Chapter 1022

First Volume, Chapter 1022: Long Separation, Better Than New Love

Qin Feng silently resolved that once the fate of Heaven was settled, he would transfer Liu Ming from his post—only then, stripped of his Brocade Uniform Guard identity, could Qin Feng truly relate to Liu Ming as a sincere friend.

Due to the sheer volume of materials and people in Changshui County, Qin Feng spent a full three days just to barely sort everything out.

On the journey to Wang Du, Qin Feng deliberately detached a unit to transport the remaining materials and the people of Changshui County to the border between Jingji and E Bei, where they would wait temporarily until Qin Feng finished his business in the Di Royal Capital, after which they would reunite and return together to Beixi County.

And as the saying goes, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Thus, Qin Feng did not transfer the entire Beixi Expeditionary Brigade to Wang Du; he kept only two hundred men with him, while the rest were reassigned to E Bei for temporary military garrison—first, to guard against unforeseen emergencies, and second, so that when returning to Beixi County, this large force could lead the way.

This further delayed them by three days.

By the time Qin Feng finally arrived in Wang Du, it was already the seventh day.

Gazing at the once-bustling, prosperous Wang Du now fallen into silence, his vision filled only with cold city walls and soldiers on strict guard, Qin Feng couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

After all, this city had once embodied the collective wisdom of all the Di people and was an irreplaceable cultural treasure—if destroyed by war, Qin Feng would secretly grieve.

Publicly and privately, emotionally and rationally, Qin Feng deeply admired Li Zhang's decision.

Pressuring the Wang Du Garrison into surrender, thereby capturing the capital without a single drop of blood, was undoubtedly the ideal outcome.

Passing through the City Gate, Qin Feng dismounted and walked inside; his accompanying soldiers remained outside, for the city was filled with his own men, and no one could threaten Qin Feng's safety—so everything was kept simple, leaving only Ning Hu, Xu Mo, and a few close attendants.

Qin Feng knew the people of Wang Du were all hiding in their homes, secretly watching.

The more they hid, the more Qin Feng must demonstrate strict adherence to order and zero infringement—after all, this was to ensure Jing Qianying could firmly sit upon the Di throne; public sentiment and opinion were always the simplest, most effective means of consolidating imperial power.

Not long after entering, a group appeared in Qin Feng's sight—among them stood two familiar faces; who else could it be but Jing Qianying and Li Zhang?

Especially upon seeing Jing Qianying, their eyes met, and Qin Feng's heart stirred as if touched—he felt his calm emotions ripple outward instantly.

He unconsciously quickened his pace, and Jing Qianying stepped out of the crowd to meet him.

As the distance narrowed, their steps grew faster, until finally they broke into a light run.

"Qian Ying."

"Feng'er."

Amid the gaze of countless eyes, the two embraced tightly, their voices echoing with long-separated calls.

Only when Qin Feng pulled Jing Qianying's soft body firmly into his arms did he feel as if he'd finally swallowed a calming pill, exhaling deeply.

Jing Qianying, too, shed her usual brisk, commanding demeanor, reverting to the gentle woman she once was, burying her head against Qin Feng's shoulder.

"Feng'er, I've finally seen you again," Jing Qianying's voice trembled slightly.

Her entire life, she had been accustomed to solitude, believing she could endure to the end without relying on anyone—but since her heart began beating for Qin Feng, she could never return to who she was before.

At this moment, she wanted only to be Qin Feng's woman—that was all.

Even with countless eyes watching her from all sides, Jing Qianying didn't care; she could pretend and conceal her fragile heart before anyone else, but never before Qin Feng—she refused to show him even a trace of pretense, determined to lay bare her truest self, surrendering everything to the man who had sworn to love her for life.

Qin Feng was deeply moved, holding Jing Qianying tightly, whispering softly: "It's only a brief separation, not a permanent parting—there's no need to be so tense."

Hearing this, Jing Qianying buried her head even deeper.

She shook her head repeatedly, her forehead rubbing against Qin Feng's shoulder: "We've been apart for nearly half a year—that's far too long for me."

"You're a busy man; to you, this may be brief—but for me, every day feels like a year."

"You're no longer the idle Qin Family heir—you're a true man, bound by duty to country and family. I understand—I understand completely."

"But I'm no longer the aloof Qin Family Fourth Miss, no longer as strong or as cold as I once was."

"I'm sorry… I can't stop thinking of you…"

The once-strong Jing Qianying now seemed like a wounded lamb, radiating vulnerability everywhere.

Qin Feng's nose tingled with emotion; he gently stroked her hair, whispering soothingly: "Why apologize? That you carry me in your heart every moment—I'm overjoyed."

"If anyone's to blame, it's me—for leaving you for so long, forcing you to face the darkness alone through so many nights."

Saying this, Qin Feng gently lifted Jing Qianying's head, gazing into her tear-filled eyes, and said solemnly: "Once you've stabilized the Di realm, let's marry?"

Upon hearing the word "marry," Jing Qianying broke down completely, tears streaming down her face at once.

With just those two words, all the suffering of her first half-life felt worth it—even the hundred and more lonely nights she spent in Sangzhou no longer felt unbearable.

At this moment, Jing Qianying had no other words—she simply nodded fiercely, repeating the motion again and again, a simple, powerful reply to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng gently wiped the tears from her eyes; though mentioning Li Xiaolan at this moment might dampen the mood, Qin Feng did not wish to betray Li Xiaolan, nor hide the truth from Jing Qianying—so he spoke plainly: Li Xiaolan was with child.

He expected Jing Qianying to react strongly—but her response surprised him.

Jing Qianying's gaze held a faint sorrow, but not hatred toward Qin Feng or Li Xiaolan.

After a moment of silent gaze, Jing Qianying finally sighed deeply: "Ever since you sent word to Father, I already knew…"

"I don't blame you, nor do I blame Third Sister—after all, what right do I have to blame her?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng exhaled in relief, silently marveling: What good deeds must he have done in his past life to meet a woman as understanding and open-hearted as Jing Qianying in this one?

Just as Qin Feng was rejoicing, he suddenly sensed something was off.