Chapter 1023

First Volume, Chapter 1023: Double Joy Arrives

Qin Feng reexamined Jing Qianying and noticed her eyes avoiding his; even if he were the dumbest man alive, he vaguely sensed something.

Qin Feng quickly lowered his voice and probed: "Qian Ying, are you too…?"

Before Qin Feng could finish, Jing Qianying nodded in confirmation, biting her thin lip as she placed a hand on her abdomen and sighed helplessly: "Feng'er, should I say you're lucky… or that your body is too robust? Just once—that one time—and now…"

Qin Feng froze completely; this news was far too explosive for him.

It wasn't that Qin Feng didn't want to take responsibility—he had just been reveling in the joy of Li Xiaolan's pregnancy, and before he could even process it, Jing Qianying had also conceived…

As the saying goes, life holds three great joys, and conception is one of them.

Such joy either comes in silence, or when it arrives, it comes all at once, crashing down like a storm.

Qin Feng was so overwhelmed with excitement that he couldn't regain his composure for a long while.

He quickly bent down to closely examine Jing Qianying's abdomen; since she wore Light Armor and had draped an Overcoat over it, nothing was visible from the outside.

But when Qin Feng parted the Overcoat slightly and looked closely, sure enough, the bulge was already very obvious.

Calculating the timeline, Jing Qianying had conceived far earlier than Li Xiaolan; if things continued this way, he'd be a father in another five months.

Just thinking of it made Qin Feng feel his mind was even more overloaded.

"What have I done to deserve this?"

Watching Qin Feng's stunned expression, Jing Qianying's heart warmed—this moment was devastatingly powerful for any woman.

At that moment, Qin Feng suddenly slapped himself.

This startled Jing Qianying; she immediately grabbed his wrist and exclaimed: "Feng'er, what are you doing?"

Qin Feng's face was filled with guilt and self-reproach: "I'm a terrible person—I left you alone in Sangzhou when you needed me most."

"I'm a bastard!"

Jing Qianying felt both happiness and pity, quickly soothing him: "It's all in the past. As long as you treat me well from now on, I won't hold it against you."

Hearing this, Qin Feng seized Jing Qianying's small hand and swore fiercely: "If I ever betray you in this life, may I be struck by five thunderbolts!"

Jing Qianying clapped her hand over Qin Feng's mouth, tears of joy streaming: "I believe you—but don't ever say that again!"

"I can't live without you, and the child can't live without a father."

Qin Feng exhaled deeply, wrapping his arm around Jing Qianying's shoulders, wanting to cradle her in his palms.

At that moment, Li Zhang also approached.

Jing Qianying quickly turned her face away, wiping away tears at her eyes; Qin Feng remained lost in unprecedented joy, but with so many people present, he forced himself to calm down.

Before Li Zhang could speak, Qin Feng bowed deeply, performing a full ceremonial salute to him.

This bow was not only to thank Li Zhang for taking up the burden after losing contact with him, winning this war, and preserving the lives and fortunes of him and everyone around him.

It was also to express gratitude for Li Zhang's care of Jing Qianying.

Earlier in Changshui County, Xu Mo had told Qin Feng that Jing Qianying had spent most of her time with Li Zhang—who had cared for her exceptionally well, and to avoid suspicion, never met with her alone.

This sincere friendship moved Qin Feng deeply.

But this bow left Li Zhang utterly flustered.

Li Zhang stared blankly for a moment, then frowned and returned the bow stiffly: "Qin Brother, this isn't like you. Everyone's watching—you bow only to me? Those who don't know will think I've usurped your place."

Qin Feng didn't straighten up; he stayed bowed and whispered: "Your Highness, you deserve this bow."

Li Zhang was even more annoyed: "Enough already, you're overdoing it!"

"You know who I am—don't you? We haven't seen each other in half a year, and now you've turned all refined? Stop flattering me!"

Hearing Li Zhang's words, Qin Feng couldn't help but smile slightly—he felt his life was complete: he had the woman he loved, a brother-like comrade, and parents and family silently supporting him from behind.

As a man, what more could he possibly seek?

Qin Feng finally straightened, yet his face still beamed with joy.

"Your Highness, half of Beixi County belongs to you from now on!"

No sooner had he spoken than Li Zhang's face darkened: "Bullshit! Beixi County isn't mine, nor yours—it belongs to everyone."

"Why say this now? Are you testing me?"

"Don't worry—I'll hand over all my Authority right now and leave Beixi County."

Seeing Li Zhang truly angry, Qin Feng grabbed his arm, smiling apologetically: "Hey, I was just joking—don't take it seriously. I just wanted to say that even though one of us is Qin and the other Li, we're as close as brothers."

"No matter what happens, nothing will ever break our bond."

Hearing this, Li Zhang's expression softened; he let out a light huff: "Talk's cheap. If one day I betray Beixi County, will you spare me?"

Qin Feng shook his head with a smile, bluntly: "Impossible. If you betray it, you die. Even brothers must be fair."

Li Zhang punched Qin Feng in the chest, laughing and scolding: "That's why you should stop pretending around me—you can fool Xu Mo and Ning Hu, but not me."

"Those two Martial men are too straightforward. I'm not falling for your tricks."

The two locked eyes and burst into simultaneous laughter.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaolan, Shen Qingci, Ning Hu, and others approached, and the Northern Di Officials and officers accompanying Li Zhang also stepped forward to offer greetings.

After warm exchanges, Li Zhang pointed toward the palace: "Qin Brother, the Northern Di King and all the Jing Imperial Clan are holed up in the palace, defending it with the Imperial Guard. Why not go see them first?"

Qin Feng waved his hand dismissively: "Who cares!"

"Today's a day for celebration—let's enjoy ourselves first. The palace can wait—we're in no hurry."

Li Zhang laughed heartily: "I was thinking the same thing. The Northern Di King is already in our grasp—there's no rush to swallow him."

"I've already had the Ministry of Revenue cleared out—we'll move in there."

Under Li Zhang's lead, the group headed toward the Ministry of Revenue.

The Ministry of Revenue was not far from the palace; the Imperial Guard on the walls spotted the approaching crowd and immediately realized what was happening, rushing to report to the Northern Di King.