Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

Pang Xiao looked sidelong at the commandery prince. The initial terror and shock in Yuchi Yan’s expression was now replaced by distraction and dejection. The thick bile of disgust rose in Pang Xiao’s throat.

  Yuchi Yan had done something undeniably dishonorable, yet was still thick-skinned enough to put on a show of deep affection! Did he have no shame??

  Pang Xiao turned on his heel and wrote a note by the dim lamp and faint sunlight. He released a messenger pigeon and summoned You Meng to come forth.

  “Vice General You, this prince just sent a note about the discovery of the treasure. Now that’s been accomplished, we should make arrangements for delivery.”

  “Your Highness doesn’t need to trouble yourself with that.” Smiling, You Meng proffered a piece of golden cloth and unfurled it gravely. “An edict from His Majesty!”

  Everyone hurried to kneel for the decree.

  You Meng read, “The Emperor, who governs with the Mandate of Heaven, decrees that You Meng is to be fully in charge of the excavation and delivery of the treasure. The Faithful Prince and Princess Consort of the First Rank are travel-worn. They are therefore ordered to remain on-site to rest. They shall not leave without permission, and shall wait until further notice. Proclaimed to all under the Heavens, so let it be known!”

  Still on their knees, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining looked up at Yu Meng incredulously.

  You Meng held the golden cloth in both hands and offered it to the prince with a smile. “Your Highness, you may accept the decree.”

  Pang Xiao’s brows knitted together. “Impossible! His Majesty trusts this prince unconditionally!”

  “Yet the decree is here in writing. Your Highness may take a look if you wish.”

  Pang Xiao snatched the edict from the vice general and unrolled it for a personal look. The message on it was a harsh blow. He hung his head dejectedly after the review.

  Gu Shixiong burst into abrupt, maniacal laughter. “The hound is boiled after the cunning hare is killed! It looks like His Majesty’s also suspicious of you, Faithful Prince of the First Rank! How does it feel now, huh? Does it feel good?”

  Chapter 437: A Furious Slap

  Pang Xiao’s hand tightened around the golden decree; he violently whipped his head around to glare at Gu Shixiong.

  Qin Yining was one step ahead of him. “Old Master Gu should first think about how it feels to fall short of success in the last possible second. Or, you can think about how your selfish actions have plunged the commandery prince into the depths of no return. The prince could've lived out his days in peace, but now he’s been completely ruined by your ambitions. Not only did you throw away your family, but also harmed your master and lost everything to your name. How does that feel, good?”

  “You! Bitch!”

  “Oh I’m hardly worthy of that. Compared to an elder who climbs upward by stepping on his master, I’m far behind you.” The married couple helped each other up.

  A furious knot of rage stuck in Gu Shixiong’s chest, and he pounded himself as a fit of coughing overtook him.

  Each of the girl’s words stabbed into the heart. An old official like Gu Shixiong didn’t care about wealth, he just wanted to leave his name in the annals of history. If peace and prosperity reigned throughout the lands, it was naturally good to be a wise subject serving a noble sovereign. But in times of chaos and war, an able subject who restored order was the more valuable one.

  He’d been brainstorming since the day Great Yan fell just how he might utilize the treasure to unite Southern Yan and place Yuchi Yan back on the dragon throne.

  The perfect opportunity had never presented itself, so he could only wait in readiness.

  Now, it was right in front of him, but he’d fallen into someone else’s trap again!

  Last time, he’d eaten up everything Qin Yining had fed him about the treasure map.

  This time, her irritating face was once again on the scene of his failure, and she’d jabbed him right where it hurt. When he looked back at Yuchi Yan, he discovered to his horror that some hints of appraisal and suspicion colored his master’s look!

  Gu Shixiong’s heart skipped a beat. Yuchi Yan had obviously taken the girl’s provocative words to heart!

  The future was already murky after being apprehended red-handed, but now the girl drove a wedge between them with just a few words! Why was the one he offered his loyalty to so biddable by the princess consort??

  They say that beauties are nothing but disaster. She’s a disaster alright!

  The scene grew dark in front of the old man and he sagged, toppling straight backwards.

  Though he nursed some resentment against his once-subject, Yuchi Yan quickly stepped up anxiously to offer support.

  “Old Master Gu, are you alright? Old Master Gu!”

  Seeing that the old man really had fainted dead away, the resentment that’d been building in Yuchi Yan’s heart evaporated. The old master was one of his, after all!

  The commandery prince jerked his head up and stared furiously at Qin Yining. His eyes smouldered like twin flames in the gloom of the dark cave.

  “Why must you be this way! You’ve successfully attached yourself to a powerful thigh and can live out a carefree life. Does securing a good future for yourself give you the support you need to treat your old countrymen with self-righteous harshness? No wonder the books say that women and hangers-on are the most difficult to keep around!

  “You’re biting the hand that feeds you! I say that you’ve completely forgotten you’re of Great Yan!” Yuchi Yan roared madly without restraint, his voice particularly high and shrill in an open space such as the cave.

  Qin Yining’s expression darkened, and she sneered. “Do you even know what you’re talking about? Don’t push the consequences of your cowardice and ineptness onto someone else! You casually blame everyone but yourself, but does that really mean none of this is your fault? I am indeed a woman, but my character and actions are above reproach. I’m not the one who threw my women out with the bathwater to take the fall!”

  “You!” Yuchi Yan shook a wrathful finger at Qin Yining, but there was nothing he could say to defend himself.

  The princess consort sneered again and couldn’t be bothered exchanging half a word more with Yuchi Yan.

  She was quite grateful that she hadn’t previously curried imperial favor or attached herself to the dragon throne out of consideration for the family future. If she’d tied herself to this man, she would’ve crumbled before anyone needed to do anything else.

  The sight of his wife silencing Yuchi Yan was more satisfying than receiving his princely title or being inducted into the council. Pang Xiao flung a possessive arm around Qin Yining and turned to You Meng, who was watching the show.

  “Though there is an imperial decree here, this prince is still His Majesty’s sworn brother. I must give some suggestions. One, you should immediately notify the local authorities and have the soldiers surround the premises. That will prevent any mishaps from developing. Two, you should wait for all of the troops to arrive and His Majesty’s orders before moving the treasure out.”

  A perfunctory smile curved You Meng’s lips and he raised a cupped fist salute. “It won't be necessary for Your Highness to worry about that. His Majesty has given all authority in this matter to me. I have everything under control.”

  “Under control?” scoffed Pang Xiao. “I say you're looking for an opportunity to steal His Majesty’s treasure!”

  "Shut up with that kind of slander!” The vice general roared. “Though my rank may not be as high as Your Highness’, the heavens can bear witness to my loyalty! What are your ulterior motives in throwing around wild accusations like these!”

  “You don’t need to be so worried, vice general. Those with no crookedness in their hearts fear not the sun. If you really don’t lust after His Majesty’s treasure, then you should be opting for full transparency. But here you are, asserting your sole authority over everything. It’s really hard to not look at this su
spiciously.”

  “I am acting upon His Majesty’s verbal decree! You have accepted the edict, Your Highness, so all you need to do now is remain on-site with the princess consort and await new orders. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”

  Pang Xiao fell silent at the rejoinder, the hands behind his back balled into tight fists. The tighter he gripped them, the more it seemed his rage and waspishness could be restrained.

  “This prince will report your actions to His Majesty!”

  “Alright, be my guest. Do you have enough messenger pigeons? If not, I can lend you some, hahaha!” You Meng brayed with arrogant laughter to see the prince hit a metaphorical wall. He waved a hand to summon the Dragon Riders to take inventory of the silver.

  Pang Xiao and Qin Yining were herded to a corner to watch the soldiers spring into action.

  “Forget it, let’s head up.”

  Qin Yining nodded at the idea. But just as they moved to the slope, You Meng stopped them from taking a step further.

  “Please stay your motion, Your Highness.”

  Pang Xiao turned back. “What is it?”

  “The decree calls for Your Highness to remain on-site. ‘On-site’, you know? Surely Your Highness understands the word.” You Meng smirked meaningfully.

  The prince swallowed his temper again. “The princess consort is in weak health and can’t withstand the cold air below ground. Staying on-site doesn’t mean that we need to remain down here.”

  “Are you defying imperial orders, Your Highness? You’ll make things very difficult for me!”

  The vice general’s words had just echoed in the air when Pang Xiao swung back and delivered a resounding slap.

  The impact of the smack was so fierce that You Meng’s head snapped to the side. He stared incredulously at Pang Xiao. “How dare you hit me!”

  “Things aren’t difficult for you now, are they?”

  “What?”

  “This prince will not be staying in this cave. You tried to talk some reason into me, but I refused to listen and even hit you. You can tell His Majesty all of this. None of the fault will land on you then, so things aren’t difficult for you now, are they?” Pang Xiao tightened his fist until his knuckles cracked.

  Understanding dawned on the flabbergasted vice general. “Your Highness is, is a good-for-nothing!”

  Chapter 438: Transportation

  Pang Xiao leered. “This prince appreciates the compliment. I confess to be no match for the vice general in terms of disgusting shell games.”

  “What?! When did I do such a thing?”

  “You detained the treasure that belongs to His Majesty, pretend to be his most trustworthy subject, use your military authority to steal the treasure, and try to scapegoat this prince at all cost. What’s that if not a shell game??”

  “Shut your stinking mouth!” Hopping mad, You Meng jabbed a finger at Pang Xiao. “Don’t think you’re actually something just because you’re a prince! Everyone knows your background! How dare you throw your weight around when you have no troops under your command! We can just imagine how cocky you were to His Majesty when you led the Valiant Tigers. No wonder you were stripped of power!”

  The last line did its job and hit a sore spot with Pang Xiao. If everything beforehand had been histrionics, the emotions inspired by this taunt were straight from the heart.

  He had devoted his life and energy to the Valiant Tigers. He and everyone part of it were true brothers that had braved life and death together. It’d taken just a single word from Li Qitian to send him elsewhere. It was a bitter pill to swallow for even the most open-minded person, let alone someone constantly distrusted like Pang Xiao.

  The prince’s expression hardened. Instead of continuing the argument, he took his wife’s hand and shoved You Meng aside. “Piss off!”

  “Ai! You can’t leave!”

  Pang Xiao paid them no mind. He forcefully pushed away those blocking him. His strength, combined with his internal energy, rendered futile the efforts of the Dragon Riders who tried to detain him.

  You Meng urged a few more guards to catch up.

  Pang Xiao and Qin Yining didn’t travel far after leaving the group, opting to return to the carriage to rest. Nothing happening in that cave was a concern to him any longer.

  Inside the carriage, Qin Yining nestled against her husband’s shoulder and gently caressed his calloused hand. “Don’t be upset. It’s no use getting upset with that kind of people.”

  “I know.” Pang Xiao lowered his eyes and clasped Qin Yining’s hands in his, playing with them.

  His wife smiled. “And there’s no need to feel any regret. Even though you no longer have your command, the fraternity you share with those brothers is still there. As long as everyone is still here, a day will come when you all can fight side by side again.”

  These words were a balm on Pang Xiao’s heart. He raised his eyes to his wife’s beaming face and smiled despite himself. “Why is everything so clear when seen from your perspective?”

  “Because I’m gifted with a clear mind, duh.” Qin Yining laughed lightly.

  Pang Xiao enveloped his wife in his arms and pecked her on the cheek. “Thank goodness I have you with me. I’m afraid I might’ve beaten someone up.”

  “No, you wouldn’t have.” Qin Dining burrowed into her husband’s embrace. “You’re a man of reason. You know what you’re doing and what you should be doing. I wasn’t worried at all.”

  Pang Xiao felt extraordinarily comforted and assured to have someone who knew and trusted him unconditionally. He smiled with contentment. It was his great fortune to have someone here for him in these challenging times.

  …...

  Notes brought in by the messenger pigeons kept Li Qitian well-informed. The emperor finally found utter peace of mind after reading the two most recent memos.

  The first note came from Pang Xiao, reporting that the treasure had been recovered, but that You Meng might appropriate it for himself. The prince requested more troops be dispatched to keep a closer watch, lest someone should make a move when the opportunity presented itself. At the end, there was a small sentence grumbling about Li Qitian’s mistrust of him.

  The second note came from You Meng, and the message was short and clear. The treasure had been found and was being inventoried for transport. The vice general estimated it would arrive in half a month. Also, the Faithful Prince and Princess Consort of the First Rank remained not far from the cave. The prince was suspicious of You Meng, but the former’s loyalty to the emperor was indubitable.

  For Li Qitian, double blessings graced his doorstep. The treasure was found, and the incident shed light that he was being too small-minded towards the prince. Pang Xiao was still his loyal subject.

  The emperor carefully reread the note a few more times before burning it with the candle.

  Li Qitian heaved a long sigh. The silver would be a tremendous help to the relief mission. Perhaps he could manage to spare a good part of it for contingent use down the road.

  The emperor’s fine mood rubbed off on the imperial officials, and the capital basked in an air of harmony and amity.

  …...

  Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s living quarters might be subpar at the moment, compared to their sumptuous residence in the capital, but the pair was in great mood.

  Thanks to the imperial decree, Pang Xiao had no recourse but to stay put until further notice. Counting everything and hauling out chest after chest was a tedious process. It wouldn’t do for him to take up residence in the carriage, so he mobilized his men to cobble together a triangular, bamboo shack.

  Qin Yining was accustomed to living in the mountains. With Pang Xiao’s men to help, the couple didn’t need worry about the basic necessities of life, so they whiled their days away in leisure.

  The princess consort even took her husband out foraging and hunting. Of course, they did so under Dragon Rider surveillance, arranged by You Meng.

  Longbow in one hand, Pan
g Xiao wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulder.

  “How wonderful it’d be if all of our days were just as carefree. Self-sufficiency wouldn’t be a worry, and we wouldn’t need to bother ourselves with other concerns.”

  Qin Yining smiled. “We’ll be able to live like this one day. Life will get better as long as we put our hearts into it.”

  This confident and steadfast side of Qin Yining was what Pang Xiao admired the most. It was so refreshing when compared to women who clung to fortune and authority.

  Concerned that news of the treasure might get out, You Meng was particularly cautious with excavation and transportation.

  Early this morning, the Dragon Riders finished prepping the transport carriage.

  “Should we send this batch away first, or should we wait until everything is consolidated and send all of it together?”

  The vice general wavered. What if tragedy struck and the substantial load of cargo was lost?

  But if the inventory was transported in batches, the guards would have to be thinned out to keep tabs on each carriage. He’d be in great trouble should even one carriage be lost along the way.

  Feeling cornered, You Meng wracked his brains.

  Despite himself, he looked in the direction of the prince and the princess consort, who were enjoying each other’s company in the bamboo shack a short distance away.

  He would like to consult Pang Xiao about the logistics, but his outburst earlier laid to rest any possibility for conversation. Neither was the vice general so thick-skinned as to go to the prince, cap in hand, for advice.

  If he was to wait for the emperor’s instructions, it’d make hogwash his earlier promise of delivering the treasure in half a month. It’d spell even more trouble if the emperor felt that he’d been lied to.

  Mulling over the pros and cons, You Meng grit his teeth. “Let’s just wait. It’s safer if all three hundred of us escort the caravan together.”

  The Dragon Riders did as they were told.

  Being just a stone’s throw away, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao caught snippets of the conversation. They exchanged a glance and quietly puttered around with other matters at hand.