Chapter 774: First Volume, Chapter 774: Jing Ci Princess

First Volume, Chapter 774: Jing Ci Princess

If Qin Feng were merely skilled in military affairs, it would be understandable—throughout history, young heroes who galloped across battlefields were never scarce.

But Qin Feng was not merely skilled in military affairs; he also excelled in commerce and politics—two fields requiring years of experience and maturity—making him a peerless figure, beyond anyone's reach.

Precisely because of this, nearly all Northern Di people who had never seen Qin Feng believed he must be at least forty to fifty years old.

And Qin Feng's father, Qin Tianhu, as Grand Commandant and Minister of War of Shedynasty, was surely in his sixties or seventies; thus, Qin Feng being middle-aged seemed perfectly reasonable.

Yet now, everyone was astonished to discover that this towering figure who dominated Heaven, crushed Liang in politics, and overran the Northern Di in warfare was, in fact, a young man of their own age.

Such a youth, possessing so many great achievements, left them unsure whether to hate Qin Feng or worship him…

Qin Feng stood on the carriage platform, hands behind his back, smiling as he studied the complex expressions of the Talented Scholars and Beauties before him: "If I heard correctly, you were just insulting me?"

"Heh, the Northern Di value martial prowess over literature, leaving their cultural foundations barren—even their insults are clumsy. If you don't mind, let me teach you? I guarantee you can insult for a full day and night without repeating a single phrase."

"As for Yucheng, I had no intention of entering it—but since you've shown such warm hospitality, I naturally must go in and experience this so-called First Elegant City of Bei Di, to see what cultural depth it holds, so this humble scholar from Liang may broaden his horizons."

Upon hearing this, the leading young lady's cheeks flushed red, her eyes betraying a hint of shame.

It wasn't because of their earlier verbal attacks on Qin Feng—but… the title "First Elegant City of Bei Di" depended entirely on whom you compared it to.

The Qin Feng before them had already been famous for a long time.

His poem "Leaving the Frontier" was universally beloved—even among Northern Di literati, it was passed from hand to hand in admiration.

If Qin Feng entered Yucheng, exaggerated its cultural depth, and returned to Liang to spin tales about it, wouldn't that utterly humiliate the Northern Di?

The best solution was to forbid Qin Feng from entering the city.

The young lady puffed out her chest, her words sharp: "I already said it—you have no right to enter Yucheng. I advise you to give up this idea."

At these words, Qin Feng regarded the young lady with keen interest: "Miss, are you the daughter of the Yucheng City Lord? Your tone is mighty bold—but… what if I insist on entering?"

The young lady sniffed: "Aren't you afraid you'll enter but never leave?"

At these words, not only Qin Feng, but also Ning Hu and the accompanying soldiers couldn't help bursting into laughter.

Hearing the laughter rising around her, the young lady's cheeks flushed again—she didn't understand why they were laughing, but one thing was certain: these men had no good intentions!

Ning Hu, barely holding back his chuckle, looked at the young lady: "You're a girl who, when told you're fat, starts puffing up like a bellows."

"Qin Hou is the Pacification Envoy dispatched by Shedynasty, negotiating state policy with the Northern Di King—he is your Northern Di's honored guest. Legally and by status alone, you must treat Qin Hou with the utmost respect and hospitality. Furthermore, the soldiers accompanying Qin Hou on this mission number precisely one thousand."

"If the officials of Yucheng dare to be rude and attempt to detain these one thousand men, are they planning to start a full-scale war?"

The young lady's face flushed red—she knew that if Qin Feng insisted on entering Yucheng, she could not stop him, but he must be made to prepare thoroughly before entering.

Thinking this, she reluctantly conceded: "Fine. If you insist on entering, it's not impossible—but wait here. I'll send someone to notify you before you enter."

Ning Hu had a short temper and naturally disliked wasting time with this girl—he was about to refuse when Qin Feng stopped him.

Qin Feng crossed his arms, watching the young lady with interest: "Then as you say—I'll wait here. Thank you, Miss."

The young lady secretly exhaled in relief and immediately ordered her carriage procession to proceed into the city ahead.

Watching the carriage party depart for leisure, Ning Hu grumbled: "Brother Qin, it seems all scholars under Heaven are the same—so damn troublesome!"

"It's just a little girl—why bother with her?"

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, stepped down from the carriage, taking the chance to stretch his limbs. As for the young lady, though he didn't know her true identity, he sensed she was no ordinary person.

"Judging by their attire, these Talented Scholars and Beauties all come from noble families—especially the leading man, dressed in blue silk, with a jade pendant at his waist—his entire outfit must be worth over a hundred taels of silver. And when the young lady spoke, everyone else fell silent."

"So I suspect she's from an official family—and her tone carries such authority, as if even the Yucheng City Lord would obey her every command."

"That leaves only two possibilities: either she's the Yucheng City Lord's daughter, or her status is higher than the Yucheng City Lord's."

Hearing Qin Feng's analysis, Ning Hu was stunned.

"What? Higher status than the Yucheng City Lord? Yucheng is the Imperial Capital Gateway of the Northern Di!"

Qin Feng had barely arrived in Yucheng and already encountered such a high-ranking woman—it was unlikely to be coincidence. Qin Feng was eager to see what trick this girl was hiding.

Meanwhile, Jing Ci had already entered the city. She leapt from her carriage, clutching her folding fan, and strode into a Yi Guan, calling sharply: "Anyone still breathing? Get out here!"

At her voice, the Yi Guan's Shopkeeper rushed out. Seeing Jing Ci, the elderly man—over fifty—turned pale as paper and immediately knelt without hesitation.

"Commoner pays homage to Your Highness, Princess, may Your Highness live ten thousand years."

This Yi Guan served foreign guests; though government-run, the Shopkeeper and owner held no official rank, so calling himself "Commoner" was fitting.

Even proper officials, upon seeing Jing Ci, were required to kneel and bow.

Jing Ci kicked the Shopkeeper with her foot, impatiently: "Get up. I'm traveling incognito to keep a low profile—your shouting just ruined it! Tonight, Qin Feng will arrive and stay here. You must treat him… very well."

Jing Ci stressed the word "treat" heavily, implying the Shopkeeper should find ways to harass and humiliate Qin Feng, to avenge the Northern Di's hatred.

But the Shopkeeper looked utterly confused: "Your Highness, who exactly is this Qin Feng you speak of?"

Beside her, the attendant girl Qi Ya, dressed as a Young Master, frowned: "You wretch, dare you play dumb with the Princess?"

The Shopkeeper turned ashen, rising only to kneel again: "Commoner would never dare to be disrespectful—I truly don't know who Qin Feng is…"

Qi Ya raised an eyebrow: "Do you know the Tianlu Marquis of Liang?"