Chapter 708: First Volume, Chapter 708: Did You Miss This Young Master?

First Volume, Chapter 708: Did You Miss This Young Master?

Zhang Xiuye knew all too well the stakes involved; within one incense stick time, Qin Feng's words just now would spread throughout the Hou Gong.

But… who would dare do anything to Qin Feng?

In the end, wouldn't the masters of each palace and courtyard still take out their anger on their servants?

Now, Zhang Xiuye could only obey Qin Feng in every matter, striving to serve this "ancestor" well and get him out of the palace as soon as possible.

"Young Master Qin, ahead is Mingyue Palace. Let this eunuch go announce your arrival."

As Zhang Xiuye took a step forward, Qin Feng grabbed him by the arm.

Qin Feng's lips curled into a sly smile: "No need. I'll give Third Sister a surprise."

A surprise? Zhang Xiuye wanted to laugh and cry—it was more like a fright!

As an outside minister, Qin Feng wandering through the Hou Gong already broke the rules, and entering a noble's gong di without prior notice was an outright violation.

Even if this noble had close ties to Qin Feng, it was still a massive provocation against the imperial authority.

But…

What could Zhang Xiuye do? He could only grit his teeth and force a smile.

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, stepped through the gate of Mingyue Palace.

He had expected Li Xiaolan, as Liang's only princess, to reside in a palace of utmost luxury—but what met his eyes was simplicity, even some desolation.

The flowers in the courtyard had withered and were covered in fallen leaves, clearly untouched for a long time.

Seeing this, Qin Feng frowned.

Zhang Xiuye, expert at reading expressions, felt a chill run down his spine at Qin Feng's darkening face and hurried to explain.

"Young Master Qin, please don't misunderstand."

"The Emperor granted Mingyue Princess the most magnificent gong di among all."

"But the Princess, disliking ostentation, was reluctantly moved to this one."

"Rest assured, though the gong di is modest, her food, clothing, and daily necessities are the finest in the entire Hou Gong."

Hearing this, Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and pointed at the withered flowers and fallen leaves.

"Then how do you explain this?"

Zhang Xiuye wiped sweat from his forehead, feeling more pressure facing Qin Feng than facing the Liang Emperor.

He dared not hesitate a moment: "Growing flowers demands great patience; one must devote immense energy daily to tend them."

"The Princess refuses to assign maids from the Imperial Household Department, so tending flowers falls entirely on her own shoulders."

"Naturally, she won't waste precious energy on such flowers and grass."

"As for the fallen leaves on the ground, the Princess specifically ordered them not to be swept away."

"When she lived in Beixi County, every late autumn, leaves would blanket her family's siheyuan—she said… it gave the place a home's feeling."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's nose tingled with sudden ache.

Back when Li Xiaolan lived in Beixi County, though life was hard, she was at least with her mother and felt fulfilled.

Since Qin Feng began developing Beixi County, Li Xiaolan had taken charge as Jin Yi Wei Commander, putting her talents to full use.

Now, returned to Jingdu's Imperial Palace, she had become the Princess of Liang, admired by all under Heaven.

Yet she now lived like a prisoner, confined daily to the Deep Palace, never stepping outside.

For safety's sake, she refused even servants and maids, keeping only Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng by her side.

Even if those two maids tried their utmost, they were too few and weak to properly care for Li Xiaolan.

In other words, Li Xiaolan's status in the Hou Gong ranked second only to the Empress and Chang Princess.

But her daily life was the most austere.

"Third Sister… you've suffered."

Qin Feng sighed softly and waved his hand at Zhang Xiuye, signaling him to leave.

Zhang Xiuye dared not go far; he shut the palace gate behind him and waited outside.

Qin Feng glanced at the silent gong di—it felt less like a palace and more like a siheyuan.

Beyond the courtyard gate, three sides each held a row of buildings; following the rules of seniority and respect, the house directly opposite the gate was Li Xiaolan's bedchamber.

Qin Feng tiptoed to the door, about to push it open, when faint voices drifted from within.

"Third Miss, I just heard voices outside—should I go check?" Shu Feng asked softly.

Soon, Li Xiaolan's voice replied.

"No need."

"Probably just eunuchs and maids gossiping."

"Though this palace offers brocade and fine food, it's dreadfully dull. Any normal person would go mad; everyone must find ways to pass this long, tedious life."

"Imperial consorts scheme and fight for power daily; maids and eunuchs gossip about this family and that."

"They say the Imperial Palace is stern and strict—but frankly, the Hou Gong isn't much different from Beixi County."

Saying this, Li Xiaolan sighed lightly: "Look, I've started gossiping too."

"Environment changes people—no one is exempt."

Xiao Xiangxiang quickly comforted: "Third Miss, don't worry. Hold on a little longer—once you and the Young Master complete your marriage alliance, you'll leave this prison of red walls and blue tiles."

The moment she said that, Li Xiaolan let out a quiet sigh.

Once, the strong, cold-hearted Qin Family Third Miss had, after so long in this Deep Palace, grown prone to melancholy.

"Anything tied to the imperial family always drags in complications of interest."

"Even though my engagement to Feng'er is known throughout Heaven, achieving a true union seems impossibly distant."

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng didn't understand these deeper conflicts.

They only wanted to comfort Li Xiaolan, so she wouldn't fall ill from the stifling confinement of the Deep Palace.

Xiao Xiangxiang feigned lightness: "Third Miss, as long as you wish to leave, you may leave at any time."

"If you miss Young Master and Second Miss, go see them—no one in the Hou Gong dares stop you."

Li Xiaolan couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Even if that's true, I still represent Qin Feng's face."

"Even knowing I can act with impunity, I cannot ignore Feng'er's situation and behave recklessly."

Hearing this, Qin Feng could no longer hold back—he pushed open the door and stormed in.

Caught off guard, the three women all startled.

Once they recognized the face of the intruder, the Bedchamber was instantly drowned in cheers.

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng lunged forward at the same moment.

"Young Master, how did you get here?"

"Wow, Young Master, why didn't you have the Eunuchs announce your arrival? You scared me to death."

These past days had been hard on these two maids.

After all, they could have lived carefree lives, but to care for Li Xiaolan, they had no choice but to follow her into the palace and endure this endless loneliness.

Qin Feng's heart ached—he pulled the two maids into his arms, one on each side.

"Xiao Xiangxiang, Shu Feng, did you miss This Young Master?"

In the past, the two maids would have blushed into silence.

But this time, it was different.