Chapter 612

First Volume, Chapter 612: Nighttime Surprise Trial

Night deepened; in the Dali Si Jianlao, Qin Feng lay on straw, snoring loudly.

Since being imprisoned, Qin Feng had finally enjoyed a leisurely life of "eating and waiting to die."

Every day, he did nothing but eat and sleep; even Xie Bi couldn't bear it anymore, forcing Qin Feng to take walks several times, fearing he'd sink into permanent decay.

At that moment, the jailer hurried in, unlocking the door as he shouted: "Young Master Qin, wake up—the court is about to convene."

Qin Feng rolled over, smacked his lips twice, and kept sleeping, utterly ignoring it.

But Xie Bi frowned: "What time is it? Dali Si rarely holds night trials—what's going on tonight? Could something have changed?"

The jailer shook his head: "I'm just a jailer—how would I know the details?"

"But I heard the official who came to notify us that the Second Prince and Lord Lin were also summoned to Dali Si."

"Even the Seventh Prince has arrived."

"The way things look, this isn't bluffing—this case will be settled tonight."

As he spoke, the jailer suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up.

"By the way, the Princess has entered the Hou Gong."

In all of Shedynasty, there was only one "legitimate" Princess—who else but Li Xiaolan?

Qin Feng, who had been snoring and refusing to rise just moments ago, jolted upright.

The drowsiness vanished from his eyes, replaced by a steady gleam.

"Third Sister has finally returned—excellent!"

"I sent a letter to Beixi County, ordering Zhao Yuxiong to lead the Black Riders and escort Third Sister to Beijing."

"It's been so long—why hasn't that bastard Zhao Yuxiong come to visit me? Ungrateful wretch!"

Seeing Qin Feng suddenly alert, the jailer was torn between laughter and tears.

"How do you mean he didn't come? He came the moment he heard—but I turned him away."

"Commander Cheng ordered that, during this period, to avoid suspicion, no one is allowed to visit you."

"Once the case is settled, you can run wild however you like—no one will stop you."

Earlier, Qin Feng had pretended to sleep and refused to rise because he wasn't sure whether this night trial was serious or just a show.

Now that he knew Li Xiaolan had entered the Hou Gong and the Dali Si Qing had banned visits, it was clear this was real.

Although after the Execution Ground battle, Qin Feng wasn't truly worried about any last-minute twists.

But this night trial was still the final showdown between him and Li Qian.

Compared to himself, Qin Feng cared more about Li Qian's fate.

Qin Feng briefly gathered his thoughts, then no longer hesitated—he rose and followed the jailer out of the cell.

Meanwhile, in the Shen Xing Yuan of Dali Si.

The Dali Si Qing sat on the main seat; Li Yong and Li Qian sat on either side, with Lord Lin below them.

All they needed now was to wait for Qin Feng and Xie Bi to be "brought" into the DaTang.

The Dali Si Qing glanced at Li Qian without expression.

"Your Highness, you personally exposed the Traitor Case involving Xie Bi."

"Thus, since this case involves an Imperial Prince, by protocol, it should be overseen by Zongzheng Temple."

"Yet so far, Zongzheng Temple has sent no one."

"If Zongzheng Temple is too occupied with official duties to remember, perhaps I should send someone to remind them."

In response to the Dali Si Qing's well-meaning reminder, Li Qian waved his hand, indicating no need for such fuss.

Whether Zongzheng Temple sent someone or not didn't matter.

Since Li Qian didn't care, the Dali Si Qing naturally dropped the matter and simply waited for Qin Feng's arrival.

Unbeknownst to them, Li Qian's heart was already in turmoil—especially as he looked across at Li Yong, whose presence felt like a stone pressing on his chest.

Although the Liang Emperor had lost all faith in Li Qian, this night trial was still an opportunity for him.

If he seized it, he could still turn defeat into victory.

The person he most needed to guard against right now was Li Yong.

But…

Li Qian racked his brain but could not imagine how Li Yong might alter the outcome of this case.

After all, Li Yong had always preserved his own safety, rarely associating with any faction, and even his relationship with Qin Feng had always been lukewarm.

"Perhaps I'm overthinking this."

Li Qian took a deep breath, steadied his agitated mind, and casually glanced at Lord Lin beside him.

His confidence returned.

According to Chang You You Xu, since the First Prince's death, he was now the de facto "First Prince" of the Hou Gong.

Moreover, he had the full backing of one of the Three Dukes.

No matter how he looked at it, Li Qian saw no way he could lose to Li Yong, this empty-shell prince.

At that moment, a loud, resonant announcement rang out, drawing all eyes toward the door of the Shen Xing Yuan.

"The accused, Xie Bi and Qin Feng, brought in."

Under the escort of jailers and Temple Soldiers, Qin Feng and Xie Bi stepped across the threshold.

It was called an escort, but it was merely for show—the ropes binding them were loose, easily shaken off with a single twitch.

Still, the formalities had to be observed.

Once the two reached the DaTang, before the Dali Si Qing could speak, the jailers hurriedly cut the ropes from their bodies.

"Your Excellency, the accused have been brought in."

The Minister of Dali Temple waved his hand casually: "Leave."

Qin Feng looked up at "Uncle Cheng," seated on the dais with solemn authority; not only did he feel no nervousness before the grand trial, but he held his head high, beaming with pride.

He was just one step away from shouting aloud that the Minister of Dali Temple was his distant uncle.

Only when the Minister of Dali Temple glared at him did Qin Feng slightly rein himself in.

Li Qian watched Qin Feng and the Minister of Dali Temple exchange glances, and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Could it be that Qin Feng has some connection with the Minister of Dali Temple?"

"Impossible! The Minister of Dali Temple is a high-ranking official of Shedynasty, holding a prestigious position, always maintaining his integrity—how could he possibly be entangled with this scoundrel Qin Feng?"

Before Li Qian could sort out his thoughts, the Minister of Dali Temple's voice had already echoed throughout the Shen Xing Yuan.

"Tonight, by the Emperor's Imperial Summons, the trial of the Traitor Case involving Xie Bi shall commence."

"Accused Xie Bi, before the trial begins, do you have any statement to make?"

Xie Bi knelt on both knees, his body rigidly upright; even as a prisoner, his formidable aura remained undiminished.

"Your Excellency, my loyalty to Shedynasty is as clear as the sun and moon."

"The accusation of treason and betrayal is merely a deliberate frame-up by malicious parties."

"The HeavenlyDao is manifest—surely it will restore my innocence."

The Minister of Dali Temple nodded, about to open the Case Files, when at this very Deadline, Qin Feng suddenly burst into loud shouting.

"Your Excellency, how could you have forgotten me? I have something to say too."

The Minister of Dali Temple frowned, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Qin Feng, this is the Shen Xing Yuan—do not make noise."

"You and Xie Bi share the same fate—when the case is settled, whether he lives or dies, is released or detained, will be decided accordingly."

Qin Feng smiled obsequiously: "Your Excellency, why the rush? I was just wondering—have you had dinner yet?"