Chapter 569: First Volume, Chapter 569: Ruining Reputation

First Volume, Chapter 569: Ruining Reputation

As Zhou Ming passed before Qin Feng, he deliberately stopped, his face twisted into a sly grin.

He bowed deeply with both hands in full view of everyone, paying Qin Feng a formal salute.

"Lord Qin, I'll go ahead. You wait a moment."

"I reckon, once all the official families have entered and taken their seats, then the literary masters will follow."

"Only when it's the merchants' turn will you be allowed in—no rush, it's coming soon."

As soon as he spoke, a burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Qin Feng, the Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander, had sunk too low—now he was being grouped with merchants.

Even the merchants present didn't stand by Qin Feng.

They all began sneering and mocking him.

"Lord Qin, once we're inside, let's sit at the same table and drink a few cups together."

"Exactly right—our status and rank are the same, hehe."

"The Second Prince really knows how to arrange things—he knows Lord Qin excels in commerce, so he's saved you for us."

"That's called catering to one's preferences."

"Lord Qin, after the banquet ends, you must sincerely thank the Second Prince."

Facing the mockery, Qin Feng didn't grow angry; instead, his lips curled slightly upward, maintaining a constant smile.

Before arriving, Qin Feng had assumed the Second Prince would unleash some formidable scheme to catch him off guard.

But the result… was this?

It was far too childish.

If he could be provoked so easily, he would have slashed Chen Si to death right there in the Imperial Court.

How could he have ever become friends with Chen Si?

Under the gaze of the crowd, Qin Feng slowly raised his hands and returned Zhou Ming's bow.

"Young Master Zhou, you're too kind. Please, go ahead."

Zhou Ming froze, surprised by Qin Feng's extraordinary tolerance—he showed not the slightest reaction to the provocation.

After all, Qin Feng was universally recognized as the First Marquis Under Heaven.

Backed by the Northern Border Troops, how exalted and powerful was he?

Meanwhile, Zhou Ming was merely the son of the Director of the Gate Office—his status was incomparably lower.

Zhou Ming's punch landed like one hitting cotton—utterly ineffective.

He could only sneak a glance at the lute-playing woman.

His mockery of Qin Feng today wasn't out of boredom.

He hoped to seize this chance to align himself with the Second Prince.

In Jingdu, it was widely rumored that the Emperor would soon name the Crown Prince, and among all the Princes, only the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince had the strongest chances.

Yet the Seventh Prince was indifferent to power and had no influential backing.

The Crown Prince position would almost certainly fall into the Second Prince's hands.

To secure the Second Prince's favor, even becoming an enemy of Qin Feng was a worthwhile bargain.

The lute-playing woman gave a subtle glance; Zhou Ming immediately understood.

He didn't hurry inside, but turned and smiled warmly, watching Qin Feng.

"Lord Qin, there's something I've always been unable to understand."

"Not just me—all the young nobles of Jingdu are equally baffled."

"Could you please enlighten us?"

Qin Feng smiled in return.

He had seen Zhou Ming and the lute-playing woman exchanging glances earlier.

Clearly, the lute-playing woman intended to use this opportunity to undermine Qin Feng's prestige.

If so, Qin Feng would happily play along.

"What's your question? Speak freely."

Zhou Ming bowed deeply, feigning admiration.

"No wonder you're Lord Qin—you're truly magnanimous."

"Ever since the Northern Di Envoy Chen Si left Jingdu, rumors have spread throughout the city."

"That Lord Qin and Chen Si were extremely close, walking together all the way from the Imperial Palace back to the Qin Residence."

"And at their parting, they were visibly reluctant to say goodbye."

"If I recall correctly, Chen Si is the Northern Di General—he has killed countless Liang soldiers."

"Is it appropriate for Lord Qin to befriend such a traitor?"

"Or does Lord Qin have no regard for the soldiers of Liang at all?"

Qin Feng's eyes brightened—he thought, this Zhou Ming was actually quite talented.

This remark carried real sting.

The lethargic Qin Feng finally felt a spark of interest.

"Chen Si may be the Northern Di General and Envoy, but as a man, he's incomparably superior to you."

"At least Chen Si was willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of Northern Di's interests—dying for a righteous cause."

"In contrast, Young Master Zhou, you vanished during battle and only reappeared after the war to jump around and cause trouble."

"Hehe, I don't know if Chen Si is a traitor, but you, Young Master Zhou, are certainly a villain."

The people present had already prepared to denounce Qin Feng.

But this speech forced them to swallow all the accusations they had been brewing.

Zhou Ming's face flushed red and pale in turns, his eyes wide open.

"Release your mother… cough cough cough, Young Master Qin, you are mistaken."

"We are lowly and our words mean little—what can we possibly contribute to the National War?"

At these words, Qin Feng's gaze turned sharp.

"Lowly and insignificant? Could you possibly be less significant than my Northern Border Generals?"

"Most of those generals were ordinary civilians who enlisted."

"Yet for the sake of defending Shedynasty's borders, they would unhesitatingly fight the Di to the death."

"Young Master Zhou appears quite frail; since you cannot handle the Battlefield, at least managing Military Expenditure from the Rear would be worthwhile."

"When I held a fundraising assembly in Jingzhong to aid Northern Border civilians and transport Autumn Harvest Grain."

"I have recorded every merchant and Noble Youth who donated—why is your name not on my list, Young Master Zhou?"

Zhou Ming's face turned crimson, speechless for a long while.

When Qin Feng held the fundraising assembly, every Noble Youth in Jingzhong received an Invitation Card.

Zhou Ming was no exception, but he tore his right after receiving it.

Raise Military Expenditure? With that kind of spare money, better spend a few days at Mingyue Lake!

To put it bluntly, even if Shedynasty's throne changed hands, what would it matter to Zhou Ming?

One Son of Heaven, one set of ministers—my father is still Chief of the Gate Office; I, Zhou Ming, will still feast and drink as I please!

Yet after all this time, I never expected Qin Feng would remember so clearly.

No wonder he's a cunning merchant—his memory is too good!

The crowd had originally sneered at Qin Feng, for since his return to Jingzhong, he had been Hengxing Badou.

All Noble Youth had voiced complaints.

But now, hearing Qin Feng's words, some youths who had no past grudge or recent feud with him began to soften their stance.

"Come to think of it, we owe this victory in the National War largely to Qin Feng."

"Indeed, if not for Qin Feng bustling about the Rear managing Logistics and rushing to the Front Line to fight, how could Shedynasty have today's prestige?"

"That fellow Qin Feng may act recklessly, but he's not a bad man."

"If you really think about it, he's done many tangible things for the common people."

Hearing the murmurs around him, Zhou Ming grew frantic.

He had barely seized this perfect opportunity—the Second Prince's birthday—to climb the social ladder.

How could he let this chance at glory slip away?!

Zhou Ming hardened his heart and struck to kill his soul: "Li Lang died in Chen Si's hands—have you forgotten?!"