Chapter 551: First Volume, Chapter 551: Intent to Rebellion

First Volume, Chapter 551: Intent to Rebellion

After a brief exchange of 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 White-Clothed Guest 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 shall kill him on the road—all blame falls on me alone."

The lute-playing woman, watching Qin Feng's retreating figure, clenched her fists: "Once the Seventh Prince gains Qin Feng's support, he effectively secures the backing of the Beijing Army, the Ministry of War, and the Taolin Party."

"He would then be in an invincible position."

"As the White-Clothed Guest said, let us do it thoroughly—kill Qin Feng and eliminate the threat forever."

"No consequence, however dire, can compare to the Imperial Throne."

The Second Prince's gaze turned icy, yet he ignored the suggestions of the White-Clothed Guest and the lute-playing woman.

He simply stared at the direction Qin Feng had departed.

Long after, he let out a deep breath.

"It's useless. If Qin Feng is assassinated, no matter who is behind it, Old Seven will blame me—he'll smear me with the crime of murdering a National War hero. No one in Shedynasty could bear that accusation."

The White-Clothed Guest's brow furrowed, his murderous intent undimmed.

Years ago, when the White-Clothed Guest was hunted by his enemies, he would have been dead long ago had the Second Prince not saved him.

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 greatness?"

"Others fear Qin Feng—I don't care!"

"If it means placing Your Highness on the throne, even sacrificing my life is worth it."

The White-Clothed Guest's 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 gaze hardened with unyielding 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 White-Clothed Guest 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: if the Second Prince ascends the throne, they would gladly die, even if their bodies were shattered to dust.

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

Though Xiao Zhuozi kept signaling the Seventh Prince, gesturing for him to "seize" Qin Feng and take him to the Bedchamber.

But the Seventh Prince deliberately pretended not to notice, never responding 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 to Heaven above, Earth below, and the sages and nobles in between.

Who else could possibly merit a Prince's bow?

If anyone else received such a bow, they would be overwhelmed with honor and immediately kneel to thank him—but Qin Feng merely 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—an achievement unmatched in history."

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

"Lord Qin returned to Beijing expecting a hero's welcome, revered by all 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 silently regarded the Seventh Prince.

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

Moreover, after helping him escape the trap, 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.

Yet…

No one in the Li Imperial Clan is truly virtuous.

Even facing the Seventh Prince, Qin Feng still kept a thread of caution in his heart.

"Your Highness need not blame yourself. 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 Imperial Throne, it makes no difference to me."

Before the Seventh Prince could respond, Xiao Zhuozi exploded.

"Hey! Qin Feng, clarify that."

"What do you mean 'no difference'?"

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

"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 meaningful smile before turning away.

He didn't even bother to say farewell.

Seeing Qin Feng's audacity, Xiao Zhuozi clenched 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 astonished to find not a trace of 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 and 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 arrived 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 fellow pretended to be clueless right before Qin Feng's eyes—almost made Qin Feng laugh out loud.

The Li Imperial Clan has no fools.

Whether the Second Prince or the Seventh Prince, their cores are indistinguishable!

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!