Chapter 23

First Volume, Chapter 23: The Liang Emperor Requests Your Presence

Under Qin Feng's keen gaze, a pale-faced imperial eunuch ran in first, followed by a middle-aged man clad in full armor, armed to the teeth.

Oh? Even the Commander of the Imperial Guard came? The Liang Emperor must value me highly! Realizing this, Qin Feng grew even more smug.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard swept his gaze across the room, radiating lethal authority; no one dared meet his eyes.

When his gaze fell upon the disguised imperial guards, his face turned pitch black, and he barked: "Filthy scum! You are guardians of the Imperial Palace—only the Emperor may summon you! How dare you neglect your duty? Bring them forth and execute this entire gang!"

No sooner had he spoken than a squad of armor-clad imperial guards stormed in, dragging the ten-plus disguised guards outside the wine house and beheading them on the spot as a warning.

Zhao Zhangfu turned ashen, too terrified to even breathe.

But Qin Feng was displeased—the Commander of the Imperial Guard was ostensibly punishing the guards, but in truth, he was covering up for the Second Prince; if word of secretly mobilizing the Imperial Guard reached the Emperor, the Second Prince would never be able to clear his name, even if he jumped into the Yellow River. The higher one's royal status, the more one must tread with extreme caution—not the slightest hint of overstepping is allowed.

It wasn't that the Commander had ill intent; he simply didn't want the matter to escalate.

At the same time, an elderly eunuch, over sixty, stout and lumbering, entered with measured, square steps.

Zhao Zhangfu wanted to kneel and pay respects but feared taboo, so he bent his body low instead: "Your humble servant welcomes the Grand Eunuch."

Wu Yong and An Shiyun, seeing this, scrambled over on their hands and knees, bowing deeply.

Li Zhan ignored them entirely, his eyes sweeping casually before he let out a shrill, eunuch's voice: "Who is Qin Feng?"

Li Zhan had long heard of Qin Feng's notorious reputation, but having served the Emperor daily, he had never seen Qin Feng in person.

Instantly, every gaze in the room converged on the wooden stage.

Li Zhan naturally turned his eyes toward Qin Feng, only to find Qin Feng standing on the stage as if he hadn't heard, wearing an expression of utter indifference.

Li Zhan frowned, but duty bound him—he couldn't dwell on it—so he said sternly: "Qin Feng, receive the imperial summons."

Even if Qin Feng was a rogue, he knew the stakes—he leapt down from the stage, trotted over to Li Zhan, and grinned: "Qin Feng receives the summons."

Li Zhan's face hardened: "Did the Minister teach you to receive an imperial decree standing?"

Qin Feng then feigned sudden realization, let out a long "Oh," but still refused to kneel, extending his hand: "Huh? My mind's not sharp—give it here."

Li Zhan's face darkened; he slapped the imperial edict hard into Qin Feng's palm and snapped: "No written decree—clean your ears and listen well: The Emperor's oral command is to summon the son of the Minister of War, Qin Feng, to the palace for an audience."

Qin Feng rubbed his palm, grimacing, and without any regard for titles, called him directly: "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong, I'm not refusing to go—Zhao Zhangfu said he'd give me a good beating, so I've got to clean my ass and wait for it."

At these words, Zhao Zhangfu shuddered in terror.

Li Zhan was about to roar at Qin Feng's insolence, but the words died on his lips—after all, it was the Emperor's summons; he couldn't reprimand him harshly. Besides… Qin Feng had indeed fallen into icy water recently and damaged his brain—how could one truly hold a madman accountable? Right now, getting Qin Feng to the palace was the priority.

Li Zhan glanced at Zhao Zhangfu and asked coldly: "Is this true?"

Zhao Zhangfu was already drenched in sweat, shaking his head like a rattle drum: "Your Excellency, please investigate—this is all Qin Feng's doing; he caused a disturbance at Zui Xian Lou."

Before he finished speaking, Qin Feng swung a massive slap across Zhao Zhangfu's face, sending him reeling, dazed and bewildered.

Li Zhan was startled, about to rebuke him—when he saw Qin Feng's furious, indignant expression.

"How dare you slander an innocent man with empty words? Wu Yong attacked me first!"

Zhao Zhangfu clutched his face, teeth clenched in fury, yet dared not confront him openly, whispering: "Who's right or wrong will be decided by others."

Without hesitation, Qin Feng kicked him hard, sending Zhao Zhangfu sprawling, then turned to Li Zhan, whining: "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong, look—he's threatening me again!"

Li Zhan couldn't help but laugh bitterly—this boy was exactly as rumored: lawless. But then again, perhaps only a bizarre creature like him could have conceived the Illustrated Military Manual.

For nearly a month, the Emperor had been troubled by the northern Di threat, his temper growing ever more volatile. But ever since receiving Qin Tianhu's submission of the Illustrated Military Manual, the Emperor had burst into prolonged laughter—the oppressive atmosphere in the Imperial Study had vanished. Thinking of this, Li Zhan felt he owed Qin Feng a debt of gratitude.

Though Li Zhan knew Qin Feng was exploiting the situation, he chose to turn a blind eye, turning instead to Wu Yong and An Shiyun: "Young Masters, are you refusing the imperial summons?"

At once, Wu Yong and An Shiyun dropped to their knees, speaking in unison: "We dare not defy it, even at the cost of our lives."

"Hmph!" Li Zhan's gaze dripped with contempt: "Then apologize to Qin Feng at once!"

Though they seethed with hatred, they dared not defy Li Zhan, so they gritted their teeth and turned toward Qin Feng.

"Young Master Qin, we were blind and disrespectful—please forgive us."

"It was all a misunderstanding…"

Qin Feng let out a long "Oh": "So you admit you struck me first?"

Even if Wu Yong and An Shiyun were fools, they understood Qin Feng's trap—admit it, and they'd be ruined; deny it, and Li Zhan would have no face.

After weighing the costs, they swallowed their bitterness in silence.

Qin Feng's face glowed with delight: "We're all sons of officials—we see each other every day. It's unseemly to make a scene. Here's the deal: each of you pays me one hundred thousand taels for medical expenses and emotional damages, and this matter is closed. Deal?"

Wu Yong trembled with rage—*he* was the one who got beaten, yet now he had to pay Qin Feng for medical costs? Where was the justice?

As he hesitated, a soft cough came from Li Zhan's side.

Wu Yong shuddered, dared not delay further, and gritted his teeth: "One hundred thousand taels—it's settled!"

Qin Feng beamed with satisfaction: "Ah, I feel much better already! Deliver the money to my residence soon—if you're late, I'll show up at your door with a whole band."

Qin Feng's ditty had already spread far and wide—Wu Yong and An Shiyun could only grit their teeth and swallow their humiliation.

Qin Feng reached out, ruffling their hair until their styles were a mess, then said: "Good boys. Next time you see this Young Master, keep your distance—or if I have another episode, you'll be stuck supporting me for life."

Their faces twisted with fury, wishing to devour Qin Feng alive.

Just before leaving, Qin Feng suddenly remembered something and turned to shout at Shen Qingshuang on the wooden stage: "Woman, aren't you coming home with this Young Master?"