Chapter 703

First Volume, Chapter 703: Forced Marriage!

Qin Feng observed the young maid's reaction closely—clearly, the news had reached this place.

Qin Feng paid it no mind; only after Zhang Xiuye reported in and received the noble's approval did he step into the Guanyin Temple.

The Chang Princess and the Qiyang Commandery Princess stood side by side beneath the Guanyin Statue, brows slightly furrowed, expressions complex.

Especially the Chang Princess—she had involuntarily tugged at the Qiyang Commandery Princess's sleeve.

This small gesture startled the Qiyang Commandery Princess deeply.

Even when facing Imperial Consort Lin Wenwan, her mother had never shown such tension—but now, facing Qin Feng, she was thrown off balance.

How little time had passed, and Qin Feng had already grown to this extent…

Qin Feng did not neglect propriety; he bowed his head as he entered the Guanyin Temple, knelt on both knees, and performed a grand bow, speaking humbly: "Anle Bo Qin Feng pays homage to Your Highness the Chang Princess and to the Qiyang Commandery Princess."

Seeing Qin Feng kneel without hesitation, the Chang Princess quietly exhaled in relief.

At least this act proved Qin Feng still willingly submitted as a subject.

"Young Master Qin, rise. We are acquainted enough—you need not be so formal."

As she spoke, the Chang Princess realized it was inappropriate and quickly added: "After all, we are before the Bodhisattva Guanyin."

Qin Feng did not hesitate; he rose slowly, brushed dust from his knees, and kept his head bowed: "May I ask, Your Highness, what is the purpose of summoning me?"

The Chang Princess was momentarily speechless.

Originally, she had summoned Qin Feng to harshly reprimand him, to make him understand that even a subject who had achieved great merit must remain cautious, humble, and keep his tail between his legs.

But the result…

Qin Feng had delivered a Downward Warning instead, leaving the Chang Princess shaken with fear.

Fortunately, the Chang Princess recovered quickly; she shifted tone, feigning casual familiarity: "Since the National War began, Young Master Qin has repeatedly achieved extraordinary feats. I wished to praise you in person."

"What do you desire? I can grant you anything."

At this, Qin Feng immediately bowed in thanks: "Your Highness's kindness overwhelms me."

"If Your Highness insists on rewarding me, perhaps you might speak well of me to the Emperor—let today be the day I marry Mingyue Princess. Our marriage alliance was long promised, yet the Wedding Date has always been endlessly delayed, leaving me waiting too long."

Qin Feng and Li Xiaolan's marriage seemed imminent, but in truth, it was mere rumor, never solidified.

Neither the Liang Emperor nor the imperial consorts in the Hou Gong wished to see Qin Feng become a Prince Consort—especially now that his power was overwhelming; if he also gained the title of Prince Consort and became a member of the Li Imperial Clan, nearly half the imperial family would soon have to walk around him.

Moreover…

Li Xiaolan herself did not recognize the Li Imperial Clan—she recognized only the Qin Family. This marriage brought nothing but benefits to the Qin Family, and on this alone, the imperial house harbored resentment.

Qin Feng's momentum was already too strong—he could not be allowed to grow unchecked.

The Chang Princess feigned gentleness: "This matter, I shall certainly report to the Emperor."

Qin Feng's every gesture was humble, yet his tone was utterly relaxed: "I said 'speak well of me,' but Your Highness said 'report'—the meanings seem similar, yet a hair's breadth difference leads to a thousand-mile error. So, does this mean Your Highness is reluctant to let Mingyue Princess marry me, and wishes to delay it?"

At these words, the Chang Princess's heart jolted.

This Qin Feng…

He appears to understand propriety and grasp the bigger picture, yet why does he speak so aggressively?

This is no longer the easygoing, cheerful Young Master Qin of before.

The Chang Princess's brow slowly furrowed, though she maintained a calm facade: "Haha, Young Master Qin misunderstands. All of Heaven knows your wedding to Mingyue Princess is imminent, and you two are deeply in love—how could I possibly act as a barrier to your union?"

Qin Feng nodded: "Your Highness speaks truly. Since you also believe my marriage to Mingyue Princess is inevitable, why not ask the Emperor to set the Wedding Date?"

The Chang Princess replied without hesitation: "This matter requires approval from the Imperial Ancestral Hall—it is no trivial thing. First, the National Teacher must calculate a Yellow Calendar Day."

Qin Feng slowly raised his head; his gaze appeared casual, yet it filled the Chang Princess with unease.

"Then I am in Your Highness's debt. Also, please deliver a message to the National Teacher for me."

"When Li Lang died in Military Death and returned to the Imperial Ancestral Hall, the National Teacher went to great lengths to set his burial date."

"From Li Lang's return to Beijing until his formal burial, nearly a full month passed."

"The National Teacher truly worked hard!"

"Once I finish my current affairs, I shall personally visit the National Teacher!"

The Chang Princess's face paled slightly—could she not hear the heavy threat in Qin Feng's words?

He was blaming the National Teacher for delaying Li Lang's burial—and if the National Teacher dared delay again, Qin Feng would settle old and new accounts together.

Though the National Teacher bowed to the Li Imperial Clan, facing Qin Feng, this hard opponent, he may have no choice.

This marriage alliance was no longer under the Li Imperial Clan's control.

Beside her, the Qiyang Commandery Princess could no longer bear it; her face turned grim as she snapped: "Qin Feng, you've gone too far!"

"Marriage alliances have always been decided by the National Teacher and the Ministry of Rites. You keep pressing and forcing—do you intend to undermine the imperial family's traditions?"

"You are merely an Anle Bo. If you become a Duke someday, will your head not rise so high it floats into the sky?"

Facing the Qiyang Commandery Princess's rebuke, Qin Feng smiled faintly: "Your Highness's reprimand is just."

"Discussing this privately is indeed improper."

"Then I shall not trouble Your Highness—tomorrow, at court, I shall ask my father to raise the matter with the Emperor."

The Qiyang Commandery Princess opened her mouth to speak, but the Chang Princess pulled her back sharply.

The Chang Princess's hand trembled slightly—she heard two deeper meanings in Qin Feng's words.

First: discussing this privately was Qin Feng's gesture of goodwill; if it reached the Imperial Court, the Li Imperial Clan would lose all control.

Second: the Liang Emperor had not held court for many days—whether he would hold court tomorrow was uncertain, yet Qin Feng was certain he would.

This clearly implied to the Chang Princess: tomorrow, he would lead the Civil Official Faction to force court attendance—the Emperor must come, whether he wished to or not. And tomorrow's court session would bring a great upheaval.

The Chang Princess took a deep breath and yielded: "Qin Feng, I shall handle this matter for you."

"But tomorrow's court session—unfortunately, it cannot happen. The Emperor is exhausted from overwork and needs rest."

Qin Feng shrugged indifferently: "This is not up to me. After so many days without court, the ministers have accumulated many urgent matters requiring the Emperor's decision."

I am merely a minor Earl of Anle, with no official position whatsoever—how could I possibly have the qualifications to discuss state affairs?!