The Tiger Guards had long been disgusted by these young masters spouting foul language. If they hadn’t been waiting for Qin Yining’s orders, how could they have just stood there enduring their insolence?

Now hearing Qin Yining’s voice, before Mu Jinghu could even move, the Tiger Guards had already sprung into action.

These men who fought enemies on the battlefield weren’t afraid even when facing enemy forces—much less these dandy young masters who spent their days frequenting pleasure quarters and living dissipated lives. The Ninth Young Master hadn’t even managed a single move before Tang Xiu grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up like a small chicken.

“Hey! What are you doing! Let me go, let me go!” Ninth Young Master kicked his legs wildly and clawed with his hands. Being suddenly captured, half his drunkenness sobered up.

Since Qin Yining had only ordered the capture of him alone, the other young masters behind were unharmed. Seeing Ninth Young Master captured, everyone was shocked and alarmed. They wanted to rush forward to rescue him, but seeing the Tiger Guards were all tall and imposing with fierce glares, they knew they lacked the ability and didn’t dare act rashly.

They only dared to muster courage and shout: “Who are you people? Put down the Ninth Young Master!”

“You probably didn’t hear clearly! This is Duke Changguo’s most beloved youngest son—if you dare touch a hair on his head today, tomorrow the Duke will skin you alive!”

“Right, release him now!”

“Someone go quickly, quickly!”

Some were shouting, while others were more clever—perhaps because they weren’t drunk—and turned to go report the news.

Though Ninth Young Master was somewhat panicked, his fear was limited. Seeing his people run to report, he stopped being flustered and cursed loudly: “You stinking whore, how dare you have me captured! When my father brings people to kill you all, not one of you will escape! If you’re smart, come out and kneel before this young master, kowtow three times, and serve this young master well tonight—then I might consider sparing your life. Otherwise…”

“Slap!”

The shouting was replaced by a resounding slap. Ninth Young Master’s face was struck to one side. Mu Jinghu said coldly: “How dare you use foul language to molest Prince Zhongshun’s consort—are you tired of living!”

What?

What did he say?

Ninth Young Master’s ears were ringing, and he didn’t hear a single word clearly.

On the other side, the dandies who had come together were all looking stunned.

“Did I hear wrong? Did that person just say Prince Zhongshun’s consort?”

“You didn’t hear wrong—it really seemed so.”

“Then, then that’s…”

The group was all at a loss.

Qin Yining lifted the carriage curtain, her bright and beautiful face appearing even more gentle in the lamplight. She looked at Ninth Young Master, then at the group of dumbfounded young masters, and said in a deep voice:

“Someone wants to report this? Perfect. Go tell Duke Changguo that his youngest son spoke disrespectfully and molested Prince Zhongshun’s consort. If he wants his son back, he can come to the prince’s residence to collect him.”

Without waiting for everyone’s reaction, she directly lowered the warm curtain and ordered: “Return to the residence.”

“Yes.”

The Tiger Guards lifted Ninth Young Master onto a carriage at the back and stuffed him inside. Annoyed by his noise, they took a piece of cloth to gag his mouth and tied him up.

The sound of wheels creaking over the azure brick road gradually faded into the distance, while a group of dandy young masters faced each other with worried expressions.

“What do we do? It really seems to be Prince Zhongshun’s wife?”

“We didn’t mistake her, did we? Wasn’t she supposed to be in the south?”

“Definitely didn’t mistake her. That face—I’ve seen it before. One smile really can make your bones go soft! But this person is also too…”

“Truly a case of marrying a chicken and following the chicken—marrying a fierce god and becoming a night demon! Just taking a few verbal advantages, how did it turn into threats of violence!”

“Stop talking about useless things and think about what to do!”

“What to do? What else can we do? I have no solution—we can only inform Duke Changguo’s residence!”

The group of young masters discussed as they walked away.

Tang Xiu, who had stayed at the street corner to observe the situation, heard all these people’s movements before catching up to Qin Yining’s carriage.

“Princess Consort, they’ve gone to report.”

“Good. Thank you for your trouble.” Qin Yining lifted the curtain.

“This hardly counts as trouble. But Princess Consort, this Duke Changguo was an old minister from the Northern Ji Kingdom. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he didn’t touch a hair on this old minister’s head and still preserves his ducal title. The Shang family of Duke Changguo’s residence has considerable face among the Northern Ji Kingdom’s old ministers. If we truly offend them, I’m afraid we’ll offend the entire Northern Ji Kingdom faction in the future.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining nodded and smiled: “I understand.”

Knowing that Qin Yining must have her calculations, and that His Highness had specially instructed them to follow the Princess Consort’s arrangements when they set out, Tang Xiu said no more.

All the way back to the imperially granted prince’s residence, they knocked on the gate. The gatekeeper—an old servant left behind to watch the house and keep night watch—couldn’t believe it at first.

“Is it really the Princess Consort who has returned?”

“Yes. You’ve worked hard watching the house these days, uncle.” Qin Yining smiled.

“Not hard work, not hard work. Ah, this residence is large, and I didn’t dare wander around casually, so I just stayed in the gatehouse all this time. These days no one came, and this old servant was wondering when His Highness would be transferred back to the capital. I never expected to have the Princess Consort return in one go.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, and the group entered the residence.

When they had left the capital that day, Qin Yining had been squeezed out of the prince’s residence by Yao Shi. Afterward, busy with funeral and spirit-sending matters, she hadn’t had time to attend to the prince’s residence affairs. Though she had safely sent out the Yao Chenggu couple and Yao Shi, the prince’s residence arrangements had all been made by Yao Chenggu himself.

The imperially granted prince’s residence, such a vast compound, was now empty and dusty. Yao Chenggu hadn’t left many people to watch the house—only a gatekeeper. Presumably, he had also expected they would never return.

Qin Yining smiled: “The prince’s residence is such a vast compound, and our group is limited in number after all. Why don’t we all stay in the outer courtyard? First, it’s convenient for cleaning, and second, if we gather together, we can look after each other in case of any major or minor matters.”

Though this was somewhat improper, they had all stayed in the same inn when traveling, and just staying in the outer courtyard—not even in the same courtyard complex—wasn’t really anything.

The Tiger Guards naturally had no objections. They smiled and agreed, and the twenty-plus young men rolled up their sleeves and began cleaning enthusiastically. They were skilled at killing enemies on the battlefield and handled other tasks efficiently too. Qin Yining and Ji Yun carried their bundles into Pang Xiao’s study in the outer courtyard—she planned to stay there temporarily.

Bingtang went to direct that group of “rough men” in their work.

Soon, the rooms were generally cleaned. Bingtang took the storeroom keys and led people to fetch bedding.

Everyone divided up rooms, arranged night watch rotations, and then each went to rest first.

Mu Jinghu was arranged in a side room in the study courtyard. Before sleeping, Mu Jinghu brought over the bound and gagged Ninth Young Master: “Should we lock him up first?”

“Untie him. Don’t need to gag his mouth either.”

Mu Jinghu raised his eyebrows, then untied Ninth Young Master.

Ninth Young Master immediately threw out the cloth stuffed in his mouth, spat twice, and glared angrily at Qin Yining: “You poisonous whore, release me now!”

Qin Yining stood on the steps in front of the study door. Soft light came from behind her, surrounding her with a warm-colored halo.

Ninth Young Master couldn’t see Qin Yining’s expression but heard her gentle voice say words that nearly infuriated him to death.

“Since you’re so unreasonable, it’s better to keep you tied up.”

Mu Jinghu said with amusement: “That’s easy enough.”

He then twisted Ninth Young Master’s arms behind his back and tied him up in no time.

Ninth Young Master roared with anger: “You!”

“Shh!” Qin Yining held up one finger: “Curse again, and I’ll gag your mouth too!”

“You dare!”

“Whether I dare or not—didn’t you see for yourself? His Highness and I returned to the capital by imperial order. Just as we entered the city gates, I was insulted by your foul language. Do you want to see how His Majesty will handle this matter?”

Ninth Young Master’s teeth ground audibly. He didn’t know how His Majesty would handle it, but Pang Xiao was famously devoted to his wife and protective. If his wife was molested, would he let it slide?

Thinking of this, Ninth Young Master finally controlled his temper. Suffering less before his family came to find him wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Qin Yining smiled: “Seems you’re not stupid after all.”

Mu Jinghu laughed: “You should rest now.” He picked up Ninth Young Master and walked out, simultaneously gagging his mouth and even blindfolding him.

Seeing Mu Jinghu being so careful, Qin Yining couldn’t help but find it amusing. That Ninth Young Master wasn’t any formidable person—even if they untied him, he might not be able to leave the prince’s residence. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. She still had use for this person, so being careful wasn’t bad.

Returning to the study’s inner room, Qin Yining rested on the heated kang by the window that Pang Xiao often used for reading.

Bingtang and Ji Yun went to find firewood and lit the heated kang. The northern heated kang was truly the favorite of someone with cold constitution like Qin Yining. The three master and servants didn’t worry about propriety—they squeezed together to sleep and had a good night’s rest.

Rising early the next morning, after washing, Qin Yining sat at the table and had Bingtang help arrange her hair.

“Style a simple round chignon and pin a silver hairpin. For clothes, wear the same slate azure jacket from when we returned. The plainer, the better.”

“Understood. Princess Consort, rest assured—when putting on a show, do it completely.”

“Exactly what I mean.”

Ji Yun came in from outside, set down the tray with clear porridge and small dishes, and smiled: “This servant will go purchase maids today. This residence is currently lifeless—it needs more people to liven it up.”

“Mm. In my dowry’s little booklet, starting from the tenth page, there are records of addresses of old servants we previously employed. Consider hiring them first. One reason is mutual familiarity and ease of use; another is that when we hurriedly dismissed them, we didn’t properly arrange for them. If they’re willing to return to service, we can also provide some compensation.”

“Yes, I know the Princess Consort is most soft-hearted.” Ji Yun smiled.

Just then, Tang Xiu’s voice came from outside: “Princess Consort, a calling card has been sent from Duke Changguo’s residence.”

“So fast? Seems that wastrel is really well-loved by Duke Changguo.”

Qin Yining had Tang Xiu bring in the calling card.

The card wasn’t from Duke Changguo but from Duke Changguo’s wife. It politely stated that she would come to the prince’s residence for a visit this afternoon, asking if she was free to spare time for a meeting. If not possible, she would send another card tomorrow to inquire.

Being so polite and sincere, how could Qin Yining not accept?

She smiled: “Reply to Duke Changguo’s wife—tell her I happen to be free. She may come this afternoon as planned.”