Chapter 1025

First Volume, Chapter 1025: The Sweet Date and the Big Stick

Qin Feng directly kicked the problem back; the Minister of Rites had no choice but to take it.

Wu Fangxu, fifty years old and having served as Minister of Rites for over a decade, felt a wave of frustration—among all the officials present, only he could wrangle this matter, and facing Qin Feng alone was overwhelmingly stressful.

Since the founding of Northern Di, there has never been a Nu Huang.

Not just Northern Di—even across the border in Liang, no woman had ever ruled.

Not only could Wu Fangxu not accept it, but the entire Northern Di, its countless subjects, could not accept it either.

Yet Wu Fangxu also knew well the relationship between Qin Feng and Jing Qianying, and dared not refuse outright; he immediately thought of a tactic.

"Marquis Qin, this minister proposes: let us first appoint a Prince as Regent, and when the time is ripe…"

Before Wu Fangxu could finish, Qin Feng cut him off sharply: "Fine. If you can find me a Prince right now, I'll do exactly as you say."

At these words, Wu Fangxu was once again speechless.

Qin Feng let out a cold snort: "Minister Wu, all you've said so far is just an attempt to delay."

"Appoint a Prince as Regent? Right now, the only Imperial Noble left outside the palace is Jing Peng!"

"Jing Peng has already fled to Bozhou. Go fetch him back, then."

These words made Wu Fangxu tremble violently; every official present turned pale.

Jing Peng?

This man, allied with Chen Si and Wu Kang, had fled to Bozhou and continued resistance—he was Qin Feng's foremost enemy. Anyone who dared bring Jing Peng back would be Qin Feng's mortal enemy.

Moreover, Qin Feng had just plainly stated that Jing Peng was the only Imperial Noble hiding outside; all other Princes and Imperial Grandsons remained inside the palace.

Wu Fangxu's forehead was drenched in sweat—he was stunned that Qin Feng had already investigated the whereabouts of every Prince so swiftly.

Before Wu Fangxu could recover from his shock, Qin Feng spoke coldly again: "Of the Princes hiding inside the palace, who among them is fit to shoulder this responsibility?"

Faced with Qin Feng's question, Wu Fangxu felt his legs go weak, nearly collapsing.

He hastily protested: "Marquis Qin, this minister would never harbor ill intent. Since none of the Princes are fit to rule Heaven, the succession to the Herald must be decided by you, Marquis Qin."

Qin Feng made no immediate reply; he sat calmly, scanning the Northern Di officials with icy eyes, speaking lightly: "I've said it before—I am an outsider. Choosing a new Monarch is not my place to decide."

"You force me to decide—do you intend to accuse me of being a traitorous thief of the state?"

Seeing the officials bow their heads in silence, Qin Feng's tone grew even more dismissive: "Again, I am an outsider—not one of your Northern Di officials. After this, I'll simply walk away. This state's affairs are not mine to govern."

"But there are some things I can decide—like severing someone's head."

"You are officials now, but that doesn't mean you'll be officials next moment! You're breathing now, but that doesn't mean you'll be breathing next moment!"

Feeling the murderous aura radiating from Qin Feng's tone, not a single official dared to breathe.

Qin Feng had been more than courteous to these officials—but they still clung to delusions, hoping to stall.

Then the sweet date is over—it's time to raise the big stick!

Qin Feng showed no mercy: "If you truly cannot find a suitable candidate, perhaps I should become the King of Northern Di myself?"

Qin Feng had already seized the entire Jingji of Northern Di—what if he changed the dynastic name and became the founding Emperor?

The deed was done; no one could resist him.

The reason Qin Feng hasn't done it yet—isn't it because of Jing Qianying?

The officials exchanged glances—they would gladly welcome Qin Feng to take the throne, for with his methods, Northern Di would surely be reborn.

But whoever took him seriously was clearly an idiot.

If Qin Feng truly became King of Northern Di, he would betray both the Liang Emperor and Jing Qianying—no escape from the accusations of disloyalty and treachery.

Moreover, whether Jing Qianying ascends or Qin Feng inherits the Herald, both place power within the same family—but the political consequences differ vastly.

Qin Feng had made his meaning perfectly clear; even if Wu Fangxu pretended ignorance, he could no longer hide.

He could only grit his teeth and respond: "The Imperial Nobles outside the palace are not only Jing Peng. I know of another: the late Emperor's Princess, Jing Yushu."

After all that, he finally got to the point!

Qin Feng snorted inwardly, narrowed his eyes, and feigned calm: "Jing Yushu is a Princess. If I recall correctly, Northern Di has never had a Nu Huang before, has it?"

"A great nation like Northern Di suddenly producing a Nu Huang—would the people accept it?"

Wu Fangxu wiped the sweat from his brow, nervously saying: "If… one of the two must be chosen, only Jing Yushu qualifies!"

His implication was clear: if the Princes and Imperial Grandsons inside the palace are disqualified, then the only two candidates left are Jing Qianying and Jing Peng—and there was no real choice.

Qin Feng cursed inwardly—this Wu Fangxu was truly ruthless; he was clearly hinting that Qin Feng should kill every Prince and Imperial Grandson inside the palace.

Eliminate the competition, and whether Jing Qianying was male or female, her succession could be justified.

Though Qin Feng firmly supported Jing Qianying, he would never commit mass slaughter—he immediately countered: "There are so many Princes and Imperial Grandsons inside the palace—how can this be a choice between two?"

Wu Fangxu knew this was Qin Feng deliberately setting him a trap—demanding Jing Qianying's ascension without bearing the blame.

Wu Fangxu had never been so desperate in his entire life.

He racked his brain, straining every thought.

Qin Feng wasn't in a hurry—he'd waited half a year; Jing Qianying had waited over a decade—what was another few minutes?

Time passed until nearly one incense stick time had elapsed, when Wu Fangxu suddenly brightened and hastily offered a solution.

"Marquis Qin, for Jing Yushu to inherit the throne, there are only two paths."

"One: prepare to suppress rebellions across the realm and consolidate the throne by force."

"Two: have His Majesty voluntarily perform Shan Rang."

Qin Feng was deeply disappointed—easy words, but the old Northern Di Monarch would rather die than surrender willingly—how could he possibly perform Shan Rang?

Wu Fangxu seemed to sense Qin Feng's thoughts and quickly added: "This 'voluntary' is not that 'voluntary.'"

"Having served in the Ministry of Rites for so many years, I know some hidden truths—if His Majesty seized power illegitimately, then Jing Yushu's succession would be restoring order and justice!"

Qin Feng finally showed interest—he had waited this long precisely for this moment: to have Ministry of Rites officials expose the Northern Di Monarch's sins.

"What hidden truths?"

Wu Fangxu clenched his teeth, as if he had finally made up his mind: "The late emperor's death was due to Poisoned!"