In truth, Qin Yining’s suggestion was the most appropriate solution for the current situation. If it weren’t Pang Xiao here but any other ordinary man, he probably would have agreed – at most leaving more people for protection.

But Pang Xiao and Qin Yining had experienced so many storms together. He had once lost her, and now in his heart, Qin Yining was more important than any posting or imperial edict.

“Don’t think about it anymore – I disagree.” Pang Xiao said seriously. “I know how to deal with the Emperor. Under no circumstances will I let you and the children leave my sight.”

Seeing Pang Xiao’s brows tightly knitted, his lips pressed together with an unhappy expression, Qin Yining smiled: “Alright, since you’ve made arrangements, I’ll listen to you.”

Qin Yining didn’t continue persuading him to leave first, which made Pang Xiao’s brows relax.

Pang Xiao said: “That’s settled then. We’ll rest here now, and I’ll have people scout ahead for information, getting all the preliminary preparations in order so we won’t be completely in the dark when we reach the old capital. I also need time to gather intelligence. During this period, you just focus on recuperating. Only when you’re well can you continue helping me strategize.”

Qin Yining laughed: “You have Mr. Xu, Mr. Xie, and so many advisors – how would it ever be my turn to help you strategize?”

“That’s different.” Pang Xiao said: “You’re wholeheartedly devoted to me. Moreover, you’re extraordinarily intelligent, having truly inherited father-in-law’s teachings. Mr. Xie and Mr. Xu both hold you in highest regard. Once you recover quickly, you can help me greatly.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining smiled and nodded, knowing this was mostly Pang Xiao coaxing her, but still feeling delighted.

Since Pang Xiao had made his decision, he had his reasons. Qin Yining also didn’t want to separate from Pang Xiao – being with him gave her peace of mind. So she no longer mentioned Pang Xiao leaving first, focusing peacefully on recuperating and caring for the children.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. Just as Qin Yining’s body had mostly recovered and Pang Xiao’s group prepared to continue their journey, in Great Zhou’s capital, Li Qitian and Qin Huaiyuan almost simultaneously received news of Pang Xiao’s joy at having two sons.

On Li Qitian’s side, though the Empress was also pregnant, even if she could give birth to male heirs, it was still slower than the good news from Pang Xiao’s side – and theirs were twins, something countless people envied.

Li Qitian held his resentment inside, showing no good mood for several days. Even the Empress Dowager and Li Helan had to think carefully before speaking to him, lest they touch upon his taboos.

The Empress also noticed Li Qitian’s abnormality, but she neither angered nor worried about it, only peacefully nourishing her body. After experiencing the palace upheaval, the Empress had become much more composed in her conduct.

Contrary to the tense atmosphere in the palace, when Qin Huaiyuan brought news that Qin Yining had given birth to twin sons and all were safe back to the mansion, it delighted both Sun Shi and Ma Shi immensely.

Yao Chengu and Yao Shi were equally happy. Being able to hold great-grandsons lessened their scheming hearts, feeling very satisfied.

Ma Shi and Sun Shi were eager to fulfill their vows. Unable to leave themselves, they instructed their most capable servants to first donate incense money. The mansion was busy arranging celebration matters.

Except for the Old Madam, everyone in the Qin family was overjoyed. Though New Year was approaching and the mansion was preparing for New Year matters, to celebrate Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er’s birth, the mansion’s atmosphere was even more festive than New Year’s.

Qin Huaiyuan went to his study, personally grinding ink to write a reply. He put all his earnest instructions on the thin letter paper, having it sent to Pang Xiao.

When Qin Huaiyuan’s letter reached Qin Yining and Pang Xiao, their group had already arrived at the border between former Great Yan’s south and present-day Southern Yan.

While Pang Xiao was busy with proclaiming the edict to Yuchi Xujie, Qin Yining stayed at the post station with her two little treasures, waiting for news while arranging for Shopkeeper Zhong to continue his business.

As expected, Yuchi Xujie joyfully accepted the “state letter.” From then on, he was an independent nation recognized by Great Zhou, no longer needing to act according to Yuchi Yan’s moods or bear the guilt of treason for life.

Yuchi Xujie became Southern Yan’s legitimate emperor.

This made Yuchi Yan superfluous.

Yuchi Yan had originally been a prince enfeoffed by Li Qitian. Now before Yuchi Xujie, he changed from a lofty emperor back to just a Great Zhou prince – his mood was imaginable.

Qin Yining didn’t witness any of this personally. She learned of the tensions from Pang Xiao’s detailed accounts upon his return.

After contact with Yuchi Xujie, everything became smoother, just as Qin Huaiyuan had predicted.

Yuchi Yan was sent back to Yan’s old capital by Yuchi Xujie’s people.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s group also returned to Great Zhou’s territory, arriving at the old capital.

Yuchi Yan received a fiefdom, being enfeoffed by the Emperor as Prince Zhennan. The old capital belonged within Yuchi Yan’s fiefdom.

So when Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s carriages arrived outside the old capital’s gates, they received Yuchi Yan’s enthusiastic welcome.

Near New Year’s Eve, the uniquely southern damp cold air seemed to carry the flavor of New Year. Yuchi Yan, with his retinue of former Yan court ministers who had recently returned with him, opened the old capital’s gates to welcome the arrival of Pingnan Grand Marshal Pang Xiao and his family’s carriages.

Qin Yining held sleeping Zhao Ge’er in her arms, gently lifting a corner of the curtain.

The city gates drew closer, and Yuchi Yan’s mighty procession became clearer. Pang Xiao, mounted on his glossy black horse with upright posture, rode at the front of their formation like an unyielding banner – imposing and sharp-edged. Though she couldn’t see his face clearly, Qin Yining could feel the solemnity of Yuchi Yan’s side.

For Yan people, Pang Xiao was the one who had conquered Yan back then – someone they both resented and feared. Their nerves had to be tightly strung.

But for Qin Yining, this was her homeland. The fields she had purchased and the shops Pang Xiao had established were all here. Their foundation was in this place, so she felt particularly relaxed.

Lowering the curtain, Qin Yining looked at Bingtang holding Han Ge’er on the other side, saying quietly: “After we enter the city and settle in, I’ll accompany you to send some money to your family.”

Bingtang’s entire family had been killed by the demon empress and hastily buried. On this return, Qin Yining wanted to take this opportunity to properly arrange things for the Tang family, letting Bingtang put down her past and worries, no longer bearing those heavy memories.

Bingtang hadn’t expected Qin Yining to make such a suggestion. Warmly moved, she quickly said: “Princess, this won’t do. Those places aren’t where you should go. I’ll just have people accompany me later.”