Chapter 108

First Volume, Chapter 108: On the Pirate Ship

Princess Qiyang never expected her usually proud mother to speak so highly of Qin Feng, the ruffian; she pursed her lips and sneered:

"He's just a ruffian—every jingshixiaoren is like this. If he were truly as clever as you say, he'd keep a low profile. But now the entire Jingdu is in chaos because of him. Today's imperial court debate with the Great Confucians will make him famous throughout Heaven. Such a showy man, no matter how clever, is merely petty clever."

The Chang Princess affectionately patted Princess Qiyang's arm and spoke with solemn gravity: "It is said that the small sage hides in the wilds, the great sage hides in the marketplace. Don't be fooled by Qin Feng's surface appearance. I guarantee you, before long, this boy will be a pivotal figure in Shedynasty."

Princess Qiyang never doubted her mother's insight; hearing such certainty, she ceased to argue and mused: "If Mother has such high hopes for Qin Feng, why interfere with his marriage to Yun'er?"

The Chang Princess narrowed her eyes, her charm masking deep calculation: "Who says Yun'er dislikes Qin Feng? It's Qin Feng who rejects Yun'er. You're still young—you don't understand matters of the heart. I don't intend to break them apart; I intend to bring them together.

"Lord Ningguo Xie Bi and your father were sworn brothers, having shared life and death on the battlefield, and he has been a steadfast supporter of my widowhood and orphanhood. Once the Qin family and Xie family are bound by marriage, many things will no longer be up to Qin Feng."

Hearing this, Princess Qiyang's eyes lit up with excitement: "No wonder you're Mother—your vision is truly far-sighted!"

Then Princess Qiyang sighed in frustration: "Too bad Yun'er will end up wasted on that ruffian Qin Feng—it's like placing a flower in cow dung."

Qin Feng, carrying fruit, leaned against the doorframe of the Western Flower Hall, gnawing on one while humming a tune.

Only after he'd devoured three apples did the haughty palace maid appear, and upon seeing him, she sneered: "Young Master Qin, why haven't you left the palace yet? Don't tell me you're reluctant to go?"

Qin Feng cursed inwardly—dog barking at the owner's command—but smiled broadly: "Sister Maid, stop joking with me, alright? This is the Hou Gong, a sacred place. Without a guide, stepping here is a capital crime. If the Imperial Guard cuts me down, wouldn't that be unjust?"

The maid snorted: "You're clever, aren't you? I set up a dozen traps and none caught you. Fine, follow me."

Qin Feng knew clearly someone was directing the maid behind the scenes, trying to trick him into making a mistake so they could blackmail him later.

Whether the mastermind was the Chang Princess or someone else, he couldn't yet tell—but first, he needed to get out of this damned place.

Under the haughty maid's guidance, Qin Feng finally reached the Palace Gate, and only then did he exhale in relief.

"Hey, Qin Feng!" the maid called out, her tone loaded with meaning: "This is the Imperial Palace—easy to enter, hard to leave. Next time you come, think twice. The back door will always be left open for you."

Go to hell! I just want to make money—who did I offend? Always trying to kick me out the back door—this damn Imperial Palace, let whoever wants to come, come. I'm done serving here!

Qin Feng ignored the maid and sprinted straight out the Palace Gate.

At the gate, Jing Qianying and Qin Xiaofu were waiting, along with Lin Quqi.

Seeing Jing Qianying, Qin Feng lunged at her, claiming his tender heart was wounded and begging for a hug—only to be kicked flying by her.

Qin Feng was used to it; he rose naturally from the ground and brushed the dust off his clothes.

Lin Quqi, however, wore a strange expression—half-amused, half-regretful—feeling as if Qin Feng had tricked him onto a pirate ship. But now it was too late to regret…

Qin Feng threw an arm around Lin Quqi's neck and dragged him back, excitedly saying: "Where were we? Ah yes—the Book Bureau's initial development. I've got too many things on my plate now, so the Book Bureau has to wait. But don't worry—I'm giving you paid leave. Once I free up, I'll put you in charge right away."

"Paid leave? What does that mean?" Lin Quqi was baffled.

Qin Feng, ever cunning and stingy, was unusually generous when recruiting talent—he waved his hand grandly: "I'll pay you one thousand liang of silver per month, starting now. When you officially become Book Bureau Manager, we'll renegotiate your salary. By the way, where do you live?"

Lin Quqi's mouth hung open—he thought he was dreaming.

He could earn one thousand liang of silver a month without doing anything? No wonder Jingdu aristocrats were so lavish.

Still stunned, Lin Quqi felt embarrassed: "I've been staying at the Yi Guan…"

Before he could finish, Qin Feng cut in: "That hellhole isn't fit for humans. Go pack your things—move into the Qin Residence. I'll prepare a room for you in the Back Courtyard. From now on, we're roommates, brothers."

Lin Quqi was overwhelmed—he was a renowned Confucian Scholar from Jiangnan, qualified to advise in the Imperial Court, yet still a commoner. To live in the Shangshu Mansion? He'd never dared dream it.

Lin Quqi wasn't blinded by this cascade of gifts; he asked cautiously: "Brother Qin, why do you value me so highly?"

Qin Feng knew Lin Quqi was nervous. To calm him, he didn't beat around the bush—he narrowed his eyes, revealing his merchant's nature: "I value your reputation!"

That Lin Quqi could enter the palace to advise proved his fame and status in Jiangnan.

Because Qin Feng's own reputation was too "stained," many business ventures couldn't proceed—he desperately needed a spokesperson. Lin Quqi was nothing less than a gift from Old Heaven.

As a scholar, Lin Quqi had always despised merchants reeking of silver. But after hearing Qin Feng's lengthy speech in the Imperial Court, he was deeply inspired—and his rigid prejudice against merchants shifted dramatically.

Added to that, Qin Feng was open and unhidden in his ways—Lin Quqi quietly resolved to join him on this venture.

Qin Feng had originally planned to send Lin Quqi to the Yi Guan to pack, but then he remembered—he was being watched by the Second Prince and the Chang Princess. If they ambushed Lin Quqi on the way, the loss would be great.

So he dragged Lin Quqi straight back to the residence and sent Qin Xiaofu to fetch his belongings.

No sooner had they crossed the Fu Men threshold than Qin Feng felt a sharp kick to his rear—he thought it was his father and ducked behind Lin Quqi, yelling: "Brother Lin, block this for me!"

Before Lin Quqi could react, Liu Hongyan's scolding laugh rang out: "Brat, I heard you scored another victory in court? Hmph, I guess I didn't raise you for nothing."

It was Liu Hongyan…

Qin Feng exhaled in relief and patted Lin Quqi's shoulder: "All good—just a false alarm."