Chapter 605: First Volume, Chapter 605: A Glimmer of Hope in Despair

First Volume, Chapter 605: A Glimmer of Hope in Despair

Upon hearing this, the Chief of Dali Temple couldn't hide his disgust.

He, the Chief of Dali Temple, had no need to beg a mere greenhorn for help.

Besides, Qin Feng is now branded a Rebel Party member—whether he can even keep his life is uncertain, yet he dares to speak so boldly.

This brat is as reckless as ever.

At that moment, the Xie father and daughter pushed through the crowd.

Seeing Qin Feng chatting amiably with the Chief of Dali Temple, the pair exchanged glances, utterly bewildered.

Just how many connections does this Qin Feng have?

Seeing Xie Yun'er arrive, Qin Feng didn't hesitate—he pulled her into his arms.

"Yun'er, you've been through hell."

Xie Yun'er had just walked the edge of death; her emotions, torn between despair and joy, were already in chaos.

Now, suddenly swept into Qin Feng's embrace—with so many elders watching—her cheeks flushed crimson.

She punched him hard in the chest and scolded, "You shameless brute!"

Qin Feng shrugged, unfazed: "You're my future Young Madam. Isn't it natural for a husband to hold his wife?"

At these words, Xie Yun'er's face turned even redder, her chest heaving: "Y-You stop talking nonsense!"

"Our betrothal is null and void!"

Previously, Qin Feng had hesitated—after all, no one could predict what would happen once Li Xiaolan returned to Beijing.

But after today's events, Qin Feng had finally let go.

When life grants you joy, seize it. What damn rules? Rules are made to be broken.

As a man, if you can't protect your own woman, you might as well go smash your head against a tofu block.

Qin Feng stood tall, his tone absolute: "Null and void? Who said so?"

"Is there a divorce decree?"

Qin Feng locked eyes with Xie Yun'er, his resolve unshakable: "Xie Yun'er, listen to me."

"You are the future Young Madam of the Qin Family—and that will never change."

"Today, I stormed the Execution Ground to save you."

"Tomorrow, I will defy Heaven itself to marry you!"

Xie Yun'er stared at Qin Feng, her heart—shattered a thousand times—mended in an instant.

Warmth, indescribable and endless, flowed through her chest.

She felt her nose tighten, tears falling steadily.

All the grievances and pain she'd endured these days suddenly seemed trivial.

After all, Xie Yun'er knew Qin Feng—he always kept his word. If he said he'd marry her, no one in this world could stop him.

Perhaps the betrothal promised by the Liang Emperor was already void.

But so what? Qin Feng's promise carried more weight than any contract!

Seeing Xie Yun'er weeping uncontrollably, Qin Feng gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders and wiped the tears from her eyes.

He spoke softly: "Yun'er, what storms haven't we weathered together?"

"Once we survive today, you will be the true Young Madam of the Qin Family—no one can change that."

Xie Yun'er nodded vigorously, whispering a soft "Mm."

In that moment, she refused to doubt him even slightly—she wanted only to trust Qin Feng completely, to give herself wholly to this man.

The elders standing around all sneered in unison.

Especially Qin Tianhu, Xie Bi, and the Chief of Dali Temple—they nearly spat in unison: "Disgraceful!"

Though their public affection was indecent.

Yet all three old men felt a quiet relief.

Especially Xie Bi—he had feared how his daughter would face the cruel reality ahead.

Now, all his worries vanished. With Qin Feng's promise, Yun'er would never suffer again.

At that moment, the messenger returned—with the Black Baron.

The Black Baron's face was icy; his gaze swept the crowd, then he barked: "Where is Qin Feng?"

Qin Feng took a deep breath, patted Xie Yun'er's shoulder, and whispered: "Wait for me."

Xie Yun'er grabbed his sleeve tightly and murmured: "No matter the fire or the sword, I'll follow you through."

That was enough.

Qin Feng shed his earlier solemnity, growing calm, and stepped out of the line.

Facing the hostile Black Baron, he smiled: "I'm here."

At this very moment, this bastard was still smiling? The Black Baron inwardly cursed—what a strange man!

The Black Baron wasted no time—he announced the Liang Emperor's imperial decree.

"The Emperor decrees: Considering Qin Feng's past great service to Shedynasty, his grave crimes today are offset by merit."

"Effective immediately, all of Qin Feng's achievements are nullified."

"Furthermore, Qin Feng is stripped of his title as Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander and reduced to commoner status."

"Several ministers have jointly petitioned the Emperor to re-investigate Xie Bi's Traitor Case. Since public sentiment demands it, the Emperor grants approval."

"Xie Bi is temporarily imprisoned in the Prison. If the charge of treason proves baseless, he shall be released uncharged and restored to his Duke title."

"If the charges are confirmed, he shall be punished by law, without mercy."

Here, the Black Baron glanced at Qin Feng, his tone hostile: "Qin Feng, your act of seizing court ministers as hostages will be punished separately."

"You and Xie Bi have been imprisoned together."

"If Xie Bi lives, you live; if Xie Bi dies, you die!"

"Qin Feng, the Sage has shown you such ImperialGrace—will you still remain obstinate?"

For Qin Feng, this outcome was already beyond reproach.

Qin Feng was overjoyed; he quickly bowed and clasped his hands, shouting loudly: "Your servant... cough, humble subject kneels to thank ImperialGrace! The Emperor's grace is boundless, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations!"

As for losing these bargaining chips and whether he would be falsely accused of a crime once behind bars,

Qin Feng didn't give it a second thought.

Because he was certain the Liang Emperor dared not gamble, and Li Qian, Lin Taibao, and their ilk lacked the courage entirely!

The Black Warden's face was utterly grim; before arriving, he carried two imperial orders.

If Qin Feng held only the Minister of Justice and the Head of Dali Temple, he was to issue an immediate order: execute all Chaotic Faction members!

But seeing among the crowd, besides the Minister of Justice and the Head of Dali Temple, were Zhao Li and ten plus Ministry of War Officials.

If all these high ministers died, it would strike at the very foundation of the state—even the Liang Emperor could not bear such a risk.

With no alternative, the Black Warden could only announce the backup order.

The Black Warden did not send anyone to escort Qin Feng; instead, he said gravely: "Qin Feng, Xie Bi—the prison gates are open. Go where you will!"

The Black Warden swept his sleeve and left, but behind him rose waves of cheers.

Especially the Yong'an Marquis family, who had prepared to follow Ning Hu in Bandit Escape to the Northern Border, embraced each other and wept.

If they could survive this, everyone's resolve to follow Qin Feng became unshakable.

Qin Tianhu, Xie Bi, and several other old men also sighed with profound relief.

Qin Feng swept up Xie Yun'er and spun her around several times, exclaiming excitedly: "Hahahaha, I didn't die!"

"Let's ask the Taibao Faction's dog scum—how furious are they!"

As he spun, Qin Feng suddenly cried out in agony.

Only then did Xie Yun'er notice the Arrow Wound on Qin Feng's shoulder; her heart ached instantly, and she gently soothed him.