Chapter 618: First Volume, Chapter 618: Acting in Concert

First Volume, Chapter 618: Acting in Concert

Li Qian's emotions gradually calmed as he stared at Qin Feng.

He knew he was utterly finished, seemingly influenced by the saying, "When a man is about to die, his words are good."

His gaze upon Qin Feng held no hatred, only sorrow.

In just a few breaths of reflection, Li Qian suddenly awakened.

In this Crown Prince struggle, he had held every advantage; had he not been fixated on fearing Qin Feng, had he not driven this neutral man into becoming his enemy,

he would not have ended up in this desolation today.

But what use was it to realize this now?

…

Li Qian was escorted by Temple Soldiers to Zongzheng Temple; his crime of framing loyal officials was now proven. Even as a Prince, he would not be sentenced to death, but would spend the rest of his life under soft detention in Zongren Fu, with no chance of a comeback.

Xie Yun'er, who had been hiding in the Side Hall observing secretly, could no longer hold back—she burst through the door and threw her arms around Xie Bi.

"Father, it's wonderful—everything is over."

Xie Yun'er had lost her mother early in life; Xie Bi was her entire world.

Now that her father's innocence was cleared, how could she not be overjoyed?

Xie Bi stroked Xie Yun'er's head, his eyes filled with indulgence and relief; though he had no sons in his lifetime, having such a daughter was enough.

Moreover, his daughter had chosen the right man.

That brat Qin Feng, though reckless and full of cunning schemes, was a sincere soul, especially toward family—he gave his heart and soul.

A son-in-law is half a son; in a sense, Xie Bi now had both son and daughter.

Though he had endured a brush with death, to Xie Bi it was not misfortune—it was fortune in disguise.

Only in hardship can you see who truly sees you as family.

Under Xie Bi's soothing, Xie Yun'er wiped her tear-filled eyes, turned to Qin Feng, and for the first time spoke in a sweet, delicate voice: "Qin Feng, thank you."

Qin Feng's eyes widened: "Thank me? We're family—no need for formalities."

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er's cheeks flushed slightly; she nodded firmly, her entire being now filled with Qin Feng.

At that moment, Qin Feng scratched his head and looked toward Li Yong and Grand Tutor Zhou.

Qin Feng knew very well that in the near future, these two master and servant would become his fiercest rivals—more troublesome than Lin Taibao and Li Qian.

But before any of that happened, Qin Feng had no desire to make enemies—he immediately flattered them: "If you must thank someone, it should be His Highness the Seventh Prince and Grand Tutor Zhou."

"Without His Highness's irrefutable evidence, clearing your name would have been impossible."

"And Grand Tutor Zhou, who returned in time to pressure Lin Taibao, was the one who finally toppled these two."

Xie Yun'er obediently followed Qin Feng's lead, bowing respectfully to Li Yong and Grand Tutor Zhou.

"Young Lady Xie thanks His Highness and Grand Tutor."

"You two are both benefactors of the Xie Family."

Li Yong shed his former scheming demeanor and instantly returned to his usual warm, sunny smile, speaking humbly: "Nonsense, I merely could not bear to see loyal officials suffer unjust accusations.

"The Marquis of Ning is a pillar of Shedynasty, who once rendered great service to the state; as a Prince, it is my duty to protect such meritorious ministers.

"This is all I should do."

Grand Tutor Zhou, hands behind his back, spoke lightly: "I have long been an old friend of the Marquis of Ning; emotionally and morally, I could never stand idly by."

Seeing Li Yong and Grand Tutor Zhou act with such righteousness, Xie Yun'er bowed even deeper in gratitude.

Grand Tutor Zhou nodded with a smile, then his gaze swept over and settled on Qin Feng.

He examined Qin Feng from head to toe, inside and out, with such meticulous scrutiny that Qin Feng nearly grew uneasy.

"Grand Tutor, please don't look at me like that—I'm easily frightened."

Seeing Qin Feng, who moments ago had been fierce against Li Qian, now instantly transformed into a timid coward,

Grand Tutor Zhou first blinked in surprise, then burst into loud laughter.

"Hahaha, so the rumors are true—Young Master Qin is indeed a fascinating man."

"While I was in Ancestral Land observing Filial Mourning, I heard many tales of Young Master Qin's exploits."

"Meeting you in person today is truly better than hearing a hundred stories."

Saying this, Grand Tutor Zhou placed a hand on Qin Feng's shoulder, his expression one of paternal concern, speaking earnestly: "I am not only an old friend of the Marquis of Ning—I was also a close confidant of your father, Lord Qin.

"While I was away from Jingdu, no one could protect you; now that I've returned, no one will dare to bully you."

Upon hearing this, the officials and Temple Soldiers of Dali Temple all stared with envy.

Grand Commandant Gao and Lin Taibao had both fallen.

Now, in all of Jingdu, Grand Tutor Zhou was the only remaining member of the Three Dukes—his power overshadowed the entire Imperial Court.

Qin Feng, having aligned himself with Lin Taibao, had already risen far beyond half the empire's influence.

He now held… the power to cover the sky!

Especially since the Liang Emperor's long-planned attempt to eliminate Qin Feng—though not entirely gone—would not resurface in the short term.

After all, even as Emperor, the Liang Emperor could not act alone.

As long as Grand Tutor Zhou stood by Qin Feng, the Liang Emperor would have to grant him some respect.

Xie Yun'er was overjoyed—after all, who wouldn't want her man to rise with the tide?

To earn Grand Tutor Zhou's approval was Qin Feng's fortune.

Qin Feng, of course, beamed with a humble smile, bowing deeply.

"Grand Tutor Zhou, with your word, your nephew feels at ease."

"In Jingdu, if you tell your nephew to go east, he will never dare go west."

Grand Tutor Zhou was deeply pleased by Qin Feng's deference, stroking his beard with a light chuckle: "Good, good, good."

Since Li Qian was taken to Zongzheng Temple, the Hou Gong must be in turmoil.

Li Yong had no reason to stay; since Grand Tutor Zhou still needed to enter the palace for an Imperial Audience, the two departed together.

Qin Feng's face, which had just been smiling, instantly returned to its usual expression.

It was only Acting in Concert—don't take it seriously!

Compared to Grand Tutor Zhou's overt displays of goodwill, Qin Feng trusted Uncle Cheng—the Dali Temple's Chief—more, for his covert assistance.

In this Jingdu, especially in the Imperial Court, true bonds are rare.

On their lips they speak of human relations and social customs; behind their backs, they calculate only business.

With Grand Tutor Zhou and Li Yong, these outsiders gone, Qin Feng shed his disguise without restraint.

Turning to face the Dali Temple's Chief, he grinned foolishly: "Uncle Cheng, thank you."

"How should I repay you?"

"Shall I have Wuhu Restaurant send over some wine and dishes? Or shall I find you a few women at Mingyue Lake to ease your boredom?"

At these words, the Dali Temple's Chief glared, irritable: "Get out!"

"Don't bother the old man!"

The Dali Temple's Chief flung his sleeve aside, seized the case files, ignored Qin Feng—the "annoying brat"—and walked off.

The moment the Dali Temple's Chief left, Xie Yun'er grabbed Qin Feng's ear.

"What did you just say? Go to Mingyue Lake to find women?"

Qin Feng clutched his ear, shouting in pain: "Yun'er, spare me! It's just human relations and social customs—you wouldn't understand…"