Chapter 105: First Volume, Chapter 105: Summoned by a Noble

First Volume, Chapter 105: Summoned by a Noble

The palace maid gave Qin Feng a look that said "mind your own business," then said no more, walking straight toward the Hou Gong.

Qin Feng hated three kinds of people more than any other.

The first was anyone who bullied those close to him; the second, anyone handsomer than him; the third, anyone more arrogant than him.

The haughty palace maid before him was, unluckily, the third type.

Qin Feng snorted, stubbornly refusing to believe in her threats: "You're threatening me? My temper's explosive! Come on, Brother Lin, ignore her. Let's find a place—I'll buy you drinks, and we'll talk properly about opening the Book Bureau."

Lin Quqi trembled with fear and quickly whispered to Qin Feng: "Brother Qin, as the saying goes, the King of Hell is easier to deal with than the Little Ghosts—don't provoke this maid, or you'll invite trouble."

Qin Feng snorted coldly, refusing to show weakness: "If you hadn't held me back, I wouldn't have given her a second thought. Just be clear—I'm not scared, I'm just giving you face."

Lin Quqi shook his head with a sigh and smiled: "Go on, Brother Qin, don't delay."

Though Qin Feng inwardly resisted a hundred times over, he had no choice but to follow the maid toward the Hou Gong—after all, these Imperial Household women were all caged golden birds, never stepping beyond their doors, spending their days scheming to harm others. Whoever offended them would surely be turned into a lowly wretch before the day was out.

Watching Qin Feng jog after her, Lin Quqi sighed: "Since ancient times, those with great talent have always been eccentric, unlike others. Brother Qin has that very quality…"

Just as he mused, the Imperial Guard surrounded him, their faces fierce and menacing. Qin Feng was a Troublemaker they couldn't touch—but surely a poor Confucian Scholar like him was fair game?

Lin Quqi shuddered inwardly, dared not hesitate, and hurriedly bowed his head and left the Palace Gate, waiting outside.

Meanwhile, an unremarkable figure also departed from the Palace Gate, soon arriving at the Imperial Study, whispering a few words to Li Zhan.

Li Zhan did not delay, quickly approaching the Shushu and murmuring: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng has been summoned to Yuning Palace."

The Liang Emperor, deeply absorbed in studying the Secret Strategy for fundraising, replied absently: "Let him go. No need to panic."

Li Zhan hesitated a moment, then gathered courage to probe: "Moreover, Qin Feng mentioned the Book Bureau."

"Oh?" The Liang Emperor's interest stirred; his gaze flickered sideways. "Has he come up with another way to make money? Qin Feng's talents never cease to surprise me. From what I know of him, anything he touches is profitable—and profitably so. No need to dig into the details—just ensure he deposits his share into the National Treasury every month. I've granted him countless favors for his little business—can't I expect something in return?"

Seeing the Liang Emperor smiling, in high spirits, Li Zhan's courage grew. He smiled warmly in agreement: "Your Majesty may be too late—Qin Feng has already declared he'll pay two or three percent in taxes, calling it some 'curved path to save the nation.'"

"Hahaha!" The Liang Emperor burst into laughter. "A 'curved path to save the nation'? Qin Feng, Qin Feng—I'm growing fonder of you by the day."

Laughter echoed through the Imperial Study. Moments later, the Liang Emperor's gaze returned to the Secret Strategy, and he casually dropped: "Li Zongguan, go to Yuning Palace. Don't show yourself—just protect him covertly. Women's hearts are as deep as the ocean. One need not fear the ten thousand, only the one in a million."

Li Zhan bowed and departed without delay, heading straight for Yuning Palace.

Meanwhile, in the Western Flower Hall of Yuning Palace, the maid casually dumped Qin Feng there and vanished.

Qin Feng, in an unfamiliar environment, felt uneasy—every woman living in the Hou Gong was of imperial worth; a single misstep meant Death Penalty.

That dead-eyed maid was clearly trying to force him into a mistake!

Trapped between advance and retreat, Qin Feng gritted his teeth and crept along the hidden path of the Western Flower Hall, step by cautious step. After only a dozen meters, he heard hushed voices.

His heart lurched—no guide, no warning. To stumble upon a Noble, even a mere Imperial Pin, could mean ruin for his entire family.

No—must retreat!

Qin Feng turned on his heel without hesitation—only to hear a soft, seductive voice behind him: "You've come all this way—why hide? Master Qin, aren't you the one who fears nothing? This isn't your style."

Such a supremely alluring voice—seduction woven into every syllable. Qin Feng drew a deep breath, steadied himself, and turned toward the sound.

Amid the flowers stood a Cool Pavilion, where three women sat. Seeing their faces, Qin Feng's heart sank.

Beside them, the serving maid—beside her, the young woman, Qin Feng recognized at once: the Princess of Qiyang Commandery, the same one who had begged for poetry at Qingya Pavilion.

The woman opposite was perhaps twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with willow-browed eyes and a naturally alluring frame.

Yet her allure carried no lack of pride.

Add to that her exquisitely embroidered golden phoenix robe—and it was clear: this mature, seductive woman was the Princess of Qiyang's mother, the Chang Princess!

Qin Feng did not hesitate. He tiptoed forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with utmost respect: "Commoner Qin Feng, pays homage to Chang Princess."

Since the Chang Princess had lost her husband, it was reasonable she resided in the Hou Gong.

But Qin Feng could not fathom why she summoned him—he barely knew her.

After a long silence, the Chang Princess's voice came from above: "I hear you dislike kneeling—even before the Emperor, you merely bow. What if I, disbelieving, insist you kneel?"

Her tone was wrong from the start—thick with hostility.

Qin Feng had no idea what he'd done to offend this Ancestor—but she was one of the most exalted women in the Hou Gong. He dared not delay, bowing low: "Your Highness, this humble subject suffers from a strange illness…."

Before he finished, the Princess of Qiyang burst into peals of laughter, her bell-like voice echoing through the Western Flower Hall: "Heh—he's got a disease that keeps his knees from bending? Who in Jingdu doesn't know? Mother, this Qin Feng is quite amusing."

The Chang Princess had planned to deliver a Downward Warning—but the Princess of Qiyang had ruined her mood. She sighed helplessly: "Enough. Qin Feng, raise your head and speak."

Qin Feng exhaled in relief, silently thanking the Princess of Qiyang for her timely rescue.

When he looked up at the Chang Princess, he was struck by awe.

The Chang Princess was not only naturally alluring, but carried the imperial aura of supreme dignity. Most striking of all—she held a needle and thread, calmly, unhurriedly, threading it with perfect composure.

The colorful phoenix on the embroidered handkerchief was lifelike, its craftsmanship exquisite—clear proof of the Chang Princess's profound calm and seasoned poise.