Qin Yining’s eyes turned red, her heart feeling as if grass was growing in it, so troubled she didn’t know what to do. She even thought that if she had the capability, she might as well just kill Li Qitian and be done with it once and for all. But she also knew that for the sake of the people’s stability, Pang Xiao might not be willing to become a treacherous rebel. After all, this realm had been in chaos long enough, and the common people had only lived peacefully for a few days…

She understood that Pang Xiao didn’t want her to worry about his affairs, and she also didn’t want her irritated emotions to affect him.

The more difficulties they encountered, the more they couldn’t panic. The more critical the situation, the more they needed to stay calm.

“You’re right. When soldiers come, we’ll block them with generals; when water comes, we’ll cover it with earth. As long as we plan carefully, there’s no obstacle we can’t overcome.”

Seeing her recover so quickly, Pang Xiao felt both proud and heartbroken.

If she were a girl who had lived carefree since childhood, who could have such a strong heart? The reason his Sister Yi could be so strong and so calm wasn’t it because she had endured so much hardship too early?

He married her because he cherished her, wanted to protect her, wanted to give her a good life.

But reality often didn’t go according to people’s wishes. Since she had been with him, the hardships she’d suffered hadn’t been any less than before her marriage.

She had been kidnapped, hunted, fled as a fugitive, and nearly forced into marriage. Her originally healthy body had also weakened due to various reasons. Even so, she had borne him two sons. Even when she was painstakingly carrying his children, his mother and maternal grandfather still suspected her chastity…

Pang Xiao’s heart felt as if it were being ruthlessly squeezed and twisted by a pair of large hands.

“Sister Yi.” Pang Xiao walked to Qin Yining’s side, opening his arms to embrace her. “My Sister Yi, I’m sorry. It’s my fault, I’ve wronged you.”

Qin Yining had originally been contemplating the possible consequences that Li Qitian’s several imperial decrees might bring. Suddenly being pulled into Pang Xiao’s embrace, she was first stunned, then after hearing his words, her eyes suddenly grew hot.

“It doesn’t matter. This isn’t your fault.”

“How is it not my fault? When a wife suffers, it’s because her husband is incompetent! It’s because I’m incompetent that I’ve caused you to follow me in fear and anxiety, living on tenterhooks.”

Pang Xiao’s treasuring kisses fell one by one on her forehead, nose bridge, and cheeks, and for a moment his eyes felt somewhat hot.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh, though the corners of her eyes grew moist.

Surrounded entirely by his presence, she felt not the slightest bit of resentment, experiencing only the security and happiness of being cherished and protected. It seemed that as long as she was with this man, no matter how many things happened or how many difficulties blocked their path, this man would be able to think of solutions and shelter her from all storms.

“If even you think yourself incompetent, is there any way for other men in this world to survive?”

Qin Yining hugged his waist, looking up at him with bright, gentle eyes: “Any person, no matter who, standing in your position, couldn’t have done better than you. That you’ve been able to persist until now, carving out a piece of territory for yourself under multiple pressures – how many people envy this? Temporary difficulties don’t matter. Don’t underestimate yourself.”

Pang Xiao’s heart was about to melt from her warmth, his voice low and hoarse: “Sister Yi, you’re truly wonderful.”

“You’re the one who’s truly wonderful. You don’t know how many people envy me beyond measure.” Qin Yining’s expression was very serious. “Although the situation is indeed somewhat complex this time, the side effects brought by each of the Emperor’s decrees aren’t very difficult to analyze. We’ll just prepare as usual – it’s actually not that hard to deal with.”

Pang Xiao nodded, tapping the tip of her nose with his finger: “Seeing you like this, I know you already have a plan.”

“Mm. I do have some speculations and analyses, but I’m not sure if everything I say is correct.”

Pang Xiao smiled: “It doesn’t matter. Tell me first. I won’t make decisions immediately. Later I’ll also go find Counselor Xie and Counselor Xu to discuss further. After all, this isn’t just about my success or failure alone.”

Behind him were relatives, family, friends, and so many loyal subordinates who followed him. He had to be responsible not just for himself, his family, and his beloved, but also for these devoted subordinates and their families.

“That’s good then.” Qin Yining nodded with a smile, extending three pale, slender fingers. The hibiscus jade ring on her ring finger flashed with gentle light under the orange lamplight, making her skin appear like congealed cream.

“I think there are three points we need to be careful about.”

“Which three points?” Pang Xiao’s gaze fell on her spirited pretty face and couldn’t move away.

“First, we need to be careful of Yuchi Xujie making moves behind the scenes. Yuchi Xujie and Yuchi Yan had dealings before. When we first came to the old capital, it was the Emperor’s forceful estrangement, plus his promise to Yuchi Xujie to recognize South Yan as an independent country, that severed their surface alliance.

“Yuchi Yan represents the legitimate Yan lineage, and what Yuchi Xujie needs is legitimacy. He wants high position but doesn’t want to bear infamy. Previously, he’d rather let Yuchi Yan run wild on his territory than take radical action – he must be someone who greatly values reputation.

“Now such a person who values empty titles has been enfeoffed by the Emperor as some ridiculous Prince Xu. He won’t be content with this. Moreover, Yuchi Yan has already developed certain capabilities locally. Yuchi Xujie is isolated with limited reach, and fears your authority, so he doesn’t dare brazenly cause trouble in the old capital. But he can play dirty.

“If I were Yuchi Xujie, I would definitely contact Yuchi Yan. After all, they come from the same lineage. No matter how they fight among themselves, when it’s time to unite against outsiders, they’ll unite against outsiders. Don’t you think so?”

“My Sister Yi is truly clever. You’re absolutely right.”

Pang Xiao gazed intently at Qin Yining’s animated little face, his eyes full of admiration:

“I’ll be vigilant and prepared. Even if Yuchi Yan and Yuchi Xujie cooperate, they won’t necessarily be truly united. Yuchi Yan isn’t suited for political maneuvering – he relies entirely on Gu Shixiong. Even if Gu Shixiong is sincere, ultimately people’s hearts are separated by their bellies, and there are already conflicts between master and servant. Add Yuchi Xujie to the mix, and their camp might not be as impregnable as the Emperor arranged. If they’re not united, that would be my greatest advantage.”

“You’re right. But they might also come together to devise some underhanded schemes. They might even try to understand the Emperor’s intentions when acting. As long as what they do aligns with the Emperor’s goals, the Emperor should utilize them without excessive suppression. So you must be careful.”

“Yes, I understand.” Being able to analyze the current situation together with Qin Yining, Pang Xiao felt he could handle anything that occurred.

“What else?”

“Also, when we were in Jianchuan City, Qiu Feishan wanted to designate you as her chosen supporter. Do you remember?”

“I remember you told me about it.” Pang Xiao nodded.

Qin Yining continued: “After hearing what Qiu Feishan said about the relationship between prominent and hidden families, although the hidden families are now split and their power isn’t as great as before, ultimately a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Qiu Yuanqing is now the leader, and his chosen supporter naturally won’t be you.

“I think that among those in the world capable of contending with Li Qitian, Tatar’s Si Qin counts as one, Prince Consort Ji counts as one, and Yuchi Yan of legitimate Yan lineage could barely count as another.

“Si Qin is a foreign race – the Qiu family wouldn’t support foreigners, so Si Qin can be disregarded. Prince Consort Ji currently appears to support the Emperor, like Lu Heng, so the Qiu family wouldn’t support Prince Consort Ji either. The remaining candidates are easy to guess. He very likely would choose to support Yuchi Yan.

“So the second thing I mentioned that we need to be careful about is Yuchi Yan colluding with Qiu Yuanqing.

“Third, none of us know exactly how much influence the Qiu family has in the imperial court. They could influence personnel decisions in Jianchuan City, and the previously transferred Governor Yang was Qiu Feishan’s person. Who can be certain whether Qiu Yuanqing might also influence imperial court personnel decisions in the old capital? What if he also influences the selection of the new governor?

“Governor Yang’s recall to the capital for debriefing came too suddenly. The timing of the new governor’s appointment is also too sensitive. So you must also be careful of the new governor colluding with the Qiu family.

“If the new governor also has connections with the Qiu family, and the Qiu family simultaneously chooses Yuchi Yan to support, then what you’ll face will be several different opposing factions twisted into one rope. The Qiu family, Yuchi Yan, Yuchi Xujie, and the new governor – they’ll surround you tightly in the middle, coordinating to trip you up.”

Analyzing to this point, Qin Yining increasingly felt that Pang Xiao’s situation was truly too dangerous.

Just locally in the old capital, there might be so many troubles, and in the capital there was still Li Qitian watching like a tiger eyeing its prey.

Li Qitian was indeed a formidable figure. With one imperial decree, he completely stirred up these various forces into chaos, and might even allow several of these forces to unite against Pang Xiao.

Such scheming and methods truly didn’t waste his ascension to the throne. Back then, who knew how much he had calculated behind the scenes, how many unconscionable things he had done, to be so wary of Pang Xiao now…

Qin Yining’s thoughts raced, but in just the span of a breath, Pang Xiao had already embraced her shoulders, touching her slightly cool cheek soothingly: “These are also worst-case scenarios. Perhaps things won’t develop this way.”

“You’re right. But planning according to the worst degree is still being prepared for any eventuality. Moreover, I also feel that with the Emperor’s wisdom and methods, if he adds some fuel to the fire behind the scenes, it’s very likely things will develop exactly as I just described.”

Qin Yining stood up, pacing back and forth on the floor. Her tall, slender figure was like a spinning top, anxiously circling everywhere, finally stopping in front of Pang Xiao:

“What should we do? I don’t want to leave your side. I want to stay with you.”

Pang Xiao’s heart was about to melt completely.

Pulling her waist into his embrace, he said, “I don’t want you to leave my sight either. Has our Sister Yi, with her heart full only of me, forgotten her own circumstances?”

“What circumstances?” Qin Yining was stunned at his words, not immediately understanding.

“Setting aside whether Princess Tana hates you or will look for opportunities to avenge A’na Ri Khan, don’t you find it suspicious that this marriage reception envoy position was arranged for you?”