Chapter 113

First Volume, Chapter 113: Imperial Dao Divine Strategy

Meanwhile, in the Hou Gong's Jingyun Hall.

Crack!

With a sharp snap, an expensive tea cup shattered into pieces; the palace maids surrounding the room turned pale with fear, not daring to breathe.

The Second Prince's face turned ashen, his eyes locked on the door, teeth gritted: "Qin Feng, you've ruined my great plan!"

The lute-playing maid, as she ordered the maids to clean up the shards, stepped forward and soothed softly: "Your Highness, don't anger yourself—wouldn't that play right into the hands of those who wish you harm? If you still can't swallow your rage, I'll go fetch Qin Feng's head right now."

"Though Jing Qianying is formidable in martial arts, if I and the White Clothesman strike together…"

Before the lute-playing maid could finish, the Second Prince cut in coldly: "Stop causing trouble!"

The lute-playing maid's face paled; she dared not lower her head or speak again.

The White Clothesman glared at her: "Qin Er, Qin Feng will die eventually—there's no need to rush this. Right now, he's in favor; not only does the Emperor watch him, but I hear even the Chang Princess summoned him after court today. Killing him now would bring trouble to everyone."

The lute-playing maid knew the White Clothesman was helping her escape blame and quickly replied humbly: "Senior brother is right; I have too little insight and only trouble Your Highness."

The White Clothesman turned and bowed to the Second Prince: "Your servant believes Qin Feng's arrogance will eventually draw fire upon himself. When he falls from favor, that will be his death. We should begin preparations now—recruit assassins, hide them near Qin Feng, and strike the moment the time comes, leaving him no chance to recover."

The Second Prince nodded slightly, accepting the suggestion; with the White Clothesman easing his burdens, his expression softened somewhat: "Father Emperor sees clearly—he knows the Pro-Peace Faction has my shadow behind it. He merely refrains from exposing it, out of filial regard."

At these words, the lute-playing maid was startled: "The Emperor knows everything? Then why does he do nothing? After all, waging war against Di is his own desire!"

The Second Prince took a deep breath, his eyes revealing both reverence and resentment: "That is the Imperial Dao. If I can suppress the campaign by my own strength, it is not entirely bad for Father Emperor—it proves my capability. His mind is never black or white, never clear-cut good or evil; every path can be bent."

Everyone may speculate on the Emperor's will, but only princes and imperial grandsons dare to discuss it. Even the White Clothesman, as the Second Prince's trusted aide, dared not speak of the Emperor and swiftly changed the subject.

"With Qin Feng's interference, Your Highness's great plan is ruined. You've poured your heart into it, yet lost ground, while the Seventh Prince did nothing and gained everything. Moreover, with the war against Di now certain, the National Treasury's finances will shift entirely toward war preparation. For safety's sake, Your Highness should keep distance from Ministry of Revenue Officials during this time—both to protect yourself and to protect them."

The Second Prince sighed, bitter in his smile: "Yes, Father Emperor won't kill me, but he won't hesitate to purge the Ministry of Revenue—after all, finance is the lifeline of the state. By the way, why did the Chang Princess summon Qin Feng?"

The lute-playing maid silently snorted, her anger rising at the mention of Qin Feng: "On the surface, they discussed trivial matters, but in truth, she was probing him. Clearly, the Chang Princess intends to arrange a marriage between the Qin Family and the Xie Family. The Xie Family is hers—she's clearly interested in Qin Feng."

"Hah!" The Second Prince couldn't help a bitter laugh, his eyes filled with fury and helplessness. "Who isn't interested in him? I'm interested too. By Father Emperor's special permission, he's a whip—whipping both civil and military officials in Jingzhong, yet unbound by any restraint. And his talent for amassing wealth is astonishing; given time, he'll become a titan of commerce."

"If he cannot serve me, then eliminate him!"

…………

Meanwhile, a pig-like scream echoed through the Qin Residence.

In the Qin Family's Book Room, Qin Feng pushed his "Qin King Runs Wild" to its limit, sprinting wildly around the table, screaming hysterically: "Father! I've done great service—no reward is fine, but why are you beating me? Help! You're going to kill me!"

Qin Tianhu chased him with a whip, eyes blazing: "Brat, I told you to leave the palace quickly—did you take my words as wind? When the Chang Princess summoned you, couldn't you have refused? When you argued with the court officials, you were eloquent enough—why did you fail me at the critical moment?"

Qin Feng, deeply wronged, clung to the table, gasping: "What could I do when the Chang Princess summoned me? Besides, she meant no harm—she simply liked the poem 'Drunk in the Flower Shade' and rewarded Elder Sister."

Saying this only made Qin Tianhu angrier—he swung the whip at Qin Feng, but the brat reacted instantly, diving under the table.

"Rewarding Qing Ci has nothing to do with you! You're Qin—your elder sister is Shen! Get your priorities straight! Every word and deed of yours represents me! If you ever set foot in the Hou Gong again, I'll break your legs!"

Qin Tianhu had returned in high spirits, but upon hearing Qin Feng had been summoned to the Hou Gong, he felt as if he'd fallen from heaven straight into hell.

Now, at the peak of the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, the Second Prince and Seventh Prince were the top contenders—and the Hou Gong was most deeply entangled in the struggle, for mothers rise with their sons; the imperial consorts would never accept defeat, and would devise countless poison schemes.

Not just the Qin Residence—any official with a clear head would flee as far as possible right now.

The Shu Wei Zhi Zheng was like a high-stakes gamble for officials.

Only a tiny chance of winning existed; the vast majority who joined it would die without even a grave.

Qin Tianhu slammed the table with a thud: "Listen well! If you so much as get implicated in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, I'll disown you as my son!"

Qin Feng didn't hesitate—he screamed in reply: "Father, I swear! Unless you approve, I won't touch this trash!"

Qin Feng wasn't stupid—establishing the Crown Prince was the Liang Emperor's affair, not his. Officials joined the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng for their careers; Qin Feng had no official rank—whose emperor ruled had nothing to do with him.

Confirmed that Qin Feng had no interest in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, Qin Tianhu exhaled softly, his rage easing; he tossed the whip aside, face cold: "Come out!"

Qin Feng huddled under the table, whimpering: "No! Who do I ever provoke? All you do is take out your anger on me!"

Qin Tianhu's voice turned harsh: "Stop embarrassing me—get out right now!"