Qin Yining smiled and said, “Qiu Lu, go prepare writing materials.”
“Yes.” Qiu Lu nodded, and soon brought a tray with ink, brush, and letter paper.
Qiu Feishan supported herself with Bi Ying’s hand to stand up, one hand supporting her prominently protruding belly as she went to the eight-immortals table to write the letter.
Qiu Lu had originally wanted to stand nearby, but when Qin Yining raised her eyebrows at her, Qiu Lu immediately retreated behind Qin Yining.
Since Qin Yining had agreed to let the Elite Tiger Guard help deliver Qiu Feishan’s letter, she didn’t want to do something as underhanded as peeking. Though she was curious about the contents of Qiu Feishan’s letter, curiosity was one thing—not every curious matter needed an answer.
Qiu Feishan’s letter wasn’t long. From a distance, it appeared to be only half a page, probably just a few brief words.
After finishing, her jade-like hands moved elegantly as she placed the letter paper into an envelope and sealed it with wax.
Bi Ying handed the letter to the Elite Tiger Guard.
Qin Yining smiled and said, “You’ve worked hard coming all this way. After resting one night, I’ll have to trouble you to travel again.”
“The Princess is too kind. This is my duty.” The Elite Tiger Guard cupped his hands, carefully tucked away the letter, and quickly left.
Qiu Feishan sat in front of Qin Yining and smiled, “In my letter just now, I asked the Prince and his party to return more slowly.”
Pausing slightly, Qiu Feishan continued, “The Princess knows about some matters concerning the Four Directions Trading Company. Like Shopkeeper Pan, there are quite a few people who look down on me and harbor thoughts of independence. My current condition makes it inconvenient for me to act freely, giving these people opportunities to take advantage. Now that we’ve dealt a heavy blow to Qiu Yuanqing, I want to publicize it in the city first. Let everyone know… know that their master’s husband isn’t someone who will tolerate their arbitrary behavior.”
As Qiu Feishan said this, her face reddened somewhat.
Qin Yining nodded in understanding, “This is an excellent approach. If you don’t take advantage of this opportunity to build momentum, when else would you? Letting people know you have a capable husband who can even deal with Qiu Yuanqing will make some people learn restraint and avoid unnecessary frustration.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.” Qiu Feishan smiled.
Qin Yining asked with a smile, “Did you send regards to Young Master Mu?”
Qiu Feishan was taken aback, “No.”
Seeing Qin Yining looking at her without speaking, Qiu Feishan said somewhat awkwardly, “They’re returning soon anyway.”
For a moment, Qin Yining didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t expected such a perceptive person as Qiu Feishan to be so obtuse about matters of the heart.
Out of concern for the Mu Jinghu couple, even though she wasn’t particularly close to Qiu Feishan, she felt compelled to speak deeply despite their shallow relationship.
“Young Master Mu was in trouble after all—he was kidnapped. If your letter only contains business matters without a single word of concern for him, I’m afraid he’ll feel uncomfortable.”
Qiu Feishan was speechless.
Qin Yining realized that Qiu Feishan truly hadn’t thought of this.
“Why don’t you write another letter to Young Master Mu? The messenger hasn’t left yet, so it can be sent along with the letter to the Prince.”
Qin Yining really didn’t want to see problems arise in Mu Jinghu and Qiu Feishan’s relationship.
Qiu Feishan’s face gradually flushed red, her expression embarrassed as she stubbornly said, “That’s not necessary. We’re family—naturally he’ll understand. Besides, he’s not the type to be so petty.”
This wasn’t about being petty at all. Mu Jinghu might have the nickname “Mutou” (blockhead), but he wasn’t really a blockhead. Given his affection for Qiu Feishan, he would surely invest deep feelings. Anyone would be hurt if they were kidnapped while their beloved only cared about business and wouldn’t even spare a word of concern.
Qin Yining sighed and wanted to continue persuading.
But Qiu Feishan seemed even more embarrassed and stood up, “I have some matters to attend to. I’ll go back first and come chat with the Princess another day.”
Qin Yining was forced to swallow her unspoken advice. She couldn’t force someone to stay and talk, so she could only say, “Then go attend to your business first, but also take care of your health and don’t overwork yourself.”
“Thank you.” Qiu Feishan smiled and expressed her thanks before leaving with Bi Ying.
Qin Yining watched her retreating figure and sighed softly, shaking her head.
As Qiu Feishan and Bi Ying walked along the deserted path, Bi Ying couldn’t help but advise, “Madam, the Princess was right. You’ve done so much for the master—if you don’t tell him, how can he know?”
But Qiu Feishan remained unmoved, “It’s fine. He won’t mind such things.”
Bi Ying had served Qiu Feishan since childhood, so even though Qiu Feishan didn’t like hearing it, she nagged for a long time.
But Qiu Feishan wouldn’t listen to advice. Upon returning, she arranged for people to secretly spread word of Qiu Yuanqing’s defeat, mainly emphasizing Mu Jinghu’s valor.
Qiu Feishan’s subordinates handled matters efficiently. Once the rumors spread, people in the city discussed the matter during their leisure time. Mu Jinghu, as the husband of the Four Directions Trading Company’s owner, had certainly made a name for himself this time.
When Shopkeeper Pan and his ilk heard about it, they all arranged for people to secretly gather information. But there was only one message: the rumors were true. The fire at the Qiu family villa in Boan Town was real, and not only had over a hundred people in the residence died, but several Qiu family masters had even been tortured and killed before their bodies were burned.
This news spread with mystical embellishment. The deaths at the Qiu family villa were described as extremely brutal. For a time, as Qiu Feishan had predicted, those who had been causing trouble became much more subdued.
Meanwhile, on their return journey, Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu’s group encountered the Elite Tiger Guard who was rushing back to report.
After Pang Xiao asked about home and confirmed nothing was wrong, the Elite Tiger Guard presented Qiu Feishan’s letter.
“Prince, this is from Boss Qiu for you.”
“For me?” Pang Xiao was somewhat surprised. Glancing at Mu Jinghu, who stood beside him with an expectant expression, he couldn’t help asking, “You didn’t make a mistake?”
“Reporting to the Prince, no mistake.”
Pang Xiao hesitantly took the envelope and opened the letter in front of Mu Jinghu.
Mu Jinghu frowned slightly, curious about what Qiu Feishan had written to Pang Xiao, but it would be inappropriate to crane his neck to look or ask directly due to propriety.
He simply pulled over the letter-delivering Elite Tiger Guard and said, “Boss Qiu didn’t have you bring any other letters?”
“Reporting to Young Master Mu, no.”
“No words for you to convey either?”
The Elite Tiger Guard shook his head.
Mu Jinghu’s expression became rigid, but the disappointment and embarrassment in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
Seeing Mu Jinghu like this, Pang Xiao didn’t know how to comfort him and could only say, “The situation in the city must be unstable, which is why Boss Qiu is acting this way. Think about it—she’s a woman managing such a large business, and now she’s pregnant with so many matters weighing on her. How hard that must be. She’s been bullied terribly, you helped her solve the problem, and she wants to show off to everyone. This is also a way of showing she cares about you.”
Mu Jinghu blinked, “Really?”
“Of course it’s true. Women are thin-skinned—could she really chase after you to send a thick letter expressing her feelings? In front of your master and me, how could she be so forward?”
Pang Xiao patted Mu Jinghu’s shoulder, “Besides, she’s carrying a child now. The Qiu family matters must have already exhausted her greatly.”
Mu Jinghu nodded, “That’s true. The Qiu family’s behavior has become increasingly excessive. Shanshan is indeed having a hard time.”
Seeing Mu Jinghu’s complexion improve somewhat, Pang Xiao quietly breathed a sigh of relief. From the corner of his eye, he saw Tianji Zi leaning against the carriage door looking out this way with bright, interested eyes. Pang Xiao gave her a warning look.
Given Tianji Zi’s personality of being uncomfortable unless she was stirring up trouble, Pang Xiao was truly worried she might say something to Mu Jinghu behind his back. Mu Jinghu’s temperament was the easiest to incite and manipulate.
Pang Xiao explained Qiu Feishan’s meaning to Mu Jinghu.
Mu Jinghu said, “Then let’s go slower and return a few days later.”
The group stopped rushing and deliberately slowed their journey.
Though Pang Xiao’s persuasion was reasonable and Mu Jinghu truly felt sorry for Qiu Feishan, the more he felt sorry for her and loved her, the higher his expectations became.
Was it so difficult to have someone send him even one sentence?
Was it so embarrassing to write a family letter and send it over to him?
When Pang Xiao’s wife saw him leaving, she specially prepared a whole bunch of clothes and medicinal materials, worried that Pang Xiao might be inconvenienced while away. His wife hadn’t managed anything—he’d even been kidnapped without seeing his wife show concern.
Or perhaps, initially it was because of his master’s single word that he had snatched Shanshan back home. Qiu Feishan had basically been forced to marry him.
Could it be that Shanshan didn’t like him at all and didn’t care about his life or death?
Even worse, if something happened to him, Shanshan could regain her freedom?
The more Mu Jinghu thought about it, the sadder he became. The more he thought, the worse his expression looked. His tense, upright posture on horseback was so intimidating that those around him didn’t dare approach within several steps.
The closer they got to the old capital, the worse Mu Jinghu’s expression became. Pang Xiao comforted him multiple times, but to no effect.
On this day, they finally reached the gates of the old capital on August 25th when Tianji Zi actively called for the carriage to stop.
“Prince, I won’t enter the city. It’s very restrictive inside. Why don’t you arrange for me to stay somewhere outside the city?”
Hearing this, Mu Jinghu snapped out of his daze, looked back at Tianji Zi, and said, “Then I’ll accompany Master.”
Pang Xiao said helplessly, “Everything in the city has been prepared properly, and it’s not like there’s no place to stay.”
But Tianji Zi insisted on not listening, looking like she’d rather die than enter the city. She also said, “The spy the Prince captured still won’t honestly confess. I have a way to make him tell the truth, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to handle this matter in the city.”
Pang Xiao thought about it and stopped trying to persuade her. After all, Yi Jie’er might not like seeing Tianji Zi either.
Pang Xiao had Huzi lead the troops back to the Pingnan Army camp with Tianji Zi, and quietly told Huzi, “Prepare a separate tent for Tianji Zi and double the guards. Even if Tianji Zi helps interrogate the spy, keep her under strict watch and don’t let her play tricks.”
Huzi cleverly agreed and arranged for the troops to return to the military camp.
Tianji Zi then tried to persuade Mu Jinghu, “Don’t go with us. Go home and embrace your wife—isn’t that nice?”
Mu Jinghu shook his head, “Didn’t you say there would be a calamity? If I’m not there and something happens to you, what then?”
“Hey, you brat, can’t you think of something good about me?”
Though she said this, Tianji Zi didn’t stop Mu Jinghu anymore.
Pang Xiao watched the group depart before entering the city with a few attendants.
The messenger who had rushed into the city earlier had already reported the good news to both the Prince’s manor and the Qin family half an hour ago.
Upon hearing that Mu Jinghu had returned, Qiu Feishan immediately smiled and took leave of Qin Yining, “I must hurry home to make arrangements.”