Chapter 114: First Volume, Chapter 114: Little Old Seven

First Volume, Chapter 114: Little Old Seven

Lin Quqi sat in the corner of the Book Room, watching the father and son scramble about in chaos, his face flushed with awkwardness—neither able to leave nor stay.

Seeing Qin Feng stubbornly refuse to come out from under the table, Qin Tianhu gave up and turned to Lin Quqi, bowing slightly: "Forgive me for letting you witness this spectacle."

Lin Quqi was a renowned Confucian Scholar from Jiangnan, and Qin Tianhu had already seen him in court today, so he naturally recognized him.

Moreover, Qin Feng's friendship with Lin Quqi brought Qin Tianhu considerable relief—after all, the saying goes: "Near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black."

As long as his own son didn't corrupt the other, it was already a win…

Lin Quqi quickly returned the bow, forcing a smile through his discomfort: "A father teaching his son is only natural—how could I dare to judge? From my observations today alone, Brother Qin possesses great talent and is deeply devoted to Shedynasty, enjoying immense popularity among the Folk. Given how deeply loved Brother Qin is by the Commoners, I humbly beg you, Sir, not to hold a grudge against him."

Qin Tianhu blinked, dumbfounded. Deeply loved by the Folk? Was that really how you described this brat?

Qin Tianhu was buried in court affairs and had no time to understand public sentiment; his only knowledge of Qin Feng was the infamous nickname: "Number One of the Capital's Four Scourges."

Hearing Lin Quqi's assessment today, he was genuinely surprised.

Sensing Qin Tianhu's ignorance of Qin Feng, Lin Quqi quickly explained: "What I say is based solely on what I've seen and heard—I am not favoring Brother Qin. Though he is indeed despised among the Noble Youth of Jingdu, among the Folk he is adored. Whether scholars or commoners, all regard him as the model of an official's son."

"Truly?"

"Indeed."

Upon hearing this, Qin Tianhu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, followed by self-reproach.

The Confucian Scholar's words didn't sound false.

Had he been so consumed by court duties that he'd failed to understand his own brat at all—so much so that he'd harshly criticized him without even realizing his son had grown?

Thinking of this, Qin Tianhu's tone turned softer than ever before: "Since Young Master Lin has pleaded for you, I promise I won't beat you tonight."

Just tonight? You're being so generous!

Qin Feng, looking utterly wronged, crawled out from under the table, shot Lin Quqi a grateful glance, then swiftly bowed to Qin Tianhu: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Qin Tianhu waved dismissively, signaling Qin Feng to get out, then turned back to Lin Quqi and bowed again: "With you keeping an eye on him, I can rest easy. Should this brat misbehave in the future, you may beat him, you may scold him—this is a privilege I grant you."

Ah, this…

Lin Quqi froze, suddenly feeling dizzy.

He'd only just arrived in Jingdu a few days ago, yet already he'd secured a foothold in this foreign land—and won the favor of both the Minister of War and his son. It felt like a dream.

Lin Quqi, moved and grateful, quickly returned the bow: "Your Excellency's kindness overwhelms me—I shall give my utmost effort."

Watching the two of them play along, Qin Feng stood to the side, gritting his teeth.

What the hell…

What's going on? Isn't this Lin guy my comrade? How'd he suddenly turn into Qin Tianhu's accomplice?

Leaving the Book Room, Qin Feng narrowed his eyes and fixed Lin Quqi with a deadly stare: "Lin Brother, have you ever heard a saying?"

Lin Quqi looked confused: "What saying?"

Qin Feng let out a soft scoff, his tone heavy with threat: "True loyalty is found among butchers and dog-sellers; betrayal is the hallmark of scholars."

Lin Quqi instantly understood Qin Feng's meaning, and couldn't help but laugh. He teased: "To be favored by both Qin the Minister and Qin the Young Master is an honor beyond measure—I shall certainly give my all to serve the Qin Family. Rest assured, Brother Qin."

Puh—

Are you kidding me? That's not what I meant!

Qin Feng nearly spat blood from rage.

Back in the Back Courtyard, after settling Lin Quqi in, Qin Feng promptly ordered Qin Xiaofu to move in as well—right next door to Lin Quqi—and to keep a close watch on this pretty boy, forbidding him from speaking privately with any female in the Qin Family whose beauty scored above eighty out of one hundred.

At the same moment, in the Imperial Palace's Ruiyun Hall.

He was no more than fifteen.

On the bed sat a boy, cross-legged, no older than the Imperial Eunuch—also fifteen. "I'll read a bit longer."

The Imperial Eunuch sighed bitterly: "If Your Highness doesn't sleep, I dare not sleep either. But today is a joyous occasion—staying up late is only fitting."

The Seventh Prince raised an eyebrow, puzzled: "Xiao Zhuozi, tell me—what makes today a joyous occasion?"

The eunuch named Xiao Zhuozi perked up instantly, excited: "The Second Prince suffered a setback—shouldn't that be cause for joy? The war is settled. Once logistics are prepared, we march north against the Di, projecting our nation's might—surely that's what Your Highness has long desired?"

Hearing this, the Seventh Prince's spirits lifted. He put down his book, eyes alight with anticipation: "Indeed. If we don't fight this year, next year we'd need to pay several times—or even tenfold—the cost to achieve the same result. I've long understood the stakes, but to avoid clashing with my elder brother, I kept silent. After all, Father Emperor sees clearly—he needs no words from me."

"But today, Qin Feng stood in the Imperial Court and outdebated the Confucian Scholars, clarifying the stakes. Now all of Heaven knows Father Emperor's wise intentions—this alone fulfills one of my wishes."

"I heard Mother Chang summoned Qin Feng today. I wanted to meet him myself, but feared my elder brother's suspicion, so I held back. I wonder when I'll finally see this genius who stirred the winds of Jingdu."

Xiao Zhuozi's eyes sparkled. He lowered his voice eagerly: "Your Highness, I actually sneaked a peek."

The Seventh Prince blinked, then burst into excitement: "How did you see him? What's Qin Feng like?"

At the mention of Qin Feng, Xiao Zhuozi felt a strange mix of emotions he couldn't name. Still, to satisfy the Seventh Prince's curiosity, he whispered: "As for appearance—he's not dashing or heroic, just… passably good-looking? As for his conduct, at first glance he's like a street thug, utterly repulsive. But even Chang Princess couldn't break him today—he's clearly a man of great wisdom disguised as foolishness."

The Seventh Prince was stunned, disbelief in his eyes: "Father Emperor once said that among our royal family, only Mother Chang is the most astute—yet because she's a Daughter's Body and married off early, her talents went unused. Even she couldn't outmaneuver Qin Feng? And he's… some crude, vulgar oddball?"

"Hmm… I'm growing more and more intrigued by this Qin Feng."

Seeing Xiao Zhuozi suddenly burst into laughter without warning, the Seventh Prince frowned: "What are you laughing at?"

Xiao Zhuozi bowed quickly in apology, but couldn't suppress his grin: "Forgive me, Your Highness—I just remembered Qin Feng's thuggish antics. When he left the Western Flower Hall, he took Chang Princess's fruit with him, and walked off glancing around nervously, as if afraid someone would steal it from him…"