Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining with a smile, his eyes full of appreciation and affection. That gaze was warm enough to melt winter ice, making Qin Yining feel somewhat uncomfortable as she looked away, analyzing rationally and objectively:

“Actually, we can’t be too relieved too early. That ‘reluctance to leave’ might be a false impression deliberately shown by Guan Dahu. I’ve never relaxed my vigilance, carefully watching when going in and out to see if anyone is following. I’m afraid the six people Guan Dahu lets me see aren’t all of his manpower.”

“You speak reasonably.” Pang Xiao thought for a moment and said seriously: “If they still have people hidden, we must be even more careful in our actions and not alert them.”

Xu Weizhi pondered: “Now that we know the approximate location of the treasure, we’re one step closer to success. But transportation is currently a problem. We can’t let the prince bear the crime of theft while guarding, can we?”

“Exactly.” Xie Yue also nodded. “The princess consort has been thinking of solutions these days and must have made a decision by now. Why don’t you share it so we can all deliberate together?”

Qin Yining smiled: “I only have some small ideas, and they may not necessarily count for anything.”

But Xu Weizhi smiled: “Princess Consort, don’t be too modest. Every idea you’ve come up with before has been excellent. Just tell us, and we can discuss further.”

Qin Yining thought for a moment and nodded: “Then I’ll make a fool of myself before you two gentlemen.”

Standing up, Qin Yining paced for a moment, then said with lowered eyes: “My thinking is that if we don’t want the prince to bear the risk of ‘theft while guarding,’ then we might as well have someone else do it. I plan to divert trouble eastward, then reap the benefits as the fisherman.”

Qin Yining moved closer to the group and lowered her voice to explain the plan once through.

Pang Xiao said in surprise: “You mean you plan to tell Lu Heng about the treasure?”

“Yes.” Qin Yining smiled gracefully.

Xu Weizhi seemed somewhat hesitant.

Qin Yining then said: “As fellow officials of Huichuan County, rather than having the prince worry about how to transport things and how to explain to superiors, it’s better to borrow someone else’s hands. We can closely monitor Lord Zhongyi’s situation. If there are any abnormalities, it won’t be too late for us to act.”

Xie Yue listened and nodded repeatedly: “The princess consort’s method is excellent. This old man thinks it’s feasible.”

Xu Weizhi thought it over and also understood the key points: “The princess consort’s method is good, but there are some risks involved.”

“Indeed so.” Pang Xiao pondered: “If this treasure falls into the Lu family’s hands, though it would be better than reaching that person above, it’s still unsettling.”

“Yes.” Qin Yining agreed: “This method has three advantages. First, we can borrow others’ hands—we only need to observe carefully and can reap the fisherman’s benefits. Second, if things are exposed, we can completely distance ourselves, having no relationship to this matter whatsoever. When that person above becomes extremely angry, his rage won’t be directed at us. Third, this method can save us considerable trouble. Lord Zhongyi isn’t a foolish person—perhaps he can solve problems that we can’t figure out.”

Speaking to the end, Qin Yining sat back in her previous position close to Pang Xiao, smiling slightly: “Such a method that keeps us completely clean—I think it’s worth trying.”

Pang Xiao nodded, and after thinking through the whole matter, agreed: “I also think this method is feasible. At worst, we’ll watch more closely and react more quickly.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi discussed quietly for a moment, then Xie Yue said: “The princess consort’s method is viable. But the way to tell Lord Zhongyi about this matter requires strategic consideration.”

“Yes, we can’t involve the prince.” Xu Weizhi nodded in agreement.

“Then how about we still use Guan Dahu and his men?” Qin Yining suggested.

But Pang Xiao didn’t immediately nod: “This method is good, but using Guan Dahu to come forward means you’ll have to disguise yourself again to contact them. Didn’t you say before that you showed your face in the Lu family matter? I’m worried that over time, they’ll recognize your figure and voice. If they discover that the person who’s been in contact with them is actually you, your life will definitely be in danger.”

This problem was very serious. Every time Qin Yining went to meet Guan Dahu and others, appearing as Qiu Feishan, she only brought along Hanxiao and Ziyuan, two newcomers. Though they were capable, they ultimately didn’t have skills like Ji Yun’s. If she brought too many people, it would seem distrustful.

So Qin Yining disguising herself to contact Guan Dahu and other desperados was clearly licking blood from a knife’s edge. Pang Xiao simply hadn’t been present before. If Pang Xiao had been there, he absolutely wouldn’t have allowed Qin Yining to take such risks.

After all, people who could ruthlessly use their companions as food in the desert—when they truly became vicious for profit, no one could predict what they might do.

Thinking of this point, Xie Yue also broke out in cold sweat, saying with lingering fear: “The prince speaks reasonably. It was my oversight before—I didn’t think of this point.”

Seeing them all so tense, Qin Yining felt warmth flowing in her heart. Even if some things meant taking risks, for Pang Xiao’s sake, for the sake of those people behind them, the risks were worthwhile.

“Things aren’t as tense as you think, and besides, Master Xie’s disguise techniques are still trustworthy.”

Previously, Qin Yining had disguised herself to impersonate Qiu Feishan when contacting Guan Dahu and others. It really wouldn’t be good to change people temporarily now.

Pang Xiao stopped worrying and smiled: “It’s fine. At worst, I’ll also disguise myself and pretend to be a servant by your side. We husband and wife are experienced in handling such situations.”

Qin Yining remembered how Pang Xiao had pretended to be a wastrel to swindle the Lu family out of a large sum of money, and couldn’t help but shake her head with amusement: “That business didn’t work out—Qiu Yuanqing behind Guangtong Company should have learned his lesson, right?”

“Naturally.” Pang Xiao smiled: “Boss Qiu said before that Guangtong Company has long been completely shut down by Lu Zheng, and they’re still searching everywhere for people.”

The shopkeeper pair who had been arranged to harbor ill intentions toward Qin Yining were still locked up.

After chatting briefly, the tense atmosphere gradually eased, and Qin Yining brought up the previous topic again.

“Since we’re idle anyway, how about we go today?”

“Good.” Qin Yining nodded: “It happens that I haven’t seen them for several days. After all, I’m supposed to be a small merchant trying to curry favor with Princess Zhongshun through them—my attitude should be more proactive to avoid suspicion.”

Pang Xiao was amused by Qin Yining’s helpless tone and laughed heartily: “Don’t worry, this time I’ll just be a driver. I won’t go near them unless something happens. You can perform freely—I know your capabilities.”

Xie Yue stood up to stretch his arms and smiled: “Then please follow this old man, Your Highness and Princess Consort.”