She never expected that Mu Jinghu would think this way.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile: “So Young Master Mu is such a considerate person. When you marry in the future, your wife will be truly blessed.”

Mu Jinghu’s face immediately turned bright red, thinking to himself how Pang Zhixi’s wife, just like him, loved to tease people like this.

He stood up awkwardly: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

Without waiting for Qin Yining to speak, Mu Jinghu turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Qin Yining couldn’t help but think of an apt phrase to describe it—fleeing in defeat.

How interesting. Tianji Zi was such a crafty, lazy, greedy, and slippery character, yet his martial nephew had such a personality. Qin Yining was now truly curious about what kind of person their master was to be able to teach disciples with such completely different temperaments.

However, thinking again about Mu Jinghu’s reminder and recalling Qiu Feishan whom she had seen at Governor Yang’s residence, she had to admit that the other party was indeed a beauty who couldn’t help but attract attention. No wonder Mu Jinghu had warned her.

But she believed in Pang Xiao’s character, and she was willing to believe in Pang Xiao’s love for her.

However, Qin Yining had another thought: sometimes if a man wanted to change his heart, it proved that person was just that type in his bones. There were many men in this world who loved each new woman they met. If she really encountered such a type, there probably wouldn’t be any other solution.

She had already borne Pang Xiao a pair of twins. If Pang Xiao took concubines, could she stop him? In other words, would stopping him be useful? At that time, deep love would probably turn to shallow affection, and there would be another way to live life.

Thinking this way, Qin Yining’s mood inexplicably became somewhat low.

But after feeling low for only a moment, she felt herself being somewhat ridiculous.

She was already starting to feel sad about something that hadn’t even happened yet—wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

Qin Yining’s mood brightened, and she went to the inner room to check on the two children.

After confirming that both little ones had completely recovered from their fever and were in no danger, Ji Yun smiled: “Princess Consort, please go rest. You didn’t sleep all night yesterday. You too, Bingtang—you should both go rest. We several are here.”

Lian Xiaozhou also pointed at Qin Yining’s dark circles: “Sister, go sleep quickly. You’ll become ugly if you don’t sleep.”

Lian Xiaozhou could now speak normally without any impediment. Under Bingtang’s guidance, she had even learned some of Bingtang’s mischievousness. Moreover, being close to Qin Yining and treating her like her own sister, she naturally didn’t speak as cautiously as other maids.

“You little girl, if I become ugly and His Highness doesn’t want me anymore, I’ll come eat at your house.” She flicked Lian Xiaozhou’s nose tip. “When you marry in the future, won’t your husband be annoyed to death?”

Lian Xiaozhou’s face immediately turned red as an apple, pushing Qin Yining out: “Sister, you’re not a good person!”

Qin Yining laughed heartily. The children’s illness had improved, and the heavy stone in her heart had also disappeared. Returning to her room, she fell asleep immediately.

However, Qin Yining slept too deeply. When Jingzhe returned in the afternoon wanting to report back, he was stopped by Qianyun.

“The Princess Consort stayed up all night caring for the young master last night without sleep. She’s finally managed to fall asleep now. Unless there’s something urgent, it’s better to wait until the Princess Consort wakes up.”

Jingzhe thought about it—he had been investigating Manager Xia for several days now, and the news wouldn’t matter for this short while. So he returned to bathe and rest.

By evening, when Qin Yining woke up and finished dinner, Jingzhe came to request an audience.

Qin Yining quickly ordered someone to invite him in.

After Jingzhe bowed to Qin Yining, he said in a low voice: “Princess Consort, I’ve investigated the situation at the manor these past days. The people and tenants at the manor have always been grateful to you and have never forgotten you. Plus, after you said you would waive their rent for a year, they’re even more grateful.

“As for Manager Xia, I did indeed discover some unusual things about him. He has secretly met several times with Advisor Liu from Sitong Trading Company.

“I inquired carefully, and it seems specifically because the grain produced at the manor and some business from the shops have all cooperated with Sitong Trading Company. Sitong Trading Company is such a big business with deep roots in the old capital, involved in various industries. Manager Xia deliberately curried favor, and Advisor Liu from Sitong Trading Company also intended to cultivate connections. Coming and going like this, both sides became familiar.”

Qin Yining nodded, feeling completely unsurprised by this news.

Manager Zhong was a cautious person. Although their departure from the old capital was hasty, Manager Zhong would have arranged everything properly. Someone he could approve of and appoint as manager would definitely not be the way she saw him now.

So what could make Manager Xia become like this during this period was only external force—there must be something giving him backing.

She had originally guessed that Manager Xia’s backing should be Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong, but now saying it was the wealthy Sitong Trading Company was equally reasonable.

“No wonder he became so arrogant.” Qin Yining sneered. “So he has Sitong Trading Company, this century-old establishment, as his backing. No wonder he’s gotten so uppity.”

“Exactly. These past days around Manager Xia’s house, I heard Manager Xia speak many disrespectful words about you.” Jingzhe’s face showed some ferocity, making a throat-slitting gesture. “Princess Consort, should I go and…?”

Qin Yining shook her head and smiled: “It’s fine. You don’t need to act. I have a way.”

Jingzhe knew of Qin Yining’s intelligence, which someone like him with well-developed limbs but simple mind couldn’t compare to. Perhaps keeping that Manager Xia alive still had its uses.

Thinking this, Jingzhe respectfully bowed: “Yes. Princess Consort, rest assured. Without your orders, I won’t act rashly.”

“You’ve worked hard this time. I’m fortunate to have trustworthy people like you by my side. Otherwise, with obstacles at every step, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Jingzhe quickly bowed: “Princess Consort truly need not be so polite. You saved all our lives. Back then, if you hadn’t thought of a strategy, His Majesty would have long since had me captured and beheaded. You treat us with sentiment and righteousness, and we will certainly repay with loyalty. These are just surveillance and investigation matters—not like before when the foolish ruler would constantly send us to risk our lives. These are small matters for me.”

After Qin Yining expressed her gratitude again, she let Jingzhe go rest.

When only she remained in the room, the smile on Qin Yining’s face was gradually replaced by thoughtfulness.

Previously, she thought all those people in the old capital who opposed her and Pang Xiao were acting under Yuchi Yan’s orders, including Sitong Trading Company creating such a big obstacle for Pang Xiao in the military, which should also have been to curry favor with Yuchi Yan.

But after such a long period of observation and investigation, along with analysis of various signs, Qin Yining now felt that Sitong Trading Company might not be relying on Yuchi Yan.

Behind Sitong Trading Company, there should be someone or a family more formidable than Yuchi Yan.

Sitong Trading Company, as an old establishment that had been passed down for over a hundred years, appeared to have financial resources and connections on the surface, but in reality, no matter how capable, it was still just a merchant house. Whether in the Northern Ji Kingdom, the former Great Yan Dynasty, or the current Great Zhou, during times of great chaos, merchant houses might be able to earn silver, but power always remained above wealth.

Even with vast wealth, if there wasn’t a strong backing, wouldn’t they have long since been targeted by wolves, tigers, and leopards, and divided up completely?

She thought that behind Sitong Trading Company, there must be a very powerful backing. And this backing must be at odds with Pang Xiao.

Otherwise, since they came to the old capital, why would Sitong Trading Company interfere in every single matter?

Sitong Trading Company created trouble for Pang Xiao in the military camp, and at her place, they bought off her manager. They were clearly targeting their husband and wife.

Considering that Sitong Trading Company was just a merchant house, they shouldn’t be crazy enough to insist on competing with a prince to determine superiority. So the reason Sitong Trading Company acted this way should be that they were following orders.

Qin Yining developed strong curiosity about the person behind Sitong Trading Company.

She really wanted to see exactly who was targeting her and Pang Xiao, wanting to put them to death.

Qin Yining hadn’t told Pang Xiao about the two children falling ill. But Pang Xiao still found out.

Early the next morning, Pang Xiao rode hard back home, heading straight for the main house’s bedroom.

Qianyun was carrying a tray out of the inner room when she looked up and saw Pang Xiao striding over with great steps, his azure cloak spread out behind him in a fan-shaped arc.

“Your Highness.” Qianyun bowed, then called back: “Princess Consort, His Highness has returned.”

Hearing this, Lian Xiaozhou and Ji Yun in the room immediately took the initiative to lift the door curtain for Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao casually tossed his cloak and riding whip aside, first standing by the brazier in the outer room to warm his hands by the fire, afraid that being too cold would chill the three treasures in the room.

While warming his hands, Pang Xiao asked in a low voice: “How has the household been these past days?”

“Your Highness, rest assured. Everything in the manor has been fine. The young master had some fever the day before yesterday, but he’s all better now.”

Qin Yining and Bingtang were in the room with the wet nurse coaxing the children. Hearing Pang Xiao’s voice from the outer room, they looked at each other and both smiled.

“Your Highness.” Qin Yining lifted the curtain between the inner and outer rooms, tilting her head and smiling as she looked at Pang Xiao. “Why has Your Highness returned?”

The moment Pang Xiao saw Qin Yining, he couldn’t help but smile.

Qin Yining wore a light pink crossed-collar jacket with a goose-yellow mamian skirt below. Her long hair was loosely pinned into a bun at the back of her head, with pearl tassels gently swaying by her temples. Even without powder or rouge, she was still radiantly beautiful.

His wife was as beautiful as a painting—just looking at her once made his body and mind joyful.

“Nothing special. I came home to see you. Don’t you miss me?”

“I don’t miss you. I can see you’re missing Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er.” Qin Yining turned back, holding Zhao Ge’er’s left hand in Bingtang’s arms and shaking it. “Isn’t that right, Zhao Ge’er? Let’s see if you still recognize Daddy?”

The silver bracelet on Zhao Ge’er’s wrist had a small bell that made crisp sounds when shaken. Zhao Ge’er couldn’t speak, making sounds of unclear meaning, with a transparent bubble coming from the corner of his mouth.

“Oh my, Daddy’s precious little heart.” Pang Xiao was delighted beyond measure, stepping forward to hold Zhao Ge’er in his arms. “Zhao Ge’er, call Daddy once. Come on, call Daddy.”