Pang Xiao stood with one hand clasped behind his back, his spine straight as he extended one arm in a formal gesture of support.

The two of them performed the ritual of mutual respect perfectly.

Yet in their hearts, both wanted to embrace each other at this moment.

Qin Yining boarded the carriage while Pang Xiao mounted his horse, leading his people to follow behind. “This Prince happens to be returning to the military camp as well, so I’ll escort you part of the way.”

What Pang Xiao called “part of the way” lasted until he had escorted Qin Yining and the secret envoy’s party returning to the capital over a hundred li outside the old capital. This was completely the opposite direction from the Pingnan Army camp – if they went any further, it would be too far to reach the military camp.

Spurring his horse alongside Qin Yining’s carriage, Pang Xiao smiled. “Return home with peace of mind and wait for me to come back to the capital.”

Pang Xiao wore black robes, his face white as jade and eyes like black lacquer. In the morning light, he was so handsome he seemed almost otherworldly.

Qin Yining lifted the window curtain, tilting her head to smile at him. “I understand. You be at ease too.”

Pang Xiao gazed deeply at Qin Yining, his eyes containing love, reluctance, and even more helplessness.

His large hand touched Qin Yining’s slightly cool cheek as he instructed the people inside the carriage: “Take good care of the Princess Consort. The weather is turning cold – the further north you go, the colder it gets. Make sure to adjust the Princess Consort’s clothing properly and don’t let her catch cold.”

“Yes, Prince, rest assured.” Ji Yun, Bingtang, and the others all smiled as they agreed. Their melodious voices were very pleasant to hear.

After giving his instructions, Pang Xiao had no more reason to linger. He spurred his horse to bid farewell to Director Cheng, then led his dozen or so subordinates, whipping their horses into a gallop along the official road toward the Pingnan Army camp.

Qin Yining sat properly back inside the carriage, feeling melancholy and lost.

Having just separated, she was already beginning to miss him.

The journey back to the capital went very smoothly. Qin Yining had Silver-Masked Agents and personal serving maids by her side, plus six elite Tiger Guards arranged by Pang Xiao surrounding the carriage. Security was assured, and the occasional bandits they encountered were all beaten into retreat.

Director Cheng, having received benefits from Pang Xiao, was very courteous to Qin Yining. Qin Yining wasn’t an arrogant person either and was quite polite to Director Cheng. Back and forth, the two became somewhat familiar during the journey, both maintaining a degree of mutual respect.

However, with the Emperor’s decree pressing them, they dared not delay on the road and still had to rush toward the capital through wind and weather, sleeping in the open.

Although Qin Yining was to serve as Marriage Reception Envoy, she wasn’t truly a refined lady from a great family. Her etiquette had been learned from retired palace nannies from the Yan court during her time in Great Yan.

The rules and ceremonies of the Yan dynasty naturally differed from those of Great Zhou.

And the ceremonies that Great Zhou followed were also learned and adapted from the Northern Ji state, so they couldn’t really be considered true adherence to ancient rites.

After all, Great Zhou had only been established for six years. Including the Empress, Empress Dowager, and Princess Imperial, they could at most be considered of “landlord’s wife” origin. Compared to those refined ladies and imperial female relatives with scholarly family traditions, their etiquette was simply unseemly.

Having defeated the Tatars this time, Great Zhou wanted to display national prestige and show foreign peoples Great Zhou’s ancient ceremonies and bearing – naturally they wouldn’t be careless about this.

Director Cheng smiled. “…So after the Princess Consort returns to the capital, during the time waiting for Princess Tana, you should first study ancient ceremonies.”

Qin Yining nodded. “This is proper. The Tatars have occupied the north, raiding the borders year after year since the Northern Ji era. The common people have suffered greatly from them. Now our Great Zhou forces have achieved crushing victory, finally defeating the Tatars and restoring peace to the people. We can’t do anything to those culprits who have already surrendered, but showing them our Great Zhou’s ceremonial bearing is also essential – this too is a way of displaying national prestige.”

“Yes, the Princess Consort speaks absolutely correctly.” Director Cheng nodded repeatedly, filled with admiration for Qin Yining. Her thoughtfulness and bearing truly befitted Prince Zhongshun’s pillow companion – everything she said was flawless.

“The Princess Consort is truly a person of extraordinary wisdom. The Emperor’s keen insight is truly admirable.”

One sentence managed to flatter both Qin Yining and Li Qitian.

Traveling together with Director Cheng, Qin Yining had figured out this person’s character completely.

Anyone who could reach his position as a palace eunuch absolutely wouldn’t be someone who acted impulsively. In doing things, he was most particular about being smooth and diplomatic, never offending anyone, always leaving a thread of possibility – perhaps he might forge good connections for himself in the future.

Sometimes Qin Yining couldn’t help thinking that perhaps she should learn well from Director Cheng about conducting oneself in the world.

Because sometimes she felt that since marrying Pang Xiao, having someone to rely on, she seemed to no longer know how to be accommodating and flexible in her actions, and her temperament had become more impatient.

This wasn’t good – it was easy to invite trouble.

The journey back to the capital was long. The closer they got to the capital, the colder the weather became. The thick fur-lined garments Qin Yining had brought when leaving the capital came in handy, and she had to constantly hold an exquisite hand warmer. Even so, Qin Yining still often felt cold.

“The Princess Consort’s body has been depleted after childbirth, which is why you fear the cold. After we return to the capital and settle down, I must properly regulate your health. Don’t think nothing’s wrong and pay no attention – consider how young you still are…”

Bingtang placed an exquisite warming stove by Qin Yining’s feet while chattering on.

Qin Yining burst into laughter. “Bingtang is so caring – I’m reluctant to give you to that blockhead Huzi.”

“Oh my, Princess Consort, how can you say that? I’m kindly concerned about you, yet you turn around and tease me.” Bingtang’s face turned as red as a cooked shrimp, lowering her head without looking at Qin Yining’s eyes.

Ji Yun, Qian Yun, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou nearby couldn’t help but laugh.

Everyone teased Bingtang with various comments.

Qin Yining gently pinched Ji Yun and Qian Yun’s cheeks, smiling. “Don’t just focus on teasing Bingtang. You’re not young anymore either. After we return, I’ll also keep an eye out and definitely find you good families – I won’t let pearls be cast before swine.”

“Has the Princess Consort gone mad? Why are you thinking of randomly matchmaking today?” Qian Yun’s face was even redder than Bingtang’s as she said reproachfully, “If we leave, who will serve you?”

Qiu Lu also said, “I won’t leave the Princess Consort’s side.”

Qin Yining smiled. “Silly girls, in the future you can all return to my side as steward wives. How can you never marry for your entire lives? Find reliable, suitable husbands and live harmoniously and beautifully in the future, just like the Prince and I, supporting each other – wouldn’t that be wonderful? Moreover, the Prince and I can both be your backing. I don’t believe any blind fool would dare mistreat you in the future.”

The girls were all made red-faced by Qin Yining’s words, but they were all very moved in their hearts, knowing that Qin Yining was sincerely planning for their happiness.

As time passed and they drew closer to the capital, it grew closer to the depths of winter. This year’s snow was particularly heavy. Although they were returning to the capital by imperial decree and traveling very urgently, they were still delayed considerably by the heavy snow.

Thus, when the returning party reached Daxing Town, still half a day’s journey from the capital, it was already the afternoon of the third day of the eleventh month.

Director Cheng wore thick fur-collared garments, walking through the snow with his hands tucked inside his sleeves, approaching Qin Yining’s carriage with crunching footsteps and a smile. “Princess Consort.”

Hearing the sound, Qin Yining quickly pushed open the carriage window and smiled. “Director Cheng.”

“Princess Consort, we’ve now reached Daxing Town. We’ll make do here for one night, rest and reorganize briefly, then tomorrow we can proceed directly into the city.”

“Director Cheng is very thoughtful. Let’s do as you suggest.” Qin Yining nodded.

“Yes.” Director Cheng cupped his hands in salute and instructed the party to head toward Daxing Town.

The town wasn’t large – one main street that could be seen from end to end at a glance. The town’s only inn didn’t have any private courtyards, only private rooms on the second floor.

The party arranged their lodging. The accompanying guards had to squeeze into shared bunks downstairs. But thinking that tomorrow they could enter the city and the arduous journey would finally end, everyone’s mood was quite good.

After bathing, Qin Yining prepared the clothes she would wear tomorrow, then sat before the lamp doing needlework with her half-dry long hair flowing loose.

The maids were all very tired. Qin Yining sent them to rest quickly. “We must rise early tomorrow. After entering the city, there will be a pile of things to do – we need to maintain good spirits.”

Bingtang and the others were truly too tired to keep their eyes open. Hearing this, they didn’t decline and went to sleep. Only Qiu Lu remained in the outer room to keep night watch for Qin Yining.

Qin Yining sewed the outer robe in her hands stitch by stitch. This was spring clothing she was making for Pang Xiao, planning for him to wear in the new year. She couldn’t embroider complex patterns well and planned to have embroiderers do that later – she would just make the garment. Anyway, Pang Xiao wouldn’t mind if her stitches were too coarse, as long as she was careful not to leave needles in the clothes to prick him.

Only during this time each day, sewing clothes for him by lamplight, could she allow her longing to burst forth like a dam breaking. In front of others, she completely didn’t want to expose her emotions, especially with so many people around her – she couldn’t let her negative emotions affect others.

She wondered how the situation in the old capital was now.

Traveling with Director Cheng, she had to be cautious about any contact with Pang Xiao, fearing to leave any evidence, and also worried that among Director Cheng’s people there might be spies specifically transmitting information to Li Qitian.

Qin Yining sighed softly, blinked her sore eyes, and methodically organized her needlework, also planning to retire for the night.

Just then, a soft sound suddenly came from outside the rear window: “Princess Consort.”

It was Jingzhe.

Qin Yining quickly grabbed a garment to throw on and walked to the window. Speaking through the paper window in a low voice: “What is it?”

“Earl Zhongyi wishes to see you.”

Lu Heng?

Qin Yining thought for a moment, lowering her voice: “Where is he?”

“Just downstairs.”

Qin Yining considered this. Her room was separated by only a short distance from where Director Cheng was staying. The inn’s floorboards were old and dilapidated – walking on them would make creaking sounds. If someone entered through the front door, they would definitely be discovered.

But after learning the secrets about hidden and prominent families between the Qiu and Lu families, Qin Yining very much wanted to see Lu Heng and probe his intentions.

She just didn’t know if Lu Heng had any tails following him this time.

Qin Yining fell into thought. Outside the window, Jingzhe didn’t urge her but waited patiently. His figure crouched by the window sill, one hand gripping the window frame, cast a shadow on the window paper like a stone statue.

After a moment, Qin Yining made her decision.

“Find a way to bring Earl Zhongyi up without alerting others.”

“Yes.” Jingzhe agreed and his figure immediately disappeared from the window.