Chapter 457: First Volume, Chapter 457: Reunion with Kin

First Volume, Chapter 457: Reunion with Kin

In the inner courtyard of the Beixi County Officials, Qin Feng was surrounded by a crowd, overwhelmed and unable to cope.

Qin Feng had been in Beixi County for three days but had not shown his face at the yamen, living and eating entirely in Wengcheng. At first, Liu Hongyan had been angry—Wengcheng was only a stick of incense away from the yamen; even if he were busy, he should have taken time to come back and see them.

But Qin Feng? He was utterly heartless.

Yet as the Di forces were repelled and Liang achieved its greatest military victory in history, Liu Hongyan's resentment vanished instantly, replaced by pride and triumph.

After all, this brat had been raised by her own hands.

"Feng'er, truly worthy of being a Qin family son. After this battle, our Qin family will surely gain fame throughout Heaven. Father once rendered great service on the front line; now you carry on his legacy—I'm sure he would be deeply pleased."

The words were all kind, yet Qin Feng felt not the slightest joy.

Carry on his legacy? Forget it.

He had no intention of wasting his brief life on swords and horses. Had he not known the Northern Border campaign was going poorly, he would never have traveled a thousand li to come here and endure this torment.

His goal, unshakable for ten thousand years, was wine pools and meat forests, a decadent life of drunken luxury.

Of course, he dared not say this aloud—or Liu Hongyan would strangle him.

Li Xiaolan always sided with Liu Hongyan. At first she said nothing, but seeing Liu Hongyan publicly praise Qin Feng, she added a remark.

"With Feng'er here, how could the Qin family ever fail to flourish?"

Shen Qingci and Jing Qianying exchanged glances and chimed in with soft, fluttering agreement.

The Four Young Ladies kept touching Qin Feng's head, patting his shoulders; amid this sea of blossoms, Qin Feng was stirred, restless, his heart fluttering with longing.

Had his mother, Qin Cheng Clan, not been present, Qin Feng would have already lunged at his sisters, wrestling them as he had done as a child.

Since leaving Beixi County last time, Qin Feng had not seen Qin Cheng Clan again; now, upon their reunion, he bowed deeply.

"Son, pays respects to Mother."

Qin Cheng Clan smiled and nodded, her eyes filled with tender satisfaction; the more she looked at her son, the more she loved him.

As the saying goes, no one knows a child better than the mother. Though they had spent little time together, Qin Cheng Clan understood every hidden thought in Qin Feng's heart. After brief pleasantries, she left him alone with the four girls.

As soon as Qin Cheng Clan left, Qin Feng became like a mad dog freed from chains, bursting into wild revelry.

He clung to Liu Hongyan, murmuring how much he missed her, while his mind teemed with lewd thoughts.

He bantered playfully with Jing Qianying, cloaking his lewd insinuations in feigned concern.

Even Jing Qianying gave Qin Feng a big bear hug.

As for Li Xiaolan, Qin Feng dared not provoke her—this Third Sister was far too cunning.

Out of respect for Qin Feng's great achievements, Li Xiaolan broke her usual rules, cupped his head, and spoke softly: "Feng'er has finally become a true man."

Qin Feng felt delight swell inside him.

But Liu Hongyan added: "More than a man—he's a hero."

Li Xiaolan nodded: "Feng'er may indeed be heroic, but you all know this brat—he'll turn a grain of praise into a whole dyeing workshop. To prevent him from growing too conceited, we must not overpraise him."

The other three sisters nodded in agreement.

At that moment, a scream rang out.

"Master!"

Turning, they saw Qin Xiaofu scrambling toward them on all fours, throwing himself at Qin Feng's legs, weeping with joy: "Master, I thought I'd never see you again! This time, no matter what, take me with you when you leave Beixi County—I never want to be parted from you again!"

To anyone unaware, this sounded as if Qin Feng had a fondness for young men and was entangled with this treacherous servant.

Qin Feng promptly kicked him off, exasperated: "You miss me—or are you just missing the bribes? Do you think I don't know you?"

The other masters of the Qin family were not as lenient as Qin Feng.

If they discovered Qin Xiaofu had been embezzling, they would punish him severely!

Since being assigned away from Qin Feng's side, Qin Xiaofu's income had plummeted.

Now, even in dreams, all he saw was Qin Feng—he couldn't eat by day or sleep by night, consumed by longing.

Though Qin Feng had seen through his hidden motives, Qin Xiaofu showed no restraint, lunging again to cling tightly to Qin Feng's legs.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng arrived.

Since they were guarding the Four Young Ladies, Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng dared not approach, standing at a distance, smiling quietly as they watched Qin Feng.

Qin Feng, however, had no reservations—he stepped over and wrapped both Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng in his arms.

This gesture instantly flushed both Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng crimson.

The Four Young Ladies teased a little, then wisely withdrew.

Xiao Xiangxiang gathered courage, threw her arms around Qin Feng, and exclaimed excitedly: "Master, your maid has longed for you day and night—finally, you've come!"

Their eyes met. Qin Feng's lips curled into a mischievous grin: "Missed me?"

Seeing Qin Feng's usual blunt directness, Xiao Xiangxiang's cheeks burned like fire—she'd never adapt to this kind of intimacy, probably not in a lifetime. Still, she nodded like a sparrow pecking grain, whispering a sound softer than a mosquito's hum: "Mm."

Watching Xiao Xiangxiang's shy, blushing expression, Qin Feng's throat went dry—he wanted to devour her right then and there.

Beside him, Shu Feng was equally flustered.

Especially as she watched Qin Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang, so intimate, her heart tightened further.

When Qin Feng turned to look at her, she felt her heart might burst from her chest.

But thankfully, Qin Feng did not cross the line—he merely teased lightly: "Why are you shaking? Am I that terrifying?"

Shu Feng's face turned instantly crimson. She shoved him away and fled like a hunted animal.

Watching Shu Feng's panicked, flustered retreat, Qin Feng shook his head: "I've never bullied her—why is she so afraid?"

Hearing this, Xiao Xiangxiang scolded: "Master, you just hugged her—how isn't that bullying?"

Qin Feng looked bewildered: "Is that considered bullying?"

Xiao Xiangxiang had no answer for his thick-headedness. She giggled: "Shu Feng is an unmarried maiden—she must avoid any suspicion with men. If you keep putting your arms around her, hugging her, word will spread—how will she ever live in society? How will she ever marry?"

Qin Feng had never once thought about any of this.

Since my actions might cause Shu Feng distress, they will only become worse from now on.

I won't change—it's impossible to change, not in this lifetime.

After all, Shu Feng's flustered look is simply too adorable…

"Master, how long will you stay in Beixi County this time?"

Xiao Xiangxiang gazed longingly at Qin Feng.