Chapter 1262

First Volume, Chapter 1262: The Delayed Reunion

Accompanied by Zhao Li, Zhang Zhonghai forced himself to walk toward Qin Feng; though he was the Heiyi Si Zhu Shi, a trusted confidant just promoted by the Liang Emperor, and wielded immense authority in court,

facing Qin Feng, Zhang Zhonghai's heart pounded, his palms slick with sweat.

No matter how arrogant Zhang Zhonghai was, he would never foolishly believe his own strength could match Qin Feng's head-on.

He stopped walking, staring at Qin Feng so close at hand, and opened his mouth—only to be cut off coldly by Qin Feng.

"If you've come to persuade the Qin Family to return to Jingdu, save your breath."

"If you've come to see us off, I, Qin Feng, welcome you gladly."

Saying this, Qin Feng dropped a bombshell—his eyes sharp as an eagle's, leaving Zhang Zhonghai trembling inside.

"Go back and tell His Majesty: I refuse this title of King of the Northern Border."

"A harmonious ruler-minister bond could have become a legend, but His Majesty's actions have left me deeply heartbroken."

"Does His Majesty not know that my family is my life? To strike at the Qin Family is to plunge a knife straight into my heart."

Zhang Zhonghai was left speechless—he never imagined Qin Feng would be so absolute, willing to discard the royal title bestowed by His Majesty without a second thought.

Clearly, nothing in this world mattered more to Qin Feng than his family.

Skilled at reading expressions, Zhang Zhonghai knew well: Qin Feng would unhesitatingly stand against all of Shedynasty for the sake of his family.

To persuade such a man to bow was utterly unrealistic.

Yet to fulfill His Majesty's orders, Zhang Zhonghai had no choice but to press on, stubbornly continuing his plea.

"Your Royal Highness, abandoning your title for your family—I truly admire you."

"But having the Qin Family reside in Jingdu was His Majesty's heartfelt intention; if the Qin Family leaves Jingdu forever, won't that sever the bond between His Majesty and the Qin Family?"

"As time passes, that bond will grow ever weaker—won't it become a case of 'the man leaves, the tea grows cold'?"

"Can Your Royal Highness truly bear to become a stranger to His Majesty from this day forward?"

Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh inwardly—speaking these words now was utterly hypocritical.

Earlier in Nan Jing, Zhao Yuxiong first impeached Qin Feng, then seized the Frontline Command; beyond Zhao Yuxiong's own rigidity, the Liang Emperor must have secretly stoked the flames.

Even before the Southern Campaign began, the Liang Emperor had already begun subtly stripping Qin Feng of his power.

As long as Qin Feng couldn't protect himself, the blade at his neck was merely a matter of time.

Excessive merit overshadowing the ruler has always been an unbreakable curse between sovereign and minister.

"I said it already: waste no more words. You only need to step aside."

Seeing Qin Feng left no room for negotiation, Zhang Zhonghai sighed inwardly; since soft tactics failed, he would resort to force.

Though Qin Feng's overall strength was formidable, this was Jingji—and Qin Feng's Ba Shan Hui had come here with only this small force.

At least in this battle, Zhang Zhonghai held a sure advantage.

As for the consequences of acting against Qin Feng, that was not Zhang Zhonghai's concern—it was the Liang Emperor's game with the entire Northern Border.

The facade would be torn open eventually; since it couldn't be avoided, Zhang Zhonghai hardened his heart—he would not only force the Qin Family back, but take Qin Feng himself to Jingdu!

"Qin Feng, despite my earnest pleas and kind words, you remain stubbornly blind."

"Do you truly believe you've come here to simply take your family away?"

"With only these troops beside you, you can barely handle the Longhu Army—yet this is Jingji; I can summon several more armies at any moment."

"Even if your Tianji Camp Guards are fierce and your Black Cavalry invincible, how many men can you kill?"

Zhang Zhonghai's sudden turn was exactly what Qin Feng had anticipated, so Qin Feng showed no extra reaction.

He had dared to return precisely because he had prepared for bloody battle.

Just as both sides tensed for combat, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Feng'er."

Hearing the voice, Qin Feng's heart softened—he spun around instantly to see Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying emerging through the crowd of Qin Tianhu and others, walking slowly toward him.

The once fierce Qin Feng melted like snow—he made no hesitation, leapt off his horse, left Zhang Zhonghai standing there ignored, and rushed toward the two women.

"Xiaolan! Qian Ying!"

Qin Feng closed the distance in three strides, arms wide to embrace them—when Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng rushed to block him.

Xiao Xiangxiang, terrified, clung tightly to one of Qin Feng's arms, panic-stricken: "Young Master, you must not!"

Shu Feng held his other arm, equally pale with shock.

"Young Master, don't act rashly—Third Miss and Fourth Miss can't withstand your embrace right now."

Only then did Qin Feng realize: the two women were pregnant—everything had changed. He looked down, and his heart leapt wildly.

Their bellies were visibly swollen—Qin Feng felt both awe and joy.

Li Xiaolan had initially worried Qin Feng had suffered too much on the Front Line, but seeing he was still as impulsive as ever, her anxiety vanished—and joy flooded her heart.

Li Xiaolan rarely laughed openly; only before Qin Feng did she ever feel truly at ease.

"Feng'er, I never thought you'd actually make it back."

"Was the journey hard?"

As Jiefa Furen, Li Xiaolan no longer held back—she reached out and gently touched Qin Feng's slightly rough cheek.

Qin Feng clasped her hand back, grinning broadly: "Hahahaha! What's hardship? Even if it were mountains of blades and seas of fire, I'd fight my way back."

"Who else would I marry but such a beautiful wife?"

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan giggled—though the most reserved of the four Sisters, she was also the most cheerful, especially when faced with Qin Feng's flattery; she never refused it, and always relished it.

"You—how have you not changed at all? Still as childish as ever."

Listening to Li Xiaolan's laughter, Qin Feng was overjoyed—marrying such a wife made his life worth it.

When Qin Feng turned to look at Jing Qianying, as expected, he received a sharp kick to the calf.

Jing Qianying's face was cold as ice; she sniffed: "I followed you back to Shedynasty, yet you left me alone in Jingdu—you're a heartless scoundrel."

"If I had known you were this unreliable, I never would have married you."

Qin Feng dared not hesitate; he hurried forward, took Jing Qianying's small hand in his, and soothed her in a soft, gentle voice.

"Aren't I back now? This time, our whole family is going to Beixi County—then you'll be close to Beidi, and you can visit your parents' home anytime."