Chapter 1059: First Volume, Chapter 1059: The Jing Shi Nu Huang of Great Di

First Volume, Chapter 1059: The Jing Shi Nu Huang of Great Di

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng also covered their mouths and stifled laughter; Wu Tang lifted his head high, assuming an air of supreme pride and satisfaction.

The old man didn't understand what these nobles were laughing at.

But realizing the others meant no harm, the old man's courage grew, and he ventured a tentative question.

"Young Master, have you heard of Qin Feng?"

Qin Feng smiled and nodded, indicating he had heard of this person.

The old man had some discernment—he saw that when the noble heard the name Qin Feng, his expression didn't darken even slightly; instead, he smiled even more casually and at ease, and thus knew these nobles were not Qin Feng's enemies.

He immediately began boasting: "Those officials all say Qin Feng is the enemy of this nation."

"In my opinion, it's all damn nonsense."

"Where has Qin Feng done anything wrong? Since Sangzhou fell into Qin Feng's hands, the common people have lived freely and happily—this good life is plain to see."

"And as for Zhuozhou, after Qin Feng captured it, he never touched the civilians; instead, the local army, desperate for military rations, plundered every village and town they came across!"

"Hmph, we'd gladly let Qin Feng rule us. As for the local officials and army, they're no better than bandits."

When speaking of Qin Feng, the old man's eyes shone brightly, brimming with admiration in every word.

The surrounding elderly, weak, and sick also nodded in agreement.

"That's true—whoever lets us live well is a good person."

"This whole country can't even protect our lives; Sangzhou is better—once you go there, you actually feel human."

"By the way, Young Master, where are you headed?"

Facing the refugees' questions, Qin Feng smiled and shrugged: "Funny—we're headed to Sangzhou too."

Hearing this, the old man's eyes lit up: "Young Master, we're going to Sangzhou to flee, but why are you going?"

"Someone like you, wherever you go, can live well—why bother going to Sangzhou?"

Qin Feng still smiled, his tone laden with meaning: "I'm not fleeing—I'm returning home."

The old man's eyes grew even more excited: "Wait—you're from Sangzhou? With your noble bearing, you must be a wealthy landowner there! You must've met Qin Feng himself—what's he like?"

This actually stumped Qin Feng. Since arriving in Northern Di, his fair face had been weathered by wind and sun, and now he'd forgotten exactly what he looked like himself.

As Qin Feng struggled to answer, Wu Tang suddenly spoke from behind him.

"Who told you this man is from Sangzhou?"

Frightened by Wu Tang's fierce demeanor, the old man instantly pulled his head back, trembling: "B-but… didn't you say he's returning home?"

"Returning home to Sangzhou—then isn't he from Sangzhou?"

Wu Tang lifted his head, full of arrogance: "Can't someone just pass through Sangzhou?"

The old man was utterly confused—pass through Sangzhou… what's south of Sangzhou?

While he was pondering this, a sudden cry rang out beside him.

A middle-aged man, disheveled and filthy, stared fixedly at Qin Feng and exclaimed: "You're from Liang Kingdom?!"

"I knew your accent sounded off."

Upon hearing the young man was from Liang Kingdom, the refugees all tensed up.

They weren't afraid of Liang people—they were afraid of… locals!

Though Northern Di and Great Liang had ceased hostilities, most officials and wealthy landowners still harbored hatred for Great Liang; naturally, they dared not directly harm Liang citizens.

But when dealing with local common people, they showed no mercy.

The refugees didn't want to be targeted by local gentry just for associating with a Liang person.

"Young Master, you're a good man, but… let's go our separate ways—it's better for everyone."

"The gentry won't trouble you, nor will they trouble us…"

Before Qin Feng could speak, Jing Qianying coldly asked: "Why fear?"

"Now that peace has finally come to Heaven, the gentry should serve Great Di—how can they oppress ordinary people?"

Feeling the aura radiating from Jing Qianying, the old man forced a smile: "That's true in theory, but what's said above and what's done below are two different things."

"Even if officials in Wang Du can cover the sky, they can't cover Qiong Xiang Pi Rang."

"Madam, you don't understand…"

Qin Feng smiled, studying the old man, and asked gently: "Old sir, do you know who this woman before you is?"

The old man answered instinctively: "Isn't she your wife?"

Qin Feng's smile widened: "We're about to marry, so yes, she's my wife—but she has another title."

"Do you know your country has changed dynasties?"

The old man shook his head: "Changed dynasties? I don't know…"

Of course! The country had turned upside down, but to villagers, it was utterly distant.

It seemed to them that dynastic change meant nothing.

But one refugee from Ezhou had heard rumors and quickly chimed in: "I think I've heard something like that."

"I once heard from a fellow who fled from Jingji—he said Qin Feng led an army and captured Wang Du, His Majesty died for his country, and a new emperor ascended."

The refugees looked bewildered—they knew nothing of their nation's changes.

Qin Feng turned to the Ezhou refugee: "You seem well-informed—do you know who the new emperor is?"

The Ezhou refugee stammered: "It… it was a woman."

At this, the crowd erupted.

All the refugees stared wide-eyed, incredulous: "What?! Our country has a woman ruling now?"

"The emperor died… the new emperor is a Nu Huang?"

"What in Heaven has happened to this country?"

Facing the refugees' doubts, Jing Qianying paid no mind; she spoke with calm detachment: "Though I am a Daughter's Body, my resolve to uphold the state is no less than any man's."

At first, the refugees did not react; they huddled together, whispering among themselves.

Suddenly, the old man lifted his head, staring at Jing Qianying in astonishment: "Madam, what did you just call yourself?"

Jing Qianying's expression was cold and clear; she replied crisply: "I am the Emperor."

The once bustling scene fell instantly silent; all eyes turned to Jing Qianying.

Wu Tang declared with firm, resonant voice: "You have not misheard, nor misseen!"

"The Lady Qin seated before you is the new ruler of Northern Di, the Jing Shi Nü Huang!"

The refugees' faces froze in stunned disbelief, as if in a dream; the old man gazed at Jing Qianying and asked hesitantly: "You are… His Majesty?"

Jing Qianying did not answer, but countered: "Doesn't it seem so?"

The old man swallowed hard, looked up at Wu Tang: "If you are His Majesty, why are you not in Wang Du?"

"Are you not returning home?"

Wu Tang stood tall, his voice strong and full: "She is both Nü Huang and the future Lady Qin—of course she accompanies her husband home!"