Chapter 131

First Volume, Chapter 131: Noble Guests Keep Coming

Liu Hongyan bit her thin lips, turned, and left through the back door, sprinting toward the Qin Residence to report everything that had happened at the Wine House to Qin Tianhu, lest anything go awry in between.

The Wine House was nearly overturned by a storm of astonished murmurs, especially among the wealthy merchants who had come to gawk—ordinary Common People who had never in their lives had a chance to meet Imperial Clan Members, and now were nearly frantic.

A cloth merchant, his face flushed, trembled with excitement: "I… I'm not dreaming, am I? Xie Family's daughter, Ji Wang, the Second Prince, and the Seventh Prince—all have sent envoys to offer congratulations, and now even Chang Princess has sent someone! What an honor is this? Even if all this is for Qin Feng, we can still bask in this noble aura!"

The middle-aged Country Gentleman beside him reacted even more intensely: "I only came to watch the spectacle, never expecting to see so many top-tier figures! These are the absolute elite of Shedynasty! This third-class card was worth every penny—fifty cash? Even fifty taels of Silver, people would have fought to the death for it."

The guests in the First Floor Main Hall, who had originally paid no mind to the third-class card, now treated it like a priceless treasure, carefully tucking it into their chests for safekeeping.

Just possessing this third-class card, enough to catch a whiff of Imperial nobility, was worth more than a thousand taels of Silver!

Gao Song and the others exchanged stunned glances.

Li Rui hurried over to Gao Song's side and whispered in disbelief: "Young Master Gao, others I can understand, but why did the Second Prince send gifts to Qin Feng?"

Gao Song's face darkened and paled in turns, his jealousy unbearable yet helpless: "He must have heard that the Seventh Prince gifted Qin Feng the plaque, and is deliberately trying to outdo him… Though a plaque means nothing, we all know the truth about the Second Prince's attitude toward Qin Feng. But outsiders don't know the inside story—they'll assume Qin Feng has ties to the Second Prince too, and will tilt even further toward him in the future."

Ning Hu clenched his fists, teeth grinding: "This damned Qin Feng—what virtue does he possibly have? He's a notorious scoundrel from Jingdu, yet how has he earned such favor from the Imperial Clan?"

As he spoke, Ning Hu's heart filled with despair.

Though Qin Feng was merely a commoner, with so many honors heaped upon him, Ning Hu knew he could never surpass Qin Feng—and when he thought of Qin Feng's rumored relationship with Xie Yun'er, which had spread like wildfire, his breath grew short and his chest ached.

At that moment, Qi Cheng's voice suddenly rang out.

"Young Masters, no need to panic—I actually think this might be an opportunity."

At these words, all their gazes locked onto Qi Cheng.

Gao Song frowned slightly and said gravely: "Official Qi, what do you mean by that?"

Qi Cheng snorted, a flicker of contempt in his eyes: "Since so many high-ranking figures have come to congratulate Qin Feng, all of Jingdu's eyes are now fixed on this Wine House. If something goes wrong here, witnessed by so many, Qin Feng's reputation will be utterly ruined, and he'll become the laughingstock of Jingdu."

Gao Song and the others' eyes brightened; their panic slowly gave way to smug delight.

Qin Feng knew Gao Song and the others had ill intentions, plotting mischief—but with so many big figures arriving one after another, he had no time to care about those few scoundrels. He hurriedly stepped out the front door in quick, small steps.

Outside, the crowd was packed thick; the three Liu Jin Pai Piao shone so brightly they nearly blinded Qin Feng. Even Qin Xiaofu beside him stood tall and proud, utterly arrogant—truly, when one man rises, even his dogs ascend to heaven.

The Common People gathered around to watch the spectacle watched one noble after another arrive at the Wine House, their expressions complex—many sighed in regret and bitter disappointment.

A merchant who had once sneered at Wuhu Da Jiu Lou now wanted to slap himself: "I was truly an idiot—I refused to buy a third-class card for just fifty cash! I'd rather have lost hundreds of taels of Silver!"

A scholar beside him shook his head with a wry smile: "I wanted to buy one too, but I couldn't push through the crowd. I envy those who got the cards—now, every time they come to Wuhu Da Jiu Lou, they might meet an Imperial Clan Member. If they can curry favor, their fortunes will soar."

At these words, several failed examination candidates nearby stared with gleaming eyes—if they could win the favor of Imperial Relatives, their chances of entering officialdom would finally have hope.

Too bad… today's door cards had all been distributed. No one knew when the next batch would be issued.

Just then, a guest exited the Wine House, and the crowd surged forward, demanding if he'd sell his third-class card. After being refused, everyone sank into gloom—some trudged away in defeat, but most stayed outside the door, waiting to buy third-class cards from others at inflated prices.

Qi Yang Junzhu had never seen a Wine House become this wildly popular, and secretly admired it—but when she thought of her mother having promised Xie Yun'er to Qin Feng, her heart soured. She didn't hate him, nor was she jealous—she simply wasn't happy.

Especially when she saw Qin Feng's obsequious bowing and scraping, utterly lacking in dignity, she sneered: "Qin Feng, don't misunderstand—I'd never have come here if not for my mother's command. Don't think I care about your Wine House—even if you opened a gold mine, I wouldn't give a damn."

Qin Feng smiled broadly, but cursed inwardly: This woman talks like I begged her to come! So what if she's a Junzhu? What's so special about her!

Qin Feng feigned flattery: "Your Highness is of priceless worth, so noble—I, Qin Mou, even if I were the most naive, would never dare to aspire to your rank. Your presence today is a great honor bestowed upon me; I am deeply grateful."

Seeing Qin Feng so compliant, Qi Yang Junzhu's expression softened slightly. She crossed her arms and sniffed: "That's better. I heard Yun'er is here too? Where is she?"

Qin Feng gestured politely: "Second Floor Yajian. But to reach the Second Floor Yajian, you must first obtain a second-class card—not expensive, just One Thousand Liang."

At these words, Qi Yang Junzhu's face darkened instantly, as if she wanted to devour Qin Feng: "One Thousand Liang? You dare to extort me, Qin Feng? Others pay fifty taels—why must I pay a thousand? You're deliberately making trouble! Do you think I won't tear down this shithole?"

As the saying goes, never strike a smiling face—if Qi Yang Junzhu had been polite, Qin Feng would have welcomed her warmly. But this girl always acted like a creditor, ordering him around at every turn—and Qin Feng flatly refused to bow to her.

The gifts were accepted, the goodwill acknowledged—but if you want to eat here? Pay your Silver like everyone else.

Qin Feng never denied he was petty, that he held grudges and repaid them immediately.

Qi Yang Junzhu, ever decisive, shouted sharply: "Someone! Smash this shabby building!"