Chapter 1048

First Volume, Chapter 1048: The Entire Court Celebrates

Chen Si had long anticipated this, so he showed no surprise and gracefully accepted his banishment.

Though his deputy generals were outraged, Chen Si waved them off, signaling they need not confront Jing Peng.

After all, their relationship was no longer merely a military alliance.

It had become a faction, and would soon evolve into a state.

Moreover, with Jing Peng backed by Wu Kang, even if Chen Si held immense authority in the army, any conflict would only hasten everyone's demise.

"As the saying goes, man can shape his fate—but now, the course of events has slipped beyond human control."

"Whether it flourishes or declines rests entirely on Heaven's will."

"If Bozhou can welcome a bountiful harvest come spring, perhaps there is still room to maneuver; otherwise..."

Chen Si said no more, turned slowly with his hands behind his back, and walked away from the City Wall, his silhouette lonely and desolate.

…

In the Grand Hall of Liang Capital, during court assembly.

Qin Tianhu, who had specially returned to the capital, was being "attacked" by the officials—not because they harbored hostility toward him, but because the changes in the Northern Di had stirred the court into a frenzy, all demanding Qin Tianhu explain himself.

The once solemn and dignified Grand Hall was now drowned in a cacophony of voices.

"Grand Commandant Qin, to have fathered such a son is truly a monumental service to Liang!"

"Exactly right—Qin Marquis alone is better than ten thousand troops."

"Better than ten thousand troops? Since Liang's founding, our wars with the Northern Di have always been losses outnumbering victories; since Qin Marquis took office, what has changed? Everyone has seen it with their own eyes."

"Hahaha, without the Qin Family turning the tide, how could we have so easily won the National War?"

"Moreover, Qin Marquis, by going to the Northern Di, has brought the entire region under his control—so long as Qin Marquis stands, our Liang subjects may finally live in peace."

Watching the officials speak one after another, all offering congratulations,

Qin Tianhu, though immensely proud, still bowed and thanked each one, politely declining their exaggerated praise.

"Your Excellencies misunderstand—my son did not annex the Northern Di; he merely helped accelerate its dynastic transition."

"My son has no great ambitions; he has always confined himself to one mu three fen land on the Northern Border."

"As for turning the tide, I dare not claim such credit—it was the united effort of all Liang that defeated the Northern Di."

Qin Tianhu's words were not merely an evasion—they were meant for the Liang Emperor's ears.

Though everyone now understood clearly, even if Qin Feng remained loyal to Liang, he had long surpassed the mere label of "a minister whose merit overshadowed the sovereign."

Qin Feng had become Liang's foremost Aristocratic Clan.

Precisely because of this overwhelming power, the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng could coexist in peace.

Now, with Qin Feng securing the Northern Di, this delicate balance between them had grown even stronger.

In plain terms, even the Liang Emperor dared not break ties with Qin Feng.

The Liang Emperor, too, understood this well—he now relied on Qin Feng's strength to consolidate Heaven and Earth; no matter his private feelings, he must maintain this delicate equilibrium.

The Liang Emperor immediately beamed: "Grand Commandant Qin, do not keep refusing praise—Qin Feng is already the First Marquis Under Heaven, and now he has secured the Northern Di, ensuring eternal peace along our borders. Such merit deserves every compliment, without reservation."

"Given Qin Feng's status, rank, and wealth, I have nothing left to bestow."

"Grand Commandant Qin, what do you think I should grant him?"

Qin Tianhu, as a veteran minister, understood the Liang Emperor's intent perfectly, and replied humbly at once.

"Your Majesty's Imperial Grace—my son, as a subject of Liang, devoting himself entirely to Liang is his natural duty; why should he be rewarded?"

"If Your Majesty insists on a reward, then choose a Yellow Calendar Day, and let my son marry the Princess, sealing their union."

This struck the Liang Emperor's heart perfectly.

At this point, any gift he bestowed upon Qin Feng would be meaningless—only Mingyue Princess Li Xiaolan herself could truly reward Qin Feng.

Most crucially, the sooner they became in-laws, the more naturally the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng could interact.

After all, once they became family, no matter what grand deeds Qin Feng accomplished, they would be the Liang Emperor's own "family affairs."

The Liang Emperor nodded vigorously: "Grand Commandant Qin speaks wisely—I share this intention."

"After court adjourns, let the National Teacher select a Yellow Calendar Day, and arrange the marriage as soon as possible."

The Liang Emperor deliberately emphasized "as soon as possible"—Li Xiaolan was already pregnant, and with the long journey, if she returned with a changed figure, would it not invite ridicule?

Everything must be done swiftly.

Moreover, the Liang Emperor added: "Qin Marquis and Mingyue Princess have long been mutually devoted—this union is merely natural, flowing like water to its course."

"This is not even a reward."

"I shall grant Qin Feng two additional privileges, as recognition for his service in Sai Bei."

At these words, Qin Tianhu smiled knowingly.

He silently marveled—no wonder the Liang Emperor knew exactly what Qin Feng valued most.

In truth, across Heaven and Earth, besides Qin Tianhu himself, only the Liang Emperor truly understood Qin Feng.

In this dynasty, rules regarding concubines were relatively lenient.

Fifth Rank officials could directly claim one Concubine; Third Rank and above could take two Concubines; only First Rank officials could have four.

But these were merely Concubines—wives were governed by far stricter rules.

Even a First Rank official could marry only two wives.

One principal wife, plus one Side Wife.

Of course, these rules applied only to Officials—in general, official rank represented Authority, while noble titles were "more valuable."

The stipend of a noble title exceeded that of an official rank, and marriage quotas were more generous.

Yet to have Three Wives and Four Concubines, one needed at least the Noble Rank of Prince.

Though Qin Feng was the First Marquis Under Heaven, a Marquis remained a Marquis—limited to one wife and three Concubines.

The Liang Emperor's grant to Qin Feng of a quota to take three concubines was already an extraordinary privilege.

The Liang Emperor knew that Bei Di Nü Huang Jing Qianying was also pregnant; when Qin Feng returned to Shedynasty, he would naturally marry Li Xiaolan first, followed immediately by Jing Qianying—these two Yellow Calendar Days should be linked together, handled swiftly and decisively.

The remaining quota belonged to Xie Yun'er.

Xie Yun'er had been by Qin Feng's side the longest, and the relationship between the Qin and Xie families was deeply entrenched.

If not for Li Xiaolan, Xie Yun'er would have been Qin Feng's lawful, formally wedded principal wife; one could say that Li Xiaolan had taken Xie Yun'er's place.

Therefore, to appease Xie Bi and to cater to Qin Feng's preferences, making Xie Yun'er a Side Wife of the Qin Family was essential.

As for other women with any "relationship" to Qin Feng, their status would be reconsidered later.