Chapter 542

First Volume, Chapter 542: The Sage Has No Emotion

The eyes of the crowd had undergone a radical transformation.

There was anger, and there was contempt.

Among the crowd, the Noble Youth of Jingdu began openly jabbing at Qin Feng's back.

"See that? His fox tail has finally shown itself!"

"Riding a horse through the street? Good for you, Qin Feng—relying on your military exploits in the Northern Border, you dare ignore Jingdu's laws, and now you parade so brazenly? Hmph, clearly a wolf with ambitions!"

"Does this man not even respect the Sage?"

"Qin Feng, get off your horse! No riding through the street unless it's urgent Beidi War Intelligence or Imperial procession— even the current Grand Protector obeys this rule. What are you, anyway?!"

"Where is the City Patrol Bureau? Arrest Qin Feng at once!"

The grudges between the Noble Youth of Jingdu and Qin Feng had festered for years; they would not miss this chance to punish him.

Under the relentless incitement of those with ulterior motives among the Noble Youth of Jingdu.

More and more people joined the chorus condemning Qin Feng.

Qin Feng, who should have returned in a blaze of glory, had become a pariah.

Just as chaos grew in the crowd, the carriage bearing the coffin slowly passed through the City Gate and came into view.

Seeing the coffin, the noisy street fell instantly silent.

Only now did the crowd realize: Qin Feng's return to Jingdu was not for rewards, but to escort the fallen spirits!

Qin Feng took in the crowd's reactions with perfect clarity.

Clearly, under the Liang Emperor's tight control, the people had no idea Li Lang had died in military death.

Qin Feng, already filled with resentment, tightened his grip on the reins, his gaze sharpening further.

Qin Feng cast a sidelong glance; Ning Hu understood, and his booming voice rang out across the entire street.

"Crown Prince Li Lang has passed. His coffin returns to Jingdu, to be laid to rest in the Imperial Ancestral Hall. All non-essential persons, clear the way! Those who disturb the Crown Prince's eternal slumber shall be executed!"

The crowd hastily stepped back, their eyes filled with deep confusion.

Even the troublemaking Noble Youth fell silent, wisely holding their tongues.

In an instant, all eyes turned to the Gilded Coffin.

Only when they saw the Spirit Tablet at the coffin's head, with its gilded characters: "Prince Ming's Son, Crown Prince Li Lang's Spirit Tablet."

Did the crowd begin to vaguely grasp what had happened.

A few Noble Youth whispered among themselves.

"Li Lang is dead? We didn't hear anything!"

"This large escort returning from the Northern Border must have taken over half a month—during that time, the Sage should have issued a funeral notice."

"Crown Prince Li Lang? I thought Li Lang was only the Baron of Fuyun County. When did he become Crown Prince?"

"Don't you understand? By bloodline, Li Lang is naturally Crown Prince. Why he was granted the title of Baron—that's beyond our right to discuss."

Qin Feng ignored the suspicious glances around him and led his men toward the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Hall.

After traveling only a short distance, a group of Ministry of Rites officials blocked their path.

The leader was Vice Minister of Rites Zhao Huan.

Zhao Huan stood in the middle of the road and bowed to the procession.

"Qin Qianhu has rendered great service to the nation; upon your triumphant return to Jingdu, officials of the Ministry of Rites have come to greet you."

"Baron of Fuyun County Li Lang sacrificed himself for the nation. The Sage is heartbroken and has ordered us to escort Li Lang's coffin to Taiping Gate for burial."

Taiping Gate was the second-most auspicious burial ground in Jingdu, just below the Imperial Mausoleum.

Any minister who served Shedynasty and had no wish to return to his ancestral homeland was buried at Taiping Gate.

Yet Qin Feng regarded the Ministry of Rites' arrangement with icy disdain, looking down upon them with contempt.

His battle-hardened gaze sent shivers down the spines of the Ministry officials.

"Li Lang may be a Baron, but his blood flows from the Li Imperial Clan. To bury him at Taiping Gate violates propriety, does it not?"

"Since Shedynasty's founding, no member of the Imperial Clan has ever been buried outside the Imperial Mausoleum. Are you, Ministry of Rites, planning to set a precedent?"

At Qin Feng's cold question, the surrounding crowd dared not even breathe.

The Ministry officials broke into cold sweat.

Zhao Huan hurriedly explained: "Li Lang is Baron of Fuyun County—how could he be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum?"

Qin Feng's gaze turned sharp: "Are you saying Li Lang is not of the Imperial Clan?"

Zhao Huan wiped his sweat, gritting his teeth: "I never said that…"

Before Zhao Huan could defend himself, Qin Feng cut him off bluntly: "Then get out of the way!"

This roar shattered Zhao Huan's psychological defenses.

In status and rank, he was merely a lowly Vice Minister of Rites—no match for Qin Feng.

Especially with the killing aura radiating from Qin Feng.

Zhao Huan's spine grew cold with dread.

Yet moving Li Lang to Taiping Gate was the Sage's command; Zhao Huan, caught in the middle, was torn.

Seeing Zhao Huan refuse to move, Qin Feng paid no mind—he simply waved his hand, and the procession moved forward.

Watching the approaching procession, Zhao Huan's heart rose to his throat.

"Qin… Qin Feng, I am an imperial official. If blood is spilled on the street, all your lifetime of merit will vanish in an instant."

"Do you truly wish to forsake the chance of Ming Liu Qing Shi?"

Qin Feng did not slow his horse; his eyes brimmed with boundless contempt.

Ming Liu Qing Shi?

Li Lang cannot even hope to return to the Ancestral Hall—what right does he have to be recorded in the Liang Emperor's History Books?

If he cannot fulfill his comrade's final wish, what difference is there between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor?

Facing Zhao Huan, who stood like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, Qin Feng directly charged his warhorse into him.

At the last moment, Zhao Huan scrambled desperately to the side, barely avoiding being crushed beneath the warhorse's hooves.

The scene fell deathly silent.

No one believed Qin Feng had actually dared commit murder in broad daylight—especially against a court official!

Zhao Huan rose to his feet, covered in dust, and quickly scrambled to the roadside, shouting after the departing Qin Feng.

"Qin Feng, how dare you!"

"I shall enter the Imperial Palace and file an imperial indictment against you!"

Qin Feng acted as if he heard nothing, not even turning his head.

Half a Envoy later, a large force arrived in full array at the Palace Gate.

The Imperial Guard, already prepared for battle, immediately surrounded Qin Feng, their gleaming blades aimed at him from all sides.

Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Cheng Meng roared angrily: "Qin Feng! You bring a large force, armed and advancing toward the Imperial Palace—do you intend to rebel?!"

Qin Feng raised his hand; the convoy halted, and every man dismounted.

"Commander Cheng, I have come to return the Prince's spirit tablet to the Imperial Ancestral Hall. Please inform the Emperor."

Cheng Meng's eyes turned cold and sharp: "The Emperor has already issued an edict: Li Lang's coffin is to be buried at Taiping Gate."

"Qin Qianhu, are you defying the Imperial Command—or using Li Lang as an excuse to force a palace coup?"

The Imperial Ancestral Hall lies within the palace; the spirit tablet must first be placed inside the Hall before the coffin is transported to the Imperial Mausoleum.

Forcing entry into the Imperial Palace is no different from rebellion.

Though Qin Feng was filled with resentment, he had not lost his reason.

"Please, Commander Cheng, report to the Emperor and request a new edict: let Li Lang's spirit tablet be placed in the Imperial Ancestral Hall."

Cheng Meng narrowed his eyes, leaving no room for negotiation.

"The Emperor's word is final—how can it be changed at will? I advise you to obey, lest you bring disaster upon your Nine Clans!"

【Author's Note】

Comrades and Sisters, there's likely another update tonight!