Chapter 417

First Volume, Chapter 417: A Trivial Marvelous Achievement

The maid standing outside the Qin Residence turned around joyfully and shouted: "Young Master is back!"

The Qin Residence servants, who had been eagerly waiting, surged out the door, staring at Qin Feng lying atop the hay pile on the ox cart; they were momentarily stunned, but then, seeing the large retinue following behind the cart and the common people lining the streets in Heroes' Welcome, they burst into proud delight.

"Wow, no wonder he's Young Master—he always pulls off something astonishing."

"Hehehe, after all, he's Young Master—he's always different."

"Throughout Liang's history, which famed general or meritorious minister ever returned in triumph riding a towering steed amid flowers and banners? Only our Young Master conducts himself with humility."

Though the servants spoke of his humility, their faces glowed red with excitement—after all, nearly every citizen of Jingdu had flooded the streets, truly bringing glory to the Qin family.

Just as Qin Feng jumped down from the ox cart, covered in straw, preparing to slip into the residence, Qin Tianhu and Liu Hongyan stepped out to meet him.

With no choice, Qin Feng stopped, bowed deeply, and paid full respect to Qin Tianhu: "I pay my respects, Father."

Qin Tianhu had long known of Qin Feng's glorious battlefield achievements, and his face betrayed no lack of pride—but now, seeing Qin Feng so humble, utterly free of arrogance, Qin Tianhu felt a deep warmth: what more could a Qin family ask for in a son?

Even Qin Tianhu, known for his strict household discipline, couldn't help smiling broadly as he slapped Qin Feng's increasingly muscular shoulder: "Excellent, Feng'er has not disgraced the Qin family's ways!"

Beside him, Liu Hongyan's face flushed bright red with excitement: "Feng'er, weren't you supposed to return in ten days? Why did you come back so early?"

Liu Hongyan wanted to praise Qin Feng—his performance in the Northern Border battle was outstanding.

But the battle itself was so unbelievable, almost unreal.

So, the words stuck in her throat, and she changed them.

Qin Feng rubbed his nose, as carefree as ever: "I missed you, Sister, so I rushed back as fast and simple as I could."

The crowd gathered around could be described as an ocean of people.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongyan's face turned crimson, her heart fluttering with bliss she couldn't express—but she spat at him playfully, scolding: "There are so many people here! What nonsense are you spouting? A true man's ambition lies beyond the horizon—he defends home and country; he shouldn't be constantly mouthing off about love and longing."

Facing Liu Hongyan's scolding, Qin Feng didn't retreat—he shouted louder: "I'm just telling the truth! If you don't believe me, ask Fourth Sister!"

Nearby, Jing Qianying nodded: "Second Sister, Feng'er really kept talking about you the whole way."

Liu Hongyan's cheeks burned; in front of so many, she was so embarrassed she wished she could vanish into the ground—but for the first time ever, she didn't argue, only looked at Qin Feng with a mix of affection and exasperation.

Meanwhile, the onlookers—including officials—exchanged complex glances.

Voices of debate rose continuously.

"Did you hear that? Young Master Qin said he crushed Huang Cheng so quickly just to get back to Second Miss!"

"How could we not hear? Such a marvel of achievement—he treats it like nothing at all, as if wiping out Huang Cheng and repelling the Sanggan Army isn't even worth mentioning."

"Hahaha! Of course—Young Master Qin is Jingdu's number one Young Master; he naturally has this kind of bearing!"

"Exactly! Since Young Master Qin took charge of Beixi County, he first slew Zhong Ling, then severely wounded Chen Si, transforming that once-crippled city into today's Men Ya stronghold. With his methods, defeating Huang Cheng was child's play! If we had more sons like Young Master Qin, how could Liang not flourish?"

"Why need more? Just Young Master Qin alone holds the entire Northern Di in check."

"Young Master Qin is divine in valor!"

Seeing the crowd erupt again, Qin Feng was startled and dared not delay—he hurried into the Qin Residence.

When Qin Feng slipped back into the Back Courtyard and pushed open the door, a slender figure rushed toward him.

"Young Master!"

Xiao Xiangxiang threw her arms around Qin Feng, crying one moment, laughing the next: "You're back! I was so worried!"

Qin Feng patted Xiao Xiangxiang's head and teased: "Foolish girl, I was only gone a few days to the Northern Border—why worry so much?"

Qin Feng had once promised Xiao Xiangxiang he'd take her wherever he went—but this time, he had to break his word.

After all, her wounds hadn't fully healed; she couldn't endure a long journey.

Xiao Xiangxiang understood perfectly—her Young Master cared for her—and instead of resentment, she felt only happiness, especially after learning of his marvels on the Northern Di border; her face nearly floated into the sky.

Now, Xiao Xiangxiang's status in the Qin Residence ranked just below the several Misses.

Everyone knew Xiao Xiangxiang was to become Qin Feng's concubine; moreover, the Emperor himself granted Qin Feng three concubine slots. Xiao Xiangxiang's position as concubine was already secure—and thinking of how mighty and miraculous her Young Master had been outside, she was utterly triumphant. They say "a mother rises by her son"—that's the bitter truth of women who lack their husband's love. But for a woman, true happiness is rising through her husband's glory.

Qin Feng checked Xiao Xiangxiang's back wound and confirmed it was healing well; his lingering worry finally settled.

He gently lifted her, grinning mischievously: "Come on, I'll change your medicine."

Xiao Xiangxiang's cheeks flushed crimson; in the past, she'd have squirmed and blushed uncontrollably—but now, she accepted quietly, whispering: "I just changed the medicine."

Qin Feng put on a stern face: "Change it again!"

Xiao Xiangxiang bit her thin lips and nodded like a little bird pecking grain.

Meanwhile, in the Xie Residence's Back Courtyard, laughter tinkled like birdsong.

The Princess of Qiyang, accompanied by several Jingdu young ladies, had come specially to visit Xie Yun'er.

The Princess of Qiyang, shedding her former capriciousness, declared cheerfully: "That Qin Feng has finally made his name known throughout Heaven—he traveled from Jingdu to the Northern Border in just seven days, wiped out the rebel Huang Cheng, and repelled the Sanggan Army. Such astonishing achievements will leave a heavy mark in Liang's annals."

Saying this, the Princess of Qiyang looked meaningfully at Xie Yun'er and teased: "Soon, who won't know you're the Qin family's Young Madam?"

At this, the accompanying young ladies burst into giggles.

"Yun'er, you're so lucky! Every girl in Jingdu is green with envy, all wishing to marry into the Qin family—but you're the one the Emperor personally granted as Qin's Young Madam. No one can take that seat from you."

"Hehe, Qin Feng used to do plenty of dirty things, but a prodigal son who turns around is worth more than gold. Now he's become such a perfect son-in-law—you Xie family hit the jackpot."

"If we'd known he'd change so much, we'd have snatched him up first."

Facing the envious teasing of the young ladies, Xie Yun'er smiled in return—but inside, sorrow welled up.