Chapter 586: First Volume, Chapter 586: Severing Bonds of Grace and Righteousness

First Volume, Chapter 586: Severing Bonds of Grace and Righteousness

Either way, death is inevitable; if I can do one final thing for Li Xiaolan before I die, it would be worthwhile.

Thinking this, Wei Xiao took a deep breath—just as he prepared to fight to the death—a cold shout interrupted him.

Li Qian suddenly stood up and growled: "Absurd!"

"The utmost priority now is to welcome the Princess back to Beijing; as for the mastermind behind this, we can investigate later!"

"As long as the Princess does not return to Beijing, she remains unsafe."

"The Princess's safety must come first!"

Li Qian could not possibly give Wei Xiao the chance to die alongside him, even though Li Qian had no idea who the mastermind was.

But one thing was certain: this person held a pivotal position within the Imperial Palace.

Moreover, this person secretly aided me—they are an ally, not an enemy; possessing such a powerful, hidden ally is entirely beneficial to my struggle for the Crown Prince position.

Most crucially, the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng is imminent; no further disruptions can be allowed!

"Guards! Seize this audacious criminal and imprison him under strict watch!"

As the Imperial Guard reached for Wei Xiao, their wrist was seized first by Qin Feng.

Li Qian frowned deeply, staring fixedly at Qin Feng: "Marquis Qin, what do you mean? Are you disobeying Imperial Decree?"

Qin Feng let out a cold laugh: "Your Highness, what a clever plan—if you take Wei Xiao away, he won't survive even one Envoy."

"Once Wei Xiao dies, I'll be unable to clear my name, even if I jump into the Yellow River."

"Since Your Highness refuses to dig deeper into the mastermind, I won't insist."

"But Wei Xiao has pursued the Princess for a long time—he knows her better than anyone. He alone knows whether my Qin Family is protecting the Princess or holding the Imperial Orthodoxy hostage."

Qin Feng knew well that, with Li Qian, Lin Taibao, and the Minister of Justice interfering, forcing Wei Xiao to expose the mastermind was no longer realistic.

If so, better to Withdraw and Seek the Next Best.

Whether we can survive this crisis today depends entirely on Wei Xiao.

Li Qian also understood that forcibly taking Wei Xiao away would inevitably spark conflict, and if things escalated, it would be harder to contain.

Since Qin Feng was willing to step back, Li Qian naturally took the opportunity to retreat gracefully.

Li Qian refused to believe Qin Feng could wash away the charge of holding the Imperial Orthodoxy hostage.

All eyes in the courtyard fixed on Wei Xiao.

Wei Xiao understood perfectly: Li Xiaolan's life was inextricably tied to the Qin Family—prosperity or ruin, they shared the same fate.

To ensure Li Xiaolan lived, the Qin Family must be preserved.

Wei Xiao had long planned his response, yet his expression grew deeply complex, as if hesitating.

After a long pause, Wei Xiao finally made his decision and blurted out: "The Qin Family will not harm Li Xiaolan so much as a single hair."

"Nor will they hold the Imperial Orthodoxy hostage or threaten the realm."

"Because the Qin Family has no need to do so."

At these words, everyone present was baffled.

Li Qian frowned tightly and growled: "Explain clearly—what do you mean?"

Wei Xiao took a deep breath and shouted: "Li Xiaolan and Qin Feng have already pledged their lives to each other!"

Silence.

The entire courtyard fell deathly still.

Everyone's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Pledged their lives to each other…

The Princess of the court and a Ten-Thousand-Household Marquis? Pledged their lives to each other?!

To Heaven, this was explosive news.

No one expected Wei Xiao to reveal such a claim—not even Qin Feng was prepared.

If Li Xiaolan were a reigning Princess, her marriage would concern national dignity and legal succession—unthinkable.

But Li Xiaolan has always been in exile, a lost pearl; thus, pledging her life to someone privately is not unacceptable.

Moreover, the betrothed is a Ten-Thousand-Household Marquis, a great hero of Shedynasty, perfectly matched in status.

Li Qian has no authority to reject it—even if the Liang Emperor himself appeared, he could not annul this marriage.

If Qin Feng is soon to become the emperor's son-in-law of the She Dynasty, how can he possibly be accused of holding the Imperial Orthodoxy hostage?

The elaborate trap meticulously laid by Li Qian, Lin Taibao, and their allies had collapsed on its own.

Rage—unprecedented rage.

Li Qian wanted to tear Wei Xiao apart right then and there.

Meanwhile, Xie Yun'er covered her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.

Lin Taibao, whose eyes were sharpest, immediately understood and fixed his gaze on Qin Feng, speaking slowly: "Marquis Qin—is this true?"

Facing Lin Taibao's question, Qin Feng remained silent.

Li Qian also realized the implications and rose at once, his eyes locked on Qin Feng.

"Qin Feng, answer Taibao!"

"Have you and the Princess truly pledged your lives to each other and exchanged vows?!"

As he spoke, Li Qian deliberately glanced at Xie Yun'er.

If Qin Feng admitted it, the Qin Family's betrothal to the Xie Family would be over.

After all, how could a Princess become a concubine? Li Xiaolan would become the lawful, officially wedded wife.

Moreover, Qin Feng could not take another concubine for three years—his marriage to Xie Yun'er would naturally end in nothing.

This was precisely where Qin Feng struggled.

After living together for so long, for Qin Feng to say he has no feelings for Xie Yun'er is nonsense.

From their early days of teasing and bickering, gradually learning to coexist, to now being perfectly in sync.

Just as they were about to achieve true union, they now face a loveless end—not only can Qin Feng not accept it, but Xie Yun'er must surely suffer terribly.

Qin Feng looked at Xie Yun'er and saw her eyes reddening, her body trembling slightly.

At this moment, Xie Yun'er's heart felt as if cut by knives.

Xie Yun'er waited from when Qin Feng was young and immature, until he became mature and steady.

She waited from when great enemies loomed, until the National War ended.

She waited from when he was a Wanfu, until now his name shook Heaven.

Xie Yun'er waited too long, too long, yet never once doubted—he would surely give her the happiness she desired.

But now, at this moment, all her waiting seemed meaningless.

The Da Huo day she had longed for, dreamed of, and thought of until her heart raced—now turned to a phantom, a bubble.

Xie Yun'er tried several times to flee through the door, unwilling to face this cruel ending.

But at the final moment, she held herself back.

Li Qian's relentless questions echoed again and again in Xie Yun'er's ears.

"Qin Feng! Aren't you usually eloquent? Why are you suddenly mute?"

"Answer quickly—did you or did you not pledge marriage to the Princess?"

"If you do not answer, it counts as denial."

Xie Yun'er's heart clenched with each question, and gradually she understood: Qin Feng's betrothal to Li Xiaolan was the key to saving the Qin Family and everyone else.

At that moment, Xie Yun'er noticed Qin Feng suddenly clench his fists, his gaze turning utterly resolute.

That look made it clear: Qin Feng would risk everything to fulfill his promise to Xie Yun'er.

Just by that look, it was all worth it.

Xie Yun'er felt a weight lift; her sorrow vanished instantly—even if they could not achieve true union, at least she now knew her place in Qin Feng's heart.

That was enough.

Before Qin Feng could speak, Xie Yun'er shouted: "Qin Feng, we're finished!"