The contents of the imperial edict contained only one simple sentence.

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The south has been pacified. You shall return to the capital immediately. This is Our command!

Xie Yue bowed and said, “In response to Your Highness, there have been seven verbal edicts from His Majesty urging you to return to the capital. When we received the first verbal edict, this old man discussed with Brother Xu and decided to temporarily claim illness. We didn’t expect His Majesty to issue six more verbal edicts within a month—judging by the timing, he must have sent people consecutively without waiting for replies. With the seventh verbal edict, he even sent a eunuch personally to check on the illness. Fortunately, the other party didn’t discover any flaws.”

“Indeed, we must thank Brother Xie’s disguise techniques for preventing that eunuch from noticing anything amiss,” Xu Weizhi also said. “However, His Majesty issuing this formal edict shows he can no longer wait.”

Xie Yue added, “Saying he ‘can no longer wait’ is putting it diplomatically. His Majesty’s current state should already be one of imperial fury. If Your Highness doesn’t respond quickly, His Majesty’s next edict will likely bring more than just urgency.”

Pang Xiao nodded. How could he not know what Xie Yue said? His fingers lightly tapped the table surface, and the orange-red candlelight in the tent cast alternating light and shadow across his handsome face.

He looked at the bright yellow imperial edict on the desk and finally said after a long while, “It seems we must prepare to return to the capital.”

“Your Highness plans to return? But you’ve cultivated the Pingnan Army for so long, and everything has just gotten on track. If you return now and His Majesty arranges for someone else, the Pingnan Army might not have the same loyalty to you as the Huben Army.”

“I’m aware of this point. However, things aren’t as dire as imagined.” Pang Xiao smiled confidently, “I’m confident that I do have some skill in leading troops. Though it can’t compare to the bond with the Huben Army, the entire Pingnan Army won’t suddenly refuse to recognize me either.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi both nodded. They had to admit that Pang Xiao had unique talent in leading and employing people, as well as an exceptionally convincing presence.

In battlefield charges, he always rushed to the front and retreated last.

He never disregarded any soldier’s life. He rescued the wounded, and those who were injured and could no longer serve as soldiers—under others’ command, they’d be given some silver and forgotten. Many such disabled soldiers would become burdens to their families upon returning home. How long could a small amount of compensation silver last?

But Pang Xiao would never abandon them from the start. Qin Yining even arranged for those wounded and ill to work at her estates, supporting countless injured soldiers. Even for those who died in battle, when Great Zhou wouldn’t provide compensation, Pang Xiao would privately send it, never letting fallen brothers die with eyes unclosed.

In enemy countries’ eyes, Pang Xiao was a demon who killed without blinking. But in Great Zhou people’s eyes, he was a meritorious official who expanded territory and pacified the realm, a cornerstone supporting the dynasty’s stability.

This was why Li Qitian feared him so much.

Having made this decision, Pang Xiao asked Huzi, “Has Yuan Yujiang been confined?”

“Yes.” Huzi nodded, “Everything has been handled properly. Your Highness need not worry.”

“Has Young Master Mu come to see his martial uncle recently?”

Xie Yue smiled, “He came today and hasn’t returned yet.”

Pang Xiao smiled and nodded, standing up, “I’ll go find him.”

Who knew that before Pang Xiao could find Mu Jinghu, someone hurriedly came to report, “Your Highness, the Princess sent word that Mrs. Mu is about to give birth and requests Young Master Mu to return quickly.”

Pang Xiao was startled and immediately strode quickly toward Tianji Zi’s quarters to find Mu Jinghu.

Mu Jinghu was chatting with Tianji Zi through the door. Hearing footsteps outside, he didn’t mind, but as the footsteps approached urgently, both he and Tianji Zi stopped talking and looked toward the door.

“Mutou, why did you come running here at this hour!”

Mu Jinghu said joyfully, “You’re back?”

“Yes, but now isn’t the time to discuss this. Your wife is going into labor. Hurry home!”

Mu Jinghu seemed struck by lightning, saying dazedly, “Re-really?”

“Of course it’s real. Sister Yi just sent word. Why aren’t you going home?”

“Right, right!” Mu Jinghu spun in place as if just coming to his senses, turning back to tell Tianji Zi, “Martial Uncle, I’m leaving first!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he ran past Pang Xiao like a gust of wind and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Pang Xiao remembered that when Qin Yining gave birth, he might have been just as foolishly flustered as Mu Jinghu. He couldn’t help but shake his head with amusement and quickly walked outside.

Tianji Zi, separated by just one door, pressed her ear against it, listening to the footsteps outside. Angrily, she slapped the door with both hands, “Come back! Hey! What’s wrong with you two? Your matter is resolved, so why won’t you let this immortal maiden out! Come back!”

However, her voice only echoed in the corridor without anyone responding.

Tianji Zi sat back at the table huffily, eating pastries while sulking.

When Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu rode to the Mu residence, the sky had already darkened. A bright full moon hung high in the sky, its silver-white light overshadowed by the red lanterns’ glow from the residence.

Walking through the outer courtyard, Mu Jinghu’s hands and feet turned cold. He looked back at Pang Xiao anxiously, “What should I do? I’ve heard that women giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell. I’m… I’m somewhat afraid… Why is this residence so quiet? Could something have happened?”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Pang Xiao urged. “You’re still far away—what do you expect to hear! Hurry inside!”

“Oh, what about you?”

Pang Xiao was both angry and amused by Mu Jinghu’s dazed appearance, “I’m an outside male—can I enter your inner residence? Hurry up and go!”

“Oh, oh, oh!” Mu Jinghu seemed to wake up then, leaping onto the wall and disappearing in one bound.

Huzi had come with Pang Xiao and laughed until his stomach hurt seeing Mu Jinghu’s state.

Pang Xiao also found it amusing. However, when Qin Yining gave birth, he probably wasn’t much better than Mu Jinghu.

Qiu Feishan’s health was fairly good—she didn’t suffer as much as Qin Yining had that day. That evening, the baby’s loud crying spread throughout the residence.

“Congratulations, Master! Felicitations, Master! It’s a young master!”

The midwife ran out to announce the good news.

Mid-November in the old capital was already quite cold. Mu Jinghu had been pacing in the outer courtyard, steam rising from his head in clouds. Hearing this news, he whooshed into the delivery room.

Qin Yining was holding a hand warmer and asking the midwife about Qiu Feishan’s condition when she heard joyful laughter from inside the room, followed by Mu Jinghu’s silly voice, “Shanshan, I’m a father! You’re a mother!”

This foolish display made everyone laugh.

The midwife smiled, “Madam is young and strong, and she’s always paid attention to her health. Princess, don’t worry—everything is fine.”

Only then did Qin Yining completely relax. Hearing the joyful commotion inside, she smiled and left the Mu residence inner quarters.

Meeting Pang Xiao in the outer courtyard, Qin Yining smiled, “Mrs. Qiu has given birth to a son. We should also prepare congratulatory gifts.”

“You mentioned this matter—I came in haste and haven’t had time to prepare.” Pang Xiao turned back to tell Huzi, “Have someone inform Tianji Zi of this good news.”

Huzi smiled and nodded, running off.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining left the Mu residence side by side. At this time, everyone in the residence was celebrating, especially Mu Jinghu, who was probably silly with joy. The two didn’t want to disturb them.

Who knew that they had just returned to the Qin residence, washed up, and lain down when a maid’s voice came from the door, “Your Highness, Young Master Mu requests an audience. He’s in the front hall now.”