Prime Minister Pan Picks Up His Daughter

In the grand and stately Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion, as the first rays of the early - morning sunlight gently filtered through the delicate silk curtains, a flurry of activity was already underway in Pan Yueqing's chambers. Several diligent servant girls, their movements practiced and swift, busied themselves attending to her grooming. The air was filled with the soft rustling of silk and the faint scent of fragrant oils as they carefully arranged her hair, adorned with simple yet elegant hairpins, and adjusted the folds of her fine - textured robe.

Just then, at the door, Wan'er, a top - ranked and highly trusted servant girl beside the old lady of Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion, gracefully lifted the intricately embroidered curtain. A warm and respectful smile played on her lips as she looked at Pan Yueqing. "Miss," she said in a soft, melodious voice, "the old lady has sent me to invite you to have breakfast together. She is eagerly awaiting your company." After saying that, she promptly extended her hand in front of Pan Yueqing, her gesture both a sign of deference and an offer to help her up.

Pan Yueqing, with a gentle curiosity in her eyes, placed her delicate hand on Wan'er's and rose gracefully to her feet. "Why is Grandmother up so early today?" she inquired, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

Wan'er bowed slightly, her head tilted in a respectful manner, and then lifted the inner curtain to reveal the passageway. "The old lady always rises at this hour, Miss. It's a long - established habit that has endured for years," she explained.

A tender smile crossed Pan Yueqing's face. "It was quite late when the commotion ended last night. Sister Wan'er, you should have persuaded Grandmother to sleep a bit longer. She needs her rest," she said, her tone filled with affection. Then, with a composed demeanor, she followed Wan'er along the elaborately decorated corridors, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished stone floors, towards the Fushou Hall where the old lady, Zhao Taijun, resided.

The story behind her arrival at the marquis's mansion was a tumultuous one. After setting fire to the ill - fated Pinglong Nunnery that fateful day, Pan Yueqing had made her way with purpose and determination to Ruixiangji, a pawnshop owned by Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion in the bustling Shanyang Town. The white jade hairpin inlaid with gold and crafted in the shape of an orchid that she wore on her head was more than just a beautiful ornament. It had been selected by her uncle from the exotic treasures presented by the distant Nansheng Kingdom during the Spring Festival last year. Although the jade itself was of average quality, its true allure lay in the unique pattern of fish - roe - shaped gold plating, a design that was entirely foreign to the Qi Kingdom. It was a rare and precious item, and she knew it could be of great use.

As soon as the hairpin made its appearance at Ruixiangji, Wuming, who was gravely injured and in a perilous state, was immediately attended to. The staff at the pawnshop, recognizing the significance of the hairpin and acting on the authority of the marquis's mansion, arranged for initial medical treatment. Soon after, a swift - moving carriage was prepared, and the two of them embarked on a hasty journey back to Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion in the capital.

The previous night had been filled with intense emotions. When the old lady Zhao Taijun caught sight of the disheveled and weary - looking Pan Yueqing, her heart ached with心疼. She rushed forward and hugged her tightly, her tears flowing freely as she cried bitterly. No one could console her in that moment of deep - seated anguish. Even her uncle, Marquis Dingyuan Su Jing, a formidable and battle - hardened man who had just returned victorious from a long and arduous war, was overcome with anger. He angrily hammered the table, his eyes blazing with indignation at the thought of what Pan Yueqing had endured.

"Don't say anything!" the old lady Zhao Taijun exclaimed, her voice resounding with strength and determination. "Yue'er is the apple of my daughter Lan'er's eye. Since the Pan family doesn't care about her, my granddaughter is mine. Our marquis's mansion is not so down - and - out that we can't afford to feed our granddaughter!" Her words were a fierce declaration of protection and love.

Now, as they approached the Fushou Hall, the old lady's powerful rebuke from within reached Pan Yueqing's ears. She stopped in the corridor, her posture composed yet alert. Slightly raising her chin towards the direction of the old lady, she asked, "Has someone from the Pan Mansion come so soon?"

Wan'er's expression turned solemn as she lowered her eyebrows. "Prime Minister Pan came early in the morning, Miss," she replied.

Pan Yueqing's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions. "What do Grandmother and Uncle think?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of indifference, though there was a well of complex feelings beneath the surface.

She had anticipated that someone from the Pan Mansion would come to claim her, but she had not expected it to be her father. Moreover, she was taken aback by his early arrival, considering he had been away in the south of the Yangtze River, deeply engrossed in investigating the salt and iron tax policies.

Wan'er hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The old lady and the marquis mean that as long as Miss says she won't go back, you don't have to go back," she said. After a brief pause, she added, "Miss, please understand the old lady. You..."

Pan Yueqing nodded thoughtfully. She was well - aware of the firm stance her grandmother and uncle had taken. However, she also knew that choosing to hide in Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion was not a viable long - term solution. It would not only cast a shadow over her own future but also potentially damage the reputation of the marquis's mansion.

At that moment, she flashed a bright and resolute smile at Wan'er. "I know Grandmother dotes on me, and I also know that I'm still a Pan. Although my biological mother has passed away, my grandmother in the Pan Mansion is still alive. It wouldn't be proper if I didn't go back. If I don't, it will make things even more difficult for Grandmother and Uncle, won't it?" Seeing Wan'er's hesitant look, she tilted her chin towards the Fushou Hall and said with determination, "Let's go."

Entering the Fushou Hall, the warm and richly decorated interior greeted them. The hall was filled with the soft glow of candles and the gentle scent of incense. "Grandmother, Uncle," Pan Yueqing said gracefully as she curtsied deeply to greet the old lady Zhao Taijun, who was sitting regally on the beauty couch, and Marquis Dingyuan Su Jing, who stood beside her with a protective and watchful air. Then, she turned her gaze to Prime Minister Pan Haiyun, who was seated in the guest seat. "Father," she said, her voice steady yet carrying a trace of anticipation.

"Yue'er, how about Daddy taking you home?" Pan Haiyun said, his eyes fixed on her. His gaze was filled with a mixture of concern and a hint of unease. As his eyes fell on the two dark - blue finger marks on her neck, a flash of displeasure crossed his face.

Pan Yueqing slightly raised her eyes, meeting his gaze with a look that was both vulnerable and resolute. She definitely wanted to return to the Pan Mansion, but she knew she couldn't do so without ensuring her safety and justice.

Meeting Pan Haiyun's expectant gaze, her eyes welled up with tears. "Father, Aunt said that I killed your son. Do you believe it?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Nonsense!" The old lady Zhao Taijun struck the ground with her walking stick, her face flushed with anger. The sudden movement caused her to cough several times, but her spirit remained unbowed.

Pan Haiyun lowered his eyes, a look of contemplation on his face. Just when Pan Yueqing felt as if her heart was plummeting into the abyss of despair, he slightly shook his head. "You're a girl raised in seclusion. How could you understand such things? The loss of the child is also your aunt's fate," he said, his voice a mixture of weariness and a faint attempt at reassurance.

"Aunt's fate is that even if she loses a child, there are still people to serve her. But my fate? I fought for my life to survive," Pan Yueqing said, her tears flowing freely down her cheeks. As she spoke, she turned her face to wipe away the tears, inadvertently making the dark - blue marks on her neck even more clearly visible to Pan Haiyun. "Father, I didn't do anything, but there are so many 'evidences' proving that I did. If I go back with you today, I don't know what other trumped - up charges are waiting for me. Next time, it might be another temple or nunnery. What if I can't save my life then?" Her words were a heartfelt plea, filled with the pain and fear of her past experiences.

Pan Haiyun was already in a foul mood. He had been on the receiving end of his mother - in - law's sharp tongue when he came to visit early in the morning, and his brother - in - law had also given him a cold and unwelcoming reception. Originally, he had thought that if Pan Yueqing had truly made a mistake, she deserved some form of punishment. He had silently complained in his heart that Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion was overly indulgent towards her.

However, seeing his beloved daughter, whom he had cherished and watched grow up, being so wronged and treated with such cruelty, as if she were a dangerous snake or a venomous scorpion, he couldn't help but have doubts about the stories and accusations from the inner courtyard of the Pan Mansion. "Yue'er, it won't happen again. Daddy won't let you go to any temple or nunnery again," he said, his voice firm with a new - found determination to protect her.

After hearing this, Pan Yueqing knew that her goal for today had been achieved. Prime Minister Pan was the real person in charge of the Pan Mansion. Since he had promised to protec