Chapter 225

First Volume, Chapter 225: Reunion of Mother and Son

"A few days ago, I heard my mother was in distress. I ignored everyone's warnings and raced here at full speed. Fortunately, heaven protected you—Mother is unharmed. If you had suffered even a hair's breadth of harm, I swear I would make the Beidi pay with a sea of blood!"

Hearing Qin Feng's passionate, eloquent excuse, and those eyes of "unwavering filial piety."

Qin Cheng Clan's raised hand slowly came down, gently rubbing the five-finger-shaped mark on Qin Feng's face as she smiled: "You look just like your father when he was young—so shameless. Your exploits in Jingdu have already reached Beixi County. If you truly cared for your mother, who could stop you? Feng'er, you truly are my good son."

As she spoke, Qin Cheng Clan released Qin Feng's ear and kicked him squarely on the buttocks, her eyes smiling as she whispered softly: "Get up. Standing here in front of so many people—you're not embarrassed? I'm ashamed for you."

Qin Feng's face flushed red; he stood up with drooping brows and lowered eyes, yet his heart churned with frustration.

His mother saw right through him—completely.

It was as if they hadn't been separated for seven years.

No wonder she was a First-Rank Lady of Honor—her cunning and depth of strategy made Qin Feng's skin crawl.

The First Squad Captain, pretending not to see, bowed and said: "Young Master, how shall we deal with this Beidi bandit?"

Qin Feng then remembered: there was still one living captive.

He looked down at the Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander, pale from blood loss, and sneered: "You dared to lay hands on my mother and Third Sister? If I let you die easily, I'll take your surname!"

"Tie him up, take him back to Beixi County, and guard him closely—don't let him find a chance to kill himself."

The guards immediately lifted the Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander and dragged him out of the cave.

Qin Feng, head bowed and eyes downcast, bowed respectfully to welcome Qin Cheng Clan and Li Xiaolan out of this den of trouble.

Qin Feng suddenly remembered something and shouted to the First Squad Captain: "Bring back all ten Beidi warhorses from the mountains to the County City—I saw them earlier; they're truly magnificent, just as the Beidi warhorses should be."

Qin Cheng Clan glanced at the Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander slung over a horse's back and said gently: "Let him run back."

Hearing those light words, the Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander turned as white as paper.

He groaned inwardly: these two, mother and son—each more monstrous than the other!

The group retraced their path, but barely had they climbed over a mountain peak when the hidden sentinel stationed at the Mountain Foot rushed toward them in panic, shouting from afar: "Young Master! A large force is approaching from the north!"

At once, Qin Feng raised his hand; the guards froze in place.

Qin Feng frowned slightly: "Can you tell what kind of force it is?"

The hidden sentinel shook his head, his expression grave: "I dared not approach for fear of exposing our position. I only know it's cavalry—over two hundred strong!"

At first Qin Feng thought it might be Ning Hu returning with men, but upon hearing the number, his heart sank.

The First Squad Captain mused: "Could it be the Border Army? They heard you came to Beixi County and sent troops to welcome you?"

Qin Feng decisively shook his head: "Impossible! News of the Beidi Elite Raiding Cavalry's invasion has already spread. My mother was in mortal danger—yet the Border Army couldn't spare enough men to rescue her. How could they send troops to welcome me? Besides the Border Army, there are no other garrison troops in the Beixi region. As for the county militia, after Chen Li's years of mismanagement, they're nothing but useless good-for-nothings who can't be propped up against the wall. Two hundred cavalry? Not common infantry."

Hearing Qin Feng's judgment, everyone's hearts filled with dread.

The enemy outnumbered them; Qin Feng did not hesitate: "Enemy attack! Prepare for battle!"

As Qin Feng led his guards to prepare for combat, Shen Qingci had already arrived at the Imperial Palace with heavy gifts.

The Liang Emperor, who had been studying a map of the Bianchui frontier, finally looked up, intrigued, to examine Shen Qingci kneeling before him: "Is the Qin girl here about Beixi County?"

This was Shen Qingci's first time entering the palace; she was extremely nervous. Without hesitation, she answered: "Beixi County is a matter of state—far beyond my concern. Today, I dare to enter the palace only because my younger brother Qin Feng made some arrangements before leaving."

The Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow: "Arrangements?"

Shen Qingci did not beat around the bush. She glanced at the window beside the Imperial Study and whispered: "My brother plans to replace the window in the Imperial Study."

The Liang Emperor knew Qin Feng was full of tricks, but replacing the window in the Imperial Study was beyond his expectations.

Before the Liang Emperor could respond, Li Zhan snapped: "Audacious! Even a single tile in the Imperial Study is not yours to alter! Qin Feng Xiao'er is arrogant and conceited—does he only cease his insolence when punished with the heaviest crime?"

Li Zhan's rebuke was a veiled warning: he urged Shen Qingci to leave the palace immediately—don't let Qin Feng Xiao'er drag you down.

Shen Qingci grew even more nervous.

She knew every detail of the palace was meticulously designed, all for the Emperor's protection.

Replacing a window in the Imperial Study was not only absurd—it was reckless audacity.

Yet Shen Qingci trusted Qin Feng completely.

She refused to believe he would betray her.

Bowing her head, she whispered: "I am guilty of mortal sin for believing Qin Feng. Replacing the Imperial Study's window is indeed brazen. I shall leave the window here in the Imperial Palace—it may serve another purpose."

The Liang Emperor studied Shen Qingci without expression. He knew Qin Feng Xiao'er would never joke about family matters. If he said "replace the window," there had to be meaning. He ordered the window brought forth.

The instant the red cloth was lifted, the Liang Emperor's eyes widened in shock.

As ruler of a nation, what exotic wonders had he not seen?

Even precious lapis lazuli could be freely gifted to the Hou Gong.

But this Liu Li Window surpassed even his understanding—he murmured in wonder: "A Liu Li Window? Where did Qin Feng get so much lapis lazuli? Even all the lapis lazuli ever collected in the palace combined wouldn't equal the amount in this single window."

Li Zhan was equally stunned: "Qin Feng Xiao'er—has he found a source for lapis lazuli?"

Seeing the Emperor himself awed by the Liu Li Window,

Shen Qingci's face betrayed a flicker of pride; she suppressed her delight and whispered: "I dare not deceive the Emperor—this Liu Li Window was crafted by Qin Feng himself. The Liu Li Sheets were smelted by his own hands."

At these words, Li Zhan gasped: "What? Qin Feng smelted lapis lazuli himself?! Shen Qingci, do you know the punishment for the Crime of Deceiving the Emperor?"

Shen Qingci's face turned pale; she quickly protested: "Even if I had a hundred lives, I would never dare deceive the Emperor. This lapis lazuli was truly smelted by Qin Feng. If you doubt it, send men to the Tianji Camp's Liuli Workshop—the tools and materials are all there."