Before entering the palace, Pang Xiao only bid farewell to Qin Yining and didn’t disturb anyone else. He brought only one elite Tiger Guard with him, and even this single attendant couldn’t accompany him into the palace gates.

However, Pang Xiao had already confidently entrusted all affairs outside the palace to Qin Huaiyuan, commanding advisors like Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi to follow Qin Huaiyuan’s arrangements completely. The Tiger Guards were to be led by Huzi and placed entirely under Qin Huaiyuan’s command.

Qin Huaiyuan escorted Pang Xiao to the ceremonial gate, his face maintaining a gentle smile throughout, making anyone who saw him feel particularly at ease.

Pang Xiao cupped his hands in salute to Qin Huaiyuan, then turned around decisively, mounted his horse gracefully, and rode away.

Qin Huaiyuan leisurely ordered the prince’s mansion gates to be tightly closed, then led people on several rounds through the mansion, carefully inquiring about the guards’ rotation schedules and making appropriate adjustments after careful consideration.

The news of Pang Xiao’s departure only reached Yao Chenggu and Yao Shi when Qin Huaiyuan’s inspection tour brought him to Yao Chenggu’s quarters more than half an hour later.

Yao Chenggu prided himself on his cleverness and never doubted his own talents and abilities. Previously, when opening wine shops, he had never lost in competition with others. Occasionally, when discussing current affairs with Pang Xiao, he could see through matters clearly and hold his own in conversation.

However, after his last encounter with Qin Huaiyuan, when the latter had ruthlessly slapped his face with bank notes while chatting and laughing, Yao Chenggu realized there was always a higher mountain. Before this old fox who had weathered the court’s ups and downs for years and remained standing through dynastic changes, his cleverness seemed transparent at a glance.

Additionally, regarding the safflower incident, though his in-law hadn’t come to question him, Yao Chenggu suspected that Qin Huaiyuan had known all along but simply chose not to speak of it.

Therefore, when they met now, Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said, “The prince has been summoned to the palace and has entrusted mansion affairs to my handling. In-law Elder, you are experienced and knowledgeable—please feel free to offer any suggestions.”

For a moment, Yao Chenggu couldn’t even find words of objection. He could only smile and exchange pleasantries before politely seeing off his guest.

After Qin Huaiyuan had led his people away, Yao Shi, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke with dissatisfaction: “Now Da Fu’s heart is entirely with outsiders. Even for such a major matter as entering the palace, he didn’t come to bid farewell to me, his mother. Previously, he would still emulate great families with morning and evening visits—whenever he was in the capital, he would come to see me morning and night. Now he has cast aside all proprieties. Truly, marrying a troublesome daughter-in-law and being swayed by pillow talk has made him forget his roots completely.”

“Enough.” Yao Chenggu was somewhat impatient. “If you hadn’t been so stupid as to directly give your daughter-in-law safflower, would Da Fu be estranged from you and me? Da Fu is not an unfilial person. You, as his mother, nearly killed his flesh and blood, yet haven’t said a single pleasant word or shown any willingness to yield. How do you expect Da Fu to forgive you?”

Yao Shi frowned aggrievedly, “Father came up with the plan, but now you’re blaming everything on me.”

Yao Chenggu waved his hand impatiently: “You’re truly worthless, incapable of improvement. I’m genuinely too tired to bother with your affairs anymore.”

With that, Yao Chenggu turned and went back to his room.

Yao Shi stood in the courtyard, unable to recover her senses for a long while.

Had she truly become a lonely person, unloved by father or mother and estranged from her son?

Lian Xiaozhou pressed close to Qin Yining’s ear, whispering as she clumsily relayed what she had overheard between Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu.

“Sister, it’s the Elder Master’s and Old Madam’s fault.”

Qin Yining smiled and patted Lian Xiaozhou’s hand, saying, “I know. This matter can be considered settled now. As long as we know what happened in our hearts and remain vigilant, that’s enough.”

Lian Xiaozhou pouted, feeling indignant.

Qin Yining could display her formidable authority anywhere with outsiders, but with Pang Xiao’s family members, she had to be neither too harsh nor too lenient. She was too lazy to overthink it.

Qin Yining then instructed Lian Xiaozhou: “Tell the young servant girls to pay close attention to movements at the main gate. If there’s any news from the prince, report to me immediately.”

Lian Xiaozhou nodded and went out to relay the message.

Bingtang entered carrying a bowl of pregnancy-stabilizing medicine, smiling, “Princess, don’t spoil Xiao Zhou too much. She’s been particularly mischievous lately and refuses to follow many rules.”

Taking the small white porcelain bowl, Qin Yining drained the medicine in one gulp, rinsed her mouth with warm water, then dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, saying, “She has no ill intentions and is wholeheartedly devoted to me. Besides, she suffered so much hardship in her youth—I always want to indulge her a little more. For harmless matters, let her be.”

Ji Yun and Qian Yun entered carrying tea, snacks, and fruit, both speaking with mock jealousy: “We’ve never seen the princess dote on us like this.”

“Indeed, the princess plays favorites terribly.”

The group deliberately joked around to cheer up Qin Yining. Though Qin Yining was in low spirits, she appreciated their intentions and tried not to burden others with her anxious emotions.

That evening, Pang Xiao indeed didn’t return home. He sent back the Tiger Guard who had accompanied him with a message.

“Princess, please don’t worry. Our palace contact says the prince is well. The Emperor has gathered many ministers in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for discussions. The prince, Prince Consort Ji, and Earl Lu are all there. There are also many loyal court officials present. With so many pillars of the state gathered together, surely nothing will happen.”

Qin Yining nodded and rubbed her aching lower back. Qian Yun and Ji Yun immediately stood beside her to massage her.

Qin Yining naturally knew that Li Qitian wouldn’t be foolish enough to gather his pillars of state together only to eliminate them all—that would be tantamount to destroying his own foundation. In times of internal and external troubles, if he truly did such a thing, wouldn’t it make Wutejin Khan die of laughter?

But having someone on another’s territory still made one uneasy.

Who knew how long Li Qitian intended to detain them?

As court officials remained confined in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for discussions, both the capital and Chong Mountain Imperial Mausoleum were meticulously searching for the treasure’s whereabouts. However, even though Li Qitian had detained all suspected individuals before his eyes, there was still no news of the treasure.

If not for having already intercepted two cartloads of ancient artifacts and treasures from the Great Yan Dynasty, Li Qitian would have almost believed Pang Xiao’s words.

Detained by Li Qitian’s side, Pang Xiao’s heart remained concerned about Qin Yining’s situation at the mansion. After staying two nights, he had been sleeping on makeshift bedding in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Pang Xiao didn’t find it harsh, but his anxiety only grew.

It seemed Li Qitian planned to detain them until the ninth day?

While Pang Xiao worried about Qin Yining from within the palace, Qin Yining’s concern for Pang Xiao was even greater.

One or two days would have been bearable, but now it seemed Li Qitian had no intention of releasing anyone until he found the treasure. Pang Xiao had no useful people in the palace. What if Li Qitian harbored malicious intentions and Pang Xiao couldn’t guard against them?

The more Qin Yining thought about it, the more anxious she became.

On the morning of the ninth day of the ninth month, Huzi came running from outside with news: “Princess, this morning before dawn, the Emperor set out for Chong Mountain Imperial Mausoleum with all the ministers who had been staying in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Qin Yining was startled. “Everyone went?”

“Yes.” Huzi nodded.

Qin Yining couldn’t help shaking her head, her worried expression deepening.

After dismissing Huzi, Qin Yining sat at her table, repeatedly contemplating the scenes from the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet that day.

“‘Yan dragon vein, beneath Chong Mountain, ninth day of ninth month, golden light appears’—what does this really mean?” Qin Yining frowned, murmuring to herself.

Lian Xiaozhou and Bingtang entered together carrying trays. Hearing Qin Yining’s self-talk, Lian Xiaozhou said, “Chong Mountain is the imperial mausoleum. Why would golden light appear on the ninth day of the ninth month?”

Before Qin Yining could answer, Bingtang had already said, “These past days the capital has been under martial law, all searching for the Yan Dynasty treasure. ‘Ninth day of ninth month, golden light appears’ probably means the treasure will appear on the ninth day of the ninth month.”

Lian Xiaozhou nodded, then shook her head again: “But why would the Yan Dynasty treasure be beneath Chong Mountain? Beneath Chong Mountain is clearly all gunpowder.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining dropped the teacup she had just picked up, grabbed Lian Xiaozhou’s hand urgently, and asked anxiously, “What did you say?”

Lian Xiaozhou was hurt by the grip but didn’t struggle. She looked at Bingtang before saying seriously, “Sister, I don’t remember very clearly. I just vaguely recall Uncle saying that my fath… father, fearing that after the city fell, rebels would desecrate the imperial mausoleum and drag out the remains of past emperors and empresses to trample them, buried much gunpowder in the underground palace of Chong Mountain.”

Qin Yining released her hand in panic, murmuring, “Ninth day of ninth month, golden light appears—could it be… Someone come!”

The last phrase came out in an extremely sharp voice.

Qian Yun and Ji Yun, who had been walking leisurely in the courtyard, were both startled by Qin Yining’s shout. Even Ma Shi, hearing the sound from her side room, came running quickly.

“Yining, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale?”

Qin Yining had no time for Ma Shi and hurriedly ordered Ji Yun, “Quickly, quickly call Huzi—be fast!”

Seeing that Qin Yining’s face had turned white, Ji Yun nodded frantically and ran outside with all her strength.

Ma Shi supported Qin Yining: “Aiya, silly child, you mustn’t be so anxious in your condition. Sit down quickly and let Bingtang examine you.”

“Grandmother, I’m fine.” Qin Yining forced herself to calm down, but her hands kept trembling and cold sweat broke out on her palms.

Bingtang had heard everything clearly and was now equally anxious. After checking Qin Yining’s pulse, she advised, “Princess, please be at ease. The prince will be fine. You must take better care of yourself. If not for your own sake, then for the little prince.”

Qin Yining pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Her mind was already in chaos, filled entirely with images of “gunpowder” exploding. Chong Mountain housed the imperial mausoleum’s underground palace of the Northern Ji Kingdom. Once gunpowder was ignited, whether through explosion or the collapse of the underground palace, the consequences would be unbearable.

No wonder Tianji Zi had warned Pang Xiao not to leave home.

But because she was pregnant, Pang Xiao, for her peace of mind, had obeyed the imperial summons this time.

What if something truly happened?

Not wanting Ma Shi to worry as well, Qin Yining persuaded her with kind words to return and rest, having Qian Yun attend to Ma Shi.

“Princess.” Huzi rushed into the room and saluted Qin Yining.

Qin Yining took a deep breath, steadied herself somewhat, then said, “Immediately take two men and the prince’s mansion token, ride swiftly to Chong Mountain. You must catch up with the prince. There’s gunpowder in Chong Mountain’s underground palace! Warn them not to enter the underground palace, not to approach Chong Mountain!”

Upon hearing this, Huzi was immediately terrified, his face pale. He frantically agreed and ran out urgently.

Qin Yining’s hands kept trembling. After thinking for a long while, she stood up and said, “Immediately order a carriage prepared, call several Tiger Guards to accompany us. Bingtang, Ji Yun, you two come with me.”

“Princess, this absolutely won’t do! How can you venture out rashly in your current condition?”

Qin Yining said, “Having me wait for news at the mansion would make me even more anxious. If Huzi can’t get in, having me there might help think of a solution. I’ll travel by carriage—nothing will happen.”