Pang Xiao had long noticed that Qin Yining kept glancing inadvertently in one direction. Hearing these words now, he couldn’t help but laugh pleasantly.

Qin Yining looked up at him in surprise, only to see Pang Xiao’s eyes crinkled with laughter. His phoenix eyes were long and narrow with upturned corners, usually giving people a sharp feeling, but when he showed his teeth in a smile like this, one could only feel warmth and joy.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile too. “What are you laughing about?”

Pang Xiao looked down at her. From his angle, he could see her blinking large eyes and long eyelashes. This angle made her look increasingly adorable. Unable to care that they were at the mansion’s entrance, his large hand couldn’t help but grasp her waist and pull her closer.

“Yi Jie’er can do whatever she wants. I’m not so desperate for someone’s assistance that I’d sacrifice my looks and let my own people suffer grievances for nothing.”

The phrase “sacrifice my looks” completely amused Qin Yining, and her fist couldn’t help but lightly pound his shoulder once.

Pang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh even more heartily.

Their sweet interaction was quite normal for them, and the servants around had long grown accustomed to it.

But in some people’s eyes, it was simply an eyesore.

Yao Shi, who had just arrived at the entrance, rolled her eyes dramatically and coughed once with her handkerchief covering her mouth.

Pan Keyu heard the sound and turned back, hurrying to bow. “Old Master, Grand Madam, Old Madam, greetings.”

Yao Chenggu nodded with his hands behind his back.

Yao Shi smiled and said, “You’re here too…” and began chatting casually with Pan Keyu.

Ma Shi didn’t even glance at Pan Keyu, only watching Pang Xiao and Qin Yining talking and laughing together, smiling along herself.

“Look how wonderful they are.”

Yao Shi snorted softly at this. “Improper behavior.”

Ma Shi had been in an excellent mood, but hearing this, her expression immediately darkened. “Proper behavior? You speak as if you especially know about proper behavior!”

Yao Shi was first stunned, then her face flushed hot.

This wasn’t the first time Ma Shi had criticized her. She was angry that back when Yao Shi had relations with Pang Zhongzheng before marriage and became pregnant, whenever matters of women’s virtue or rules came up, she would make cutting remarks.

“It’s been so many years – why are you still holding onto this, Mother? If I had known about proper behavior, Dafu wouldn’t even be in this world!”

Ma Shi sneered coldly. “And you’re proud of that?”

Yao Shi’s face flushed red with anger, biting her lower lip and not daring to retort. Because when Ma Shi hit her, she always struck without hesitation, never considering the occasion.

She didn’t want to make a spectacle of herself in public!

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao had already seen Ma Shi’s group emerge and walked over hand in hand.

“Grandmother.”

“Ah, Dafu, be careful when you go out. Pay attention to safety above all – remember that everyone at home is waiting for you.”

Pang Xiao’s reason for leaving was to lead troops to suppress bandits.

Suppressing bandits meant encountering fierce outlaws with real weapons – if things went badly, lives could be lost. Ma Shi was very worried in her heart, but she also knew this was something Pang Xiao had to do. Unable to stop him, she could only earnestly remind him to ease her worries.

Pang Xiao nodded seriously. “Don’t worry, Grandmother. I’m well prepared – nothing will happen.”

While speaking, he guided Qin Yining to Ma Shi’s side. “While I’m away, I’ll have to trouble Grandmother to take extra care of Yi Jie’er.”

Ma Shi beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly. “Good, good, don’t worry about it.”

Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu had been neglected for some time and were feeling displeased. Hearing Pang Xiao speak this way, Yao Chenggu frowned.

Yao Shi’s mouth twisted even more severely.

But ultimately they also cared greatly about Pang Xiao’s safety. Yao Shi didn’t want to become even more estranged from her son, so she didn’t explode or directly conflict with Pang Xiao at this moment.

After all, she was Qin Yining’s legitimate mother-in-law. When Pang Xiao wasn’t home, who could say she was wrong for making her daughter-in-law follow some rules?

“Your Highness, the troops outside the city are ready and waiting,” Huzi came to report.

Only then did Pang Xiao realize the time was about right.

He reluctantly squeezed Qin Yining’s hand and smiled. “I’m leaving. I’ll be back soon.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded.

Pang Xiao respectfully bowed to Yao Chenggu, Ma Shi, and Yao Shi, then mounted his horse and rode off with several personal attendants to join the troops outside the city.

Watching Pang Xiao’s departing figure on horseback, Qin Yining’s heart fluttered.

Even though they had been married for so long and their child was already a year and a half old, this man still often made her blush and feel warm just by looking at him. She couldn’t help wanting to look away, embarrassed to stare at him in front of others, yet reluctant to miss any moment of being with him.

She didn’t know how others were after marriage, but she and Pang Xiao, despite being apart more than together, had instead grown increasingly intimate and treasured each other.

Ma Shi watched Qin Yining gazing in the direction Pang Xiao had left for a long time, and couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, Yi girl, stop looking – he’s already gone far.”

Qin Yining suddenly snapped back to attention and said bashfully, “No, I was just thinking about something. Grandmother, let’s go back.”

Ma Shi didn’t expose her and smiled, nodding as she turned around with Qin Yining.

Upon turning, she saw Yao Shi with her hands folded, one hand clutching her handkerchief in a ball, staring at Qin Yining with an icy expression.

Qin Yining’s steps paused, and she respectfully said, “Old Madam.”

Yao Shi sneered coldly, but ultimately wasn’t stupid – she couldn’t say anything unpleasant in front of Ma Shi. She only said, “I heard your needlework is excellent. I just cut some fabric and want to make a few winter garments. Come help me look at patterns and color coordination.”

Between women, the everyday matters were just these things.

Talking about looking at patterns and doing needlework was actually just making Qin Yining come establish proper rules.

Qin Yining wasn’t surprised at all and respectfully said, “Yes.”

Ma Shi frowned and was about to speak up to stop this when Yao Chenggu smiled and said, “If the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law want to be close, don’t obstruct them. Can we really accompany the children for their whole lives? Better to let their relationship improve now.”

This single sentence spoke right to Ma Shi’s heart.

She was old and would leave someday. She hoped more to see Yao Shi have support in old age, with the whole family harmonious and happy, rather than the current situation where mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were more distant than with servants.

Ma Shi ultimately sighed and didn’t intervene, instead saying, “You’re making winter clothes already? Your father and I need to make some too. I’ll bring fabric and people to work together with you.” With her there, surely Yao Shi couldn’t cause trouble?

Hearing this, Yao Shi’s face stiffened. She instinctively looked toward Yao Chenggu as if seeking help, but Yao Chenggu didn’t speak.

Yao Shi had no choice but to nod. “That’s fine too.”

Qin Yining smiled and said, “I was just planning to take apart old clothes to make new ones for the two boys. They’ve grown quite a bit, haven’t they? The clothes made before probably don’t fit anymore.”

At the mention of her great-grandsons, Ma Shi smiled joyfully, linking arms with Qin Yining. “Those two children can walk now and say simple words. They can even call me Great-grandmother. It’s just that circumstances don’t allow it – I wonder if the children would still recognize me as their great-grandmother when they see me.”

These words truly pierced Qin Yining’s heart. She had no choice at the time but to have Sun Shi and Ma Shi take the children to Southern Yan to be raised by the Duke Dingguo’s wife. The children were young and couldn’t remember clearly – perhaps when they met again, they wouldn’t even recognize her as their mother.

Ma Shi seemed to realize she had misspoken and patted Qin Yining’s hand. “Mother and child are connected by heart. The children will be close to you when they see you. Don’t worry.”

Qin Yining smiled. “Yes, His Highness should have arranged for people to go south to bring them back. They should arrive soon.”

“Really!” Ma Shi was delighted. “That’s wonderful. We need to hurry with those clothes.”

The two chatted and laughed, each calling for people to bring sewing baskets to Yao Shi’s room.

Yao Shi’s smile froze on her face. She had no impression of what her own grandsons looked like, let alone any longing for them. She had always felt there were problems with those two children’s bloodline, and combined with her dislike of Qin Yining, naturally had no expectations for them.

Her attempt to make Qin Yining follow rules ultimately failed.

Every time Yao Shi summoned Qin Yining, Ma Shi always came along too. Now when Yao Shi saw Ma Shi, she was like a mouse seeing a cat – no matter how many plans she had, she couldn’t implement them, which was very frustrating.

Having no other choice, she could only try to annoy Qin Yining to vent her anger.

Pan Keyu was invited by Yao Shi to chat every day.

“…So Keyu can also make northern pastries?” Yao Shi sipped her tea and chatted with Pan Keyu with a smile.

Qin Yining and Ma Shi sat together sewing small clothes for the children. Hearing this, they both couldn’t help but look up.

Pan Keyu wore a light pink jacket and pomegranate-red long skirt, like a delicate flower. Seeming to sense Qin Yining and Ma Shi’s gazes, she straightened her spine even more and said modestly, “I only know a little. If Old Madam likes them, I’ll make some another day for you to taste and give me guidance.”

Yao Shi was pleased to hear this. “Good, make some savory pastries too. Let me tell you, Dafu loves those most. He can make them himself, but he’s busy with official duties and has no mind for cooking. The people around him aren’t capable and can’t make these things. If you make them well, it would let Dafu enjoy some good food.”

Qin Yining, who couldn’t make pastries: “…”

Ma Shi found these words awkward. She put on her thimble and picked up a shoe sole she was half-finished sewing. “Everyone has different taste preferences. Does Dafu lack cooks around him? These days, as long as you have silver, what kind of cook can’t you hire? Yi girl manages such large enterprises – would she really shortchange Dafu’s meals? Besides, Miss Pan is a guest. Dafu specifically instructed the outer courtyard servants to serve her well. But now you’re ordering her to make pastries.”

Yao Shi had been putting on airs in front of Pan Keyu. After all, she was Prince Zhongshun’s birth mother, a titled lady who had worn the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes. Pan Keyu came from a wealthy family, was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, had good looks, and always actively sought to be close to her. Yao Shi had found considerable confidence in front of Pan Keyu. But now Ma Shi’s single sentence left her speechless.

Yao Shi gritted her teeth.

She refused to believe Ma Shi couldn’t see Pan Keyu’s intentions. She didn’t know what sorcery Qin Yining had used to make Ma Shi specifically oppose her!

Qin Yining had just finished a thread at this moment. Holding her embroidery frame, she smiled and looked up. “Before His Highness left, I discussed this with him. The weather is nice now, and it’s peaceful times. Since coming to the old capital, I haven’t had time to walk around and see the sights, and I haven’t met all the ladies either. So I plan to host a Hundred Flowers Banquet at Changchun Garden in a few days, inviting young ladies from various families to gather together.”