Chapter 589

First Volume, Chapter 589: Ning Guogong Deposed

The next day at noon, the Liang Emperor issued a Royal Edict directly deposing Xie Bi from his position as Guogong.

As soon as this news broke, Jingdu trembled; every street and alley buzzed with discussion of the matter.

Even vegetable sellers and servants sent out to procure goods spoke freely about it.

"Did you hear? Ning Guogong has been deposed."

"How could you not hear? It's already spread all over Jingdu."

"Xie Bi was a Guogong, yet he was deposed so easily—unbelievable."

"Who says otherwise? That Guogong title alone is a honor beyond reach."

"The Xie Family married into the Qin Family; once Xie Yun'er marries the First Marquis Under Heaven, the Xie Family's status in Jingdu will be among the top two."

"What a glorious prospect!"

"Yet a sudden Royal Edict plunged the Xie Family straight into hell—too cruel."

"What do you know? This is Divine Strategy. Not even a Guogong, let alone one of the Three Dukes, is safe from being deposed at will."

"Even so, the Xie Family has the First Marquis Under Heaven behind them."

"Don't you get it? The Qin Family is about to be purged too."

"Shh, just buy your vegetables. Look at your own station—don't talk state affairs! You'll lose your life."

Qin Feng walked toward the Xie Residence with his hands behind his back, clearly sensing the odd glances from the crowd.

Everyone in Jingdu now believed that after the Xie Family fell, the Qin Family would be next.

Even a Guogong was deposed—how long could Qin Feng, the "First Marquis Under Heaven," possibly last?

Yet people strangely noticed Qin Feng showed no fear or tension; he remained as calm and effortless as ever.

A murmur spread through the crowd again.

"Strange—doesn't the First Marquis Under Heaven fear at all?"

"Fear? What nonsense! The First Marquis Under Heaven's title is lower than Ning Guogong's, but his position is far more secure."

"Think about it—what does Ning Guogong have besides his title and reputation?"

"By contrast, the First Marquis Under Heaven has the entire Northern Border behind him!"

"Oh, really now!"

Listening to the murmurs around him, Qin Feng found it all amusing.

No wonder Jingdu's people, subjects beneath the Son of Heaven, had such sharp political instincts.

Even vegetable sellers could opine on court affairs.

Before Qin Feng reached the Xie Residence's Fu Men, he heard a commotion from afar.

Looking toward the sound, he saw Ning Guogong Fu surrounded on all sides by officials, completely blocked off.

"Ning Guogong, we've come to see you off."

"Still call him Ning Guogong? He's been deposed!"

"Hahaha, forgot that—Xie Bi, open the gate. You're no longer a Guogong."

"This Guogong title is the highest rank a commoner can attain, aside from the imperial family. Even if deposed, it should be done step by step."

"Yet the Holy One issued a single Royal Edict and stripped Xie Bi down to commoner status—hahaha! He's set a new precedent in Shedynasty's banishments!"

"You didn't say it, I hadn't realized!"

"Xie Bi, old fool, weren't you always so proud and aloof? Why are you hiding like a turtle today?!"

Hearing the crowd's shouts, Qin Feng's eyes flashed with sharpness.

He stepped forward and punched a middle-aged man who was shouting loudest, regardless of his status.

With a sudden scream, the noise outside the Xie Residence fell silent.

"What the hell!"

"Who dares attack this official?!"

"Guards! Seize this insolent fool…"

Before the middle-aged man finished saying "seize him," his roar cut off abruptly.

Seeing Qin Feng standing before him, the man turned pale, stepped back several paces, clutched his bleeding nose, and dared not speak another word.

A "Langzhong" among the officials, unable to bear it, snapped: "Qin Feng! You dare assault a court-appointed official in public!"

"Do you have any respect for the law?!"

Qin Feng glanced at the Langzhong—before he could speak, the Langzhong was yanked aside by a Sixth Rank official.

The official kept signaling the Langzhong to avoid confrontation.

Several other officials nearby whispered warnings.

"Langzhong Zhao, you've just returned to Jingdu—you know nothing of what's happened these past days."

"It's a long story. Just remember: never stand against the First Marquis Under Heaven."

Hearing this, Zhao Langzhong sneered, his eyes filled with contempt.

He flung his long sleeve away, breaking free from the officials' grips, and snapped: "Absurd!"

"You fear Qin Feng—I don't!"

"As a court-appointed official, I am protected by the dynasty's legal code. Even if I committed a grave crime, I must first be tried by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review."

"How dare you just hit me?!"

Saying this, Zhao Langzhong glared fiercely at Qin Feng and roared: "Qin Feng, you brat, how arrogant you are!"

"This is Jingdu—the heart of the Son of Heaven! How dare you act so recklessly? I'll insult you today—if you so much as touch a hair on me, we'll settle this in Dali Temple!"

Facing Zhao Langzhong's provocation, Qin Feng smiled without speaking.

After all, this fellow still possesses some official integrity, unlike the cowards beside him, who are good for nothing but stirring up trouble and forming cliques.

Seeing Zhao Langzhong loudly rebuke Qin Feng in public, all officials present felt a chill run down their spines, their foreheads drenched in cold sweat.

The Ministry of Rites official who was close to Zhao Langzhong gripped Zhao's arm tightly and whispered: "Brother Zhao, stop now."

"Even if you were the Assistant Minister of Justice, what then?"

"He was nearly beaten to death last night—in front of His Highness, Lin Taibao, and the Minister of Justice."

"And then?"

"No one mentioned it, as if nothing had happened at all."

The Zhao Langzhong, who had just seemed upright and incorruptible, stared wide-eyed, utterly incredulous.

This Qin Feng truly has the audacity to this extent—he dares to beat even an Assistant Minister?

The most terrifying part is, even if he beats them, it's pointless…

Just as Zhao Langzhong felt he had stirred up a great disaster and was almost certainly going to be "destroyed" by Qin Feng,

Qin Feng suddenly laughed.

"Zhao Langzhong, how could a righteous official like you consort with such scoundrels who throw stones at one who has fallen?"

Upon hearing these words, more than half the officials present turned pale.

Zhao Langzhong steadied his trembling heart and said firmly: "Who… who said I came to throw stones at one who has fallen?"

"I am here on official orders to seize the Xie Family's assets, carrying out my duty impartially."

As the saying goes, when a man is gone, his tea grows cold; with Xie Bi stripped of his rank, the property of Ning Guogong Fu naturally must be fully confiscated.