Both Gu Shixiong and Yuchi Yan remained in prolonged silence, traveling all the way to the Yan Dynasty imperial palace without exchanging a single word.

Upon returning to the sleeping quarters where Yuchi Yan temporarily resided, after dismissing all attendants around them, Yuchi Yan finally spoke: “Master Liu once said that Sitong Company’s assistance to us wasn’t meant to gain anything from us. Moreover, our arrangements this time were flawless – the problem arose from Gao Wenyao’s worthless son. If he hadn’t gone seeking pleasures and committed such immoral acts outside, he wouldn’t have been castrated, and none of the subsequent events would have occurred.”

Gu Shixiong had long grown accustomed to Yuchi Yan’s naivety, but hearing such optimistic reasoning still couldn’t help but stir anger in his heart.

He lowered his voice, striving to keep his tone calm: “A centuries-old establishment like Sitong Company contacted us out of nowhere – does Your Majesty truly believe they want nothing from us?”

Sitong Company had a long history of existence, traceable even to before the establishment of Great Yan and Northern Ji dynasties, with over two hundred years of history. The industries involved covered all walks of life – agriculture, industry, shipping, land transport… anything conceivable, Sitong Company could accomplish.

Such a centuries-old establishment whose history predated both dynasties, with their “Grand Manager” having people contact them, yet even Yuchi Yan, as the last emperor of the Yan Dynasty, had never formally met this mysterious Grand Manager face-to-face. He had only met with an accountant under the Grand Manager’s command a few times, which had already benefited him greatly.

Their smooth progress in the south and rapid foothold establishment in the old capital had indeed received considerable assistance from Sitong Company.

Since they weren’t old acquaintances, Gu Shixiong absolutely didn’t believe Sitong Company would help Yuchi Yan restore Great Yan for no reason. Was the Grand Manager of Sitong Company in a good mood, wanting to perform a daily good deed? This was simply impossible.

Yuchi Yan was rendered speechless by Gu Shixiong’s questions, gradually understanding the implications. After coughing awkwardly, he said: “Things have already reached this point. Besides explaining thoroughly when we next meet Master Liu, there’s no other solution.”

This statement actually hit the mark.

If they desperately shifted responsibility, it would give an impression of insufficient sincerity. After all, for Sitong Company to grow to such a scale of being incredibly wealthy, their Grand Manager absolutely couldn’t be a mediocre person.

Gu Shixiong sighed: “Very well, it can only be this way. I’ll send a visiting card later – we must meet the Grand Manager of Sitong Company face-to-face to discuss matters clearly.”

Yuchi Yan also agreed: “Exactly so.”

At this moment, Pang Xiao was embracing Qin Yining’s waist, slowly riding behind the Pingnan Army and Elite Tiger Guard formations.

Having not seen each other for many days, Qin Yining was now holding onto Pang Xiao’s lean waist, her cheek resting against his chest, asking softly: “Do you still need to return to the military camp later?”

“I’ll only escort them back, then return home with you.”

“Really?” A smile climbed onto Qin Yining’s cheeks. She joyfully straightened up, looking up at his handsome profile, smiling: “That’s wonderful! Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er’s big eyes spin around every day – I can tell they’re looking for you. When you’re not home, they miss you terribly.”

Her undisguised joy resembled a child who had received candy. Pang Xiao felt both love and guilt in his heart, lowering his head to kiss her forehead. The blood in his vessels nearly turned to honey, yet he still had to take advantage verbally: “Only our sons miss me? Don’t you miss me?”

While his mouth wasn’t idle, his large hand also unscrupulously explored under her cloak into her small jacket, caressing her slender waist and abdomen through a layer of undergarments, with a gradual tendency to move upward.

Qin Yining’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She hurriedly twisted her body to avoid his hand, whispering: “What are you doing? Stop fooling around!”

“Then tell me, do you miss me or not?” Pang Xiao’s hand gripped her waist without moving.

Qin Yining stubbornly replied: “It’s only been a few days – what’s there to miss?”

“Is that so?” Pang Xiao suppressed his laughter, sitting with his back ramrod straight on horseback, his expression serious, yet his hand unhesitatingly covered the peaks he had longed for, whispering: “Yining, you’ve grown larger here than before – I can’t grasp it with one hand.”

“You…” Qin Yining struggled forcefully several times, pushing away his hand.

Pang Xiao was stirred by her movements, but knowing proper limits, he couldn’t tease too much lest she fall off. He firmly embraced her, whispering in her ear: “Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore.”

Qin Yining’s face was red with embarrassment, both shy and annoyed, yet not wanting to appear too petty, she forcibly changed the subject: “You brought so many people today, it truly startled me. Are the military camp affairs properly handled? How did you subdue that Deng Minchang?”

Pang Xiao also intentionally wanted to divert attention, so he said: “The situation within this Pingnan Army is indeed more complex than it appears on the surface. Although Deng Minchang has been corrupted by wine, meat, gold, silver, and beautiful women, becoming mud that can’t stick to walls, he’s actually not the one calling the shots in the Pingnan Army.”

“Oh?” Qin Yining asked in surprise: “Isn’t he the top leader in the Pingnan Army? If he doesn’t have the final say, then who does?”

Pang Xiao smiled: “You also know that half the people in the Pingnan Army are those who originally followed me in the Huben Army to conquer Great Yan.”

Qin Yining nodded.

“Those people were trained by me to be, if not capable of fighting ten opponents each, at least like roaring little tigers. But now that the war has ended, they’ve degenerated to the point of constantly complaining even during weight-bearing runs, let alone the other half of troops who never received my training.

“The entire Pingnan Army, from commander Deng Minchang down to ordinary soldiers, seems like scattered sand. Deng Minchang has completely delegated his authority and responsibilities to his deputy Lu Zhang, spending his days in wine and pleasure. Even when I’m present, he may not be willing to come out and share hardships with his soldiers. This Lu Zhang has established considerable prestige in the army, with many soldiers following his orders.

“I originally hadn’t completely mastered the Pingnan Army, but some days ago Lu Zhang fell ill. I felt it was a rare opportunity, so I seized the chance to take control of the Pingnan Army.”

Qin Yining listened in amazement: “Who would have thought there were so many complications involved. Now that you’re in charge, Deng Minchang has no reaction whatsoever?”

“He’s grown accustomed to enjoyment – it seems anyone can lead the Pingnan Army for all he cares. He flatters me to my face, then turns around to flatter Lu Zhang.”

“He truly lacks principles then.” Qin Yining sighed softly.

“This is actually good – otherwise, who knows how many complications would arise.”

Qin Yining nodded in agreement.

Pang Xiao escorted the formation all the way to outside the Pingnan military camp, delivered some instructional words, then ordered everyone to rest while he took Qin Yining home.

Qin Yining didn’t feel tired at all riding with him. Their pace wasn’t fast – Pang Xiao greatly treasured and enjoyed this opportunity for private conversation with Qin Yining.

“Next time, no matter what you want to do, you must tell me. I’ll do my utmost to cooperate and help you accomplish it. Don’t make things difficult for yourself again like this time out of consideration for me, understand?”

Having listened to his nagging all the way, Qin Yining didn’t need to ask why Pang Xiao had arrived so timely or why he had made such arrangements. Understanding in her heart that everything he did was for her benefit, she obediently agreed to everything.

Returning all the way to the Qin Mansion, just upon entering the gate, they saw Mu Jinghu and Huzi, who had already cleaned themselves up.

These two had just mixed among the refugees to stir up everyone’s emotions, cooperating seamlessly and acting so convincingly that the refugees hadn’t detected any flaws. Now they looked completely refreshed.

“Mutou.” Pang Xiao smiled and strode forward, patting Mu Jinghu’s shoulder, saying joyfully: “What made you think of coming to the old capital? Did you come with your senior uncle?”

Actually, given Pang Xiao’s current position, it wasn’t quite appropriate to directly ask Mu Jinghu about Tianji Zi.

But he asked straightforwardly, and Mu Jinghu’s heart was equally straightforward. Smiling and shaking his head: “No, I came by myself. My senior uncle instructed me to come south, saying there would be great excitement to watch. He told me to observe more excitement here, lest I become foolish.”

This truly sounded like something Tianji Zi would say.

Although their positions differed, in some respects, Tianji Zi was indeed a remarkable person.

The group walked toward the inner residence. Qin Yining asked worriedly: “How is my grandmother? Where is she now?”

Huzi replied seriously: “Your Majesty need not worry. Duchess Dingguo is currently in Xueli Courtyard with Bingtang. Bingtang says the old lady’s life is not in danger, but due to her advanced age and having endured imprisonment, with that surname Gao even confining her in a cage where she couldn’t stretch properly, after suffering such ordeals, her body can’t withstand it and needs careful recuperation.”

Qin Yining’s heart ached upon hearing this, and she hurriedly ran toward Xueli Courtyard.

Since no other female family members currently resided in the Qin Mansion, and for convenient security arrangements, everyone lived in Xueli Courtyard. Therefore, Pang Xiao also directly brought Mu Jinghu and Huzi along.

Just as Qin Yining entered, she saw Qiu Lu and Lian Xiaozhou carrying food boxes toward the side rooms together.

Seeing Qin Yining’s return, both hurriedly bowed: “Your Majesty, you’ve returned.”

“Mm. Where is my grandmother?”

“Right here.” Qiu Lu first lifted the bamboo curtain for Qin Yining.

Qin Yining couldn’t care about anything else and rushed inside quickly.

The room carried a bitter medicinal smell mixed with the aroma of roasted spirits. Turning past a curio shelf to the inner chamber, she saw Duchess Dingguo, Lady Zheng, reclining against soft pillows on a three-sided arhat bed, while Bingtang tidied various bottles and jars nearby.

Qin Yining suddenly stopped in her tracks, looking at Lady Zheng whom she hadn’t seen for so long – her temples now streaked with gray, appearing to have aged ten years overnight. Tears involuntarily welled up.

“Grandmother.”

Lady Zheng saw Qin Yining, tears in her eyes but smiling, extending her hand toward her: “Yining, come here, let grandmother look at you. We haven’t seen each other for so long – our Yining has already become a mother. I just saw Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er – both boys are very adorable.”

“Grandmother!” Qin Yining quickly walked over, kneeling beside the bed, grasping Lady Zheng’s hand and pressing it against her own cheek, then prostrating beside her legs: “Grandmother, please don’t do such things in the future – you truly frightened me to death!”