Chapter 377: First Volume, Chapter 377: Do You Believe I

First Volume, Chapter 377: Do You Believe I'll Beat You Up?

Under Qin Tianhu's uneasy gaze, Qin Feng stepped out the door.

Liu Hongyan hurried after him, worried: "Maybe… let your fourth sister go with you? If all else fails, take some Tianji Camp Guards."

At this, Qin Feng couldn't help laughing: "Second Sister, you're being foolish."

"The Emperor summoned me to the palace—what would it look like if I brought people? Wouldn't that backfire?"

Liu Hongyan immediately realized—yes, that was the Emperor… but seeing Qin Feng walk alone toward the Imperial Palace, her heart remained unsettled.

What she didn't know…

At this moment, Qin Feng's heart was already panicking.

This was Qin Feng's predicament: even though he knew this trip to the palace might be his last, he still had to grit his teeth and go alone.

If he brought anyone, it would look like defiance of the ImperialWill, plotting treason—no different from rebellion.

At that point, the Longhu Army would surely intervene to suppress him.

If he went alone, he was just meat, at the Liang Emperor's mercy.

In truth, this awkward situation wasn't unique to Qin Feng—it was the plight faced by everyone in Jingdu.

In the past, the one sent to fetch Qin Feng into the palace was always Li Zhan, and Qin Feng could gauge the waters.

Unfortunately…

Now Li Zhan had "returned to his hometown."

The one who came was Zhang Xiuye, Deputy Director of the Imperial Household Department.

Qin Feng had little contact with this man and didn't know his temperament, so he dared not probe.

Zhang Xiuye, however, seemed relaxed, a faint smile on his face: "Young Master Qin, you're going to the Imperial Palace alone—if something happens on the way, what then? Why not bring a few people?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng immediately understood: this Zhang Xiuye was definitely not one of his own.

Qin Feng quickly smiled apologetically: "Deputy Director Zhang, you're joking—this is Jingdu, Tianzi Jiaoxia, and you're here—who would dare act rashly?"

Zhang Xiuye gave a deep smile: "You never know."

Qin Feng said nothing, following Zhang Xiuye toward the Imperial Palace. When they passed the Imperial Road, with no one around, Zhang Xiuye suddenly spoke.

"Young Master Qin, I hear you had a close relationship with Li Zhan?"

Qin Feng shrugged: "I'm likable—I get along well with everyone."

Zhang Xiuye burst into laughter, shaking his head: "Young Master Qin is truly polished—seems flashy, but actually meticulous, speaks with perfect secrecy. But it doesn't matter now—Li Zhan has returned to his roots, and from now on, it's this old servant who will serve beside the Emperor."

"People aren't afraid of winds from east, west, south, or north—they fear whispers at their ears."

Qin Feng couldn't miss it: Zhang Xiuye was warning him—without Li Zhan's protection, watch your step, boy!

Qin Feng muttered inwardly.

Is Zhang Xiuye loyal to the Imperial Consort? Or to the Princes? Or is he merely the Emperor's mouthpiece?

He had to uncover this man's true allegiance—otherwise, even "talking" to the Liang Emperor would become a nightmare.

Qin Feng suddenly stopped walking.

Zhang Xiuye was taken aback, frowning: "The Emperor summoned you urgently—don't delay!"

Facing Zhang Xiuye's rebuke, Qin Feng didn't care—he crossed his arms and stared at him, smiling: "When Li Zhan was still in charge, I never heard of you. Now that he's gone, you appear. Could it be you schemed to drive him out?"

Zhang Xiuye knew Qin Feng's character.

This man never followed convention, had astonishing boldness—there was nothing he wouldn't say.

But…

Qin Feng's words still caught Zhang Xiuye off guard, filling him with fury.

"Qin Feng, what do you mean by that?"

Feeling Zhang Xiuye's hostile gaze and the Imperial Guard watching him closely.

Qin Feng's toes curled inside his shoes from panic, but his face remained casual—he even slapped Zhang Xiuye's shoulder, grinning coldly: "Don't act high and mighty with me, got it?"

These words left Zhang Xiuye utterly stunned.

How dare this bastard?!

Everyone in Jingdu knew Zhang Xiuye had replaced Li Zhan's position. Though merely an official over household affairs, he could "reach the Heavenly Court."

Not even cats or dogs dared ignore him—ministers and secretaries alike had to maintain good relations with Zhang Xiuye.

If Zhang Xiuye was pleased, what he reported to the Emperor was straightforward.

If he was displeased? Ha—he'd add fuel to the fire!

Yet here stood Qin Feng, treating Zhang Xiuye as if he were nothing—almost driving Zhang Xiuye mad with rage.

Qin Feng snorted, sneering: "When Li Zhan was here, I respected him as a man and gave him silver money as tribute—he was a Jingzhong elder, deserving such courtesy. Before Li Zhan, I was a junior. But you? What are you, to shout at me?"

"Everyone knows the Director of the Imperial Household Department serves beside the Emperor and can reach the Heavenly Court. Ha! I spit! You're nothing but a Maid who pours tea, wipes feet, and rubs backs. I give you face, you're someone; I don't give you face, you're trash!"

"As for delivering messages? The Heiwei Corps handles that. Whether true or false, real or fabricated—the Emperor decides. When did you get the right to gossip? You're a eunuch—do you really think you can cover the sky, disrupt the court? Ha! Next time you leave the palace, watch out—you might get beaten to death!"

As he spoke, Qin Feng slammed his chest, implying the one who might kill Zhang Xiuye was none other than himself.

The entire Imperial Road fell deathly silent.

Zhang Xiuye stared wide-eyed at Qin Feng, thinking he was dreaming.

Just…

What just happened?

Qin Feng just… threatened the Director of the Imperial Household Department in public?!

Sss!

Zhang Xiuye gasped, trembling with rage, face flushed: "Qin… Qin Feng, you… how dare you…"

Seeing Zhang Xiuye unable to speak clearly, Qin Feng slapped away his pointing finger, sneering: "Point again? Do you believe I'll beat you up right now?"

Zhang Xiuye was so enraged he could not speak.

The Imperial Guard beside him, though they looked up to Zhang Xiuye, knew their duty required them to escort Qin Feng into the palace for an Imperial Audience, so they naturally did not intervene.

Zhang Xiuye gritted his teeth: "Good for you, Qin Feng! You wait—I won't let this go!"

Qin Feng snorted dismissively: "Eunuch Faction! I'll wait for you. Same as before: watch yourself when you leave the palace, or you'll be mistaken for a BeidiSpy and dragged off—I'll castrate you again, two legs this time."

Zhang Xiuye had never endured such humiliation; he nearly fainted from rage, but he had no way to deal with Qin Feng, so he merely whipped his sleeve and strode silently toward Gong Zhong, face dark.

Qin Feng, meanwhile, crossed his arms and walked beside him, smugly triumphant.

Yet inside, he exhaled in relief—he was now nearly certain that Zhang Xiuye was not the Sage's mouthpiece.