Chapter 587

First Volume, Chapter 587: Seizing the High-Value Prisoner

These words drained every last ounce of strength from Xie Yun'er, causing her to stagger backward several steps.

Qin Feng, who had been about to speak, froze in place.

Seeing Xie Yun'er's pale face, Qin Feng felt as if his heart had been clenched tightly in a fist, suffocating him.

He had once promised to marry Xie Yun'er after the National War.

This was not merely a promise to her—it was the decision of a man to shoulder the responsibility of another half, to face the rest of his life anew.

But faced with the swirling vortex of interests in Jingdu, even Qin Feng could not withdraw from the world.

Watching his bond with Xie Yun'er torn apart and shattered within the vortex, he was utterly powerless.

"Yun'er…"

Qin Feng gritted his teeth inwardly—he would never let Xie Yun'er bear this cruel reality alone.

If he could stand against the Liang Emperor for the Qin Family, for Ming Wang, for the entire Northern Border…

Why could he not stand against Heaven itself for the woman he loved?

Qin Feng strode straight to Xie Yun'er's side, reaching out to grasp her wrist, preparing to take her away from here immediately.

But his hand closed on empty air.

Before Qin Feng could react, his cheek was struck hard by a slap.

Crack!

The sound was sharp and clear, mingled with the sound of Xie Yun'er's heart breaking.

"Don't touch me!"

Xie Yun'er's body trembled, tears streaming down, her eyes locked fiercely on Qin Feng.

"From this moment on, we have no relationship whatsoever."

"The Princess is of noble rank; no matter whom she marries, she becomes the lawful wife."

"But I, Xie Yun'er, will never be anyone's concubine!"

As she spoke these words, Xie Yun'er nearly screamed, her voice dragging with grief and sobs.

Watching Qin Feng stand frozen, her resolute gaze slowly turned desolate.

Xie Yun'er felt her heart bleeding.

Only this way could she protect the Qin Family and spare Qin Feng from being branded a traitor.

If Qin Feng could risk everything to stand against Heaven for her…

Then she, too, could sacrifice the most precious thing in her heart—for him.

Xie Yun'er gave Qin Feng no chance, turned, and walked away, tears falling, her steps utterly resolute.

"Yun'er… I'm sorry…"

Qin Feng's cheek burned with pain, but compared to the ache in his heart, it was negligible.

The Princess of Qiyang stood up, furious, and shouted: "Qin Feng, you're a bastard!"

The Princess of Qiyang stepped out after her.

Li Yong sighed softly, genuinely admiring Xie Yun'er—for this woman had single-handedly prevented an Internal War.

If Qin Feng had taken Xie Yun'er away, the imperial family and the Northern Border would have become mortal enemies.

At that point, Liang, barely freed from the quagmire of war, would plunge again into endless Internal War.

The National War between Liang and Bei Di was devastating in its toll, but compared to the self-consuming ruin of Internal War, it was insignificant.

Li Qian exhaled slowly and deeply.

This outcome was not what he wished for.

Li Qian had hoped Qin Feng would remain true to his nature, resolutely taking Xie Yun'er away.

Then Heaven would have united against the Northern Border.

Now, it was merely a knife plunged into Qin Feng's heart—but not a fatal one.

"Then let us choose a day to welcome the Princess back to Beijing."

Li Qian sat back down, feeling drained.

At that moment, Qin Feng slowly turned, his gaze settling on Li Qian, his eyes filled with wild, furious rage.

That look sent a chill down Li Qian's spine.

Li Qian knew the game had shifted—now it was Qin Feng's turn to move, and what followed would be a storm of retribution.

Qin Feng extended both hands slowly, then brought them together in a solemn bow toward Li Qian.

His voice rang clear and strong, utterly resolute.

"Your Highness, I shall remember this day for the rest of my life."

"If there is nothing else, I take my leave."

Qin Feng did not hesitate—he turned and walked away. As he passed Wei Xiao, he coldly said: "Ning Hu, take this man away."

Ning Hu seized Wei Xiao's shoulder and dragged him toward the door.

As expected, the Imperial Guard blocked their path.

Ning Hu made no effort to hide his rage—he punched the Imperial Guard square in the nose. The burly guard reeled backward and collapsed, unconscious on the spot.

"All of you get the hell out of my way!"

Ning Hu glared fiercely at the circle of Imperial Guards closing in.

Lin Taibao roared: "This man is a high-value prisoner who attempted to assassinate the Princess—he must be handed over to the Ministry of Justice, Dali Temple, and Zongzheng Temple for trial!"

"Who gave you the right to take him away?"

The moment Lin Taibao finished speaking, the Gate was smashed open.

Armed to the Teeth Tianji Camp Guards, leading the Beixi Soldiers, streamed into the courtyard in sequence.

Without warning, they charged at the Imperial Guard present.

The Imperial Guard, equally clad in Heavy Armor, could not resist the Tianji Camp Guards and were instantly knocked off their feet, helmets lost and armor askew.

The roar of the Imperial Guard echoed through the Civilian Household.

"Audacious! How dare Northern Border Troops act so recklessly in Jingdu?!"

"Kneel at once, or be slain on the spot!"

The Tianji Camp Guards did not retreat; one punched the Imperial Guard squarely in the face and snapped coldly: "Who the hell are you?!"

"Brothers, if these Imperial Guards refuse to know their place, kill them all!"

At first, the soldiers had only exchanged blows, but upon hearing this, they all drew their Weapons.

The scene descended into chaos, on the brink of a bloody clash.

Li Qian slammed his Wine Cup onto the table and roared: "Insolence!"

"Qin Feng, if you wish to take Wei Xiao away, you may—but you stay behind!"

"What do you take me for?!"

Qin Feng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and after a moment, slowly turned around.

"What if I don't stay?"

"You!"

Li Qian did not hesitate, pointing at Qin Feng and roaring: "Arrest this man who has seized a high-value prisoner! Take him to Dali Temple!"

"Enough!"

Before the Imperial Guard could move, Li Yong also rose and said sternly: "All of you, stand down!"

The Imperial Guard froze in place—caught between the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince, no one knew whom to obey.

Li Qian shot a cold, sharp glance: "Younger brother, what do you mean by this?!"

Li Yong bowed respectfully, neither submissive nor defiant: "This farce has gone on long enough. If word spreads, Heaven will laugh."

"Moreover, Qin Feng is betrothed to the Princess; he will soon be our Shedynasty's Imperial Son-in-Law."

"Your Highness now detaining Qin Feng is unjust in both sentiment and principle."

"I, Your Highness, offer myself as surety for Qin Feng—if he flees to evade punishment, I alone shall bear full responsibility."

"As for accountability, it must be decided by the Emperor."