Chapter 621: First Volume, Chapter 621: The Officials Flock Around

First Volume, Chapter 621: The Officials Flock Around

The people of Jingdu gathered in small groups, gossiping in every street and alley.

"Did you hear? The Second Prince has been thrown into the Zongren Fu."

"What?! Didn't they just say he was about to inherit the Crown Prince position? How did he end up a prisoner so quickly?"

"Do you really need to think? It's clearly tied to the Ning State Duke case."

"Have you not considered who stands behind the Ning State Duke?"

"Qin Feng?!"

"That's the man who raided the Execution Ground and walked away unscathed—this time, the Second Prince has kicked a solid iron plate."

"Even if Qin Feng is strong, how could he possibly bring down the Second Prince?"

"The Second Prince… what happened? Qin Feng is a Northern Border Noble Clan leader, commands countless elite troops, and through the Tianji Camp Workshop and countless businesses, he is as wealthy as a nation."

"The most crucial point…"

A scholar who seemed to know the inside story glanced around, confirmed no one was paying attention, then gathered courage and lowered his voice to a whisper.

"Even the current Emperor dares not openly move against Qin Feng."

"Qin Feng's unparalleled achievements grant him at least three years of official protection."

The crowd suddenly understood, feeling this well-informed scholar had hit the nail on the head.

If Qin Feng lacked iron will, the Liang Emperor could simply fabricate a charge and eliminate him.

But now, with Qin Feng's power so overwhelming, the Liang Emperor must tread carefully and cannot act lightly.

Precisely because of this, to appease Qin Feng, the Liang Emperor was even willing to sacrifice Second Prince Li Qian.

The people of Jingdu all murmured in amazement, growing ever more fearful and reverent toward the name Qin Feng.

Meanwhile, the Qin Residence was bustling with activity.

If this had been anyone else, just released from prison, Jingdu officials would have kept their distance to avoid suspicion, only visiting later to offer congratulations once the storm passed.

But this rule clearly did not apply to the Qin Family.

Officials and prominent figures from every sector of Jingdu arrived bearing gifts to offer congratulations, including high-ranking ministers such as the Minister of Imperial Sacrifices and the Minister of Personnel.

"Hahaha, Lord Qin, long time no see—how is your health? I heard Qin Feng and your Heavy Armor Weng have been cleared of suspicion and released without guilt?"

"I came specially to offer my congratulations—truly, good fortune comes by divine favor."

"Exactly right! Your son and the Ning State Duke stand upright, their shadows straight—how could they be framed?"

Qin Tianhu responded to each visiting colleague in turn, as they came without end.

Logically, the Qin Family should have remained as low-key as possible.

Unfortunately, the Qin Family's power had grown too immense to hide.

Qin Tianhu therefore gave up worrying—after all, when soldiers come, send generals; when water comes, build earthworks.

At that moment, Zhao Li, Commander of the Longhu Army, arrived with Zhao Yuxiong to pay a visit.

Seeing Qin Tianhu, he stepped forward immediately and greeted him with the blunt embrace of a Martial man.

"Lord Qin, since our parting at the City Gate, I knew we'd meet again soon."

"Yuxiong, what are you standing there for? Quickly call him Uncle!"

Zhao Yuxiong did not hesitate—he bowed deeply to Qin Tianhu, not out of formality alone, but because of his bond with Qin Feng.

Qin Tianhu gently lifted Zhao Yuxiong up, patted his shoulder, his eyes filled with approval.

"In Jingdu, Zhao Lang has always been among the elite; after the Northern Border campaign, he has already taken on the bearing of a future Commander-in-Chief."

"If he continues like this, his future is boundless!"

Hearing this, Zhao Li threw back his head and laughed loudly.

"Hahahaha."

"Brother Qin, you're too kind—Yuxiong's current virtue comes entirely from your son's guidance."

"Especially Qin Feng's personally trained Beixi Black Cavalry—far more elite than my Longhu Army's prized Heavy Armor Cavalry."

"Your son appointed my Quan Lang as Commander of the Black Cavalry—this trust is more than enough for the Zhao Family to be eternally grateful."

Qin Tianhu could not help but laugh too, repeatedly declining the praise.

"No, no—it's Yuxiong's own drive to improve; if it were a useless lump of mud, even if Feng had lifted him, it would make no difference."

This remark praised Qin Feng while also elevating Zhao Yuxiong.

Zhao Li's eyes sparkled, his face beaming: "Well said."

"By the way, where is your son? Why haven't I seen him?"

At this, Qin Tianhu sighed deeply, shaking his head with a wry smile, exasperated.

"Still sleeping in the Back Courtyard."

Zhao Li froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Hah, no problem—after being interrogated late into the night and returning at dawn, he must be exhausted. Let him sleep a little longer."

Saying this, Zhao Li clapped Zhao Yuxiong on the shoulder.

"Yuxiong, go find Qin Feng in the Back Courtyard—your father and I will catch up here."

Zhao Yuxiong gave Qin Tianhu a slight bow, then turned without hesitation and walked toward the Back Courtyard.

Almost the moment Zhao Yuxiong stepped out, Ning Hu rushed in, panting.

"Brother Yuxiong, wait for me!"

Ning Hu ignored Qin Tianhu entirely and sprinted straight toward the Back Courtyard.

The Marquis of Yong'an stormed in, scowling and cursing: "This brat has no manners at all!"

"He didn't even bow properly to Lord Qin—useless trash, good for nothing."

Qin Tianhu reached out and stopped Marquis Yong'an, afraid this hot-tempered marquis would chase after him and give Ning Hu a beating.

"Marquis, Ning Hu is a straightforward child by nature — why be so harsh on him?"

"Besides, I have long regarded Ning Hu as a second son; there's no need to stand on such ceremony."

Hearing these words, Marquis Yong'an's eyes lit up.

As the saying goes, a mother rises through her son.

But in today's situation, it is a father who rises through his son.

Because of a worthy son like Qin Feng, Qin Tianhu's standing in Jingdu is second to none, unshakable.

To put it bluntly, though Qin Tianhu is not one of the Three Dukes, he is every bit their equal!

That Ning Hu could get along so harmoniously with the Qin Family is a blessing that little rascal earned in a past life.

Marquis Yong'an's face immediately cleared, and he hastily cupped his fists toward Qin Tianhu.

"Minister Qin's magnanimity is truly admirable."

Qin Tianhu pressed Marquis Yong'an's hands down with a smile: "Marquis, there's no need for such formality between us."

"The commotion Feng'er caused earlier was meant to be a world-ending catastrophe."

"Yet your household followed us without hesitation through fire and water — a bond forged through life and death needs no words!"

"From now on, our two houses — Qin and Ning — shall enjoy eternal friendship."

"Generation after generation, we shall be sworn Comrades of different surnames."

Marquis Yong'an's eyes blazed with fervor as he nodded again and again.

At the same time, the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Personnel, the Chief of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and even Ji Wang — who had long avoided appearing in public to shun suspicion — arrived one after another to offer congratulations.

At the sight of Ji Wang, the assembled officials hastened to bow with clasped hands.

"Old Prince, blessings and longevity."

Ji Wang raised a hand to still them, smiling: "Gentlemen, no need for such ceremony."

"That rascal Feng'er has kicked up quite a storm lately — this prince has come today precisely to give him a dressing-down!"