Chapter 32

First Volume, Chapter 32: Confronting the Socialite

Someone in the crowd with sharp eyes immediately recognized Qin Feng and couldn't help but wear a smug expression: "Isn't that Young Master Qin? I heard he's caused quite a stir lately—this time there's going to be a good show."

The regular patrons who had already prepared to leave, fearing being caught in the fire, all halted their steps upon seeing Qin Feng suddenly appear, and a chorus of murmurs rose and fell around them.

"I heard Qin Feng stole the spotlight at the Poetry Contest with his poem 'Beyond the Frontier,' astonishing everyone—even the head of Shenglin Academy praised it highly. Who would've thought such a wastrel could possess such literary talent!"

"Not just that! It's said the Emperor himself was delighted upon reading the poem and issued an Imperial Decree for the Book Bureau to mass-print copies and distribute them to military camps across the realm. Especially the Border Army, long plagued by North Di Barbarians ambushes, saw their morale surge thanks to this very poem, 'Beyond the Frontier.'"

"If it were only literary brilliance, that would be enough—but I heard Qin Feng dared to pluck a tiger's teeth: first he extorted Ten Thousand Li Silver from the Ministry of Revenue's Deputy Director's household, then he caused a ruckus at Zui Xian Lou, vowing to shut it down within half a month."

"Hah, so what? Princess Qiyang is Imperial Clan—no matter how arrogant Qin Feng is, he wouldn't dare challenge Princess Qiyang! Otherwise, I'd like to see how many heads this fool has to lose!"

Although a few guests praised Qin Feng's literary talent, the vast majority sneered at him, eagerly waiting to see him humiliated by Princess Qiyang.

Shen Qingci felt a surge of tension and kept signaling Qin Feng with her eyes, urging him to leave quickly and not cause trouble here.

True, the Qin Family's background is the Minister of State—but in status and rank, it still falls one tier below the Imperial Clan. Moreover, his mother, Chang Princess Xiao Yunrui, is someone who can 'reach the Heavenly Court'—the Qin Family could never afford to provoke her. Shen Qingci had already heard of the commotion Qin Feng had stirred up these past days; if he angered Princess Qiyang, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Qin Feng clearly noticed Shen Qingci's glances but paid them no mind—even winked and made faces at her, causing her to silently curse: "This damn fool—he's determined to drag the Qin Family into the fire, isn't he?"

Li Ninghui, however, wore a delighted expression. If she faced the calm and astute Shen Qingci, she might at best secure only the insignificant Qingya Pavilion, unable to strike a crippling blow to the Qin Family. But now that this troublemaker had appeared, Li Ninghui longed for Qin Feng to challenge Princess Qiyang—then the entire Qin Family would be dragged down with him!

Li Ninghui crossed her arms and deliberately sneered loudly: "No wonder you're the Qin Family's Young Master—what bold words! Do you mean to say you don't even respect Princess Qiyang?"

At these words, Princess Qiyang's face darkened instantly. She had already heard Qin Feng had become utterly lawless lately, even daring to offend Zui Xian Lou—unaware that she herself was intimately close to the Second Prince, who stood behind Zui Xian Lou.

Princess Qiyang silently resolved: if this brat uttered even one wrong word, she would make sure he never left alive—to repay the Second Prince's hatred in full.

Princess Qiyang sized up Qin Feng from head to toe, her face brimming with contempt: "What did you just say? I didn't hear clearly. Say it again."

Qin Feng, who had moments ago stood tall and proud, heard this and without hesitation, plastered his face with obsequious smiles, bowing deeply: "It's His Excellency Princess Qiyang! This humble Qin has been blind to your presence and nearly offended your noble person—allow me to apologize."

Seeing Qin Feng show such deference, Shen Qingci finally exhaled in quiet relief.

Princess Qiyang sniffed disdainfully. Though she longed to punish Qin Feng severely, she wouldn't strike a smiling face, so she would have to wait for another opportunity.

Li Ninghui, meanwhile, sneered sarcastically from the side: "I thought Young Master Qin was truly fearless of heaven or earth—but now I see you're a coward! Truly, hearsay falls short of reality. I heard you hired a gang of beggars to extort Ten Thousand Li Silver from the Cheng Fu? Hah—how truly dignified for the young masters of Jingdu!"

"You might as well quit and become a beggar yourself!"

Qin Feng straightened up, smiling broadly at Li Ninghui, and blurted out: "You know about that too? Are you secretly surveilling me? Or… are you secretly in love with me?"

At these words, the crowd erupted in shock—no one expected Qin Feng would dare openly flirt with the Li Family's Eldest Young Master!

Li Ninghui's face flushed crimson and pale in turns, glaring furiously at Qin Feng: "What did you say?!"

"Didn't hear me? Then I'll say it again—watch my lips: Li Ninghui, are you in love with me?" Qin Feng raised his voice to a deafening pitch—so loud that not only those inside Qingya Pavilion, but even passersby on the street outside heard every word clearly.

The crowd exploded into uproar, erupting in loud gossip.

Li Ninghui's cheeks burned red with fury. If it were merely a verbal duel, she had full confidence she could verbally eviscerate Qin Feng until he doubted his own existence—but who could've imagined this lecher would break all norms, spewing such vulgar words outright, leaving Li Ninghui utterly speechless.

Watching Li Ninghui open her mouth, then close it again, unable to utter a single word, Qin Feng found it immensely amusing.

Qin Feng indeed dared not offend Princess Qiyang—but that didn't mean Li Ninghui could jump around in front of him like this! Both their fathers were Ministers of State—who was nobler than whom?

"Why aren't you speaking?" Qin Feng grinned wickedly, pretending to cover his mouth in feigned surprise: "Silence is concealment. Concealment is proof. Even if you're lustful for my male charm, you wouldn't be driven by love into hatred and come bothering my sister, would you? How about this—you're not worthy to be my principal wife, but as a concubine? You're more than sufficient."

At these words, Li Ninghui trembled with rage, shrieking hysterically: "Qin Feng, you're despicable! Be your concubine? You—"

Before Li Ninghui could finish the last two words, Qin Feng cut her off: "Yes. Be my concubine."

Li Ninghui was left speechless, face blazing red, breathing raggedly, as if she might faint at any moment.

Shen Qingci shot Qin Feng a withering glance. Though she despised his behavior, she couldn't deny that this brother of hers had delivered a satisfying revenge.

Seeing Li Ninghui still trying to retort, Princess Qiyang snapped at her: "Have you not shamed yourself enough?!"

Li Ninghui had only succeeded in shooting herself in the foot and slunk back in humiliation.

Princess Qiyang ignored Qin Feng and commanded sharply: "What are you all standing around for? Smash Qingya Pavilion!"

Seeing the servants again rushing forward, Shen Qingci's face turned pale—was Qingya Pavilion truly doomed today?

At this critical moment, Qin Feng stepped forward, blocking the crowd, waving his hands and mumbling vaguely: "I'm mentally impaired. Whoever touches me, I'll drop to the ground and die right here. When the Emperor summons me and delays matters of state, I'll see how many heads you all have to lose."

At these words, the servants hesitated, all turning to Princess Qiyang for orders.