Chapter 667: First Volume, Chapter 667: Even Nobles Have Hierarchy

First Volume, Chapter 667: Even Nobles Have Hierarchy

Since Qin Feng returned to Beijing, the activities of the Brocade Clothing Guard have become increasingly frequent.

The operational ranges of the Black Guard and the Brocade Clothing Guard overlap significantly.

This inevitably involves open rivalry and covert scheming.

The Liang Emperor fell silent for a long while, then asked in a low voice: "How does the Brocade Clothing Guard compare to your Black Guard?"

The Black Guard bowed his head extremely low and said: "Within the Jingji region, the Black Guard holds the advantage; beyond the Jingji region, the Brocade Clothing Guard holds the advantage."

Upon hearing the Black Guard's answer, the Liang Emperor was deeply disappointed.

The very purpose of establishing the Black Guard was to surveil Heaven, so as to assist the Liang Emperor in grasping the reins of the realm.

Yet all signs indicate that the Black Guard, whether facing the Northern Di Night Owls or Qin Feng's Brocade Clothing Guard, gains not the slightest upper hand.

Even…

It is already at a disadvantage.

The very phrase "holds the advantage" reveals the Black Guard's inner insecurity.

The operational range of the Black Guard has been compressed to the vicinity of the Jingji Three Sixty Counties.

The Northern Di Night Owls' secret infiltration into the Jingji has reached a mad, reckless level.

Compared to the Imperial Guard and Palace Guards, the Black Guard better embodies imperial authority.

The suppression of the Black Guard is equivalent to the suppression of imperial authority.

Although the Liang Emperor refuses to admit it, the realm's situation is slipping further beyond his control.

This is the drawback of pursuing hedging art to its extreme.

Only a mind of supreme cunning, manipulating all others as if they were pawns, could avoid it.

Any slight lapse will inevitably trigger a massive backlash.

The Liang Emperor looked at Zhang Xiuye beside him and sighed softly.

"Has the Hou Gong been peaceful these days?"

What the Liang Emperor fears most now is not Qin Feng, but the so-called "nobles" in the Hou Gong.

If they dare to test Qin Feng's limits and provoke him, the consequences are unimaginable.

Zhang Xiuye hurriedly replied.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Title continues to observe vegetarianism and chant sutras as always."

"The Chang Princess and the Princess of Qiyang Commandery have also shown no irregularities."

"However…"

"Since entering the palace, Princess Mingyue has rarely ventured out."

"Moreover, all maids assigned by the Imperial Household Department have been rejected by Princess Mingyue; she keeps only Qin's servants by her side."

"Rumors in the Hou Gong say…"

"Princess Mingyue has grown estranged from the Beixi County War Hero, siding with outsiders…"

Almost as soon as Zhang Xiuye spoke these words, the Liang Emperor cut him off sharply.

"Who said that?!"

Zhang Xiuye startled, immediately lowering his head and replying cautiously.

"Several nobles."

The Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow: "How noble are they?"

Zhang Xiuye wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly answered: "Not very noble at all."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor snorted: "I do not wish to hear such gossip again!"

Zhang Xiuye immediately understood the Liang Emperor's meaning.

As long as the "nobles" involved are not tied to the front court and have weak backgrounds, killing them is acceptable.

Now, the most sensitive person in the Hou Gong is Li Xiaolan.

Whoever offends her is likely to incur Qin Feng's wrath.

Currently, the entire Shedynasty administration depends on Qin Feng; offending him and provoking his pressure or retaliation would lead to unimaginable consequences.

Zhang Xiuye left the Imperial Study, accompanied by several Imperial Eunuchs, heading toward the Hou Gong.

One Imperial Eunuch, close to Zhang Xiuye, could not help asking:

"Chief Zhang, why is His Majesty so… afraid of Qin Feng?"

"Can't a sovereign of a nation control a mere marquis?"

Zhang Xiuye, hands behind his back, glared at the Imperial Eunuch and snapped: "You know nothing!"

"Since Li Qian was imprisoned in Zongzheng Temple, how long has His Majesty not attended the Imperial Court?"

"All state affairs are now submitted via Imperial Memorials and letters to the Imperial Study for approval."

"Nowadays, every official at court looks to the Qin family for direction."

"The Civil Official Faction, led by the Taolin Party, watches hungrily, preparing to seize the chance to force His Majesty to fill the vacant posts of Taishi Taibao."

"Once the Taishi Taibao positions fall into the Qin family's hands, His Majesty's authority, even if not fully hollowed out, will be at least halved."

"Meanwhile, the Seventh Prince is also lying low, waiting for an opportunity."

"Right now, His Majesty walks on thin ice; we servants must be extra cautious—any slip could mean losing our heads, and that's the least of it!"

Zhang Xiuye's core group of Imperial Eunuchs turned pale with fear.

They had never imagined that the Liang Emperor, seated at the heart of power, was now in such a precarious position.

Zhang Xiuye sighed inwardly.

The power structure of the court has changed beyond recognition.

In the past, when the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng fought fiercely, red-faced and life-or-death, it was easier to understand.

At least the tension was visible, tangible.

Now, it seems calm and peaceful, but danger seeps from every corner.

Zhang Xiuye had seen through it all.

The so-called "Authority" appears, on the surface, to stem from superiors' appointments and promotions.

In truth, it comes from the support of subordinates.

Even if the Liang Emperor represents the highest authority, if the ministers around him refuse to obey, his power cannot reach beyond the palace walls.

Similarly, Qin Feng does not represent himself.

He represents the entire Beijing Army and the Civil Official Faction.

If the Liang Emperor dares to move against Qin Feng, within just a few days, he will be ousted by a chorus of officials and forced to abdicate.

That would still be the mild outcome.

Which general in the Northern Border is a gentle soul? A direct military advance upon the capital is not impossible.

The side effects and cost of acting against Qin Feng are simply too great—too great for the Liang Emperor to bear.

Precisely because of this, the Liang Emperor must retreat at every turn.

To protect Li Xiaolan, the Mingyue Princess's reputation, he was willing to strike at the Imperial Household.

Now, in the entire Hou Gong, no one, no matter how noble, is more noble than Li Xiaolan—her status and background speak for themselves!

……

Meanwhile, outside Li Xiaolan's Di Tang, a group of women stood.

Leading them were Shuyi and Shuji, each accompanied by their personal maids.

Shuyi, of Shupin rank, had only entered the palace half a year ago; young and beautiful, her beauty stood out even among the entire Imperial harem.

The most precious point:

In just half a year, Shuyi had been summoned to Jiaotai Hall to spend the night with the Emperor.

Whether in appearance or talent, she had won the Liang Emperor's deep favor.

Personnel from the Imperial Household Department had more than once hinted to Shuyi that positions of Imperial Consort and Imperial Pin were currently vacant.

If she could please the Emperor, she would rise swiftly.

Every time she thought of this, Shuyi could not help but feel proud.

But today, when she sent someone to the Imperial Household Department to request her daily incense, they refused to give her the finest dragon's saliva incense—despite having it in stock.

They said this dragon's saliva incense was exclusively reserved for the Mingyue Princess; even Imperial Consorts and Pin must wait their turn.

Upon hearing this, Shuyi's anger flared instantly.

"The servants of the Imperial Household Department are blind!"

"Even if Li Xiaolan is Princess of Liang, does she really need such an extravagant display?"

"She has no sense of propriety!"