When Li Qingchen was questioned by Wei Shuwan, he was speechless for a moment. It wasn't that he couldn't think of words to comfort her, but rather that he felt that listening quietly to her complaints and accusations was the best way to comfort her.

People shouldn't bottle up their grievances.

Wei Shuwan spoke for a long time until the carriage stopped. Only then did she realize that the person opposite her had not said a word of rebuttal or explanation, but had just listened to her silently all the way.

For some reason, even though he didn't say anything, she felt much better and he didn't seem as angry as before.

"What do you mean by not saying anything?"

Li Qingchen gazed intently at her. Although he remained silent throughout the journey, he maintained a respectful demeanor. When Wei Shuwan asked him, he replied, "I just feel that what you said is all correct, and I am ashamed of my past actions. However, since I have already made a mistake, I must make amends."

Wei Shuwan frowned slightly, somewhat incredulous. Was Li Qingchen apologizing to her?

The feeling was somewhat strange, causing her to unconsciously swallow.

Li Qingchen then said, "Whether things go smoothly or not, I will take full responsibility for the matter concerning Marquis Pingyang and Lady Pan, as a way to atone for my crime."

The last four words made Wei Shuwan feel that the words were a bit harsh, but at this moment she could not appear too magnanimous, otherwise it would seem that she did not value a woman's reputation at all.

So she simply said, "I've arrived. I'll head back now. Thank you, Prince Xie, for escorting me home." And that was the end of it. She even used her words of thanks to express that she was no longer angry with him.

Li Qingchen's face relaxed, and he nodded. He watched her get out of the car and go inside before telling Yuan Que to drive away.

*

Over the years, the Wei Rong Army had won many battles, and Pan Wei had made outstanding contributions. Therefore, as soon as he entered the capital, Emperor Pingjia bestowed upon him a mansion. At this moment, Sun Xingjian was in his mansion, presenting him with a plan based on Li Qingchen's scheme.

“Protector, His Majesty is not listening to us at all these days. Moreover, what Eunuch Cao said when we came out of Tianlu Pavilion this morning made it clear that we don’t need to go to the palace to pay our respects anymore. Obviously, His Majesty is blaming us.”

Pan Wei paced anxiously around the study, like an ant on a hot plate: "It's all my fault for being too impulsive this morning and offending His Majesty. If I can't even see His Majesty in the future, there will be no room for maneuver in Wenjun's matter..."

“There’s no need for the Protector-General to be in such a hurry. I have a plan that might help us regain the Emperor’s favor.”

Pan Wei suddenly stopped, his eyes darting around anxiously as he demanded, "Then hurry up and tell me!"

"To make up for one's mistakes with merit, to achieve a great feat, and to make His Majesty realize that not chilling the hearts of the Rong army is more important than negotiating peace with the Ziyi Kingdom!"

"Make up for the mistakes with merits?" Pan Wei calmed down and thought seriously. "There's nothing wrong with this plan, but the problem is that we're in Shengjing now, not on the border. How can we make merits?!" Thinking of this, Pan Wei fell into despair again.

Sun Xingjian quickly replied, "Protector, you are mistaken. Who says that one cannot achieve great things while in Shengjing?"

"Then tell me what you want to do?"

"Does the Protector-General still remember the assassination attempt by bandits when His Majesty passed through Yandang Mountain several years ago?"

"Of course I remember!" Pan Wei's eyes lit up as he immediately guessed Sun Xingjian's plan: "You want me to go and suppress the bandits?"

Sun Xingjian nodded: "The bandits of Yandang Mountain have long been a thorn in His Majesty's side. Every year, he sends people to suppress them, but every year there are no results and the losses are heavy. If we can relieve His Majesty of this worry this time, His Majesty will pay attention to the Weirong Army again!"

Pan Wei thought about the matter carefully and felt that it was indeed feasible: "That's right. His Majesty doesn't value our Wei Rong Army now because he thinks that as long as Wen Jun is handed over, the chaos in the north can be ended. The Wei Rong Army is no longer His Majesty's first choice."

These words sound somewhat like a case of discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose. After all, if the Wei Rong army hadn't been beating the Zi Yi Kingdom so badly all these years, they wouldn't be so shameless as to seek peace now.

Since there were no other options, Pan Wei felt that this plan was worth a try, even if it was a last resort, it was better than just waiting around in despair. So that very night, he ordered someone to find a map of the Yandang Mountain area, and he and Sun Xingjian talked by candlelight until dawn.

Although Sun Xingjian knew that the bandits in Yandang Mountain were Li Qingchen's men and that he would not actually fight them, since he wanted the Protector to play along, he had no choice but to play the part fully. He didn't even take a nap that night.

As dawn broke, Pan Wei put away the map. "Xingjian, you should go back and rest and prepare. I will go to the palace to ask the Emperor for permission to proceed. We will take action tonight!"

Time was of the essence, so Sun Xingjian was not surprised by Pan Wei's urgency. After all, once the imperial edict to bestow upon her the title of princess for a marriage alliance was issued, the situation would be even more difficult to reverse.

However, he did not agree with Pan Wei entering the palace: "Protector, even if you enter the palace now, the emperor may not summon you. Besides, the emperor has sent troops to suppress bandits several times before, but they all failed. It is said that there was an insider who leaked the information in advance, so that the bandits could prepare."

Pan Wei hesitated for only a moment before making up his mind: "Indeed, we can't alert the enemy. The fewer people who know about this, the better. So let's not ask His Majesty for permission and take action tonight! The two hundred Wei Rong soldiers stationed outside the city are enough!"