Chapter 1052

First Volume_Chapter 1052: At Others' Mercy

After being scolded together by the two of them, Qin Feng could only rub his nose and slink away in embarrassment.

"Weird!"

"It's truly weird!"

"I am the backbone of the entire Northern Border, now everyone's pillar—why, at this very deadline of our triumphant return, have I become a rat everyone wants to chase and berate?"

Qin Feng paced back and forth in the courtyard, his heart heavy with gloom.

At that moment, a conversation emerged from Li Xiaolan's room.

Qin Feng didn't think much of it, assuming Shen Qingci was briefing Li Xiaolan on splitting up for the journey.

Just as Qin Feng felt utterly superfluous and was about to turn away, a familiar voice suddenly caught his attention.

That voice…

Was it Jing Ci?

"How did Li Xiaolan end up talking to Jing Ci?"

Qin Feng frowned tightly, tiptoeing to the bedside, pretending to spit on his finger and poking it against the window—only to be utterly embarrassed to discover the window was covered not with paper, but cloth.

With no other option, Qin Feng pressed himself against the window, listening intently.

"Princess Mingyue, His Majesty has just ascended the Imperial Throne and is returning to Liang Kingdom—how can she be so trusting?"

"I carry the blood of the Di King. Leaving me here—won't you fear…"

Before Jing Ci could finish, Li Xiaolan laughed and shook her head to interrupt.

"Whether Qian Ying trusts you doesn't matter—it's whether Feng'er trusts you that counts."

"Feng'er once said you are one of the very few in all of Di who genuinely seek the people's welfare."

"You've witnessed the cruelty of war firsthand—any selfish motive will reignite the flames. Isn't that the very thing you least wish to see?"

Jing Ci lowered her head and gave a bitter smile: "To be honest, I do hate Qin Feng—but for the sake of the Di people, I have no choice."

"I don't want to see anyone suffer anymore."

"I don't care whether Qian Ying is a woman. Since she has inherited the Herald, as long as she governs this nation diligently, I will support her."

Li Xiaolan placed a hand on Jing Ci's thin shoulder and spoke with solemn gravity: "Feng'er left you in Di not only to assist Li Zhang, but for another crucial reason."

Jing Ci nodded and answered eagerly: "I know—to observe Filial Mourning for Father King."

"Correct."

Li Xiaolan greatly admired this clever girl: "The Di King sacrificed himself for his country, preserving the royal family's dignity. As his daughter, staying behind to observe Filial Mourning is only right."

"Given enough time, everyone will gradually forget everything."

"But if you were taken away, all of Heaven would condemn Feng'er for it."

"I know you wish to visit Beixi County, study, and return to serve Di—but there's no rush. Once Di's situation stabilizes, I'll send someone to fetch you."

Jing Ci looked at Li Xiaolan with deep gratitude.

"Princess Mingyue, why are you so kind to me? Even His Majesty treats me with great distance."

Li Xiaolan had anticipated this question and replied softly: "In the end, we are the same kind of person—full of ambition, yet with nowhere to apply it."

"I've experienced more than you, and I've learned to let go."

"As for Qian Ying, give her time. After all, she was hunted by the Di King her entire life; every family member was killed by him. Asking her to accept you so quickly is truly unfair."

"But don't worry—even if Qian Ying never accepts you, she won't retaliate or harm you, because you are someone Feng'er trusts."

Jing Ci had not the slightest doubt about Li Xiaolan's words.

Though Qian Ying was proud and vengeful, she obeyed Qin Feng utterly; once Qin Feng approved, even if she disliked Jing Ci intensely, she would tolerate her.

Moreover, Qian Ying was never narrow-minded—otherwise, when she seized the palace, she would have slaughtered the entire royal family.

Don't speak of political consequences…

With Qin Feng's support, sheer military pressure alone is enough to make Di submit.

Sometimes, even Jing Ci felt deep sympathy for Qian Ying's plight. By staying in Di and governing with Li Zhang, she was, in a way, replacing her father and making amends for the harm done to Qian Ying.

"I understand. I will stay and help Elder Sister care for this nation."

Hearing the words "Elder Sister," Li Xiaolan smiled knowingly.

Since becoming pregnant, Li Xiaolan had grown even gentler, almost overflowing with maternal warmth. She reached out and stroked Jing Ci's head, soothing her softly: "Don't overthink it."

"My kindness to you isn't entirely selfless."

"After all, your kin either died for the country or were imprisoned—you're left utterly alone. Even if you don't feel it now, you'll grow lonely and empty later."

"Just treat me as your sister."

"Being kind to you is also being kind to ourselves."

Faced with Li Xiaolan's heartfelt words, Jing Ci was moved to tears. Though she and Qin Feng carried national and familial enmity, for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to hate him.

Perhaps because Jing Ci also knew, deep down, who truly served this nation's best interests.

As for Li Xiaolan before her, Jing Ci had already come to see her as a sister.

"Sister, when you leave, be careful on the road—I'm still waiting to visit Beixi County."

Li Xiaolan smiled and replied: "Understood. You should go back too. Don't bother coming to see us off tomorrow."

As Jing Ci opened the door, Qin Feng hurriedly ducked into the corner.

Only after Jing Ci closed the door and walked away did Qin Feng emerge, dashing into the room in one leap.

"Wife, how did you end up cozying up to Jing Ci?"

As Qin Feng demanded an explanation, Li Xiaolan opened her mouth to answer—but swallowed the words mid-sentence.

Her cheeks flushed red as she pouted: "Pfft, shameless—who's your wife?"

"We're not even married yet!"

"Also… what do you mean 'getting involved'? You really have a sharp tongue."

Qin Feng threw himself straight onto the bed, as unbothered as a dead pig scalded by boiling water: "Even though we haven't married yet, you're my wife, and no one can change that."

"From now on, you absolutely must not be alone with Jing Ci."

"Jing Ci is, after all, the daughter of the Northern Di King, and you're the apple of my eye. If she were to harm you, how would I go on living?"

Hearing Qin Feng's words, although Li Xiaolan's heart felt warm, she still shot him a withering glare.

"What you're thinking in your head—do you really think I don't know?"

"The moment you sensed even the slightest danger, you'd have Jing Ci locked up already."

"Jing Ci is harmless as a dove; how could she possibly harm me?"

"Even taking a step back—if she really had such a malicious heart, she probably wouldn't have the ability."

True enough!

The worry that had been hanging over Qin Feng's heart settled at last, for Li Xiaolan had once been a Heaven Ranking Assassin.