Ever since Qin Yining became pregnant, Pang Xiao was as happy as if celebrating New Year every day. Combined with Tao Jun’s intentional efforts to retain Pang Xiao and slow his return to the capital by arranging banquets daily, Pang Xiao’s days became even more carefree.

When Pang Xiao gathered with the Longxiang Army brothers, he naturally wouldn’t invite Yi Binghu.

Every time Yi Binghu heard that Pang Xiao had dined with someone again, or had sparred with someone and earned more praise, his heart felt as uncomfortable as if scratched by cat claws.

This person had clearly committed the grave crime of treason, so why could he still live so triumphantly? His wife was pregnant, people around him were increasingly respectful and admiring, and even public opinion grew more favorable.

Yet he, who came by imperial order, was left aside like dried vegetables. Not only did the Longxiang Army people treat him with indifference, even the men he brought from the Capital Garrison Camp wouldn’t follow his orders and never showed him the respect they displayed toward Pang Xiao.

Yi Binghu felt each day passed like a year.

If Pang Xiao continued living so freely, he didn’t know whether His Majesty would blame him upon return. Though the orders came from His Majesty, when subordinates handled affairs contrary to His Majesty’s wishes, being blamed was common.

Compared to Yi Binghu’s torment, Qin Yining lived more comfortably than ever before.

Except for attending banquets, Pang Xiao basically stayed glued to her side all other times – serving tea and water, massaging shoulders and legs, feeding her water and food. He even wanted to carry her to the toilet, but she kicked him aside with a red face.

Though Qin Yining had poor appetite daily and often felt nauseous, being so carefully protected by Pang Xiao made her heart very happy.

This day, Pang Xiao again bid farewell to Tao Jun: “We really must leave. It’s almost spring now, and the journey will be slower. By the time we reach the capital it will nearly be summer. We’ve delayed too long already – it’s difficult to explain to His Majesty.”

After nearly a month together, Tao Jun could see Pang Xiao’s determination to return to the capital. Constantly detaining him here wasn’t proper either. Yi Binghu was the type who wouldn’t be sweet if made into sugar but would definitely be sour if made into vinegar. If he truly filed a complaint, it would be troublesome.

Thinking of this, Tao Jun could only sigh: “Your Lordship must be extremely cautious this time. I’ll await good news from Your Lordship at the border.”

Pang Xiao smiled and nodded, patting Tao Jun’s shoulder: “Thank you for your kind intentions and care during this time.”

“Not at all. Your Lordship is Master Bi’s good friend and the God of War the brothers worship. What I’ve done amounts to nothing and doesn’t deserve Your Lordship’s thanks. If there’s opportunity to gather again someday, we must drink until drunk.”

Pang Xiao smiled and nodded seriously: “Good, we’ll gather again someday.”

Pang Xiao returned to arrange departure while servants busily packed luggage.

As soon as there was movement here, Yi Binghu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He secretly thought that the next Tianshu Pass and Tianmen Pass absolutely couldn’t allow Pang Xiao such delays, or the journey to the capital would take a full year.

However, Yi Binghu’s worries were unnecessary. Pang Xiao originally hadn’t planned to delay time and wouldn’t deliberately delay the upcoming journey. Though the commanders of Tianshu Pass and Tianmen Pass still showed great enthusiasm toward Pang Xiao, he only stayed one or two days before departing again.

Seeing that all four major border passes were crossed and the road ahead was clear with the capital growing closer, Yi Binghu could finally breathe easily.

Anyway, the closer to the capital, the more of their people there would be. If Pang Xiao wanted to cause trouble, it would become increasingly impossible.

Yi Binghu’s face, which had been sullen for a month, finally showed a smile.

However, after smiling for a few days, he couldn’t smile anymore.

Because His Majesty’s edict ordered Yi Binghu to indulge and tolerate Pang Xiao, allowing him to return to the capital with princely ceremony, people along the way all learned that Prince Zhongshun was bringing the Princess back to the capital.

The Princess had killed the former Tatar Khan. The Prince was a heroic figure who shook the world. The common people greatly admired the couple. Combined with Li Qitian’s earlier proclamation that Pang Xiao had committed treason and actually defected to the Tatars, now seeing him appear with the Princess still using princely ceremony was very thought-provoking.

Common people discussed it, and scholars discussed it too.

Finally, public opinion split into two factions. One group felt that Pang Xiao had made great contributions to Great Zhou, and with the Princess having killed the Tatar Khan, claims of treason must be someone spreading rumors. His Majesty should severely punish the rumor-mongers. The other group felt His Majesty must fear Prince Zhongshun’s military achievements and thus created rumors, inevitably reminding people of Pang Zhongzheng’s case years ago.

The second type of discussion naturally no one dared speak loudly, usually just groups whispering secretly. But because this speculation involved imperial secrets, it gained even more credence in people’s hearts.

Pang Xiao naturally noticed people spreading these discussions along the way but paid them no mind. His attention was entirely occupied by Qin Yining.

Whether her body was too weak or the journey too exhausting, from the moment she got in the carriage Qin Yining felt continuously uncomfortable. The nausea and vomiting worsened with the road’s jolting. If the road conditions were smooth it was manageable, but sometimes the roads were full of potholes and uneven, making the carriage bounce terribly. Qin Yining vomited whatever she ate. Finally, Pang Xiao couldn’t bear watching her suffer. When encountering such road conditions, he simply wrapped Qin Yining in a sable fur cloak and held her sideways in front of him while riding horseback.

Yi Binghu was anxious throughout the journey. But whether he urged or not made no difference – travel speed depended on whether the Princess felt comfortable. At this rate, Yi Binghu even felt the journey might be delayed until year’s end to reach the capital.

Seven hundred li outside the capital, the Huben Army camp had almost become a landscape feature. Continuous military camps built along the mountains housed a hundred thousand troops stationed here, forming what resembled a town.

In the main tent of the Huben Army camp, Ji Zeyu, wearing a fire-red cloak with cloud-return pattern trim, stood before a large map with arms crossed in contemplation.

The map clearly showed the terrain of the four northern passes and Tatar borders. Detailed to mountains, streams, even patches of forest – showing Ji Zeyu’s deep understanding of the border from years of garrison duty.

Head Eunuch Li Guanwen frowned as he bowed, having stood behind Ji Zeyu for nearly a full incense stick’s time.

When he arrived, Ji Zeyu had maintained this motionless posture.

When he conveyed His Majesty’s inquiry, Ji Zeyu seemed not to hear.

Li Guanwen wondered if Prince Consort Ji was contemplating some major military problem and thus didn’t hear him speak.

Li Guanwen hesitated, wanting to ask again but fearing to interrupt the Prince Consort’s thoughts. Standing bored, he craned his neck to peek at the map, but Li Guanwen’s daily activities were limited to the palace grounds, so after long observation he couldn’t understand which area this map showed.

Li Guanwen could only patiently continue waiting, thinking martial artists were especially sensitive to their surroundings, so perhaps Prince Consort Ji would soon notice a living person standing behind him.

After another tea’s time of waiting.

Li Guanwen finally grew somewhat impatient.

He was His Majesty’s favored person, usually receiving flattery when walking outside. Being ignored like this was rare. Though Ji Zeyu was now the Huben Army’s commander and held the title of Prince Consort, he was ultimately sent by His Majesty to convey messages. Treating him thus was equivalent to being cold toward His Majesty.

Thinking of this, Li Guanwen coughed softly, yet not daring to startle anyone, he gently repeated his earlier words: “Prince Consort Ji, His Majesty’s meaning is to ask what degree of control you now have over the Huben Army. Please tell this slave so this slave can report back to His Majesty and set His Majesty’s mind at ease.”

Ji Zeyu still didn’t answer, continuing to study the map.

Getting no response, Li Guanwen felt as if grass grew in his heart – anxious, irritated, and displeased at being slighted.

“Prince Consort Ji? This slave represents His Majesty in asking about your degree of control over the Huben Army.”

Still no answer.

Li Guanwen almost suspected Ji Zeyu would turn into a statue.

Just as Li Guanwen felt extremely irritated and wanted to ask again, Ji Zeyu suddenly turned around, his pair of clear peach blossom eyes coldly looking at Li Guanwen.

The chill emanating from those eyes nearly froze Li Guanwen’s entire body. Though he wore fire red, that blazing color made his whole person seem like an ice carving, appearing even more coldly arrogant and noble, utterly unreachable.

Li Guanwen startled and shivered all over.

Simultaneously, Ji Zeyu said coldly: “Guards.”

“Yes.”

A ten-man squad quickly rushed in from outside the tent, saluting in unison: “Marshal!”

Ji Zeyu’s pale, slender finger pointed at Li Guanwen: “One hundred heavy strikes. Drag him out.”

“Yes!” The men immediately responded, grabbing Li Guanwen without a word and dragging him outside.

Li Guanwen was so frightened he dropped his rhinoceros horn fly whisk, his hat went askew, and he shrieked: “What does Prince Consort Ji mean by this! This slave came by imperial order. Treating this slave thus – do you harbor rebellious intentions?”

Despite Li Guanwen’s shouting, those dragging him showed no hesitation, forcefully pulling him toward the tent exit.

Li Guanwen thought: It’s over, it’s over, how unlucky to run into Prince Consort Ji planning rebellion! Your Majesty, this slave has become your sacrificial pawn – you’ve killed this slave!

Being dragged about, Li Guanwen was so scared tears flowed.

Just as the men lifted the tent flap about to take Li Guanwen away, Ji Zeyu suddenly spoke: “Release him. You may withdraw.”

The ten men found this somewhat strange but didn’t question it, saluting in unison with “Yes” and filing out in orderly formation.

Only Ji Zeyu and Li Guanwen remained in the tent.

Ji Zeyu said flatly: “Do you understand now?”

Li Guanwen collapsed on the ground gasping, his face several shades whiter than paper. After a long while, he finally caught his breath and stared dazedly up at Ji Zeyu’s cold face. His brain, which had stopped functioning from fright, finally regained thinking ability.

“This slave understands Prince Consort Ji’s meaning.”