Pang Xiao took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, stretching out his arm to pull Qin Yining closer and pinching her cheek.

“Little rascal.”

Qin Yining lowered her head and rubbed her face, “Who told you not to listen to my advice? Look, now these people have come in handy, haven’t they?”

“Alright, you did well keeping those two. But how exactly did you manage it?”

Qin Yining smiled, “Secret.”

Pang Xiao looked at her cunning little expression, like a triumphant kitten, and his entire heart felt as if it were soaking in soft, sweet warm water.

Qin Yining said, “In those two men’s understanding, the Boss Qiu I impersonated has already joined their Azure Heaven Alliance. As for the reason, I wanted to use them to get acquainted with their alliance leader. You chased them to their wit’s end, and I rescued them, so they must trust me completely. Therefore, at this moment, they will definitely listen to my suggestions.”

“So you plan to disguise yourself again and go see them?”

“Correct.” Qin Yining said, “At this time, only if I appear in person will they believe.”

Pang Xiao pondered, “That is indeed a method. Like this, I’ll also disguise myself and go with you. If they show even the slightest intention to harm you, I’ll immediately snap their necks.”

Qin Yining looked at Pang Xiao and deliberated for a moment, ultimately not refusing his request. If she didn’t agree at this time, Pang Xiao would probably rather not use those two men than let her get close to them.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi watched Pang Xiao and Qin Yining with smiling faces, obviously finding their current appearance quite amusing.

Xu Weizhi spread his hands and said, “With the princess consort present, this old man has no chance to take risks for Your Lordship.”

Xie Yue laughed heartily, “The princess consort’s divine calculations leave nothing out, truly making one look at her with new eyes. Your Lordship should listen more to the princess consort’s advice in the future.”

Pang Xiao was truly helpless at this moment. When one’s wife was too clever and too opinionated, many things would slip out of his control. He was undoubtedly someone with a strong desire for control, but he also didn’t want to overly restrict Qin Yining.

“Fine, let’s discuss things together when they arise in the future.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, only obediently agreeing. But Pang Xiao couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be times when he’d be stubborn in his anger, and she would still do what she needed to do when the time came.

“Since we’ve already discussed our strategy, time is of the essence. Master Xie, please help me with the disguise.” Qin Yining smiled.

Xie Yue nodded, “Good, fortunately this old man hasn’t forgotten that face yet. Will Your Lordship continue disguising as a carriage driver?”

Pang Xiao shook his head, “This time disguise me as a martial arts instructor or bodyguard. I plan to stay by Yining’s side.”

Mu Jinghu, who had been silently eating melon seeds, suddenly said, “Disguise me as a martial arts instructor too. I’ll accompany you.”

Xie Yue naturally nodded in agreement.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh, “With you two great Buddhas present, even if those two turned into the Monkey King, they couldn’t escape.”

With Qin Yining saying this, everyone in the room burst into laughter, the atmosphere as joyful as New Year’s.

Xie Yue helped Qin Yining disguise herself as she had looked that day, with the small mole on her face placed in the same original position. Both Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu were tall and elegant with handsome features, so if they were to play bodyguards, they naturally needed to be disguised to look more ordinary.

Soon, under Xie Yue’s skillful hands, two men with dark complexions sat in the room—faces so ordinary they would be lost in a crowd.

Qin Yining looked at the two men and said, “If I weren’t familiar with Your Lordship’s and Young Master Mu’s builds, I really couldn’t tell which of you is which. These two faces are truly forgettable at first sight.”

Xie Yue laughed, “Such faces are most suitable for bodyguards.”

“Indeed.” Xu Weizhi also nodded.

Pang Xiao asked Xie Yue, “If this face gets rained on outside, will the color run?”

“It won’t. Even when we return and wash our faces, we need to use special medicinal water to remove it. Please rest assured, Your Lordship.”

“That’s good then.”

After disguising themselves, everyone went to change clothes.

Qin Yining wore a set of azure-green men’s clothing with her hair arranged in a neat chignon.

Seeing this, Mu Jinghu smiled, “If you carried a folding fan, that temperament would really resemble Shanshan.”

“I’m deliberately imitating Boss Qiu. After all, when she conducts business outside, walking about as a woman dressed in men’s clothing isn’t a secret. Earlier, Manager Dafu was very cunning, and I was afraid he might notice something amiss.”

Both Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu nodded.

Pang Xiao felt quite moved in his heart. Actually, that Qin Yining was willing to take so many risks for him touched him deeply. It’s just that as a grown man, having to rely on his wife every time something happened made him somewhat annoyed with himself.

Speaking of such feelings would make him seem pretentious, so Pang Xiao didn’t say much, only thinking of finishing this matter quickly so he could return to his room and properly “punish” that lying little rascal.

Manager Yin had been waiting for Qin Yining’s arrival these past days, never expecting to actually wait for her today.

“Oh my, you’ve come. On such a rainy day, you must have urgent business—wanting to see those two men?”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, “Yes, these past days have been thanks to Manager Yin’s help. I also came specially to thank you.”

“I wouldn’t dare, please don’t be so polite.” Manager Yin nodded slightly to the disguised Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu, then smiled at Qin Yining, “Please come with me. The men are currently hidden in the cellar.”

“Cellar?” Qin Yining looked back at Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao followed closely behind Qin Yining with an expressionless face, also curious in his heart. He had led people to search Sitong Trading House before but hadn’t discovered any cellar here.

Manager Yin led the group toward the back courtyard, passing through the moon gate to the small garden in the connecting corridor. He fumbled around in the bushes for a moment and found a mechanism.

After a slight “creak creak” sound, the water vat filled with accumulated water in the corner of the wall actually moved aside by itself.

Manager Yin smiled at Qin Yining and winked, indicating she shouldn’t say much, then said, “Boss, those two brothers are right here.”

Qin Yining then realized the people below could hear their conversation. She slowly walked to the opening beside the water vat and looked down.

She saw two dark figures also looking up at her. Due to the dim light in the cellar, Qin Yining couldn’t see their faces clearly.

“You two brothers, are you from the Azure Heaven Alliance?”

“That’s right. Are you Boss Qiu?”

“I am. Would you two brothers please come up to talk?” Qin Yining asked, crouching beside the cellar.

Shi Fang and Lu Xiong hesitated somewhat, “Boss Qiu, if we come up and Prince Zhongshun sends people to search, what should we do?”

Qin Yining then said, “You two are unaware—Prince Zhongshun has been leading people to search these past days without any results, and has gradually given up. The entire city is flooding everywhere now, so he can’t be bothered with you two. Just come up without worry. If people really come to arrest you, would I dare let you out? Wouldn’t that implicate me too? Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”