Chapter 1071

First Volume, Chapter 1071: The Role of a Leader

Speaking of this, Qin Feng sighed deeply; in his heart, he truly felt guilty toward Liu Ming.

All along, Liu Ming bore the heaviest burden, did the most dangerous and exhausting work, and received the harshest punishments.

If Liu Ming had not led the Brocade Clothing Guard to scout everywhere and carried out countless filthy, dark tasks Qin Feng could never bring himself to do, how could Qin Feng be issuing orders here?

Placing Liu Ming in the position he truly deserved was the only kindness Qin Feng could offer him.

But Shen Qingci nearly altered Liu Ming's position.

Stopping Qin Feng, risking his life to advise, correcting mistakes—these were Li Zhang's duties.

Not even Liu Ming, let alone Ning Hu and Xu Mo, these two confidants, could speak out recklessly.

As Spy Chief, Liu Ming's identity was already extremely sensitive; to suddenly overstep and seize Li Zhang's task was unthinkable.

If Qin Feng did not kill him, he could not establish authority; if he killed him, he would lose a loyal subordinate.

Thus, Shen Qingci's well-intentioned act caused immense harm.

But Qin Feng could only silently bear all the blame for his family and make an exception by sparing Shen Qingci and Liu Ming.

On the battlefield, a Commander; outside it, a Leader; in daily life, a family member—Qin Feng had to strain his mind to balance these three utterly different roles.

Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying continually comforted Shen Qingci.

"Elder Sister, learn from your mistake—just remember, don't meddle in anything outside your personal life."

"Yes, as women of the household, we must clearly know our place—the more we reach out, the more awkward Feng'er's position becomes."

Shen Qingci lowered her head, deeply aware of her error.

She finally understood why, despite the importance of eliminating the Chen Family, Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying had remained silent, never offering any opinion.

Precisely this was the wisest approach.

Li Xiaolan knew Qin Feng feared saying too much and hurting Elder Sister's feelings.

But to make Shen Qingci fully grasp the stakes, as sisters, she still spoke up.

"Elder Sister, do you know why emperors fear their maternal relatives above all?"

Maternal relatives…

Hearing this term, Shen Qingci suddenly saw the truth and realized how great a disaster she had nearly caused Qin Feng.

Every woman by Qin Feng's side, without exception, should best serve as a vase—maximally, only handle her own duties, never cross the line.

Once she crosses it, external interference becomes likely, gradually evolving into power seizure and sidelining.

If Liu Ming had followed Shen Qingci's orders and killed the Chen family, then in future similar situations, he would no longer consult Qin Feng but go straight to Shen Qingci.

After all, Qin Feng would never harm Shen Qingci in any way—so with her word, Liu Ming could act recklessly and "enforce justice."

This is exactly what "pull one hair and move the whole body" means!

Shen Qingci's well-intentioned act nearly disrupted everyone's position and placed Qin Feng in danger.

Shen Qingci raised her head, her gaze toward Qin Feng shifting repeatedly.

"Feng'er, I'm sorry—I've realized my mistake."

"Don't worry—I will never become your maternal relative."

Hearing Elder Sister's apology, Qin Feng smiled knowingly and suddenly pulled Shen Qingci into his arms.

Perhaps due to guilt and shame, Shen Qingci, for the first time ever, did not struggle.

Qin Feng naturally took advantage, groping her freely while feigning solemnity to soothe her.

"Elder Sister, since you now understand the stakes, and given our relationship, how could I still hold a grudge?"

"But mistakes still must be punished!"

"I'll punish you—tonight, sleep with me!"

Hearing this, Shen Qingci's face flushed crimson; she violently broke free from Qin Feng's arms and punched him square in the chest.

"Pah! You shameless scoundrel—even if I'm wrong, I'm still your elder sister; how dare you take advantage of me?"

"Xiao Xiangxiang, Shu Feng, what are you waiting for? Teach him a lesson!"

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng actually obeyed, laughing sweetly as they rushed forward.

This is rebellion! All of you are in rebellion!

Qin Feng sighed inwardly—Elder Sister's status and authority were still climbing uncontrollably; even his personal maid attendants now obeyed her without question.

If this continued, wouldn't his own position be completely sidelined among the women?

No! Must counterattack!

Qin Feng pinned all three women beneath him, furious: "How dare you strike this Marquis? You're all in rebellion—I'll teach you a lesson!"

Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying, seated nearby, shook their heads with wry smiles.

Due to their physical condition, they did not join the chaos, only occasionally egging them on.

"Elder Sister, how can you not even handle this fellow?"

"Xiao Xiangxiang, grab his arms!"

"Shu Feng, you're holding back too much—your martial skills should be more than enough to deal with this scoundrel; hurry up and teach him a lesson."

Inside the Imperial Road Carriage, a joyful atmosphere reigned.

Wu Tang, riding beside the carriage, listened to the commotion inside, both envious and admiring.

"Our Marquis seems to have endless energy."

"But honestly, I was genuinely terrified for Liu Ming—if the Marquis hadn't remembered Liu Ming's tireless service, he would've killed him this time."

The Deputy General beside him shrugged.

"Liu Ming, how could he have done such a stupid thing so carelessly?"

"Even if the Marquis pokes a hole in the sky, the Heir Apparent will clean up after him—there's no place for Liu Ming to speak out."

Wu Tang instead burst out laughing: "Who among men is without fault?"

"Even Liu Ming, no matter how cautious, will make mistakes—that's only natural."

"But the Marquis's decision to spare Liu Ming proves he is a man of feeling and loyalty, not one who has grown cold and heartless because of Authority."

The Deputy General nodded vigorously: "That's true. If anyone else sat in the Marquis's position, they'd likely be no different from His Majesty."

"For the sake of interest, anyone can be Sacrificed."

"It's precisely because of this that Comrades are utterly devoted to following the Marquis."

Wu Tang patted the Deputy General's shoulder and spoke with solemn gravity: "The more so, the less we can let the Marquis be humiliated."

"If we force the Marquis to choose between killing us or sparing us every single time, aren't we just inviting trouble upon ourselves?"

"So, know your place, do only what is your duty—and you will never go wrong."

At this point, the convoy had long entered Sangzhou, halfway through the journey, steadily advancing toward Shedynasty territory, with nothing left to threaten its safety.

The convoy now traveled boldly along the Official Road, and its speed naturally increased; if things continued this way, they would return to Wang Du in no time.