Chapter 22

First Volume, Chapter 22: Sick Again

Zhao Zhangfu's face was dark as thunder; he looked coldly up at Qin Feng, only to see Qin Feng hiding between Shu Feng and Shen Qingshuang, his head poking out between the two women's arms, wearing an expression of "I nearly died."

Hiding behind women when trouble strikes, then swaggering out when it's over—no wonder he's the Qin Family's young master; in terms of shamelessness, no one in Jingdu can match him.

Zhao Zhangfu sneered: "Young Master Qin, you caused a disturbance at Zui Xian Lou and beat Wu and An, two young masters, into this state. May I ask—who gave you the nerve?"

Zhao Zhangfu's gaze was icy; he didn't regard Qin Feng as worth a second thought.

So what if he's the son of the Minister of War? Zui Xian Lou isn't just Jingdu's largest wine house—it's a century-old establishment with tangled, deep-rooted power behind it.

Zhao Zhangfu may be the public owner of Zui Xian Lou, but in truth, he's merely a shopkeeper; the real owner is the Second Prince of Shedynasty.

Just this fact alone could crush Qin Feng.

Not even a mere wastrel like him, let alone Qin Feng's own father Qin Tianhu, would dare act without weighing the consequences.

Facing Zhao Zhangfu's rebuke, Qin Feng put on an innocent face: "Master Zhao, I didn't cause trouble—it was Wu Yong and An Shiyun who bullied me. I told them plainly: my mind is weak, and when I have an episode, I lose control. But they still wouldn't let me be."

Hearing this, An Shiyun, now fully awake, exploded: "Qin Feng, don't you dare talk to me like that! Who beat whom? Do you even need to ask?"

The wine house clerks pinched Wu Yong's philtrum and fed him hot broth; finally, Wu Yong came to his senses. Seeing Zhao Zhangfu arrive, he seized him like a lifeline and wailed: "Master Zhao, we came here to eat, and this ruffian Qin Feng beat and humiliated us—you must avenge us!"

Zhao Zhangfu felt a wave of contempt—he didn't like either of these two, but he despised Qin Feng even more.

Besides… the Second Prince has recently grown close to the Minister of Revenue, seeking to court the Ministry of Revenue faction. Though he has little contact with the Ministry of Personnel or the Anqing Marquis, and no mutual interests, the old saying holds: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If I can use this chance to severely punish the Minister of War's son, I must not miss it.

Zhao Zhangfu waved his hand; over a dozen men dressed as protectors surged forward. Though their attire was ordinary, their eyes and expressions were fiercely cold and hardened, each holding an official saber—clearly disguised Imperial Guards, specially assigned to protect Zui Xian Lou.

Though Shu Feng was skilled in fists and feet, the enemy outnumbered him and all wielded weapons—should they fight, Shu Feng had virtually no chance of victory.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Qin Feng hurried to the edge of the wooden platform, crouched down, and looked down at Zhao Zhangfu with flattery: "Master Zhao, I truly had an episode today. Let me go home, regain my senses, and I'll come tomorrow to apologize."

Zhao Zhangfu sneered inwardly: Go home and reflect? Dream on!

This brat was infamous for being a ruffian—once he left the door of Zui Xian Lou, he'd never return. Though Zhao Zhangfu had the Second Prince as his backer, he dared not openly storm the Shangshu Mansion to seize him.

If he intended to teach Qin Feng a lesson, he absolutely could not let Qin Feng walk out that door!

"Apologize? Fine! Apologize to Wu and An right now—if you're half-hearted, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your father!" Zhao Zhangfu's voice dripped with cold mockery. If Qin Feng knelt publicly to apologize, the Minister of War would lose face; if he refused, even better—he could order his men to cripple Qin Feng on the spot, and even if it went before the Emperor, he wouldn't fear it.

Wu Yong and An Shiyun, moments ago as wilted as eggplants, now lifted their heads again with Zhao Zhangfu's backing.

Wu Yong pointed at Qin Feng and roared: "Kneel down! Back at Shenglin Academy, you made Cheng Fa kneel to become your master—today, you'll kneel to me!"

An Shiyun didn't stay idle; he glanced at Shen Qingshuang's pale face and sneered: "Qin Feng, you've got your eye on Shen Qingshuang? Don't worry—once you're gone, I'll make sure to thoroughly enjoy her."

At these words, Shen Qingshuang's eyes filled with despair. She instinctively looked at Qin Feng. Though this ruffian had long been a name she'd heard, she couldn't deny: today, only this ruffian could save her.

Qin Feng finally saw it—this old bastard Zhao Zhangfu was clearly taking sides! Both were sons of ministers; there was no reason to side with Wu Yong over him—not even neutrality.

Now Zhao Zhangfu was so eager to champion Wu Yong, it was obvious he had some shady deal with the Ministry of Revenue faction.

Damn it! Today's probably not going to end well.

Qin Feng gritted his teeth, slowly stood up, and his serious expression flipped a full 180 degrees—he became crooked-eyed and twisted-mouthed again: "This young master has been frightened into another fit. Everyone, get far away—or I'll kill you and not bother burying you."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhangfu immediately turned hostile and barked: "I gave you a chance, and you wasted it! Men, teach this wastrel brat a lesson on behalf of the Minister!"

At his command, the dozen Imperial Guards surged forward.

Seeing their ferocious expressions, Qin Feng's hard-won courage vanished instantly. Without thinking, he dashed behind Shen Qingshuang, the human shield, and shouted: "Shu Feng, fight hard! I'm counting on you!"

Though Shu Feng had no confidence either, the blades were already at his throat—he had no retreat left. He had no choice but to charge forward.

Just as the two sides were about to clash, a shrill voice rang out: "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong arrives!"

At these words, the once-fierce Imperial Guards instantly retreated. Zhao Zhangfu's face turned pale; he abandoned Qin Feng entirely and sprinted to the door, standing respectfully to one side.

The onlookers who had been eating melons all rose to their feet, terrified of showing even a hint of disrespect to the most powerful eunuch in the empire.

Qin Feng's heart stirred: Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong? Could it be Li Zhan, the Grand Eunuch beside the Liang Emperor?

Li Zhan's arrival outside the palace was like the Emperor's own presence—everyone present dared not show the slightest negligence. Only Qin Feng, as if insane, pointed at Wu Yong and An Shiyun, their faces ashen, and burst into laughter, clutching his stomach: "You had Zhao Zhangfu backing you? Now my reinforcements have arrived."

Qin Feng's mind raced—he immediately realized: Li Zhan had left the palace because his father Qin Tianhu's Imperial Memorial had already been delivered. The Liang Emperor, having seen Qin Feng's Illustrated Military Strategy, planned to summon him.

Hearing Qin Feng's words, Wu Yong and An Shiyun exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

How could this ruffian possibly be connected to Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong?

Zhao Zhangfu, standing at the door in respectful wait, had also heard Qin Feng's words. His face turned pale. Though Li Zhan held no official power outside the palace, he was still the Emperor's "close minister."

All Li Zhan needed to do was whisper a word in the Emperor's ear, and it would be enough to make everyone choke on their soup.