Chapter 173

First Volume, Chapter 173: Attending Early Court

In the Western Flower Hall of the Imperial Palace, the sound of a zither drifted softly.

Inside the Cool Pavilion, the Second Prince stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the world before him.

Behind him, the man in White Clothes hesitated for a long while before cautiously asking: "Your Highness truly intends to make peace with Qin Feng?"

The Second Prince deeply disliked the phrase "make peace."

Under Heaven and Earth, anyone who had ever crossed him would pay the price!

But the current situation had become clear: Qin Feng's momentum was unstoppable, and no one could stand against him in the short term.

Forced by circumstances, the Second Prince had no choice but to change his strategy: "This Qingyi Ceremony was Qin Feng's—or rather, the Qin Family's final test. Qin Feng has submitted a perfect answer sheet and earned the Emperor's complete trust. The Emperor has issued two edicts: one granting Qin Feng the Canjiang Appointment authority, the other ordering the Ministry of Works to fully cooperate with Qin Feng—effectively entrusting him with half the authority over the Northern Di campaign."

Though the Second Prince did not say it outright, everyone knew the other half of that authority rested with Qin Feng's father, Qin Tianhu.

Thus, the Qin Family now held absolute control over the Northern Di campaign.

The Second Prince's eyes revealed a deep intensity: "This war concerns not only the dignity of Shedynasty but also its fate. Whoever achieves merit in this campaign will reap lifelong benefits—even I must spare no effort to leave a bold, unforgettable mark, so that when the Emperor recalls the Northern Di campaign, he will also recall me."

"It is not that I am courting Qin Feng—it is that my chessboard cannot proceed without him as a piece."

At this, the Second Prince cast a sidelong glance and asked sternly: "What is the Seventh Prince up to?"

At the mention of the Seventh Prince, even this proud White Clothes man dared not show the slightest contempt and quickly replied: "Since returning to Gong Zhong, His Highness has remained as before—never stepping beyond the Door or the Inner Gate."

Though the Second Prince outwardly ignored the Seventh Prince, he had never once underestimated him.

After a moment of thought, he blurted out: "Ignore him. Just prepare the gifts. Tomorrow, accompany me to the Qin Residence."

As he spoke, the Second Prince remembered something and turned to the zither player: "At present, Qin Feng is my top priority. Until the Northern Di campaign is settled, no further disrespect toward him is permitted. That man responds only to softness, not force—hardline tactics will only provoke backlash and backfire."

Though the zither player resented it, she could only nod: "Your handmaid remembers."

Night was deep.

Yet Qin Feng had no sleepiness; the notorious Jingzhong wastrel, usually "cunning, lazy, greedy, and slippery," had inexplicably sat at his desk, candlelit till dawn, furiously writing out his next military preparations.

Xiao Xiangxiang stood by, occasionally snipping the candlewick with scissors to prevent the flame from dimming and harming her master's eyes.

After an unknown length of time, Qin Feng finally stretched with satisfaction, saw Xiao Xiangxiang asleep on the desk, picked her up, laid her gently on the bed, and carefully tucked the quilt around her.

Gazing at Xiao Xiangxiang's peaceful sleep, Qin Feng felt a warm flutter in his chest, reached out to softly rub her cheek—and was about to mischief—when footsteps sounded behind him.

Thinking it was Lin Quqi, he didn't turn and snapped sarcastically: "Lin Brother, you've got this kind of habit? Didn't know that about you!"

Hearing a light cough behind him, Qin Feng froze, spun around, and found Old Qin standing at the Door, face grim.

Damn it, why is Dad here so late?

Qin Feng quickly pulled his hand away from Xiao Xiangxiang's face and forced a sheepish grin: "Father, you've misunderstood—I'm not what you think…"

Qin Tianhu snorted, too lazy to argue, and said sternly: "Today, you accompany me to Early Court."

Early Court?

Qin Feng was caught off guard. Only high-ranking state ministers attended Early Court—what merit did he have? And it was pitch black, the perfect time to sleep—what Early Court was this?

Though Qin Feng resisted bitterly, he dared not defy his father. He grumbled, washed up quickly, and climbed into Old Qin's horse carriage.

At the Palace Gate, it was still pitch dark—barely around three in the morning.

Led by an Imperial Eunuch, they arrived at the Nine Ministers' Room.

Inside, it was already packed with high officials; upon seeing the Qin father and son, they all rushed forward to bow and greet, except Li Xu, who sat in the corner, face dark and scowling.

"Senior Qin, good morning."

"Oh? Qin Young Master is here today too?"

"Hehe, we were just wondering what today's Early Court would discuss—now that we see Qin Young Master, it's obvious: military preparations."

Qin Tianhu was used to late nights and brimmed with energy; he promptly returned the officials' bows. Seeing Qin Feng yawning and drowsy, he kicked him in the rear and snapped: "Pay your respects to the ministers!"

After the kick, Qin Feng finally perked up slightly and offered a half-hearted flattery.

The ministers, however, were unusually warm toward Qin Feng, constantly congratulating him on his engagement to Xie Yun'er.

Just as Qin Feng was about to lose patience, the Imperial Eunuch ran in to announce they were to proceed to Taihe Gate.

Qin Feng then learned that the location of Early Court was not fixed.

Sometimes held in the Imperial Study, sometimes in Yangxin Hall, but mostly in the Three Gates Side Hall—Taihe Gate being one such venue.

The process was dreadfully dull; while officials submitted memorials to the Liang Emperor, Qin Feng simply leaned against the wall and fell asleep.

After an unknown time, he was kicked awake by Qin Tianhu. Rubbing his blurry eyes, he found the Liang Emperor smiling at him.

"Qin Feng, do you remember your promise to me of two battalions? How is your preparation coming?"

So that's why he'd dragged him up in the middle of the night?

Qin Feng was annoyed but forced a smile: "Before marching to Bianchui, I will give the Emperor a satisfactory reply."

A satisfactory reply?

The Liang Emperor was not satisfied with that answer!

His smile remained, but his gaze shifted away from Qin Feng, casually saying: "If you wait until the troops march to Bianchui to inspect them, their true strength will be impossible to judge. I want to see a rudimentary version in one month, results in three. The Northern Di campaign is a matter of state strategy—if you dare neglect it, the consequences need not be spelled out."

How did this suddenly turn into an outburst?

Qin Feng thought: This old bastard is so unpredictable!

At that moment, Li Xu added: "The fiscal budget for the second half of the year is fully allocated. The Ministry of War, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Rites all have major expenditures, and provisions and pay must still be reserved. There is no capacity to support any additional spending—Qin Young Master, don't bother coming to the Ministry of Revenue."

Damn it! We're preparing for war and you're still being stingy with me!

Qin Feng was about to protest when Qin Tianhu held him down, silently signaling: this is the Emperor's will, not Li Xu's.