Chapter 627: First Volume, Chapter 627: Acquire a Prince

First Volume, Chapter 627: Acquire a Prince's Mansion

The hatred over a mother's murder is irreconcilable!

Li Xiaolan could never abandon this blood-deep hatred just because the Empress spoke such lofty words of "serving the nation and people."

She is not that noble.

"With Qin Feng here, nothing in this world is impossible!"

The Empress stepped forward to Li Xiaolan and gently smoothed her slightly disheveled Huayi.

Having lived among the Folk for so many years, she probably isn't accustomed to such formal attire.

Every gesture exuded the Empress's expected maternal tenderness.

Then…

A soft yet lethal voice drifted into the air.

"You, the Mingyue Princess, cannot be replaced by anyone."

"The Northern Border's mighty army that sees you as their treasure, the Qin Family who holds you dear, and Qin Feng who would risk his life for you—"

"All are your pillars."

"But believe me, you will never achieve Revenge."

"Today, I am the Empress who governs Heaven; tomorrow, I shall be the Solemn and Peerless Empress Dowager."

The Empress had already seen through Li Xiaolan without a word.

She may have some ability, but she is still young.

She does not understand the treacherous truths of the Imperial Court.

The Imperial Court can never be united in heart and mind! Much less can it be an Iron Plate.

Take the Three Dukes' positions: since the Imperial Ancestral Precedent was established, granting them the power to depose the Emperor—

The Three Dukes have always been incomplete!

To depose the Empress requires the full unity of Manchu Civil and Military.

Such a harmonious, unified scene may occur, but it remains forever within the realm of possibility.

"Mingyue, you are tired. Withdraw."

Li Xiaolan knew that achieving Revenge was as hard as climbing to heaven.

But she had endured for all these years.

No matter how difficult, she would never abandon hope.

Li Xiaolan bowed: "Mother Empress, Xiaolan takes her leave."

She didn't care a bit for the title of Mingyue Princess!

When Li Xiaolan stepped out of the Guanyin Temple, two Palace Guards appeared at the gate.

Right before Li Xiaolan's eyes, they strangled the two Empress's maids to death.

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng turned pale.

The Palace Guards, having dealt with the maids, stepped forward—but Li Xiaolan blocked them.

"If you so much as touch these two maids, a single hair—"

"Even within the Imperial Palace, Qin Feng will surely crush it to pieces and perform Blood Sacrifice on all of you!"

Facing Li Xiaolan's forceful threat,

the Palace Guards bowed slightly: "Your Highness Mingyue, you misunderstand."

"These two maids are yours; your humble servants would never dare act against them."

"But everything said in this temple today must remain sealed by these two."

"Even if it is for…"

Before the Palace Guards could finish, Li Xiaolan waved her hand to cut them off.

"No need to explain—I understand perfectly."

"If word spreads that the Empress plotted to kill the Crown Prince, Shedynasty will plunge into chaos across Heaven."

The Palace Guards immediately knelt on one knee, bowed, and bowed with full admiration.

"Your Highness Mingyue, you embody great righteousness!"

Li Xiaolan ignored the Palace Guards and left with Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng, not looking back.

…

In Jingdu, the Rui Wang Fu, across the water from Mingyue Lake, was acquired by Qin Feng for thirty thousand Li Silver.

The previous owner was the "Rui Wang."

The youngest brother of the Liang Emperor.

But five years ago, he died of illness, leaving behind his Imperial Consort and heir, who lived there.

About three years ago, because the heir was also frail,

the Empress Dowager ordered the Imperial Consort and heir moved into the Imperial Palace, so the Imperial Physician could tend to the Rui Wang's heir.

The Rui Wang Fu had remained vacant ever since.

The Ministry of Rites had planned to keep it sealed until a Prince inherited the Imperial Throne.

Then, after other Princes were granted titles, the Rui Wang Fu would be awarded based on merit.

Under Zhao Yulong's recommendation, Qin Feng reached an agreement with the Ministry of Rites officials.

Thirty thousand Li Silver for a five-year Tenant Farmer lease.

If no grant is made, Qin Feng may use it indefinitely.

Otherwise, whichever Prince receives it, Qin Feng must pack up and move out.

As for changing the plaque, it wasn't that Qin Feng found the three characters "Rui Wang Fu" displeasing to the eye.

Rather, Qin Feng's family residence didn't qualify to be called a "Fu."

The naming of residences, too, was a matter of great refinement.

The highest tier was "Palace."

Below that was "Fu."

Only the official mansions of princes and noble lords could be called a Fu.

Further down were "Ge" and "Zhai."

Ordinary common people, no matter how wealthy or powerful, could only call theirs a "home."

Qin Feng played a little trick — the new plaque he put on the residence was neither called a home nor a Fu or Ge.

Under Qin Feng's utterly satisfied gaze.

The three characters "Mingyue Zhai," written in large gilded script, were hung up.

The two characters "Mingyue" naturally carried over the name bestowed by Third Sister Li Xiaolan.

This was also the result of Qin Feng and Liu Hongyan's joint discussion.

Pushing open the great door, what greeted the eye was an incomparably spacious courtyard.

Liu Hongyan, accompanying him, covered her mouth, utterly astonished.

"This... this is way too big?"

Seeing Liu Hongyan's reaction, Qin Feng was also quite pleased.

He immediately lifted his chin and said proudly: "Of course — this is a prince's mansion, how could it not be grand?"

Liu Hongyan looked at the rockery and pond not far away, even more shocked.

"Heavens, how much did this cost?"

"Feng'er, tell me honestly — just how much did you spend to buy this residence!"

This expense should have gone through Liu Hongyan's accounts.

But considering that three hundred thousand taels of silver was simply an astronomical price.

Liu Hongyan would definitely not agree.

Therefore, Qin Feng could only scrape it together privately.

The hundred thousand taels of silver offered by the Taibao Faction's henchmen, plus the hundred thousand provided by Xie Yun'er, and Qin Feng's own small treasury.

Just barely scraped together.

Seeing Liu Hongyan react so strongly now, Qin Feng dared even less to tell the truth.

"Hehehe, didn't cost much."

"Really didn't cost much."

"This residence is rented, Second Sister — just think about it, this is Rui Wang Fu."

"Let alone me being a commoner right now, even if I were appointed Chancellor, at the very pinnacle of officialdom, I absolutely couldn't buy it — I don't have the qualifications."

Liu Hongyan lowered her head and pondered for a while, then figured he had a point.

A prince's mansion, even if left to rot, had to rot in the imperial family's hands.

How could it be casually sold off to someone else?

Qin Feng being able to rent the Wangye Fu was already quite remarkable.

"I still feel this mansion is too big."

"Just me living here alone, it always feels creepy."

Qin Feng, hands clasped behind his back, led Liu Hongyan on a tour of the magnificent prince's mansion.

Casually he said: "Second Sister, I've already thought this through long ago."

"Once I finish renovating Mingyue Zhai, I'll bring Third Sister over too, and Xie Yun'er as well."

"The three of you keeping each other company — then it won't feel lonely."

Hearing this, Liu Hongyan's eyes lit up, but then immediately dimmed again.

"Easy for you to say — Xiaolan is the dignified Mingyue Princess of the She dynasty, how could she live outside the palace?"

Qin Feng smiled mysteriously: "Second Sister, have you forgotten? Why did Third Sister come back?"

Liu Hongyan froze for a moment, then stammered: "Your marriage contract..."