Chapter 576: First Volume, Chapter 576: They Fight the Moment They Meet

First Volume, Chapter 576: They Fight the Moment They Meet

In Qin Feng's view, the Princess of Qiyang was arrogant, but her true nature was not evil.

He kept his distance from her merely because he feared her mother, the Chang Princess.

If you insist on naming someone who is truly the Liang Emperor's confidant,

it certainly isn't the Princes or Imperial Grandsons, nor the Imperial Consorts in the Hou Gong, nor even the loyal Palace Guards.

Only the Chang Princess!

When he brought Li Lang back to Beijing, the Liang Emperor had been utterly firm—refusing outright to allow Li Lang's re-entry into the Imperial Ancestral Hall.

Just as he was preparing for a prolonged warfare with the Liang Emperor, the Emperor's stance suddenly reversed.

He not only permitted Li Lang to enter the Imperial Ancestral Hall and be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum, but also granted him a posthumous title of Marquis.

On the surface, the Liang Emperor had been forced to yield under Qin Feng's pressure.

In truth, he had been advised by a "high-level expert," using retreat as advance—settling the matter with nothing more than a humble Marquis title.

Who else could this high-level expert be but the Chang Princess?

Qin Feng had once considered the Imperial Consort, but quickly dismissed the possibility.

Though the Imperial Consort was deeply calculating, she had no reason whatsoever to meddle in the dispute between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor; merely not throwing stones at one who had fallen was already a blessing.

The Chang Princess represents the interests of the Imperial House; no matter how outwardly kind and benevolent she appears, she is certainly not Qin Feng's friend.

On the contrary, if given the chance, the Chang Princess would likely eliminate him without hesitation.

Precisely because of this, Qin Feng ignored the Princess of Qiyang's sarcasm as if it were wind passing through his ears.

His stance was crystal clear: he intended to draw a clear line between himself and the Princess of Qiyang.

Again ignored by Qin Feng, the Princess of Qiyang was furious and about to lash out, but Xie Yun'er held her back.

Xie Yun'er, caught in the middle, was deeply troubled.

The Princess of Qiyang was her dearest sister, while Qin Feng was the man she had entrusted her life to.

Whichever side she supported, it would be inappropriate.

Xie Yun'er could only try her best to defuse the conflict between them and turn weapons into jade and silk.

"Qiyang, even if you don't respect the monk, respect the Buddha—this is surely for my sake."

"Even if we step back ten thousand paces, Qin Feng is now a Ten-Battalion Commander Marquis and a National War hero."

"Your words and actions represent the Imperial House's stance—if this spreads, how will Heaven view it?"

"Those who don't know might think the Emperor deliberately used your hand to suppress heroes—when the birds are gone, the bow is put away; when the rabbits are dead, the hunting dogs are cooked."

"If this causes the people to lose faith, what then?"

Though the Princess of Qiyang was straightforward, she would not act recklessly without restraint.

As Xie Yun'er said, her every word and deed represented the Imperial House.

If she allowed a damned fool like Qin Feng to damage the Imperial House's prestige, it would be far too costly.

Moreover…

Setting aside Qin Feng's infuriating habit of driving people to madness, just his "protectiveness" alone was enough to make every woman in Heaven yearn for him.

Whoever married Qin Feng would never suffer another injustice in her life.

The Princess of Qiyang genuinely rejoiced for Xie Yun'er—but immediately after, a wave of bitterness washed over her.

While Xie Yun'er had finally found happiness, where was her own?

As a Princess, she would almost certainly become a sacrifice in a political marriage.

She might even end up married to some old man in his forties or fifties!

Every time she thought of this, the Princess of Qiyang felt a suffocating ache in her chest, and even she couldn't understand why.

Why did she constantly oppose Qin Feng? Was it truly because she hated him—or… because she was jealous?

Seeing the Princess of Qiyang fall silent, Xie Yun'er finally exhaled, then turned to Qin Feng.

She spoke earnestly: "Qin Feng, can't you just give Qiyang some leeway?"

"You know she values etiquette and loves to compete—why must you deliberately oppose her?"

"I think you're clearly just bullying her."

Qin Feng knew Xie Yun'er was caught in a difficult position.

But he simply couldn't stand the Princess of Qiyang's attitude—she was nothing but a petty Princess, what was she so proud of?

As for bullying her? That was pure nonsense.

He had Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng at home—why would he need to bully Qiyang just to feel important?

Still, for Xie Yun'er's sake, Qin Feng conceded a little.

He clasped his hands behind his head, leaned back in his chair, and said dismissively:

"She's a proper Princess—what am I? Just a minor Marquis—who dares bully her?"

"Even dogs jump over walls when cornered—what if she bites me? I can't take it."

At first, the Princess of Qiyang felt a surge of satisfaction, thinking Qin Feng had finally bowed.

But then she reconsidered—and realized his words carried a foul taste.

The Princess of Qiyang sat up sharply, glaring furiously at Qin Feng, as if she truly meant to bite him.

"You… you bastard!"

"You're the dog!"

Seeing how slow the Princess of Qiyang was to react, Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh.

He offered no explanation—just held back his laughter, letting her rage helplessly.

The Princess of Qiyang was furious, several times wanting to pounce and teach this damned man a lesson—but with so many people watching, she simply couldn't bring herself to lower her dignity.

Xie Yun'er, seated in the center, let out a long sigh, equally helpless.

These two were simply natural enemies, fated to clash, meeting only to quarrel.

If one day they could sit together calmly, Xie Yun'er would find it strange.

As Qin Feng and the Princess of Qiyang exchanged sharp words, all guests present wore expressions of utter disbelief.

"The Princess of Qiyang is sitting with Qin Feng in the Wai Yuan? Is this not a breach of propriety?"

"Qin Feng's deliberate isolation clearly shows the relationship between His Highness and Qin Feng has reached a breaking point."

"Logically, the Princess of Qiyang should stand by His Highness's side—yet she sits openly with Qin Feng…"

"Could it be that the Princess of Qiyang is also friendly with Qin Feng? That can't be right! Look—they're clearly mortal enemies."

"Impossible to understand!"

As the guests murmured in silent astonishment, the White Clothes appeared in the Wai Yuan.

Seeing the Princess of Qiyang seated with Qin Feng, he furrowed his brows and hurried over.

"Your Highness requests your presence."

At this, the Princess of Qiyang raised an eyebrow: "What? Does my brother have something to say?"

The White Clothes shook his head, casting a sidelong glance at Qin Feng beside her.

He lowered his voice deliberately: "His Highness says the Princess should go to the Nei Yuan—this Wai Yuan is unworthy of your station."

Before the Princess of Qiyang could respond, Qin Feng added with a sardonic smile:

"Did you hear that? This Wai Yuan isn't good enough for you… Princess, hurry to the Nei Yuan. Don't linger here, hogging seats meant for common folk like us!"

At first, the Princess of Qiyang hesitated.

Upon hearing this, she sat down firmly, crossed her arms, and tilted her head high.

"Hmph! I sit wherever I please—no one dares dictate to me!"

"Today, I'm sitting right here. If you've got the guts, bite me!"

The Princess of Qiyang shot Qin Feng a deliberately provocative glance.

Qin Feng immediately spread his hands in feigned innocence: "Biting's out of the question—I'm not a dog."