Chapter 133: First Volume, Chapter 133: Dragon

First Volume, Chapter 133: Dragon's Reverse Scale

Li Zhan was terrified out of his wits; in the Deep Palace, anyone who dared speak of the Crown Prince's succession was asking for death.

After all, the Crown Prince's succession concerned Liang's future—it was the utmost priority, and the Liang Emperor's Dragon's Reverse Scale; to touch it meant death.

Li Zhan, an old man with brittle bones, had to endure such a shock, causing his breath to grow weak: "His Highness the Seventh Prince is benevolent and always acts by the rules, but Qin Feng is a man who never moves unless there's profit. He likely has no chemistry with the Seventh Prince. Moreover, according to this old minister's knowledge, Qin Feng made a promise to Lord Qin: he would never involve himself in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng. Qin Feng may be cunning, but when it comes to family, he never hesitates."

Hearing Li Zhan's insights, the Liang Emperor fell into thought, then sighed softly and resumed his usual smile: "Smash the plaque sent by Imperial Pin Shen. No need to return it. Later, remind her—if this happens again, skip Zongren Fu entirely; let her weigh the consequences herself."

Li Zhan knew full well that Imperial Pin Shen had nearly died because of Qin Feng—and lived because of him—yet the reason was simple: Qin Feng's "opportunistic" nature would play a decisive role in the future succession.

Li Zhan's heart was clear as a mirror, but outwardly he feigned ignorance, never mentioning it, and whispered carefully: "Should we also warn the other Imperial Concubines in the other palaces?"

The Liang Emperor waved his hand dismissively: "No need. Those women are sharp enough to sense My intentions. But come to think of it, Imperial Consort Zhen and Imperial Consort Shu are the birth mothers of Second Brother and Seventh Prince—so their interest in Qin Feng is understandable. Why did Imperial Consort Gui get involved too?"

At this, the Liang Emperor's eyes flickered with sorrow, and he changed the subject: "What's the Empress doing?"

Li Zhan shook his head vigorously: "The Empress spends her days fasting and chanting sutras, deaf to all affairs beyond the palace walls—she has no involvement whatsoever."

Upon hearing this, the Liang Emperor's face softened with relief; among all the women in the Hou Gong, he trusted only the Empress—and she alone gave him the least trouble.

"After leaving Imperial Pin Shen, go straight to the Empress. Tell her to move to Jiaotai Hall tonight—I haven't seen her in a long while."

Li Zhan internally grumbled—how long had it been? The Emperor hadn't returned to the Hou Gong for three full months; he lived and slept in the Imperial Study, even though it was only steps away, as if separated by a thousand miles.

But then he reconsidered and understood: throughout Liang's history, every Emperor had been diligent and hardworking, returning to the Hou Gong only a few times a year.

Watching Li Zhan bow and depart, the Liang Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep and unreadable, murmuring to himself: "Though I am cold and unfeeling, I cannot escape the ties of blood. Each Prince is flesh of My flesh, bone of My bone—how can I choose rationally? The player is lost in the game; the observer sees clearly. Qin Feng, Qin Feng—tell Me, whom should I choose to inherit this vast Liang?"

…………

Qin Residence, Book Room.

Qin Tianhu frowned deeply, his eyes filled with unease. After a long silence, he finally broke the heavy atmosphere: "Three plaques were sent out from the palace—but they're not the only ones…"

Liu Hongyan, sharp as ice, immediately understood Qin Tianhu's implication and exclaimed: "Father means others are trying to court Qin Feng too?"

Qin Tianhu nodded: "I've served for decades, and as Minister of War alone, I've held the post for seven or eight years. I've stood beside the Emperor daily—I understand His heart. The other plaques were surely intercepted by Him, and those who sent them likely face death for it."

"Imperial Consort Zhen and Imperial Consort Shu are birth mothers of Princes—He would not trouble them."

"The Empress spends her days fasting and chanting sutras—she's surely uninvolved. Imperial Consort Gui holds high status, and the Emperor feels guilt toward her, so he'll turn a blind eye."

"Aside from these noble ladies, anyone else who dares to get involved will surely die."

Based on his understanding of the Emperor, though the Emperor rarely returned to the Hou Gong, he knew every intrigue within it.

Today's wine house opening appeared bustling—but beneath it lay hidden deadly danger.

Liu Hongyan had never imagined the stakes ran so deep; her face turned pale with worry: "Father, shouldn't I go warn Qin Feng right away? Make him return all the plaques, to avoid…"

Before she finished, Qin Tianhu waved his hand to cut her off: "No need. Every plaque delivered was tacitly approved by the Emperor. Those He disapproved of never made it here. Besides, His eyes and ears reach everywhere—he knows Qin Family has no interest in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng. And with war preparations ongoing, He won't suspect Qin Family."

Hearing this, Liu Hongyan exhaled in relief and quickly pulled out the ledger: "We've roughly calculated today's wine house income and expenses—would you like to hear it?"

Qin Tianhu snorted: "How much did we lose?"

It wasn't that Qin Tianhu doubted Qin Feng—every wine house lost money on opening day, just to generate buzz and open the market.

Qin Feng had made Wuhu Da Jiu Lou so grand, and filled it to capacity—he must have spent a fortune.

Liu Hongyan's face flushed with color, her eyes gleaming with delight; her lips curved upward as she spoke: "Other wine houses lose money on opening day—but our Qin Family Restaurant made profit! Before I returned, the total net profit was nine thousand taels of silver!"

Not only did they make money—but this much?!

Qin Tianhu's eyes widened in disbelief: "Even Zui Xian Lou makes only two or three thousand taels gross profit per day—after costs, barely a thousand or eight hundred. Our Qin Family Restaurant made nine thousand taels net profit on opening day? How is that possible?"

Liu Hongyan beamed with pride, recalling Qin Feng's "scarcity marketing" scheme—he was a genius. Who else could think of such a trick?

Others feared not making money; now Liu Hongyan feared making too much, drawing the envy of palace and court alike.

Now she finally understood why the Imperial Relatives were so interested in Qin Feng—he was literally a money tree. Whoever brought him under their wing could solve their financial problems entirely.

Liu Hongyan's heart glowed with joy whenever she thought of that brat, Qin Feng.

While she rejoiced, unaware, Wuhu Da Jiu Lou had descended into chaos.

Amid heart-wrenching wails, several common people carried a dead man's body into the wine house, stumbling and sobbing uncontrollably.

"Qin Feng, you must give us an explanation today."

"My husband ate here, went home, and collapsed…"

"This isn't a wine house—it's a den of murder for profit!"

The guests, first stunned, then recoiling as if shocked, hurled their chopsticks down, staring at the fine food and wine before them as if they were venomous beasts, desperate to flee.

"T-this food… isn't poisoned, is it?"