Chapter 628: First Volume_Chapter 628: Mingyue Zhai, A Heart Inclined

First Volume_Chapter 628: Mingyue Zhai, A Heart Inclined

The engagement between Qin Feng and Li Xiaolan was already known throughout the city.

Liu Hongyan's expression couldn't help but turn complicated.

Whether it was envy or jealousy, even Liu Hongyan herself couldn't say clearly.

Seeing Liu Hongyan suddenly fall silent,

Qin Feng didn't hesitate, decisively throwing an arm around Liu Hongyan's shoulder and throwing his head back in a great laugh.

"Hahaha."

"Second Sister, what's the rush?"

"My goal is to marry you too!"

"When that time comes, you and Third Sister can be sisters again."

At these words, Liu Hongyan's mood instantly brightened, but immediately after, her cheeks flushed crimson.

She shot Qin Feng a fierce glare and said peevishly, "Shameless!

"You're already this old, yet you still talk nonsense all day long.

"If this gets out, you'll likely become the laughingstock of all under Heaven."

Qin Feng not only didn't restrain himself in the slightest, but became even more smug.

"What's there to laugh at!"

"Being able to marry Second Sister is my own ability!"

"They don't have the ability, so they can only stare helplessly. Hehehe, let them be jealous."

Watching Qin Feng look so smug, as if marrying her were some extraordinary feat,

Liu Hongyan was unbearably shy, but her mood was excellent.

"Hmph, dream on!"

"You, sort out the relationship between Xiaolan and Yun'er first before you talk."

"I really don't know what's so good about you."

"Xiaolan and Yun'er — which of them isn't a Celestial Immortal among women? Both are phoenixes among people."

"How did it all end up benefiting you, this fellow?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng immediately put his hands on his hips and raised his head high: "I'm handsome, can't help it."

Liu Hongyan rolled her eyes hard, let out a contemptuous "tch" from her mouth, yet burst into giggles.

Unknowingly, the two had already walked from the Ting Yuan to the Back Courtyard.

Compared to the Ting Yuan's grand spaciousness, the Back Courtyard was very compact.

One by one, separate small Xiaoyuan were scattered among it.

Although the flowering plants in the courtyard, due to lack of care, had all grown wild like weeds,

with just a bit of pruning, they could be restored to life.

This house needs people to live in it.

Otherwise, no matter how good the house, it wouldn't take long before it fell into disrepair and ruin.

As the old saying goes, a house needs to be nourished by 'human warmth.'

Liu Hongyan sat on the Stone Stool. After walking all the way here, she was more than satisfied with the former Rui Wangye Fu, now Mingyue Zhai.

"Feng'er, tell me honestly, what exactly are your plans in renting this residence?"

"I don't believe for a second that it's purely for my sake."

Qin Feng sat beside Liu Hongyan, both arms resting on the StoneTable, one leg crossed over the other, leisurely and carefree.

"Sister, I don't like hearing you say that."

"In this life, if I'm not doing it for you, then who am I doing it for?"

Liu Hongyan rolled her eyes: "Tch, stop trying to fool me with that nonsense."

"I've watched you grow up bit by bit. Your thoughts, I know them best."

"First you arranged for Ning Hu to restart the Tianji Camp."

"And now you've rented Rui Wangye Fu."

"There must be a connection between these two."

"If I'm not mistaken, you plan to deeply cultivate the fertile ground of Jingdu once again."

Hearing this, Qin Feng couldn't help but sigh, full of emotion.

"Second Sister, you wouldn't happen to be a tapeworm in my belly, would you?"

"Otherwise, how could you read my thoughts so accurately?"

Seeing Qin Feng admit it, Liu Hongyan's reaction wasn't strong.

On the contrary, it was even somewhat flat.

After all, from Qin Feng repeatedly 'shipping troops' to Jingdu, Liu Hongyan had already guessed most of it.

That brat Qin Feng, when he's being rotten, could annoy someone to death.

But when he truly got shrewd, he often thought several steps ahead with every move.

Under Heaven, no one was cleverer than him.

Back then, escorting Li Lang's coffin back to Beijing could only be said to be nine parts for Li Lang's sake.

The remaining one part was using the opportunity to lead the Tianji Camp Guards and Beixi Soldiers back to Jingdu.

And now, Li Xiaolan has returned to the capital, with Zhao Yuxiong leading the Black Cavalry and a large contingent of soldiers to escort her.

Once here, there's no plan to go back.

This further confirmed Liu Hongyan's suspicion.

Facing the astute Liu Hongyan, Qin Feng did not beat around the bush.

He explained directly.

"It's not that I'm ambitious—it's that after enduring these trials, I've come to see more clearly the Li Imperial Clan's ruthless decisiveness."

"If I don't have a sufficient guard force, then no matter how powerful I am or how strong my backing, my life will always hang by a thread."

"The Son of Heaven may not move against me."

"But that doesn't mean there isn't a madman somewhere within the imperial clan."

"If I truly encounter one of those reckless madmen, leading a large force to annihilate me, I won't even have a place to weep."

"My move isn't meant to guard against the Son of Heaven—it's purely to prevent potential madmen."

Liu Hongyan nodded.

Qin Feng's concerns were not without merit.

After all, Jingdu is vast, and all factions of Shedynasty mingle here.

They all seek a foothold in Jingdu, hoping to aid the development of the Ancestral Land.

Those powerful clans, at their core, are merely regional warlords.

Outside their own territories, their words carry little weight.

But if one gains influence in Jingdu, it's an entirely different matter.

"Hold the Son of Heaven and command the warlords"—this principle is understood by all under Heaven.

And clearly, Qin Feng is now the one closest to "holding the Son of Heaven."

How could those regional warlords, who carve out their own domains, watch passively as the strongest voice in Shedynasty fall into Qin Feng's hands?

Enemies, after all, are endless.

If the Liang Emperor possessed overwhelming authority over all under Heaven, then he would stand at the apex.

Unfortunately, the current Liang Emperor clearly lacks such authority.

"Brother Qin!"

At that moment, Zhao Yuxiong's voice came through.

Qin Feng and Liu Hongyan exchanged a glance, ended the sensitive topic, and rose to greet him outside the courtyard.

Zhao Yuxiong stood before Qin Feng, leading the remaining Tianji Camp Guards.

Though few in number, they still radiated formidable might, their Northern Border spirit undiminished.

"Brother Yuxiong, is everything arranged?"

Zhao Yuxiong gave a firm nod.

"Reopening the Tianji Camp met little resistance."

"After all, the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of War are all ours."

"Moreover, after the Ning Duke case, the Son of Heaven's authority suffered a major blow; now he's avoiding confrontation and turning a blind eye to events in Jingdu."

Saying this, Zhao Yuxiong patted the Tianji Camp Guard beside him.

"Since the battle at Bei Di Qingyu Shan, all Tianji Camp Guards of captain rank and above have met Military Death."

"Zheng Chu, after discussion with the Little Marquis and me, has been promoted to Deputy Commander."

"From now on, whether replenishing troops or expanding the roster, except for the Little Marquis, Zheng Chu holds final authority."

Zheng Chu immediately clasped his fists, knelt on one knee, and bowed to Qin Feng.

"Young Master Qin, your servant will not disgrace this mission."

Qin Feng hurried forward and helped Zheng Chu to his feet.

"We're brothers—no need for formalities."

"We've all been through life and death together—how could I not trust you?"