Pang Xiao leaned close to Lu Heng’s ear and said in a low voice, “This prince thought that someone with the guts to sneak into another man’s wife’s boudoir in the dead of night to talk would understand what this prince means.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Heng’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Pang Xiao actually knew?
How did he find out? Did Qin Yining tell him? Or did the maids around Qin Yining secretly inform Pang Xiao behind her back?
If it was the maids secretly telling, that would be one thing, but if Qin Yining said it herself, then her doing so was truly incomprehensible.
When ordinary women encounter such matters, shouldn’t they carefully hide and conceal them? Could Qin Yining trust Pang Xiao so much? Wasn’t she afraid that Pang Xiao would mind?
Lu Heng originally didn’t want to admit it, but thinking it over, since he dared to do it, there was nothing he didn’t dare to acknowledge. Thinking of how Qin Yining was utterly devoted to Pang Xiao and had sacrificed so much for him, if she were to be misunderstood by Pang Xiao because of this, perhaps she would be heartbroken. Lu Heng began to feel sorry for her again.
“Yes. I did go. But I only said a few words. I stood at the doorway, with her two maids in the room as buffers, and I stood more than ten feet away from her. After saying my piece, I left. From beginning to end, she showed me no favor and did nothing improper. If Your Highness harbors resentment against her because of this, then you would truly be failing her devoted heart toward you.”
Even though he hoped for Pang Xiao to wrong Qin Yining, making her tired of Pang Xiao and leave him, so he would have a greater chance.
But when it came to it, what Lu Heng cared about most was still Qin Yining’s feelings. He still couldn’t bear to see her sad and distressed.
Hearing Lu Heng speak this way, Pang Xiao felt utterly disgusted.
“Whether I fail her or not is not for an outsider like you to judge. This prince heard every word you said clearly. This prince naturally cares about her affairs and doesn’t need your reminders. This prince also wants to remind you that your wife is a troublemaker who disrupts households. You’d better keep her in check and not let her run around like a mad dog, wildly attacking and slandering good people with baseless accusations. Otherwise, this prince will not let you off easily.”
Lu Heng clenched his jaw, his jawbone showing clear definition.
At this moment, he felt as if he’d been slapped in the face. Pang Xiao would actually bring this matter up directly, leaving him no dignity whatsoever!
He knew that according to propriety, it was wrong for him to visit another man’s wife so casually in the dead of night. But ultimately, his feelings were proper and restrained—he had done nothing improper before leaving.
Lu Heng laughed, “This subordinate will naturally handle his domestic affairs well, so Your Highness needn’t worry. However, while I don’t deny having feelings for her, I’ve never been willing to force anything upon her. In terms of emotions, I’ve given no less than anyone else. I can at least say I’ve been worthy of her. What about Your Highness?”
These words truly struck at Pang Xiao’s heart.
Pang Xiao had never done anything to wrong Qin Yining, but he had always been dragging her down! What outsiders didn’t know was that Qin Yining’s family had been exterminated because of him, and even the deaths of those twin children were caused by Pang Xiao.
Although the facts weren’t exactly like this, Qin Yining had indeed suffered much because of him—being kidnapped, plotted against, hunted, and nearly murdered. Most of the time, it was Qin Yining who saved herself through her own efforts, while he was beyond reach…
Pang Xiao refused to show weakness: “Whether I’m worthy of her or not is a private matter between this prince and her. Even if this prince has wronged her, this prince still has a lifetime to slowly make amends. Outsiders will never have this opportunity or time.”
The two men glared at each other through gritted teeth. They both had the same woman in their hearts and couldn’t even be bothered to discuss the banquet, instead sparing no effort to say things that could wound each other.
Lu Heng felt stifled in his heart, and Pang Xiao was equally suppressing his anger. This was the first time they had torn off their masks to speak of this matter so directly. Although their voices weren’t loud, the atmosphere around them had become quite tense.
When Lu Wenru reported from outside the door, he even unconsciously softened his voice, speaking with extreme caution.
“My lord, the banquet is nearly ready.”
The implication was asking Lu Heng whether to bring Bian Ruohan over—if so, it should be done quickly.
Only then did Lu Heng come to his senses. After thinking, he said, “Go fetch my wife.”
Pang Xiao also remembered the matter of receiving the Tatar Khan.
Since the Khatun had specifically requested Qin Yining’s presence, it wouldn’t be good to obstruct it completely. Moreover, Pang Xiao didn’t believe that with him presiding, anyone could make things difficult for Qin Yining.
So Pang Xiao also loudly instructed Huzi: “Return and fetch the princess consort. It’s damp and cold outside—tell the princess consort to dress warmly.”
“Yes.” Huzi responded from outside and rushed back to the prince’s mansion.
Upon seeing Qin Yining, he told her everything he had seen and heard that day without reservation.
“Princess Consort, I noticed the atmosphere between His Highness and the Loyalty Earl wasn’t right. The two seemed like they’d had a big argument. You don’t think His Highness would continue quarreling with the Loyalty Earl in front of the Tatar Khan, do you?” If they really had an internal conflict in front of the Tatars, it wouldn’t look good.
Qin Yining had changed into an ivory-colored cross-collar jacket with subtle cloud patterns embroidered on it. She sat before her dressing table letting Ji Yun and Bingtang arrange her hair and apply makeup. Hearing this, she smiled at Huzi who was waiting outside: “Don’t worry. Their discord hasn’t been just one day. His Highness knows what he’s doing. Don’t say arguing—even if they wanted to fight, they’d do it secretly behind people’s backs.”
Hearing the sounds from inside the room, Huzi couldn’t help but joke: “Isn’t the Princess Consort worried that His Highness might suffer a loss?”
“When it comes to arguing and throwing punches, Earl Lu is no match for His Highness.” Qin Yining selected a pair of pearl earrings to wear.
Bingtang also laughed: “His Highness is very clever. If he really sets his mind to it, his tongue alone could anger someone to death. He won’t lose in an argument.”
Ji Yun said: “That’s right. The Loyalty Earl isn’t stupid either. He wouldn’t really fight with His Highness—wouldn’t that just be asking for a beating?”
Huzi laughed heartily from outside.
Qin Yining lifted her chin, letting Bingtang help her fasten a grape vine collar clasp. “Huzi, having me attend the banquet today—was that His Highness’s instruction?”
Hearing this, Huzi replied seriously: “In response to Your Highness, it wasn’t just His Highness’s instruction—it was the Tatar Khatun’s request. This subordinate isn’t clear on the specific details, but the Loyalty Earl came out to inform His Highness after receiving the message.”
Qin Yining lowered her eyes, her butterfly-wing-like long lashes trembling slightly. “It seems they come with ill intentions.”
Bingtang worried: “Then what should we do?”
Qin Yining smiled: “It’s fine. Even if the Tatar Khatun and I get into an argument, that’s still women’s business. It won’t affect the peace between our two nations.”
Bingtang was stunned, then burst into giggles: “Princess Consort, really! This servant wasn’t worried about that.”
Ji Yun also laughed: “Exactly. Your safety is the priority. National affairs aren’t something we two maids care about.”
Qin Yining consolingly patted their shoulders and smiled: “Don’t worry. Even if the Tatar Khatun is looking for trouble, His Highness will be there, so I won’t suffer any losses. You should both come with me.”
“Yes.” The two replied seriously, following behind Qin Yining as they left the room. In the corridor, they served her as she donned a lotus-pink cloak with lotus patterns.