Chapter 196: First Volume, Chapter 196: The Liang Emperor Goes Outing

First Volume, Chapter 196: The Liang Emperor Goes Outing

When the Qin family offended the Imperial Consort, it ended only after Qin's Lady was banished back to the Ancestral Land. Now that they've offended her again, who must be "sacrificed" to quell this dispute?

Just as Xie Yun'er was deeply worried, a voice from beside her suddenly spoke—the Liang Emperor's.

"Xie girl, Qin Feng that brat is wandering by Mingyue Lake at night—aren't you the least bit bothered?"

At once, Xie Yun'er pulled her gaze away and bowed to the Liang Emperor: "Your Majesty, this young lady and Qin Feng are not yet wed; how can I control where he goes? Besides, Qin Feng lives in Jingdu—he's bound to pick up some bad habits. Even if we were married, if he seeks out flowers and flirtations, what can I say?"

Seeing Xie Yun'er lower herself so completely, the Liang Emperor's eyes darkened: "You are the daughter of the Duke of Ning. If Qin Feng that brat dares to mistreat you, come straight to me—I'll deal with him. No one else can."

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er thanked him profusely, yet sighed inwardly—the Liang Emperor was determined to bind the Xie and Qin families together.

Xie Yun'er knew well: tonight, the Liang Emperor had summoned her and her father not merely for leisure, but likely for another deeper purpose—though what that purpose was, she could not yet fathom.

At that moment, a Black-Clothed Man ran to the base of Talou, clasped his fists, and reported: "Your Majesty, the first riddle is concluded. Qin Feng correctly guessed the answer: the character 'Si.' Now Qin Feng prepares the second riddle."

The Liang Emperor waved his hand, and the Black-Clothed Man vanished into the night.

Watching the banner above Mingyue Lake being lowered, the Liang Emperor's eyes gleamed with interest: "Competing through riddle-guessing—this distinguishes victory without losing elegance. This is the proper demeanor of Jingdu's young nobles."

Here, the Liang Emperor abruptly shifted tone: "I hear… the Lin family's scions are universally talented, excelling in everything they undertake. Today, they've met Qin Feng, a boy who refuses to believe in their supremacy—let's see if the Lin scions can endure their first-ever defeat."

Xie Bi and Li Zhan exchanged glances, neither speaking.

Yet their minds were as clear as mirrors.

The Liang Emperor was using this as an excuse to resent the Lin family's excessive power—leveraging the Imperial Consort and the Grand Protector's status, they received top-tier treatment wherever they went.

As for this so-called "universal talent," it was merely flattery—others deliberately lost to the Lin scions.

In this Liang Kingdom, any clan growing too powerful, save the Li Imperial Clan, would draw the Liang Emperor's suspicion.

The Liang Emperor was plainly aiming to elevate the Qin family to balance the Lin family!

Yet this move, for the Qin family, was less an opportunity than a risk!

After all, the Lin family's roots ran deep; even the Liang Emperor dared not act too harshly against them—how much less a Qin family?

As the second banner slowly rose, Xie Bi was about to steer the conversation back to the riddles when the Black-Clothed Man returned.

This time, he climbed Talou and whispered urgently beside the Emperor.

The Liang Emperor nodded, his expression serene: "Didn't I say? The Lin scions are used to winning—they can't tolerate a speck of dust in their eyes. They can't accept the word 'loss.' Already, after one defeat, they're losing patience."

As he spoke, the Liang Emperor slowly turned his head toward the northwest of Jingdu, calmly saying: "Xie Bi, Li Zhan—you two handle it. Keep it quiet. If anyone sees you, claim you're dealing with BeidiSpies."

Xie Bi and Li Zhan dared not speak further; they bowed low and silently departed Talou.

Only once beyond the Liang Emperor's sight did Xie Bi frown tightly and ask in a low voice: "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong, the Emperor usually ignores such trivial matters—what's changed today?"

Li Zhan sighed deeply, smiling bitterly: "It's all Hou Gong business. We, as servants and ministers, merely obey."

To avoid saying too much and inviting misfortune, Li Zhan avoided the subject, shifting tone with a sly grin: "That brat Qin Feng's luck has arrived—he can't be stopped. Among the Four Great Experts of the Capital, the fourth is Jing Qianying—her Sword Art is peerless, unmatched in Heaven. She's this brat's Fourth Sister. The third is none other than you, Iron Blood General Xie—soon, you'll be Qin Feng's father-in-law."

"Of the Four Great Experts of the Capital, two belong to the Qin family. Heh—heh. The Qin family's rise is inevitable!"

Hearing this, Xie Bi shook his head, smiling wryly: "In martial skill, I yield to Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong. These years, with you guarding the Imperial Palace, thieves across Heaven have long abandoned thoughts of intruding. You are the stabilizing pillar of this palace."

Li Zhan found this pleasing, smiling warmly: "Stabilizing pillar? I'm just an old servant with dirt up to my neck. Before the Emperor, this old bone can't even straighten its back."

Xie Bi laughed: "Who can straighten their back before the Emperor? Who dares? Oh—yes… that brat Qin Feng dares."

Meanwhile, the second banner now floated above Mingyue Lake.

The literati raised their heads, staring at the riddle, murmuring among themselves.

"South Gaze Lone Star Eyebrow Moon Rises? What's the answer to this one?"

"This Qin Feng—is he deliberately mocking Young Master Lin? Lin's riddle was 'Four Sides Mountain Stream Shrimp Play Water,' and Qin Feng replies with 'South Gaze Lone Star Eyebrow Moon Rises.'"

Lin Quqi, watching in the crowd, couldn't help exclaiming: "No wonder Qin Brother—such a simple riddle, yet he turns it into art. 'Four Sides Mountain Stream Shrimp Play Water' and 'South Gaze Lone Star Eyebrow Moon Rises'—they even resemble a couplet!"

Lin Feimo stared at the riddle, frowning deeply, and signaled urgently to his servant.

The servant immediately ran off the Hua Fang to the small forest by Hu Bian.

Jingzhong's scholars had long been waiting there, shaking their heads, pondering each word, searching for the solution.

Yet no matter how hard they thought, they found no clue.

As the crowd struggled with the riddle, Qin Feng sat between his three sisters, legs crossed, grinning cheekily: "If I win this riddle contest, how will you three reward me?"

"Heh! I don't ask for much."

"You know I'm timid—I hate the dark. How about you take turns sleeping with me from now on?"

At once, Liu Hongyan kicked him, blushing fiercely: "Do you want to die? So many people around—what nonsense are you spouting?"

Shen Qingci, furious, had forgotten her paperweight—if she'd had it, she'd have smashed open this shameless little thief's skull to see what filth he kept inside!

Jing Qianying gazed calmly at Qin Feng: "If you want to sleep with me, come. I just doubt you have the courage."

Feeling Jing Qianying's murderous gaze, Qin Feng shrank back, quickly backing down: "Two sisters are enough—Fourth Sister? Heh-heh, if you miss me someday, I'll come then…"

The moment he finished speaking, a sword scabbard struck his forehead.

Then came the fists and kicks from Shen Qingci and Liu Hongyan.