Chapter 308

First Volume, Chapter 308: The Solitary and Proud Imperial Consort

In front of all the civil and military officials, Qin Feng spoke the very words the Liang Emperor had wanted to say but could not.

The Liang Emperor felt deep admiration in his heart, yet his face darkened as he snapped: "Audacious! The Minister of Justice and Lord Lin are both my trusted pillars—how dare you slander the Minister of Justice's appointment as Grand Commandant?! Seize him! Cast Qin Feng out of the Grand Hall, administer ten staff strikes, as a warning to all!"

The Palace Guards, clad in glittering golden armor and broad-shouldered, bulky as tigers, seized Qin Feng by the shoulder.

Like lifting a chick, they dragged him out of the Grand Hall.

They casually tossed him down the steps and waved their hand: "Do it yourself."

Qin Feng was already well-practiced—he picked up the Water-Fire Inexorable Rod, struck it ten times against the ground, then grinned at the Palace Guards: "I've always wondered: everyone knows the Palace Guards are the Liang Dynasty's dagger, unmatched in martial prowess—so how do they compare to the Shanyin Experts?"

At these words, the Palace Guards' faces instantly darkened: "Qin Feng, are you looking for trouble? Or shall I do it for you?"

As he spoke, the Palace Guard reached for the Water-Fire Inexorable Rod.

Qin Feng quickly threw the rod aside: "Heh, ten strokes done! I was just curious—why get so worked up?"

The Palace Guard glared coldly: "Against Shanyin Experts, that's another matter. Against you, Tianji Camp Guards? More than enough."

Qin Feng bowed and smiled broadly: "Of course—when the Palace Guards move, who can stand against them?"

With that, Qin Feng ran off without looking back.

His earlier words were not mere foolishness.

He had deliberately tested the depth of the Palace Guards—and concluded these statue-like guards were no different from ordinary men.

As for the six thousand warhorses, it was neither easy nor hard.

Ultimately, someone had to be sent to the Highland Small Countries, renowned for their Highland Horses, to negotiate trade.

According to Qin Feng's knowledge, those Highland Small Countries lay west of Beidi.

Since the Liang Dynasty went to war with Beidi, ties with those Highland Small Countries had been severed—now, to organize a Horse Purchasing Trade Caravan, one must first pass through Beidi territory.

The secret letter sent to Li Xiaolan already mentioned the horse purchase—whether she could pull it off depended entirely on her ability.

As for the five thousand warhorses promised to the Liang Emperor:

Qin Feng had no intention of fulfilling the promise honestly.

At the time, two thousand Highland Horses mixed with three thousand Beidi Horses would be enough to fool them.

Money! Money! Money!

Now we must hurry and get money!

Qin Feng returned to the Tianji Camp and headed straight for the Liuli Workshop.

He transported the molds already forged by the craftsmen into the Liuli Workshop, fired up the furnaces fully, smelted the glass liquid, and poured it into the molds.

…

Imperial Palace, Rear Garden.

The maid recounted the events of today's court session to the Imperial Consort, word for word.

These past days, the Imperial Consort had become obsessed with embroidering fan faces—not to compete with the Chang Princess, but because anything she wished to do in this life, she must not only accomplish, but accomplish well!

In just two days, her embroidery technique had already grown far less clumsy than before.

As she threaded the needle, she spoke calmly: "The world thinks Qin Feng is mad, yet none realize how deep his schemes run—like the vast ocean. The other day in the Western Flower Hall, the Chang Princess's words made the Emperor's stance clear—this Grand Commandant post is no longer within reach of the Minister of Justice."

"Today, Qin Feng merely voiced what the Emperor dared not say."

"Though young, his ability to read the Emperor's mind surpasses even the court ministers."

The maid hesitated, then ventured: "Your Grace, will you allow Qin Feng to act so brazenly?"

The Imperial Consort feigned a sigh, yet a cold smile curled her lips: "I dwell deep within the Hou Gong—how could I control Qin Feng? Let him rage; someone else will deal with him. I need only hold my place in the Six Palaces. But speaking of which—I've missed Qin Cheng Clan terribly since her banishment seven years ago."

At this, the maid gave a slight nod: "I know what to do—I'll send someone to Beixi County."

As the maid turned to leave, the Imperial Consort flicked her finger—a slender, sharp embroidery needle shot straight into the maid's left shoulder, making her cry out and collapse to her knees.

The Imperial Consort casually pulled out a fresh needle and said slowly: "You know? Hmph—if even you can read my thoughts so clearly, how can I possibly command the Six Palaces? Beixi County has resisted even Beidi's general Chen Si—it's guarded by Xu Mo, and soon Ning Hu's Tianji Camp Guards will arrive."

"Beixi County will soon become an iron barrel—send assassins? Only a fool like you could think of such a stupid plan."

The maid knelt, trembling in silence: "I was presumptuous—I deserve to die."

The Imperial Consort cast her a disdainful glance, her face gleaming with satisfaction: "Are you a maid, or am I the Imperial Consort? Fools are born fools. Go find the Minister of Justice's son—Qin Feng is holding some auction, isn't he? Let him get involved. As for Beixi County, we needn't meddle—the Beidi will retaliate on their own. We need only attend to our duties in Jingdu."

The maid nodded vigorously, rose to leave—then suddenly felt her vision blur, her strength draining away. She looked down to see blood blooming on her chest, her eyes growing dimmer, then collapsed with a thud, dead on the spot.

The nearby maid, terrified pale, trembled forward to check: "Your Grace, your needle pierced her body—entered the left shoulder, exited the chest—it must have severed her heart. But she was too tense to notice the fatal wound."

Hearing this, the Imperial Consort's eyes flickered with revulsion: "Useless creatures—if I relied on you, I'd have nothing left to do."

She pointed at the other maid: "You replace her."

The maid dared not hesitate—she immediately agreed and dragged the dead maid's body away.

The Imperial Consort acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to embroider the fan face, humming a few lines of a tune: "How many great rivers and waves have I crossed… how could such a tiny ditch capsize my boat…"

…

Beixi County.

Xu Mo met Ning Hu at the City Gate, embracing him tightly as he dismounted.

"Ning Brother, you've finally arrived!"

Ning Hu was equally excited, eyes blazing: "Brother Qin ordered me here—I won't be recalled to Jingdu anytime soon. If Beidi dares strike again, you and I, comrades, shall fight side by side."

Hearing this, Xu Mo looked at Ning Hu's imposing Tianji Camp Guards and the long caravan behind him—his eyes gleamed with emotion, yet held a trace of confusion: "I still don't understand why Brother Qin would risk so much to defend this crumbling city."

Ning Hu had once wondered too—until his father, the Marquis of Yong'an, clarified it before his departure.

Ning Hu took a deep breath and blurted: "For public duty and personal reasons—Beixi County cannot fall!"