Chapter 68: First Volume, Chapter 68: Mouth Needs a Beating

First Volume, Chapter 68: Mouth Needs a Beating

Amid a chorus of sarcastic praise, the Ji Wang's birthday banquet came to an end; Ministry of Revenue Officials swept away in anger, Ning Hu hung his head like a sick tiger.

Yet Ji Wang personally escorted Qin Feng and his father to the Fu Men, then said to Qin Tianhu with layered meaning:

"Official Qin, your son is erudite and talented, deeply pleasing the Emperor—that is the Qin Family's blessed fortune. But as the saying goes, a tree towering above the forest invites the wind's destruction; your enemies in the Imperial Court may not be found within the Court itself."

Qin Tianhu naturally understood Ji Wang's implication.

Today, Qin Feng striking the Ministry of Revenue's face was minor; the true priority was pushing the Northern Di war onto the agenda—a move certain to stir anger from those far beyond mere "Officials."

Qin Tianhu bowed deeply, respectfully: "Thank you, Prince, for the reminder. Your words are etched in this minister's heart."

Ji Wang glanced at Qin Feng nearby, helping a young maid read her palm; his solemn expression vanished, replaced by unhidden admiration: "Caution ensures safety for ten thousand years, but Official Qin need not overcorrect. This boy Qin Feng is eccentric, unlike others—he shows signs of great talent."

To receive such praise from Ji Wang, Qin Tianhu was naturally flattered; on the way home, he neither struck nor scolded Qin Feng, only smiled warmly as he studied him.

Qin Feng, unnerved by the stare, prepared to leap from the carriage at any moment, and whispered:

"Father, have I done something wrong? If you dislike me, just say it—I won't change anyway. Don't hold it in and harm yourself."

Qin Tianhu's smile vanished instantly; he let out a light snort: "Your deeds today have balanced merit and demerit—no reward, no punishment."

Realizing he wouldn't be beaten, Qin Feng exhaled deeply, sprawled across the carriage, grinning: "Reward? Forget it—your pitiful silver, I wouldn't even want. Not being punished is reward enough for me."

The moment he finished speaking, a kick landed on Qin Feng's body.

Qin Tianhu yanked his belt, teeth clenched: "You're given three inches of rope and you hang yourself!"

Amid Qin Feng's blood-curdling scream, the carriage slowly rolled into the Qin Residence.

Before the carriage even stopped, Qin Feng burst out, running while wailing: "Help! He's killing me!"

Liu Hongyan, who had returned earlier, heard the pig-like shriek and knew Qin Feng was back; a mischievous smile flickered across her face: "That brat—he just accomplished a great deed, yet ends up screaming like a demon beaten by his father. He must've opened his mouth again and provoked the old man."

Shen Qingci sniffed, outwardly disdainful of Qin Feng, yet recalling that day at Qingya Pavilion, her heart stirred: "He deserves it—never a day without punishment, he'll tear the roof off."

Jing Qianying had always been indifferent to Qin Feng's affairs, but lately he'd been too conspicuous to ignore; she coldly remarked: "Given his great service to the Qin Family today, I'll overlook his scheming to steal Shu Feng."

As Qin Feng stumbled into the DaTang, seeing all three sisters present, he seized them like a drowning man clutching straw, lunging behind Liu Hongyan and whining pitifully: "Sister, I've bled for the Qin Family—was it easy? And now I get whipped? What kind of justice is this?"

Qin Feng glared fiercely: "I strongly suspect I'm not my father's biological son—otherwise why does he constantly beat me? Playing with his son for fun? No father acts like this!"

Liu Hongyan couldn't help laughing; she patted Qin Feng's head, affection radiating: "If Father beat you, you deserved it. Be better next time. Today you earned great merit at Ji Wang's banquet—he may have hit you, but he's surely pleased inside."

Obviously! If it hurts me, how could he not be happy?

Though Qin Feng felt wronged, seeing his three sisters gathered together for the first time, he forgot to protest his father's domestic abuse, instantly switched expressions, slapped his chest, and declared:

"This Young Master, seizing the opportunity of Ji Wang's birthday banquet, crushed the Hubei Party's conspiracy and successfully placed the Northern Di war on the agenda—my move stunned all who witnessed it; even the Emperor must be awestruck by me."

"With such world-shaking merit, won't my three sisters show some appreciation?"

Shen Qingci was utterly bewildered—the very problem that had troubled her father and the Emperor had been effortlessly solved by this brute Qin Feng. It was unbelievable.

Recalling the poems "Chu Sai" and "Zui Hua Yin," already famed throughout Heaven, Shen Qingci bit her lips lightly, cheeks warming slightly—she felt pride for having such a brother.

Just as she prepared to praise him, seeing his arrogant, insolent face, her fleeting goodwill vanished completely.

"You get a little success and start floating? You swindled so much silver from the Li Fu and elsewhere—yet never contributed a single tael to the household. All you do is squander."

Hearing this, Qin Feng bristled: "What do you mean 'squander'? That's investment!"

Jing Qianying sniffed: "Investment? Stealing Shu Feng? I lent you Shu Feng—I never let you claim her as yours."

The Shu Feng matter was indeed dishonorable; Qin Feng felt guilty and flattered: "Fourth Sister, I originally planned to steal you too—after all, compared to that little girl Shu Feng, I prefer you."

Qin Feng meant to flatter Jing Qianying and let the Shu Feng issue drop, but his words struck the wrong note, offending all three at once.

Jing Qianying held herself in high esteem and was profoundly cold; hearing Qin Feng's words, thick with teasing, she flew into a rage.

Shen Qingci was even angrier—just days ago at Qingya Pavilion, this brat swore he preferred her, yet now he'd switched affections? This man was not just shameless—he was fickle.

Liu Hongyan's heart swelled with resentment; among the sisters, she alone doted on Qin Feng most, yet this brat scurried to flatter his fourth sister—what an ungrateful dog!

Seeing their expressions darken, Qin Feng realized trouble was near; he hastily explained: "A true man aims beyond horizons—broad-mindedness is virtue! Children make choices—I want all three of you."

No sooner had he spoken than Liu Hongyan seized his ear, scolding sweetly: "You want what? Do you even have a shred of shame?"

Shen Qingci snatched a ruler from the table; Jing Qianying kicked straight toward him.

Facing the trio's assault, Qin Feng had no defense whatsoever; his desperate screams echoed again through the Qin Residence.

Out of Longtan, into Huxue—Qin Feng seethed inside. Outside, he was so glorious; why, the moment he returned home, did he become everyone's punching bag? Unfair!