Chapter 659

First Volume, Chapter 659: Hidden Killers Stir

The imperial palace, with its red walls and green tiles, brimmed with endless luxury and splendor.

Yet it lacked the warmth of human life.

Living there felt cold and empty.

Over time, one grew listless, even utterly devoid of joy.

The Qin Family is better—always bustling, noisy, that's true life.

"Second Sister, no one in the palace dares bully me, nor can anyone."

"Who in the entire imperial palace doesn't know I stand behind the entire Qin Family?"

"If Feng'er heard I was bullied, wouldn't he storm the palace and turn it upside down?"

Liu Hongyan smiled knowingly.

She silently marveled: if Qin Feng learned Li Xiaolan had been bullied,

he truly would overturn the entire palace…

After all, that boy's fierce protectiveness was legendary.

Being so fiercely protected by Qin Feng—

was a great blessing for both Li Xiaolan and Liu Hongyan herself.

"Xiaolan, have you heard what happened outside the city?"

Liu Hongyan changed the subject, asking softly.

Li Xiaolan nodded, her eyes shining with unhidden pride.

"Even this imperial palace isn't an iron plate."

"Feng'er's clash with the Northern Di envoy Lü Li on the street has already spread through the palace."

"Just now, nobles from every palace sent maids to come ask me for details."

At this, Li Xiaolan burst out laughing.

"Second Sister…"

"When I heard this, I wasn't surprised at all."

"After all, that's Feng'er."

Seeing Li Xiaolan so relaxed, even slightly triumphant, Liu Hongyan felt reassured.

Liu Hongyan's visit to the palace to see Li Xiaolan was only one purpose.

Learning the truth through Li Xiaolan was the real goal.

After all, Qin Feng had caused such a commotion— the Li Imperial Clan's stance mattered most.

Though Liu Hongyan could not directly contact anyone from the Li Imperial Clan,

she could still use Li Xiaolan to subtly probe the Hou Gong.

But now it seemed Liu Hongyan had worried unnecessarily.

Li Xiaolan's position in the palace directly reflected the Li Imperial Clan's attitude toward Qin Feng.

If one day the Li Imperial Clan planned to move against Qin Feng,

Li Xiaolan would surely be the first to sense the signs.

Yet now, on Li Xiaolan's face, not a trace of tension could be seen.

On the contrary, she applauded Qin Feng's punishment of the Northern Di Envoy Group.

This meant the Li Imperial Clan not only felt no anger toward Qin Feng's actions— they actively supported them.

Thinking of this, Liu Hongyan's heart finally settled completely.

She immediately began chatting with Li Xiaolan about everyday matters.

At the same moment, in the Guanyin Temple.

The Empress held the incense stick, day after day, mechanically lighting the offering incense before the altar.

Every gesture, every movement, radiated devotion.

The Chang Princess knelt on the mat, hands clasped, eyes closed, silently praying for something.

After the Empress finished lighting the incense,

she turned and walked to the Chang Princess's side.

Though as Empress of Heaven, she need not kneel even before the myriad gods and Buddhas,

to demonstrate her piety, the Empress knelt down.

Looking up at the Guanyin Statue, she spoke softly:

"Today, Qin Feng demonstrated his iron-fisted methods."

"Across the entire Imperial Court, I cannot think of anyone who could have handled it better than Qin Feng."

"He executed the Northern Di's military officers on the street and beat Lü Li, the Northern Di Pillar of the State."

"Such near-fanatical actions crushed the defiant Northern Di Envoy Group, allowing the State Peace Talks to proceed smoothly."

"For Shedynasty, Qin Feng is a loyal minister who protects the nation."

"But for my Li Imperial Clan, this boy will become the greatest threat in the future."

The Chang Princess took a quiet breath.

After a long silence, she replied in a low voice:

"Your Highness is right—Qin Feng's existence does threaten our imperial authority."

"Only the Sage can now barely balance Qin Feng."

"If the Seventh Prince ascends the throne, whether he can control Qin Feng is another matter entirely."

"The seventh prince, though the most like a sage among all the princes, excels in both strategy and tactics."

"Unfortunately, he is still too young, showing signs of immaturity."

"In this affair, the seventh prince's downfall of the second brother was overly hasty; though it proved his ability, it greatly displeased the sage."

The Chang Princess spoke with great subtlety.

In truth, she had already reached her judgment.

The seventh prince is absolutely no match for Qin Feng.

The sage is the sovereign of a nation, backed by the Central Plains Imperial Party; even against Qin Feng, he must tread carefully, for the slightest misstep means total defeat."

Compared to the sage, the seventh prince falls a full tier behind in both hedging art and tangible power.

Even if he is skilled at patience, yet...

This is precisely the seventh prince's greatest weakness.

After all, that devil Qin Feng is the most ruthless and decisive; once he strikes, he will hesitate not at all.

The seventh prince's patience is, in effect, a form of slow suicide.

"Empress Title, we must pave the way for the seventh prince as soon as possible, but we must also observe restraint."

"At present, we must not provoke any conflict with Qin Feng."

"Not to mention that the State Peace Talks all depend on Qin Feng's efforts."

"Even the Jiangnan Lin Family will, in the future, need Qin Feng to represent them."

"If Qin Feng senses even the faintest sign of danger, he will react immediately—and then we will be left at a disadvantage."

The Empress clasped her hands together, her eyes half-closed, her breath fragrant as orchid.

"That day, I had a long, intimate talk with Mingyue Princess."

"I told her that, in this lifetime, she could never avenge herself."

"But in truth, I know full well that all of this hinges on whether Qin Feng remains a loyal minister."

"If we push Qin Feng to the brink, not only you and I, but perhaps..."

The Empress did not finish, but the Chang Princess understood perfectly.

Across all of Heaven, those capable of toppling Shedynasty are countless.

Any family worthy of the title 'Powerful Clan' possesses, to some degree, the ability to fight to the death.

But if one asks who possesses both the capability and the resolve to topple Shedynasty, none other than Qin Feng.

The most crucial point!

Qin Feng holds a trump card.

That trump card is the Ming Wang and the Crown Prince.

These imperial father and son carry the blood of the Li Clan, and obey Qin Feng without question.

Should the day come when Qin Feng truly acts, all he need do is support the Ming Wang and his son—and he will have 'Yu Fa Ke Yi'.

Victory makes a king; defeat makes a rebel.

Is it rebellion, or is it restoring Shedynasty's rightful lineage?

Is it not merely what the scholars and historians write?

Moreover, given Qin Feng's reputation among scholars, rewriting history would be no difficult task.

"Empress Title, I have a strategy."

"The betrothal between Qin Feng and Mingyue Princess remains only a verbal agreement."

"If we can make Qin Feng our Li Clan's imperial son-in-law, we can eliminate the possibility of his Rebellion."

"At that time, we can slowly simmer the frog, gradually stripping Qin Feng of his Authority."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes flickered with disappointment.

"If Qin Feng becomes our Li Clan's imperial son-in-law, won't we no longer be able to kill him?"