Chapter 544

First Volume, Chapter 544: Family Banquet

Chen You's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Qin Feng.

This fellow's audacity is too great—he dares to publicly accuse the Sage.

It seemed he had seen through the fear in Chen You's gaze.

Qin Feng let out a light chuckle: "How is it, Master Chen, you just said today's words stay within this DaTang?"

"Have you already forgotten, turned your back so quickly?"

"Master Chen, having spent so long beside the Sage, your every word and deed—true or false—can no longer be taken seriously."

Qin Feng slowly rose to his feet, walked beside Chen You, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed at the darkening clouds gathering outside the gate.

Though his face still bore youthfulness, his eyes had undergone a radical transformation.

They had changed so utterly that even the hundred officials of Jingdu no longer recognized them.

"If I accepted the Sage's Pacification Policy, let me tell you what would happen next…"

"I would betray the Ming Wang family and lose all face returning to the Northern Border."

"The people of the Northern Border would come to see me, Qin Feng, as nothing but a fame-seeking hypocrite."

"Once the hearts of the Northern Border fracture, the Sage will turn his hand to dismantle us one by one."

"Within three years, I, Qin Feng, the Three Great Generals, dozens of members of the Qin Family—even Ning Hu standing beside me—will all be dragged to the Execution Platform."

"I never intended to stand against the Sage; yet he has always treated me as his greatest threat."

"It is the Sage who has forced me into this state."

Qin Feng gazed at the increasingly gloomy sky, recalling the old harmony between ruler and minister, and a sharp pain pierced his heart.

In the past, no matter how wildly Qin Feng acted or how harshly he spoke, he was merely a Jumping Clown.

The Sage didn't even deign to notice him.

Now, every word and deed of Qin Feng determines the rise, fall, life, or death of the entire Northern Border.

Qin Feng cannot, and dare not, bow his head.

"The Merit Banquet is unnecessary—I, Qin Feng, am not worthy to represent all the sacrificed soldiers while basking in glory alone."

Chen You's back was already soaked through with cold sweat.

Until now, he had simply assumed Qin Feng and the Sage had merely developed a rift.

At most, it was due to resentment over Li Lang's identity.

Who could have imagined that Qin Feng valued Li Lang's identity more than his own life?

"Qin Feng… the Merit Banquet was ordered personally by the Sage. If you refuse to attend, it is Disobeying Imperial Decree!"

Qin Feng cast a sidelong glance: "I have never disobeyed an order before. This time, I wish to try."

Chen You's eyes widened further, staring dumbfounded at Qin Feng.

After a long while, Chen You finally came to his senses.

At this point, further words were useless!

Chen You no longer hesitated—he turned and left. The Ministry of Rites officials and Guanglu Temple ministers followed closely behind.

This scene chilled Qin Feng's heart further.

The so-called World's Son Treatment was merely a hypocritical act forced by circumstance.

Ning Hu frowned deeply, hesitated a long while, then gathered his Courage and stepped beside Qin Feng, whispering: "Brother Qin, disobeying an order is Death Penalty."

Qin Feng waved his hand dismissively: "In the past, I would have been dead ten thousand times over."

"Now, the Northern Border Troops obey orders but not Imperial Summons. Two Nations' Peace Talks are imminent. Even if the Sage hates me, he won't risk killing a hero like me."

"If I don't stand firm against the Sage, Li Lang will bear disgrace for all eternity."

Saying this, Qin Feng looked at Ning Hu and sighed softly: "Little Marquis, if you have reservations, you may leave at any time."

Ning Hu's eyes widened: "Qin Feng, we've faced life and death together countless times. If you say such things again, you'll break your Comrade's heart."

"Besides, isn't your clash with the Sage all for the sake of your brothers?"

"Today, you defy the Sage for Li Lang."

"Tomorrow, when we brothers are in trouble, you'll stand by us without hesitation."

"To follow you in this life—even to die—is worth it."

At these words, the guards and soldiers present all bowed to Qin Feng, speaking in unison: "We stand with you, Young Master—life or death, we are with you!"

Qin Feng smiled knowingly.

Such brothers are worth breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats for.

Just half an incense stick later, heavy footsteps echoed outside the Fu Men.

The soldiers guarding the gate rushed to deliver a Military Intelligence Report.

"Young Master, a large force of Imperial Guard is surrounding the Qin Residence."

In an instant, every eye in the room fixed on Qin Feng.

Though no one present showed fear,

their gazes were filled with deep confusion.

Had Young Master Qin misjudged? Had he underestimated the Sage's resolve to kill?

Meanwhile, in the Qin Residence's Back Residence, Qin Xiaofu paced like an ant on a hot pan.

"This time, Young Master has gone too far—he publicly accused the Sage and now refuses to obey!"

"If this were the Northern Border, it might be bearable. But now we're in Beijing, with fewer than a thousand troops at most."

"The Elite Troops stationed here number at least a hundred thousand. One word from the Sage and Young Master is dead."

Qin Xiaofu was drenched in sweat from panic.

He couldn't fathom it at all—Young Master had always been smooth in his dealings, especially when dealing with the Saint, cautious to a fault.

Why, this time, was he so fierce and unyielding, determined to clash head-on with the Saint?

At that moment, Qin Xiaofu noticed Qin Tianhu was sipping tea slowly, and he grew even more bewildered.

"Master, why aren't you worried at all?"

Qin Tianhu held his Tea Cup and let out a soft hum: "What's there to worry about? The Saint repeatedly hinted that Feng shouldn't bring Li Lang back—so what happened?"

"If the Saint truly wanted to kill Feng, he wouldn't have waited until now. Back at the Palace Gate, he could've accused him of storming the Imperial Palace and wiped out the Qin Family's Nine Clans."

"Since Feng is determined to return Li Lang to the Imperial Ancestral Hall, there's no other way but to stand firm against the Saint."

Stand firm against the Saint?

Qin Xiaofu couldn't believe his ears.

Even slight disobedience to the Saint could invite death—let alone directly confronting him.

Was there truly anyone in this world bold enough to stand off against the Saint?

Seeing Qin Xiaofu turn pale with fear, Qin Tianhu chuckled lightly, every gesture exuding calm composure.

"You're just a servant—you wouldn't understand court affairs."

"In this perilous situation, it's understandable if you're so terrified you soil your pants."

"But for court ministers, such scenes happen nearly every day—they're used to it."

There was a saying Qin Tianhu couldn't voice outright.

The standoff between ministers and the Saint was nothing but a Family Banquet in the Imperial Court.

Didn't the Saint once support the Pro-War Faction, only to be held back by the Pro-Peace Faction, caught between advance and retreat?

As long as the Imperial foundation isn't shaken, standing off against the Saint is a privilege granted to ministers by the late Emperor.

Otherwise, the Saint wouldn't have schemed so hard to bring down Grand Commandant Gao.

The Saint fears that one day, the Three Dukes might unite to depose him.

At this moment, the entire Street outside the Qin Family gate was packed solid with Beixi Soldiers and the Imperial Guard…