Chapter 552

First Volume_Chapter 552 Liang Emperor's Wrath

The Li Imperial Clan has no commoners.

Whether it's the Second Prince or the Seventh Prince, deep down there's no difference!

After witnessing the Second Prince's ruthlessness and the Seventh Prince's cunning, Qin Feng became even more resolute in his original thought.

Since whoever inherits the Herald will bring him no benefit whatsoever.

Then let whoever wants to do this thankless job do it—he won't be involved.

Passing by the Xie Residence, Qin Feng stopped his steps, several times wanting to enter and see Xie Yun'er.

In the end, he held back.

"Forget it, good dishes aren't spoiled by waiting, and this isn't urgent."

Back at his residence, Qin Feng collapsed straight into sleep.

But before dawn, Old Qin dragged him straight off the bed.

"Brat, stop sleeping—it's time for Early Court!"

Early Court?

What's the sudden need for Early Court?

Qin Feng's head ached at the mere mention of "Early Court."

Though inwardly reluctant, he obediently followed Old Qin to Early Court.

After all, Old Qin's tiger-like palms could crush Qin Feng's frail frame.

To die not on the Battlefield, not in Court factional strife, but be slapped to death by his own father—that'd be too humiliating.

As Qin Feng expected.

In the Imperial Court, the Liang Emperor and the Civil and Military Officials first put on a show praising Qin Feng's great achievements.

Then they solemnly bestowed rewards—except on Qin Feng and the previously enfeoffed Grand Generals.

All who participated in the great battle and earned merit were rewarded.

Of course, not including Ming Wang and Li Zhang.

Throughout the entire process, Qin Feng's mind was blank, wandering far and wide.

What was called Early Court was actually pre-dawn.

Qin Feng was completely dazed.

Only after he finally snapped back to awareness did his attention get pulled toward the Second Prince.

Today's Early Court, the Second Prince attended—truly the sun rising from Xibian.

But upon reflection, he understood.

After all, last night the Second Prince had been rebuffed; today he'd surely come to reclaim his dignity.

As Qin Feng predicted, right after the reward ceremony ended, the Second Prince stepped forward, knelt, and bowed deeply before the Emperor.

Then his loud voice echoed through the Grand Hall.

"Your Majesty, regarding the earlier summons for the Three Great Generals of the North to return to Beijing for rewards, we now have their replies."

"The three generals all gave identical responses—flowery words in their letters, yet utterly silent on returning to Beijing."

"Son-Minister believes the three generals have been secretly incited by someone to obey the decree but ignore the Imperial Summons."

"And that person must be Qin Feng!"

The Second Prince made no pretense—he cut straight to the point.

After all, things had reached this point; there was nothing left to hide!

"Qin Feng's battlefield achievements are real, but precisely because of them, he has grown arrogant and no longer holds Your Majesty in regard."

"With Beixi County as the core and the Three Great Generals of the North as his aides, all have become Qin Feng's hounds."

"Qin Feng hoards troops and stands in opposition to Your Majesty—this crime is unforgivable!"

The Second Prince spoke with fiery passion.

One moment Qin Feng was the beloved hero; the next, he was a rebel party member deserving death.

Upon hearing this explosive accusation, not a ripple stirred in the Grand Hall.

From the Emperor down to the Civil and Military Officials—even the Imperial Guard stationed outside—everyone knew why the Second Prince had suddenly appeared at court.

Not surprising. Not at all surprising.

The three factions in the Grand Hall—the Pro-War Faction, the Taolin Party, and the Taibao Faction—remained silent, watching the Second Prince without a word.

The Liang Emperor tried several times to play along, feigning anger and harshly punishing Qin Feng.

But seeing the ministers show no reaction whatsoever.

And Qin Feng? He stood with his hands behind his back, head held high, the very picture of "none of my business."

The Liang Emperor's carefully built rage vanished instantly, replaced by awkward embarrassment.

"Cough, cough—Li Qian, since you accuse Qin Feng of hoarding troops, do you have proof?"

As Emperor and the Second Prince's father, the Liang Emperor could call him by his given name.

Anyone else who dared say "Li Qian" would die without knowing how.

Li Qian knelt on the ground, spine straight, hands still clasped in salute.

"Your Majesty, Qin Feng's hoarding of troops is no baseless rumor—it is known throughout Heaven."

"The Northern Border Generals defied the ImperialCommand and refused to return to Beijing—that is evidence one."

"The Great Liang Code explicitly forbids any general from private contact."

"Yet the Piaoqi General, the Chariot and Cavalry General, and the Former General ignored the Great Liang Code, secretly entering Beixi County to cultivate ties with its officials."

"This is clearly collusion—their intentions are surely treasonous. This is evidence two!"

For this trip to Beijing to receive rewards, only Qin Feng and Ning Hu returned; the rest remained stationed in Beixi County.

These people can stand on equal footing with the Sage on the Northern Border. This is evidence number three!

These three irrefutable pieces of evidence are sufficient to prove Qin Feng intends rebellion!

In the past, the mere words "rebellion" would have stirred up a storm.

Unfortunately, no matter how vividly the Second Prince painted his case, he could not stir any resonance.

The Ministry of War faction ignored him entirely; the Taolin Party pretended not to hear.

As for the Taibao Faction, they remained silent only because it was not yet their turn to speak.

Watching the Second Prince exert himself so hard yet fail to elicit any support, Qin Feng felt a flicker of sympathy for him.

A prince of the realm, with not a single ally—has he sunk so low?

The Liang Emperor naturally saw it all, and his mood grew even darker.

Clearly, more than half of the court officials had become Qin Feng's partisans!

The Liang Emperor exhaled softly and asked, unconvincingly: "Qin Feng, what is your defense?"

In an instant, every gaze in the Grand Hall turned to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng merely shrugged, his expression dismissive: "Your Highness has too high an opinion of me!"

"Thanks to the Sage's generous favor, I've been granted the title of Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander; some in the streets even say this Marquis is the First Marquis Under Heaven."

"But even if the title is high, it remains a title—not an actual official post."

"Put plainly, titles are honorary; they carry no real authority."

"I am but a minor marquis with no real power—how could I possibly rebel, even if I wished to?"

Upon hearing this, the Taolin Party officials all chimed in agreement.

"The Marquis speaks truly!"

"To rebel, one must first hold real power. Even kings and dukes lack real authority—how much less a marquis?"

"Your Highness, are you truly prepared to convict Marquis Qin of rebellion based on such baseless, hearsay 'evidence'? Is this not far too frivolous?"

"Rebellion is a crime punishable by extermination of the Nine Clans—how can it be treated as a joke?!"

Officials who had been silent moments before now spoke out boldly.

Even the Second Prince clenched his fists, his face flushing red and pale by turns.

These corrupt officials, who prided themselves on loyalty, now all turned their elbows outward!