She didn’t quite understand what was happening when Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue instructed the servants to throw the two Qin women outside the main doors. Did Pang Xiao mean to slap them in front of his residence?
Just as the notion struck her, the two strategists turned and re-entered the manor.
Extreme self-satisfaction flooded the old dowager. She spat viciously, “You mewling baby! I knew you were just bluster! Touch a single hair on my head if you really dare! When my son returns, I’ll censure you in court like you’ve never known before!”
“Old Dowager, Old Dowager…” The second madame put her weight on her mother-in-law’s arm, trying to drag her away.
The old dowager’s attitude was a very big reason why things had turned out this way. They’d been swept out the door before they could even tell Qin Yining what they’d come to say! Thankfully the prince had just wanted to scare the old dowager and hadn’t gone too far. Where was the bearing befitting their status in making a scene like this outside the Pang Manor?
Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, they heard a series of low barking.
A black shadow darted out from a crack in the manor’s corner gate. They looked over to see a large, black dog with fur gleaming from health staring fixedly at them. It barked incessantly, drooling from its half open mouth like it’d been starving for the past couple of days.
The two women stiffened from fright, but it didn’t care about their terror at all. Howling, it charged them.
“Ah! Help!” The old dowager paid attention to nothing else and spun around, running for her life.
The second madame fled madly as well, taking the old dowager’s hand as the two women labored to reach the carriage on their bound feet. Scrambling into the vehicle, they urged the groom to drive off before even settling down in their seats.
Barking followed them for an entire street before the black dog turned away, seemingly tired.
Huzi was crouched in front of the manor doors, quickly offering some jerky when he saw the dog return.
“Well done, Pepper!” the guard praised. “That old fool was cocky as hell. She was just asking for a beating!”
After the dog happily devoured the jerky, Huzi patted it on the head with a smile. “Alright, let’s go back.”
Pepper barked a few times before following Huzi to the front hall.
Qin Yining was holding Salt, a worried expression on her face as she stroked the small, white dog. Seeming to detect the girl’s low spirits, Salt remained docilely curled up in the girl’s arms, its little tail thumping occasionally.
Pang Xiao was standing with his hands behind his back at the window, his face dark. He finally managed to suppress his explosive fury after a long while.
“Go back? How the heck can you go back? Go live in the inns with a group that’s lost their humanity?? Just ignore them. I’d like to see what kind of fuss they can kick up! The imperial selection?? There are so many girls in the family, why not any of them? Are you the only Qin daughter? They’re shameless to the extreme, not wanting to let things rest without wringing every last drop of value out of you!”
“How can I ignore them? I could stay here with peace of mind before because everyone knew that you kidnapped me. I had no other choice. But now that the old dowager’s told me about the imperial selection, I’d only be hurting you if I remained.”
“You don’t need to be afraid, I can protect you!” Pang Xiao whipped around, the flames dancing in his eyes threatening to set one aflame.
Qin Yining shook her head. “I know you can, but just think about how many people are waiting to pounce on you. The emperor’s wariness remains unchanged. You destroyed Great Yan for him, but he hasn’t given you any tangible rewards. Instead, he keeps sowing discord between you and the marquis. You yourself are treading on thin ice. How can I create more trouble for you?
“Besides, setting everything else aside, you already know that I’m the Qin representative to the imperial selection. If you still refuse to let me go, that’s blatant disrespect to the emperor. If someone really wanted to make a big deal out of this, how will you defend yourself if they make an imperial report about you?”
Pang Xiao understood everything she said. But it was precisely because of this and not having a concrete plan to resolve things that made him so infuriated.
“Are… are you actually planning on participating in the imperial selection?” Pang Xiao strode quickly up to the girl and grabbed her thin shoulders. “Qin Yining, I forbid it. You can only be mine, do you hear me!?”
It was the first time he’d say her name so solemnly, or even wrathfully. The fire burning in his eyes felt that it would reduce both of them to ashes.
Qin Yining patted his hand comfortingly and nodded. “I was yours a long time ago. How would I serve anyone else?”
Her tender gentleness doused his fury.
The prince really was feeling unsure. He himself was caught in chaos and trouble; he really wasn’t able to immediately give Qin Yining days of peace and fortune. He could only guarantee that his heart was true.
Any woman who was the slightest bit profit-seeking would never consider a husband like him—one that the emperor constantly guarded against. With her abilities, she’d soar to new heights if she served the emperor.
But she'd chosen him.
Pang Xiao looked intently into her limpid eyes, kissing her fiercely when suddenly overcome by emotion.
Chapter 328: Joining the Grand Secretariat
Qin Yining tilted her head back, accepting a fierce storm of kisses. The prince’s rigid arm felt like it would snap her waist in half. She could hear his muffled growls and huffs, like those of a trapped animal. The only response was for her to reach up and encircle his neck to massage his scalp reassuringly.
Pang Xiao’s kisses gradually slowed and became more gentle, as if apologizing for their violence earlier. He traced her reddened, swollen lips with his tongue and clasped her lovingly when their lips parted.
“My darling, you’re so wonderful that I long presumed you’re mine. If someone suddenly told me one day that you can’t be part of my future, I’m afraid I would go off the deep end.”
Qin Yining leaned against his shoulder and nuzzled into him like a cute kitten. “That won’t come true. Believe me, I can take care of this. Just let me think of a good plan first.”
“Alright, I know you’re smart and will definitely find a way. Tell me whatever you want me to do. I’ll do anything you say.”
His exceptional caution both touched and distressed Qin Yining. His straits were difficult enough. She had to handle her matters well so that he wouldn’t worry about them.
“Your Highness, Your Highness!” Huzi’s voice suddenly travelled in from outside. “His Majesty has arrived! Hurry and prepare to receive the emperor!”
Qin Yining started, quickly extracting herself from Pang Xiao’s embrace to search for a place to hide.
He pointed at a room divider in a side room. Understanding, she immediately ran for the black lacquered, redwood divider.
She’d just slipped behind it when a round of hearty laughter travelled inside the front hall.
Pang Xiao pushed open the doors and had servants lift the door curtains. He quickly knelt to make a gesture of greeting. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty’s glorious arrival brings honor to this humble abode. Why didn’t you send word ahead so that proper preparations should’ve been made?”
Mouthing respect and deference, Pang Xiao brimmed with confusion. He’d just handed Li Helan over to the emperor. Though he hadn’t said anything harsh, His Majesty was certainly the type of person to still think of it as a great loss of face. But what was he doing here after such a short period of time?
Did resentment drive him, or guilt? Dissatisfaction, or were other plots afoot?
“Pease do rise, sage younger brother.” Li Qitian lifted Pang Xiao with both hands and walked hand in hand to the front hall together. He took the head seat with a smile. “We had tho
ught you would be with your elders or in the study. But We asked the servants only to find you here! It’s quite drafty in this front hall, be careful of catching a cold.”
The line of conversation seemed ordinary, but it was full of hidden meanings and probing intent.
Pang Xiao snapped to mental attention. It would seem that everything that had happened earlier had fallen into Li Qitian’s ears. The emperor might not know the particulars, but he knew that the old dowager had come to visit, left cursing and screaming, and been chased a block away by a big, black dog.
“Many thanks for Your Majesty’s concern.” Pang Xiao stood by the side with his head lowered. “There were guests just now and they left not long ago. This subject was originally going to keep grandmother and the others company.”
“So We see.” Li Qitian nodded.
Li Guanwen respectfully offered tea.
The emperor took it and dismissed the eunuch, along with his other followers. When no one was left in the hall, he smiled. “Take a seat while we chat. We’re all brothers here, why be so restrained?”
“Many thanks to Your Majesty.” Pang Xiao bowed with cupped fists and took a seat on a nearby round chair.
“It’s the annual grand court meeting tomorrow. [1] We’ve made this visit to discuss something with younger brother.”
Behind the divider, Qin Yining held her breath in concentration and didn’t dare make the slightest sound. Her brows were knit tightly out of puzzlement.
Li Qitian took a sip of tea and continued with a pleasant expression. “We are immensely gratified and thankful that sage younger brother pacified the southern disorder. Out of consideration for younger brother’s health, We had you rest for a while and didn’t bestow rewards or titles on you. You don’t blame Us, do you?”
“Now what kind of words are these, Your Majesty?” Pang Xiao responded blithely. “You know this subject’s character the best. I’m used to being idle and hate all that troublesome nonsense. I followed Your Majesty in fighting our way across the world so that one day, I would be able to live it up without having to worry about anything else! My life now is exactly what I wanted, and all this is because of Your Majesty.
“I can’t thank Your Majesty enough, why would I blame you? Besides, if it wasn’t for Your Majesty, where would all my glory and fortune be now? Your Majesty is a man of your word and you’ve made good on all of your promises. Your subject could cry tears of gratitude!”
The words moved Li Qitian some. “Ai! It’s all in the past, but my heart still quails when I think about it now…”
When Qin Yining heard Li Qitian start to wax nostalgic and grow sentimental, she couldn’t help but compliment Pang Xiao’s response.
It was her first time seeing Pang Xiao interact with Li Qitian. She finally understood why, though Li Qitian was so wary of Pang Xiao, he hadn’t erupted in open hostilities with the prince.
On one hand, the emperor probably didn’t have the confidence to be at Pang Xiao’s throat. On the other were the results of the prince’s continual displays of meek subservience. He indicated weakness whenever possible and brought up the hot-blooded memories of yesteryear when appropriate. Not only would this relax Li Qitian’s guard, but it also instilled some reservation from taking action thanks to their historical closeness.
But most of all, Qin Yining felt heartache for Pang Xiao. She really didn’t want her man to be bullied, but they had no other choice since they were on someone else’s chopping block.
After a round of reminiscing the past and honoring fallen brothers, Li Qitian rose and clapped Pang Xiao’s shoulder. “How would We not know your temperament? But you’re a man of great talent and We can’t bear to bury your skills. We’ve made a close observation of things during this time and after careful thought, have decided to have you join the Grand Secretariat. Be a Grand Secretary and Our right hand man.”
Having absorbed the lessons of Northern Ji’s system of a chancellor grasping sole authority, Great Zhou had abolished that structure and changed to one of the Grand Secretariat.
This organization was the most distinguished and influential body in central government. Staffed with one Senior Grand Secretary, one Secondary Secretary, and rounded out by Grand Secretaries, it was made of three to seven people jointly sharing power. All matters were laid out for general discussion, with final decisions determined by voting. The Senior Grand Secretary had two votes, while the others had one vote each.
Li Qitian said portentously, “Younger brother, you fought through the world by Our side, nothing private has ever been kept from you. Even though We sit on the dragon throne, who knows how many truly accept Our rule? The officials form factions and cliques, each pursuing their own agenda. They appear deferential on the surface, but everyone has their own motives.
“Take the current Grand Secretariat, for example. Right now, the Senior Grand Secretary is one of the old adherents of Northern Ji. He’s a highly respected person with immense moral integrity, and enjoys great prestige at court. If We want to form good relations with the old Northern Ji officials and have them obey imperial commands, special attention must be paid on this front. The Secondary Secretary is alright. Zhou Min is Our father-in-law and one of us.
“But things are taking a turn now. The Senior Grand Secretary has set foot beyond seventy years of age and petitioned his desire to retire. We permitted it, leaving the seat empty. Naturally the Secondary Secretary is the one for it, which still leaves an opening in the Grand Secretariat. You are Our confidante and will have one vote within the organization. With Our Father-in-law having two votes, that makes three votes for our camp. You’ll be able to suppress the other two Northern Ji holdouts. It’ll be whatever us brothers say when it comes to any affairs of state!”
* * *
1. This does have historical roots. It’s a once a year tradition in which a hundred officials meet the emperor. Treated as an annual checkup to grade everyone’s accomplishments, it’s either usually held in October or January. It’s also a chance to display the ostentatious pomp of the palace.
Chapter 329: Female Zhuge Liang (I)
One had to say, Li Qitian’s words were very rousing. A man’s ambitions should be found in all four corners of the world!
Pang Xiao wasn’t some philandering milquetoast. When he’d hoisted high the banner with Li Qitian, he must’ve imagined the great feats he’d accomplish one day, when the world had changed and he occupied lofty heights from which to resist the brutal former system.
Li Qitian’s speech tickled the depths of his heart.
Hidden behind the divider, Qin Yining’s mind raced. When she connected this conversation to what had happened recently, it felt that all wasn’t how it appeared.
She held her breath with nervous concentration to hear Pang Xiao respond with a voice slightly charged with surprise. “Do you mean that, Your Majesty?”
“Naturally!” Li Qitian was also highly agitated. “What did we rise up for, all those years ago? So that we would be able to crush the heads of those corrupt and greedy officials beneath our feet! But who would’ve thought that after we won the world, we still can’t do as we wish in matters of court?”
Pang Xiao agreed, “That’s right, but there’s nothing we could’ve done about that. When Your Majesty sounded the call of justice, food and money had to be borrowed from right and left. If it wasn’t for the support of several large aristocratic families, our own silver wouldn't have been enough. Given that, Your Majesty has no choice but to respect their terms and conditions.
“The weakest of them has foundations stretching back to Northern Ji for at least a hundred years. Not only do they have ample financial strength, deep reserves, and a wide network, more than likely they have deep ties with the officials at court as well.”
“You're very right,” agreed Li Qitian. “Only a brother like you, one who’s been there with Us every step of the way, understands Our difficulties. Oftentimes, there are whispers behind Our backs that say We f
ear those surrendered Northern Ji officials, that they hold the true power at court. But who knows of Our predicament?”
The emperor waved a hand when his thoughts travelled here. “All that is in the past now. You’ll be inducted as a Grand Secretary tomorrow. Though you won't be the Secondary or Senior in the short run, that makes three of our own in the council. That’ll be enough to vie with those Northern Ji relics! We won’t have to look to their faces when it comes to deciding policy anymore.”
Pang Xiao appeared gripped by passion, but some worry still crossed his face. “Your Majesty speaks very truly, but this subject has little talent and even less learning. I’m afraid I’m unsuited for the position.”
Li Qitian waved a hand. “Don’t unduly belittle yourself. If We say you are suitable, then you are suitable! No more protests now, we’ll proceed tomorrow as we’ve discussed.”
Pang Xiao nodded zealously and proclaimed with high spirits, “Understood! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
……
The increasingly heated conversation filtered into Qin Yining’s ears, as well as some plans for future policy. Li Qitian finally left after a while longer, the prince seeing him out.
Quiet descended onto the front hall. There was no one else present. Qin Yining remained behind the divider, not daring to come out.
Roughly fifteen minutes later, the door creaked open to announce Pang Xiao’s return.
“Darling Yi?” Pang Xiao called out when he didn’t see the girl.
The Qin fourth miss walked out from behind the divider. The prince broke into a grin to see that she’d been hiding there all this time. He walked up for a hug. “Aren't you tired? Why didn't you come out and sit for a bit?”
“I was worried there’d still be people in the hall. I can’t see clearly through the joints of the divider. What if I bumped into some of the emperor’s men after you two walked out? It's better to be more careful.”
“Oh you." Pang Xiao lovingly scratched Qin Yining’s nose with the pad of a fingertip.
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