Pang Xiao nodded, gazing treasuringly at the person leaning in his arms.
“When I first couldn’t find you, I was frantic every day during that period. My only thought was to find you first before anything else, so time passed quickly. Later, when I heard news of you in Tatar territory, my heart settled a bit, and suddenly time slowed down. I discussed with father-in-law, and at that time it wasn’t a good opportunity to leave the capital to search for you. I could only wait helplessly in the residence. I was too lazy to bother with court affairs, so when idle, I would hammer and chisel to make some things. This plaque was made during that time.”
Who would have thought that not only was the calligraphy his own, but he had even crafted the plaque himself.
Qin Yining smiled, but her eyes grew moist again.
Seeing the crystal tears glimmering in her eyes, Pang Xiao felt both heartache and helplessness. Carrying her all the way inside, he asked, “Why are you crying again?” He had discovered that since Qin Yining became pregnant, she had become particularly emotional.
Qin Yining felt somewhat embarrassed, but thinking about how Pang Xiao must have spent his days after she went missing, her heart ached with waves of tenderness and pain. If she were in Pang Xiao’s position, she probably would have gone mad with worry long ago.
Seeing Pang Xiao carrying the princess consort back, the servants didn’t dare look too much, but all wore smiles as they lifted the brocade door curtains made of bamboo fabric for them.
The room was already lit with lamps. The dim yellow silk lanterns made the interior seem especially warm and cozy.
Qin Yining was carefully placed by Pang Xiao on the canopy bed covered with soft bedding. He personally removed the various hairpins and jewelry from her head, letting her slightly curled long hair fall behind her. Crouching by the bedside, he gently removed her shoes and socks with tender, lingering movements.
Qin Yining supported herself with both hands at her sides, watching Pang Xiao with curved brows and smiling eyes.
Pang Xiao would also look up from time to time, meeting Qin Yining’s gaze. Encountering those gentle, water-like eyes, he couldn’t help but smile as well.
After their marriage, they hadn’t gotten used to living in their new quarters before receiving imperial orders to leave the capital. Now that they had returned home, Qin Yining could finally set her mind at ease, though she still felt some sighs in her heart.
“Will grandfather, grandmother, and mother return tomorrow?” Qin Yining asked.
Pang Xiao nodded: “Father-in-law is cautious in his actions. When I left the capital to search for you, I entrusted him to hide them. I was afraid His Majesty would take out his anger on them while I was gone, so father-in-law secretly arranged it. He hid them so well that even I couldn’t find them. Moreover, every time I face father-in-law, I feel that whatever he instructs makes sense, and I’ll listen to whatever he says. Although I know father-in-law is definitely right, this feeling is a bit like being bewitched – quite eerie.”
Qin Yining burst into laughter hearing this: “There’s nothing eerie about it. It’s just that father is a charismatic person.”
Pang Xiao nodded upon hearing this: “Indeed so. By the way, I saw that two young ladies from your household also came. If they get together with the old dowager, they’ll inevitably stir up trouble. Why don’t I keep an eye out and see if there are any suitable families? Their ages are just right for marriage.”
“If you’re willing to step forward, that would naturally be good.” Qin Yining nodded with a smile, feeling especially moved that Pang Xiao was willing to help with various trivial matters concerning the Qin family.
The two had a good night’s sleep. Having each other by their sides made both their hearts feel at peace.
The next day, after the afternoon meal, Qin Yining had just lain down on the warm couch for a nap when a maid came from outside to report: “Princess Consort, the old master, grand madam, and old madam have returned!”
Hearing this, Qin Yining was overjoyed and hurriedly got up from the bed. Moving too quickly, her head buzzed and her body swayed, but she was supported by a maid beside her.
“Princess Consort, don’t be hasty. When the old madam and grand madam return, they’ll surely go to Pine Crane Hall first. Shall this servant attend you as we walk toward Pine Crane Hall?”
Qin Yining’s body was now heavy, and she didn’t dare run around carelessly, otherwise she would have rushed out long ago. Hearing this, she could only nod and slowly walk outside with the maid.
Leaving the gates of Longing for Qing Garden, they walked along the covered corridor all the way to Pine Crane Hall. All the mansion’s servants they encountered along the way stopped to bow respectfully, addressing her as “Princess Consort.”
Qin Yining wore a light pink cloud shoulder cape, one hand supporting the maid’s waist. Beside her followed an old nanny with arms spread like a protective mother hen, and behind them followed four second-class maids, walking hurriedly forward to meet them.
Suddenly she heard a burst of conversation ahead. Qin Yining looked up and saw the tall, slightly plump but spirited Ma Shi walking in front with the beautiful Yao Shi, while Pang Xiao accompanied Yao Chenggu behind them, engaged in cheerful conversation.
Seeing Qin Yining, Ma Shi smiled so broadly her eyes nearly disappeared. Abandoning her daughter, she strode forward to meet Qin Yining: “Good child, let grandmother take a look at you!”
“Grandmother!” Qin Yining bent her knees to bow, but Ma Shi held her hands with both of hers, not letting her kneel: “Don’t do that, our family doesn’t go in for such formalities. Good child, you suffered outside! It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back. Let me tell you, that brat Dafu lost you, and I’ve already given him a beating for you. Let’s see if he dares to be so careless again in the future – losing his own wife, what else can he do!”
As she spoke, she turned to glare at Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao stood to the side with Yao Chenggu, both grandfather and grandson wearing honest smiles on their faces.
Yao Shi smiled faintly without speaking.
Qin Yining then turned to bow to Yao Chenggu and Yao Shi respectively.
“Grandfather, mother.”
Yao Chenggu nodded with a smile: “Good, good, as long as you’re safe, nothing else matters.”
“Exactly.” Yao Shi also smiled: “During this time our Dafu was like he’d lost his soul. Now that you’re back, everything is fine. Your grandfather and grandmother both say nothing else matters, as long as people are safe, that’s a blessing. A perfectly good daughter married into our family whole and complete – if something had happened to you, we wouldn’t know how to face your in-laws.”
Qin Yining smiled and nodded in agreement, but she had a scale in her heart and could clearly see their true attitudes.
Ma Shi genuinely cared for her, welcomed her, and had no doubts about her whatsoever.
Yao Chenggu was deep and calculating. From his words, she could tell he had already developed suspicions about her, but he never liked to show anything on the surface, only saying “nothing else matters.”
Yao Shi, this mother-in-law, certainly harbored deep doubts about her chastity and didn’t truly care about her. Rather, she was using various indirect remarks to reproach her. Each of her sentences couldn’t be faulted individually, but strung together, they inexplicably made her feel stifled.
Qin Yining was well-bred and had learned proper etiquette from palace nannies during her time in Great Yan. Her manners were impeccable, so at this moment no one could see the suffocation in her heart.
Except for Pang Xiao.
Hearing Yao Shi’s words, Pang Xiao felt somewhat displeased and said: “Mother needn’t worry. My father-in-law’s family are all reasonable people. When I originally lost Sister Yi, father-in-law didn’t say anything. A few days ago when I nearly met with disaster, it was father-in-law and second uncle who gave up their official positions together to save me. If they blamed me for Sister Yi’s situation, how could they still help me? The Qin family are good people and wouldn’t act that way.”
Upon hearing that Pang Xiao had nearly “met with disaster,” Yao Shi’s face immediately changed with worry: “What happened? Was it because you left the capital without permission?” She frowned, and from the corner of her eye couldn’t help but glance at Qin Yining with very resentful eyes.
Being looked at this way made Qin Yining feel angry, wronged, and helpless. Her heart felt blocked, and she couldn’t help but cover her mouth and dry heave.
“Oh my, what’s wrong with this child?” Ma Shi was startled and hurriedly took Qin Yining’s hand, discovering her palms were covered in cold sweat. Worriedly she asked: “Quick, quick, Bingtang girl, come examine your young mistress.”
“Yes.”
Bingtang, Ji Yun, Qian Yun, and Lian Xiaozhou, who had been standing at the back, hurried forward.
They had been staying outside with the grand madam’s group during this time. Ji Yun and Qian Yun had taught Bingtang and Lian Xiaozhou quite a few rules. Since the masters had just reunited, they didn’t presume to come forward, and Qin Yining’s view had been blocked by Ma Shi and others, so she hadn’t seen the few people standing far away.
Seeing Bingtang and the others now, although Qin Yining was still suppressing nausea, her heart was joyful. She had heard from Pang Xiao before that they were still alive, but only now seeing them with her own eyes could she completely set her mind at ease.
“Princess Consort, how are you?” Ji Yun supported Qin Yining’s hand.
Ma Shi stepped aside to let Bingtang examine Qin Yining.
After taking her pulse, Bingtang made a sound of surprise, then smiled: “Princess Consort is over three months pregnant. You’ve already begun taking fetal-nourishing medicine for conditioning.”
Qin Yining nodded, her brows knitted and lips pressed together, but joy showed in her eyes.
Bingtang, Ji Yun, Qian Yun, and Lian Xiaozhou all smiled with happiness. The girls’ laughter was melodious and pleasant as they offered congratulations, livening up the atmosphere.
Ma Shi’s eyes widened with delighted surprise, then she clapped and laughed heartily, the wrinkles at her eyes deepening: “Oh my, how wonderful, how wonderful! Hey, you girl, why didn’t you say so earlier? You’re just pregnant, and your body is weak – why aren’t you lying down properly?”
“Grandmother, I’m fine.” Qin Yining smiled, feeling grateful for Ma Shi’s care.
Under Yao Shi’s suspicion and Yao Chenggu’s coldness, Ma Shi’s sincerity was even more touching.
However, Yao Shi frowned as she looked at Qin Yining, then looked back at Pang Xiao. Instead of joy in her eyes, her frown deepened.
Seeing Yao Shi’s reaction, Pang Xiao understood clearly and said: “On our return journey, we traveled for over five months. Along the way we encountered desert and bitter cold. Sister Yi was captured by the Tatar female khan who wanted to threaten Great Zhou, and they even tortured her. Her health has been poor. It’s my fault – I shouldn’t have let her become pregnant at this time… Ah, look at me going on. Let’s go back and rest first.”
As he spoke, he went to support Qin Yining. Though he didn’t carry her, he squeezed her small hand with his large one.
Warmth passed from their fingers to her heart, and Qin Yining felt deeply moved.
Ma Shi had never minded such things anyway, only feeling that the child’s safe return was better than anything. Now that she was carrying Pang Xiao’s child made it even better. Hearing Pang Xiao’s words, she nodded with both happiness and worry: “Good, good, good, Dafu, quickly take your wife to rest. Body-nourishing things, ginseng and cinnamon – we have plenty of money, don’t be stingy!”
Pang Xiao nodded with a smile: “Rest assured, for the sake of your great-grandchild, I absolutely won’t be stingy.”
“What kind of talk is that? Shouldn’t it be for your wife’s health? Let me tell you, when women carry children, that’s the most exhausting thing. She’s suffered so much following you, you can’t treat her poorly.” Ma Shi rolled her eyes at Pang Xiao, then glared warningly at Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu.