Qin Yining relaxed and closed her eyes, peacefully leaning against Pang Xiao’s shoulder. Thinking about future days, though there was uncertainty and worry, being together with Pang Xiao allowed her to completely set her mind at ease.

Qin Yining had never been someone who feared death. Compared to death, what she feared more was the separation of loved ones by death. As long as Pang Xiao was by her side, at least she didn’t need to worry anxiously about him. Compared to this, everything else truly didn’t matter.

Qin Yining had been exhausted all day. Returning to Pang Xiao’s side was like a tired swallow returning to its nest. Relaxing, she began to feel somewhat drowsy.

But she still didn’t forget to tell Pang Xiao about the suspicious points she had discovered earlier.

“There’s one more thing.”

“Hmm?” Pang Xiao’s voice was low with a hoarse quality, full of gentleness and patience.

Qin Yining blinked and forced herself to stay alert: “Outside our mansion, there must be quite a few spies. When Princess Imperial was arguing with me earlier, she said I was seducing Marquis Dingbei.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao frowned and scoffed: “Don’t pay attention to her. She’s probably nearly mad already. She’s improper herself, yet bites at everyone she sees. I trust your character, and I understand Ji Zeyu even better. You’re both not that kind of people.”

Qin Yining smiled: “I know you trust me. On the way back, I kept thinking—there’s no wave without wind. Since Princess Imperial said this, there must still be some reason. There must be something that caused her misunderstanding.

“During these twenty days, I indeed spent half my time on the mountain, watching Marquis Dingbei and the others excavate and rescue. At that time, I didn’t see Princess Imperial angrily rush up the mountain to confront me. Given Princess Imperial’s personality, if she had misunderstood, she could block me in the imperial palace to cause trouble—rushing up the mountain isn’t something she couldn’t do.”

Pang Xiao nodded: “What you say is true.”

“So I thought, could it be that Princess Imperial’s spies saw us when we returned at midnight yesterday.”

“Oh?”

Pang Xiao thought for a moment and vaguely understood: “You mean Ji Zeyu driving the carriage outside and escorting you back to the mansion.”

“Yes, Marquis Dingbei even bathed, changed clothes, and had dinner before leaving.”

Pang Xiao completely understood. Li Helan’s spies must have seen this to act this way. Just such a small matter could make Li Helan stir up such a big commotion—truly left one speechless.

“Think about it—if Princess Imperial’s spies could see this, wouldn’t Prince Li’s spies have seen it too? So that’s why there was today’s incident of the Empress Dowager being controlled? Though I can’t determine exactly when the Empress Dowager’s control began, encountering it, I can’t help but connect everything together.”

Pang Xiao nodded: “Don’t worry. I’ve already had those people dealt with.”

As his words fell, they heard Huzi’s voice from outside.

“Your Highness.”

Pang Xiao gently patted Qin Yining’s shoulder and got up to answer the door.

Huzi said in a low voice: “This batch of spies has also been completely dealt with. Adding them up, the numbers should be about right.”

“Good, I understand. Tell Master Liao to notify the Qingtian Alliance brothers to prepare.”

“Yes.” Huzi bowed and withdrew.

Qin Yining vaguely understood what they meant by “numbers.” When Prince Li used fire attacks later, there had to be a way to get through it, and the numbers had to add up. These spies were either arranged by Prince Li or Marquis Qingyang, including Princess Imperial’s people and others as well.

The prince’s mansion was under surveillance by this swarm of flies every day. Without careful attention, even the color of their undergarments might be observed. Most importantly, these spies could become assassins at any time, taking their lives when they weren’t prepared.

So for killing and such matters, though Qin Yining felt uncomfortable inside, she wouldn’t stop Pang Xiao from doing what needed to be done.

The results of a woman’s misplaced kindness could very well harm one’s own people.

Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang both stayed in the Empress Dowager’s palace for dinner.

Li Helan accompanied them, diligently pouring wine and serving dishes for the Empress Dowager, Prince Li, and Marquis Qingyang.

“Mother Empress, don’t be sad anymore. Imperial Brother will be safe and sound. Isn’t the Prince Consort continuing excavation? Besides, Prince Li is handling court affairs in an orderly manner now. Though the northern war situation is tense, Marquis Qingyang can soon set out to reinforce Tianmen Pass.

“Though the current situation is tense, it hasn’t reached such a serious degree. There’s still hope for everything. Why should Mother Empress shed tears over such matters? Please be strong—we all need to rely on you.”

Li Helan had a big fight with Qin Yining and returned to Ci’an Palace to complain to the Empress Dowager. Who would have thought Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang were both there, and the Empress Dowager was sitting in the main seat crying and trembling.

Li Helan concluded that Qin Yining must have said something heartbreaking when speaking carelessly with the Empress Dowager, making her sad.

In front of Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang, Li Helan embellished and recounted all of Qin Yining’s arrogance, willfulness, and improper conduct as a woman.

This time the Empress Dowager didn’t scold her, only saying that if she didn’t like someone in the future, she shouldn’t associate with them.

It sounded somewhat absent-minded.

Clearly she was quite angry with Qin Yining.

Fortunately, Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang both knew how to show filial piety to the Empress Dowager, specifically staying for dinner together and keeping the Empress Dowager company to relieve her boredom and chat.

Otherwise, who knew how long the Empress Dowager would be sad and depressed by herself.

Of the four people sitting there, only Li Helan knew nothing, thinking they were all family relatives with nothing to avoid discussing.

The Empress Dowager was nearly collapsing inside.

She didn’t know how many meaningful looks she had given Li Helan, but it was like winking at a blind person—Li Helan completely couldn’t understand, even directly asking once, “Mother Empress, are your eyes hurting from crying?”

Raising such a stupid, willful daughter who only knew how to be capricious—she couldn’t count on her at critical moments. If not for Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang coldly watching from the side, the Empress Dowager really wanted to explode and thoroughly scold Li Helan to vent her anger.

Prince Li was in an excellent mood at this time.

He was like a scheming old cat that had managed to catch a mouse but didn’t immediately bite it to death. Instead, he lazily lay on the ground, using his clawed paws to press down the mouse’s tail, watching it want to escape but unable to, yet still struggling desperately with hope.

Why should Li Qitian get to conquer the world and be emperor?

This world was about to be his! In future days, he would be the supreme ruler, Great Zhou would be his, everyone would have to listen to him, he would possess supreme power and could arbitrarily decide life and death.

Prince Li thought this way, finding Li Helan’s stupid, fawning appearance even more amusing.

Marquis Qingyang also thought his niece was very stupid. He simply kept his head down drinking and eating, out of sight, out of mind.

After finishing the meal, Prince Li stood up and cupped his hands: “Empress Dowager, there are still court affairs to handle outside. I’ll take my leave first.”

Seeing this, Marquis Qingyang also stood and bowed: “Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s banquet. This younger brother must also take his leave.”

The Empress Dowager’s heart pounded wildly, her terrified eyes wide as saucers.

They were leaving—planning to kill the Emperor?

So next, would they immediately kill her to silence her?

Would Lan’er also be…

Many ways of dying flashed through the Empress Dowager’s mind, none of them not miserable.

Li Helan saw the Empress Dowager’s face turn completely bloodless, as if encountering some terrifying catastrophe, and couldn’t help asking in confusion: “Mother Empress, what’s wrong with you?”

Marquis Qingyang smiled: “Lan’er, Uncle is leaving the palace. Won’t you see Uncle off?”

Hearing this, Li Helan smiled: “That’s fine.”

Turning around, Li Helan curtsied to the Empress Dowager: “Mother Empress, your daughter will return shortly.”

“Don’t!” The Empress Dowager reached out, wanting to grab Li Helan.

She now couldn’t trust Prince Li, much less her own younger brother. She was already helplessly watching these people conspire to kill her son while she was powerless. If she also lost her daughter’s life, how could she live the rest of her remaining days?

But the outstretched hand stopped when meeting Prince Li’s half-smiling eyes, and even her words stuck in her throat.

The Empress Dowager hesitated and became frightened.

Li Helan, completely oblivious, followed Marquis Qingyang out together.

Prince Li looked back at the Empress Dowager with a half-smile, his expression like watching a play at its most exciting moment—interested yet contemptuous.

After Prince Li left the hall, he heard Marquis Qingyang say: “It’s been a long time since I visited your place. Do you mind if Uncle goes to your residence to look around?”

Previously, Li Helan and her uncle had a very good relationship. Though now because of conflicting interests, Li Helan had some estrangement toward Marquis Qingyang, hearing this didn’t seem strange at all, and she immediately agreed.

Prince Li raised an eyebrow, didn’t stop Marquis Qingyang, and went to the imperial study by himself.

It was now time when the evening glow filled the sky. Before the sun set, it left its most perfect, brilliant light in the mortal world for people to cherish.

The evening glow’s light shone through the window, also illuminating the bright contours of Prince Li’s face as he sat behind the imperial desk.

After a moment, Prince Li beckoned to the attending eunuch beside him.

This eunuch was tall and large. If not for the lack of beard on his chin, it would be hard to determine this person was a eunuch.

“Act according to the original plan.”

“Yes!”

The eunuch immediately withdrew, quickly going to arrange Prince Li’s instructions.

The Empress Dowager was silently wiping tears when Ci’an Palace was surrounded.

The Empress Dowager anxiously asked: “What’s happening?”

“Reporting to the Empress Dowager, it’s said that Tatar assassins have infiltrated the palace. Prince Li has ordered us to protect the Empress Dowager’s safety.”

The Empress Dowager’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help murmuring: “It’s come, finally come.”

At this time, the Empress had just finished her evening meal when she heard a commotion of footsteps outside the palace gate, finding it strange.

Soon, she saw Prince Li leading people directly barging in without announcement.

“Sister-in-law?” Prince Li drew out each syllable.

The Empress supported her belly and said calmly: “I wonder what brings Prince Li here uninvited. Is there some matter you need from this palace?”

Prince Li chuckled and casually found a folding chair to sit on: “There’s one thing I don’t understand and wanted to consult Sister-in-law about.”

The Empress frowned helplessly: “Speak then.” Prince Li’s manner left no room for refusal.