Chapter 159

First Volume, Chapter 159: Struggle of the Dragon Princes

Even the Holy Emperor had issued an order, so Xie Yun'er could only scowl and rise to leave with Qin Feng.

Just as they were about to depart, the Liang Emperor suddenly called out to Qin Feng and asked casually: "Can your flag signals be applied on a large scale within the military?"

Qin Feng immediately stopped walking and replied with flattery: "If His Majesty likes it, take it without hesitation."

Upon hearing this, the Holy Emperor let out a light snort and waved his hand: "Those who don't know might think I'm always taking advantage of you—get out!"

Watching Qin Feng scamper off happily, the Liang Emperor sighed softly and mused: "This fellow, seeing Second Brother and Seventh Prince come to him, fears I'll suspect him—so he pretends to move a stool just to let me know. Such cleverness—if any of my sons had it, there'd be no Crown Prince struggle at all."

Li Zhan knew speaking too much invited error, but as a servant, he had to respond to the Emperor's words, so he gathered courage and added: "The Qin Family serves only His Majesty and has always had no interest in factional strife."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor nodded: "If not for that, how could I have tolerated him so? Alright, prepare the Military Strategy Pass—lest those three fools clash and cause trouble."

With Xie Yun'er's reluctant help, Qin Feng carried the stool back to the wall and found the Second Prince already seated on his Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair; he quickly set the stool aside and exclaimed in surprise: "How is His Highness sitting on this? This Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair isn't clean!"

The Second Prince immediately stood up and carefully inspected the Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair, but found no trace of dirt.

Just as he was baffled, he saw Qin Feng plop down onto it, patting his chest and sighing with relief: "This Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair is soaked in my lowly stench—nearly tainted Your Highness's noble form! Thank goodness I reacted in time, preserving Your Highness's priceless body."

The Second Prince nearly laughed in fury, glaring coldly at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng pretended not to notice, continuously gesturing "please," humbly saying: "Me sitting while Your Highnesses stand—how could that be right? Please, both Your Highnesses, take your seats at once—don't humiliate me further."

Standing beside them, Xie Yun'er couldn't help shaking her head with a bitter smile.

This fellow isn't just shameless—he's audacious! In Heaven and Earth, no noble youth, no matter how exalted, would dare treat two Princes this way.

Just as Xie Yun'er believed Qin Feng would pay dearly for his arrogance, an unexpected scene unfolded.

The Seventh Prince sat on the stool without hesitation, his gaze fixed on Qin Feng with excitement and fervor: "I've long heard Young Master Qin acts without convention—today I see it for myself, and the reputation holds true."

The Second Prince had intended to accuse Qin Feng of "disrespecting superiors" and use it to pressure him.

But considering the Holy Emperor's favor toward Qin Feng, unless he committed a grave crime, toppling him was nearly impossible. Coupled with the Seventh Prince's magnanimous demeanor, to prevent Qin Feng from leaning toward him, the Second Prince suppressed his anger and accepted the small stool Qin Feng offered.

This scene, even for Ning Hu the brute, left him stunned—let alone Xie Yun'er.

Princes sitting on stools while Qin Feng sits on a chair? And the Princes aren't even angry? If this spread, no one would believe it—everyone in Jingdu would think Ning Hu had lost his mind, or else how could he utter such nonsense?

As Ning Hu stood in shock, the Second Prince's gaze swept over him and he remarked with deep implication: "Didn't realize Little Marquis was here. Judging by this, you and Qin Feng have made peace?"

This was clearly a warning to Ning Hu.

Even if Ning Hu was reckless, he dared not openly defy the Second Prince; as he struggled for a response, Qin Feng's carefree voice rang out.

"Thank you, Second Prince, for your concern—I've already bowed and apologized to Little Marquis, who, being magnanimous, didn't hold it against me, and won't bully me anymore."

Even those who dealt with Qin Feng daily didn't believe it.

Even the Seventh Prince, meeting him for the first time, didn't believe Qin Feng had ever bowed or apologized to Ning Hu.

Seeing the scattered Raw Sugarcane pulp and the shoe print still on Ning Hu's forehead,

the Seventh Prince couldn't help laughing: "Qin Feng, you're just as amusing as the rumors say."

The Second Prince snorted, chose not to press it, and merely sneered: "What a practical man—no nonsense!"

Qin Feng's reputation was already in the gutter; he didn't care anymore.

Seeing Qin Feng deflect the Second Prince's attention with just a few words, Ning Hu's last lingering hesitation vanished—he silently resolved to cling to Qin Feng's leg, not just for himself, but for the entire Ning Family.

The Seventh Prince had never seen anyone make the Second Prince helpless before; he grew even more interested in Qin Feng: "I've long heard the Holy Emperor mention the Mo Dao—am I right to assume those large blades used by the Bow Infantry on Po Zhen Guan today are the Mo Dao?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng immediately grinned.

After all, the Mo Dao was his stolen masterpiece—he naturally spoke at length about it.

Seeing Qin Feng and the Seventh Prince get along so well, the Second Prince's face darkened, but he forced himself to interject: "The Mo Dao is indeed excellent—if you're willing, I can have the Ministry of Works produce a batch for trial use by the Garrison Army."

This was meant as a gesture of goodwill toward Qin Feng.

But it struck Qin Feng's Achilles' heel—he immediately pleaded desperately: "Your Highness, absolutely not! The Mo Dao is my life's work—if entrusted to the Ministry of Works, I can't supervise quality. If they produce defective blades and delay warfare, I'd be guilty of death!"

What nonsense! If the Ministry of Works made them, I'd get not a single copper coin of profit!

This was just the Mo Dao—later, the crossbows and composite bows, Qin Feng would absolutely insert himself into every one of them; he'd never let himself lose money just for fame!

Embezzlement and defending the nation aren't mutually exclusive! Qin Feng intended to make money—and make it lying down.

The Second Prince hadn't expected such a strong reaction; to avoid pushing Qin Feng into the Seventh Prince's camp, he shifted tone: "I'm also quite interested in your flag signals—teach me sometime."

Qin Feng nodded outwardly, thinking: Wait—until the heavens collapse, the seas dry up—I'll never visit you!

And Qin Feng knew full well the two Princes' intentions to court him.

Chatting was fine—but whenever it touched on principles, he'd always evade.

Until Qin Tianhu's voice rang out—the Military Strategy Pass was about to begin—both Princes rose to leave.

Xie Yun'er hurried to follow, yet muttered inwardly: "That damned Qin Feng—what virtue does he have? The Holy Emperor favors him, and now even the two Princes are interested in him? Hmph—if he'd just behaved a little more properly, marrying him… wouldn't be impossible… Pfft, what a lucky bastard."