After confirming nothing was amiss, she withdrew.

Qin Yining immersed herself in the warm bathtub, closing her eyes to enjoy this rare leisure. Looking back now, all the hardships experienced after being kidnapped to the Tatars, and all the suffering in the desert, seemed like they had happened in a dream.