Chapter 567

First Volume, Chapter 567: All Are Calculations

Qin Tianhu, just about to sip tea to moisten his throat, nearly choked to death.

He slammed down the tea cup, face dark with anger, and snarled: "You damned brat!"

"I've always ignored your insolence, but now you're pushing your luck."

"Do you really think a few minor achievements entitle you to arrogance?"

"If you dare speak another word like that, I'll beat you to death!"

This little monster is becoming more and more reckless—he dares say anything.

Luckily there's no one else at home; if these words reached Gong Zhong, no matter what achievements he had, the entire imperial clan would unite to kill him.

This isn't just careless speech—it's outright treason!

Qin Feng can act so brazenly now only because of his reputation.

In plain terms, he's cashing in on the rewards of past merits.

Once those rewards run out, his death won't be far off.

Facing Qin Tianhu's scolding, Qin Feng showed no sign of restraint; instead, he grinned smugly.

"Father, why get so worked up? I never said I was the one trying to bring down the Second Prince."

"In this Shedynasty, who sits on the throne makes no difference to the Qin Family."

"Either way, whoever holds power will see us as a thorn in their side."

"The reason we've survived this long isn't because of the emperor's mercy—in truth, you must be strong to stand on your own."

"Right now, the princes in the Hou Gong are fixated on only two things: one, the Shu Wei; the other, me."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu spat in disgust, his face filled with contempt.

This brat really knows how to puff himself up.

Does he think the entire future of Shedynasty rests on his shoulders? If so, Shedynasty is pitiful indeed.

Sensing Qin Tianhu's scornful gaze, Qin Feng remained calm and continued speaking: "Father, do you know why I've become so arrogant and Hengxing Badou since returning to Jingdu?"

Qin Tianhu didn't hesitate—he blurted out: "Because of Li Lang! Who in Shedynasty doesn't know that?"

Qin Feng burst into laughter.

If even his own father believed this, then his scheme had succeeded.

No one knows a son better than his father.

Seeing Qin Feng's sly grin, Qin Tianhu immediately sensed something was off.

He demanded: "Is it not?"

Qin Feng lifted his head high, beaming with pride.

Only when Qin Tianhu grabbed the tea cup, ready to throw it, did Qin Feng finally tone it down.

"Of course it's because of Li Lang—but that's only part of it."

"After all these days of arrogance and Hengxing Badou, everyone in Jingdu is certain now."

"The moment the State Peace Talks end, that's when I'll be purged—in plain terms, the day the talks end is my death date."

"At that point, the entire Qin Family will suffer along with me."

Qin Tianhu had already foreseen this.

After all, since ancient times, how many who defied the ruler of a nation ever had a good end?

But Qin Tianhu still chose to trust Qin Feng—he believed this brat would never gamble with the entire Qin Family's fate.

Now, seeing the cunning in Qin Feng's eyes, Qin Tianhu felt as if he'd swallowed a calming pill.

"Stop playing games—what's really going on?"

With things at this point, Qin Feng no longer hid anything.

A faint, sly smile curled his lips.

"The moment the Di forces withdrew, the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng had already reached its peak—only most people didn't realize it."

"Our Qin Family played a decisive role in the National War; once we returned to Jingdu, our power would be overwhelming."

"Every prince vying for the Shu Wei—no exceptions—would secure the throne if they gained our support."

"So the princes' attitude toward the Qin Family boils down to two choices: either win us over, or eliminate us—since if they can't have us, they'll destroy us."

"My open and covert clashes with the emperor have all been to make the princes hesitate—to keep them from provoking me at this deadline."

"In truth, it was to buy us time to breathe."

Qin Tianhu's eyes widened, his expression shifting again and again.

He had spent decades climbing the ranks of the Imperial Court, convinced he understood court politics inside out, that he moved through it like a fish in water.

Yet compared to his own brat, he now felt almost "naive."

Qin Tianhu was stunned—he never imagined this boy's cunning ran so deep, that he could see three steps ahead.

Even greater shock awaited Qin Tianhu.

"Father, when I was in Gong Zhong last time, I already made it clear to the Second Prince: I will never help him vie for the Shu Wei."

"Now, the Second Prince is seething with hatred, wanting me dead—and yet he's invited me to the Birthday Banquet."

"Isn't that clearly a Hongmen Banquet, waiting for me to walk into the trap?"

Qin Tianhu frowned tightly and pressed: "You know it's a Hongmen Banquet—why go?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng let out a cold laugh.

"Of course you and I know this is a Hongmen Banquet—and so do the Second Prince's inner circle and allies."

"But what about everyone else? Do they know? Do they believe it? And even if they do, do they dare take the risk?"

"If the Second Prince's Hongmen Banquet is just a ruse—and he's actually trying to win me over—how will the other princes react?"

"So, whether or not it's a Hongmen Banquet, the other Princes will all react."

"The Second Prince thinks he's already dug a grave for me, but in truth, he's dug his own!"

At this moment, Qin Tianhu finally understood that his own troublesome son had laid out such a grand scheme.

That brazen, lawless behavior was all meant to set his own "deadline."

Everyone believed this brat wouldn't last many more days.

Naturally, they must seize this precious opportunity and squeeze out his last value before their own son falls.

And that value, of course, is a stepping stone to the Crown Prince position.

Even Qin Tianhu, an Old Minister of the Imperial Court, hadn't thought this deep!

Qin Tianhu's emotions were like a spilled bottle of seasonings—mixed and chaotic.

There was pride, naturally, but also wariness.

This boy constantly claimed he would never touch politics, yet he was born a Corruption.

After a long while, Qin Tianhu snapped out of his shock.

"Feng'er, going against the Second Prince is a matter of great consequence—think carefully."

Qin Feng, however, took it lightly.

"Father, it's not that I'm opposing the Second Prince—it's that the Second Prince insists on making me his Sacrifice in his power grab."

"If I refuse, he'll kill me."

"I can't just wash my neck and wait to die—so I'll use his own plan against him, and crush him before he crushes me!"

"So what if he's a Prince? Anyone who dares threaten the Qin Family is my mortal enemy!"

Qin Tianhu remained silent for a long time—his son was simply a monster.

He acted lazy and carefree day to day, but once drawn into a vortex of interests, he unleashed energy beyond imagination.

Qin Feng's plan, though dangerous, was still the best option available now.

But there was one thing Qin Tianhu still had to warn him about.

"Xie Yun'er will also attend the Birthday Banquet."