Chapter 1125

First Volume, Chapter 1125: Return to the Imperial Palace

Half a Envoy later, the Imperial Palace, already heavily guarded, became even more solemn and dignified.

The Qinglong Gate, which had remained closed since this year, now stood fully open, with Imperial Guards standing in two rows on either side, extending all the way to the Grand Hall for the court assembly.

Outside the Grand Hall, Palace Guards filled the grounds, while emergency arrivals of officials had already lined up neatly inside.

The Liang Emperor sat upon the Dragon Throne, silently gazing outside the hall.

The entire Imperial Palace waited for the arrival of one man.

At that moment, Zhang Xiuye's voice suddenly rang out, echoing throughout the Grand Hall.

"Tianlu Marquis Qin Feng, enter the palace for audience."

Though the Grand Hall remained utterly silent, with no one responding, every gaze sharpened.

The man who waged war against Bei Di and helped Liang return to its zenith was finally returning!

"Summon Qin Feng for audience!"

At the Liang Emperor's command, the announcement echoed layer by layer through the Imperial Palace.

Standing at the center of the Qinglong Gate, Qin Feng took a deep breath and stepped forward.

At this moment, Qin Feng's heart stirred with quiet excitement; after so long, he had finally returned to the Liang Imperial Palace.

Everything before him felt so familiar; recalling past events, it felt as if they had happened just last night…

Qin Feng walked with steady steps toward the Grand Hall; the Imperial Guards, who should have kept their eyes straight ahead, now fixed their gazes on Qin Feng.

Almost every gaze followed his movement.

As Qin Feng climbed the steps and reached the entrance of the Grand Hall, even the most haughty Palace Guards began to bow their heads in silent respect.

Standing at the doorway, Qin Feng could clearly see the Liang Emperor and the Civil and Military Ministers inside.

Yet for some reason, standing outside, Qin Feng felt a sense of "distance."

Only when he crossed the threshold and entered the Grand Hall did he finally feel as if he had returned to Wang Du.

Qin Feng walked straight through the ranks of ministers, reaching beneath the Holy Chariot; officials who had been bowing their heads now raised them one by one, watching his back.

Qin Feng kept his head lowered, arms extended horizontally, slowly drawing inward, and performed a solemn bow to the Liang Emperor.

"Your subject, Qin Feng, returning from Bei Di, pays homage to His Majesty."

With those words, Qin Feng bowed deeply to the Liang Emperor.

Throughout, Qin Feng never knelt before the Liang Emperor; in the past, some officials might have deemed this arrogance.

But now, not a single person thought his conduct improper in the slightest.

After all, Qin Feng had proven with his actions his absolute Loyalty to Liang.

The Liang Emperor could barely conceal his excitement, staring at Qin Feng until Zhang Xiuye whispered a reminder, pulling him back from his astonishment.

"Minister Qin, no need for such formalities."

This was the first time the Liang Emperor had called Qin Feng "Minister Qin."

In the Liang Emperor's heart, Qin Feng had become the most indispensable minister of all Liang.

With the Liang Emperor's permission, Qin Feng slowly rose; though distinctions between sovereign and minister remained, when their eyes met, a subtle, non-official shift passed between them.

The Liang Emperor looked at Qin Feng as if he were his own child.

After all, Qin Feng had grown up under the Liang Emperor's very eyes—from initial surprise, to later suspicion, to final acceptance.

It was like watching a young relative evolve from innocent charm, through rebellion, to eventual maturity.

Even the Liang Emperor secretly took pride in Qin Feng's achievements.

Yet before the Civil and Military Ministers, as a sage sovereign, he still needed to conceal his emotions.

He murmured, "Minister Qin…"

Even the Liang Emperor found the title awkward; after hesitation, he reverted to calling Qin Feng by name.

"Qin Feng, Mingyue Princess and others arrived in Beijing ahead of you—why did you delay so long on the road?"

In response to the Liang Emperor's question, Qin Feng replied directly: "Your Majesty, on my return to Beijing, I first went to Yuping County, then spent some time in Ming County."

"The Powerful Clans of Nan Jing have not abandoned their rebellious hearts; they hired Rebel Bandits to cause chaos around Yuping County."

"I took care of a few Rebel bandits along the way."

Qin Feng answered casually, without mentioning his recommendation to depose Prefect Wang.

Even though deposing Prefect Wang would have been crucial to suppressing the Powerful Clans and aiding Liang's internal stability,

he had just returned to Beijing—pressing for the removal of an official so soon would have been untimely.

This matter must be handled—but not now.

This was precisely what the Liang Emperor feared most!

After all, even before Qin Feng's return, the Liang Emperor had already learned of the events in Yuping and Ming Counties; he feared Qin Feng would immediately raise the issue of Prefect Wang.

That would have been tantamount to delivering a Downward Warning, putting the Liang Emperor on the spot.

As it turned out, the Liang Emperor's worries were unnecessary.

Regarding Yuping County, the Liang Emperor asked no further questions—after all, Qin Feng could decide such matters on his own.

"I am fully aware of what transpired in Bei Di. Since you brought back the Bei Di Nü Huang, I shall naturally extend the courtesy of a host."

"But the Bei Di Nü Huang holds high rank and power—what if anything befalls her?"

"If you require anything for her protection, simply state your needs to me."

The Liang Emperor's words sounded like concern, but in truth, he was asking Qin Feng: how should Liang now relate to Bei Di?

With Bei Di's dynastic change, the relationship between Liang and Bei Di would inevitably shift subtly.

Yet the two nations harbored deep grievances; reconciliation within the short term was impossible.

And yet, the Bei Di Nü Huang is the Qin Family Fourth Miss—and Qin Feng's soon-to-be bride. If any friction arose between Liang and Bei Di…

Qin Feng's position has become critically important.

The Northern Border and Sangzhou under Qin Feng's control appear to be a Buffer Land, but in truth they are a Golden Sword hanging over both Shedynasty and the Di.

Whether Qin Feng leans toward Shedynasty or toward the Di, it will deliver a devastating blow to the other nation.

Although some Officials privately advised the Liang Emperor to spare no effort to seize power from Qin Feng, especially control over the Northern Border,

every single one of these suggestions was rejected by the Liang Emperor.

The reason is simple: the Northern Border has already completely slipped from the Liang Emperor's control; even if power could be seized, what use would it be?

Sangzhou would not obey the Liang Emperor's orders!

Under Qin Feng's manipulation, Sangzhou and the Northern Border have long since become intertwined, each within the other.

Precisely because of this, no one but Qin Feng can reach into them.