“So what if that’s the case, Big Brother? Aren’t we all seeking endless wealth to spend?” Liu Ban said urgently.

Manager Dahu shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with seeking endless wealth. But the situation has changed now—Earl Zhongyi has arrived, and that Pang fellow has come too. These aren’t easy opponents to deal with. If word of the treasure leaks out even slightly and they learn about it, tell me—with just our few men’s strength, even if we obtained the treasure, would we have the life to spend it?”

When it came to Earl Zhongyi, their fear was actually limited. After all, though the deeply rooted Lu family was a powerful clan that seemed like a massive entity to noble families, to ignorant common folk like them, they might not deeply understand the Lu family’s true power.

But when it came to Pang Xiao, Manager Dahu was genuinely afraid.

That man was a demon! If they really provoked his wrath, they probably wouldn’t even know how they died. Even if they got the treasure then, they wouldn’t have the life to spend it!

Just as Manager Dahu thought, once this topic arose, everyone fell silent. Even the most straightforward Liu Ban shuddered upon hearing Pang Xiao’s fearsome reputation.

Manager Dahu continued, “That Pang fellow is the imperial inspector overseeing the imperial mausoleum construction. Think about it—if stones meant for building the imperial mausoleum were stolen, wouldn’t he be branded with the charge of incompetence? Would he willingly take the blame? He would definitely investigate to the very end. When that time comes, we brothers would be carrying so many items with no place to fence them quickly. What would we do then?”

This future painted by Manager Dahu was too terrifying, making Liu Ban and the others shiver in unison.

“Big Brother, you mean we should just give up?”

“Give up. Since we know we can’t even preserve our lives, there’s no need to seek death.” Manager Dahu raised his eyebrows, his hoarse voice carrying a hint of interest. “However, I’ve thought of another way to make money that could still let us live in luxury for the rest of our lives with endless wealth to spend, while also protecting the treasure’s secret from being spread around.”

“What do you mean?” Several men looked at Manager Dahu with burning gazes.

Manager Dahu smiled slightly. “It’s simple. Boss Qiu comes to visit us completely without guard. Four Seas Trading is a massive enterprise—as long as we capture her, how much couldn’t we extort? Once we get what we want, we’ll take her to bed, let the brothers have their fun, then kill her. Won’t the secret be buried forever?

“Though what we’d gain wouldn’t be as impressive as the treasure, brothers, think about it—this way we’d still live without worries for life, and at least our lives wouldn’t be threatened. Isn’t living peacefully better than being hunted?”

These words opened the door to a new world for Liu Ban and the others, giving everyone a sudden sense of enlightenment.

“Big Brother, you’re truly the smartest!”

“Yes, how is Big Brother’s brain made? So full of solutions—why couldn’t I think of such a good idea?”

“We were too rigid in our thinking. It’s all about getting rich—how we get rich doesn’t matter. Why choose a method that costs us our lives?”

Several men excitedly put their heads together, drawing up their beautiful future plans.

Seeing his idea smoothly accepted, Manager Dahu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. As long as the brothers remained united without developing different intentions midway, the matter wouldn’t easily be exposed and would be manageable. If any of them showed even the slightest unwillingness and delayed his fortune, Manager Dahu wouldn’t care about staining his hands with blood—even sworn brothers should be killed without hesitation.

Several men excitedly discussed their plans, fantasizing about their bright future. No one noticed a black shadow flash past the window, followed by what seemed like a dark wind across the wall. Under the gloomy night sky, all movements and footsteps were masked by the sound of rain.

In the Prince’s residence flower hall, after hearing the Tiger Guard’s report, Pang Xiao’s face turned iron-blue with rage. He slammed his large hand hard on the Eight Immortals table. Unable to bear the force, the table broke a leg and crashed to the ground with a clatter, shattering the bowls and dishes on it across the floor with sharp porcelain sounds.

“They dare! My woman—it’s their turn to plot against her!”

Qin Yining pressed her wildly beating heart and waved at the Tiger Guards and Ji Yun, who had been frightened stiff.

Everyone quickly bowed and retreated.

Qin Yining walked up to Pang Xiao and tugged at his sleeve. “Enough, don’t be angry. Others harbor evil intentions, but you smash our own Eight Immortals table. Tell me, am I at a loss or not?”

Pang Xiao was still in his rage. He suddenly turned to look at Qin Yining, his phoenix eyes burning like twin flames.

“This is what you called safe, no problem? Look at what these scoundrels are plotting behind our backs! If we hadn’t been prepared, what would happen to you? Maybe one time when you go to meet them, you’d just be kidnapped!”

Seeing Pang Xiao’s furious appearance, with steam practically coming from his ears and nostrils, Qin Yining softened her voice and embraced his waist. “Alright, stop being angry. Didn’t I successfully discover their little schemes? Besides, we’ve experienced far more dangerous situations before—which time didn’t we pass through safely? I’m clever—I won’t put myself in danger.”

If this had been before, with Qin Yining coaxing him so gently, Pang Xiao would have calmed down long ago. But when the Tiger Guard reported earlier, though he deliberately avoided vulgar language, Pang Xiao had understood clearly what Manager Dahu and his men planned to do to Qin Yining.

In this world, only he could bully his precious treasure. If others harbored such thoughts, he’d kill them!

“You’re clever, but which time when you took risks did I agree? Which time wasn’t partly due to luck? No way. Manager Dahu has even done cannibalistic things—such a person can no longer be called human. Saying he’s deranged would be insulting those four words. You must listen to me in this matter! From now on, without my permission, you’re not allowed to go out!”

After Pang Xiao finished shouting angrily, he grabbed Qin Yining’s hand and headed toward the inner residence. Once on the covered walkway, fearing the slanting wind and fine rain might dampen her dress hem, he simply scooped her up and strode angrily toward the bedroom.

Confined by his strong arms, Qin Yining said helplessly, “Zhixi, you can’t be this unreasonable. Not allowing me out without your permission? Wouldn’t that be like imprisoning me? I still have so much to do! Besides, I’m already prepared for this matter and absolutely won’t be in danger. It’s not even my business—why are you confining me?”

“You won’t listen?” Pang Xiao lowered his head and bit her soft lips hard, making her pale pink cherry lips bloom with color. “If you won’t listen, Mutou will be back in a day or two. I’ll have him pack you up and send you directly to Xiyue without any preparation!”