Chapter 1050: First Volume, Chapter 1050: The Long Road Home

First Volume, Chapter 1050: The Long Road Home

The Liang Emperor intended to let Prince Ming's family return to Jingdu, a gesture to signal his stance to Qin Feng, enabling them to cooperate wholeheartedly from now on.

But Qin Tianhu's remark, "Maintain the status quo," served as a warning to the Liang Emperor.

Prince Ming remaining in the Northern Border is not necessarily bad—he is an Imperial Clan Member, aligned with Qin Feng, and can subtly oversee the Three Generals of the Northern Border, which is both reasonable and silences the heavens, preventing anyone from sowing discord by claiming there are two Emperors in Shedynasty.

The Liang Emperor suddenly felt the pressure on his shoulders lift considerably.

The Qin Family had already paved the way; all the Liang Emperor needed to do was focus on domestic affairs and coordinate officials at all levels.

The Liang Emperor now felt confident about launching a spring campaign against the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing.

At that moment, the Liang Emperor suddenly remembered something—since the Li Imperial Clan and the Qin Family were now on harmonious terms, there was no need to hide it anymore.

The Liang Emperor immediately asked: "Grand Commandant Qin, Li Yong, accompanied by servants, has begun wandering the streets—this has a terrible impact. I am considering banishing this rebellious son from Jingdu. What do you think, Grand Commandant?"

The Liang Emperor understood Qin Feng's intention to protect Li Yong and preserve talent for the Li Imperial Clan.

But he was still in the prime of his vigor, and Li Yong had committed grave crimes; any action Li Yong took now appeared glaringly offensive.

Qin Tianhu bowed and clasped his fists: "This is Your Majesty's family matter; it is not for this Old Minister to meddle."

"Let Your Majesty decide as you see fit."

"Your Majesty knows the Qin Family's limits—so long as it does not touch Shedynasty's interests, the Qin Family will wholeheartedly support Your Majesty's ImperialJustice."

With those words, the Liang Emperor felt reassured.

What he loved most about the Qin Family was that they rarely opposed him—even when they disagreed, they would privately inform him, never publicly denounce him in the Imperial Court and humiliate him.

Capable, powerful, and politically astute—he found it hard not to like them.

…

In the Bei Di Wang Du, Qin Feng moved swiftly and simply, gradually handing over all affairs to Li Zhang, while he himself began packing to depart Bei Di and return to Shedynasty.

Though rushed, Qin Feng had no choice if he wished to protect Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying.

The contingent returning to Shedynasty was massive.

Just the Frontline Combat Unit numbered over twenty thousand, not counting the civilians relocated from Changshui County and Qin Feng's personal household and subordinates—altogether, nearly thirty thousand.

Moving thirty thousand people over long distances was as difficult as deploying a large army; Qin Feng spent most of his time preparing grain and forage.

Considering Bei Di Guo's depleted national strength and scarce food supplies, procuring locally was too difficult.

Qin Feng could only bypass the nearby and source from Beixi County instead, requiring a dedicated Grain Escort and troops to protect the supplies—an additional expense.

These days, returning home was never easy.

Conservatively estimated, the journey back to Shedynasty would cost tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Fortunately, Beixi County was extremely reliable; this sum was fully covered by Beixi County's treasury and Tianji Camp.

Even though Qin Feng's army had swift communication and rapid deployment, arranging the army's departure still took nearly half a month.

With all preparations complete, as dawn barely broke, Qin Feng felt his ear being sharply tugged.

He opened his eyes—it was Shen Qingci.

"The sun's already on your butt, still sleeping? Are you trying to lazy yourself to death?"

"Get up quickly—everyone's waiting for you!"

Shen Qingci grabbed Qin Feng's ear without warning and yanked him off the bed.

Qin Feng felt his ear might be ruined; rubbing his bleary eyes, he grumbled.

"Elder Sister, I am the First Marquis Under Heaven—can't you treat me with a little respect?"

"If outsiders see this, how will I ever maintain my dignity?"

Shen Qingci paid no heed to his protest; instead, she kicked him hard on the buttocks and snorted, "Don't put on airs with me—in my eyes, you're still just a little brat."

"As long as I'm your Elder Sister, you'll never escape my Five Finger Mountain."

"If you don't get up now, I'll break your dog legs."

Threatened by Shen Qingci, Qin Feng reluctantly washed up and changed into clean clothes.

Throughout the entire process, Shen Qingci stood by, watching him like a guard afraid he'd sneak a nap.

Since Bei Di was stabilized, for some reason, Shen Qingci had taken to harassing Qin Feng constantly, finding any excuse to scold him.

Most infuriatingly, Ning Hu and Xu Mo, upon hearing her sharp cry, fled like mice seeing a cat—utterly disloyal.

These past days, Qin Feng was exhausted, dragging his nearly broken body, muttering quietly.

"Elder Sister, why can't you just let me sleep in?"

"We've been in Bei Di so long—what's one more hour?"

"If you're truly bored, go help Xiaolan and Qian Ying—don't loiter around me all day. And if you must loiter, at least be a gentleman—words only, no hands."

"Do you know what the men below are whispering about me behind my back?"

Listening to Qin Feng's complaints, Shen Qingci crossed her arms and snorted.

She never gave him a good look.

"No matter how much you plead, the outcome won't change—just get out and go."

Qin Feng scratched his head, utterly baffled.

"Elder Sister… do you hate me?"

"If you don't hate me, why do you torment me every single day?"

Shen Qingci admitted outright: "Yes, I hate you."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's eyes widened: "Why? What have I done to you?"

Shen Qingci looked down at him as if he were a hired thug and snapped, "You've ruined my two sisters—how do you think you've offended me?"

"Just look at how vibrant Xiaolan and Qian Ying once were—now they're like sickly invalids, listless all day."

"I… I'm not blaming you for those things—after all, love is mutual, you two chose it yourselves, even Old Heaven can't interfere."

"But... now we have no official status, yet you're pregnant—what kind of situation is this?"

Watching Shen Qingci stand up for her two younger sisters, Qin Feng couldn't help but smile inwardly.

After all was said and done, it was all because of Feng Zi Qin Shen.

Although Qin Feng thought Shen Qingci was overreacting, he reconsidered—Feng Zi Qin Shen was indeed not tolerated in this era.

If not for Qin Feng's status and position, this matter would have spread far and wide, and everyone would have laughed themselves sick.

"Elder Sister, I'm not even worried—why are you so worked up?"