Manager Zhong felt quite surprised when he reached this point in his account.

Though he hadn’t witnessed the events of that day himself, during casual conversations he had heard Qin Yining mention the situation they faced then. He could imagine just how dire the circumstances in the desert must have been. After being tortured and interrogated, losing their sense of direction, without any water source—how did they manage to walk out of there?

He didn’t know how the others managed it. What he knew was that he absolutely could never have done it himself.

Qin Yining furrowed her brow and asked, “Did these two people contact Hall Master Liao and Hall Master Qiao, or did they contact some other brother from the alliance independently? Did they say what they intended to do?”

“In reply to the princess consort, they contacted Hall Master Liao. Since Hall Master Liao knew that when Mrs. Liao perished in the desert, these two people were right there by her side, he felt something was amiss about this matter. He discussed it with Hall Master Qiao, and they didn’t dare publicize this affair. After the two of them reached an agreement, they quietly sent word to me.

“According to Hall Master Liao’s meaning, he finds these two people far too suspicious and fears they might have some scheme related to the treasure. Worried about delaying your affairs, he asked me to hurry over and report to you, requesting your instructions on how this matter should be handled next.”

Qin Yining slowly nodded and fell into contemplation.

She harbored no suspicions toward the Azure Sky Alliance itself, but worried that some among the alliance members might be unable to resist the temptation of humanity’s instinctive greed. Anyone who saw such a vast treasure that could potentially belong to them would want to obtain it.

The other party’s contact with Liao Zhibing was likely precisely because they considered the connection through Mrs. Liao. With Mrs. Liao gone, if Liao Zhibing were like most people, he should believe that treasure ought to include his share, or perhaps even think the treasure should belong to him alone.

Even Qin Yi had speculated along these lines.

But now, Liao Zhibing had informed her of such crucial intelligence.

If Liao Zhibing harbored thoughts of monopolizing the treasure, he would only need to keep silent about this matter and conceal it from her. Why would he go so far as to specifically find Manager Zhong to deliver a message to her?

Liao Zhibing’s character had always been trustworthy. He even knew where Xi Yue was located, and throughout this long period, he had never been seen seeking revenge against her over Mrs. Liao’s death. When they rescued her father initially, it was also thanks to Liao Zhibing leading people to arrive in time.

Now that Liao Zhibing had just received this news and immediately had Manager Zhong rush to deliver the message, this proved his loyalty.

This made the guarded Qin Yining feel somewhat ashamed—she had truly harbored petty suspicions.

Though her thoughts turned a hundred times over, it was merely the span of a blink. After thinking it through, Qin Yining gestured for Manager Zhong to remain seated while she went outside to find one of the Mu family’s servants: “Go request the prince to come here, tell him I have something to discuss with him.”

The servant quickly bowed with a face full of reverence and hurried away.

Before long, Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu arrived together.

Manager Zhong hastily rose to bow to Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao smiled and supported him with one hand: “Please rise, elderly sir.” He then turned to introduce Mu Jinghu, “This is Young Master Mu.”

Manager Zhong and Mu Jinghu had met several times before, so they naturally exchanged greetings with each other.

Mu Jinghu instructed servants to bring fresh hot tea. The four of them took seats according to their status, and after dismissing the servants, Pang Xiao arranged for people to guard outside.

Qin Yining then had Manager Zhong relate Liao Zhibing’s report in detail.

Pang Xiao listened with some surprise, then sighed with feeling: “Hall Master Liao is truly a righteous man.”

“Indeed.” Qin Yining also nodded.

Manager Zhong had always been one of Qin Yining’s trusted people, and since future message exchanges with the Azure Sky Alliance would inevitably require his assistance, Qin Yining didn’t avoid him. She said directly: “In that case, we can confidently entrust Hall Master Liao with investigating Huichuan.”

Pang Xiao smiled: “I think the same way. Not only investigating news from Huichuan County, but I believe Hall Master Liao’s convenient position also allows him to maintain good contact with those two people and exchange information. With Hall Master Liao there, we won’t be completely in the dark.”

“What you say is right.” Qin Yining sighed: “I also blame myself for not paying attention initially—I didn’t take note of the names of all the attendants around Mrs. Liao. Otherwise, we’d have another investigative lead.”

Pang Xiao smiled reassuringly at Qin Yining.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Under those circumstances, nearly starving and dying of thirst in the desert, you did well enough just to survive. What more do you want to demand of yourself?”

Qin Yining shook her head, ultimately not saying more that might spoil Pang Xiao’s mood.

Actually, given her position, she couldn’t be held to the same standards as ordinary women. If she truly acted like a common housewife, thinking only of supporting her husband and raising children, the grass on her grave would probably be three feet high by now.

Though Manager Zhong understood only half of what he heard, he knew something had happened in Huichuan County, and it was related to the two people from the Azure Sky Alliance who had secretly contacted Liao Zhibing.

Manager Zhong said: “Forgive this old one for speaking out of turn, but this old one has had many dealings with Master Liao. This person has clear, bright eyes and an upright bearing. Though he comes from humble origins, he is not a treacherous or cunning man. He handles affairs with great seriousness. This old one privately believes this person can be trusted.”

Pang Xiao cherished Qin Yining and naturally treated everyone around her with great respect, especially Manager Zhong, who had been by Qin Yining’s side since her early years.

“Since Manager Zhong says so, then Hall Master Liao must indeed be trustworthy.” Pang Xiao lowered his eyes in contemplation for a moment, then smiled dashingly: “In that case, it saves me the trouble of making a trip. Moreover, if I were to go to Huichuan County, not only would the journey be long, but my presence would be far too conspicuous. Asking Master Liao to investigate might actually yield some different results.”

“I think the same way.” Qin Yining said: “The Azure Sky Alliance’s ability to blend into the common people and gather intelligence is truly first-rate. Furthermore, since the other party has intentionally contacted Master Liao, Master Liao need only pretend to go along with them to obtain much unexpected intelligence.”

Pang Xiao smiled: “Exactly so. Manager Zhong’s arrival was perfectly timed, and this intelligence is extremely useful. Otherwise, I probably would have already set out.”

Manager Zhong quickly stood and bowed: “This is all within this old one’s duties. The princess consort once saved my entire family’s lives. In matters concerning the princess consort, this old one dares not delay in the slightest.”

Pang Xiao thanked Manager Zhong repeatedly and personally escorted him to the door. Receiving such courteous treatment filled Manager Zhong’s heart with joy and emotion, his face flushed red with excitement.

When Pang Xiao returned, Mu Jinghu asked: “Is your whole family leaving?”

“Yes.” Pang Xiao spoke frankly: “I worry it’s dangerous for them to remain here. Even if nothing happens in the short term, it would inevitably constrain my actions. Now that there’s a safe place, I might as well have the whole family go somewhere secure.”

Mu Jinghu frowned, tapping his temple with one finger: “What you say makes sense. I also want to send Shanshan and Yan Ge’er somewhere safe. But she won’t agree to it—she’s determined to reclaim the Qiu family and avenge her grandfather.”

“I can understand her feelings.” Qin Yining smiled bitterly: “When news came that something had happened to my father, I wanted nothing more than to burn down the Palace of Mental Cultivation directly… That kind of feeling can only be understood by those who’ve experienced it. You’d rather be smashed to pieces than swallow that grievance. Otherwise, you’d spend your whole life muddled and confused, living in self-blame and regret.”

Pang Xiao patted Qin Yining’s shoulder with tender concern.

He had secretly asked Ji Yun and Bingtang about it afterward. That period had truly been extremely difficult times, yet he was far away in the south, completely beyond reach. Everything could only depend on her alone.

Mu Jinghu said: “I naturally understand her feelings. With Yan Ge’er still so young, even if I suggested letting him go to safety with your family, Shanshan probably wouldn’t agree.”

Qin Yining sighed and shook her head: “Sometimes circumstances truly force things to that point where even a mother who can’t bear to part with her child must do so. However, the situation isn’t that critical yet, and Feishan isn’t the primary target. You only need to remain vigilant—there’s no need to take action now.”

“What you say is reasonable.” Mu Jinghu thought it over: “With all your family members gone, what do you plan to do in the future? Continue staying in the south?”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao looked toward Qin Yining: “Yining, I haven’t told you yet about His Majesty issuing an edict summoning me back to the capital, have I?”

The smile on Qin Yining’s face froze momentarily, and she slowly shook her head.

Pang Xiao then recounted Li Qitian’s oral commands during their absence, followed by the formal edict.

“His Majesty must be furious by now.” Though Qin Yining felt chilled inside, she managed a carefree laugh on the surface, joking: “When you disobeyed thirty-three imperial edicts to search for me, and now with these eight additional edicts, you could be considered unprecedented in this dynasty.”

Originally worried that Qin Yining might be frightened or anxious, Pang Xiao felt a surge of heroic spirit seeing her like this and laughed heartily: “I suppose this makes me truly without precedent or successor—disobeying forty-one imperial edicts. Speaking of it, this defies all conventions. Any single act of disobeying imperial commands could have my head chopped off directly. When I return to the capital this time, I’ll probably face impeachment the moment I arrive.”

Qin Yining recalled when she and Pang Xiao returned to the capital previously and faced the ten great accusations.

“Your current firm foothold in the south was both unexpected to the emperor and what he least wanted to see. When we return to the capital, we must prepare carefully.” Qin Yining looked at Pang Xiao inquiringly: “Another day, let’s invite Master Xie and Master Xu to discuss and work out a plan. It would be best to list all possible problems we might encounter upon returning to the capital, then devise countermeasures to ensure complete safety.”

“What you say is right. I plan to first invite father-in-law. Though father-in-law has thoughts of retirement, his reputation for wisdom isn’t unfounded.”

The two discussed this matter for a while, and by then it was already noon.

Mu Jinghu invited Pang Xiao and Qin Yining to dine together. After the meal, they began the third-day washing ceremony.

An altar was set up in the front hall, with offerings to thirteen deity statues including the Eye-Light Goddess, Smallpox Goddess, Birth-Hastening Goddess, and Bixia Yuanjun. The incense burner was filled with millet. The midwife lit three incense sticks, muttering prayers as she bowed three times.

An elderly nanny brought over a copper basin filled with water boiled with mugwort leaves, which was said to wash away misfortune and karmic debts from previous lives, ensuring peace and safety from then on.