Li Qitian’s face was as gloomy as water, and he said nothing.

However, Duke Changguo had obviously come prepared. In his mouth, Pang Xiao had become nothing short of a despicable villain.

But the content of Duke Changguo’s impeachment of Pang Xiao consisted of trivial matters that could either be punished or overlooked with a blind eye. It was obviously not as shocking as the ten major crimes that Li Qitian had previously fabricated when he came prepared.

During the gaps in Duke Changguo’s speech, censors also stepped forward to bow and add their indignant supplements.

“Your Majesty, not only is Prince Zhongshun arrogant and disruptive to the capital’s order, this subject has also learned that when Princess Zhongshun returned to the capital that day, it was already late at night. She did not observe curfew rules and forcibly compelled the gate officials to open the city gates to let her in. What Princess Zhongshun relied upon was nothing other than Prince Zhongshun. Even a mere woman is so arrogant – one can imagine what Prince Zhongshun is usually like!”

As soon as one person spoke, many censors immediately stepped forward to echo his words.

The court hall was suddenly filled with chaotic voices, everyone filled with righteous anger and indignation, as if Pang Xiao had committed heinous crimes of rape and pillage.

Blue veins were already faintly bulging on Li Qitian’s forehead. However, below the palace steps, according to protocol, the ministers could not look up directly at the imperial countenance, so these people continued their impeachment without reading the room.

Li Qitian was grinding his teeth in hatred.

Not impeaching early, not impeaching late, but choosing this exact moment to impeach. Now when public opinion in the city was at its peak, could he punish Pang Xiao? If he punished him, wouldn’t that give people grounds for criticism, making them think that he as emperor treated meritorious officials harshly?

But if he didn’t punish him, first, such a good opportunity was right before his eyes, and second, it would also indirectly exonerate Pang Xiao. In the future, trying to impeach Pang Xiao with these same reasons would be slapping his own face.

No matter how he thought about it, he was the one suffering losses. There wasn’t a single loyal minister around him who could understand his intentions – what use were these good-looking but useless things!

Li Qitian waited for all the loyal ministers to finish speaking before suppressing his anger and coldly throwing out one sentence: “This matter awaits investigation.”

Xiong Jinshui stood at the position closest to the emperor and naturally saw Li Qitian’s twitching mouth corners and the prominent blue veins on his forehead. Fearing that His Majesty’s dragon威 might affect himself, Xiong Jinshui quickly stepped forward and, taking advantage of the ministers’ shock at the emperor’s reaction, loudly proclaimed:

“Those with memorials, present them early; those without, court is dismissed!”

This meant that the emperor’s single phrase “awaits investigation” had turned the page on the impeachment matter.

Li Qitian’s reaction was beyond everyone’s expectations, but at this moment, no one dared say another word. Duke Changguo could only tactfully withdraw for now.

News of what happened in court quickly reached the ears of Qin Yining and Pang Xiao.

“His Majesty must be in a terrible mood right now.”

“Indeed. He’s wanted to punish me for a long time, but it’s never been successful. Earlier when he had people impeach me, those old ministers from Northern Ji, represented by Duke Changguo, all took a wait-and-see attitude. Now when public opinion among the people outside is at its peak – the most inappropriate time to impeach me – this commotion arises.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this. Li Qitian must be nearly dying of frustration now.

“Your Highness, Vice Director Liu has arrived.”

Ji Yun reported from outside the door.

Pang Xiao smiled, took off his soft boots, and got onto the warm kang by the window. Qin Yining pulled over a brocade quilt to cover him and brought him a deep purple soft large pillow to lean against.

Vice Director Liu entered the room, first observing all the proper courtesies, then respectfully stepped forward to routinely take his pulse.

If at the beginning, Pang Xiao still had some weakness from the hardships of travel, now he had already recovered and was increasingly vigorous and spirited.

Vice Director Liu couldn’t help but secretly celebrate in his heart that His Majesty had only arranged for him alone to treat the prince. If occasionally another person were sent to spot-check, wouldn’t he be exposed? His Majesty would probably skin him alive!

“Your Highness’s body…” Vice Director Liu hesitantly looked up at Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao covered his mouth and coughed twice.

Vice Director Liu immediately said knowingly: “Your Highness’s body has not yet healed. The relapse of old injuries cannot be cured in just a day or two. Please, Your Highness, do not overexert yourself and must take care of your health.”

Pang Xiao nodded.

Qin Yining asked with concern: “Please, Vice Director Liu, carefully consider the prescription. Your Highness has no serious problems, correct?”

Vice Director Liu said calmly: “Your Highness has no serious problems, but you must follow this humble official’s prescription.”

Qin Yining nodded and politely escorted Vice Director Liu out to write the prescription.

After the person left, the husband and wife looked at each other and both burst into laughter.

Just as the two were discussing what to eat for dinner, sudden hurried footsteps came from outside. Bingtang quickly entered and said: “Your Highness, Princess Consort, Duke Dingguo has come calling.”

“Alan?” Pang Xiao sat up in surprise.

In the days since his return, not a single former colleague or comrade-in-arms had come to visit. The prince’s mansion was deserted, and with deliberately not renovating the residence, if not for the occasional movement of a few servants, the mansion would be almost like a haunted house.

The first to come calling, and the only one who dared to come calling, was still Ji Zeyu.

Qin Yining said with feeling: “Back when Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Dai Lin took advantage of our family setting up a mourning hall to bring people to block our door and cause trouble, if Duke Dingguo hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what the situation would have become. Now when you’re claiming illness, he’s again the first to call. Such great loyalty – we must not disappoint it.”

Pang Xiao nodded and got up with Qin Yining to greet him.

Soon they saw Ji Zeyu, tall and slender with beautiful but cold features, wearing a light blue narrow-sleeved shirt with a cloak with gray squirrel collar draped over his shoulders, approaching.

“Alan.” Pang Xiao smiled as he stepped down to greet him.

Seeing Pang Xiao, Ji Zeyu’s originally expressionless handsome face showed a bit more smile, his lips slightly curved: “Zhixi.” He looked Pang Xiao up and down: “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine.” Pang Xiao took Ji Zeyu’s wrist and smiled: “We brothers haven’t seen each other for quite some time. How have you been lately?”

Ji Zeyu smiled as he looked at Pang Xiao and said: “Not bad.”

He then nodded to Qin Yining in greeting and followed them up the steps into the main room.

Qin Yining smiled as she went to prepare tea and refreshments, then withdrew after serving them, leaving space for the two brothers to catch up.

Ji Zeyu took off his cloak and casually threw it on a chair, sitting on the warm kang with Pang Xiao on either side of the kang table.

Pang Xiao took the teapot and poured Ji Zeyu a cup of tea.

“Have you been staying in the capital all this time? Has His Majesty arranged any other duties for you?”

Ji Zeyu picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and shook his head: “No. But it doesn’t matter – things are fine as they are now. But what about you.”

Ji Zeyu looked at Pang Xiao’s ruddy complexion and spirited appearance and couldn’t help but smile: “It seems your old ailment isn’t very serious. During this period, rest well at home and don’t go out wandering around. If His Majesty sees you looking so robust and healthy, he might get sick from anger.”

It was rare for the usually laconic Ji Zeyu to say so many teasing words at once. Pang Xiao laughed heartily: “You rascal Ji Lan, after so long apart, you’re still the same.”

Seeing Pang Xiao so cheerful, Ji Zeyu didn’t say the words of comfort for his bereavement that he had originally wanted to say. He only asked: “You know about Shang Chuan leading a group of censors to impeach you, right?”

“Yes, I already know.” Pang Xiao didn’t hide that he was constantly following court news.

Ji Zeyu said: “You should also prepare early. Just because His Majesty isn’t taking action now doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. I heard you have some irreconcilable hatred with Shang Chuan from years past? Where does this talk come from? Even when we conquered Northern Ji, it was all official business. We never did anything excessive or improper – where would there be any grudge with Shang Chuan?”

Pang Xiao smiled: “Even if there were grudges back then, the Great Zhou dynasty has been established for a full eight years now. No matter how many grievances there were, they can’t overcome time. Now that everyone is living stable lives, why would he stir up trouble for no reason?”

Pang Xiao thought for a moment, then leaned close to Ji Zeyu and said in a low voice: “Don’t worry, I have my own arrangements for this matter.”

Seeing Pang Xiao’s confident appearance, Ji Zeyu’s anxious heart relaxed somewhat. Then he suddenly understood: “I thought so. Your wife isn’t an arrogant and impulsive person. On the contrary, she acts very cautiously. For her to actually have Shang Zhihua beaten with boards and sent back – there must be hidden circumstances.”

Hearing Ji Zeyu’s evaluation of Qin Yining, Pang Xiao felt both delighted and amused.

Ji Zeyu was also infected by Pang Xiao’s mood and smiled: “Never mind. Since you have arrangements, I won’t ask more. Whatever you need to do, just send someone to tell me. I’m idle at home anyway.”

Pang Xiao’s eyes grew deep: “You mean anything at all?”

Ji Zeyu was startled for a moment, then smiled: “Naturally.”

These words seemed to faintly establish some kind of promise.

Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu smiled at each other, and the two began chatting about their lives since parting. Although they didn’t directly discuss political affairs, it could be heard from their words that their opinions were still as harmonious as before.

Qin Yining had now arranged a table of food and drink and came to invite the two to dine. She herself didn’t stay long, eating just a few bites before excusing herself and leaving, giving the space to the two men.

Ji Zeyu and Pang Xiao didn’t observe the rule of silence during meals at the drinking table, chatting as they ate:

“Today you were impeached – how do you plan to handle it?” Without waiting for Pang Xiao to answer, Ji Zeyu sneered: “Those censors are like mad dogs – they’re completely useless themselves but always bite others relentlessly. When you were fighting on battlefields, bleeding and sweating for the country, every one of them was still enjoying themselves in the embrace of beauties! Now they want to kill the donkey after it’s done grinding!”

This wasn’t just talking about the censors – it was also alluding to Li Qitian.

Pang Xiao patted Ji Zeyu’s shoulder soothingly and filled his wine cup: “Let’s not mention these annoying matters. If they want to impeach, let them impeach. Anyway, His Majesty won’t immediately sentence me to death right now. As long as I have my life, there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome.” He clinked cups with Ji Zeyu.

The two heartily drained their cups, and only then did Pang Xiao continue: “I plan to first observe quietly and see what the people in court think about this matter. It’s rare to have such a good opportunity to test who is real gold.”

“You plan to first pretend to compromise?”

“Exactly.” Pang Xiao smiled: “Even a man like me has times when I collapse. Just admitting defeat – it’s not that hard to accomplish.”

Ji Zeyu smiled: “Don’t mention it – when I heard you had collapsed, it really gave me quite a fright. In all those years, the injuries we suffered and the blood we shed – wasn’t it plenty? If some old ailment really relapsed, that would be no joke. You and I aren’t teenagers anymore. Now approaching thirty, we should think about recuperating.”

Pang Xiao laughed heartily: “I never thought Alan would be so nagging! Could it be that you’re drunk?”