Pang Xiao walked ahead with his hands behind his back while Huzi followed behind, saying in a low voice: “We just received news that His Majesty has enfeoffed Second Master Lu as Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness. The imperial edict was just delivered to the Lu family.”

Pang Xiao’s face showed no surprise whatsoever. Thinking of Lu Heng’s expression and attitude when he saw him today, it was as if he’d already had this premonition in his heart.

He wasn’t very familiar with Lu Heng, and they were romantic rivals, so aside from lamenting that there were no eternal feelings between people, only eternal interests, he had no other emotions.

He just thought that Qin Yining might be troubled by this matter, which made him uncomfortable.

Seeing Pang Xiao frown, Huzi asked cautiously: “Master, should we tell the Princess Consort about this?”

Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow, looking at Huzi’s clever expression, and couldn’t help smiling: “What do you think?”

“In my opinion, we should naturally tell her. The Princess Consort isn’t someone who gets stuck in dead ends – she sees everything clearly. Besides, if she doesn’t know about these things, she might still consider him a friend and inadvertently say something inappropriate without being careful.”

“You’re quite clever.” Pang Xiao smiled, then said: “Go watch outside. Didn’t Yin Li and those boys say they were coming today?”

Huzi smiled and nodded in agreement, then said with a grin: “This time it’s all thanks to Prince Consort Ji. Without him, Yin Li, Cao Heming, and the others would still be tied up in the Huben Army. The higher-ups considered them obstacles and wouldn’t promote them, so even wanting to serve wholeheartedly, they had no opportunity. Now that they’ve lost their official positions and regained their freedom to work by your side, we can be like before again.”

Pang Xiao nodded and waved for Huzi to go receive the visitors.

Thinking of Ji Zeyu’s arrangements that day, Pang Xiao felt very grateful.

Ji Zeyu was a clever man who could always use various conditions to create opportunities for himself at critical moments. This time, when Ji Zeyu was “placed under house arrest” by Yin Li and the other six, he not only successfully passed Li Qitian’s test but also allowed these six trusted subordinates to return to his service. Now he had capable subordinates again, with able assistants for his work.

It was just that he hadn’t seen Ji Zeyu for some time and wondered how he was doing now.

When Pang Xiao returned to the courtyard, Qin Yining was no longer visible taking her walk, so he went straight inside.

Qin Yining was leaning against a soft large pillow on the couch, lazily flipping through a book. Seeing Pang Xiao return, she smiled: “What did Huzi want with you just now?”

“They’re six of my former subordinates from when I served in the Huben Army. They’ve now been dismissed from their positions and become free agents. I arranged to meet them today.”

Qin Yining smiled: “That’s actually good. They can be trusted and valued by your side. In front of His Majesty, he would guard against them causing trouble and wouldn’t dare entrust them with important tasks. This way neither side is delayed – quite good.”

“I think so too.”

Pang Xiao sat down beside Qin Yining, took off his shoes, and lay on his side next to her, gently placing his large hand on her swollen belly. He felt the little one inside kick him, and even though it wasn’t the first time experiencing that vigorous life force, Pang Xiao still felt both surprised and amazed.

“Yining, he kicked me again.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “I have something else I haven’t told you yet.”

“Tell me.” Pang Xiao became serious: “Tell me about anything, and I’ll help you handle it.”

Qin Yining smiled: “Earlier when Bingtang examined me, she made some discoveries, but the pulse reading wasn’t clear enough to be certain. Just after grandmother left, Bingtang examined me again and finally confirmed it.”

Hearing it concerned Qin Yining’s health, Pang Xiao’s expression became unprecedentedly grave: “What’s wrong? Should I call Bingtang to explain?”

“No need. I want to tell you this news myself.” Qin Yining smiled at Pang Xiao, her watery eyes seeming to contain rippling waves, the smile at her lips soft and gentle enough to make one lose themselves in it. “Bingtang says I might be carrying twins.”

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao was first stunned, then a smile gradually climbed to the corners of his eyes and brows. His phoenix eyes widened as he looked down at Qin Yining’s belly in disbelief, carefully touching it: “Really? Twins?”

“Yes.” Qin Yining also contentedly held her belly: “I wanted to ask you – are there any twins in your family’s ancestors or close relatives?”

Pang Xiao thought about it: “I really don’t know. There probably aren’t any on grandmother’s side. As for the Pang family, the situation is more complicated. But who cares? Twins are good – so much more convenient. One birth equals two for others.”

Pang Xiao childishly lay against the bed edge, pressing his cheek to Qin Yining’s belly and listening to the lively fetal movement, laughing: “No wonder I thought this child was so active – turns out it’s two brothers taking turns causing a ruckus.”

“Yes.” Qin Yining looked down at her increasingly round belly, feeling that things in this world were truly miraculous. She couldn’t believe she would soon become a mother.

Pang Xiao moved close to Qin Yining and planted a kiss on her cheek with a “smack,” then held her in his arms, nuzzling and kissing her ear and neck like a puppy.

“Yining, you’re wonderful!”

Qin Yining was tickled by his warm breath and light pecks, twisting her body and laughing as she dodged: “Stop fooling around.”

“How am I fooling around?” Pang Xiao rested his face against her delicate shoulder, looking at her profile: “I’m just so delighted, so happy. I heard the other day that the Empress is now pregnant and His Majesty is very pleased. Now it seems he definitely can’t be as pleased as I am, because my wife is much more capable than his wife.”

Qin Yining’s face flushed pink as she gave him a look. So men also had competitive spirits?

“Don’t get too smug. Let’s just keep this between us. I don’t plan to tell my mother’s side. My father and mother are now living with Qin Huining. Though Qin Huining seems well-behaved enough, I don’t trust her character. If my mother gets excited, she often speaks without thinking. If Qin Huining passes it to the Grand Madam and the others, this matter will be publicized.

“The court situation is tense now, and Their Majesties are happy about the pregnancy. If they hear I’m carrying two at once, won’t they be furious? It would be bad to invite disaster.

“On your side, just tell grandmother. Don’t inform others first – when the children are born at year’s end, they’ll naturally know.”

Qin Yining gently pinched Pang Xiao’s high-bridged nose, her soft, slightly cool fingertips carrying a faint jasmine fragrance that made Pang Xiao chase her finger and lightly bite it.

“I understand. It’s better not to spread this news.” Thinking of Yao Chenggu and Yao Shi’s attitude toward Qin Yining these past two months, Pang Xiao felt heavy-hearted, and his earlier light mood completely disappeared.

He sighed as he held her, gently patting her back and saying tenderly: “You’ve been wronged these days. I know my grandfather and mother’s attitudes are wrong. Just avoid them when you see them, and I’ll always be watchful. If they try to make things difficult for you when I’m not home, just ask grandmother to stand up for you.”

Qin Yining smiled: “I’m not some soft persimmon that’s easy to bully. Besides, I can not only ask grandmother for help – my father is also at home.”

Pang Xiao sighed again.

If Qin Yining went to the Qin family, the conflicts hidden beneath the surface calm would be torn open. But Pang Xiao wouldn’t let Qin Yining suffer grievances because of this. She was already the wronged party – how could he prevent her from complaining to her family?

Qin Yining leaned against Pang Xiao’s shoulder, holding his slender hand and using her fingertips to stroke the calluses on his palm.

“I was teasing you. With both families living under one roof, I must consider future relationships. Don’t worry – I don’t want the household to be unpeaceful either. Besides, you know my father’s temperament. He’s skilled at handling these matters.”

Pang Xiao said: “I know all this. I just feel you’re too wronged. My mother…”

“Your Highness, Princess Consort.” Bingtang entered from outside looking somewhat nervous, giving Qin Yining a meaningful look: “The old madam has come.”

Qin Yining blinked in surprise.

Yao Shi had been confined by Ma Shi, and Qin Yining had enjoyed two peaceful months. It seemed she’d now been released?

Pang Xiao patted Qin Yining’s hand and stood up: “Don’t get up. I’ll go welcome mother in.”

Qin Yining nodded but hesitated before beckoning to Bingtang and Jiyun.

The two came over to help Qin Yining up and put on her soft-soled embroidered shoes for indoor wear.

Jiyun whispered: “Didn’t His Highness say to rest well and not get up?”

Before Qin Yining could answer, Bingtang said: “If we really don’t get up, there’ll be more trouble when the old madam sees. We’d rather be a little tired than give the old madam reason to find fault.”

Qin Yining chuckled: “You two just said exactly what I was thinking – one question, one answer. I was having this internal dialogue just now.”

Jiyun and Bingtang couldn’t help laughing.

At the door, Pang Xiao saw Yao Shi walking slowly with Xunhe and Mihe. He went forward and bowed: “Mother, you’ve come.”

Though Pang Xiao’s etiquette was perfect, in Yao Shi’s eyes, this was distant behavior.

Thinking of being confined in the side room for two months while outsiders didn’t know how they talked about her, this old madam had long lost face. Yao Shi’s teeth itched with anger. Unable to resent her own mother or do anything to Ma Shi, all this anger was directed at Qin Yining.

Yao Shi nodded indifferently: “Where’s your wife? I haven’t seen her for two months – I quite miss her.”

Qin Yining had already walked to the corridor supported by Bingtang and Jiyun. Hearing Yao Shi’s voice, she supported her belly and approached, curtsying: “Old Madam.”

Hearing her form of address, anger flared in Yao Shi’s heart, but her smile became even more sincere and gentle. She stepped forward to take Qin Yining’s hands, looking at her belly: “Oh my, this must be five months now?”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Yes, Old Madam.”

Yao Shi looked Qin Yining up and down, seeing her skin still like congealed cream with even better coloring. Though pregnant, her beauty was undiminished. She smiled and took her arm: “Let’s go inside.”