Chapter 583

First Volume, Chapter 583: The Curtain of Evil Unveiled

The Princess of Qiyang, seated across from him, reacted even more strongly, involuntarily shifting her body backward.

Looking at the Assistant Minister of Justice lying on the ground, writhing in agony, and Qin Feng, his eyes cold, who had struck without hesitation to protect Xie Yun'er.

The Princess of Qiyang's emotions became extremely complex.

There was the anger of an Imperial Clan Member, the blessing for Xie Yun'er having found a worthy man, and even a trace of envy.

Could she, in this lifetime, find a man willing to break his cauldrons and sink his boats for her?

Li Yong, beside him, still held his composure, but his eyes betrayed waves of astonishment.

Li Qian did not stop Qin Feng's reckless actions; instead, he watched the astonishing scene before him with calm detachment.

Seeing Li Qian pay no heed to the Assistant Minister of Justice's fate, the officials present lost all courage.

Defending the Assistant Minister of Justice at this moment was simply asking for death.

Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, silently watching the Assistant Minister of Justice.

Ning Hu, seeing Qin Feng had not called a halt, no longer hesitated; he stepped forward and dragged the Assistant Minister of Justice up from the ground.

"You dare insult Qin Brother's future wife? I think you old fool are tired of living!"

Faced with Ning Hu's rage, the Assistant Minister of Justice had none of his former confidence left.

His face turned as white as paper, his body trembling uncontrollably.

With great effort, he finally managed to mumble: "Spare my life."

Spare your life?

Qin Feng let out a light scoff: "The Imperial Court is a battlefield; mercy toward an enemy is cruelty toward yourself."

"If I spare you today, you will only retaliate tomorrow with even greater ferocity."

At these words, no order from Qin Feng was needed; Ning Hu seized the Assistant Minister of Justice by both arms.

He lifted him high above his head, preparing to crush him on the spot.

Facing this unprecedented, horrifying scene, the entire civilian household fell into deathly silence.

Who dared plead for the Assistant Minister of Justice?

At this critical deadline, the gate was pushed open again, and a furious shout rang out.

"How dare you!"

"You dare plot to murder a sitting Assistant Minister of Justice? Qin Feng, I think you've grown tired of life!"

The Minister of Justice stormed in, face flushed with rage, his icy gaze locked firmly on Qin Feng.

Lin Taibao, who followed closely, was startled by the scene, but his expression quickly turned cold and dark.

"Ning Hu, release the Assistant Minister at once!"

Ning Hu naturally ignored both of them, turning to glance at Qin Feng.

Since the main party had arrived, Qin Feng had no reason to waste more time on the Assistant Minister of Justice.

With a casual wave of his hand, Ning Hu obeyed instantly, hurling the Assistant Minister of Justice back onto the ground.

At this point, the Assistant Minister of Justice, beaten and terrified, was like an eggplant struck by frost—collapsed and limp on the ground.

Seeing this, the Minister of Justice was beyond rage; he tried to lash out several times, but each time Lin Taibao held him back.

"Minister, please calm yourself. Qin Feng has committed a grave offense—he will be dealt with by Dali Temple. Everything must still serve the Second Prince's Great Plan."

Lin Taibao's voice was loud, deliberately meant for Qin Feng to hear.

The Minister of Justice suppressed his fury, signaling the Imperial Guard to carry the half-dead Assistant Minister of Justice away for medical treatment.

Li Qian, who had been watching coldly, suddenly wore a gentle, springlike expression, his voice laced with mockery.

Li Qian knew well: Lin Taibao and the Minister of Justice's arrival meant Qin Feng's time was up!

"Lin Taibao, why are you only arriving now? You've missed all the excitement."

Lin Taibao bowed with casual grace, his face equally smiling.

"Your humble servant is burdened with official duties and could not spare the time. I beg Your Highness not to blame me."

"But today, I've just uncovered a tremendous secret, and I've been verifying its authenticity."

Li Qian had already been briefed by Lin Taibao; he knew perfectly well what this "tremendous secret" was.

Without showing any reaction, he glanced at Qin Feng, then grew even more smug, feigning ignorance: "Oh? What is this so-called tremendous secret you speak of?"

Lin Taibao straightened his posture, gazed deeply at Qin Feng, his old, cunning eyes brimming with murderous intent.

"I have just learned that, besides the princes and princesses residing in Jingdu, the Holy Emperor has a lost pearl among the folk."

At these words, the entire hall erupted in shock.

Gasps and exclamations rose in waves.

"What?! A lost Imperial pearl?!"

"Lord Taibao, are you joking?"

"Who in Heaven doesn't know the Holy Emperor devotes himself to governance, dwelling constantly in the Imperial Study, surrounded day and night by Imperial Memorials from all corners?"

"He hasn't left Jingdu in years—how could there be a lost pearl?"

"Exactly! Lord Taibao, this is no joke—what is the truth behind this?"

The officials present, though all aligned with the Second Prince, knew nothing of this matter.

Not even ordinary officials—Li Yong and the Princess of Qiyang were left speechless with shock.

The Princess of Qiyang turned to Li Yong, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Brother, have you heard anything of this?"

Li Yong shook his head without hesitation: "I know nothing!"

"If the Holy Emperor's lost pearl truly exists, it will shake Jingdu to its core."

At this moment, Qin Feng's heart skipped a beat.

Clearly, the folk gem Lin Taibao mentioned must be Li Xiaolan.

But the problem is, very few people know of this, and Li Xiaolan has long resided in the Northern Border.

How could this secret identity have been leaked?

Although Qin Feng had long prepared himself mentally, knowing that Li Qian and Lin Taibao were in cahoots and would surely resort to underhanded tactics.

Yet he never imagined these two would target Li Xiaolan.

Qin Feng, caught utterly unprepared, was taken by surprise.

Qin Feng's reaction, Li Qian naturally observed, and he could not help but sneer inwardly.

"Qin Feng, weren't you once so arrogant? Why are you so subdued now?"

"Today, you will die!"

Li Qian forcibly suppressed his inner joy, feigning shock as he turned to Lin Taibao.

"Lin Taibao, are you serious? This concerns imperial affairs—there can be no bluffing."

Lin Taibao let out a light laugh, his eyes brimming with confidence, as he lightly bowed to Li Qian.

"This matter is of great importance; Old Minister would never speak lightly."

"Since it has been raised, it is naturally the result of thorough investigation, with solid evidence already in hand."

Saying this, Lin Taibao's gaze flicked toward Qin Feng.

"Marquis Qin, you know this matter best—why not explain it to His Highness?"

In an instant, every person's gaze in the hall converged on Qin Feng.

Even Xie Yun'er was secretly stunned.

As Qin Family's future bride, Xie Yun'er had known nothing of this.

Yet this was understandable—after all, an imperial will is the ultimate secret; how could it be casually revealed to others?

Seeing Qin Feng remain silent, the Minister of Justice sneered.

"Qin Feng, why are you mute? Weren't you once so arrogant?"

The Minister of Justice's eyes brimmed with contempt, looking at Qin Feng as if he were already a corpse.