How would the old dowager ever fathomed that Pang Xiao would actually want to hit her? At her age, she wouldn't have any face left to see anyone if she really was punished in the Pang Manor!

“You can't slap me!” The Qin matriarch stared at the servants streaming into the hall and yelled threateningly. “I'm the t.i.tled old dowager of the Marquis of Anping! Which one of who would dare hit me?!”

Though her voice was strident, her frantic retreating proclaimed her panic and fear.

Her nerves extremely taut, the second madame spread out her hands to protect her mother in law and looked pleadingly at her niece.

Qin Yining frowned, but didn't say anything.

Xu Weizhi had received a summary of the old dowager's personality from Xie Yue earlier. He very much disliked such self-serving people. He jeered, “The Marquis of Anping? Never heard of him. Which court does this official come from?”

“You!” The retort almost robbed the old dowager of her breath, and the fear deep inside of her deepened.

That was right. Great Yan was no more, and the status of her most accomplished son unknown. She could no longer strut her status in front of the Faithful Prince of the First Rank.

She slightly regretted her earlier actions. She shouldn't have been so rude to Qin Yining just for momentary satisfaction. The situation now wouldn't be so unpleasant otherwise.

“What are you waiting for?? Drag her out.” Pang Xiao waved an impatient hand.

It was rather Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue who hesitated.

With their master's ident.i.ty and current situation, he really shouldn't go head to head with the old dowager. However, given how furious the prince currently was, he'd become a laughingstock if the two strategists tried to calm him down. It would appear like he was afraid of the old woman.

As the two dithered with hesitation, servants flanked the old dowager and dragged her out.

“You, you can't!” The old dowager was terrified of not only the pain, but most importantly the loss of face. She'd always been the ones slapping others, when had anyone else ever done the same to her? At her age, being dragged out for a face-slapping due to offending n.o.bility was the shame of a lifetime.

Qin Yining sighed softly with resignation when she saw how frightened the old dowager was.

Though she hated the Qin matriarch, from Pang Xiao's perspective, it wasn't a smart move to punish the old dowager at this time.

Li Qitian quite obviously wanted to recruit the services of the surrendered Yan officials. If Pang Xiao hit the Qin old dowager on her behalf, the old dowager would absolutely make a mountain out of a molehill when she had the chance to do so. It would just end up putting the prince in a difficult position.

The Qin fourth miss appreciated Pang Xiao's consideration, but wouldn't allow him to offend the emperor again for her.

Halfsies! The three chapters after this are a normal length again.