All the civil and military officials in the court weren’t fools – if they still couldn’t see His Majesty’s intentions at this point, they would have served in court for nothing.

Seeing His Majesty speak thus, many people began to echo his words in agreement.

Those few censors and speech officials who had followed Censor Gu in impeaching Pang Xiao all had faces like death, feeling that their small lives would be forfeit today.

Indeed, Li Qitian said sternly: “You as subjects not only cannot share my worries and solve my difficulties – I wouldn’t blame you for your incompetence – yet you dare to frame loyal ministers before me! If I had believed your slanderous words today, wouldn’t I have become a dim-witted ruler who harms his pillar ministers? Where does this place me! These people all deserve severe punishment!”

Li Qitian released all his pent-up fury at this moment. In memory, Li Qitian had never been in such a towering rage before. Imperial authority was not something ordinary people could withstand. Everyone feared they might also be implicated, and even those officials who had maintained neutral attitudes throughout this affair were intimidated by His Majesty’s wrath. Not to mention Censor Gu and the others who were collapsed on the ground trembling like sieves.

Seeing Li Qitian intending to push the blame onto others to extricate himself, Pang Xiao immediately bowed: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This is how censors and speech officials are supposed to behave. When they discover problems, they must impeach – that is their duty. Today they impeached this subject, it must be because someone behind the scenes caused them such misunderstanding. They did their duty conscientiously. Although they were deceived by others, they ultimately did nothing wrong. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.”

Many officials were quite surprised. They had originally thought that with Pang Xiao’s domineering nature, if he could catch an opportunity for revenge, he certainly wouldn’t let it pass. Who would have thought that this murderous demon prince would also have moments of soft-heartedness, actually speaking up for those who had just impeached him.

But those who understood clearly knew that this wasn’t mercy or magnanimity from Pang Xiao at all – he was clearly making those censors and speech officials feel the difference in Li Qitian’s attitude toward them.

In today’s events, if not for His Majesty’s instigation, the censors and speech officials would probably never impeach Pang Xiao in their lifetimes.

They had acted on His Majesty’s orders, but in the end would be severely punished on His Majesty’s orders, while the one pleading for them was the very person they had impeached.

Such contrast was clear to outsiders, and surely even clearer to those involved.

Li Qitian felt the same way in his heart, secretly resenting Pang Xiao’s pretentious act of playing the good person, yet could only swallow this bitter pill.

None of his deployments had worked, and now he feared Pang Xiao might explode on the spot, creating an uncontrollable situation. So regardless of whether he could endure it, he had no choice but to bear it.

Li Qitian sighed pensively: “Very well, as Prince Zhongshun says. But you all remember – never again baselessly sow discord between me and other ministers. Our Great Zhou has been established for just over four years. What we need is for all of you to work together in unity for the people’s welfare, not for internal strife. We must learn from the lessons of the former Beiji Kingdom.

“If the Beiji Kingdom’s court ministers hadn’t been disunited back then, with serious corruption and extravagance below, it wouldn’t have led to such popular resentment in the end. The past serves as a guide for the future – we must learn from Beiji Kingdom’s lessons.”

Upon hearing this, all ministers bowed in unison: “Your Majesty is wise!”

Li Qitian, seeing the situation had stabilized, could finally breathe a long sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he hadn’t angered Pang Xiao to an uncontrollable degree. Once he went into a frenzy, the consequences would be even harder to control.

However, thinking of Ji Zeyu under house arrest in the Huben Army camp, Li Qitian’s heart filled with frustration and suspicion again.

Ji Zeyu wasn’t an incompetent person – otherwise he couldn’t have intimidated the north, making the Tatars tremble at the mere mention of Ji Zeyu’s name.

Just days ago, he had specifically sent Li Guanwen to test the waters, and Ji Zeyu had the Huben Army situation well under control then. How could he fail at the crucial moment?

Now if anyone told Li Qitian that Ji Zeyu’s situation wasn’t intentional, he wouldn’t believe it.

In the time it took for Li Qitian’s thoughts to race, he had already decided to severely punish Ji Zeyu. For ruining his plans and making him lose such tremendous face, how could he let it slide!

Li Qitian remembered he had just questioned Qin Yining earlier, and this was the perfect opportunity to change the subject: “Princess Zhongshun, continue answering my earlier question.”

Qin Yining had observed the entire process. Just a few people coming to speak with Li Qitian had completely changed his attitude, and she understood that Pang Xiao must have made preparations behind the scenes.

Now seeing Li Qitian had shifted topics, she knew this crisis had been resolved!

Qin Yining felt joy in her heart and marveled at Pang Xiao’s capability. But her expression remained that same calm appearance as she bowed: “Your Majesty, Khan A’na Ri was actually not killed by me that day. The one who truly killed Khan A’na Ri was the current Khan Wutejin.”

Qin Yining concealed Mu Jinghu’s existence and didn’t mention Lu Heng, only roughly describing the situation that day.

“…Later I only knocked Khan A’na Ri unconscious. I didn’t expect that when Khan Wutejin brought his trusted followers afterward, he would kill his own wife. In the end, he even used Khan A’na Ri’s death to stir up popular sympathy.

“While I was hiding everywhere in Tatar territory, the Tatar people greatly praised Khan Wutejin’s devoted oath to avenge A’na Ri. Just mentioning avenging Khan A’na Ri, even ten-year-old children wanted to go to battle.

“Their people are passionate and fierce by nature, different from our Great Zhou. Khan Wutejin very cleverly controlled their emotions and thoughts.”

Qin Yining’s voice flowed smoothly, explaining the matter clearly. All the civil and military officials in court fell into contemplation.

“It seems I underestimated Khan Wutejin’s shamelessness.” Li Qitian said through gritted teeth: “This Khan Wutejin initially helped A’na Ri ascend to the position of regent queen, then gradually supported her to become khan – his purpose was probably to legitimately obtain the khan position from this royal orthodox heir and gain recognition. His scheming is so deep and shameless, it’s absolutely outrageous.”

Upon hearing this, the ministers echoed in agreement, condemning Khan Wutejin’s shamelessness.

After a moment, someone stepped forward to say: “Given this, Princess Zhongshun was truly wronged when captured and taken to Tatar territory during her return from disaster relief. Even if the Tatars now want to wage war, it’s not because of Princess Zhongshun. The Princess is truly innocent in this matter.”

“Exactly. Though the Princess is a woman, she maintained her integrity in Tatar territory, did nothing to harm the Great Zhou, and preserved her chastity until our rescue arrived. Her character and will are worthy of emulation by all women of the Great Zhou.”

With someone saying this, seeing Li Qitian had no intention to refute, everyone echoed in agreement.

Qin Yining lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Pang Xiao, Qin Huaiyuan, and Qin Xiuyuan also said nothing, appearing entirely subject to His Majesty’s commands.

Li Qitian smiled and nodded repeatedly, but inwardly he was so enraged he nearly spat blood.

What did these people mean? His plan hadn’t succeeded, he hadn’t captured Pang Xiao – that was one thing – but why did he also have to reward his wife?

A mere woman, kidnapped to Tatar territory – who knew if she was still chaste or not, yet these people praised her chastity without hesitation. He had no way to refute at this critical juncture.

These people were definitely following Pang Xiao’s instructions!

Li Qitian nearly ground his teeth to powder. But he had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.

“All ministers speak correctly. Princess Zhongshun is indeed a heroine among women.” Li Qitian smiled: “Madam Qin, receive your edict.”

“This subject’s wife is here.” Qin Yining gracefully knelt in obeisance.

“Princess Zhongshun, Madam Qin, is intelligent and virtuous, her virtue distinguished by gentle purity, worthy of being a model for women. Today I specially bestow upon her a Super First Rank Imperial Decree, grant one hundred taels of gold, and various silks and precious treasures.”

Qin Yining quickly performed the grand ceremony: “This subject’s wife thanks Your Majesty for your great grace.”

Li Qitian laughed loudly: “Enough, rise quickly. Your body is heavy now – be careful not to bump yourself while kneeling, or my foolish brother will make trouble with me again.”

These words made it sound as though Pang Xiao liked to cause trouble using his sworn brother status.

Pang Xiao smiled as he helped Qin Yining rise, respectfully bowing to Li Qitian: “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m now an adult and won’t go causing trouble at your house like before.”

A light but effective counter, explaining that Li Qitian was referring to childhood incidents.

This exchange caused many to reflect deeply.

Everyone had clearly seen today’s scene. Li Qitian had obviously set up his formation to capture Pang Xiao, apparently for reasons like achievements threatening the throne. But Pang Xiao’s military merits were genuine, they were sworn brothers with bonds from their youth. For an emperor to have no tolerance whatsoever, so urgently eliminating meritorious officials – it was truly chilling.

Some could think of this angle, while naturally others couldn’t. Some even laughed along appropriately, thinking this was echoing His Majesty’s and Prince Zhongshun’s youthful friendship.

Li Qitian felt nauseated inside. Seeing he couldn’t gain any advantage today and finding it increasingly tedious, he soon announced court dismissal.

After expending so much effort, not only had he failed to capture Pang Xiao, but Pang Xiao’s wife had obtained a Super First Rank Imperial Decree, plus one hundred taels of gold and various treasures. This hurt Li Qitian’s heart more than if someone had carved it out, yet he couldn’t show it and had to endure.

The Capital Guards and Five Cities Military Commission prepared in the city had also been mobilized for nothing. Without receiving further orders, they each returned to their positions.

Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Xiuyuan left the palace, not daring to discuss today’s events or show any excess emotion, hurrying back to the Qin Mansion.

Qin Yining left the palace with Pang Xiao and boarded their carriage.

Only after traveling all the way from the Meridian Gate, getting farther and farther from the imperial palace, with common people’s voices beginning to reach their ears, did Pang Xiao and Qin Yining exchange glances and smile knowingly.

“My lord’s foresight is divine – what exactly did you do? Won’t you tell your wife properly?”

Seeing Qin Yining’s rosy complexion, completely unaffected by today’s formation, still as composed as usual and even joking with him, Pang Xiao was delighted. He pulled her hand over and kissed it, beginning his explanation.