Chapter 132: First Volume, Chapter 132: Imperial Edict Plaque

First Volume, Chapter 132: Imperial Edict Plaque

Smash the wine house? Qin Feng didn't stop him—he stepped aside instead, smiling broadly, thinking that as long as Chang Princess could pay, the commandery princess could smash away.

The steward accompanying her quickly signaled the eager servants to step back, then leaned close to Qiyang Commandery Princess's ear and whispered: "Princess, calm down. Qin Feng is certainly no good, but you absolutely cannot smash this wine house! Not to mention Ji Wang is still inside, and all of Jingdu's attention is fixed on this place—if this escalates, it won't be easy to contain. Besides, Chang Princess herself told you not to alienate Qin Feng; this man is currently in the spotlight, and you should ride the wave, not swim against it."

Qiyang Commandery Princess knew the steward meant well—her mother, Chang Princess, was indeed of Imperial Family blood, but Qiyang Commandery Princess's own lineage was impure, half belonging to an outside family.

That was also why, after her father's death, her mother could move back into Gong Zhong, while Qiyang Commandery Princess could only live in her own mansion.

But no matter what, she was still a proper commandery princess, the Emperor's niece—why should she rely on Qin Feng's momentum?

It wasn't just a joke—it was a humiliation!

Qiyang Commandery Princess's face grew even darker; if not for fear of angering her mother, she would have made Qin Feng pay today!

"It's just one thousand liang of silver? I can afford it. But Qin Feng, remember this—this isn't over. We'll see who has the last laugh." Qiyang Commandery Princess hurled the silver note straight at Qin Feng's chest, then stormed toward the Yajian on the Second Floor.

Lin Quqi, who had been attending to guests, hurried over and whispered: "Brother Qin, why did you provoke the commandery princess? Everyone in Jingdu knows the Emperor dotes on her most—if you make him angry over this, you won't even have time to regret it."

Qin Feng shrugged and handed the silver note to Lin Quqi, replying dismissively: "Why should I regret it? Since ancient times, emperors have been cold-hearted—they'll scheme against their own sons, let alone their nieces?"

These words nearly scared Lin Quqi to death.

Lin Quqi clamped a hand over Qin Feng's mouth, eyes wide: "You… have some sense, will you? With so many people around, how can you say such things? If an Imperial Spy hears this, it'll reach the Emperor's ears in less than one incense stick time—and you'll suffer for it. Qin Da Ren told me to watch over you—I can't let you run wild."

Qin Feng knew Lin Quqi meant well, but Qin Feng deliberately wanted to oppose Qiyang Commandery Princess—because she herself meant nothing; what mattered was Chang Princess behind her.

Who knew what scheme Chang Princess was hatching? Was she backing the Second Prince? The Seventh Prince? Or some other prince entirely?

The longer Chang Princess stretched her hand, the more Qin Feng disliked it—and the more dangerous the Qin Family became.

Since Qin Feng had already promised Old Qin he would not meddle in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, he must draw a clear line between himself and these Imperial Relatives.

Chang Princess, princes, Imperial Household—they could all go sit somewhere cool and stay there. He wouldn't serve them.

By extorting money from Qiyang Commandery Princess, Qin Feng had also sent a message to Chang Princess: he had zero interest in her olive branch.

Qin Feng broke free from Lin Quqi's grip, told him to get back to serving guests, and stood by the door, glancing around, muttering under his breath: "No one else should come now, right?"

Beside him, Qin Xiaofu gazed at him with worshipful eyes, excitedly saying: "Master, even the two princes and Chang Princess have sent plaques—who dares surpass these three? Unless…"

At this, Qin Xiaofu's face paled, trembling: "Unless… the Emperor… my heavens—if even the Emperor sends a plaque, not just Shedynasty, but all of history—our Wuhu Da Jiu Lou would be utterly unique, destined to be recorded in History Books! Master, what good fortune did I earn in my past life to serve you in this one? My reverence for you is like an endless river…"

"Stop! Stop! You dog of a servant, can't you come up with a new phrase?" Qin Feng rolled his eyes at Qin Xiaofu's tearful, overwrought display, snapping: "Are you still half-asleep? The Emperor is the sovereign of a nation—why would he send me a plaque? What kind of daydream is this?"

At the same moment, in the Jingong Yushufang, the Liang Emperor stood at the doorway, arms behind his back, his deep eyes fixed on the direction of Wuhu Da Jiu Lou, lost in thought.

Li Zhan stood beside him, lowering his voice in respectful deference: "Your Majesty, the maids sent by the Imperial Household have all been blocked. Only the emissaries from Chang Princess and the two princes were allowed through."

The Liang Emperor nodded, sighing faintly, disappointed: "Who were the ones blocked?"

Li Zhan's heart tightened—he knew this concerned Imperial Consorts—but since the Emperor asked, he dared not refuse: "Consort Gui, Consort Shu, Consort Zhen… and the Fifth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince…"

At this, the Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow and glanced at Li Zhan: "Anyone else?"

Li Zhan swallowed hard, gritting his teeth: "And… Consort Shen."

Upon hearing "Consort Shen," the Liang Emperor's eyes flashed with instant murderous intent, yet he feigned calm: "The war against Bei Di is already on the verge of breaking out—there is no turning back. The Pro-Peace Faction, led by the Ministry of Revenue, went to great lengths to prevent this war. As the younger sister of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Consort Shen should have avoided all suspicion—but now she's recklessly involving herself. Does she think sending Qin Feng a plaque can erase the Vice Minister's stains and secure his future career?"

"Foolish! Consort Shen should have sent the plaque to me—I am the one who holds life and death! Go, return that plaque to Consort Shen. I do not wish to see that plaque appear in the palace again."

Li Zhan's heart lurched, his face turning pale.

The Emperor's meaning was clear: he did not want the plaque to reappear in the palace—meaning Consort Shen must "consume" it herself, equivalent to a death sentence, a warning to the Hubei Party officials: stay in line and don't ruin the Great Plan for the Bei Di war.

Moreover, with both the Second Prince and Seventh Prince extending olive branches to Qin Feng, Consort Shen's interference now likely meant she was aiding a fallen prince's bid for the Crown Prince position—that was the real reason she must die.

Li Zhan trembled, preparing to obey, when the Liang Emperor suddenly called him back, paused, then asked casually: "What do you think— which of my sons does Qin Feng support?"

Li Zhan dropped to his knees with a thud, wishing he could vanish into the ground, stammering: "I… I dare not even speculate on such a matter, Your Majesty—even if you gave me a hundred lives, I would not dare."

The Liang Emperor smiled faintly: "I absolve you of guilt. Just answer. You're already half-buried in earth—what kind of waves can your old bones possibly stir?"

Li Zhan wiped sweat from his brow, stuttering: "From what this old servant knows, Qin Feng likely has no interest in any prince."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor's eyes flickered with interest: "Even the Seventh Prince?"