With her delicate face and slender waist, the royal uncle lost control.

Qin Jiuchen narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything more, only gave a faint "hmm" and looked away.

He walked to the cave entrance, took out a specially made tinderbox from his pocket, uncorked it, and gently blew on it, and a bright flame ignited.

He aimed it at the gradually brightening sky outside the cave, and immediately flames shot into the sky with a loud bang.

A moment later, rhythmic fire signals lit up in the sky above the distant mountains and forests in response.

Qin Jiuchen put away the tinderbox and walked back.

"The signal has been sent. Someone will be here to meet you soon."

He was concise and to the point.

The waiting time wasn't too unbearable.

The sun was shining brightly in the afternoon.

The sounds of horses' hooves and human voices could be heard outside the cave.

The backup team arranged by Qin Jiuchen arrived. They were his most elite and reliable guards, and they also brought a simple stretcher and medicine.

The return journey was much smoother thanks to the guards who were familiar with the terrain and the horses that provided transportation.

As dusk fell, the group finally returned to Tiger Roar Village.

In the open space of the village, Qin Senyao was pacing back and forth anxiously.

Yesterday, he saw his father leading a large group of people out, but Yun Nian was nowhere to be seen, which made him feel uneasy and uncertain.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the group return safely.

His gaze then fell on Yun Nian, and a surge of anger welled up inside him.

He strode forward, first bowing to Qin Jiuchen, and then began to berate Yun Nian harshly.

"Yun Nian, do you even respect me, the young master? Time and again you've acted on your own, behaving recklessly and willfully. Do you even know how much trouble you've caused this time? What if something had gone wrong? How did you become like this!"

His rapid-fire accusations sounded particularly harsh and inhumane to Yun Nian, who was exhausted both physically and mentally.

Yun Nian lowered her eyelashes, concealing the fleeting coldness and annoyance in her eyes.

She said in a low voice, "Your Highness is right to reprimand me. It was Nian'er who was reckless and caused trouble for Your Highness and the Prince. I'm sorry."

Her humble attitude did not appease Qin Senyao, whose tone became even more unfriendly: "After we return to the manor, you..."

That's enough.

A cold, deep voice interrupted him.

Qin Jiuchen had already approached without anyone noticing, and his gaze swept lightly over Qin Senyao's face.

"Shut up, all of you."

He uttered three words: "Return to the mansion immediately."

Qin Senyao choked.

All the unspoken rebukes and anger were forcefully suppressed by the invisible pressure emanating from the father.

His face flushed red and then turned pale. "Yes, Father."

-

When the group returned to the Prince Ningxiang's residence, it was already completely dark.

As soon as he stepped into the front hall, Qin Jiaxue came to greet him.

When her gaze fell upon Yun Nian behind Qin Jiuchen and Qin Senyao, a fleeting look of astonishment and gloom crossed Qin Jiaxue's eyes, but it was quickly masked by a deeper, sweet smile.

She stepped forward gracefully and gave Qin Jiuchen a respectful bow. "Father, you must have had a long journey. Did the bandit suppression go smoothly?"

She then turned to Qin Senyao, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Brother, you've worked hard too."

Then she asked, "Hey, why did Sister Yun Nian come back with you?"

Qin Senyao's expression softened slightly upon seeing his sister, and he nodded: "Yes, the bandit suppression went smoothly. Tiger Roar Village has been pacified, and the bandit leader has been executed."

He paused, glanced at Yun Nian who was standing to the side with her eyes downcast, and said with displeasure, "As for Nian'er, she got lost while worshipping at Xiangguo Temple. Fortunately, she encountered Father leading troops to suppress bandits, and they managed to find her and bring her back. She's just causing trouble."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiaxue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her gaze swept over Yun Nian again.

Is it really that simple?

What about the bandits she arranged?

Countless thoughts flashed through Qin Jiaxue's mind, but her smile remained unchanged. "I see. Sister Yun Nian, you were so careless. That's deep in the Ling Mountain forest, so dangerous! Luckily we met Father. What if we had encountered villains or wild beasts?"

As she spoke, she stepped forward and naturally took Yun Nian's arm in an intimate gesture, "Sister, you must have been terrified on this trip, right? Let me see if you're hurt?"

Yun Nian remained calm as she let Xue'er hold her arm. "Thank you for your concern, Sister Xue'er. It was indeed my carelessness this time. Fortunately, the Prince saved me. I am also ashamed to have troubled you and the Prince with your concern."

Qin Jiaxue: "Sister, what are you saying? If we count the days, your wedding with my brother is in ten days. You must take good care of yourself during this time so you can look your best on your wedding day!"

Qin Jiuchen remained silent and indifferent after entering the room.

When Qin Jiaxue mentioned the wedding date, he merely lowered his eyelashes slightly, concealing the expression in his eyes, and made no comment.

He raised his hand to dust off the dust on his sleeve, tossed Qin Senyao a sentence, "The follow-up matters of the bandit suppression will be discussed in the study tomorrow," and then walked straight through the front hall toward his own courtyard.

Yun Nian also took the opportunity to pull her arm away from Qin Jiaxue's grasp. "Your Highness, Princess, Nian'er is a little tired and would like to go back to her room to wash up and rest. Please excuse me."

Qin Senyao then casually waved his hand.

Qin Jiaxue smiled and agreed.

Once Yun Nian's figure was completely out of sight, Qin Jiaxue asked Qin Senyao, "Brother! What exactly happened? Was Yun Nian really just lost? Did Father say anything?"

Qin Senyao replied, "It's just that Yun Nian got lost and met my father. Is there anything else?"

Qin Jiaxue cursed "idiot" in her heart, but quickly adjusted her expression on her face.

She leaned gently against Qin Senyao, her voice soft and sweet, changing the subject:

"Brother, do you know how worried I was about you when you went to suppress the bandits? I couldn't eat or sleep well every day, just hoping for your safe return."

She raised her watery eyes, looking at Qin Senyao with admiration and reliance, "Fortunately, my brother was brave and returned safely."

Qin Senyao was taken aback by her sudden tenderness, and his heart was immediately filled with emotion.

He puffed out his chest, a smug smile on his face, and casually put his arm around Qin Jiaxue's shoulder, his tone softening: "Don't worry, Xue'er, I'm perfectly fine! A petty thief like him couldn't possibly hurt me!"

Qin Jiaxue gently rested her head on his shoulder, her tone even sweeter: "I know you're the most capable, brother. Oh, and I must thank you for helping me suppress the bad rumors outside. Otherwise, I would have been too ashamed to face anyone."

Qin Senyao did use his connections to appease her at the time.

Upon hearing this, Qin Senyao became even more smug.

He hadn't expected that simply mentioning it to his friend, who was the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, would have such a significant effect, and he suddenly felt that he was quite capable.

He patted Qin Jiaxue on the back, "Don't worry, with your brother here, I will never let those ignorant people spread rumors about you! Xue'er's affairs are my top priority!"

Qin Jiaxue looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. "Really? Even after my brother gets married, will he still put Xue'er first?"

Qin Senyao felt a surge of warmth in his heart under her gaze, and without thinking, blurted out, "Of course, Xue'er will always be my most beloved child, no one can compare!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiaxue buried her face in Qin Senyao's chest, concealing the cold and venomous light in her eyes.

Yun Nian, you're lucky this time.

There's nothing I, Qin Jiaxue, can't get if I want it.