The pigeons were specially trained. No matter how far away they were, they would hone in on their home coop if set free. Thus, message-bearing pigeons didn’t fly about haphazardly.
“Is Your Majesty worried that the commandery prince is still in contact with his former officials in Great Yan?” intoned Pang Xiao.
The emperor nodded. “That’s part of it. The other, and most important, is that he might find the treasure on this trip and keep it for himself. He’ll be able to recruit new troops and rise again. If that comes to pass, then We really will have freed the tiger back into its home.”
“Your Majesty is noble and wise. Your foresight is all-encompassing. It’s impossible for what you speak of to happen! Don't worry, your subject will do all that I can to fulfill my mission.”
“Very good. We trust you. It’s your first time leading the Dragon Riders out, so you must be prudent and cautious. We will arrange a capable vice general for you. He’s part of the Dragon Riders to begin with, so don’t tire yourself out and give him whatever orders you have.”
Such blatant installation of a spy!
“Understood, your subject obeys.” Pang Xiao bowed respectfully, not showing a single flicker of emotion other than docility.
His goal accomplished, Li Qitian couldn’t be bothered with keeping up the act and gave a few more orders with a smile. “You should head back soon as you need to make preparations for your princess consort as well. Is she doing better now?”
The prince frowned slightly and responded with some concern, “She’s not in the best of health, probably because her early years were too harsh. That’s harmed her foundations, and the imperial physician’s written a prescription to improve her constitution.”
What did Li Qitian care about Qin Yining? He was just being polite. But seeing how sorrowful Pang Xiao was, the emperor had to keep his impatience in check and murmur some words of comfort before summoning Li Guanwen.
Pang Xiao respectfully backed out of the imperial study and followed the head eunuch down a long palace path.
Grass stubbornly poked through the cracks between square limestones. The path was framed into a narrow corridor by red walls, turquoise tiles, and an azure blue sky.
“Overseer Li, in the time that this prince is away from the capital, it will fall to you to help His Majesty. If he overworks himself, you must try to speak some sense into him. He mustn’t tire himself out. All of court relies on the pillar that is His Majesty. What happens if he too falls ill? The government will dissolve into utter chaos!”
Chapter 431.2: Flirtations and Taking Advantage
“Your Highness speaks very rightly.” Li Guanwen cast a touching look at Pang Xiao. “Your Highness is the one who looks after His Majesty in the end. This servant serves next to His Majesty all day and understands his painstaking toils the best. Don’t worry, Your Highness, I will do my best to serve His Majesty well.”
“There is nothing for this prince to worry over with Overseer Li at the emperor’s side. I’ll be off now.” Pang Xiao raised a polite cupped fist to Li Guanwen and left with large strides.
The eunuch remained in place, sending the prince off with his eyes before returning to the imperial study with a smile. He casually relayed Pang Xiao’s concern of the emperor.
Li Qitian flashed a quick smile when he heard. He didn’t seem to take it to heart, and certainly didn’t view it seriously.
By the time Pang Xiao returned to his manor with Huzi, Qin Yining had already received word that she was to join the relief mission.
The news had come too quickly, making her pause with confusion. But when Li Qitian’s little plots and schemes were revealed, she quickly grasped the web of connections.
Since it was an imperial decree, there was nothing to be done about it. Besides, it suited her just fine to accompany her husband. If the emperor hadn’t sent her, she would’ve found a way to disguise herself and stay by Pang Xiao’s side anyways. It wasn’t because she couldn’t bear to part so soon after the wedding, but that there was no way this mission was anything as simple as just emergency relief.
Qin Yining summoned Jiyun and whispered orders. “Pay a visit to Steward Zhong and tell him that I’d like to use the spices that I had him buy from Missus Liao a while back. Ask him to arrange a meeting between the two of us. Also make a trip back home and tell my father that I’d like to see Madame Cao.”
A serious expression snapped onto Jiyun’s face and she swiftly set off to carry out her orders.
Having stood by the door for a while, Pang Xiao heard everything his wife said. He drew close with a smile. “What spices would you like? We have a lot of seasonings and bait in the storehouses. I’ll have them deliver it all to you later.”
The princess consort tweaked Pang Xiao’s earlobes with amusement when she heard his words. His earlobes were full and well rounded—a sign of good fortune, and they were surprisingly soft!
The touch of them was addicting. “I don’t want any spices. Do you know about Azure Justice?”
Pang Xiao wrapped his arm around her waist and buried his face into her shoulder. He responded tenderly, “Of course.”
“Missus Liao is from the alliance. She’s my contact with the various hallmasters.”
“My darling, are you…”
“You know I’m the alliance head of Azure Justice, right? Great Yan is no more, so most of the members have reentered the yellow registers. They are now reformed citizens of Great Zhou. But the leaders of Azure Justice will only be viewed as traitors and troublemakers, no matter who sits on the throne. Thus, none of them are named in the yellow registers and they don’t have any legal status. They don’t dare show themselves and can only conduct a bit of business on the Tartar border.”
The prince was enormously touched that his darling would reveal her trump card to him, holding absolutely nothing back. Setting aside how capable she was, this degree of trust and sincerity was highly moving.
He felt like he was immersed in a pool of warm water, and that water was his beloved’s embrace.
He nuzzled her cheek with his and blew into her ear. “Do you have some arrangements in mind, given that you’ve called upon Azure Justice?”
Aroused by his actions, Qin Yining burrowed into his arms and panted softly. “I’m just taking precautious because I think something’s up with this trip. The emperor must have something else planned, and it has to do with the treasure.
“The men accompanying you this time are all Dragon Riders. With the emperor’s paranoia, he won’t let you command the troops by yourself. He’ll arrange for an enormous plant within the men and have him work with you. That’ll be his way of controlling you.
“That would also be too passive for us. I don’t want you to be exposed to their blades.”
Pang Xiao flashed a gratified grin. “My wife is so smart and capable that I don’t want to be a prince anymore. I just want to be a stay-at-home husband and spend my days flirting and taking advantage of you. I’ll depend on you for everything. Wouldn’t that be just wonderful!”
Qin Yining could hear the tones of seriousness within his voice. She understood that it wasn’t her husband not being ambitious, but that he was too tired.
“We’ll have that chance in the future. At that time, we’ll move to someplace where no one will disturb us and live that kind of life.”
“So I can take advantage of you however I wish?” Once again very touched, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but tease his wife.
A bright blush developed at that rejoinder, and Qin Yining twisted her husband’s ear. “We’re talking about serious matters now! Why be like this.”
Seeing that even the nape of her neck was bright red, the prince relented with a smile. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you. I understand your desire to contact Azure Justice. The Madame Cao of your father’s guard must be your once-auntie.”
“Mmhmm. You probably already know that she’s the leader of the Silver Masks. Daxue and the others who serve me
are all Silver Masks too. I’d like those from Azure Justice and Silver Masks to aid us from the shadows. You and your Elite Tigers will likely be under heavy surveillance from the Dragon Riders. It would be too passive to have no one you can rely on.”
Chapter 432.1: Arrangements
Pang Xiao felt like he would blissfully drown in this expanse of tenderness. A smart, capable wife who always looked out for him would be by his side through the hardships of life.
Circling his darling’s slender waist, Pang Xiao planted a kiss on her forehead. Light as butterfly wings, he kissed her eyelids and cheeks.
Qin Yining’s face flamed with embarrassment. She snapped her eyes shut, tickling Pang Xiao’s cheeks with her long eyelashes, tantalizing him until his breathing grew heavy.
The prince gave up restraining himself and swept up his wife in one fell swoop.
Qin Yining squealed with surprise and looked around in alarm, only to discover that numerous servants by their side just a moment ago had made themselves scarce. They’d even thoughtfully shut the door before their retreat.
“Stop! It’s broad daylight! This wouldn’t do!” Qin Yining shoved at her husband, trying to ward off his advances.
Chuckling softly, Pang Xiao gently laid his wife down on the carmine bedspread of the formal bed. He casually slipped out the centerpiece holding her locks together, sending her hair tumbling down in disarray. It fanned out on a pillow embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks frolicking in the water, along with a few small, delicate hairpins and clasps.
Blessed with fair, smooth skin, the latter unique to ladies living south of the Yangtze River, she reclined on the bed with a bit of panicked surprise. Eyes that glimmered like pools looked up at him; she looked quite like a small animal being bullied.
Pang Xiao found himself deeply enamored with every side of his wife, be it domineering or bashful, mischievous or kittenish. He snuggled against her, using one hand to prop against the pillow and the other to caress her cheek.
“No. Let’s, let’s wait until evening.”
“No. I want to take a good look at you. You have no idea how beautiful you are.”
Pang Xiao’s eyes blazed with passion. He was like a child who’d just received a gift, and carefully untied the ribbons around the box with great care. Calloused from years of wielding swords, his hands were surprisingly gentle at this very moment.
“My darling, give me a child. I want a child of our own.”
Qin Yining’s cheeks pinked with embarrassment, all strength draining from her body. She was a top-quality zither, humming imaginative melodies of pleasure under Pang Xiao’s masterful, eager-to-learn hands.
Evening lanterns were lit by the time Qin Yining woke. She huddled in the bedcovers as she rose, summoning the maids in a small voice.
Bingtang and Jiyun smiled knowingly as they spotted the faint bluish-purple bruises on her body.
As flustered as she felt, she had to let them be or they might blurt out other comments that would further mortify her.
“Where is the prince?”
“His Highness is with a guest in the outer study. He said to have you head to the study as soon as you woke.”
At this request, Qin Yining’s eyebrows raised in question. “He didn’t say who the visitor was?”
The maids shook their heads in unison.
Qin Yining smiled. “Do my hair for me. I’ll go take a look. I’m planning on taking you two on this trip. Also, I want to have Jingzhe and the rest of his crew as well. Pass on the message for me, will you? You should also make arrangements for the journey.”
“We will.” The two maids grinned. “They’ll be thrilled to go on a trip with Your Highness.”
“Oh you two!” Qin Yining chuckled at their comments. “Let me be clear though. This journey is bound to be a perilous one. We’re headed to the south for the relief mission, and there’s no saying what we might encounter. The worst case is that the plague might be upon us. You all need to be mentally prepared.”
“We know! When have disasters not found their way to Your Highness?” joked Bingtang. “You haven’t stopped being a magnet for trouble since I came to you! But I also know that with your wit, we can counter anything, come what may. I’m fearless!”
Jiyun assented with a smile. “His Highness will protect you. We’ll be just fine as long as we’re with you.”
“You little imp!” Without any heat whatsoever, Qin Yining reached out and pinched Jiyun’s cheek.
Jiyun was willowy and sylphlike with eye-catching features. Bingtang, on the other hand, was petite and delicate, a charmer in her own right. Qin Yining couldn’t help but think of their marriage prospects as well.
“The two of you are of age too. I’ll start looking for qualified husbands after all of this is over. If you already have someone special, just tell me. I don’t want to blindly set you up with people we don’t know well and who aren’t reliable.”
Rattled with embarrassment, Bingtang stomped her feet.
“The princess consort’s the worst, she only knows to make fun of us!” At that, the maid whirled around and stalked off.
“I’m not like Bingtang. I don’t have anyone that I remotely like.” Jiyun’s face was beet-red. “If Your Highness doesn’t find me a bother, please allow me to stay and serve you. I’ve no interest in rushing into marriage just because of how old I am. Please oblige me as I stay by your side and take my time in picking a qualified candidate.”
The princess consort nodded in understanding. “I won’t rush any of you. Just take all the time you need.”
How fortunate it was to meet the one at a perfect age! Many weren’t able to find that special someone all their lives, or were unable to tie the knot if they did so.
Thinking of her immense good fortune, Qin Yining felt eternally grateful she and Pang Xiao were in love and faithfully there for each other. She had arrived by his side at her most beautiful age and was able to give him the best of her, imprinting all of that into his memory.
“Are Bingtang and Huzi close?” Qin Yining switched gears.
Jiyun chuckled lightly. “Nothing escapes your notice, Your Highness. I think Huzi’s feelings toward Bingtang are genuine. It’s just that Bingtang refuses to budge and give him a promise. She spends all day on her herbs and medicinal balm studies, and she whiles away her spare time with Xiaozhou. She spends far more time with Xiaozhou than with Huzi.”
Qin Yining was amused by Jiyun’s remarks.
“She’s been through a lot and she’s got a good head on those shoulders. I’m sure she’s got a good grasp of things.”
“Mm.” Jiyun nodded in agreement.
Chapter 432.2: Arrangements
Qin Yining headed to the outer residence, stopping when she reached the study’s courtyard entrance to leave Jiyun on watch. She entered the gate and passed through the covered hallway to the main residence.
Guarding the gate, Huzi bowed as soon as he spotted the princess consort.
“Here you are, Your Highness! Allow me notify the prince of your arrival.”
“Many thanks, Huzi.”
“Your Highness is too courteous.” Huzi scratched his head before hurrying in.
The door to the study soon shoved open. Pang Xiao strode forward with long strides, the sharp glint in his phoenix-shaped eyes immediately supplanted by tenderness when he saw her.
“You’re awake!”
Qin Yining nodded.
“Come with me. Father-in-law swung by to visit us on the quiet. It’s best that we keep his visit to ourselves. I was thinking it’s just as well if I speak to him alone if you were still asleep. It’s even better now that you’re up. We can put our heads together.” Pang Xiao took ahold of Qin Yining’s hand and whispered an explanation in her ears.
Qin Yining smiled. “I see.”
Huzi shut the gate after the couple’s entrance into the main house. He retreated to a far corner to keep watch.
Wearing a pale-blue, round-necked straigh
t robe, the Qin patriarch sat on a corner of the heated platform by the window.
“Father.” Qin Yining curtsied to the Qin patriarch with great respect.
Qin Huaiyuan smiled. “There you are. Have a seat.”
The couple moved two rounded, intricately carved stools to sit opposite the Qin patriarch. Pang Xiao thoughtfully placed a thick brocade cushion atop his wife’s.
Worrying her lip, Qin Yining was about to flee in panic and embarrassment. It really wasn’t all that comfortable for her to sit down at the moment, but her husband’s blatant consideration of her wellbeing was rather embarrassing.
Yet Qin Huaiyuan seemed oblivious to the subtle display in front of him. He merely smiled at his son-in-law with great satisfaction. The reaction both moved and flustered his daughter.
After everyone was seated, Pang Xiao asked with great poise, “Father-in-law, you mentioned just now that the commandery prince might have tips on the whereabouts of the treasure, which was why he volunteered to go. Can there be a mistake?”
“No,” Qin Huaiyuan replied gently. “Of late, the commandery prince has been in unusually frequent contact with his concubine née Gu. You are both aware whose granddaughter née Gu is.”
Qin Yining said, “Old Master Gu knows the location of the treasure. Perhaps he was relaying a message to the commandery prince through his granddaughter. The note found in the first treasure location felt like it had Old Master Gu’s signature all over it.”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded with approval. “You’re right, and I’m on the same page with you about that. Gu Shixiong’s a seasoned imperial official and cunning, sure, but he also has an obstinate side. He’s not one for bending the rules, nor is he necessarily concerned with the survival and wellness of the people. He cares far more about the legacy and the bloodline of Great Yan. So he’s certainly preoccupied with restoring our former nation.”
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