Chapter 178: The Noble Returns to Beijing

First Volume, Chapter 178: The Noble Returns to Beijing

Ning Hu and Xu Mo thought Qin Feng had been attacked by assassins, rushing over with swords drawn—only to see Liu Hongyan and quickly retreat.

Where's the promise of life and death together? Where's the vow to stand by each other through thick and thin? Is this all?

Liu Hongyan's face was fierce, teeth clenched: "If it were just some high official, you could slip away to avoid trouble—but when the Xie family father and daughter come to 'inspect the household' and can't find their future son-in-law, what kind of propriety is that? If word gets out, won't everyone laugh themselves sick? Where will the Xie family's face be?"

Qin Feng felt deeply wronged—could this be blamed on him? Who ever asked his opinion about the Qin-Xie alliance? Even arranged marriages have limits.

The principal wife of the Qin family will one day hold absolute authority—such a high position cannot be given to an outsider; at the very least, she must be chosen from among the sisters.

Even if you insist on picking an outsider, you should pick someone gentle, humble, and sensible—how could Xie Yun'er, that violent girl, ever take charge of the Qin household? Qin Feng would have no peace left.

Thinking of this, Qin Feng couldn't help but plead: "Sister! Why don't you go speak to Father and cancel this marriage? Do you really want to watch me crushed under Xie Yun'er's feet? That woman is terrifying—I've already experienced it."

Recalling the day of Ji Wang's birthday banquet, the sight of Xie Yun'er's small leather whip sent a chill down Qin Feng's spine.

Seeing Qin Feng so terrified of Xie Yun'er, Liu Hongyan's anger softened by half, and she couldn't help but smirk: "Aren't you usually lawless and reckless? Why are you so scared at the thought of marriage? If you fear Xie Yun'er, then I'll make sure you marry her—someone will finally rein you in, and we'll see how you throw tantrums then."

What kind of person are you!

Though Qin Feng had a terrible reputation in Beijing, he still cared about his dignity—just imagining being whipped by Xie Yun'er's little leather whip made his face flush.

Qin Feng sighed deeply and resigned himself to fate, stealing a glance at Liu Hongyan, whispering: "Sister, you came here for more than just this, didn't you?"

At these words, Liu Hongyan released her grip and sighed softly, unsure whether to be happy or exasperated.

"I was already swamped today—those merchants all wanted to 'add flowers to brocade,' lining up to report sales figures. I nearly died from exhaustion."

"Major sugar merchants have begun sales, and according to the previously agreed profit-sharing ratio, revenue has already started flowing—in the past few days, we've earned two thousand taels of silver. Meanwhile, scattered local sugar merchants, hearing the news, have started coming to Beijing to buy sugar distribution rights—but our current output can't possibly meet their demand, so I've had to turn them all away."

Qin Feng nodded—it was indeed demand outstripping supply. With his current production and inventory, he could only prioritize supplying Beijing sugar merchants; the local ones would have to wait.

That's precisely why Qin Feng urgently wanted to travel to the border sugarcane regions to secure stable raw material sources.

After all, even if Beijing's sugar industry thrived, its scale was still too small—the entire Shedynasty's sugar market was the real prize, and now he could only watch, helpless and hungry.

Though Liu Hongyan kept complaining about being "busy, tired, annoyed," her face grew more and more proud as she added: "Also, the earnings from Wuhu Restaurant have been tallied—total revenue: ten thousand li silver."

Ten thousand?!

Qin Feng jumped in shock, staring at Liu Hongyan in disbelief: "How could it be so much?"

Liu Hongyan's lips curled slightly, barely concealing her excitement: "Precisely, it's the revenue from yesterday to today. Your dazzling performance at the Qingyi Ceremony convinced many officials to buy first-class cards—they claim they're saving them for future banquets, but really, they're just trying to curry favor with the Qin family."

So that's how it was—Qin Feng understood, but he wasn't particularly interested in this quick money; he cared more about Zui Xian Lou. He immediately asked: "What's the situation with Zui Xian Lou?"

At the mention of Zui Xian Lou, Liu Hongyan's eyes lit up with satisfaction: "It hasn't shut down yet, but it won't last much longer—barely a soul comes through the door. All its former regulars have switched to our Wuhu Restaurant. I was worried they'd cause trouble, but strangely, Zui Xian Lou has been completely quiet."

Qin Feng nodded—he could guess why.

Zhao Zhangfu was, in essence, just an employee with no real authority.

Zui Xian Lou was on the verge of collapse with no way to recover—because the Second Prince had tacitly approved it.

The more peaceful Beijing becomes, the tighter the Second Prince watches him—how much longer can he remain detached from the Crown Prince struggle?

But no matter what, making money was always good news.

Qin Feng was developing the Training Ground and was in dire need of funds.

The Noble Youth of Beijing had grown too shrewd—tricking them out of money was getting harder and harder.

Relying solely on Wuhu Restaurant and the sugar industry wouldn't be enough to cover future expenses.

While urgently preparing for war, he must also aggressively expand commerce—or he'd go bankrupt before even fighting a single battle.

Just as Qin Feng was about to begin organizing things, a commotion interrupted his thoughts.

Looking toward the noise, he saw a group of people laughing and chatting as they approached the camp.

There were fifty or sixty of them.

Surrounded by servants and Protectors, three elegant Young Masters arrived at the fence beside the camp, pointing and commenting at the laborers and New Army workers inside.

On the left, a Young Master in blue silk robes stood with one hand behind his back and the other holding a folding fan. Spotting Qin Feng among the sweat-drenched laborers, he sneered and turned to the white-clothed Young Master beside him, flatteringly saying: "Young Master Lin, look—the man mixing with commoners is Qin Feng."

Lin Feimo remained expressionless. Following the guidance of Chen Cheng, son of the Beijing Merchants' Association chairman, he glanced over—and his eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment: "I'd heard Beijing had a true polymath—skilled in mechanics, poetry, governance, and military strategy. I imagined someone of noble bearing. Seeing him in person, I'm deeply let down."

Hearing this, Chen Cheng secretly chuckled—he hadn't wasted his heavy gold in bringing the newly returned Young Master Lin here.

Chen Cheng bowed with mock solemnity: "Compared to Young Master Lin, Qin Feng is nothing but a fraud seeking fame."

Lü Qian, son of the Vice Minister of Dali Temple, quickly chimed in: "Brother Chen speaks truly. Qin Feng has always preferred to associate with commoners and lowly folk—how could he possibly be compared to Young Master Lin? It would sully Young Master Lin's reputation."

Lin Feimo remained unmoved by their flattery.

Such sycophancy had long lost its effect on him.

As for Qin Feng—he'd been in the spotlight lately, and Lin Feimo had intended to "exchange ideas" with him—but seeing this man fraternizing with peddlers and commoners, degrading himself, Lin Feimo instantly lost all interest.

How could such a man possibly deserve his friendship?

Lin Feimo was about to turn away when his peripheral vision caught Liu Hongyan—and he froze in place.