“Mother, Han Ge’er won’t eat pastries anymore, don’t leave!” Han Ge’er wrapped his arms around Qin Yining’s neck, tears streaming down his face.

Seeing his younger brother crying, Zhao Ge’er also began sobbing and sniffling, pouting as he cried sadly.

The mother and two sons who had been playing happily just moments ago were now gathered together crying.

The maids quickly surrounded them. Xianyun and Qiu Lu picked up the two sobbing little young masters to comfort them, while Bingtang brought a handkerchief for Qin Yining.

“What is the Princess doing? Don’t shed tears—it makes the children sad too. If melancholy accumulates, it’s also bad for your health.”

Qin Yining nodded, wiped away her tears, and forced herself to squeeze out a smile.

“Alright, no more crying. It’s my fault for making you shed tears.”

Holding both children in her arms, Qin Yining kissed their cheeks and smiled, “In a few days, you’ll go with Grandfather and Grandmother to our ancestral home.”

“Will Mother come too?” Zhao Ge’er furrowed his little brow, teardrops still clinging to his long eyelashes.

Qin Yining suppressed the bitterness in her heart and smiled, “Mother and your father still have matters to attend to.”

“Mother, Zhao Ge’er won’t eat pastries either.”

“Han Ge’er won’t eat them either.”

Seeing that the two children were about to cry again, Qin Yining quickly embraced them, coaxing and cajoling until their moods improved.

“This time Mother isn’t going to work to buy you pastries, but to go sightseeing with your father.”

“Can’t Mother take Han Ge’er along?”

“No, when Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er grow up, then you can go sightseeing.”

Upon hearing that Qin Yining was going sightseeing and couldn’t accompany them, Zhao Ge’er was somewhat better, but Han Ge’er had already pouted, “Mother should take Han Ge’er along!”

“When you’re a bit older, Mother will take you.”

It took quite a while to make the two pouting children happy again.

Children’s energy is limited after all—after talking for a while, they were already sleepy. Qin Yining carried them to the inner chamber, had Bingtang warm the bed with hot water bottles, then hummed a little tune while gently patting them to lull them to sleep.

Once they were fast asleep, Qin Yining tiptoed to the outer room.

Bingtang asked in a low voice, “Why did the Princess change her explanation this time? Previously, Old Madam Zheng always coaxed the two young masters so well.”

Qin Yining showed a helpless bitter smile, “You all know about this household relocation, right?”

The maids all nodded upon hearing this.

Qin Yining said, “This time when we leave, everyone including you must follow the family members, while I must stay to accompany the prince. The road ahead is unknown, and with this separation from the children, I cannot be certain when I’ll see them again, or whether I’ll ever see them again…”

At this point, Qin Yining’s nose began to sting again, and she barely managed to suppress her tears.

“If I can never see them again, I don’t want them to think that the prince and I went out to buy them pastries. This would become an indelible wound in their hearts. It’s better to say that the prince and I went out sightseeing.”

Upon hearing this, the maids all shed tears.

Bingtang said, “Princess, I won’t leave. I want to stay.”

“Bingtang, I know your thoughts, but it’s too dangerous by the prince’s and my side. You, and all of you,” Qin Yining looked at the others, “I cannot drag you into danger. You should depart with my father and the others, and start a new life in Xiyue. It’s just a pity that I’m breaking my word after all. I had promised to find good marriages for you all and see you married off in style, but now I can’t manage it.”

Ji Yun stamped her foot, “What is the Princess saying? What ‘dragging into danger’? If it weren’t for the prince back then, I would have starved to death long ago, or been kidnapped—how could I live cleanly and happily as a person? The Princess has treated me with sincere heart. At a critical moment, how can I leave? Even if I must risk my life, I’m not afraid.”

“Yes, Princess.” Xianyun and Qiu Lu also nodded repeatedly.

Lian Xiaozhou even grabbed Qin Yining’s arm, “Sister, I won’t leave either. If not for you, I might still be a little savage on the mountain, or might have been eaten by wild beasts, bitten to death by snakes, or frozen and starved to death. I won’t leave—I want to follow you!”

That little girl who originally couldn’t even speak properly had now grown fair and radiant by her side. Bingtang liked to include her in everything, and Lian Xiaozhou’s transformation from the past was like the difference between heaven and earth.

Qin Yining was deeply moved hearing this. But even being moved couldn’t change her decision.

“I understand all your intentions clearly.” Qin Yining looked at each of them one by one and sighed, “This time you must follow my arrangements and not disobey. Moreover, with so many people in the household, with me gone, I still need to rely on you to take extra care of them. Especially the two little ones.”

Although Qin Yining’s tone was gentle, her attitude was firm.

Bingtang lowered her eyes, “Anyway, Huzi will be following the prince, and I don’t want to be so far from Huzi. Besides, if the Princess doesn’t have even one maid by her side, wouldn’t that arouse suspicion? Furthermore, the Princess also needs a trustworthy physician. I must follow the Princess.”

Qin Yining opened her mouth but momentarily couldn’t find words to refute this.

Ji Yun seized the opportunity, “What Bingtang says is right. If none of the Princess’s people followed along, that would instead arouse suspicion. These days, Bingtang and I have been accompanying you everywhere, while Xianyun and Qiu Lu are skilled at caring for the young masters. Why don’t we keep the same arrangement with us two following you?”

Qin Yining felt somewhat helpless, “Whoever follows me this time will…”

“Princess!”

Before Qin Yining could finish speaking, a little maid outside hurriedly came to report: “A young lady has come from outside, saying she’s from the Mu family, coming to seek help!”

Qin Yining stood up, suddenly remembering that Qiu Feishan’s due date should be near.

Neither Mu Jinghu nor Qiu Feishan had elders by their side. Even if Tianji Zi wasn’t locked up, he might not be reliable. Although the household had experienced nannies who understood childbirth, they ultimately lacked experience and would naturally panic when encountering situations.

Qin Yining quickly said, “Hurry, hurry! Mrs. Mu might be going into labor. Bingtang, come with me to take a look.”

“Yes.”

Everyone responded and busily prepared.

As Qin Yining changed clothes, she instructed Bingtang and Ji Yun to bring everything necessary, and fearing that Qiu Feishan hadn’t prepared, she even brought along one of the wet nurses from home.

They left the house, got in the carriage, and raced all the way to the Mu residence.

Seeing Qin Yining arriving with people, the Mu household servants hurriedly led the way inside.

Qin Yining reached the main house and saw Biying standing in the corridor, jumping about as she directed little maids to boil water. She quickly asked, “How is your mistress? Have you called for a doctor and midwife? Also, where is your master?”

Seeing Qin Yining, Biying looked as if she’d seen a savior.

“Princess, you’ve come!” Biying curtsied and spoke rapidly like pouring beans: “Mistress has gone into labor and looks to be in great discomfort. The residence has already called for two midwives, but the doctor hasn’t arrived yet. My master went to the military camp last night and hasn’t returned. Mistress was due to give birth in the next day or two, yet master still went out—it’s really… When mistress went into labor just now, this servant was truly at a loss, not understanding anything. The first person I thought to seek help from was you. My mistress also trusts you the most.”

Qin Yining smiled and said, “With our close family friendship, the relationship is naturally extraordinary. Don’t panic—I’ve brought a doctor, and fearing you hadn’t arranged for a wet nurse, I even brought one of my son’s wet nurses. Don’t worry, your mistress will be fine.”

Upon hearing this, Biying was so moved she nearly shed tears, kneeling and kowtowing three times, “Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Princess!”

“No need for courtesy. Get up quickly and arrange for them to prepare more hot water.”

Biying nodded and hurried to make arrangements.

Qin Yining had Bingtang go inside to check, then arranged for someone to report to the military camp, while she herself entered the delivery room to visit Qiu Feishan.

At the same time in the military camp, the situation was not relaxed.

Pang Xiao had already changed back into his regular attire. The “substitute” who had replaced him in command had completed his mission and returned to being a Jinhu Guard, now standing behind Pang Xiao’s right side along with Huzi on the left.

Pang Xiao looked at the bright yellow imperial edict on the desk with a face like dark water, asking in a deep voice, “When was this edict delivered?”