Chapter 276

First Volume, Chapter 276: They Saved You

Ming Wang, standing with his hands behind his back, staring blankly at the sky, saw Li Lang's bruised and battered face and already understood; silently, he picked up the tea cup from the StoneTable and waved at Li Lang.

Li Lang had been furious all the way, but seeing his father so concerned for him, he was moved to tears: "Only Father cares for me—he knows I'm thirsty, thank you, Father…"

As Li Lang reached out to take it, the tea cup spun once in midair and struck him squarely on the forehead.

Ming Wang's eyes bulged like ox bells: "Thank your damn grandpa!"

Li Lang clutched his forehead, stumbling backward, pouting: "My grandpa? Ji Wang? Why thank him?"

Ming Wang brushed off the tea dregs from his hand, face stern: "Useless brat, look at yourself—do you have even a shred of imperial dignity? You've shamed me completely! Qin Feng is just a weak scholar with no martial strength, yet he beat you to this state—and now I have to pay to get you back? Hahaha, you've really made your old man proud."

Li Lang's face twisted in misery: "If it were only Qin Feng, I'd have already twisted his head off. But he had Ning Hu beside him—that brute was born with godlike strength and has fought on the Battlefield; he's no easy opponent. And Qin Feng's got a beautiful maid who can handle herself in fists too."

Ming Wang knew Li Lang's martial skill well—plus dozens of personal guards, they could've beaten Ning Hu until his own mother didn't recognize him.

The real problem was that little maid.

Ming Wang sneered inwardly—this brat was clearly lusting after women; seeing a pretty girl, he lost all sense.

But everything had its order— even the Crown Prince hadn't married yet; no matter how restless Li Lang was, he'd have to wait.

Ming Wang grew tired of Li Lang's sulking and changed the subject: "Where are the guards?"

At this, Li Lang's face darkened instantly: "All… all dead."

At these words, Ming Wang's eyes widened sharply, locking onto Li Lang with fury: "Killed by Qin Feng?"

Li Lang shook his head: "No. Before I passed out, I saw a few Black-Clothed Men."

Ming Wang's rage vanished instantly; his brow furrowed as he muttered under his breath.

"Black-Clothed Men?! They killed every guard in Beijing and made not a ripple—could they be the Black Guards?"

Ming Wang's gaze grew deeper; he pressed urgently: "How many Black-Clothed Men were there?"

Li Lang tilted his head, thinking hard, but couldn't recall clearly: "How should I know? I was knocked out by Qin Feng already—I think… two or three?"

Ming Wang instantly understood; he let out a bitter laugh: "If I'm right, Ning Hu knocked out all the guards first—then the Black-Clothed Men appeared?"

Li Lang was stunned: "Father, how did you know? It's like you were there yourself."

Ming Wang didn't explain right away; he sighed inwardly, then frowned after a long pause: "You're not to bother Qin Feng again. And you're not to enter Beijing."

Li Lang had been seething with rage, wanting to chop Qin Feng into eight pieces; hearing this, he exploded: "Fine, I won't go to Beijing—but I and Qin Feng Gouzei can't coexist under the same sky! How can I let him go?"

In the past, if Li Lang had defied Ming Wang like this, Ming Wang would've slapped him senseless without a word—but this time, he didn't lift a hand; his voice grew low: "Qin Feng has no grudge against you—he saved you. You grew up in Fuyun County and know little of Beijing's affairs. Do you know who those Black-Clothed Men were?"

Li Lang stared, dumbfounded—Qin Feng saved him? What nonsense!

But seeing Ming Wang's unprecedented seriousness, Li Lang dared not ask further and answered obediently: "Son doesn't know."

Ming Wang took a deep breath, speaking slowly and clearly: "Black Guards! The Sage's Dagger." Then he explained everything about the Black Guards to his son.

Li Lang's hatred vanished instantly, replaced by shock.

At that moment, Li Lang finally realized: had it not been for Qin Feng's protection, he'd have been seized by the Black Guards long ago—and likely already dead.

Unbeknownst to Li Lang, Ming Wang was even more terrified—but recalling Qin Feng's intervention today, his gaze shifted, revealing a long-buried cunning: "You act recklessly. From now on, stay in Fuyun County. I'll send the Crown Prince to deal with Qin Feng."

Night, deep.

Inner chamber of Qingya Pavilion.

Qin Feng lay sprawled on the bed, breathing in the fragrant air, feeling utterly at peace, silently wondering: what had he missed all these years? He should've found an excuse to stay here one night long ago.

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng sat beside the bed, occasionally stifling giggles; Qin Xiaofu guarded the front hall.

Just then, Shen Qingci returned, exhausted from organizing tomorrow's books, and saw Qin Feng comfortably sprawled on her bed, shamelessly rubbing his face against the Quilt; the usually gentle Shen Qingci stormed over and delivered a sharp kick to Qin Feng's thigh.

"Qin Feng! I never agreed to let you stay here. Go back now, while it's still early."

Qin Feng had been planning to catch up with Shen Qingci.

Hearing this, he shut his eyes tight, feigning the indifference of a dead pig unbothered by boiling water, snoring loudly: "Huh… huuuh…"

Pretending to sleep?

Shen Qingci grew angrier; she tried dragging him off the bed—but he was dead weight, impossible to move.

Helpless, she turned to Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng: "Stop standing there—get him out of here."

The two girls exchanged glances and obeyed, each grabbing one of Qin Feng's arms.

But Qin Feng pulled hard inward—and they both tumbled onto the bed.

Qin Feng hugged Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng on either side, smacking his lips, mumbling: "Comfortable."

Shen Qingci fumed: "Comfortable your head! Brat, if you don't leave, I'm going to be furious!"

Seeing Qin Feng unmoved, Shen Qingci took matters into her own hands.

But Qin Feng yanked her onto the bed too.

Shen Qingci was tightly held in his arms, feeling as if her whole body was burning; she was about to shout when Qin Xiaofu's voice came from outside.

"Master, keep it down—the night patrol is coming. We're in a state of wartime readiness—if the City Patrol Bureau shows up, it'll be trouble."

As he spoke, the flickering candlelight outside the door vanished, replaced by darkness.

Qin Xiaofu had blown out the candle in the reception hall.

This kid—gets it!

Qin Feng was overjoyed, wanting to immediately award Qin Xiaofu a Red Flower.

Shen Qingci also feared drawing the night patrol's attention, so she reluctantly held back—but seeing Qin Feng, her anger flared again, and she pinched her little brother hard.

Qin Feng stayed silent, squirming and dodging.

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng exchanged glances and wisely stepped aside, giving Qin Feng and Shen Qingci space so they could move freely.

As Qin Feng and Shen Qingci wrestled on the bed, the County City of Beixi echoed with thunderous shouts and screams…