Chapter 158: First Volume, Chapter 158: Love and Hate

First Volume, Chapter 158: Love and Hate

As the Liang Emperor's own son, the Second Prince still felt as if walking on thin ice; had it not been for circumstances beyond his control, he would have long since moved out of the Hou Gong and established his own household, at least avoiding the daily terror of living in constant dread.

Among all Imperial Clan Members, only the Chang Princess, besides the Empress Dowager, dared speak to the Saint so freely—even the various princes, the Empress, and the Imperial Consorts addressed him as "your subject" or "your humble concubine."

The bond of sibling affection, her status as a woman, and the title of "Widow" granted the Chang Princess countless privileges.

Even on the most sensitive matters, the Chang Princess spoke bluntly, and the Saint paid no mind.

Just now, before the two Princes, the Chang Princess subtly hinted to the Saint that factions within the Hou Gong had already begun plotting to intervene in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, and that nearly all ministers and Dukes who could be won over had already been secured—leaving only the Qin Family as a wildcard.

The Qin Family had become the decisive battleground between the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince.

Yet the Qin Family owed loyalty solely to the Saint; if either Prince reached too far, it would be tantamount to infringing upon the Saint's interests—but if they did nothing, they would surrender the advantage to their rival and miss the critical opportunity.

Advance, and you provoke the dragon's scales; retreat, and you lose the chance.

Neither choice was easy, yet both were matters of life and death.

This Shu Wei Zhi Zheng was not something just anyone could contest.

The Second Prince secretly observed the Liang Emperor's reaction, confirmed the Saint had not delved into the matter of the plaque, and finally exhaled in relief; he turned to glance at the Seventh Prince and noticed the latter's face had also turned slightly pale—his inner balance was restored.

The Second Prince smirked inwardly: this old seventh, always putting on the face of a "future enlightened monarch," was no different at heart than himself!

In the Second Prince's view, the Seventh Prince's openness and benevolence were all utterly hypocritical!

Taking advantage of the break between the Po Zhen Guan's conclusion and the start of the Bing Ce Guan.

The Second Prince rose immediately and walked toward the ShiZhen's wall.

Seeing this, the Seventh Prince hesitated for a moment, then followed.

Unbeknownst to them, this scene had been watched by the Chang Princess, who merely smiled and paid it no mind.

Sitting behind the Chang Princess, the Qiyang Commandery Princess remained as haughty as ever; though she genuinely admired Qin Feng's military talent, she refused to admit his excellence, and opened her mouth with a sour tone: "To win the Po Zhen Guan? That wretch just got lucky."

Hearing the word "wretch," Xie Yun'er frowned slightly: "Qiyang, though Qin Feng has a bad reputation, he doesn't deserve such contempt."

The Qiyang Commandery Princess sat cross-legged on the ground, arms crossed, and sniffed: "He has no official rank, no noble title, not even a scholarly degree—he's no better than a common peasant! Is he even human? I call him a wretch merely stating facts. Yun'er, aren't you the one who despises this fellow most? Why today are you suddenly defending him? Have you developed a crush?"

At these words, Xie Yun'er's face flushed crimson; she quickly turned her head away, flustered: "Nonsense! Who would like such a lecher?"

Even as she protested, Xie Yun'er unconsciously glanced toward the wall.

Her emotions grew more complex: as a notorious Wastrel in the young noble circles, he ought to be despised.

Yet this man possessed peerless talent.

His repeated commercial triumphs had even earned high praise from her father, Xie Bi.

His literary attainments needed no mention—he was already the leading figure in Beijing's literary circles.

As for his ingenious inventions, whether the Bow and Crossbow Design or the Mo Dao, none of the sluggish minds in the Ministry of Works could have conceived such advanced Weapons.

Now even his military talent is so outstanding.

Sudden Victory with fewer against more, the weak defeating the strong—three hundred guards annihilating a thousand Elite Troops of the Imperial Guard—such a record was unprecedented in the history of the Qingyi Ceremony.

Setting aside that damned hired thug personality.

This Qin Feng is truly both civil and martial, a perfect match for Xie Yun'er's ideal husband.

The marriage promise made by the Chang Princess wasn't entirely unacceptable.

But…

That hooligan's character was truly beneath her—this point tormented Xie Yun'er deeply.

Just at this deadline, a familiar voice suddenly rang out behind Xie Yun'er.

"Yun'er, help me out."

Xie Yun'er shuddered, spun around, and felt her heart jolt violently.

Qin Feng, who should have been on the wall, had appeared behind her without warning—his perpetually smirking face was nearly pressed against hers.

Xie Yun'er jerked back, terrified of Qin Feng: "Y-you damn fool, when did you get here?"

Her cry immediately drew attention from those nearby.

Seeing Qin Feng suddenly appear, the Qiyang Commandery Princess was startled and snatched a fruit from the table, hurling it at him: "Do you want to scare people to death?!"

Qin Feng's face beamed with a carefree grin; he picked up the peach, didn't mind its dirt, and took a big bite: "Oh? The Qiyang Commandery Princess is here too? I'm sorry—I didn't notice you earlier."

Hearing this, the Qiyang Commandery Princess's face flushed red with anger: "I'm right here, and you still didn't see me? Are those two holes on your face just for breathing?"

Compared to Xie Yun'er's violence, the Qiyang Commandery Princess's capriciousness was pure annoyance, leaving Qin Feng thoroughly exasperated.

Fortunately, the Chang Princess intervened promptly, telling the Qiyang Commandery Princess not to make a commotion, then smiled faintly at Qin Feng: "You're too disrespectful—this is the Qingyi Ceremony's sacred ground; how dare you wander around freely?"

Qin Feng feigned alarm: "Whoa! Is the Princess here too?!"

The Chang Princess's reaction was similar to the Qiyang Commandery Princess's—she merely gave Qin Feng a disapproving glance, without reprimanding him.

Qin Feng had no time for others now; he turned to Xie Yun'er with a fawning expression: "Quick, find me two chairs and bring them to the wall—the Second Prince and Seventh Prince want to talk to me, but there's only one Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair up there—I'm sitting on it, so what will the two Princes do? Can't have them standing to speak, can we?"

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er nearly slapped him.

You Qin Feng, a mere commoner, won't yield the Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair?

You sit, and let the two Princes stand? How dare you say that!

Xie Yun'er rolled her eyes, irritable: "Why come to me? I'm sick of you already! We haven't even settled the account for how you spread rumors and ruined my reputation!"

Qin Feng felt a surge of frustration—how long ago was that? Why bring it up again? So petty.

But right now, fetching chairs for the Princes was urgent; Qin Feng lowered his voice and pleaded: "Everyone here is either a big shot or hates me—after thinking it over, only you and I have any decent relationship. Who else am I supposed to ask?"

Xie Yun'er's face flushed: "Pah! You're shameless! Who has decent relations with you? You ruined my reputation—I'd love to slap you dead!"

Just then, the Liang Emperor's voice suddenly rang out.

"Xie family's daughter, go help him."