Pang Xiao slowly raised his strong arms and pulled Qin Yining tightly into his embrace, burying his face in her chest and abdomen, saying in a muffled voice, “It’s all my fault for not giving you and the children a safe home.”

“What foolish words are you saying?” Qin Yining looked down at the top of Pang Xiao’s head. This man had always been like a strong, towering tree, and also like an unsheathed sharp blade. His steadiness, solidity, determination, and courage had always been admirable. In front of others, he was the invincible War God Prince, but in private, he also had vulnerable moments.

This side of Pang Xiao made Qin Yining like him even more, and it was also more real.

“Zhixi, don’t think so much. We two are family – we are one. To say something unpleasant, if one day that person above targets you, would he spare me? Everything we do is for our common home.”

“I understand it all. But I’m still worried.” Pang Xiao pulled Qin Yining over to sit on his lap, rubbing his temple against hers. “I just don’t want you to leave my sight. If you disappear again, I don’t know what I might do. I definitely couldn’t bear such a blow.”

Qin Yining smiled and shook her head. “You’re overthinking. How could I always be so unlucky? I won’t be. As long as everything is arranged properly, there will be no problems.”

Pang Xiao lowered his head and remained silent.

For a moment, he wanted to slip away like a cicada shedding its shell, abandoning everything here to accompany Qin Yining.

However, he couldn’t forget that his purpose in coming to the old capital was to maintain stability. What if something chaotic happened after he left?

Even if he looked down upon some of Li Qitian’s actions, the Great Zhou Dynasty’s territory must remain stable. Because he didn’t want to see innocent people die unjustly.

The northern war situation was tense, and in the face of lacking money and grain, Ji Zeyu was already facing a hard battle. If the south became chaotic, Great Zhou would be attacked from both front and back.

The realm had finally been stable for a few years, and most common people had finally enjoyed peace. He couldn’t be so selfish.

Since the Sitong Trading Company matter was urgent and southern affairs still needed attention, Pang Xiao could only reluctantly nod and agree to Qin Yining’s proposal.

After leaving Qin Yining, Pang Xiao went directly to find Mu Jinghu.

Mu Jinghu was in his room eating pastries and reading a picture book. Seeing Pang Xiao suddenly arrive, he was somewhat surprised and put down the book, patted the pastry crumbs off his hands, picked up his tea bowl and took a sip, then smiled and asked, “How did you come back? Are you done with military camp affairs?”

“No, I stole some time to come back. Mutou, I need to ask you for a favor.”

Pang Xiao’s serious expression made Mu Jinghu also sit up straight, nodding with some puzzlement and concern. “Go ahead.”

“You don’t have any major matters to handle recently, do you?”

“Right, my grand-uncle said there was excitement in the south and sent me out, telling me to come watch the excitement myself. He didn’t say when I should return. He has people protecting him, so I’m not in a hurry. What’s the matter?”

Pang Xiao said, “Mutou, Yining needs to make a trip to Shu region. I want to ask you to accompany her and protect her closely. Your martial arts are excellent, and you’re the person I trust most. I can’t leave the Pingnan Army and can’t accompany her. Only by entrusting her to you can I feel at ease.”

Mu Jinghu blinked, his voice somewhat hesitant. “You can still trust me? My grand-uncle has harmed you before. Having me protect your wife – aren’t you afraid I might harm her along the way?”

“You wouldn’t.” Pang Xiao said seriously, “One matter is one matter. If you wanted to deal with me, you wouldn’t use underhanded methods – you’d tell me openly. Since you’ve agreed to this, you’ll definitely be able to do it. I know your character is trustworthy.”

Hearing these words, Mu Jinghu couldn’t help but feel moved.

He didn’t have many friends and actually treasured his friendship with Pang Xiao. It’s just that what Tianji Zi had done was truly incomprehensible – repeatedly harming people, making him unsure whether he could continue being friends with Pang Xiao.

He naturally knew how much Pang Xiao loved and valued Qin Yining.

Now Pang Xiao was still willing to trust him, entrusting Qin Yining to his protection.

For a moment, Mu Jinghu felt warmth in his heart.

“Alright. I agree.” Mu Jinghu said seriously, “I can’t guarantee other things, but I can guarantee I’ll do my utmost to protect her. Don’t worry.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao nodded solemnly and bowed to Mu Jinghu, startling Mu Jinghu into quickly stepping back to avoid it and returning the bow.

The rift between the two was completely eliminated – they were still good brothers. With the gloom in their hearts dispersed, both men felt extremely comfortable.

While Pang Xiao was entrusting matters to Mu Jinghu, Qin Yining also went to find Sun Shi and Meng Shi.

When the two heard that Qin Yining agreed to let them take Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er out, Sun Shi was so happy she almost jumped up, and Meng Shi was also so delighted she couldn’t stop smiling. She kept pulling on Qin Yining, saying, “Yining, don’t worry. Entrusting the children to us is the right choice. In a month or so when we return, we’ll definitely give you back two healthy, chubby little boys!”

Qin Yining said, “I naturally trust grandmother and mother. I didn’t agree before because I couldn’t bear to be separated from the children, not because I didn’t trust you. To tell the truth, I’m actually going on a trip this time. If I weren’t going out, I wouldn’t do this.”

“We’re all mothers – how could we not understand?”

Once the decision was made, Qin Yining’s departure should be sooner rather than later.

Pang Xiao arranged for Elite Tiger Guards and masked scouts to accompany Qin Yining. Bingtang and Ji Yun were also in the traveling party, while Qian Yun, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou would bring wet nurses to accompany Sun Shi and Meng Shi to the south.

During this period, Mu Jinghu didn’t even leave the mansion to avoid suspicion, and had no correspondence with the outside world.

He knew Pang Xiao trusted him, so he couldn’t let Pang Xiao down.

By the time everything was prepared, the weather had reached early summer.

Qin Yining got up early to see the two children at Sun Shi and Meng Shi’s place. These two little ones seemed to understand they were temporarily separating from their birth mother. Usually, they didn’t cry or fuss, but today they clung to Qin Yining’s neck and wouldn’t let go. Whenever someone tried to take them away, they would cry loudly.

The children cried sadly, and Qin Yining couldn’t help but shed tears along with them, her heart aching beyond measure.

Pang Xiao watched from the side, his heart also twisted into knots. Seeing his wife’s red-rimmed eyes made him feel even worse.

At this moment, he became even more determined to fight quickly and decisively. He never wanted to be separated from them again in the future.

“Everything is ready outside. Yining, we should depart.”

Qin Yining hugged Zhao Ge’er and kissed him, then turned her head to kiss Han Ge’er’s cheek. Steeling her heart, she turned and walked out of the bedroom, with loud baby cries echoing behind her.

Sun Shi and Meng Shi each held one child, gently coaxing them while instructing Qin Yining, “Be careful of everything outside. Don’t worry about the children – we’ll definitely take good care of them.”

Qin Yining forced a smile and nodded, not daring to stay even half a step longer for fear she wouldn’t be able to leave if she lingered. She hurriedly walked out the main gate.

As soon as she reached the corridor, tears burst forth uncontrollably, and she sobbed continuously.

Pang Xiao’s heart ached terribly. He put his arm around her shoulders and comforted her extensively before finally coaxing her into the carriage.