Xu Weizhi’s eyes gleamed as he said, “This old one understands Your Highness’s meaning. This time, it won’t be Yuchi Yan who dies, but Yuchi Xujie.”

“Correct. Yuchi Xujie will certainly help Yuchi Yan, and as long as Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong know that you’ve secretly contacted Yuchi Xujie, they will definitely harbor petty suspicions and strike first. They absolutely cannot accept Yuchi Xujie’s favor.

“Think about it—what will Yuchi Yan become in the eyes of the Southern Yan people? Ungrateful, betraying his old country. It would be one thing if he just surrendered to Great Zhou after becoming a fallen ruler, but to also assist Great Zhou in killing Yuchi Xujie? Even if he killed Yuchi Xujie, if he were willing to become emperor himself, it could at least be considered reclaiming his rightful position.”

“But Your Highness won’t allow him to sit on that throne,” Xu Weizhi said, his eyes brightening.

Pang Xiao nodded with a smile. “Yes, I will immediately drive him out after he makes his move. By then, the only person he can seek help and protection from will be His Majesty. All the Yan people will then believe he has completely allied himself with His Majesty, which is why he would kill Yuchi Xujie for His Majesty’s sake.”

“Wonderful, truly wonderful! This way, Your Highness can completely integrate the old capital with the leaderless Southern Yan.” Xu Weizhi clapped his hands. “Since Your Highness has such a plan, you certainly didn’t think of it suddenly. Your Highness must have been planning this for a long time—why didn’t you reveal it earlier?”

Pang Xiao’s eyes were pitch black, like an unfathomably deep, cold pool.

Why?

Of course it was because he had been too foolish!

For the sake of national righteousness, for the peace of the people, he was willing to endure Li Qitian’s difficulties and schemes, doing everything possible to dodge and evade, seeking only self-preservation.

But what did his concessions bring him?

Li Qitian actually harbored murderous intent toward his Yining again, completely disregarding the countless contributions Qin Yining’s Azure Sky Alliance had made during the palace coup.

His silence left everyone present momentarily speechless.

Others might not know, but Xu Weizhi, who had followed Pang Xiao for many years, understood most clearly that Pang Xiao valued loyalty and righteousness above all—not just romantic love, but also the brotherhood between him, Li Qitian, and Ji Zeyu.

If Pang Xiao truly harbored treasonous thoughts as Li Qitian suspected, then from the very beginning, Li Qitian would never have had the chance to ascend to that position. Because Pang Xiao, who held military power and commanded the complete trust and worship of the Huben Army, truly had countless ways to seize power himself at that time, and it would have been completely legitimate.

But for the sake of the people’s welfare and to preserve the brotherhood between them, he would do whatever Li Qitian commanded, silently bearing the blame for so long.

Thinking of this, Xu Weizhi’s tears nearly fell.

But Pang Xiao was contemplating his plan: “Master Xu, please see if there are any flaws in my plan. To be honest, I must have sufficient leverage in my hands to make His Majesty wary and afraid to act, otherwise Yining’s life will be in danger this time.”

Xu Weizhi thought for a moment, then still asked, “Your Highness, what exactly has happened in the capital?”

Without waiting for Pang Xiao to answer, Xu Weizhi continued, “But that Your Highness can make early preparations is not too late.”

Seeing this, Qiu Feishan said, “Actually, the situation is still very urgent. His Majesty invited the princess consort into the palace, and moreover…”

Qiu Feishan told Xu Weizhi all the information she had received and the messages Qin Huaiyuan had sent.

The more Xu Weizhi listened, the more his expression darkened, and his fingers began to tremble.

“This situation… is not good.” Xu Weizhi glanced at Pang Xiao, and seeing that Pang Xiao’s expression remained relatively calm, he said, “His Majesty is clearly testing Your Highness. His Majesty clearly knows that Your Highness is someone who would defy thirty-three imperial edicts for the princess consort, and His Majesty may not be unaware of Your Highness leading troops to Jianchuan City back then.

“If His Majesty acts against the princess consort and Your Highness doesn’t respond, that would be one thing, but if Your Highness does act, then the charge of treason cannot be removed! Duke Dingguo is currently idle—His Majesty will definitely send Duke Dingguo to quell the southern rebellion!”

“Precisely so. Therefore, I cannot sit and wait for death, much less watch Yining become a sacrifice. Master Xu, please set out immediately—as quickly as possible!”

“Has Your Highness already decided?” Xu Weizhi looked at Pang Xiao seriously and slowly said, “Does Your Highness understand what this action means? Once everything goes according to your plan, once Yuchi Yan kills Yuchi Xujie and Southern Yan becomes leaderless, you will inevitably have to integrate these forces.

“This is Your Highness’s first time acting against the court and strengthening your own power. Once you start down this path, there will be no turning back.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Pang Xiao smiled lightly. “I admit, in this aspect I’m not as good as His Majesty. If there were no Yining in this world, what would I want this world for? Why would I strive for any prosperous golden age? For whom would I fight, for whom would I toil?”

“Your Highness, you…” Xu Weizhi’s lips trembled.

Only now did he realize that Pang Xiao, who had seemed as steady as ever since their meeting today, had actually already completely broken down inside.

He wanted to persuade him.

But then he remembered when Qin Yining was searching for treasure in the old capital and encountered the earthquake, how Pang Xiao led people in tireless day and night excavation in the collapsed tunnels, defying imperial edicts, not only digging until his hands were covered in blisters, but finally even using his bare hands to claw at the earth, yet still failing to find Qin Yining.

Pang Xiao at that time had been like a madman.

Thinking of that Pang Xiao, Xu Weizhi wisely swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

He couldn’t persuade him.

In the prince’s heart, one Qin Yining was probably more important than the entire kingdom. Even the prince’s two sons combined weren’t as important as one Qin Yining.

“Very well, this old one will go immediately!” Xu Weizhi readily agreed, no longer trying to dissuade him.

After all, when he first chose to follow Pang Xiao, it was because he knew Pang Xiao was a sensible person. Since Pang Xiao had already made his decision, he would now just focus on helping Pang Xiao accomplish the task.

Xu Weizhi left quickly. Pang Xiao had Huzi arrange for people to escort Xu Weizhi and hurry to Southern Yan.

Mu Jinghu and Qiu Feishan watched silently as Pang Xiao quickly made his decision, both momentarily speechless.

After a long silence, Qiu Feishan suddenly said, “All the women in the world would probably envy the princess consort.”

Pang Xiao turned to look at Qiu Feishan.

Qiu Feishan continued, “Your Highness’s devotion to the princess consort is truly enviable.”

Mu Jinghu pursed his lips and shook Qiu Feishan’s hand. “Shanshan, I’m also devoted to you and consider you most important.”

Seeing Mu Jinghu being so childish, Qiu Feishan couldn’t help but laugh.

“I know.” She patted Mu Jinghu’s hand but didn’t voice the words that would spoil the mood.

Because she knew Mu Jinghu was a blockhead. Having promised his master’s master to protect his martial uncle, he would absolutely prioritize Tianji Zi. If there truly came a day when she and Tianji Zi stood in opposition, Mu Jinghu would definitely follow his promise and protect Tianji Zi first.

However, Qiu Feishan was a clever person who understood that human nature was the one thing that absolutely couldn’t be tested. Things one placed high hopes in would inevitably lead to disappointment.