Chapter 704: First Volume, Chapter 704: Intense Clash

First Volume, Chapter 704: Intense Clash

The Chang Princess suddenly understood—no wonder Qin Feng refused official posts and was content with just a minor title; now it was clear this was precisely Qin Feng's cunning.

Whenever any major matter arose, Qin Feng could use this as an excuse to evade freely—what a perfect strategy, ready to advance or retreat!

The Qiyang Commandery Princess, watching her mother—who had always been so composed and in control—be utterly powerless against Qin Feng, couldn't help but be secretly astonished.

This wasn't inviting a wolf into the house—it was raising a tiger to become a menace!

But…

The Qiyang Commandery Princess simply couldn't bring herself to hate him.

After all, she had witnessed Qin Feng's growth firsthand and knew he had become what he was today solely because the Li Imperial Clan had forced him into it.

Everyone was scheming against Qin Feng, and Qin Feng, to protect himself, could only launch a Counterattack.

The Chang Princess's summons today for Qin Feng bore the suspicion of picking up a stone only to drop it on her own foot.

She had intended to reprimand Qin Feng, but instead, Qin Feng seized the opportunity to force the issue of Mingyue Princess's marriage and tomorrow's Imperial Court audience.

And Qin Feng showed no intention of leaving—he simply bowed his hands.

"Chang Princess, if I recall correctly, only one person in the Hou Gong spends her days fasting and chanting sutras."

"Shouldn't the Guanyin Temple be the Empress's residence?"

"Since I've come today, it would be improper not to pay respects to the Empress Title."

The Chang Princess's brows furrowed slightly, and without hesitation, she declined outright.

"The Empress Title never receives outsiders."

Hearing this, Qin Feng couldn't help but smile: "I'm about to become a prince consort—surely I'm not an outsider anymore?"

The Chang Princess's heart skipped—a beat. She hadn't expected him to be waiting for this very moment.

Though the Empress Title was not Li Xiaolan's birth mother, by custom, as the last surviving Princess of Shedynasty, Li Xiaolan was obligated to recognize the Empress as her mother.

Qin Feng's betrothal to Li Xiaolan was already a done deal.

Qin Feng paying respects to the Empress Title was not an act of overstepping.

Yet the Chang Princess knew well that the Empress Title and Li Xiaolan harbored deep grievances—and Qin Feng's visit now would surely be a pretext to strike.

Just as the Chang Princess was caught between advance and retreat, a gentle, refined voice came from the Inner Courtyard behind the Guanyin Temple.

"If Feng'er wishes to pay respects early, how could I possibly avoid seeing him?"

As the words faded, the Empress Title stepped forward, clad in a black-and-red phoenix robe.

This was Qin Feng's first time seeing the Empress Title; inwardly, he marveled—this woman truly embodied motherhood over Heaven.

Qin Feng did not hesitate—he immediately knelt in salute.

"Anle Bo Qin Feng, pays homage to the Empress Title."

"May Your Highness's life be boundless, and your imperial body be ever well."

The Chang Princess and the Qiyang Commandery Princess exchanged a glance—both eyes filled with helplessness and awe.

Just moments ago, Qin Feng had been aggressive and forceful; now, in an instant, he had become refined, courteous, and rule-abiding.

His acting was nothing short of divine.

No wonder few in the Imperial Court or the Hou Gong could match Qin Feng.

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, speaking softly: "Young Master Qin is both a great contributor and my Shedynasty's future prince consort—family ties are already close; no need for such formalities. Rise."

No wonder she was Empress—this composure in the face of calamity deeply impressed Qin Feng.

Qin Feng did not delay—he rose without raising his head, for the Empress's face was not for just anyone to behold.

Even with his current power, Qin Feng would never overstep and give others grounds for accusation.

The Empress Title, however, freely studied Qin Feng—since the National War began, Qin Feng's name had drifted into her ears almost daily.

Curious about this young man who stirred the storms of Shedynasty, she had often sketched his appearance in her mind from fragments of gossip.

Today, seeing him in person, he was utterly unlike what she had imagined.

Rumor claimed Qin Feng was a literary genius whose poem "Chu Sai" had stunned the entire Jiangnan and Northern Border, still recited widely today.

Thus, Qin Feng must surely be a fair-skinned, refined scholar.

Yet in person, he was a rugged man with coarse skin and sharp, starlit eyes.

She had also heard Qin Feng was a fierce general who led troops into the Northern Di lands, slaughtering back and forth—surely a towering, immensely strong brute.

Yet he was slender, dressed like a scholar…

The Empress Title studied Qin Feng closely, inwardly marveling—no wonder this boy had firmly seized control of the Northern Border Troops and the Jingdu Imperial Court.

Apparently, the ideal phrase "both literary and martial"—though seemingly unrealistic—was real.

The Empress Title raised her estimation of Qin Feng, her tone now exceptionally gentle: "Feng'er, lift your head. Let me look at you properly."

Since the Empress Title herself had requested it, Qin Feng had no reason to hesitate—he lifted his head decisively.

Their eyes met—and without warning, both smiled.

In that single instant of gaze, Qin Feng knew: the Empress Title before him was a ruthless strategist with deep cunning.

"Empress Title, your benevolence in receiving me moves me deeply."

"Yet I do not understand."

"Today, the Chang Princess summoned me to discuss the Da Huo."

"By custom, it should be the Empress Title who presides—but since you command the Six Palaces and are burdened with affairs, letting the Chang Princess handle it is acceptable. But why come to the Guanyin Temple?"

Qin Feng's words were veiled, but in truth, he was mocking the Empress Title for lurking behind the scenes instead of confronting openly.

Facing Qin Feng's provocation, the Empress Title remained perfectly composed, smiling.

"As Qin Young Master says, I wished to intervene, but I am stretched too thin—hence I entrusted the Chang Princess."

"Choosing the Guanyin Temple was also my own intention."

"After all, Young Master Qin is still young; marriage is a major matter with many rules. Without the guidance of the older generation, it might just cause laughter, but it could also spark chaos."

The Chang Princess and the Princess of Qiyang Commandery beside him naturally understood the subtext of their words.

Qin Feng mocked the Empress for relying only on underhanded tactics, while the Empress looked down on Qin Feng for being young and reckless, like a calf unaware of danger.

After all, at the level of Qin Feng and the Empress, no matter what they said, they would never speak directly.

One must see through appearances to grasp the essence; if one cannot discern the true intent behind another's words, one might die without ever knowing how.

In their first clash, Qin Feng and the Empress were evenly matched.

Qin Feng was not in a hurry; after all, someone capable of toppling an Imperial Consort must be exceedingly formidable.

"Since I am fortunate enough to meet the Empress Title today, I humbly ask Your Highness to clarify something for me."

"There are rumors in the streets that the Imperial Household secretly sabotaged the DaxiangPrinceDeath. Is there any truth to this?"