Pang Xiao’s smile was cold: “This Prince isn’t denying him time for reflection, but we’ve been sailing for several days now, and we’re about to reach the dock, yet he’s still acting this way. Clearly he’s made up his mind to scheme for something. I won’t kill him, but I won’t let him off either. To prevent the Lu family from having something to say later, let’s just detain him for now.”

“Yes. Once we’re ashore, I’ll confine him separately.”

While Pang Xiao was speaking with Huzi, Qin Yining had already finished packing their luggage. They hadn’t brought much when they came, but were returning with many new trunks and bundles – food, toys, useful items, and fashionable fabrics, all purchased by Qin Yining and Pang Xiao hand-in-hand on the streets while pretending to be frivolous.

Having completed such a major deal, with Pang Xiao’s man becoming imperial envoy, and making a large profit without spending their own money, their good mood made them generous in their purchases.

Bingtang lifted a bundle and asked with a smile: “This time we really achieved multiple goals at once. But what will happen when the Lu and Qiu families discover this matter?”

“There’s nothing much they can do. They’ll discover this sooner or later anyway.” Qin Yining tied the azure satin ribbons of her white fox fur collar cloak and looked up with a smile. “When they find out, they can only stare helplessly and hate themselves for being fooled. Could they possibly gather troops to fight the Prince?”

“That’s impossible.” Ji Yun and Bingtang both shook their heads. “If they really dared to make a move, how many could be a match for the Prince?”

Qin Yining laughed: “Exactly. If it comes to a real fight with swords and spears, we’re not afraid. As for other matters, they don’t matter.”

They would never actively harm anyone, but when someone wanted to harm them, they wouldn’t sit and wait for death either.

If they hadn’t received information from Qiu Feishan this time and truly waited for an imperial envoy loyal to Li Qitian and the Qiu family to arrive in the old capital, with their whole family here, who knows what might have happened.

They could only take preventive measures. In such “either you die or I perish” situations, they couldn’t worry about so much.

“Princess, the boat is approaching the dock.”

“I understand.” Qin Yining looked at the several large bundles and trunks, thought for a moment and said: “These things can be transported back slowly later. Don’t move everything back at once to avoid drawing attention. I’ll take a carriage and leave separately. Have the Prince disguise himself and quietly return to the military camp, then return home openly.”

“Understood. The Prince has already made arrangements. Princess, rest assured, no one will be able to tell.”

As they were speaking, Pang Xiao returned.

After the two discussed their plans, Qin Yining asked about Yuan Yujiang.

Pang Xiao sneered: “That old fellow still shows no remorse and is still thinking about you. You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll deal with this person.”

Seeing Pang Xiao’s displeased expression, Qin Yining knew he was quite angered by Yuan Yujiang. She thought that any man would feel uncomfortable having his wife coveted by another, so she didn’t ask further about this matter.

“I’ll go home first. When you return from the military camp later, will you come straight home?”

“Mm. I also need to check the situation in the military camp first and see how Tianji Zi is doing.”

With Pang Xiao’s mention, Qin Yining remembered that Tianji Zi was still confined in the military camp.

“I think Tianji Zi wouldn’t flee privately.” Qin Yining brought over the prepared short brown clothes to help Pang Xiao change, disguising him as an ordinary boatman. “With Tianji Zi’s silver tongue for confusing right and wrong, plus she seems to know how to use poison, if she truly wanted to escape, you wouldn’t have been able to contain her that day.”

“I think so too.” Pang Xiao spread his arms, looking down at Qin Yining who was helping him with his belt, his lips involuntarily curving into a smile. “She didn’t escape, which can only mean she wants to stay. But you don’t need to worry. She’s already submitted her pledge of loyalty, and now our goals are aligned. As long as there’s no conflict of interest, there won’t be problems.”

Qin Yining nodded: “Anyway, keeping her here might prove useful.”

Pang Xiao chuckled: “You actually dare to use her?”

“Of course. Everyone has their value – it all depends on how you use them.”

“My Yining is so clever.” Pang Xiao couldn’t help kissing her forehead, embracing her waist and refusing to let go, pressing his face against hers. “Good Yining, I don’t want to go to the military camp. How about I go home with you first? I’ll return quietly, and after seeing the children, I can quietly go to the military camp just the same.”

The majestic war god prince who was imposing outside acted like a clingy plaster in front of her – who would believe it if told?

Qin Yining felt both helpless and amused. After thinking about it, she felt there was nothing wrong with what he suggested.

“Alright then. Disguise yourself as a servant and come home with me. You can return to the military camp whenever you want after our reunion.”

“Yes!” Pang Xiao nodded and smiled: “I’ll have Huzi go to the military camp first to check the situation.” He could also take Yuan Yujiang to be confined.

Though Pang Xiao didn’t explain clearly, Qin Yining understood and smiled: “You’re eager to blindfold Yuan Yujiang and block his ears and mouth, then confine him directly upon arrival to prevent him from leaking information to the outside.”

Pang Xiao deliberately said: “I’ll just kill him later. Then there’s no worry about leaking information.”

Qin Yining rolled her eyes at him: “You’re just talking. If you truly had the heart to kill people immediately, you’d be sitting on the dragon throne by now. Don’t I know what you’re thinking? You just feel that although he harbors lustful thoughts, he hasn’t actually done anything, so his crime doesn’t warrant death.”

Being understood so well, Pang Xiao felt deeply moved: “Our Yining is so intelligent.”

“You only know how to sweet-talk and coax me.”

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao chatted and laughed. Soon everything outside was ready.

Pang Xiao went to whisper a few words to Huzi. After Huzi nodded, he went to the cabin to fetch someone.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining went up to the deck.

Pang Xiao stood among the Tiger Guards disguised as servants, deliberately hunching his posture and immediately blending into the crowd.

Qin Yining put on her face veil and curtain hat properly. Holding a hand warmer in one hand and supporting herself on Ji Yun’s hand with the other, she slowly disembarked via the gangplank set up by the boatmen.

An ordinary azure-curtained flat-topped small carriage was already prepared at the dock, as low-key as if it belonged to an ordinary household’s steward’s wife.

After Qin Yining boarded the carriage, Pang Xiao and another Tiger Guard acted as guard attendants, following behind the carriage after disembarking. They quickly disappeared from the dock.

At this time, Huzi also led two men carrying a large hemp sack off the boat. They threw the still-writhing sack onto a horse’s back, mounted their horses, and galloped away.

The Qin mansion’s gate drew closer, but Qin Yining didn’t dare enter immediately. Instead, she took a detour to the back alley.

Pang Xiao looked around and, seeing no surveillance, personally stepped forward to knock on the door.

A lame old servant came to answer and didn’t recognize Pang Xiao at first.

“Who is it?”

Qin Yining had already alighted from the carriage and came forward with a smile: “Uncle Chen, it’s me.”

“Oh my, please come in quickly.” Uncle Chen immediately beamed and stepped aside.

Qin Yining left Bingtang and Ji Yun to organize the things they brought back for transport into the mansion, then asked Uncle Chen: “Is everything well at home?”

“Good, very good.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile and walked inside with Pang Xiao.

At the second gate, the women servants naturally bowed upon seeing Qin Yining, but seeing a male servant wanting to follow into the inner quarters, they couldn’t help but reach out to stop him.

Qin Yining chuckled and waved her hand: “It’s fine, just let him pass.”

Pang Xiao raised his head, straightened his hunched posture, and smiled slightly at the blocking servant woman.

The woman immediately exclaimed in surprise: “So it’s Fourth Son-in-law! This old woman was blind. Please don’t take it to heart. Please come in.”

Hearing this address and seeing her familiar face, Qin Yining knew this was an old servant from the original Qin mansion.

She thanked her with a smile and entered together with Pang Xiao, heading first to the Garden of Filial Devotion.

Before reaching the Garden of Filial Devotion’s entrance, a maid was already running inside to report the news.

The two had just rounded the entrance hall and stepped onto the neat square bricks when they saw an upright figure like bamboo under the corridor.

Qin Yining stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening as she looked at the man in wide-sleeved Daoist robes, with refined features and a gentle smile, stroking his beard as he looked at her. Tears immediately welled up.

“Father!”

Qin Yining ran to Qin Huaiyuan in a few steps, dropping to her knees with a thud and grasping his robes as she sobbed.

Qin Huaiyuan’s eyes also moistened. He helped Qin Yining up with both hands: “Get up quickly, get up.”

Pang Xiao also bowed deeply and grinned: “Father-in-law, you’ve returned. Yining is just too happy. Earlier everyone in the family was frightened.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and patted Pang Xiao’s shoulder: “This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go inside first.”

“Yes!”

Though tears still hung on Qin Yining’s face, she couldn’t help but smile.

Upon entering, before they could go around the screen to pay respects to the Old Dowager, Qin Yining was already pulling on Qin Huaiyuan’s sleeve with endless questions.

“When did Father return? How did you arrive at just this time? The journey must have been very difficult, right? You returned secretly, didn’t you?”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “You child, still so impatient at this age.”

“I’m just worried about you, Father.”

The people inside must have heard the commotion outside. First came the sound of pattering footsteps, then two little figures came running out like small bulls, one after the other, one hugging Qin Yining’s left leg and the other her right.

“Mother, Mother! You’re back! Did you buy pastries for Han Ge’er?”

“Mother, want hug!”

Qin Yining smiled and kissed both children.

Pang Xiao swept up Zhao Ge’er: “Hey! My Zhao Ge’er has gotten stronger. Why do you only call for Mother and don’t recognize Father?”

Zhao Ge’er hugged Pang Xiao’s neck and looked at him for a while, then broke into a toothy grin: “Father.”

Seeing his brother being held, Han Ge’er also switched to grabbing Pang Xiao’s pants: “Father, Han Ge’er wants hug too.”

Pang Xiao laughed heartily, bent down to pick up Han Ge’er as well, and kissed each child on the face.

Zhao Ge’er remained quiet and calm.

But Han Ge’er wailed loudly: “Father is prickly! Grandfather, Han Ge’er wants Grandfather to hold him!” He stretched his little arms toward Qin Huaiyuan.