“Sir, no sir!”
Some of the young Valiant Tigers, the ones closer to Pang Xiao and tapped to possibly join the Elite Tigers, had completely grasped the situation at this point.
One of them murmured in a tone pitched perfectly to travel o the crowd outside, “That’s strange. The prince has turned over the command token and I hear he’s sick. Shouldn’t he be resting at home? Why would he be with the troops?”
“Yeah, has Master Zuo gotten confused about something?”
Master Zuo was indeed very confused. He had no idea how a living, breathing person could disappear. He’d entered the carriage as a man, but exited as a dainty little girl!
All of his hairs were raised on end as cold sweat dripped down his forehead. He was really in a bind. There were two main conclusions to his secret report—the first that Pang Zhixi had illicitly sent out troops, and the second that the prince had created fake official orders.
And now there were twenty thousand Valiant Tigers being held off by the Firearms Division, Five Armies, Three Thousand, and another ten thousand Dragon Riders. The Bureau of Punishments had also announced that only exit from the city was allowed. Such an enormous affair could’ve only been commanded by the emperor.
And the emperor had done all this because he’d believed Zuo Jinwei’s reports and wanted to publicly arrest Pang Zhixi.
But reality had somehow progressed in a completely different way! Would the emperor eat him alive if this matter turned out to be a disaster?!
Within the crowd, Li Qitian’s forehead was knit together even tighter, while Ji Zeyu seriously assessed Qin Yining for the first time.
A girl of the inner residence, able to fearlessly, logically present her side in public, in front of an audience, and neatly remove Pang Xiao from the situation while dumping the mess onto someone else?
This isn’t a simple character.
Various thoughts travelled through everyone’s minds. No change flickered through the Valiant Tigers as the military regulations were strict. They weren’t allowed to talk when standing in formation, but the same hardly applied to the citizens.
Everyone clustered in threes and fives, the low buzz of conversation everywhere. Everyone was speculating if the emperor wanted to get rid of Pang Zhixi. Some with sharper political acumen were even wondering if the emperor wanted to eliminate one of the founding subjects of the nation.
The remarks filtered into the disguised Li Qitian’s ears, feeling like crisp slaps on his face. He wasn’t a decrepit ruler, he was a wise and noble one! He would never do something like discarding an old subject once all the hard work was done, at least not on the surface. He wouldn’t allow the historians to record him in such an awful way.
But the noise of chatter reverberated through his eardrums as gossip raged ever more wildly, like he really had done something! All of this was because of that bastard Zuo’s secret report!
As the situation settled into a stalemate, a new strain of conversation traveled from the city gates. A loud announcement sounded shortly afterwards, “Presenting, the Faithful Prince of the First Rank!”
Heads looked over in the direction of the city gates to see a carriage rolling out. It had red lacquer wheels, a magnificent cloth covering on the roof, and radiant tassels swinging—the standard accoutrements of an imperial prince.
When the carriage travelled closer to the crowd, Huzi leapt down from the shaft and lifted the door curtain to reveal a wan Pang Xiao firmly wrapped in thick furs. The prince clambered down from the vehicle, stifling some coughs as he did so.
Zuo Jinwei stared at Pang Xiao like he was seeing a ghost. Does this guy know how to teleport?
The prince’s sickly condition had been on display for all to see back in the military camp. But he’d disappeared once they’d returned to the capital, and come out from the city instead!
Qi Rugang approached with a frown to make his bow. “Greetings to Your Highness.”
The crowd followed suit. “Greetings to Your Highness.”
Pang Xiao waved a hand and coughed twice more. “No need for such formalities. This prince heard that someone’s levied an accusation of private troop deployment? And that this prince lied to Master Zuo in order to lead twenty thousand Valiant Tigers to the Great Yan border?”
“Um…” Sweat increasingly beaded on Zuo Jinwei’s forehead.
“Has this prince demonstrated an overly jovial nature that Master Zuo is deluded into thinking I’m an easy target? I’ve been sick for many days and remained within my manor, how dare you accuse me of mutiny and treason?! His Majesty has pitied my overwork and commanded me to rest. I don’t even possess the command token anymore, how am I to deploy the Valiant Tigers?!
“Not to mention, I’ve been resting at home these days, but you say that I’m at the Great Yan border, and mouth some nonsense that I said it was for military exercises? What kind of colossal gibberish is this??”
Pang Xiao pointed at Qi Rugang. “Sir Qi, it would behoove you to investigate thoroughly before taking action! Do you not know where to find my manor? If you suspected me after receiving Master Zuo’s report, why do you not call upon me first? Or are you intent on making a fool out of yourself in riling up so many?”
Qi Rugang was beet red from the exhortations. How am I the one behind any of this? It was all His Majesty!
But accept he must, his new role as the imperial scapegoat.
Visible steam was almost rising off of Li Qitian’s head, but what could he do? He truly regretted his decision to be completely sure of everything. Why hadn’t he searched the prince’s manor? If he’d obtained evidence of Pang Xiao’s absence, would the prince be so cocky now?
But honestly, was the truth of the matter this time Pang Xiao deploying troops for personal use, or Zuo Jinwei framing Pang Xiao because the minister wanted power in his hands alone?
Possessing an innate paranoia, Li Qitian had no idea who he could trust at this point.
Apart from those disguised in the crowd, Pang Xiao’s position was the highest amongst those present. He coughed a few more times before ordering, “Open the gates and allow normal passage. Don’t keep everyone bottled up here. It’ll only impact everyone’s day-to-day. In addition, put up those from Great Yan in the guest inns.”
His phoenix-eyes finally rested on Qin Yining for the first time after reeling off all of the instructions. Dancing twin flames in his orbs made as if they wanted to burn the girl to a crisp on the spot.
Chapter 303: Taking Away By Force (I)
Longing from an extended period of separation and reunion after trial and tribulation quickly gathered tears in Qin Yining’s eyes.
When she’d been chased by assassins and huddled in a one-person shelter, attempting to find cover from the snow and wind, without any food or water, she’d once prayed in the deepest part of her heart that Pang Xiao would appear.
When she learned that Pang Xiao had still opted to search for her, even running the risk of insubordination, emotion had broken through the barricades of her heart. Sadly, the young lovers had been caught by circumstance and the prince had had to rush back to the capital before he could see her.
Sentimentality had slowly morphed into yearning. As she played the part of Pang Xiao on the way back, she would often stare at herself in the mirror. A bizarre sense of wrongness jarred her with the reflection of the prince’s face, but there was also a bit of comfort from the sight.
Now that they’d finally met, her taut heartstrings could finally relax. The tough obstinance she showed outsiders vanished, leaving behind only overflowing grievance—like a child lost for many days finally finding her way home.
The ardent look in Pang Xiao’s eyes echoed her feelings.
She took one involuntary step forward, but the prince remained where he was, unmoving, and even stiffly turned his head aside to not look at her.
She froze in place, cold water instantly dumped over the raging emotions in her heart.
There was a split sec
ond worth of hurt.
But her thoughts moved quickly. She was in the capital of Great Zhou now, and Pang Xiao in difficult straits. She was also the daughter of a surrendered official, and caution was indeed required when it came to their words and deeds. Qin Yining ducked her head and didn’t look at the prince anymore.
At this time, Qi Rugang and the others had finished arranging for military camps outside the city walls, and normal passage had been restored through the gates. The rescued Great Yan officials were welcomed by officials from the Ministry of Personnel and Rites and whisked off to the guest inns.
Someone approached Qin Yining. “Miss Qin, please head to the guest inns with us.”
The Qin fourth miss nodded silently and followed the speaker.
The guest inns were where Great Zhou welcomed honored visitors. The emperor’s arrangement was highly ceremonious for the families of surrendered officials.
These folk had starved and thirsted in the Yan Dynasty, spending day-to-day on tenterhooks and then running into extreme danger on the road. Uneasiness still yawned in the bottom of their hearts, even though they were in Great Zhou. Some even felt that it was already good enough they hadn’t been thrown into the dungeons as soon as they’d arrived. They’d never thought that the Zhou emperor would be so generous as to put them up in luxurious inns!
They were first startled by the flattery, then enveloped by reassurance. With this display of the emperor’s attitude, that meant their safety were secure.
Qin Yining moved towards the carriage, Lian Xiaozhou in hand. They climbed adroitly onto the vehicle.
Xie Yue was highly relieved to see how rational the Qin fourth miss and the prince had been upon meeting each other. He continued playing the role of an elderly Qin servant and followed the girls into the carriage.
Their carriage set off, following the officials from the Ministry of Rites. Pang Xiao stood by the side of road, expressionlessly watching Qin Yining’s vehicle enter the city. A familiar figure then caught the corner of his eye.
The prince looked around to confirm that everyone had dispersed, before slowly striding over to the cloaked man in the shadows who was hiding his face.
“What are you doing here? Enjoying the show?” Pang Xiao kept his voice low.
Ji Zeyu looked back at the prince. “Your beloved has entered the city. Aren’t you going to go after her?”
Pang Xiao stared back expressionlessly.
Ji Zeyu typically wore a blank expression as well; this time was no exception. The two looked silently at each other for a while.
“Thank you for the reminder. I do need to go after her.”
Ji Zeyu nodded coldly. “Then go.”
Pang Xiao stared at Ji Zeyu for another long moment, refraining from interrogative questions in the end. He turned back to his carriage and ordered frostily, “Catch up to the Qin carriage.”
Huzi and the accompanying Elite Tigers all trembled when they glimpsed their master’s wooden expression. Though the prince wasn’t outwardly expressing his anger, his aura flared like he was on the battlefield, about to reap heads. It was an obvious indicator of his rage.
Huzi snuck a look at Ji Zeyu in the distance, then back at his master climbing into the carriage. He clucked inwardly to himself. The prince would’ve beheaded anyone else, much less talk to the guy! He didn’t lose his temper at the marquis even though he was thoroughly enraged, and didn’t pick a fight or start an argument. They’re sworn brothers alright!
Their carriage also set off on its way, the Elite Tigers steering it in Qin Yining’s direction.
Ji Zeyu watched the prince’s vehicle vanish through the city gates, he himself coldly re-entering the city moments later.
Qin Yining’s carriage trailed the others to arrive at the guest inns, and she was about to follow the officials inside to rest when fast hoof steps sounded from behind them.
Those who hadn’t gone inside yet looked back to see an opulent carriage careen down the road. The window curtains were cracked open to reveal a half-visage of the Faithful Prince of the First Rank. He glowered in Qin Yining’s direction.
When the vehicle slowly rolled to a stop, he leered and pointed at the Qin fourth miss. “Take her back to this prince’s manor.”
“Eh?” Huzi drew a blank. What did his master want? What kind of attitude was this?
Those equally stunned struggled to make their brains operate again. Was the prince kidnapping someone in broad daylight?
Qin Yining looked calmly at the flinty Pang Xiao in the carriage, feeling that something was gravely wrong. His current attitude was very hard to bear.
He’d always been exceedingly gentle and tender with her, so she was certain that he felt something for her. If not, would he have taken the risk to personally go rescue her?
But now, he was the very image of a darkly dangerous tyrant.
Her mind spinning rapidly, Qin Yining abruptly grasped his intentions and couldn’t help but sigh admiringly at his thoughtfulness.
“You, you…” Anger seemed to overcome her as she swayed on her feet.
When Pang Xiao saw her wobble, he sat bolt upright with his hands clenched tightly. But his hands relaxed a breath later.
“What ‘you’?! Now in my territory, you’re not allowed to even think no!” Pang Xiao turned to his attendants. “What, does this prince need to tell you what to do?”
“Huh? Um. Understood!” A heavy fog of bafflement still wreathed around Huzi, but he knew how to follow orders and issued his own to take the Qin fourth miss.
The color drained from Xiaozhou’s face when she saw that so many were here to take her big sister away. She frantically grabbed Qin Yining’s hand and ran off.
The fourth miss was led away for a few steps, upon which the Elite Tigers caught up and surrounded them. Xiaozhou’s eyes were that of a terrified, puffed-out cat as she maintained a death grip on Qin Yining’s hand.
Xie Yue wailed accordingly, “What are you all doing?! Kidnapping in broad daylight?! Our miss isn’t someone you can just offend like this! She’s the daughter of the Marquis of Anping! You can’t do this!”
Chapter 304: Taking Away By Force (II)
“Can’t?” Pang Xiao chuckled disdainfully. “You are just the family members of surrendered officials and defeated soldiers. Even the head of your household would have to bow and scrape to this prince, much less you lot! Do you think this is still Yan territory? Only death awaits those who say no to this prince!”
Xie Yue trembled from head to toe. “How dare you bully us this way!?” He took a trembling, protective stance in front of Qin Yining.
Huzi led the Elite Tigers forward and plucked Xie Yue away to the side, to be trussed up like a chicken. He then stuffed Qin Yining and Lian Xiaozhou back in the carriage they’d just come in.
The Qin fourth miss remembered to put on a show of struggling before going back in. Granted, the girls’ resistance was quite futile given how strong and ferocious the Elite Tigers were.
Everyone outside of the guest inns could only watch as the Faithful Prince of the First Rank rode off with the Qin fourth miss.
The Great Zhou officials didn’t understand the relationship between Pang Xiao and Qin Yining. They were too far away from Great Yan, and their positions were far too low to read secret reports.
But the Great Yan citizens did.
This prince had once pursued the miss in an extremely high profile manner—sticking up for her in public, gifting her manors, and doing everything he could to make her happy. But now that their country had fallen, his attitude had changed completely to that of a bandit’s.
Fear and horror exploded in their hearts, threatening to drown them completely. If someone with such a strong backer like Miss Qin was being treated this way in their new home, what laid in store for the rest of them?
……
Qin Yining had her arm around a terrified Lian Xiaozhou and was patting her head comfortingly. “Don’t be afraid, the big brother just now isn�
��t a bad guy. Big sister did all of this on purpose.”
Though the little girl couldn’t speak very well, she was sharp as a whip. She looked at the older girl with bafflement. “Big sister, knows, uncle?”
Uncle?
It hadn’t crossed her mind for a while, but come to think of it, Pang Xiao’s nominal age was 24 now, wasn’t it?
Lian Xiaozhou was nine, but she’d grown up in the mountains and so was very different from a typical nine year old. Her mental age was probably still six or seven, which was why she called the prince ‘uncle’.
I wonder what Pang Xiao will think of this, heh!
Laughter snuck out of Qin Yining when she considered her beloved’s possible reactions.
Possibly infected by the easy mood, Lian Xiaozhou also relaxed. Though she didn’t know why big sister was laughing, it didn’t preclude her from chuckling along.
The Elite Tiger outside escorting the carriage found the situation incredibly bizarre. Had this Miss Qin been scared out of her wits? How could she still laugh when she’d been carted off like this?
He hadn’t gone to Great Yan with Pang Xiao, so naturally had no idea what had happened there. All he speculated was that the prince liked the beauty, or had taken his enemy’s daughter in order to seek revenge for his father.
He wasn’t the only one to think so; perhaps everyone who didn’t fully understand the situation thought so.
This was also precisely the effect that Pang Xiao and Qin Yining wanted.
When the carriage returned to the manor, Pang Xiao had the side door opened so that the occupants didn’t need to disembark.
The manor of this imperial prince was quite magnificent and grand. Winged engravings on building facades were covered by pristine snow. In contrast to the delicate exquisiteness of Great Yan architecture, solemn augustness and stately roughness filled every corner. Though it wasn’t the same as the gentle sophistication of Great Yan’s manors, there was another dimension to beauty to it all.
Qin Yining peeked out of the carriage windows as they travelled to the guest rooms, awed by the striking size of the manor just from this short glimpse.
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