Hearing this, Pang Xiao’s expression became grave. Matters concerning Qin Yining were like touching his heart’s most tender spot. Not to mention Li Qitian hadn’t actually done such a thing yet – even just having someone mention this matter made Pang Xiao feel it was unbearable.

Seeing Pang Xiao’s expression turn so ugly, Tao Jun couldn’t help but sigh.

Truthfully, what Pang Xiao had done for Great Zhou in the past might not concern ordinary citizens, but as fellow military men, they were very clear about it. The rumors claiming Pang Xiao betrayed the country – they absolutely didn’t believe them. Someone like Pang Xiao, who had extremely high prestige domestically and illustrious military achievements, even if he went to the Tatars, how would the Tatar Khan dare truly rely on him? What if he remained loyal to his homeland? What if he won more popular support among the Tatars and his prestige exceeded the Khan’s?

Therefore, His Majesty’s current actions were clearly moves made out of fear and wariness of Pang Xiao – anyone with eyes could see this.

“Good, I understand.” Pang Xiao smiled: “I’ll pay more attention to these matters. But I think His Majesty should also consider national dignity when acting. If he merely uses a woman to seek peace with the Tatars, once this spreads, Great Zhou’s face will be completely lost.”

Tao Jun nodded: “Let’s hope that’s the case.”

Pang Xiao then asked about the Tatars’ recent situation.

If it were someone else, Tao Jun wouldn’t easily reveal such important military intelligence. But since the questioner was the God of War Prince, and he held Ji Zeyu’s token, he wouldn’t conceal anything. He gave a detailed introduction of the Tatars’ current situation.

Pang Xiao listened extremely attentively, frequently commenting and reminding Tao Jun of situations that needed attention at the border pass.

Seeing that even under His Majesty’s suspicion, Pang Xiao still cared so much about border conditions, Tao Jun couldn’t help feeling moved.

Since ancient times, the situation of achievements threatening the ruler had been common.

Without looking far back, wasn’t Pang Xiao’s birth father Pang Zhongzheng also suspected by the Beiji Kingdom’s emperor because his achievements threatened the ruler, deliberately falling into a trap and being eliminated through borrowed knives?

Pang Xiao had deeply inherited Pang Zhongzheng’s legacy and remained a talent for generalship and governance, yet now he similarly faced the emperor’s suspicion. This situation was truly lamentable.

When Pang Xiao returned to his room, Qin Yining had already bathed, changed clothes, and tidied up. She was sitting sideways on the warm kang by the window with her half-dry long hair draped over her shoulders, mending a pair of long pants for Pang Xiao by the light of a silk lamp.

Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing, she looked up and smiled: “You’re back.”

“Mm.” Meeting those eyes filled with starlight, Pang Xiao’s heart completely softened. He quickly walked over, leaned down to kiss her forehead, and seeing her helping him mend pants, couldn’t help but smile: “Just have the servants do these things.”

“I’m idle anyway, and on this journey you’re surrounded by a bunch of rough men – how could they do needlework well?” Qin Yining didn’t look up, her fair hands moving extremely skillfully. The orange-red lamplight cast a soft veil over her, creating a warming sight just to behold.

Pang Xiao’s heart was instantly filled with happiness. He kissed her cheek again before saying: “I’ll go bathe.”

“Go ahead, the maidservant has already prepared hot water. I’ve laid out your clean clothes on the screen.”

“I know.”

Pang Xiao smiled and touched her face, then quickly went to the bathing room. After washing and grooming, he changed into fresh undergarments and came out drying his hair.

Qin Yining had finished mending the pants and was now fixing some wear at the sleeve cuffs of his outer robe. Seeing him walking while water still dripped from his hair tips, she smiled: “Come sit here, I’ll help you dry it.”

Pang Xiao smiled and sat in front of Qin Yining. She knelt behind him, carefully drying his hair with a cotton cloth.

Pang Xiao closed his eyes, thoroughly enjoying this moment of beauty and tranquility. When she gently massaged his scalp with her fingertips, he smiled: “That’s enough. Keeping your arms raised is too tiring, no need to massage.”

“How tiring could it be?” Qin Yining refused to stop, asking: “General Tao just invited you over – was there something important?”

Pang Xiao showed no emotion whatsoever, avoiding the heavy topics as he said: “I asked him about the Tatars’ current situation. Si Qin is conscripting soldiers and grain again. It seems he still hasn’t abandoned his obsession with southern invasion. I always feel there’s something sinister about how he seems possessed, so determined to expand territory.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining pondered for a moment and couldn’t help saying: “Actually, I feel the same way. Previously I always thought Si Qin planned to grasp control of Tatar governance. Though his ambitions were great, he’s now the Tatar Khan, and through his machinations, his prestige among the Tatars is very high. Being a regional hegemon like this should fulfill his desires. But now he’s showing ambitions to conquer the world that are too vast, which also surprises me. Actually, I have an unverified conjecture.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Pang Xiao reached out with his long arm and pulled Qin Yining over to sit on his lap.

Qin Yining put down the cloth and seriously said while supporting his arm: “This idea just came to me suddenly, with no evidence, so it can’t be counted as reliable.”

Pang Xiao grasped her delicate hands to play with them, smiling: “Just speak freely – there are no outsiders here. Besides, I’ve always felt women’s sixth sense is very sharp. You’re like this, and so are my mother and maternal grandmother. Sometimes they inexplicably get a notion, like saying without basis that something won’t work or will be dangerous, and facts prove they’re always right. So speak up – you might provide me with some insights.”

Qin Yining nodded: “I think that when Great Yan was in chaos, Tianji Zi used the alias Liu Xiangu and hid in Great Yan under the pretext of avoiding pursuit. On the surface, she always stayed at the Immortal Maiden Temple, but actually she had some dealings with the Demon Empress and the foolish ruler, and quite extensive contact with court nobles. Though none of these relationships went deep, sometimes influencing certain matters only requires subtle manipulation.

“Later, seeing Great Yan’s dynasty failing, Tianji Zi went to the Tatars. I also saw her in the Tatar palace, where her intentions to stir up trouble became even more obvious – she actually incited Khan A’na Ri to kill me. Later, all the chaos among the Tatars, though Tianji Zi was never seen taking action, I always feel it all relates to her.”

Qin Yining observed Pang Xiao’s expression, then chose her words carefully: “Originally Tianji Zi was famous for divining fate for you three. I don’t know what she said then, but the result was Li Qitian becoming increasingly wary of you. Combining all these incidents, I always feel Tianji Zi played a certain role throughout, though I don’t know what her ultimate purpose is.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao couldn’t help falling into deep thought.

Before Qin Yining said this, Pang Xiao hadn’t considered these things. But once she mentioned it, he recalled Tianji Zi’s actions over the years and indeed felt it seemed as she said – Tianji Zi had always been involved in worldly affairs.

“Yes.” Pang Xiao said thoughtfully: “What could she be seeking by doing this?”

Qin Yining pursed her lips: “Do you believe what she said about the Purple Star Emperor and three inauspicious stars when she did the divination?”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao first startled, then smiled freely: “I don’t believe in such things.”

“Young Master Mu told me that Tianji Zi’s divination said: ‘Meeting chaotic times, the demon fox descends to disturb the celestial order and destroy the previous dynasty’s fortune. Three inauspicious stars – Greedy Wolf, Seven Killings, and Army Breaker – will assist the Purple Star Emperor to ascend and create a peaceful world.’ The fox demon disrupting the country should refer to Great Yan’s Demon Empress. The Greedy Wolf star falling in the north now seems to correspond to Khan Wutejin. The Army Breaker, Seven Killings, and Purple Star Emperor should originally correspond to Ji Lan, Li Qitian, and you.

“After the Seven Killings star ascended, he fears you are the Purple Star Emperor from the original divination, so he’s particularly wary of you, guarding against you everywhere. His hostility toward Prince Consort Ji is relatively weaker.

“I’m wondering – did this divination really happen? If it did, how should worldly situations unfold? If it didn’t, and Tianji Zi deliberately said this, what is she seeking?”

While pondering, Qin Yining’s brows knitted together. With the current situation so tense, Li Qitian had essentially deployed his forces, just waiting for them to return to the capital. If they were more timid or less responsible, they should flee far away to ensure safety.

However, neither she nor Pang Xiao could completely abandon their responsibilities and let family members bear the consequences for them. So regardless of how perilous the road ahead, they still had to return to the capital. Various factors she couldn’t understand at the moment made her feel even more troubled.

“Yining? Alright, stop thinking.” Pang Xiao called Qin Yining several times without getting a response, knowing she was troubled by these matters. He held her and rocked gently: “Just stay peacefully by my side. I can resolve all these matters. I also have ways to deal with His Majesty. Your body is weak, and you’ve endured so much hardship outside. Now you’re troubling yourself with so many thoughts – aren’t you making yourself suffer unnecessarily?”

He kissed her forehead, eyelashes, and nose bridge, finally gently pecking her lips, murmuring: “Be good, stop thinking. Leave everything to me.”

Qin Yining was tenderly silenced, that kiss like a warm spring – gentle and soothing, making her body and mind feel comfortable. She gradually softened in his embrace. Body heat, emotional stirring – these happened within mere breaths.

The days at Tianlang Pass were even more comfortable than those at Tianyu Pass.

Tao Jun gathered his brothers, along with his subordinate soldiers, holding banquets to entertain Pang Xiao almost daily.

Several times Pang Xiao mentioned taking leave to return to the capital, but Tao Jun would say: “The brothers haven’t gathered enough with Your Lordship yet.” Or: “There’s another brother arriving the day after tomorrow who has long admired Your Lordship’s reputation and must meet you. Your Lordship must wait two more days to give this brother face.”

How could Pang Xiao not see that Tao Jun was deliberately stalling for time?

These past days whenever there was opportunity, Tao Jun would either directly or circuitously advise Pang Xiao not to return to the capital. Going back would definitely mean falling into traps and snares. Better to live freely outside with the Princess, and later find opportunities to secretly bring family members away.

Thus at Tianlang Pass, they inadvertently stayed over twenty days.

Yi Binghu was so anxious he nearly sprouted grass from his head. In twenty-plus days he had continuously sent five secret letters to the capital, each describing how arrogant and carefree Pang Xiao was outside, listing Pang Xiao’s crimes in great detail.

Just as Yi Binghu ordered the sixth letter to be sent out, a secret imperial edict finally arrived from the capital.