The swelling in Qin Huaiyuan’s ankle had subsided somewhat, but he still walked with a slight limp. Worried about her father’s injury, Qin Yining ordered a sedan chair prepared for Qin Huaiyuan while she sat in another, carried by sturdy maids toward the manor’s front gate.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi were already waiting at the ceremonial gate.

Both men’s faces showed anxiety, their brows furrowed tightly. Ever since Pang Xiao went up Chong Mountain and hadn’t returned, the two had worried so much that their hair had turned considerably whiter. Now seeing people blocking their door, clearly bullying them because their prince wasn’t home, both wished they could directly take up swords and fight the people outside to the death.

Seeing Qin Yining and Qin Huaiyuan emerge, both came forward to greet them.

Qin Yining stepped down from the sedan chair, supporting her waist, and nodded to Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi: “Master Xie, Master Xu.”

“Princess. Those people outside should all be arranged by the Empress Dowager. Though a eunuch is doing the talking, Marquis Qingyang is also among them. You must be careful in your response and absolutely must not harm yourself.”

Qin Yining nodded upon hearing this and smiled to comfort the two loyal elders: “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I definitely won’t harm myself.”

Qin Yining had sent many Elite Tiger Guards up the mountain, leaving only ten or so at home. But adding Jingzhe and the others, plus the regular guards, though the numbers looked small, their fighting capacity was not weak.

Qin Yining said, “Open the side door. Tell them I’ve come to ask about their situation.”

“Yes.”

The gatekeeper went to open the corner door and said to the people outside, “Our princess has arrived. If you have anything to say, you may ask now.”

Qin Yining, supported by her maid’s hand, came outside the door. Looking up, she met a greasy round face and a pair of eyes sizing her up with ill intent.

That was Marquis Qingyang, the Empress Dowager’s youngest brother, Zhou Dayong.

Qin Yining supported her waist as she descended the steps, smiling: “So it’s Marquis Qingyang who has personally come? Earlier I heard the person asking questions was a eunuch. I thought the palace had some other matter to instruct. Since Marquis Qingyang has personally come, you should all enter the manor for a cup of tea. I wonder if Your Lordship would honor us?”

Marquis Qingyang squinted at Qin Yining, his eyes full of appreciation and envy. Even pregnant and with a swollen figure, this woman didn’t lose her allure. That Pang fellow truly had good fortune with women!

“The princess is too kind.” Marquis Qingyang coughed and put on a stern face as he looked seriously at Qin Huaiyuan behind her. “We came under orders to ask Master Qin to come with us.”

As his words fell, he beckoned to the people behind him.

The Golden Guard troops immediately moved forward to seize the person.

But Qin Yining stood at the very front, refusing to yield an inch. Jingzhe and the others beside her, along with the Elite Tiger Guards, had already formed a semicircle protecting Qin Huaiyuan, surrounding the manor’s entrance completely.

“Wait.”

Qin Yining sneered: “You claim to come under the Empress Dowager’s decree—what proof do you have? My father has already retired at home and doesn’t step half a foot outside the manor gates. What could he possibly know? Moreover, this is Prince Zhongshun’s manor! Both the prince and His Majesty are still buried in the underground palace. Instead of thinking about rescuing them, you come to the prince’s manor to bully the prince’s family. What are your intentions?”

Seemingly not expecting Qin Yining to be so sharp-tongued, Marquis Qingyang was momentarily stunned.

Qin Yining didn’t give him a chance to speak: “My father is no longer a court official. If you want to invite someone, you should at least give a reason. Even if the Empress Dowager ordered it, you need to show the Empress Dowager’s decree before I’ll believe you. Otherwise, I suspect you might be Tatar spies specifically here to sow discord between meritorious officials and His Majesty!”

“You woman!” Marquis Qingyang came to his senses and pointed at Qin Yining, cursing: “Ungrateful thing! Your father is a traitor, and the Empress Dowager sending this marquis with Golden Guards to arrest him is giving him face! Try resisting if you dare!”

Hearing Marquis Qingyang’s crude words, everyone from the prince’s manor frowned. Jingzhe, Dahan, and the others were already so angry their sword-like brows stood on end, their sabers and swords half-drawn. The Elite Tiger Guards mixed among the manor troops were also red-faced with anger.

Qin Huaiyuan stepped forward and coldly swept his gaze over Marquis Qingyang: “Marquis Qingyang comes from a distinguished family after all and represents the Empress Dowager’s dignity when traveling. How can you speak so crudely? If I’ve committed some crime, bring evidence and arrest me accordingly. With just a word, trying to take me away without clarity—I absolutely will not agree. Now when the court faces troubled times, you bring people to block a meritorious official’s gate to arrest him. Aren’t you afraid other court ministers will know and feel disheartened?”

Having served in court for many years, Qin Huaiyuan’s presence naturally exceeded that of ordinary people. He knew how to speak, what tone to use for what words to create an intimidating effect.

Though his words were plain, they had a different impact on Marquis Qingyang and the others.

Marquis Qingyang’s face turned red. As the Empress Dowager’s own brother, who didn’t give him face when he traveled? He hadn’t expected to stumble here, and before a civil official who had already been dismissed from office.

Marquis Qingyang could hardly maintain face. If he didn’t make a show today, how could he establish authority in the future!

“Enough nonsense!” Marquis Qingyang roared and turned to order the Golden Guards behind him: “Arrest him! Anyone who resists gets thrown in prison too! What are you waiting for!”

“Yes!” The Golden Guards behind him responded. One leader hesitated: “My lord, what about Prince Zhongshun’s consort too…”

“Are you stupid!” Marquis Qingyang glared fiercely at the man.

The Golden Guards were all selected from noble families’ sons. Their individual status and position were enough to make people bow and scrape when they went out alone, yet now they were being scolded by Marquis Qingyang. Everyone felt quite indignant.

But the Empress Dowager had ordered it, so they had no other choice.

The crowd surged forward to arrest Qin Huaiyuan, but everyone tacitly avoided Qin Yining, even staying far from her, afraid of bumping into her.

How could Qin Yining let her father be arrested? She immediately ordered people to protect him and escort Qin Huaiyuan into the manor.

Seeing Qin Huaiyuan about to be escorted into the prince’s manor by guards, the Golden Guards became anxious. Though they had orders to arrest Qin Huaiyuan, they didn’t dare storm the war god prince’s residence.

So while Qin Huaiyuan hadn’t yet entered the manor gates, they all exerted their full strength to capture him, using heavier force.

Seeing this, the Elite Tiger Guards became completely frantic, rolling up sleeves and preparing to fight desperately. An uncontrollable conflict was about to erupt.

But just then, sudden rapid footsteps quickly approached. A team of about fifty people in bright red battle garments suddenly cut across, driving Marquis Qingyang and the Golden Guards he brought back a full zhang away.

The leader said sternly: “We come in Marquis Dingbei’s name to protect the prince’s manor. No one is permitted to act presumptuously at the prince’s manor!”

Marquis Qingyang had just been shocked by this team of red-clothed fighters’ skills. Now he couldn’t help but rage: “Get lost! Do you dare obstruct the Empress Dowager’s arrest!”