Chapter 107: First Volume_Chapter 107: Unfathomable

First Volume_Chapter 107: Unfathomable

The Chang Princess gave a gentle smile. Though she knew perfectly well that Qin Feng was playing dumb, she didn't mind. She handed her needlework to a palace maid and waved lightly; the maid, knowing her place, took her leave.

Once the Cool Pavilion was free of idle onlookers, the Chang Princess finally took a proper look at Qin Feng. Although their statuses differed, as a Widow, the Chang Princess harbored none of the reservations other nobles had, nor did she need to avoid impropriety. She simply looked Qin Feng up and down, and a glint passed through her eyes — a depth no less profound than the Liang Emperor's.

"Matters of court are for His Majesty and the senior ministers to decide. Once decided, so it is. As for right and wrong, posterity will judge. It's not for a mere woman like myself to gossip about."

"I summoned you here today for two matters. First — I hear you and Xie Yun'er have developed feelings for one another?"

The moment he heard the name Xie Yun'er, Qin Feng's head started buzzing.

That violent girl — Qin Feng couldn't dodge her fast enough. How could he possibly have any intention of getting involved with her?

Just as Qin Feng was about to explain himself, the Lady of Qiyang Commandery beside him cut in first: "I always speak my mind. Qin Feng, you may have a little cleverness, but you're utterly unworthy of Yun'er."

Judging by her tone, the Lady of Qiyang Commandery and Xie Yun'er were on good terms.

It wasn't hard to understand — after all, the circle of Jingdu's young nobles was large or small depending on how you looked at it. Once one's status reached a certain level, one ran into everyone everywhere.

Besides, the Lady of Qiyang Commandery was straightforward by nature, and she and Xie Yun'er were kindred spirits. It was only natural that they were close.

To play it safe, Qin Feng didn't deny it outright. Instead, he took a clever route, grinning foolishly: "If the Xie family's young lady could take a liking to me, that would be my good fortune."

The Lady of Qiyang Commandery's eyes were full of contempt as she said bluntly: "Yun'er take a liking to you? What a joke! What Yun'er despises most is a pedantic scholar like you who only knows how to play petty tricks. To win Yun'er's heart, you'd at least have to be a general. I advise you to give up that notion, lest a toad try to eat swan meat and become a laughingstock."

After being mocked from head to toe by the Lady of Qiyang Commandery, Qin Feng wasn't angry — after all, since ancient times, a girlfriend's best friend had always been the cancer of love…

Qin Feng glanced unobtrusively at the Chang Princess and noticed she hadn't refuted the Lady of Qiyang Commandery.

So the mother and daughter were putting on a coordinated act — one playing the bad cop, one the good cop, working together to take a jab at him?

As for why they wanted him to stay away from Xie Yun'er, Qin Feng couldn't figure it out for the moment. Was it fear that a marriage alliance between the Qin Family and the Xie Family would create a power too large to control? Who knew!

Qin Feng didn't dwell on the matter. Seeing fruits laid out on the table, he casually picked up an apple and started munching, continuing his usual brash style. He mumbled: "What's the second matter?"

At Qin Feng's rude behavior, the Lady of Qiyang Commandery rolled her eyes. Though she disliked it, she didn't press the issue.

The Chang Princess, meanwhile, wore a beaming smile and said softly: "I heard that on your way into the palace, you met with the Second Prince?"

At these words, Qin Feng couldn't help but be startled.

Meeting the Second Prince had only happened just before entering the palace. Apart from the Liang Emperor, who had eyes and ears everywhere, the news couldn't have reached the palace so quickly. How did the Chang Princess know? Was she secretly keeping Surveillance on him — or on the Second Prince?!

Anything involving the Second Prince was necessarily tied to the Crown Prince!

There could be no carelessness whatsoever in this matter. One slip, and it could easily end in the ruin of his entire family.

Since ancient times, the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng had been the most brutal of struggles.

Qin Feng only wanted to make money and live a lavishly decadent life. He had no desire to be dragged into such bloody struggles. That was also why he had decisively refused the Second Prince's recruitment earlier.

Qin Feng's mind raced at full speed, but his mouth kept crunching the sweet, crisp apple, wearing a carefree look: "Sigh, Your Highness may laugh at me, but if His Majesty hadn't summoned me today, I fear my little life would've been in danger."

The Chang Princess smiled gently, her expression unreadable: "What do you mean by that?"

Qin Feng let out a long sigh, putting on a wronged look: "The Second Prince's businesses are all over Jingdu. Because of some commercial matters, I've made an enemy of him. Just today, on the way into the palace, the Second Prince sent people to block me — I nearly got beaten to a pulp."

"The Second Prince also warned me to behave myself from now on. If I dare touch his businesses again, he'd have me flayed alive."

Hearing this, the Chang Princess gave a slight nod, lost in thought.

Qin Feng's heart was practically in his throat. In any Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, those of the Imperial Bloodline were sure to be Implicated. Even if they didn't openly take sides, they certainly had their own secretly backed factions.

Until he figured out the Chang Princess's stance, he couldn't afford the slightest slack. Leaning toward either side could bring fatal disaster.

Qin Feng munched away on his apple, his eyes roving slyly. One moment he cast a critical gaze over the Lady of Qiyang Commandery's graceful figure; the next, he idly examined the flowers around him.

After a moment, the Chang Princess's voice finally rose: "As one of the Imperial Bloodline, he ought not to be involved in commerce, but the Second Prince has always been unconventional. As his aunt, I shouldn't say too much. However, I do appreciate talent. For the sake of 'Drunk in the Flowers' Shade,' if the Second Prince troubles you again in the future, just give my name."

At these words, Qin Feng was overwhelmed with gratitude, almost dropping to his knees to kowtow to her on the spot. He said excitedly: "Does that mean… you'll cover me from now on?"

Qin Feng's blunt, street-smart manner amused the Chang Princess into another gentle smile. Since losing her husband, the Chang Princess hadn't laughed as many times in total as she had today.

Seeing her mother laugh so often, the Lady of Qiyang Commandery was secretly delighted. Though this Qin Feng was roguish and lacked any of the dignity befitting a noble Young Master, he was an interesting fellow.

The Chang Princess's face was full of warmth: "There's nothing else. You may take your leave."

Qin Feng rose hastily and bowed, then stared openly at the fruit on the table, swallowed his saliva, and shamelessly said: "Princess, are you still going to eat these?"

The Chang Princess was momentarily stunned, not expecting the boy to be so impudent. She shook her head with a light laugh: "Take them if you like. The palace has plenty."

Qin Feng leaped for joy, shouting "Wonderful!" He tucked up his hem, poured all the fruits into it, and scampered off gleefully with his makeshift bundle, afraid the Chang Princess might change her mind — so much so that he even forgot to say "I take my leave."

Watching Qin Feng's joyful, laden figure depart, the Chang Princess sighed softly: "This boy is indeed clever. No matter how I tested him, he showed not the slightest crack. Whenever palace matters came up, he either changed the subject or belittled himself, refusing to be tied to palace affairs in any way.

"Getting this boy to pick a side will be difficult. Perhaps that is precisely why Imperial Brother values him so highly…"