Chapter 37: First Volume, Chapter 37: You

First Volume, Chapter 37: You're Cunning

Qin Xiaofu, always eager for drama, grinned: "Young Master, no need to wait till tomorrow—I'll go borrow a scale from the accounting office right now."

Qin Feng smiled warmly at Li Ninghui, driven by a "pity for the fair" mindset and unwilling to frighten her, said gently: "If you don't deliver it tomorrow, this Young Master has plenty of ways—just make sure the Li family isn't afraid of losing face."

Who in all of Jingdu doesn't know Qin Feng's "Beggar Rap Troupe"? The impromptu doggerel he composed to embarrass Cheng Fu is still wildly popular today.

"Qin Feng, you're ruthless!"

Li Ninghui gritted her teeth, utterly powerless; before storming off, many saw tears spill from her eyes—she had been driven to tears right there by Qin Feng.

Those present exchanged glances, whispers rising continuously around them.

"This Qin Feng is nothing but a mad dog! Once he locks onto you, everyone ends up stripped bare!"

"First he targeted the Ministry of Revenue's Bureau Director Cheng Fu, now he's going after the Minister of Revenue's own mansion—where does this guy get his nerve?"

"Have you ever seen anyone walk out of the Palace Gate with his head held high?"

"Of course not! Have you?"

"Hey, isn't Young Master Qin the one? After meeting the Emperor, he strolled out of the Palace Gate with his head high, humming a tune—never seen in all of Shedynasty's history! My cousin in the Imperial Guard swore it to me himself—no lie!"

The crowd's gaze toward Qin Feng had undergone a complete transformation—from prior contempt, to surprise, now fully into fear.

No one wanted to be targeted by this plague-bringer, Qin Feng.

Princess Qiyang was amused by Qin Feng's brazenness, burst into laughter, and pointed at him: "When a rogue reaches this level, he's practically a talent—no wonder you're the only one in Heaven and Earth who dares walk out of the Palace Gate with your head held high. Your Qin family's brother and sister have truly impressed this Princess."

Princess Qiyang was a legitimate member of the Imperial Clan; with her words as backing, everyone's attitude toward the Qin Family soared.

Shen Qingci was stunned by the honor, quickly bowed, watched Princess Qiyang depart, then dismissed the crowd gathered at Qingya Pavilion.

Once the pavilion was empty, Shen Qingci exhaled heavily, stepped over, shut the door, pulled out the paperweight from the table, and swung it hard at Qin Feng's backside.

Qin Feng leapt high in the air, wailing as he ducked behind Shu Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang—no trace of his earlier bravado, now terrified: "Sis! That's not fair! I helped you through this crisis, and this is how you repay me?"

Shen Qingci frowned, still shaken, her eyelids twitching uncontrollably: "You reckless brat! Do you want to scare me to death?"

"Do you realize what you just said? At best, it's just sharp words; at worst, it's an insinuation against the Minister of Revenue. The Court is now a storm of hidden currents, with factions vying fiercely—it's the most complex situation! Even Father walks on thin ice! If you provoke the Minister of Revenue into a direct confrontation with Father, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"Today, I'm going to beat your backside raw so you learn what words to speak—and which not to speak—in this Jingdu circle!"

Seeing Shen Qingci approach with the paperweight, Qin Feng scrambled in panic, dodging between Shu Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang.

As he ran, he wailed: "The Pro-War and Pro-Peace factions have already torn their masks off—they're just clinging to the last shred of pretense, holding it tight. I'm just a lowly official's son—how could I possibly rip that cloth away? Besides, the Minister of Revenue is a Court Heavy Minister, a National Pillar—why would he waste his time on a brat like me?"

Hearing this, Shen Qingci slowed to a stop. Though her face still glowered, she now understood.

Her earlier scolding and beating had merely been a test of Qin Feng's depth.

Shen Qingci had already heard from Liu Hongyan that Qin Feng deeply understood Military Strategy; though he acted like a fool day after day, always seeming to crave a beating, his words often cut straight to the core.

Shen Qingci was merely a woman—what did she know of Court Intrigue? What mattered was whether Qin Feng understood.

Since he did, it meant those shocking remarks were carefully considered—and she had no right to interfere.

Qin Feng intended to publicly declare his stance, openly challenging the Minister of Revenue, since many truths couldn't be spoken in the Imperial Court.

This wager of today would be known throughout Jingdu within a day; his shocking words would inevitably reach the Minister of Revenue's ears.

Though Li Rui would secretly seek chances to strike, publicly, the Minister of Revenue would remain silent.

The reason was simple: Qin Feng had been summoned by the Emperor.

Whether today's words were Qin Feng's nonsense or the Emperor's subtle warning delivered through another's mouth—let the Minister of Revenue guess for himself.

Shedynasty's war against Di to the north isn't just short on money—it's short on public support.

Qin Feng was determined to create public momentum for the Pro-War Faction, dragging every fence-sitter hiding in the shadows into their ranks.

Once this war begins, it will not only raise Shedynasty's prestige.

Then, Qin Feng could insert himself into the Ministry of Works—after all, industry strengthens the nation, and the pocket.

Once Di is subdued, whether through territorial concessions, reparations, or trade agreements, the profit opportunities are endless! Qin Feng could wake up laughing in his dreams!

Qin Feng's grand strategy was not for outsiders to know—especially not for his sisters to find out, or they'd scold him for being vulgar and obsessed with money.

Xiao Xiangxiang quickly stepped in: "Miss, Young Master is only thinking of the Qin Family's interests—please forgive him this once."

Shen Qingci was no longer angry. Qin Feng acted like a wild beast outside but turned into a coward at home—this made her both love and hate him; she could only maintain a stern front: "When we get home, your sisters will deal with you properly."

Seeing Shen Qingci put down the paperweight, Qin Feng finally exhaled, peeking out from behind his two soft shields, smiling nervously: "Sis, is your promise to me still valid?"

Hearing this, the usually cold Shen Qingci blushed faintly, shot him a sharp glare: "What are you daydreaming about again? Read more scriptures and quell that filthy fire."

Qin Feng jumped back, pointing at her: "You're breaking your word! I'm telling Father—he'll make you answer for it!"

Shen Qingci genuinely feared he'd go straight to their father; she bit her lip, snapped: "Later… we'll talk later."

"When's 'later'?" Qin Feng stared at her, relentless.

Shen Qingci's heart fluttered under his gaze; she quickly turned her face away: "When you're older."

"I'm already old enough!"

"Get out!"