Li Qitian sulked in his study for the rest of the day, refusing to see anyone.
Secretariat Lu politely thanked Li Guanwen upon his return, giving the eunuch a hefty red envelope. He returned to the upper yard of the rear residence once the eunuch took his leave.
First to greet his eyes after entering through the doors was Lu Heng, the very person that Li Qitian said to have left the city. The young man was sitting on the heated platform next to the window, reading a book and eating snacks.
“You’re back, grandfather.” Lu Heng made to stand and bow.
Secretariat Lu waved him off and took a seat in front of his grandson, picking up a snack to nibble on as well.
“Grandfather, did His Majesty give you a hard time?”
The old man smiled. “He would’ve loved to, but he doesn’t have the guts to.”
Lu Heng dimpled. “If he heard grandfather’s words, he’d explode with rage.”
“You didn’t see how he was just now! He was worried that he wouldn't be able to explain himself if I died in his study, but I was also worried that he would pop a blood vessel from fury.” The old man laughed with cheerful ease of mind. “Make sure of your preparations tomorrow before you set out. Safety is of paramount importance when you’re outside. Our family doesn’t lack for silver, so it doesn’t matter if we find the treasure or not. Just come back safe and sound.”
“We can’t let that one find it even if we don’t. But don’t worry grandfather, I’m treating it as a pleasure trip. I’ll take care of myself.”
Looking over his solitary and noble grandson, Secretariat Lu resumed seriousness. “My grandson, you’re not getting any younger. You should really remarry…”
“Grandfather, having seen the vast seas, no other waters enter my eyes. Apart from the one I love, none can move my heart.”
Chapter 407: In Full Combat Readiness
“Is that Qin girl still on your mind?” All traces of joviality erased themselves from the Lu patriarch’s face as he looked solemnly at Lu Heng.
He still remembered clearly the day of his grandson’s return from the empress dowager’s palace, the boy’s robes a mess. He’d shut himself in his room all day. Family seniors were beside themselves with worry, and the young man refused to impart the reason why, no matter how they asked.
He only spoke of the matter the next day, when his mind had cleared.
But it was already too late. News of the emperor bestowing marriage onto the Faithful Prince of the First Rank had circulated. Only if the Lus went to rob the wedding would Lu Heng’s desires be satisfied.
However, would they possibly go toe-to-toe with imperial authority over a woman?
Lu Heng could only concede with regret.
Looking down, he remarked calmly, “It’s such a pity that though the falling flowers pine for affection, the heartless brook babbles of unrequited love. I would’ve fought for her if she’d shown me even a hint of warmth. But she is to be wed now. Such an intelligent and beautiful woman is to marry that brute! And this is all because of that one’s selfish desires! He doesn’t care about tying a good girl to such a beast as long as it’s done in the name of consolidating his own power!”
“Grandson Heng!”
The boy had lost control of his feelings over the girl yet again! Even when his late wife lived, the patriarch had only ever seen them treat each other with mutual respect.
Who would’ve thought that his grandson wasn’t cold-hearted after all? He just hadn’t met the right person to move his heart.
“Grandfather, don’t you worry.” Lu Heng recovered his aplomb after yelling out his frustrations. He was once more his usual mature and genteel self.
But the more he acted thus, the more worried Patriarch Lu was.
“My grandson, just what kind of girl is that Miss Qin for you to like her so much? Were the two of you in a relationship? How far did it progress?”
The young man looked at his grandfather with a wry smile. “Grandfather, we might have actually progressed to that step had she liked me. Do you think I would’ve given her up to another then?”
“So that means you actually didn’t interact with her?”
“We only saw each other a few times, but each time left my heart pounding. Her beauty is worthy of cities and her intelligence unparalleled. Matching wits with her is always a happy time. This is the first time I’ve experienced the joy of finding a worthy opponent in a girl.”
Lu Heng relayed the truth behind Madame Lu being exiled, astonishing his grandfather.
The Lu patriarch quickly breathed a sigh of relief. No interaction meant that the hurt inflicted on Lu Heng wouldn’t be as deep.
However, the old man quickly grew indignant on his grandson’s behalf. What girl was so blind to not like his outstanding grandson!
“It’s her loss for not returning your affections. My boy, don’t be too saddened. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. You are so exemplary and there are plenty of noble girls who like you. You’ll meet a better girl than that Qin lass sooner or later.”
Looking back into his grandfather’s caring gaze, Lu Heng couldn’t bear to have the elderly man worry about him. He nodded. “Don’t worry, grandfather. While I’m searching for the treasure, I’ll work through my feelings. Trust that I’ll have adjusted them properly after returning to the capital.”
“That’s just as well. The mountains are breathtaking and waters beautiful out there. But the formr Great Yan is suffering from a drought. Though it’s better than how things were last year, you should keep your wits about you. Floods always follow a long drought, and that’s precisely what the emperor is worried about these days. Pay attention when you’re outside.”
“Yes, don’t worry grandfather. I will be careful.” Lu Heng smiled at his grandfather.
He slept at his grandfather’s that night and left at the crack of dawn the next day. When the city doors opened for the day, he followed a group of commoners out, pushing a wheelbarrow and dressed like an ordinary farmer.
Apart from Secretariat Lu and Lu Heng’s bodyguards, no one knew of this.
In the study of the outer Qin residence, Qin Yining had just finished partaking breakfast with her father.
When Qin Huaiyuan and the Silver Masks came home last night, the girl hadn’t asked anything due to how late it was. She just prepared hot water for them to wash up and went to bed after dinner. Catching up was left for the quiet hours of early morning.
“Father, how have you been these days?” Qin Yining asked lightly because her father’s complexion was very good. It didn’t look like he’d been kept against his will at all.
Qin Huaiyuan picked up the tea cup and took a sip with a smile. “Though we were grounded, we had good food and drink in the palace. They asked me about the treasure, but how do I know about it? I think the emperor stopped asking after he realized that I really don’t know anything about it.
“The Silver Masks were questioned quite a few times, but the emperor didn’t dare do anything overboard because of your plan. He’s too concerned with scaring off those still outside.
“I then heard the young eunuch serving me say that Old Master Gu and Patriarch Lu were summoned consecutively into the palace. That’s when I thought things were taking an unexpected turn.”
Qin Huaiyuan put down his tea cup, touching it softly to the table. He put on a serious expression. “Alright, my daughter. Tell me how you did it this time.”
Chapter 407.2: In Full Combat Readiness
Qin Yining blinked innocently. “Why does father think I did something?”
“Do you think your thoughts and actions can escape my eyes? Just look at you—you look like the mouse who’s gotten into the cookie jar.” Amused by his own description, Qin Huaiyuan chuckled and tousled his daughter’s head lovingly. “Now out with it!”
Qin Yining grinned merrily. “It’s honestly not that complicated, and it’s all thanks to Old Master Gu giving me the perfect opportunity. I wouldn�
��t have been able to save you all otherwise.”
She described the process of how the old official had come to her to negotiate, how she’d turned him down, created the fake treasure map, then used the old official to elicit Li Qitian’s attentions, and finally diverted trouble by besieging the base of the besiegers.
Qin Huaiyuan fell silent after listening to the proceedings, observing a moment of silence for the wizened Old Master Gu. Would the old man, who’d always fancied himself quite sharp and crafty, explode with anger after he realized how he’d been tricked?
“Father?” Qin Yining felt a bit uneasy at seeing her father remain silent.
The Qin patriarch came back to himself with a smile. “Everything’s fine. Now that Lu Heng’s secretly gone off to search for the treasure, we can have some peace as well. We can fully concentrate on preparing for your wedding.”
Rubbing her nose a bit awkwardly, Qin Yining lowered her head. “What’s there to prepare for?”
“You don’t need to worry about any of that, just focus on embroidering your pillowcase. I hear from your mother that progress has been slow?”
The Qin fourth miss blushed with embarrassment. “Don’t make fun of me, father. I can manage rough patches and stitches well enough, but fine needlework or artistic character tracings… although mother’s had the mamas teach me many times and I understand the theory of the craft work, I just don’t have the patience for it. I feel like it’s a waste of time.”
“Oh, you, hahaha!” Qin Huaiyuan broke into hearty peals of laughter and clapped his daughter’s shoulder. “You’re right, fine needlework and artist tracings are just busywork. If one has the time to do all that, they might as well read a few more books. I obtained a new book of travel notes recently, take it back with you. Have the maids finish your embroidery instead.”
Qin Yining put her palms together, as if she’d been pardoned from a grave task. “My thanks, father! You’ve saved me. If mother asks, I’ll say that you wanted me to read.”
“Haha, alright. If your mother asks, you can say it was on my orders!” Qin Huaiyuan laughed loudly again.
“Milord, you spoil our daughter like this.”
Just as father and daughter metaphorically shook hands in collusion, née Sun’s tones of mock anger travelled from outside the door.
Qin Huaiyuan rubbed his nose with an index finger and stopped laughing.
The Qin fourth miss rose to welcome the madame. “Mother, what brings you here?”
“And thank goodness I came. I wouldn’t have known you two were plotting to slack off behind me!” Née Sun looked merrily at her husband.
She couldn’t find it within herself to be angry at all. It was so rare that her husband could laugh so heartily. Seeing father and daughter interact so harmoniously, her daughter being the source of the family’s laughter, and the two discuss how to duck out of pillow embroidery was a balm to her heart.
“Madame, come sit.” Qin Huaiyuan pointed at the seat across from him.
Qin Yining helped née Sun sit down.
The Qin senior madame tapped the girl’s forehead. “Now, you shouldn’t always listen to your father. Your father is a man, what does he know about all this? Which girl in this world doesn’t do her own embroidery? Some of the noble girls even make their own bridal gown. You’re the daughter of a minister, after all. If you don’t do even this bit of embroidery, you’ll be looked down on by others.”
“This is where you're wrong, mother. If they see my embroidery, that’s when they’ll look down on me.”
Née Sun’s words were stoppered by her daughter’s response. She couldn’t help but silently agree with her daughter.
Qin Yining’s embroidery wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t all that great either.
What kind of place was the prince’s manor? One in which any needlework or decoration was exquisite without parallel. When it came down to comparison, any embroidery found lacking would appear even coarser.
“Alright then.” Née Sun sighed. “I’ll find you a seamstress to do it for you. We’ll produce only the most delicate of work.”
Qin Yining happily hugged the madame. “Thank you, mother!”
Qin Huaiyuan happily took advantage of the warm atmosphere to shove a few newly obtained books at Qin Yining, earning an eye roll from his wife for his efforts. Father and daughter cackled like a fox successfully breaking into the hen house.
As a contented atmosphere wrapped itself around the Qins, Pang Xiao held court in the outer residence study of the Faithful Prince of the First Rank with an expression of solemn killing intent.
The prince’s strategists, including leaders Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi, were all gathered in the study. All of them wore solemn expressions. Having been summoned early in the morning, there was certainly something significant brewing that their master couldn’t resolve.
Everyone’s hearts hung in the balance. They all looked to Pang Xiao sitting in the head seat.
“I have summoned everyone here today to discuss an urgent matter.”
“Please speak your mind, Your Highness.”
“I wish to discuss the wedding on the eleventh of the next month. Certain developments have just happened to the Qins. There should be no further developments, correct?”
Strategists: “…”
Your Highness, you summoned us with top priority at first light, not for the country’s matters, not for the treasure, but for the wedding—something carved in stone!
Everyone deflated, taut nerves relaxing in an instant. Amused mirth rippled through the crowd, but they had to keep their laughter to themselves.
Their normally impressive and awe-inspiring prince was simply too solemn at the moment.
Chapter 408: Meticulous Preparations
Pang Xiao looked severely at those gathered. “What, will there really be further developments?”
“Ahem.” Xu Weizhi rose with a smile and flashed a comforting grin at Pang Xiao. “You needn’t worry, Your Highness. Your father-in-law Patriarch Qin is an immensely intelligent character. Miss Qin is also a female Zhuge Liang with unparalleled wits. No matter what accidents befall the Qins, Minister Qin and Miss Qin will handle it all perfectly. As for our manor, with Your Highness holding down the fort, any problem will be readily resolved.”
“That’s right, that’s right.” The strategists nodded in unison.
Pang Xiao relaxed every so slightly with the consolatory words. His tense shoulders loosened as well.
“You make sense.” The prince nodded seriously.
The various strategists found the situation hilarious. That the ordinarily highly intelligent and sharply scheming prince would have such a childish side to him! He looked just like a young man who was completely innocent in the ways of the world.
Their thoughts took a quick turn. The prince had never been in a relationship before, so he really was a fresh-faced boy when it came to love.
Everyone present had once experienced the follies of youth. They knew what it was like to harbor feelings for a girl. Setting aside how everyone’s first love had ended, they could all empathize with that sort of expectant yet nervous mood, and also being deathly afraid of failure.
How nice it is to be young!
Xie Yue rose and smiled genially. “Your Highness, in my view, you really don’t need to worry. You mentioned Old Master Gu a little while ago, and were concerned that Miss Qin couldn’t handle the situation as Minister Qin was still grounded in the palace. But see, your preparations didn’t even have time to be set in motion before Miss Qin handled it all by herself.”
“That’s right, Miss Qin is simply the brightest lady we have ever seen in our lives,” chorused the crowd.
Pang Xiao nodded solemnly. “You all speak correctly.”
Judging from his reaction, enlightenment in the form of a new way to please the prince suddenly struck the crowd.
Those who dearly wished to get closer to Pang Xiao and become a core strategist waxed eloquent on complim
ents of Qin Yining. They’d all met her before and knew of her smarts and methods. Their flattering remarks were logical and reasonable.
Their master listened carefully and felt quite pleased with what he heard, as if he was soaking in a hot spring. He nodded multiple times, the tense expression on his face smoothing itself out.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi looked at each other, keeping a tight expression on their face with unspoken accord.
If they didn’t do that, they’d probably bray with laughter.
The prince had always presented a sagacious image in their minds—to the point of almost being surreal. Seeing him be so down-to-earth now was such a hilarious sight.
“There are several things we need to keep an eye on now. Firstly, being prepared for the possibility of someone causing trouble before the wedding. Secondly, being prepared that someone will cause trouble during the wedding. Thirdly, the list of betrothal gifts have been sent. We need to pick an auspicious day to actually deliver them and decide on which presenters are the most appropriate. Fourthly, on the day of fetching the bride, how do we go through this custom in an innovative way? Fifthly, and most important.”
Pang Xiao paused for a breath. The crowd’s faces tightened with seriousness.
“The most important thing is, this prince’s future father-in-law is endowed with extraordinary talent. His wealth of knowledge can fit more than five cartloads of books. He naturally has no lack of equally smart people beside him. It’s a given that on the day of the marriage, Qin relatives will block the door with pranks and ask all sorts of tricky questions. What do we do then?”
The crowd: ……
Your Highness, you’re not afraid of two armies facing off against each other in the field or fighting until you’re bathed in blood. Are you really afraid of a few questions at the door?
The strategists felt that they didn’t have a good enough understanding of their lord.
“Ahem.” Xie Yue cleared his throat and forcefully held back laughter. “Your Highness, for now, you don’t need to worry about people causing trouble before the wedding. The matter with the Lus is drawing a certain amount of attention. Another is that your wedding is imperially decreed. The edict occupies the place of honor in the hall of ancestors. Who dares cause any trouble? Those brainless enough to kick up a fuss are more than likely two-bit clowns. They’re nothing to be afraid of, so just be at ease, Your Highness.”
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