Chapter 329

First Volume, Chapter 329: A Feather Treated as an Imperial Edict

Ji Wang slapped the back of Qin Feng's collar, making him jerk in fright.

Ji Wang's eyes flickered with displeasure: "What's this? Is this how you speak to your prince? This is the Imperial Palace—don't bring your street habits here."

As he spoke, Ji Wang pulled a silver note from his sleeve—worth one thousand liang—and thrust it straight into Qin Feng's face. "Take it."

Qin Feng glanced at the silver note, then scanned the surrounding Civil and Military Ministers, and dared not take it: "Your Highness, this is the Imperial Palace—would you really bribe someone here? You're a prince, so you don't care, but I must consider the consequences. Why not wait until we're back home to discuss this? This isn't the place to talk."

Hearing this, Ji Wang slapped the silver note directly onto Qin Feng's chest—the force nearly gave him internal injuries.

Ji Wang glared at Qin Feng, annoyed: "What nonsense! You little brat, you never watch your mouth. What do I need to bribe you for? I can do anything with a single word."

"These past few days, several of my old friends from the Folk have come to Jingdu to visit—literati from the provinces. They're here to gather and exchange poetry. Don't you dare show up at my Wangye Fu to cause trouble."

This time, Qin Feng finally understood.

The old prince was afraid Qin Feng would treat a feather as an imperial edict and go rampaging through his mansion, embarrassing him—so he'd handed over a thousand liang upfront to send him packing. That way, Qin Feng could claim he'd inspected the Wangye Fu and report back.

In short, the Zheng Shu of Jingdu's official conduct was just a formality—this thousand liang saved even the formality.

No wonder the old prince cares for the younger generation—he's sparing Qin Feng the trouble.

Qin Feng gladly accepted the silver note, beaming, then pulled a ten-thousand-liang silver note from his own robes, stacked it atop the thousand-liang note, and slipped it all back into the old prince's sleeve.

"You say that? Am I really that clueless? This thousand liang—I return it to you intact. If your mansion lacks writing brushes, ink, paper, or inkstone for this literary gathering, just send someone to Qingya Pavilion—I'll cover it from my account."

Ji Wang smoothed his sleeve and patted Qin Feng's shoulder: "Then I'll take back this thousand liang."

Qin Feng bowed deeply, gesturing with a sweeping hand: "Your Highness, please take your leave slowly."

Watching Ji Wang depart, Qin Feng muttered inwardly: This old prince really knows how to put on airs—he's clearly telling all the Civil and Military Ministers that even if I'm brazen, I still bow low before him.

Unconsciously, Old Master Wang's standing in everyone's eyes rose another notch.

Sigh.

All these Li-family royals in Jingdu—every last one of them is a pain in the neck.

The surrounding Civil and Military Ministers had seen every moment of that exchange.

The officials exchanged glances, then surged forward, surrounding Qin Feng.

Minister of Personnel Wu Mian grabbed Qin Feng's shoulder and pulled out a stack of silver notes—varying denominations, totaling roughly ten thousand liang.

In Jingzhong, officials always carried silver notes—not to spend, but to save their lives.

If they ever said the wrong thing or made a mistake and the Liang Emperor decided to punish them later, they'd be thrown into Dali Temple—then the silver notes would come in handy. They couldn't erase guilt, but they could make the jailers or executioners show mercy, making imprisonment far more bearable.

In short, no matter what trouble arose, these hidden silver notes always had their use.

Wu Mian copied Ji Wang's move, thrusting the silver notes into Qin Feng's face and speaking gravely: "Qin Shi Hu, you don't need to inspect my residence. You know my son Wu Yong has long left Jingdu and lives a carefree life beyond the city. I myself am a man of perfect integrity—there's nothing to inspect. Save yourself the trouble."

Qin Feng looked at Wu Mian's silver notes and clicked his tongue.

Perfect integrity?

Who are you fooling?

Treating Ji Wang was one thing; treating officials was another.

Princes are ironclad; officials are flowing water.

Today you're powerful—tomorrow you might be somewhere cold and forgotten.

Qin Feng snatched the silver notes and shoved them into his robes. Before Wu Mian could even exhale, he added: "Wu Yong lives a carefree life? I heard he bought a house in Lin Xian and keeps dozens of servants and maids."

At this, Wu Mian's face darkened instantly.

The truth was clear: Qin Feng didn't just treat feathers as imperial edicts—he treated them as imperial swords of justice!

Wu Mian took a deep breath, covered his mouth with his hand, and coughed dramatically, whispering low: "After this, send Qin Xiaofu to me—I'll prepare another stack just like this."

The Qin Feng who had just been grinning like a fool and acting superior now changed expression like flipping a book—he bowed deeply to Wu Mian, respectfully: "Thank you, Minister Wu, for your kindness in sparing me the trip. Please take your leave slowly."

Wu Mian finally smiled, nodding with deep satisfaction—then turned and pushed through the crowd, his smile vanishing the moment his back was turned. He flicked his sleeve: "Little man with sudden power—what a piece of trash!"

First Ji Wang, now Wu Mian.

The officials had figured it out: a little money could send this plague away.

Small benefit: peace and quiet.

Big benefit: prevent Qin Feng from entering and uncovering incriminating evidence.

Instantly, officials of every rank began shoving money into Qin Feng's arms.

Some gave ten thousand liang; even the smallest was two thousand.

Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister smiled cheerfully: "Qin Shi Hu, to be honest, my wife has caught a cold these past days—her qi and blood are both depleted. The physician says she needs rest. So please, don't visit my home. Take these three thousand liang first, then send a servant to me—I'll have my accountant handle it."

Qin Feng frowned, concerned: "Qi and blood depletion isn't trivial—it requires heavy tonics. I've heard a hundred-year ginseng has this effect, though it's expensive—even the cheapest costs ten thousand liang."

The Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister winced—but to keep Qin Feng from entering his Fu Men, he forced a smile and agreed: "Ten thousand liang it is. Health comes first."

Every official present had some excuse—daughter's wedding, father's illness—anything to keep Qin Feng from their doors.

Soon, Qin Feng's robes bulged with stacks of silver notes, nearly bursting.

At that moment, Qin Feng noticed a man standing nearby.

Hey, familiar face.

Qin Feng bowed respectfully as the officials left, then smiled at Li Xu a short distance away: "Li Da Ren, since we're heading the same way, I'll accompany you to your home. How's your son Li Rui lately?"

Li Xu's face flushed and paled alternately—he'd tried several times to slip Qin Feng silver, but held back at the last moment.

After all, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War were old rivals.

Ice three feet thick didn't form in a day.

Qin Feng would surely use this chance to investigate every Ministry of Revenue official from top to bottom—settling personal scores and targeting rivals!