“Hurry. We must get back to the manor before curfew.” His proclamation was right and proper, but what he did with his hands was anything but.
Face aflame thanks to her husband’s ministrations, Qin Yining darted for their room as soon as the group arrived back home. She didn’t dare lift her eyes to look at the servants.
Pang Xiao, however, was completely at ease, as if nothing whatsoever had happened. He trailed behind his wife and entered the chamber to pick up where they left off in the carriage.
Sleep eluded the couple throughout the night.
Qin Yining ached all over when she awoke the next day. She was completely drained and her back was so sore that she didn’t feel like getting up. She reached her slender arm over to the space next to her, only to discover it empty.
Her eyes shot open to see bright daylight through the red gauze canopy.
“What time is it now?”
Upon hearing the inquiry, Jiyun, on guard in the outer room, came in with a smile. “Your Highness is awake. It’s now the hour of the snake. The prince has gone to the imperial court, but he asked us specifically not to disturb you in your rest.”
Qin Yining’s cheeks pinked as she put on the undergarment from yesterday and rose to freshen up.
After Qin Yining washed up and dressed, Bingtang brought in ginseng chicken soup that was warmed in the small kitchen.
“The prince asked that you drink this up to replenish your energy.” The maid said with a smile and wink.
Qin Yining cast her a hard glare and settled to enjoy the soup in quiet.
As she drank, Xianyun’s voice sounded from the outer chamber. “Your Highness, Sirs Xie and Xu are here to see you with an urgent matter.”
Qin Yining blinked at the announcement, the relaxed expression she had just a minute ago vanished. The pair of strategists was the most trusted aides by her husband’s side! They must have urgent matters to discuss to show up unannounced.
“Hurry and show them in.” Qin Yining wiped her mouth clean and hurried to the main hall.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi bowed properly when Qin Yining showed up. They cut straight to the point without further ado.
“Your Highness, Huzi just sent a man back with a message. Given the earthquake in the old capital of Great Yan, His Majesty’s planning on sending the prince for emergency relief.”
Chapter 430.1: Togetherness
Qin Yining’s expression grew somber at her visitors’ notification.
“Is the prince still in the palace?”
“He is,” replied Xu Weizhi. “Huzi accompanied the prince into the palace, so His Highness must’ve sent the man back on the sly to notify us in advance, so that we’re prepared.”
Qin Yining nodded in understanding. That was how her father conducted businesses of a more sensitive nature as well.
Was the emperor pulling one of his tricks again by sending Pang Xiao on a disaster relief mission? That was the most concerning.
The national treasury was dry; His Majesty’s private purse had little to spare. The destruction of the earthquake was so extensive that a large sum of silver was necessary for emergency relief! How would His Majesty manage to make that happen?
Even the cleverest housewife couldn’t cook a meal without rice.
Sure, Pang Xiao had the wherewithal to lead a disaster relief mission, but he couldn’t create something out of nothing. Wouldn’t the victims blame the prince if he failed to scrounge up enough silver for relief operations?
A foreboding sense of recall enveloped Qin Yining. Things were obviously proceeding to the same ending as the emperor defaulting on pay and provisions to the Valiant Tigers.
Won’t my husband become the scapegoat if he ends up being short on money for assisting the disaster victims?
“This doesn’t bode well.” Qin Yining rose and paced, speaking in a soft voice. “We can’t allow His Highness to be a sitting duck. It’s not that we don’t want to do something for the people, but we can’t simply leave the prince out on a limb. Sir Xie, Sir Xu, have you any more news?”
The two strategists exchanged a look and Xie Yue elected to answer.
“We do. The Lu second master is in the south and he wasn’t far from the old Great Yan capital when the earthquake struck. So it seems that he’s embroiled in the tragedy as well. Our spies were tipped off so they could preempt others, but the Lus must have been informed as well. I wonder how Patriarch Lu’s taking it.“
Qin Yining thought of that map that she’d haphazardly drawn. It happened to depict a desolate mountain north of the old Great Yan capital. That drawing was at best a piece of random doodles, and it’d been a move borne out of desperation, given the circumstances of that time. She’d anticipated that someone would take the bait.
Who would’ve thought that the Lu second master would be there just when the earthquake struck. What poor luck!
It will be my fault if Lu Heng perishes!
All sorts of feelings welled up in Qin Yining’s heart.
Perceptive as they were, the pair of strategists immediately detected the subtle change in Qin Yining’s expression. They were reminded of the rumors and several incidents in the not-too-distant past, and how the Lu second master had always been drawn to the princess consort. Seeing how off Qin Yining’s expression was, they couldn’t help but wonder.
The princess consort raised her eyes and saw the looks in her visitors’ gaze. Realization hit her. Amused, she revealed to them the truth with her randomly scribbled treasure map.
“….that’s why I feel that I’d be responsible should anything happen to the Lu second master.”
“I see.” Xu Weizhi grinned. “Your Highness need not worry. Even without the treasure map, the Lus would’ve sent someone to the old capital to hunt for clues. The Lus may have money to burn, but regardless, they don’t want His Majesty to get his hands on it. That’d be one less bit of leverage against him. They would travel to the old capital with or without the map. Natural disasters are impossible to predict, and it’s not as if you can command them at will.”
“Even if that’s the truth, I still feel uneasy.” Qin Yining mulled over the news. “Ask someone to keep tabs on the Lus, now that things are the way they are.”
“Understood. A scout’s already been sent.” The pair of strategists smiled in reply.
At this very moment, someone returned with a message about a visitor needing a word with Xie Yue. The strategist stepped outside, quickly returning with another piece of news.
“Speak of the devil. Our scout’s returned with a report that Secretariat Lu heard about his grandson possibly being buried under the earthquake debris. He’s already paid His Majesty a visit to plead for help, though he’s supposed to be sick and recuperating at home.”
Worrying her bottom lip, Qin Yining thought about the developments. “Secretariat Lu loves the Lu second master dearly. If he could travel down south to search for his grandson, he would oversee the relief mission for it. That’d relieve the prince of responsibility! His Highness can go with Secretariat Lu as his escort and that will be just fine.”
“Most certainly.” Xie Yue sighed. “But if the prince was put in charge of the mission, His Majesty would withhold Valiant Tigers from the prince’s deployment. He might assign a couple of hundred Dragon Riders from Prince Consort Ji, so he doesn’t run the risk of the prince stirring up trouble with renewed command of the Valiant Tigers.”
“His Majesty would naturally be wary. The prince’s military exploits and reputation among the troops are hard facts, after all.”
As Qin Yining and her two visitors waited for updates, they also discussed the current affairs of court.
Meanwhile it was deathly quiet in the morning court.
The only audible presence was Li Qitian, who sat on the dragon throne rumbling commands.
“There is no time to waste for the disaster relief mission in the south. Now that Great Yan has surrendered to Great Zhou, that swath of territory is now part of
Great Zhou, and its people Great Zhou’s people! How can we stand on the sidelines and not lift a finger?”
A few officials previously opposed to the relief mission were rendered speechless by His Majesty’s remarks.
Yuchi Yan, who’d been a prop since the surrender, finally found his voice and stepped forward. He raised a cupped fist salute. “Your Majesty. This subject wishes to say something.”
“Oh? So it’s the Commandery Prince of Yan.” Li Qitian seemed uncharacteristically patient. “Please go ahead, beloved subject.”
The emperor enunciated those “beloved subject” with excessive clarity.
If this was another time, Yuchi Yan would’ve cowered in a corner with a wan face after this round of humiliation. He’d be doing his best to stay invisible.
Chapter 430.2: Togetherness
Yet today, he spoke with a rare show of presence and dignity. “Your Majesty, this subject asks to be tasked with the mission to the old capital for disaster relief.”
“Oh?” Li Qitian responded with interest. “The commandery prince truly loves the people as his own. Yet, We are reluctant to give consent. The quake in the old capital was rather severe and a post-quake endemic is highly likely. If you are sent on the mission, We fear We might be sending you into trouble.”
Those with an insightful eye understood all too well. How would Li Qitian maintain any peace of mind if he let Yuchi Yan loose?
The disaster zone was the heart of Yuchi Yan’s once-motherland. The people there were all his old subjects.
No one could say with certainty that Yuchi Yan had no more henchmen or loyalists left in the area. Take the rumored treasure of that trash emperor for example. It had bespelled many for far too long.
Wouldn’t Li Qitian be freeing a tiger back to the mountains if he let Yuchi Yan go?
The commandery prince paused and realized what the emperor’s misgivings were.
“Your Majesty has just arranged for the Faithful Prince of the First Rank to head the relief mission. That is wonderful. The prince is exceedingly capable and a fantastic choice to lead the relief mission. Would Your Majesty consider sending this subject along with the prince?”
At these words, the emperor glanced over the court of assembled civil and military officials. His gaze finally fell upon Pang Xiao.
The throng of officials waited with bated breath, seeing Li Qitian deep in thought.
All except Secretariat Lu, who was utterly exhausted from worry over his missing grandson. “Your Majesty, please send someone there as soon as possible.” His emotions were barely under control.
Nothing could be more upsetting than learning that one’s most extraordinary grandson was buried under the debris and yet unaccounted for. They’d just chatted before his departure!
Li Qitian understood the emotional turmoil the elderly man must be going through. And it was because of that understanding, he felt inordinately gratified.
That asshat Lu Heng had made off with the treasure map. Some nerve he had in keeping it from the imperial government!
It was all the better if this schmuck perished in the south, so that imperial hatred could be properly slaked!
That might be Li Qitian’s sentiments, but Secretariat Lu was a veteran official at the end of the day. The emperor would wound the feelings of other officials if he acted too callous, and it’d cast an unfavorable light on his leadership down the road.
Li Qitian found himself unable to come to a decision.
At that very moment, Qin Huaiyuan stepped out and bowed. “Your Majesty.”
The emperor placed immense trust in the former Marquis of Anping. His expression kind and pleasant, he asked, “Beloved subject Qin, what do you wish to say?”
Qin Huaiyuan bowed with great respect. “Your Majesty, this subject feels there is no time to waste. We must immediately mobilize rescuers, prepare appropriate supplies for the relief mission, and allocate physicians in case of an endemic. This is exactly the opportunity Your Majesty needs to display your magnanimity towards your subjects.”
The emperor nodded in understanding.
Indeed, Great Yan hadn’t been part of his territory prior. With the old capital so devastated by an earthquake, he’d likely disappoint the people of the fallen nation and alienate them as a result if he was indifferent.
“Beloved subject Qin and Us are on the same page. The relief mission must and will happen. It just so happens that We haven’t decided on the leader yet. Since the Commandery Prince of Yan is wholeheartedly devoted to his people, it would be best to send him.”
No sooner had Li Qitian finished his pronouncement than Yuchi Yan bowed with great joy and gratitude. “Many thanks to Your Majesty for the permission! This subject will see to it that this mission be accomplished!”
Those remarks were music to Li Qitian’s ears.
Having the surrendered liege of his former enemy nation show this much allegiance would undoubtedly attest to his strength and capability. That hit the sweetest spot in his heart.
Seeing that a decision was made, Qin Huaiyuan stepped back to his post and kept mum.
“Very well, with the way things are, We shall send you, Commandery Prince of Yan, as the imperially-appointed special envoy for disaster relief. It won’t do to not have capable help at the ready. With that in mind, We shall also appoint the Faithful Prince of the First Rank with a troop of three hundred Dragon Riders to go with you. They will listen to your commands while serving as your guard.”
Yuchi Yan’s hatred of Pang Xiao ate away at him. Would Great Yan have been breached if not for Pang Xiao? Would Qin Yining have been imperially decreed to marry if it not for his extensive plotting, extinguishing all hope for her to be Yuchi Yan’s concubine?
This man was born to be a thorn in his side, it seemed. He finally had a chance to return to his motherland for disaster relief, but was forced to bring the prince along!
Yuchi Yan understood that the arrangement was so that Pang Xiao could keep tabs on him. It was why his services had been volunteered, to put the emperor at ease.
But as the most awkwardly-positioned official among all the surrendered ministers, how could Yuchi Yan scrounge up compelling enough of a reason to turn Li Qitian down?
The sage advice of Gu Shixiong, grandfather to Gu Chang, was ever-present in his mind. Yuchi Yan bowed with utmost respect. “Your Majesty is most attentive. This humble subject is very grateful.”
“You may rise.” Beaming from ear to ear, Li Qitian looked at Pang Xiao. The prince had moments ago played the lead for the arrangements, but was now brought down a peg and assigned to be a bodyguard!
The emperor was enormously pleased with himself, seeing the baleful look on Pang Xiao’s face. He didn’t mind at all driving a bigger wedge between the prince and Yuchi Yan.
“It won’t do at all for Faithful Prince of the First Rank to travel so far right after his grand wedding. Now then, We grant special permission to the prince to bring his princess consort along.”
Chapter 431.1: Flirtations and Taking Advantage
Court erupted in astonishment when the order was given. No one had anticipated that the emperor valued the Faithful Prince of the First Rank to the point of considering the prince’s recent wedding. The prince was allowed to bring his new wife on official business!
It looks like His Majesty relies just as much on the prince as before!
No matter what others thought, Pang Xiao was well aware of Li Qitian’s plotting.
The emperor just wanted to create trouble and oh-so-subtly remind him that Yuchi Yan had once lusted after Qin Yining. With Qin Yining by his side, it would greatly decrease the chances of Pang Xiao colluding with a love rival.
“My gratitude for Your Majesty’s great favor! This subject receives his orders!”
Conniving, black-hearted snake! Why don’t you take a stand like a real man?
Whereas, Li Qitian was thinking back to how Qin Yining had once been a candidate for Yuchi Yan’s empress, and the co
mmandery prince often displayed a soulful, lovesick attitude towards the girl. These two will cause a lot of trouble for each other on this trip, hmm?
What the emperor didn’t know was that Pang Xiao no longer harbored any resentment, didn’t doubt Qin Yining’s loyalty in the slightest, and possessed utmost self-confidence. There was no way Yuchi Yan could get up to anything in front of him!
Li Qitian interpreted Pang Xiao’s solemn expression as dejection, which put him in an even better mood.
“The matter is thus decided,” he proclaimed. “Everyone is dismissed to prepare for the trip. The relief mission sets out at dawn the day after tomorrow. Court is dismissed.”
“Your subject hears and obeys! Long live Your Majesty! Health and prosperity to Your Majesty!” The officials fell to the ground in kowtows.
A wooden-faced Pang Xiao trailed the group of people filing out the doors. Thinking that he needed to discuss with his father-in-law about what to pay attention to on this trip, a eunuch caught his attention before he got too far.
“Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the imperial study.”
A few around Pang Xiao heard the summons and knew that the emperor must have some critical mission to assign. Such ardent favor induced both jealousy and fear!
Pang Xiao nodded and had the eunuch lead the way. He entered the door to find Li Qitian sitting on a round chair off to the side, quite relaxed.
“Hail, Your Majesty!” Pang Xiao bowed after walking up.
“You’re here.” Li Qitian smiled. “Forgo the courtesies. Come, have a seat.”
However, Pang Xiao didn’t dare actually skip out on proper manners. He went through all of the motions before carefully selecting a lower seat and cautiously sitting down, his body averted.
Li Qitian smiled faintly to see the prince so circumspect.
“We are sure you know why you were summoned. We arrange only one mission for you on this trip to the south, and that is to surveil everything and anything the commandery prince and his men do. We will grant you thirty messenger pigeons. Send one back immediately if you find anything of suspect.”
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