Chapter 550: First Volume, Chapter 550: Overacting

First Volume, Chapter 550: Overacting

After a few brief pleasantries, the Seventh Prince led Qin Feng away.

The Second Prince could only watch helplessly as Qin Feng slipped from his grasp.

A hair's breadth off, and the error becomes a thousand miles.

The man in white clothes gripped his sword tightly, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Your Highness, this Qin Feng cannot be allowed to live. If you give the word, I will kill him en route and take full responsibility for all crimes."

The lute-playing woman, watching Qin Feng's retreating back, clenched her fists: "Once the Seventh Prince gains Qin Feng's support, it is equivalent to securing the backing of the Beijing Army, the Ministry of War, and the Taolin Party."

"He will then be in an invincible position."

"As the man in white clothes said, let us cut the Gordian knot—kill Qin Feng and eliminate the threat forever."

"Whatever consequences follow, they are negligible compared to the Imperial Throne."

The Second Prince's gaze turned icy, but he ignored the suggestions of the man in white clothes and the lute-playing woman.

He simply stared at the direction Qin Feng had departed.

Long after, he exhaled deeply.

"It's useless. If Qin Feng is assassinated, no matter who is behind it, Old Seven will smear the blame squarely on me… The charge of murdering a National War hero is one no one in Shedynasty can bear."

The man in white clothes frowned, his murderous intent unyielding.

Years ago, when the man in white clothes was hunted by his enemies, he would have been dead long ago had it not been for the Second Prince's rescue.

His life belongs to the Second Prince!

Anyone who threatens the Second Prince is his mortal enemy.

"Your Highness, have you given up?"

"Your entire life has been devoted to claiming the Imperial Throne—how can a mere Qin Feng stand in the way of your great ambition?"

"Others fear Qin Feng, but I don't care!"

"If it means putting you on the throne, even sacrificing my life is worth it."

The man in white clothes' words brought the Second Prince considerable comfort.

At least he still had two loyal servants.

The Second Prince took a deep breath, picked up a wine cup at random, drained it in one gulp, and his eyes hardened with unwavering resolve.

"Give up?! My dictionary has no such word!"

"Just wait—I have plenty of ways to bring Qin Feng down from his horse!"

Hearing this, the man in white clothes and the lute-playing woman exchanged glances, their eyes simultaneously brightening.

No wonder he's the Second Prince!

Even in such dire straits, he still possesses the audacity to turn the tide.

A woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her; a scholar dies for the one who recognizes his worth.

Both silently swore that if the Second Prince ascended the throne, they would gladly die, even if it meant being shattered into pieces.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Prince personally escorted Qin Feng to the Palace Gate.

Though Xiao Zhuozi kept shooting the Seventh Prince meaningful glances, signaling him to "seize" Qin Feng and take him to the Bedchamber,

the Seventh Prince deliberately pretended not to notice and never responded to Xiao Zhuozi's hints the entire time.

The Seventh Prince bowed deeply to Qin Feng.

This sight made Xiao Zhuozi and the surrounding Imperial Guard frown.

A Prince bows upward to Heaven, downward to Earth, and in between to sages and nobles.

Who else could possibly merit a Prince's bow?

If anyone else had received such a bow, they would have been overwhelmed with honor and immediately knelt to thank him—but Qin Feng held his head high, accepting it as his due.

It was infuriating!

The Seventh Prince paid no mind to Qin Feng's arrogance; his face retained a faint, calm smile.

"In this National War, both Shedynasty and the Di have staked their national destinies."

"Lord Qin's defeat of the Di army has preserved every inch of our land—this is a feat unmatched in history."

"On behalf of the people of Shedynasty, I am profoundly grateful."

"Lord Qin returned to Beijing expecting a triumphal welcome, revered by all of Heaven—but instead, you've been caught in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng. As a member of the Li Imperial Clan, I am ashamed."

Qin Feng watched the Seventh Prince in silence.

From the Seventh Prince's eyes, he felt nothing but sincere regret.

Moreover, after helping him out, the Seventh Prince directly escorted him out of the palace—rather than inventing some pretext to invite him to his Bedchamber.

Merely for this, Qin Feng held a favorable impression of the Seventh Prince.

But…

No one in the Li Imperial Clan is truly kind.

Even facing the Seventh Prince, Qin Feng still kept a reserve in his heart.

"Your Highness need not blame yourself excessively. The current situation—no matter who you blame, it cannot be laid at your feet."

"As for the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng, I have never been interested."

"Whether it is the Second Prince or the Seventh Prince who inherits the throne, it makes no difference to me."

Before the Seventh Prince could respond, Xiao Zhuozi burst out:

"Hey! Qin Feng, clarify that."

"What do you mean 'no difference'?"

"The Second Prince is ruthless and decisive, while our Prince is always gentle and kind-hearted."

"If His Highness inherits the Herald, he will surely be a benevolent sovereign!"

Xiao Zhuozi, fiercely protective of his lord, was furious that Qin Feng had equated His Highness with the Second Prince.

In the past, the Seventh Prince would have immediately rebuked Xiao Zhuozi.

But this time, the Seventh Prince did not stop Xiao Zhuozi's impertinence.

On the contrary, the Seventh Prince himself felt a flicker of doubt toward Qin Feng's words.

"Lord Qin, I do not understand."

"Whether in character or conduct, I am vastly different from my elder brother."

"Why then does it not affect Lord Qin?"

Qin Feng offered no explanation on the spot, only left behind a knowing smile before turning away.

He didn't even bother to say goodbye.

Seeing Qin Feng's audacity, Xiao Zhuozi gritted his teeth in rage.

"This Qin Feng has grown even more arrogant—he dares to ignore His Highness!"

When Xiao Zhuozi turned to look at the Seventh Prince, he was stunned to find no anger on his face—only admiration.

At the same time, the doubt in the Seventh Prince's eyes vanished instantly.

"Your Highness, what is going on? I'm growing more confused by the moment."

The Seventh Prince's lips curled slightly as he murmured, "Qin Feng has seen through me."

Xiao Zhuozi froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Seen through? Your Highness is as pure as white paper—kind, sincere; anyone can see through you!"

"Besides, Your Highness never hides anything!"

The Seventh Prince smiled without speaking, gazed deeply at Qin Feng's retreating back, then turned away without hesitation.

Qin Feng walked toward the Qin Residence with his hands behind his back, unable to suppress a quiet chuckle.

"Seventh Prince, you're overacting—your performance is so forced, I'm embarrassed for you."

The fact that the Seventh Prince appeared at the Second Prince's Bedchamber in time to save him proves he is brilliant beyond measure.

Especially the act of escorting Qin Feng to the Palace Gate.

It nearly won Qin Feng's favor.

But then...

This man had the audacity to pretend ignorance right before Qin Feng's eyes—nearly made Qin Feng laugh out loud.

The Li Imperial Clan has no fools.

Whether the Second Prince or the Seventh Prince, deep down, they are no different!

After witnessing the Second Prince's ruthlessness and the Seventh Prince's cunning, Qin Feng grew even more certain of his original thought.

Since whoever inherits the Herald brings no benefit to him,

then let whoever wants to do this thankless task take it—he won't be involved.