Chapter 549

First Volume, Chapter 549: The Silent Endurance of the Seventh Prince

The Second Prince held his wine cup, gazing at the murky, warm liquid within, lost in thought.

He did not deny that Qin Feng's words held some truth.

Throughout history, enlightened monarchs who treated others with leniency rarely faced impeachment by their ministers.

Yet those who acted with ruthless decisiveness—even if they possessed great talent and vision—always drew criticism, and even after death, they remained vilified.

But…

Given the current state of Liang Kingdom, treating others with leniency is no different from suicide!

The Second Prince slowly lifted his head, his gaze growing sharp: "Qin Feng, are you suggesting the Holy Emperor should bow and yield?"

"That is the Holy Emperor, Monarch of Liang, above ten thousand others!"

"To be feared, dreaded, and met with silence—that is the dignity a Holy Emperor must possess!"

Hearing this, Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and shot back: "Your Highness, I'll say something blunt—don't take it to heart."

"Is your understanding of dignity truly so shallow?"

Not just the Second Prince, but the White Clothes guest and the lute-playing woman also frowned.

This Qin Feng was utterly audacious!

The Second Prince had lowered his status to discuss these sensitive topics with Qin Feng.

Qin Feng showed no gratitude, and instead pressed forward relentlessly.

It was simply outrageous.

Qin Feng thought: I fear not even the Holy Emperor—why should I fear a half-baked prince like you?

He said directly: "Let me put it this way."

"Even a statue of clay and stone, with the words 'Holy Emperor' written on it, would inspire fear and awe in the people."

"The more one is a Holy Emperor, the more one must manipulate hearts and earn fame through benevolence."

"Ruthless decisiveness is not the business of a Holy Emperor."

"Don't the ministers of the Six Ministries and Five Courts in Jingdu, and the generals across Liang Kingdom, all excel in ruthless decisiveness?"

"These men are all tools in the Holy Emperor's hands!"

"If the Holy Emperor refuses even to pretend benevolence, what use are the ministers?"

"Your Highness, know this: one step further makes you a great ruler; one step beyond that, and you become a tyrant. Can you hold that balance?"

The Second Prince was momentarily speechless.

All his life, the lessons he learned from the Holy Emperor had been one: the harsher you are, the more others fear you.

Only by being ruthless enough could imperial power remain secure.

But…

Today, Qin Feng had given him a completely different understanding.

To the vast majority, the current Holy Emperor was a great ruler!

Yet to a small minority, the Holy Emperor was undoubtedly a tyrant.

Regardless of whether this minority was good or evil, virtuous or wicked, one truth remained unchanged: they would do everything in their power to avoid threats to themselves.

Clearly, Qin Feng had become one of them.

Qin Feng was not treacherous; on the contrary, he could fight bloody battles against the Di to defend Liang's borders.

Yet to protect himself and those around him, he was forced to stand against the Holy Emperor.

The Second Prince awoke as from a dream.

Enlightened monarchs all possess benevolence—even if it is feigned.

When the Second Prince looked at Qin Feng again, his gaze had undergone a radical transformation.

He immediately rose and bowed to Qin Feng: "Marquis Qin, if you are willing to lend me your aid, I swear to grant the Qin clan eternal glory."

"Not only this Crown Prince position, but when I eventually ascend the throne, I hope you will stand by my side as a counselor."

The Second Prince's rare sincerity nearly moved Qin Feng.

Yet Qin Feng rose and returned the bow: "Your Highness, you will one day become a great ruler, just like the current Holy Emperor."

Hearing the words "great ruler," the Second Prince's heart sank halfway.

Though his gaze toward Qin Feng still held respect, murderous intent now surfaced.

"Marquis Qin, can you tell me why?"

Qin Feng made no attempt to conceal it: "You have watched me clash openly and covertly with the Holy Emperor today."

"And you, Your Highness, are no different from the Holy Emperor. Will you spare my life when you ascend?"

"As for the oath you just swore…"

"I'd like to ask you: compared to the Liang Kingdom's throne, how much is an oath worth?"

Qin Feng's meaning was now perfectly clear.

Once imperial power was threatened, the Second Prince would, like the Holy Emperor, eliminate the threat without hesitation.

As for oaths? They were worth less than a fart!

Has history not seen countless cases where Iron Medallions of Immunity were revoked? Which emperor dared guarantee he would never strike down those close to him after securing the throne?

The Second Prince slowly closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

When Qin Feng was still weak and unsteady, he was already hard to recruit.

Now, with his power overwhelming, he would be even more shrewd and cautious than before.

In this very conversation, Qin Feng had already seen the scene decades ahead.

The Second Prince could not help a bitter internal laugh—Qin Feng was right. Once he inherited the throne, he would still, without hesitation, kill Qin Feng at the first opportunity.

After all, the Sage's current plight has been watched with keen eyes.

When the Second Prince opened his eyes again, his expression was utterly cold: "Lord Qin is a man of great ability; if you leave my Bedchamber and turn toward the Seventh Prince…"

"In ten years, I will be today's Ming Wang."

"Since Lord Qin cannot serve this Prince, do not blame this Prince for becoming ruthless."

The man in White Clothes had slowly drawn his Sword.

Qin Feng knew clearly that the Second Prince had decided to kill him—and not just any killing, but one that would disregard all consequences.

Perhaps killing him would trigger countless chain reactions.

But… compared to inheriting the Imperial Throne, what did it matter?

Looking at the gleaming Golden Sword in the White Clothes' hand, Qin Feng laughed: "Second His Highness, since I dared come alone to this banquet tonight, I have already considered every possible outcome."

"Seeing today's Sage, you can see your own future—and that's precisely why your intentions are easy to guess."

Almost the moment Qin Feng finished speaking,

a palace maid rushed over.

"Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has arrived."

The Second Prince's gaze snapped sharp—the Seventh Prince's timing was too perfect.

Coupled with Qin Feng's earlier words, the Second Prince's heart sank, and he staggered back a few steps.

Qin Feng's entry into the palace could not possibly have been hidden from the Seventh Prince's eyes.

If the Seventh Prince had come at once, he should have arrived a stick of incense ago.

His arrival now means he deliberately Delayed.

The Seventh Prince long anticipated that this meeting with Qin Feng would collapse—and even anticipated that this Prince would act with murderous intent.

His appearance now allows him to save Qin Feng—and also to intercept and "seize" him midway.

"Seventh, you've hidden yourself well!"

The Second Prince's eyes blazed with shock and fury.

Before this, though the Second Prince feared the Seventh Prince, it was only out of respect for his status.

As for the Seventh Prince's character, the Second Prince looked down on him from the bottom of his heart, even with contempt.

In the Second Prince's mind, the Seventh Prince was nothing but a sickly, weak, feeble scholar.

"Elder Brother, I heard Qin Feng came—I've come specially to join the fun. You don't mind, do you?"

The Seventh Prince, wrapped in a cloak, walked over with an easy expression.

The White Clothes had sheathed his Sword and stepped back behind the Second Prince.

The Second Prince's face turned ashen; he clenched his fist tightly, then slowly unclenched it, forcing a thin smile.

"We are Comrades—why speak such words?"