Chapter 31

First Volume, Chapter 31: Elder Sister in Peril

Qin Feng wanted to see how Xiao Xiangxiang and Qin Xiaofu viewed this matter, since these two were his personal servants; whether loyal or not, he needed to first gauge their abilities—knowing people meant knowing how to use them.

Xiao Xiangxiang's words struck right to Qin Feng's heart; as the saying goes, those who associate with the virtuous become virtuous, those who associate with the wicked become wicked—if Xiao Xiangxiang lacked even this much insight, she'd only ever be a vase to be displayed.

Qin Feng feigned surprise, flicking Xiao Xiangxiang's nose with his finger: "Didn't know you knew that enemies are better resolved than prolonged."

Xiao Xiangxiang's face instantly flushed red; she lowered her head and muttered softly: "Young Master is teasing Maid again."

Qin Feng laughed heartily, stood up, and beckoned Qin Xiaofu with a finger: "Come here—I have something to tell you."

Qin Xiaofu's eyes lit up, thinking he might get a reward, and scurried over eagerly.

Without a word, Qin Feng kicked out—straight to Qin Xiaofu's buttocks—and snapped: "Next time you enter, remember to knock, you brat!"

Qin Feng hadn't even used force, yet Qin Xiaofu grimaced, limped to the door, and grinned apologetically: "Young Master's legs have gotten even swifter—after that kick, I feel wonderfully refreshed."

Qin Feng snorted lightly, secretly amused—this brat's shameless demeanor bore a faint echo of himself. Clearly, while Qin Feng was being scolded by Liu Hongyan, Qin Xiaofu had been watching closely.

Seeing Qin Feng in a foul mood after his plans were ruined, Qin Xiaofu quickly offered his other buttock: "Please, Young Master, grant me your blessing."

Qin Xiaofu wasn't stupid—breaking into the Young Master's quarters earned him only a single kick, proving he was still favored. If the Young Master had truly been angry, he wouldn't have gotten off with just a kick; an accusation of "disrespecting superiors" could've gotten him beaten to death on the spot, and no one would've objected.

Qin Feng had no time for this brat's antics—Qiyang Commandery's Princess must have already arrived at Qingya Pavilion. Elder Sister Shen Qingci was proud by nature; dealing with just the Princess alone would've been taxing enough, but with Li Ninghui added to the mix, she'd be overwhelmed.

"Do as Xiao Xiangxiang said—I'll go meet these two little shrews."

"Xiao Fu, go notify the female students of Shenglin Academy—I'm about to recite poetry and compose couplets again. Those interested in forming an cheering squad, hurry to Qingya Pavilion—can't let the spectacle fall short."

"Yes." Though Qin Xiaofu had no idea what an "cheering squad" was, if the Young Master said it, it must be part of some grand strategy—he'd obey without question.

Qin Feng spread his arms, signaling Xiao Xiangxiang to burn incense and dress him; he donned brocade robes and jade belt, then recalled the image of a nobleman from TV dramas—left hand held before him, right hand behind his back, striding boldly toward the main gate of Qin Residence.

Just as he reached the door, he suddenly remembered something; his imposing aura instantly deflated. He pulled back, crouched behind the door, and whispered: "Quick! Go get Shu Feng—if anything happens, this Young Master is a cultured man with higher education; swordplay and fistfighting? Leave it to Shu Feng."

Xiao Xiangxiang couldn't help but suppress a laugh; though she still couldn't fathom the Young Master's temperament, this outrageous, flamboyant behavior brought her a kind of amusement she'd never known before.

Out in public, he was dazzling—even the Imperial Clan didn't daunt him—but once home, he transformed into someone entirely different: sometimes timid as a mouse, sometimes cunning and mischievous. In all of Jingdu, there was no second Qin Young Master.

Soon after, when Shu Feng arrived, Qin Feng's hunched posture straightened instantly; he marched out the door with head high and chest out, triumphant: "Fine day today—perfect for poetry and couplets. Shushu and Xiao Xiangxiang, come with me and recite some."

Shu Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang exchanged glances and stifled a chuckle.

Shu Feng covered her mouth, feigning teasing: "Recite… one recitation? Young Master, mind your dignity."

"Where did you get that idea, Shushu? You've gone bad!" Qin Feng ruffled Shu Feng's hair, secretly resolved: he'd steal this girl away from Jing Qianying someday!

Qingya Pavilion was already packed, but the crowd gathered outside consisted solely of servants from Qiyang Commandery's and Li Fu's households. The onlookers, though eager to know what was happening inside, dared not approach, intimidated by the menacing servants.

Inside Qingya Pavilion, the room was equally full—mostly regular patrons, of high status; as long as they didn't provoke, they had no fear of Qiyang Commandery's Princess taking revenge on them.

Li Ninghui, dressed in green, picked up a poem draft, glanced at it, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it away, sneering: "Qingya Pavilion claims to be Jingdu's premier elegant literary house? Is this the extent of the great Miss Shen's talent? Are you trying to become a laughingstock?"

"Princess Qiyang came here today out of admiration, merely seeking a piece of calligraphy—how hard can that be?"

The pink-robed, high-coiffed Princess of Qiyang, face cold, said: "I went through great trouble to come to your Qingya Pavilion—if you can't give me a satisfactory reply, don't blame me for being uncivil!"

Li Ninghui quickly agreed: "The Princess detests pretenders who seek fame!"

Shen Qingci, in a white ruqun with ink-black hair coiled into a bun, knew full well these two had come to provoke. She had composed three poems—each a treasured masterpiece she never showed lightly—yet both had dismissed them as worthless. Had it not been for the Princess's status as Imperial Clan, Shen Qingci's nature would've already driven them out!

Shen Qingci bit her thin lips, silently picked up brush and ink, and wrote her final, hidden masterpiece: "Mountains distant, sky high, cold moon and mist, maple leaves dyed crimson with longing. Wild geese fly high, no return in sight, a curtain of wind and moon, idle."

Li Ninghui took the paper, glanced once, and sneered: "All that effort, and this is it? Shen Qingci, is this your talent? You call yourself Jingdu Talented Woman? That's the Greatest Joke in the World!"

Saying this, Li Ninghui tore the calligraphy to shreds before everyone's eyes. Seeing Shen Qingci's face alternate between red and pale, Li Ninghui felt immensely satisfied.

Princess Qiyang knew Shen Qingci had some talent; the previous poems were decent—but today, she came for a peerless masterpiece; everything else was trash.

Princess Qiyang was losing patience: "Shen Qingci, can you or can't you? If not, just say so—don't waste everyone's time. I've waited here this long for you to produce these pitiful scraps? Do you not respect the Imperial Clan? Someone! Smash this Qingya Pavilion!"

The regular patrons, witnessing this, offered no word of support; instead, they all retreated. First, they didn't wish to provoke the Princess; second, they'd begun doubting Shen Qingci's talent.

If even the Princess couldn't be satisfied, how could she deserve the title "Jingdu Talented Woman"?

Just as the servants surged toward Qingya Pavilion, a laugh rang out: "Who dares to smash my Qin Family's property?"