When Yuchi Yan heard Pang Xiao’s words as he set down his wine cup, he casually replied: “Oh, perhaps there’s some matter in the military camp. These past few days…”

“Cough, cough!” Gu Shixiong suddenly coughed violently, interrupting Yuchi Yan’s unfinished words.

Yuchi Yan suddenly snapped back to his senses, breaking out in cold sweat across his entire back.

Looking again at Pang Xiao, who was still smiling in front of him, it was like seeing a ghost!

Too cunning! This Pang Xiao fellow had actually taken advantage of his relaxed guard to extract information from him!

Yuchi Yan felt both resentful and self-reproachful, almost beginning to doubt himself. Did he really lack the talent to be an emperor? How could he so easily be drawn into emotion by Pang Xiao’s few words, so readily answering whatever was asked?

Actually, Pang Xiao had never intended to extract any information from Yuchi Yan’s mouth. If Yuchi Yan really had revealed something, Pang Xiao would have been surprised. What he wanted to see was only Yuchi Yan’s attitude. Having seen it now, he could confirm that something had indeed happened in the military camp, which he could use as reference.

However, Yuchi Yan really had almost blurted out the truth, which still surprised and amused Pang Xiao. He could hardly believe there could be someone so straightforward among those who played political games.

“It seems General Deng is tied up with military affairs.” Pang Xiao smiled. “This is quite normal. Whether there’s a welcome banquet or not is secondary—what’s important is that military matters can’t be delayed. We’re all people serving His Majesty, so such situations are understandable.”

Gu Shixiong was already very worried in his heart, yet still smiled without any flaws: “Prince Zhongshun speaks truly. We’re all people who serve His Majesty wholeheartedly, so there’s no need to care about such formalities.”

Upon hearing this, everyone present looked at Pang Xiao in unison.

Pang Xiao pretended not to hear Gu Shixiong’s subtle mockery implying he prioritized formalities and didn’t serve His Majesty wholeheartedly, and continued chatting casually with Yuchi Yan.

However, now that Yuchi Yan was on guard, he was like a startled rabbit. Whatever they chatted about, he seemed to be thinking whether he should or shouldn’t say it, appearing constrained, timid, and lacking in grace.

Pang Xiao didn’t care—after all, these observing former Great Yan ministers weren’t his people. Yuchi Yan’s performance like this wouldn’t prevent his subordinate advisors from reconsidering their options.

Thinking of this, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. It was fortunate that Gu Shixiong remained loyal to Yuchi Yan through thick and thin—otherwise, with his brains, he would probably have been devoured alive long ago!

On this side, Qin Yining was in the retiring room with the two children, listening to the conversation outside and seeing everything clearly through the pearl curtain. Since there were no female family members around Yuchi Yan, and Qin Yining refused to use the maidservants Yuchi Yan had arranged, with no outsiders around her, it was even more convenient for Qin Yining to listen to the news from outside.

Gradually, the sky darkened. The servants lit several more lamps inside the room, and the charcoal in the braziers was also replaced with fresh coal. With New Year’s Eve approaching, how could a single brazier of charcoal fire dispel the damp cold temperature of the old capital?

Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er had been traveling with Qin Yining and Pang Xiao since their full moon celebration. Even though Qin Yining had done everything possible to care for them attentively, the conditions were ultimately limited—it couldn’t be as comfortable as being at home.

At this time, both children were hungry, and with the hall being rather cold, Han Ge’er began crying first. Hearing his younger brother cry, Zhao Ge’er also started crying along.

The loud crying of the infants echoed in the hall, making Pang Xiao and the others who were talking all look toward the retiring room simultaneously.

Pang Xiao became worried and wanted to get up to check on the situation, but the setting wasn’t appropriate—as a man, it wouldn’t be proper for him to always be hovering around the children.

And Yuchi Yan, who had nearly said the wrong thing earlier, felt another pang of bitterness in his heart upon hearing the wet nurse’s voice coaxing the children behind the pearl curtain.

He had almost forgotten that Qin Yining had just borne children for Pang Xiao, but now the loud crying of these two children was like a harsh slap to his face, pulling him back to reality.

What did he have left now? His imperial throne had been taken away twice by the man before him. Even now he still had to be stationed in the south, opposing this very person.

The hatred between them was irreconcilable. How could he still let down his guard? How could he just now have been chatting so pleasantly with this person?

Yuchi Yan fell into deep self-reproach and guilt.

At this time, Pang Xiao said: “It’s getting late. We should take our leave as well.”

Yuchi Yan was in poor spirits and said gloomily: “Your Highness’s young princes seem to be unwell. Why not stay here for the night to spare the children the suffering of being jostled about?”

“Exactly.” Gu Shixiong thought to himself that Yuchi Yan had finally proven reliable for once, and anxiously stepped forward to persuade: “It’s freezing cold outside. It’s really improper to have infants in swaddling clothes constantly running back and forth. Besides, Your Highness still needs to go to the military camp, right? If the princess stays here alone with two children, at least there would be someone to look after them.”

If Pang Xiao really left Qin Yining and the children behind, he would be sending them straight into the tiger’s den! Wouldn’t that be leaving them as hostages?

“No need. This king understands Prince Zhengnan’s kind intentions. In any case, we’ll both be serving as officials in the old capital in the future. There will be plenty of opportunities to gather together—there’s always tomorrow. We don’t need to rush this one time. Besides, my wife is a female family member, and it wouldn’t be proper for her to stay overnight here with the children.”

Pang Xiao rose and cupped his hands in farewell, then resolutely walked toward the exit.

On this side, hearing Pang Xiao’s movements, Qin Yining had already instructed the wet nurse to pick up the twins, and after dressing properly, walked out.

Yuchi Yan pressed his lips together. Seeing these two together, jealousy burned like a flame in his heart. Remembering Gu Shixiong’s words, Yuchi Yan stepped forward: “Is Prince Zhongshun truly determined to disappoint this king’s good intentions?”

With this one questioning remark, the atmosphere immediately turned cold.

Huzi and the Tiger Guards immediately stood at full alert, surrounding Pang Xiao, Qin Yining, and the others. Ji Yun gripped the soft sword at her waist, ready to draw it at any moment, while Bingtang tightly clutched a small packet of sleeping powder in her hand.

Pang Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, chin slightly raised, sword-like brows slanted upward, phoenix eyes narrowed, looking both arrogant and displeased: “What? Does Prince Zhengnan want to prevent this king from taking up his post? Or perhaps Prince Zhengnan wants to forcibly seize this king’s wife and children?”

With these words, he had essentially laid bare Yuchi Yan’s thoughts in front of everyone, tearing that fig leaf to shreds. Yuchi Yan had indeed been thinking exactly that!

Yuchi Yan’s face alternated between red and white. Pang Xiao suddenly burst into hearty laughter, patting Yuchi Yan’s shoulder with his large hand: “Just joking! How could Prince Zhengnan be such a despicable person who covets another man’s wife? Moreover, Prince Zhengnan has the people at heart and cares for all living beings. He wouldn’t bear to start another war that would make the people’s lives miserable. This king understands Prince Zhengnan’s thoughts better than anyone. Tell me, am I right or not?”

Yuchi Yan’s shoulder was gripped by that iron-clamp-like large palm, causing him such pain that he almost twisted his body to escape. Now he could only endure it to maintain his image.

Moreover, Pang Xiao’s martial prowess and the forces he had arranged along the way were not weak. If they really fought, it would be fine if they could annihilate them in one stroke, but if they couldn’t and let the tiger return to the mountain, wouldn’t that be waiting for Pang Xiao to slaughter all of them? That would be more loss than gain.

Thinking of this, Yuchi Yan also forced out a smile: “Prince Zhongshun speaks very truly.”