Chapter 380

First Volume, Chapter 380: Sword Suspended Above

Throughout the court and beyond, even among the Empresses of the harem, only Qin Feng understood the Liang Emperor.

Everyone, seeking self-preservation, preferred to speak in riddles to the Liang Emperor, never uttering a single word that endangered their own safety.

Only Qin Feng could voice, and even act upon, the Liang Emperor's unspoken thoughts without reservation.

Even though Qin Feng's current achievements had made the Liang Emperor wary, it could not be denied that without Qin Feng, the Liang Emperor would become utterly lonely.

"Why use Li Lang? Think carefully before you answer!" the Liang Emperor changed tone.

Qin Feng did not hesitate: "For the stability of Shedynasty!"

"Why must it be him?" The Liang Emperor's gaze sharpened like a blade.

Unfazed by the sharp Treasure Sword resting on his shoulder, Qin Feng stood firm as ever: "I trust him."

"I do not trust him!"

"The Emperor can trust me."

"What does my trust in you have to do with trusting the Ming Prince's family?"

"The reason is simple: my interests align with the Emperor's. When Shedynasty prospers, I prosper. I will never allow the Ming Prince's family to do anything that threatens the Emperor. If the Ming Prince truly harbors treacherous intent, I pledge my life and fortune to do what the Emperor has long wished to do but dared not."

Removing the Ming Prince would be fratricide, and under Imperial Ancestral Precedent, it could depose the Liang Emperor.

Precisely because of this, though the Liang Emperor deeply suspected the Ming Prince, he had always merely placed him under Soft Detention rather than striking him down.

Their eyes met; between sovereign and minister lay a Golden Sword, and also life and death.

Qin Feng was gambling. The Liang Emperor was gambling too.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. How long passed, no one knew. Then the Liang Emperor slowly sheathed his sword, his eyes filled with solemn seriousness: "Qin Feng, remember this: though I sit high in the Imperial Palace, as long as you remain within Shedynasty's borders, your life and death are forever in my grasp. The moment I lose patience with you, I will eliminate you without hesitation. Today, we have spoken plainly—no more suspicion! I am only ever honest with you!"

Qin Feng had no doubt of the Liang Emperor's power; with a single word, even the Tianji Camp would crumble in an instant.

The Piaoqi, the Piaoqi cavalry, and the Border Army not only deterred the Northern Di forces but also constantly surveilled every move in Beixi County.

"Commoner takes his leave."

"Wait!"

The Liang Emperor slid the Treasure Sword back beneath the Shushu, pulled out a sandalwood box, and tossed it carelessly to Qin Feng: "This pill has life-extending power. Until your little maid awakens, you will never learn restraint!"

Inside the small wooden box lay a white pill the size of a chestnut, inscribed with "An Gong Niu Huang Pill."

Qin Feng knew this medicine: the more you use it, the more valuable it becomes. Rumors in the market claimed it could revive the dead, but it was not so miraculous—it truly worked wonders for stroke, coma, and high fever-induced unconsciousness, a traditional emergency herbal remedy.

Due to its sensitive ingredients, it had always been restricted to palace use in Shedynasty; ordinary people could never obtain it.

This An Gong Niu Huang Pill was the Liang Emperor's compensation for Xiao Xiangxiang's injury, and also a gesture of reconciliation with Qin Feng.

Qin Feng tucked the An Gong Niu Huang Pill close to his body, bowed deeply to the Liang Emperor: "Your servant takes his leave."

The Liang Emperor narrowed his eyes; today, Qin Feng had used three different self-references.

It seemed casual, but held hidden meaning.

Referring to himself as "the humble one" meant serving the Liang Emperor, but without full loyalty.

Calling himself "Commoner" was tantamount to severing ties with the Liang Emperor.

Yet calling himself "Your servant" meant he had reconciled with the Liang Emperor—the matter of Xiao Xiangxiang's injury was closed, and he would resume his duty wholeheartedly.

No one could play games with the Liang Emperor—but Qin Feng was an exception. The Liang Emperor was willing to make this exception to secure Shedynasty's stability.

Qin Feng exited the Imperial Study; the Black Commandant appeared behind the Liang Emperor.

"Your Majesty, there is a matter I do not know whether I should speak of."

"You shouldn't!" The Liang Emperor shot the Black Commandant a cold glance: "I spare you punishment out of regard for your loyalty, but eavesdropping on my conversation with Qin Feng is a Death Penalty offense! If you dare reveal even half a word of what was said in this Imperial Study, I will make you suffer a life worse than death!"

The Black Commandant panicked, fell to his knees with a thud: "Your servant is guilty!"

Qin Feng walked along the Imperial Road toward the Palace Gate. The Palace Guards stood on the steps of the Imperial Study, arms crossed, watching him coldly.

The Imperial Guard lined both sides of the Imperial Road, eyes locked on him.

Even the Imperial Eunuchs pointed and whispered at Qin Feng.

"Who would've thought this bastard could walk out alive."

"Anyone else would've been dead ten thousand times over—yet this fellow always escapes death."

"Hah, this time Qin Feng came to court with a coffin already prepared."

"Really? I didn't hear that."

"Of course not—look at your station. I saw the Imperial Guard bring a horse-drawn cart with a coffin to Aifeng's Back Door. That coffin isn't for Qin Feng—then who is it for? You and me? Hah, people like us, when we leave the palace, get tossed in a sack."

"Hey, why does the Emperor have so much patience for Qin Feng?"

"Never discuss imperial affairs!"

Qin Feng kept walking without pause, all the way to the Palace Gate—where he saw a woman standing there. Not one of his three elder sisters, not Xie Yun'er—but… the Qiyang Princess.

The Qiyang Princess, as always, carried her pride like a crown, leaning against the Palace Gate, arms crossed, eyes hostile as she sized up Qin Feng.

Qin Feng, preferring to avoid trouble, had no intention of speaking to her.

But as he passed her side, her voice cut into his ear:

"I wonder—is this tiger devouring wolf… or inviting the wolf inside?"

The words were clearly a warning—that Qin Feng had begun threatening the Li Imperial Clan.

Since he had already clashed with everyone today, one more didn't matter—he snapped back: "You're an outsider. What business is this of yours?"

At once, the Qiyang Princess's face fell. She cried out: "How dare you speak to me this way, you insolent dog!"

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, stared at the Qiyang Princess, and met her with unprecedented defiance: "If not for you corrupt courtiers, hiding in shadows, scheming and plotting, would Xiao Xiangxiang be lying like this? You vermin—I Qin Feng despise you."

Vermin…

The Imperial Guards standing nearby turned pale, not daring to breathe.

The Qiyang Princess's brows shot up: "It's just a servant girl—let her die. Even you, you think I can't kill you whenever I please?"

These words were no different from crossing Qin Feng's bottom line.

Xiao Xiangxiang was not merely a maid, but Qin Feng's spiritual refuge.

Qin Feng cast a sidelong glance.

Feeling Qin Feng's unprecedentedly cold and stern gaze, the Princess of Qiyang felt a faint chill along her back, yet instantly regained her composure—this was the Imperial Palace, and she was a princess of high rank; why should she fear a mere Qin Feng?