Chapter 253

First Volume, Chapter 253: Do You Want to Hold Your Grandchild?

Qin Feng's expression shifted a hundred and eighty degrees; he let out a few nervous, forced laughs: "If Uncle has any business with your humble nephew, just send a Servant to notify me—I'll naturally prepare a generous gift and come visit in person."

Watching Qin Feng's fawning, sycophantic face, Xie Bi let out a light snort, smiling without warmth: "Talk is cheap! Since the Emperor granted the marriage, have you ever set foot in my Xie Residence?"

"Or do you look down on my Xie Family and deliberately give us Cold Neglect?"

Feeling the weight of Xie Bi's massive hand, Qin Feng thought: If I dare say one 'no,' I'll probably drop dead right here!

Qin Feng immediately put on an utterly sincere expression and swore solemnly: "Uncle is wrong to blame me—marrying Miss Xie and sharing eternal harmony is a blessing I earned in past lives, no, in ten past lives! The reason I haven't visited yet is simply because my official duties are overwhelming and I'm stretched too thin."

Saying this, Qin Feng pulled a face of utter misery: "Uncle knows well how much hardship I've suffered since being Banished to Beixi County…"

Xie Bi snorted inwardly: Keep acting! Keep acting!

I'd lose if I believed you even a single word.

When Qin Feng finished pouring out his grievances, Xie Bi grabbed his collar and, like escorting a hostage, left the Palace Gate and threw him straight into a carriage.

Qin Feng shuddered inside and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Help! Ning Guogong is bullying men and oppressing women!"

Xie Bi's face darkened; he roared: "If you dare speak recklessly again, I'll give you an Iron Fist! You claimed you were perfectly satisfied with this marriage, didn't you? Then why wait? Today is as good as any—come with me back to my residence, and let us, father-in-law and son-in-law, catch up properly!"

Facing Xie Bi's pair of Iron Fists, Qin Feng's spine turned icy.

He could only grit his teeth and follow Xie Bi to Ning Guogong Fu.

At the same moment, Liu Hongyan stood outside the Qin Residence, gazing longingly, muttering: "It's already noon—why hasn't Qin Feng returned?"

At that instant, Qin Xiaofu ran back, panting heavily; seeing Liu Hongyan, he wailed loudly: "Second Miss! Disaster has struck!"

Liu Hongyan's heart skipped a beat; she pressed urgently: "What happened?! Tell me quickly!"

Qin Xiaofu, still gasping for breath, blurted: "I was waiting outside the Palace Gate—I saw the Eldest Young Master being kidnapped by Ning Guogong!"

Hearing this, Liu Hongyan's tense heart eased slightly; she rolled her eyes at Qin Xiaofu and snapped: "You scared me half to death, you damn servant—who taught you to speak in gasps? Ning Guogong is Qin Feng's future father-in-law—how can you call it kidnapping? Go wait at the Xie Residence; if you see the Eldest Young Master come out, bring him back immediately—don't let him wander around."

"He's finally returned to Jingdu, and still hasn't shown his face—how outrageous!"

Liu Hongyan sighed inwardly, disappointed, turned back into the residence, and saw Shen Qingci and Jing Qianying waiting expectantly; she sighed and gave a helpless smile: "Feng'er is a busy man now—he left the Imperial Palace just now, and was immediately summoned by Ning Guogong. I doubt we'll see him before nightfall."

Shen Qingci was deeply proud of Qin Feng's current achievements, but she refused to admit it aloud, spitting: "He's just a Nine Rank County Magistrate—not exactly a prized catch, hmph!"

Ning Guogong Fu.

In the main hall, Qin Feng sat on a chair, utterly uncomfortable.

This was, in fact, Qin Feng's first time entering the Xie Residence.

Thinking that this was his future wife's family home, Qin Feng couldn't help but grimace, muttering under his breath: "The mighty Ning Guogong, to meet his son-in-law, has to resort to kidnapping? Wouldn't that be embarrassing if it spread? Hmph! I'm already embarrassed for your Xie Family."

As Qin Feng grumbled, a dry cough came from behind: "Cough, cough—what are you muttering about?"

Qin Feng shrank his neck; as he turned, his face instantly transformed into a beaming smile: "Your humble nephew was saying this place is truly worthy of Uncle's residence—so grand! In fact, Father-in-law is one of the greatest heroes of Shedynasty. My admiration for you flows like the Yellow River in flood—unstoppable…"

Xie Bi let out a light snort, but his expression softened slightly.

This brat may be slick and smooth-talking, but he does have 'calmness under pressure'—at least, sitting here alone just now, he didn't soil his pants.

After all, Noble Youth in Jingzhong have always feared the Xie Residence as if it were Huxue.

Xie Bi sat firmly in the Patriarch's seat, lifted his Tea Cup, blew on the steam, and spoke with casual indifference: "Today's actions will spread through Jingdu in a few days; surely everyone will laugh that I, Xie Bi, am chasing after your Qin Family. Fine! Last time your Qin Family hosted a banquet, I came with Yun'er to pay respects—but I never even saw your face. The Xie Family's honor was already ruined."

"But frankly, I don't care what gossip circulates. Tonight, you'll stay here. At dinner, I'll have Yun'er come meet you."

Qin Feng felt deflated.

Stay overnight at the Xie Residence?

You don't mind the shame—I still have dignity!

I'm a young bachelor, still unmarried, and now I'm sleeping in my future bride's home—if this got out, I'd become a laughingstock—how could I ever flirt with girls in Jingdu again?

Qin Feng didn't want to hang himself on this one tree.

Just as he was about to politely refuse, Xie Bi shot him a sharp glance; the words died in his throat, and he forced a bitter smile: "Uncle's kindness is so great—how could your humble nephew refuse?"

Xie Bi set down his Tea Cup and said in a strange tone: "You won't even call me Father-in-law?"

Qin Feng was deeply annoyed—forced marriage doesn't bring happiness, don't you understand?

But considering he was already deep in Huxue, and whether he'd survive leaving the Xie Residence was uncertain, he gritted his teeth, cursed Xie Bi's ancestors in his heart, and muttered a dry, insincere greeting: "Father-in-law…"

Xie Bi, who had been stern moments before, instantly beamed: "Hahahaha! Good! Since you've called me Father-in-law, we can speak plainly—tell me, when will you and Yun'er hold your wedding?"

Damn it! I just accidentally acknowledged a father!

Qin Feng wanted to die of frustration, but under Xie Bi's intimidation, he had no choice but to force an explanation: "Father-in-law knows the National War is imminent, and your son-in-law bears the heavy burden of training the New Army—I'm truly stretched too thin. As the saying goes: country first, family second. After we expel the barbarians, we can discuss marriage—this is your humble son-in-law's humble opinion."

Xie Bi narrowed his eyes: "Since you say so, I won't force you. But do you know why I'm so eager about your wedding?"

Hmph!

Qin Feng muttered inwardly: Isn't it because your daughter's too violent, no one dares marry her, and you're afraid she'll end up stuck with you?

Of course, grumbling was one thing—this thought could never be spoken aloud, or he'd be crushed by an Iron Fist.

Qin Feng feigned deep thought, then ventured tentatively: "Father-in-law… do you want to hold your grandchild?"