“You suffered from the cold before, miss. And now that your monthly courses are about to start, you naturally have cramps. But don’t worry, miss. I’ll help you adjust your body from now on. I’ll be able to cure you of the lingering effects the cold left in you before a year’s out. You have a healthy foundation, so it won’t impact your child bearing capabilities at all.”
“And what are you talking bout?” Qin Yining was embarrassed.
Bingtang started teasing when she saw Qin Yining’s forehead relax. “Such is what’s decreed in the heavens. This is just nature’s law. There’s nothing bad about it. We who know medicine can see stuff like this, we’re not like those quack doctors, you know.”
“You’re the only one who talks so much.” Qin Yining had almost forgotten that the two were the same age.
“Lay down for a while, miss. I’ll return shortly.”
“I’ll be troubling you then.” Qin Yining smiled gratefully. It should’ve been her mother to tell her all this, but she’d heard some from Zhan-mama and Jin-mama, and now Bingtang was taking care of her. She was very thankful that Bingtang and Songlan were keeping her company at this time. She wouldn’t know what to do if it was just her.
The maids returned before long to help Qin Yining wash-up and change clothes. When all preparations were made, they served warm porridge made of hard rice and some other side dishes. With warm porridge in her belly, Qin Yining felt a bit better, and her face was no longer as sheet-white as before.
“Are you awake, miss?” Steward Zhong’s voice came from outside.
Qin Yining quickly ran to open the door. “How did everything go, Steward Zhong?”
The grand steward looked like he hadn’t slept all night either, but he was smiling. “Thank goodness I haven’t disappointed you, miss. I’ve already hired four experts who promise that they’ll rescue the madame. I promised them five thousand silver each when the deed is done.”
“Wonderful! Thank you so much, Steward Zhong.” Qin Yining’s heart could finally settle back in its proper place. She’d had such a sleepless night because she’d been afraid that even all the silver she could muster wouldn’t be enough. But now that they had their men, she began to worry that the operation would fail.
Songlan observed her mistress’ expression closely and helped her sit down. “Don’t worry, miss. Our plan is a surprise, and the madame will surely be able to transform disaster into good fortune. The hour is a bit early and you’ve done all that you can for all the arrangements you can think of. Rest a little so that you’ve full energy for the matter at noon.”
Qin Yining understood all this reasoning, but it was difficult for her to do so. When Bingtang saw Qin Yining thus, she couldn’t help but be reminded of her own circumstances. Her nose twinged, but there was nothing else that they as servants could do at this time other than take good care of their mistress.
And so Qin Yining sat there until the hour of the snake [2]. She really couldn’t wait anymore, so she summoned Steward Zhong.
“Please prepare my carriage, the one I use normally.”
“Are you still planning to go to the execution place?”
“I need to see things with my own eyes whether or not the operation is a success. If it is, I’ll return back to the manor and continue being a Qin miss. If not…” Qin Yining’s breathing hitched before she forced herself to calm again. “If not, I’ll still return to be the grand preceptor’s official daughter.” Except no one will be able to stop me from whatever I do afterwards.
Steward Zhong nodded with a sigh. Things had happened so quickly, yet the miss had been able to make her preparations in the shortest time possible and think of a corresponding strategy. She could even steady herself so that she didn’t give in to her impulses, and didn’t drag the entire Qin family down into her worries and hate. Compared to her daughter’s methods, née Sun’s unaccountable stirring of trouble appeared even more idiotic.
Such were the steward’s thoughts, but it wouldn’t do to openly criticize the owner’s mother. He just carried out his orders. Qin Yining was dressed properly and climbed into the carriage with an ashen complexion, feeling intense discomfort from cramps. They made for the Meridian Gate.
Grand Preceptor Qin had just successfully concluded the peace talks and brought back peace to citizens of Great Yan, but the emperor was going to execute his wife! This news had spread throughout the entire capital, and many citizens cried out for her innocence. However, the imperial decree had been given and the grand preceptor’s wife had even cursed out the emperor. With the title of “insubordination” clapped to her head, who would dare defy this outcome? There was no point to the pleas of mercy from the populace.
When noon arrived, the executioner roughly pushed née Sun onto the stage. She was dressed in white, her hair a wild mess, trussed up like a chicken, and a dirty rag stuffed in her mouth. When the crowd saw that the star of the show had come, a great hubbub broke out and people started pushing and shoving. If it wasn’t for men from the Warden’s Office and the Bureau of Punishment situating themselves in the right places early on, it was likely that the crowd would’ve rushed into the execution grounds.
Qin Yining stood at the head of the crowd with Bingtang and Songlan. When she saw née Sun’s dirty face, she couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. She cried out, “Mother!”
The young girl’s voice was crisp and brimming with sincere sorrow. It carried out quite a distance in the air. When the people realized that Grand Preceptor Qin’s daughter was next to them, they all shuffled to the side, seemingly afraid of squeezing her. They’d also taken a clear look at her. No wonder the trash emperor had the grand preceptor bring his daughter to the peace talks.
The Qin miss is the daughter of ‘Wise Pan An’ alright.
But the Qins are really too tragic!
No matter who in Great Zhou took a liking to her, the grand preceptor had to offer his daughter for the peace talks and not only was there an attempted assassination after his return, but now the trash emperor wants to execute his wife!
There’s no justice in this, no humanity!
The people grew more agitated and started yelling and shouting.
“What crime did Madame Qin commit?! Why is she being executed and displayed for everyone to see?!”
“Grand Preceptor has done a great service for the country, the emperor should show mercy!”
“That’s right, the emperor should think of the grand preceptor and not kill his wife!”
Née Sun was kneeling on the stage, watching the Warden’s Office soldiers holding Qin Yining back. Tears tumbled down her face as she struggled, shaking her head at her daughter. She seemed to have something to say, but couldn’t voice anything because of the rag. She could only cry anxiously.
Logic snapped in Qin Yining’s mind when she saw her mother thus. She forcefully pushed aside the soldiers and wanted to charge forward, but these were the execution grounds. As strong as she was, she was still just a girl. The soldiers ripped her from her trajectory and threw her back into the ground into a sitting position.
“Miss Qin, we give respect to the grand preceptor, so please think twice about your actions. A place such as the execution grounds are off limits to you!”
Qin Yining clenched her teeth as she got up with the aid of Bingtang and Songlan. She only had four people, but there were so many soldiers. Would they succeed?
Disturbance rippled through the crowd again at this time. There seemed to be someone pushing from the back, making the ones in front stumble a few steps forward. This was when Qin Yining noticed that several tall and stocky men had surrounded here. They were dressed like normal citizens and looked quite ordinary, but they were very fit. This made the girl ponder. Are these my hired help? But they don’t know who the real employer is, so they wouldn’t come protect me.
“The hour has arrived, perform the execution!” The presiding official shouted out, causing an instant stillness.
Née Sun shook he
r head repeatedly, tears flying everywhere as she sobbed gutturally. The executioner pulled out the plaque tucked in at her back and raised his sword high.
Qin Yining’s heart leapt into her threat as she frantically searched for her men. There were about a dozen men poised at the front of the crowd, ready to charge out. But in this critical moment, a piercing sound broke through the air!
A crisp ding! rang out as the executioner’s sword broke into two. The executioner rocked on his heels onto the ground. The arrow’s momentum wasn’t arrested at all as it flew towards the wooden pole behind the presiding official, burying itself down to the fletching into the pole supporting the tent.
Color drained from the official’s face as he shrieked with fright. “Who is it?! How dare you act like this? Capture him!”
The men about to charge out paused.
“Display this prince’s flag so they can all see just who the hell I am!”
* * *
3am-5am
9am-11am
Chapter 124: Fainting from Anger
Chapter 124: Fainting from Anger
Qin Yining looked back from shock when she heard the familiar voice. The sight of Pang Xiao in a dazzling purple robe embroidered with python patterns, a cloak with a black fur collar flung around his shoulders, mounted majestically on the back of a gleaming, tall black horse greeted her eyes. He walked out of the crowd at the head of a dozen Valiant Tigers like he was parting the seas, the people on either side swiftly getting out of the way. The red flag with ‘Pang’ embroidered on it in black as well as the black Valiant Tigers flag with the golden tiger head on it was unfurled and waving proudly in the wind.
Qin Yining, Bingtang, and Songlan were guided off to the side by the tall men so that they cleared a path for the new group. Pang Xiao steered his horse forward and brandished a large bow in one hand, the cocky assurance of looking down on the entire world in his eyes.
“What, killing my mother-in-law just after we finished the peace talks? Go ask your emperor if he wants another war, mm?!” Pang Xiao’s voice was low and resonant. He didn’t put much force behind it, but it still carried nonetheless. His last ‘mm’ had dense threatening overtones, making everyone shake on the scene.
The crowd had been agitated outside of the Meridian Gate moments ago, but now deafening silence reigned in their wake. Only the sounds of flags cracking in the wind could be heard. The people backed off fearfully and cleared a large space. The men protecting Qin Yining melted into the crowd, like their mission had been completed.
A charming girl with two maids stood in front of a group of citizens, standing out like a crane amongst chickens. Pang Xiao looked at Qin Yining and flicked his eyebrow in a smile, then looked back at the official.
“Are you the Great Zhou Faithful Prince of the First Rank?” The official asked in a dry and raspy voice as he’d led his men up to Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao answered with a crack of his whip. It sounded cleanly and grazed the official’s shoulder, making him cry out with pain.
“Who the hell are you to talk to this prince? Get your emperor out here!” Pang Xiao flipped off the horse and casually threw the bow and whip backwards. Huzi hastily made sure he caught them.
The official clutched his shoulder, blood streaming out of it and painfully sucked in air. He hastily had someone run to the palace with a report.
Meanwhile, Pang Xiao took quick strides over to Qin Yining. The citizens were all enraged by his boldness, but didn’t dare voice their indignation at his arrogance. They glared at Pang Xiao with looks concealing rage. Even if they had a trash emperor, Great Zhou couldn’t just come to their territory to bully them, alright!
However, the prince seemed to enjoy the looks. He arched an eyebrow at the official, scaring the latter so much that he scrambled backwards and fell to the ground in a heap. It was such a pathetic scene that no one could bear looking at him. The people felt that their officials were too weak and started conversing lowly.
Pang Xiao laughed delightfully and walked up to Qin Yining, taking off his cloak with the black fur collar to put it around Qin Yining.
“Look at how cold you are, you must have been terrified?” A smile could be heard from his tone as his eyes looked on with great care.
“I wouldn’t dare have Your Highness worry about me.” Qin Yining raised a hand to shrug off the cloak, but the prince’s large hand covered hers.
“You’re so worn out after coming back just a few days? It looks like I shouldn’t have let you come back.” Weichi old dog, how dare you bully my woman! She’s someone I can’t even bear to touch a hair of, look how she is just a few days after returning to the capital!
Qin Yining raised her eyes, involuntarily shuddering when she met the wildness and violence lingering in his eyes. She quickly struggled out of his grip and took two steps back, yanking off the cloak that still had traces of his warmth and threw it back to him.
“This little girl doesn’t remember when she’d become so familiar with Your Highness. Please keep an appropriate distance!”
Pang Xiao’s expression chilled after being rejected twice in a row. He’d whipped his horse to get here faster because he was afraid that she would suffer. Well she’s doing just fine! Look at how cold she was being to him; she hadn’t even smiled at him. What was she taking him for?! His brows were knit together tightly as frost surfaced in his gaze. He clamped down tightly on his temper as he glared at Qin Yining, his anger almost erupting.
Qin Yining tensed all over from the glare. It felt like a wild fox had fixed her in his sights. She had no doubt that Pang Xiao could break her neck at any second, but she couldn’t back down. Although she was grateful that he’d saved her a few times, she was also immensely infuriated by the random, impertinent nonsense he’d sprouted. Her name was even tied to his now! With that paranoid emperor, if he clapped a title of ‘traitor’ onto Qin Huaiyuan, then the Qins would follow in the Suns footsteps. So how would she dare express any hint of acceptance of the situation? Besides, their relationship had always been of Pang Xiao imposing his will on her and taking what he would!
She pursed her lips and glared back at him with all the strength in her body, like she was staring down a lecher offending her. Pang Xiao’s anger faded as he looked down at her skinny, palm-sized face. She was still very weak, but here she was firmly sticking her neck out and going toe-to-toe with him. He walked up again and put his cloak around her with a dark expression, tying a bow at her neck.
“I’ll take you back with me immediately if you keep turning me down like this!” He spat out through grit teeth.
His voice wasn’t loud, but the crowd around them heard it clearly. Besides, he was dressed in such a dazzling shade of purple, the python figures catching the sunlight in a splendid design. Barely repressed fury was apparent on his handsome features, and he’d bent down his tall body to accommodate her height. Those hands who were more accustomed to wielding weapons and reaping life were carefully securing a cloak around a little girl.
The scene was too beautiful and also too bizarre. The buzz of conversation grew even louder.
“You!” Qin Yining felt under the spotlight with all the gazes being sent her way. Her wan face grew even paler and her lips started trembling.
“What you?! This prince has a temper as well! Don’t challenge my bottom line just because you think you have a pretty face!”
What the hell is he talking about?! She was a clean and pure girl and had never seduced him, but she’d never be able to claim innocence after those words! Qin Yining’s head spun from anger and the scene darkened before her eyes. She hadn’t slept all night and had spent the days in anxiety and anger. Now that the first of her monthly courses were upon us, her self-professed tough-as-nails body actually softened into a dead faint with all of this hammering away at her.
“What’s wrong!” Pang Xiao was incredibly startled by this sudden development and quickly caught her. His large hand patted her cool cheeks and felt her slightly c
hilled forehead. He turned frantically to Bingtang. “What’s wrong with your mistress?”
Bingtang glared furiously at Pang Xiao and cursed lowly. “How dare you ask after you made her so angry that she fainted!”
Pang Xiao looked at the person leaning against his shoulder with some guilt. Her face appeared even more pale when framed by the black fur collar of the cloak and the vivid purple of his robes. Her long lashes projected long shadows beneath her eyes. She seemed so soft and docile at the moment that his entire heart softened. His anger was a thing of the past now. I shouldn’t have been mean to her just now.
The scattered sounds of carriages sounded at this moment. Pang Xiao carefully picked up Qin Yining and placed her on the army blanket that Huzi had laid on the ground, handing her over to Bingtang’s care. He turned with his hands behind his back to await the newcomer.
An emperor dressed in golden robes was hurrying over, surrounded by servants, his empress, crown prince, and Qin Huaiyuan. The sight stunned the crowds. A single word from a prince of Great Zhou had been enough to actually summon the imperial family? They were incredibly disappointed by still had to kneel and cry out, “Long live the emperor!”
The emperor had no eyes for anyone else. He was focused on the young man with an aura as sharp as a newly unsheathed sword. The young man’s eyes were like knives, slicing all over him. Even with his tall and strong body, the emperor shrank into himself a few degrees when in front of Pang Xiao.
“This must be the Great Yan emperor? This prince greets you.” Pang Xiao raised a cupped fist salute, the very epitome of a careless greeting.
The emperor however, didn’t mind at all and smiled back. “The Faithful Prince of First Rank’s magnificent name is known throughout the lands. Even We have heard of it in the capital. To see you in the flesh verifies such rumors. What brings Your Highness to the Great Yan capital?”
Pang Xiao snorted derisively. “With a successful peace talk, Great Zhou and Yan are friends again. I’d thought that given a lack of war between the two in the future, we should build cordial relations. But who knew I’d see such a grand spectacle as soon as I’d set foot into the capital? Dare I ask if the Great Yan emperor is dissatisfied with the negotiations, which is why you’re executing the wife of the chief negotiator from your nation?”
Return of the Swallow c1-644 Page 80