Unfortunately, he too was a common person and an incompetent one at that. Gu Shixiong was indeed arrogant, but if he had been someone who could truly stand up for himself, how could he have let Gu Shixiong manipulate him like this? In the end, it was still because he was useless.

Yuchi Yan took several deep breaths before suppressing his sorrow and anger. After venting his rage, he felt completely drained, even speaking felt somewhat powerless.

“Enough, I was too agitated just now. Lord Gu, please don’t take it to heart.” When he turned around, he had already put on a helpless bitter smile.

Gu Shixiong had scolded Yuchi Yan, only to have Yuchi Yan expose his hypocrisy in return. Feeling somewhat guilty at the moment, when he saw Yuchi Yan voluntarily admit his mistake and offer him a way out, he immediately felt relieved and quickly took the opportunity.

“It was this old man’s fault. Seeing Your Highness so emotional just now, in my urgency I spoke without thinking. I was truly worried that our affairs might be overheard by those with ulterior motives, affecting our future plans.” Gu Shixiong lifted his robes and knelt down, kowtowing: “Please forgive this old man’s transgression, Your Highness.”

“What transgression does Lord Gu have? It was I who was too reckless. Getting turned away today made me unable to bear the slight, and I lost my temper. It was truly inappropriate. When my emotions got out of control, I spoke without thinking, saying all sorts of things. I hope Lord Gu won’t take offense.”

Yuchi Yan helped Gu Shixiong up with both hands while reflecting on himself.

Gu Shixiong felt greatly comforted in his heart, thinking that although Yuchi Yan wasn’t a capable person like Pang Xiao, he was at least someone with an upright and pure heart, much better than the previous emperor.

He couldn’t help but feel somewhat emotional. If the Great Yan Dynasty had originally been ruled by Yuchi Yan from the beginning, skipping that generation of the foolish ruler and demon empress, perhaps the Yan Dynasty wouldn’t have fallen.

Thinking of past events, Gu Shixiong was filled with sighs.

Thinking of how the person before him had been pushed forward by his own father to bear the pressure, not only leaving him with a mess but also secretly hiding away all the silver—if this had happened to himself, he probably would have been just as angry.

Thinking of this, Gu Shixiong was no longer so disappointed in Yuchi Yan. Instead, he felt some inexplicable guilt.

“Alright, alright, we’re family. After the quarrel, let’s just forget about it. Right now we should plan what our next step should be.” Gu Shixiong said with a smile.

Yuchi Yan also nodded: “Exactly so. This time, when we went to visit Advisor Liu but were turned away, it must be because their manager is already dissatisfied with us and wants to give us some warning.”

“I think so too.” Gu Shixiong finally found his way of speaking from when he was an official at court.

He had only looked down on Yuchi Yan for being incompetent, so he harbored contempt and often spoke to Yuchi Yan with reproach.

But thinking back, when he was an official, even if he had dissatisfaction in his heart, how would he dare show even half of it before the emperor? It turned out he too had committed the error of treating people differently based on their status.

As Gu Shixiong reflected inwardly, his words naturally made Yuchi Yan feel refreshed.

“Your Highness need not be anxious. Whatever reason Sitong Trading Company has for opposing Pang Zhixi, in this territory of the old capital, there’s no one else more suitable for them to cooperate with than us.

“Your Highness has prestige among the people, with such a good foundation among the masses. Even if Sitong Trading Company is supporting the legitimate line, they will cooperate with us.

“Right now it’s just temporary displeasure. They’re putting on airs because they have some stinking money. But as Your Highness knows, what does that filthy lucre amount to in the face of power? Even if Sitong Trading Company is wealthy as the four seas, couldn’t the ruler still confiscate their property with one word? They’re just making a show—Your Highness needn’t take it to heart. They’re also afraid that when Your Highness regains power in the future, you’ll use them as an example.”

Gu Shixiong’s analysis was logical and thorough. Yuchi Yan felt much more comfortable listening, his previous anger completely dissipated. He nodded repeatedly: “What Lord Gu says is reasonable. So what should we do next?”

“In this old man’s opinion, we needn’t be too hasty. Let’s first carefully investigate to see what the situation is on Pang Zhixi’s side, then make our decision.”

“Excellent.” Yuchi Yan patted Gu Shixiong’s bony arm. “With Lord Gu here, I can sleep peacefully. Lord Gu must preserve yourself—we’ll need to rely heavily on Lord Gu to restore Great Yan in the future!”

Gu Shixiong was delighted, his face full of smiles as he repeatedly said he didn’t dare accept such praise.

Just then, the spy Gu Shixiong had sent out returned.

“Your Highness, Lord Gu, the investigation is clear. Sitong Trading Company’s manager visited the Pingnan Army camp yesterday evening and met with Prince Zhongshun.”

“What!” Gu Shixiong and Yuchi Yan were shocked and dismayed.

They had just been turned away by Advisor Liu, the subordinate of Sitong Trading Company’s manager, only to learn that the manager had personally gone to see Pang Zhixi. This blatant slap in the face made both master and servant burn red as coals, so embarrassed they wanted to plunge into cold water to cool down.

Yuchi Yan stumbled back two steps and collapsed into his chair with a thud, his eyes vacant as he mumbled: “How can this be, how can this be!”

Gu Shixiong quickly composed himself and continued questioning the spy: “Did you find out clearly what Sitong Trading Company’s people wanted with Prince Zhongshun?”

The spy said: “It’s been investigated clearly. It seems to be about silver.”

“Silver? Don’t tell me Sitong Trading Company doesn’t intend to make Pang Zhixi repay the debt he previously owed?”

The spy lowered his head and shook it: “This humble one doesn’t know.”

Gu Shixiong waved his hand to dismiss the spy, then muttered in a low voice: “This is very strange. Sitong Trading Company has always been postured to oppose Pang Zhixi. How could they suddenly change their minds?”

Yuchi Yan also frowned: “I originally thought that Governor Yang couldn’t repay that sum of silver and would definitely push the matter back to Pang Zhixi. If Sitong Trading Company really did write off the debt this time, wouldn’t everything go according to Pang Zhixi’s wishes!”

Master and servant were now plunged into deep doubt.

What kind of person was Sitong Trading Company’s manager, and what was their purpose?

Could it be that Sitong Trading Company valued Pang Xiao’s status as nobility and wanted to find a backer at court?

The two looked at each other and unconsciously compared Yuchi Yan’s current situation with Pang Xiao’s.

It had to be said that if Sitong Trading Company really was looking for a backer, then Pang Xiao was indeed the best choice at present.

Yuchi Yan’s mood, which had just improved slightly, plummeted once again.

After Pang Xiao returned to the military camp, Qin Yining kept feeling empty inside. Even with the two children for company, she still felt the house was too quiet. It wasn’t like when Pang Xiao was home—there was laughter everywhere.

After coaxing the children to sleep for their afternoon nap, Qin Yining went to the warm chamber to read.

Bingtang came in carrying a tray, placing a white porcelain covered bowl on the red wood small round table, smiling: “Princess Consort, this is for calming the nerves. Please eat it and take an afternoon nap too.”

Qin Yining smiled: “I’ll eat it later.” She patted the space beside her. “Sit down, let’s chat.”

Bingtang smiled and put down the tray, sitting sideways beside Qin Yining, casually taking an embroidery hoop from the sewing basket to embroider.

Qin Yining smiled and asked: “When Huzi came back this time, did he tell you anything?” She lowered her voice: “Did he make any promises to you?”

“Oh my, how did Princess Consort learn from those little hussies, gossiping about people behind their backs like this?” Bingtang’s face turned red as she stuck her needle into the hoop, turning away to avoid looking at her.

Seeing her shy appearance, Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh: “What’s there to be embarrassed about? We’re the same age, and I’m already a mother. How can I keep you by my side doing tea and water service forever? Besides, you weren’t originally a maid but a young lady from a good family.”

She took Bingtang’s hand: “When I first kept you by my side, I didn’t have any better status to give you, so I could only wrong you to be a maid. But now, although the situation is rather tense, I no longer need to continue wronging you. I can see that Huzi is an honest person who truly cares for you. I think if you could become Huzi’s wife, and His Highness promotes him well in the future, there’s no worry that he won’t be able to earn you a phoenix crown and rosy cloud robe. What do you think?”

Although Bingtang was so embarrassed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to hide in, since there were no outsiders here and Qin Yining was treating her with genuine sincerity, considering everything for her sake, her heart couldn’t help but be moved.

She was willing to serve as a maid by Qin Yining’s side. When Qin Yining had never met her before, she dared to risk her own safety to rescue her from Prince Ning’s mansion. Although this was a misunderstanding, at that time Prince Ning had privately told her that Qin Yining was a responsible and honest person. If there was no other way in the future, following her for life would never result in any loss.

Looking at it now, Prince Ning had judged correctly, and she herself had made the right choice. Qin Yining truly treated her like a sister, not relying on her status as mistress to arbitrarily promise her to just anyone, but privately discussing it with her, and everything was considered from the starting point of her happiness.

Tears gradually appeared in Bingtang’s eyes.

Seeing that she had made someone cry with just one question, Qin Yining was greatly alarmed: “Don’t cry. Did that rascal bully you? Or did he do something behind your back to wrong you, making you unwilling to marry him?”

Qin Yining thought that those rough men in the army inevitably had various bad habits. Had her idea been too hasty? She should carefully ask Pang Xiao later and thoroughly investigate everything about Huzi.

Seeing Qin Yining’s furrowed brow and cold expression, Bingtang knew she had misunderstood and quickly shook her head: “No, he didn’t bully me, and I’m not unwilling… I just feel that Princess Consort is too good to me.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining suddenly breathed a sigh of relief: “You scared me. But I should still carefully investigate Deng Jinhu’s background thoroughly later—I can’t muddle-headedly marry you to someone unreliable. Didn’t Manager Zhong help you with business? You’ve saved quite a bit of silver from before. I’ll have him send the account books to you later. Even if the wedding date isn’t set, these things should be prepared first.”