“Not entirely. Dear son-in-law, don’t lose heart. Discussing countermeasures in advance is also a way to prevent problems before they arise.” Qin Huaiyuan comfortingly patted Pang Xiao’s shoulder again, his eyes showing only trust and regard.
Pang Xiao was moved in his heart. All the filial affection he would have had for a father was now placed upon Qin Huaiyuan. He nodded solemnly in agreement: “Father-in-law, rest assured. I will certainly act cautiously and prepare thoroughly in advance.”
“Excellent. Since matters are settled, do your duty and treat everything with equanimity. You are talented. Though you cannot act freely now due to concern for Yi’er and the child in her womb, even a crouching tiger is still a tiger. Taking this opportunity to conserve strength is not necessarily a bad thing.”
After being encouraged, Pang Xiao’s worries and deeply hidden anxiety completely dissipated. His eyes shone bright and confident as usual.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi silently observed the interaction between Qin Huaiyuan and Pang Xiao. Their original admiration had now become joy and relief. Being older and having followed Pang Xiao for many years, though they were master and servants, they actually felt sorry for Pang Xiao having experienced so many hardships at such a young age.
Pang Xiao had lacked a father’s protection since childhood and was forced to train on battlefields, growing up to the present. In his life, very few people could wholeheartedly act as elders to guide and advise him. Those who approached him either wanted something or needed to depend on him.
Qin Huaiyuan not only cared for the people but could also set aside past grievances. Seeing how he treated Pang Xiao—giving guidance when needed, encouragement when appropriate—he clearly treated him like his own child.
Such a father-in-law could serve as a guiding light, with special meaning and great importance for Pang Xiao.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi now deeply respected Qin Huaiyuan from their hearts, just as they had initially respected Qin Yining. When they continued discussing possible reactions from the palace, the atmosphere became warmer than usual.
However, as expected by several people, Li Qitian not only ordered the Five Cities’ Military Commissioner’s Office to place the capital under martial law but also sent additional personnel to Sui Mountain Imperial Tombs, conducting detailed investigations of the former dynasty’s tomb chambers. Within just a few days, the people were in a state of anxiety. Everyone thought bandits had infiltrated the capital to kill people, causing the streets to empty early before curfew time, with shops closing their doors and refusing to do business before dark.
Unable to find the treasure and having lost Yuchi Yan, Li Qitian became even more convinced that the treasure must be in the imperial tombs, with perhaps some portion also in the capital. These past days he had become nearly obsessed, rarely visiting even the Empress Dowager and Empress, spending entire days pondering the treasure’s location.
However, time quickly passed to the fifth day of the ninth month. The tomb chambers in the imperial tombs had been pried open, and even the coffins of Beiji Kingdom emperors had nearly seen daylight, yet the treasure remained nowhere to be found.
Li Qitian had also suspected whether Tianji Zi was playing mysterious tricks to fool him.
But despite capturing many monks and Taoists these days, Tianji Zi was nowhere to be seen. Under such strict gate inspections, this person had disappeared completely as if he had never appeared, which made Li Qitian even more suspicious.
Qin Yining hadn’t been sleeping well these past few days. The two little ones in her belly were very active, and with her frequent nighttime needs plus the autumn heat still raging, Qin Yining had developed faint dark circles under her eyes.
This day, she was supporting her waist and standing in the corridor watching Bingtang and Lian Xiaozhou play shuttlecock when she heard what seemed like commotion from outside the courtyard wall.
Lian Xiaozhou and Bingtang stopped their movements.
Ji Yun went out to inquire.
Soon she returned to report: “Princess Consort, nothing serious happened outside. Someone from the palace came to deliver His Majesty’s oral decree, requesting the Prince to enter the palace for an audience.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Pang Xiao had already entered the courtyard.
“You’re quite quick with words, girl.” Pang Xiao smiled at Ji Yun without any anger.
Ji Yun bowed and stepped aside with lowered head.
Qin Yining extended her arms, and Pang Xiao immediately came forward to support her arm: “Why are you standing here? Are you tired?”
“I’m fine. Why did His Majesty suddenly summon you? Did he summon only you, or others as well?”
Pang Xiao helped Qin Yining back into the room and sat on the kang by the window before saying: “Not just me. It’s said that Beiji veteran ministers, Great Yan surrendered officials, nobles, and upright officials—basically anyone of note has been invited to the palace.”
Qin Yining frowned, murmuring: “Today is already the fifth. That day’s letter said ‘ninth day of ninth month, golden light appears’?”
“Yes.”
“Precisely because the date is near, His Majesty’s heart grows anxious. During this time he’s done everything from digging graves to excavating tombs, probably only finding some burial goods. Regardless of whether he missed some mechanism, he should already be impatient. Calling you all in this time is also a manifestation of his suspicion.”
Pang Xiao smiled and nodded, embracing Qin Yining: “Great minds think alike. Having dealt with his temperament for so long, his behavior patterns naturally become predictable. This time there must be no progress either in the capital or at the imperial tombs. Since he completely believes in the treasure matter but can’t find it, he’ll start suspecting everyone.
“Without being arrogant, if he’s going to suspect anyone, I’ll bear the brunt, and other important ministers will also be on his suspect list. Since he can’t determine who’s behind the treasure affair, he’ll definitely cast a wide net to catch everyone, keeping all suspected persons under his watchful eye to prevent any mishap.”
Qin Yining said worriedly: “So once you go, you’ll inevitably have to stay several more days. Palace affairs are treacherous and ever-changing. Can we find a way not to go?”
Pang Xiao smiled: “That’s an imperial decree. This isn’t the time to openly resist orders and break relations, especially when that person’s eyes are red with obsession.”
Qin Yining touched her round belly and sighed: “Our children came too early. Actually, the current situation isn’t suitable for me to peacefully nurture pregnancy. With such great changes in court, for you to protect our mother and children’s safety, you’ll have to make many sacrifices.”
Qin Yining knew that with Pang Xiao’s character, if this were before, even if he was unhappy, he wouldn’t show displeasure openly but could find unassailable reasons to resist imperial decrees.
Li Qitian calling so many people to the palace this time was clearly house arrest. If things went badly, he might interrogate them one by one about the treasure’s whereabouts. If Pang Xiao went, Qin Yining truly feared he might be in danger.
However, Pang Xiao couldn’t retreat now. He also couldn’t cause complications.
The current Pang Xiao, even if he were a dragon, had to coil up. He had to do everything possible to protect Qin Yining and their children, seeking stability in all matters until after Qin Yining gave birth.
Pang Xiao squeezed Qin Yining’s hand and smiled: “Look at you, sighing again. Be careful that the children born in the future will look like little old men.”
Hearing this, Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh lightly. Knowing he was deliberately comforting her, she sighed: “Even if you must enter the palace, you cannot fail to prepare an escape route. If His Majesty’s orders contain any vulnerabilities to exploit, you should still return home and try to avoid staying in the palace.”
“Don’t worry. Perhaps you’re guessing wrong. His Majesty isn’t crazy—how could he keep all ministers under house arrest?”
Qin Yining smiled without speaking. Because they both knew that regardless of whom His Majesty kept, Pang Xiao, being such a prominent target, would definitely be detained.