Chapter 578: First Volume, Chapter 578: Undercurrents Beneath the Xi Yin

First Volume, Chapter 578: Undercurrents Beneath the Xi Yin

Since the man in white clothes had followed Li Qian, he had never been scolded by Li Qian.

This outburst now clearly proved that Li Qian's psychological DefensiveLine had gradually been breached and had become extremely sensitive.

Any unpleasant matter was enough to make Li Qian fly into a rage.

The man in white clothes could certainly understand—after all, the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng was imminent, and one misstep could mean total defeat.

"Your Highness, are you suggesting that the Seventh Prince came uninvited to deliberately humiliate you?"

The man in white clothes bowed his head, clasped his fists in salute, and showed utmost humility.

Watching the man in white clothes' loyal demeanor, Li Qian couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He suppressed his anger and placed a hand on the man in white clothes' shoulder.

"Stand up. It's not your fault."

The man in white clothes exhaled in relief, rose, and looked at Li Qian—only to see solemnity in Li Qian's brow.

With his hands behind his back, he slowly walked to the window, pushed it open a crack, and observed the guests outside raising wine cups and laughing.

After a long while, he spoke with gravity: "Li Yong is not a man who does unnecessary things."

"His uninvited appearance today is merely because he fears that Your Highness is using the suppression of Qin Feng as an excuse to secretly court allies."

"The Seventh Prince is far shrewder than you imagine."

"The Emperor once assessed the Seventh Prince: great wisdom appears as foolishness—he seems unremarkable, yet his thoughts are numerous."

"He does not fight for power, but uses non-competition to gain advantage."

"Qin Feng has had little contact with the Seventh Prince and naturally cannot see through him."

"Qin Feng says Your Highness resembles the Emperor—but what he doesn't realize… is that the Seventh Prince is the true disciple of the Emperor's teachings, and Qin Feng will come to understand this sooner or later!"

The man in white clothes pondered, then after a moment, ventured a question.

"Your Highness, now that the Seventh Prince has arrived and the situation has changed, wouldn't it be better if you stepped out early…"

Before the man in white clothes could finish, Li Qian shook his head and cut him off.

His slightly troubled gaze gradually returned to calm.

He had organized this Birthday Banquet precisely to achieve One-Strike Victory against Qin Feng—he could not let Li Yong's sudden appearance disrupt his plan.

Moreover…

His prolonged absence from the banquet served not only to dampen Qin Feng's momentum, but also had a more critical purpose.

The leverage to eliminate Qin Feng had not yet arrived.

At this moment, he must not lose his composure—he must remain calm!

"The Seventh Prince is, after all, my own brother. Since he has come, I cannot order him to leave—let him be."

"Today's plan cannot be changed by anyone!"

Seeing Li Qian regain his confidence, the man in white clothes also exhaled in relief.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Li Qian called him back.

Li Qian, lost in thought, paused, then asked softly: "What is the relationship between Qiyang Commandery and Qin Feng?"

Compared to Li Yong, Li Qian was more concerned about the Princess of Qiyang.

After all, the Princess of Qiyang's backer, Chang Princess, represented the ImperialWill!

If even Chang Princess sided with Qin Feng, that would be the real trouble.

The man in white clothes dared not answer rashly—he recalled Qin Feng's words and actions toward the Princess of Qiyang.

Finally, the man in white clothes took a deep breath: "Your Highness need not worry—the only connection between Qin Feng and the Princess of Qiyang is Xie Yun'er."

Hearing this, Li Qian felt as if he had swallowed a calming pill.

He nodded slightly: "I understand. Go."

As the man in white clothes departed, Li Qian stood by the window and looked up at the sky.

The sun had already slanted westward; by this time, Qin Feng's deadline was near.

"Qin Feng, it is time for us to settle our account!"

At this moment, the news that Li Yong had attended the Birthday Banquet had spread throughout the venue.

Especially among the guests in the Nei Yuan—they appeared calm on the surface, pretending not to care, but were actually growing restless.

All kinds of rumors spread rapidly through the crowd.

"Did you hear the noise outside? The Seventh Prince has arrived—and he sat with Qin Feng in the Wai Yuan!"

"The Seventh Prince is in the Wai Yuan, yet we are in the Nei Yuan—isn't this against propriety?"

"True, it is improper—but who dares to go out? Do you dare?"

At these words, several ministers in attendance shrank back.

Only the Assistant Minister of Justice remained calm, lifted his wine cup, and took a sip.

"Gentlemen, the situation is now clear: the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince are separated by a single wall, utterly distinct."

"All of you in the Nei Yuan are supporters of the Second Prince; those in the Wai Yuan are the Seventh Prince's men."

"Who is weightier, who is superior—can you not see?"

"To abandon the light for darkness now is not a rational choice."

These ministers and nobles in the Nei Yuan were all Old Foxes of the Imperial Court—they would not miss the hidden meaning in the Assistant Minister of Justice's words.

His intent was twofold: to warn and to reassure.

To tell them not to betray the Second Prince now, or they would find themselves caught between both sides, and bear the consequences alone.

Unfortunately, this speech had little effect on the high-ranking officials.

Though the Nei Yuan was filled with court ministers and dukes, it appeared powerful on the surface but could not withstand scrutiny.

Moreover, many powerful officials in court, seeking to preserve themselves, did not attend the banquet at all.

Everyone who showed up, even if not a staunch supporter of the Second Prince, at best leaned slightly in his favor—their actual influence was negligible.

As for the guests in the Wai Yuan, they were all insignificant little hangers-on, utterly worthless in the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng.

And...

Just Qin Feng alone is enough to give one a headache; now he has been joined by the Princess of Qiyang Commandery and the Seventh Prince, two members of the Imperial Nobility.

Add to that the daughter of the Duke of Ning.

Don't be fooled by their small number—in status and presence, they easily outshine the ministers in the Nei Yuan by miles.

The Ministry of Justice's Chief Clerk feigned drinking, whispering quietly to the Assistant Minister of Justice.

"Strange—Qin Feng is arrogant with his talent and practices Hengxing Badou; he has offended every single Imperial Relative."

"He ought to be like a rat crossing the street, hunted by all."

"Yet... the Princess of Qiyang Commandery and the Seventh Prince have both gone right up to him."

"From what I see, this affair tonight is uncertain."

The Assistant Minister of Justice glared at him, face cold: "You know nothing!"

"Just drink your wine and stop talking so much!"

"If you're tired of being Chief Clerk, let someone else take your place—you're neither missed nor needed."

"Look at what you are, daring to speculate on His Highness's Great Plan? Are you looking for death?"

The Chief Clerk gave a sullen smile and quickly lowered his head.

Though he outwardly submitted, inwardly he grew even more certain of his thoughts.

The Assistant Minister of Justice's violent reaction proves exactly that—they're afraid!

Given Qin Feng's methods, if anything goes wrong tonight, forget about punishing Qin Feng—he'll likely turn around first and crush every faction loyal to the Second Prince.

Tonight, will it be His Highness securing supreme authority, or will Qin Feng deliver a Returning Lance Strike? No one can say!