Lu Heng shook his head. “I understand her – she’s not that kind of woman. When she was in Great Yan, she wasn’t even willing to become Empress. Yan Prince had once been honored as ruler of a nation, yet wealth and glory couldn’t move her. Later, when Yan Prince was deeply devoted to her, she remained completely unmoved. Let alone someone like me.”

Lu Heng smiled bitterly. “I consider myself no less than any talented man. I’ve also shared hardships with her. When I initially feared her rejection and didn’t dare reveal my feelings, she readily treated me as a good friend. But the moment I showed even a hint of my intentions, she immediately began distancing herself from me. When she was bullied in the palace and nearly couldn’t survive, she never sought my help. Even when facing difficulties that her own husband was powerless to resolve, I never saw her bow to any man.

“Wenru, believing Bian Shi’s one-sided words and going to innocent people’s homes to catch adulterers was already an insult to her. Since I understand her, I should trust her. I shouldn’t listen to others’ one-sided words to doubt her without reason.”

Hearing this, Lu Wenru couldn’t help but sigh with emotion: “My lord, you truly are deeply devoted to her.”

“It’s just a pity heaven didn’t give us that opportunity. When I met her, it was already too late.” Lu Heng sat down dejectedly, wearily rubbing his temples. “Now I stand opposite Pang Zhixi, and she’s united with her husband’s heart, treating me as an enemy and severing relations with me. But she doesn’t know that the reason I climb upward by any means necessary is only for that slim chance.”

Suddenly opening his eyes, Lu Heng said through gritted teeth with stubborn persistence: “If I don’t become strong, I can only let others manipulate me, can only watch as she belongs only to others. The things I want, the person I want – I have to watch helplessly as they leave my side. How can I be reconciled!”

Hearing this, Lu Wenru didn’t know what to say for a moment.

This world was difficult – whether of high or low status, everyone had their own sufferings. Even someone as noble as Lu Heng from the main Lu family line had so many unfulfilled desires and helplessness.

Lu Heng stood up and said in a deep voice: “Go prepare. I’m going to the separate courtyard.”

Lu Wenru was startled: “My lord, if you go at this time, I’m afraid it will arouse more suspicion and criticism. You should think thrice before acting.”

“Suspicion? Criticism?” Lu Heng smiled. “You who follow by my side know this matter will cause criticism and damage reputation – how much more so for her, detained by the Empress’s side, not knowing how many cold words and cutting remarks she must endure. It’s true I admire her, but she promised me nothing. How wronged and aggrieved she must feel?”

What Lu Heng was thinking now was all about Qin Yining being wronged, wondering if she would harbor resentment toward him in her heart. In outsiders’ eyes, Bian Ruohan was his second wife, which made her his person. Would Bian Ruohan’s every action be seen as his instigation?

If Qin Yining truly misunderstood him because of this and came to resent him, wouldn’t he become even less likeable to her?

The more Lu Heng thought about it, the more worried and furious he became. If Qin Yining truly came to hate him because of this, he absolutely wouldn’t spare Bian Shi!

“Prepare the carriage.” Lu Heng commanded again in a deep voice.

Lu Wenru dared not object any further, bowed his head in acknowledgment, and hurried off to make arrangements.

At this time, Huzi returned to Pang Xiao’s side and said in a low voice: “Your Highness, we’ve investigated. Her Majesty the Empress hasn’t seen any outsiders these past days, but Imperial Consort Zhuang seems to have gone to the Empress to tearfully complain twice.”

Pang Xiao sat upright behind the black lacquered desk in his study, his face grave: “What did she complain about?”

“We couldn’t find out the specifics of what was said, but we can confirm that after Your Highness and the Princess Consort met the imperial procession and returned home that day, Earl Zhongyi’s wife never left.”

Pang Xiao thought for a moment and sneered coldly.

Earlier in the capital, there had already been incidents of Bian Ruohan causing great disturbances in the palace, implicating Imperial Consort Zhuang who nearly lost her position.

Who knew the Bian family sisters showed no remorse and acted the same way again this time.

Pang Xiao could already guess that this incident must have arisen from the grudge between Qin Yining and Bian Ruohan.

His own lawful wife – how could he not understand her? She had always observed wifely virtue and never did anything improper. This grudge with Bian Ruohan was purely suffering an undeserved calamity.

Bian Ruohan was suspicious, sensitive, and brainless, always acting without considering consequences. Obviously she had already brought the matter before the Empress, and the Empress, as mother of the nation, couldn’t ignore it, thus had no choice but to keep Qin Yining under the pretext of companionship.

Though the person was detained, Pang Xiao was certain the Empress wouldn’t dare harm Qin Yining without Li Qitian’s orders. But being suspected like this for no reason was simply an enormous humiliation for Qin Yining.

Pang Xiao waved for Huzi to withdraw and paced alone in the room. After a moment, he made up his mind. No matter what, he had to go see his precious treasure.

Pang Xiao found night clothes to change into. Fearing too many people would expose them, he only brought Mu Jinghu.

The two figures in black merged into the night rain and quickly disappeared without a trace.

Qin Yining finished a full day of chanting and praying, chatted briefly with the Empress, then returned to her side room. These past days of plain porridge and simple dishes had made her slightly thinner, but because her mind was calm and she didn’t seek trouble, Qin Yining’s spirits were better than before.

She had Ji Yun and Bingtang leave one lamp for her, then let the two maidservants sleep first while she sat under the lamp with her long hair loose, wearing a deep blue jacket, stitching shoe soles.

These were made according to the size Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er might wear at seven or eight years old. With mountains high and roads far, and she and Pang Xiao at the center of controversy, who knew if she made them too small, the children might outgrow them before they could be sent. So Qin Yining made all the clothes and shoes for the two children on the larger side.

Ji Yun and Bingtang weren’t actually tired. Compared to Qin Yining having to accompany the Empress and Imperial Consort Zhuang kneeling in the shrine chanting and praying during the day, they were much more comfortable.

But they knew that whenever the Princess Consort did needlework for the two children, she particularly liked quiet and didn’t much enjoy chatting. They understood Qin Yining was using needlework to miss the two children, and at such times, except perhaps for His Highness, the Princess Consort probably didn’t want anyone to disturb her.

So Bingtang and Ji Yun both rested on the heated kang by the window in the outer room.

The silk lamp was turned up bright, and Qin Yining’s lowered long lashes cast fan-like shadows on her cheeks.

Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu used their lightness skills to avoid layers of guards and reach the roof where Qin Yining was staying. Silently removing roof tiles, this was exactly the scene they saw.

Watching Qin Yining’s nimble hands and focused expression, then seeing the children’s shoes in her hands, Pang Xiao felt a mixture of emotions and intense heartache.

Though she rarely spoke of her longing in daily life, what mother didn’t miss her own children? She didn’t nag him about it only because she didn’t want to put him in a difficult position.

At this moment, Pang Xiao’s guilt and tenderness toward Qin Yining reached their peak, while his hatred for those who caused their family’s separation and those who spread rumors and slandered Qin Yining reached bone-deep levels.

Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu exchanged glances.

Just as they were about to go down to see Qin Yining, Mu Jinghu suddenly lightly touched his arm.

Pang Xiao immediately became alert, withdrawing from his emotions and looking questioningly at Mu Jinghu.

Mu Jinghu pointed in a direction, and Pang Xiao looked where he indicated.

The roof they were on was quite high, allowing them to see through the misty lamplight in the rain the patrolling guards, even the main street in front of the separate courtyard’s gate.

At this moment, a carriage was slowly stopping in front of the side gate. The person who got down wore a straw raincoat and put on a bamboo hat under an umbrella held by a servant. Though too far to see the face clearly, Pang Xiao still recognized from the person’s behavior that it was Lu Heng.

Lu Heng spoke a few words with the gatekeeper at the side gate, who smoothly opened the door for him. Instead of leading him through the main courtyard or having anyone inform the Empress, the gatekeeper directly led Lu Heng down a small path.

Soon, Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu could no longer see them. But Pang Xiao was certain they must be heading toward the inner quarters.

Indeed, before long, they saw Lu Heng appear in an alley within the inner quarters. Not knowing which secret passage he had taken, he had somehow bypassed the procedure of entering through the hanging flower gate and arrived directly in the inner quarters.

Pang Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly.

The separate courtyard housed only female family members, including the noble Empress and Imperial Consort. Lu Heng entering without announcement and successfully reaching the inner quarters – what was he trying to do? Wasn’t he afraid of being caught red-handed with no way to explain himself?

But soon, Pang Xiao’s slightly furrowed brows knitted tightly together. Because Lu Heng was clearly heading toward the west side courtyard, and even the gatekeeper woman easily opened the door for him and courteously led the way.

Here, Qin Yining was wiping her needle on her temple hair to make the needle tip smoother, using a thimble to push the needle through the shoe sole.

Just then, the door was gently knocked.

Bingtang and Ji Yun in the outer room started and sat up alertly, looking toward the door with wariness.

Qin Yining put down the shoe sole, put on her jacket properly, and walked toward the outer room while gathering her long hair.

“Who is it?” Ji Yun walked quietly to the door, pressing against it with her whole body tense and defensive, though her voice carried some drowsy confusion.

The response from outside was the gatekeeper woman: “It’s me.”

Hearing this, Ji Yun frowned and looked back questioningly at Qin Yining.

Qin Yining thought for a moment. With the Empress staying in this heavily guarded separate courtyard, there should be no great danger. It wouldn’t do to keep the person outside waiting – perhaps the Empress had urgent instructions.

So Qin Yining nodded.

Ji Yun yawned and said: “Coming. So late and raining too – what matter is this? Our Princess Consort just retired and you come knocking. Can you bear responsibility for disturbing her?”

Removing the door bar and just opening the door, someone squeezed in through the doorway.

Ji Yun was startled and alertly blocked the person. Looking up to meet Lu Heng’s gaze, she was momentarily stunned: “Earl, why is it you?”

Qin Yining and Bingtang also alertly pulled each other back two steps. Bingtang frowned while Qin Yining’s face clearly showed both surprise and disgust as she scolded in a low voice: “Earl Zhongyi, this is the separate courtyard where Her Majesty the Empress temporarily resides. You come visiting so late at night – what is your purpose?”