Chapter 967: First Volume, Chapter 967: The Women of the Qin Family

First Volume, Chapter 967: The Women of the Qin Family

Although everyone in Jingdu knew that Liu Hongyan was the second daughter in her household, no one dared to call her by her childhood name.

Chen Zheng's utterance of "Liu Er" was deliberate, meant to assert authority and make Liu Hongyan understand that while others feared her, Chen Zheng did not care.

Liu Hongyan did not anger; she set down her tea cup and smiled warmly at Chen Zheng.

"Grand Commandant Chen, your aura is brimming with menace today—surely it's about the appointment of a supervisor to the Front Line?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zheng immediately snorted coldly: "Something that just happened in the Imperial Court has already reached your ears—apparently, nothing in Jingdu escapes your surveillance. With the Grand Tutor and Marquis Qin absent, is it no tigers in the mountains, so monkeys rule as kings?"

This remark was extremely offensive, yet Liu Hongyan remained unfazed; as acting Patriarch of the Qin Family, she possessed sufficient composure and magnanimity.

"Grand Commandant Chen, have you come here to deliberately harass the women of the Qin Family, or to discuss matters?"

"If it is the former, the Qin Family has never easily suffered losses—please weigh carefully, Grand Commandant. As a Junior Protector, I cannot touch you, but this grudge must be repaid by someone!"

"If it is the latter, please be seated, and let us discuss this calmly and rationally."

Watching Liu Hongyan's composed demeanor, Chen Zheng genuinely admired her; after all, a mere woman holding the Rear steady without chaos was proof enough of her ability—she had already acquired the same aura as Lady Qin of old, despite her youth.

Chen Zheng had not come to Mingyue Zhai today to provoke trouble, but to address serious matters.

Since Liu Hongyan appeared willing to negotiate, Chen Zheng abandoned his probing and sat down, speaking with upright integrity: "The appointment of a supervisor to the Front Line is inevitable and widely desired. Otherwise, who truly rules the Shedynasty—Qin Feng or the Li Clan? Outsiders might think there are two Emperors."

Seeing Chen Zheng's directness, Liu Hongyan also cut through the pretense.

Before Qin Feng left Beijing, he had already warned Liu Hongyan that in the current court, only two men mattered: Li Yong and Chen Zheng.

Li Yong had been placed under soft detention and posed no threat; thus, Chen Zheng was now the only one left.

Moreover, Qin Feng had repeatedly instructed her: no matter how difficult Chen Zheng might be, she must not antagonize him, for as the leader of the upright scholars and a model for all literati, any harm to him would cost the Qin Family the hearts of the entire scholarly world—and that would be counterproductive.

Furthermore, Chen Zheng's integrity applied only to state affairs, not to the Qin Family; thus, he need only be treated as a loyal minister with differing political views.

Liu Hongyan strictly followed Qin Feng's instructions and waved her hand again, signaling the servants to serve Chen Zheng tea.

Seeing that Chen Zheng did not refuse this time, Liu Hongyan spoke softly: "Grand Commandant Chen, your loyalty and righteousness are evident to heaven and earth; your stance is understandable. Indeed, there are voices now questioning Qin Feng's rising power, even suggesting he has surpassed his lord in merit."

"But you, Grand Commandant, are neither a general nor a military supply official—you lack practical experience and rely mostly on theory regarding the Front Line's realities."

"Regarding the appointment of a supervisor to the Front Line, I ask you: among all civil and military officials in court, besides His Majesty, who could possibly overshadow Qin Feng?"

"If one must name someone, only my father, the Grand Commandant, possesses such authority."

"Even if a supervisor were sent to the Front Line, it would merely be a show—given Qin Feng's nature, the supervisor would likely be detained in Beixi County before even leaving the Beidi Frontier."

"War has already begun; replacing generals at this stage is a grave taboo. Qin Feng will not permit anyone to obstruct the campaign."

Hearing Liu Hongyan's reasoned argument, Chen Zheng secretly raised his estimation of her, yet his tone remained firm.

"Liu Er, don't try to dodge me with circular reasoning. If a supervisor is appointed, it is by Imperial Edict. If Qin Feng dares to detain him, he is defying the Emperor and suspected of traitorous talk!"

This accusation was extremely grave—Chen Zheng intended to tell Liu Hongyan that even if he died, he would send the supervisor to the Front Line, making it clear to Heaven that the Shedynasty still belonged to the Li Clan, and the Qin Family would forever remain subjects.

Liu Hongyan understood that Chen Zheng was unmoved by either persuasion or threats; to make him yield, she must offer a reason compelling enough to break his resolve.

"Whether you believe me or not, the facts remain unchanged: appointing a supervisor serves no purpose and will only cause your reputation to fall into ruin."

"You are a pillar of the court—you must remain to mediate and warn. If you fall, the Imperial Court will become a monologue, and that would be disastrous."

"In the end, isn't your true goal simply to restore the legitimacy of the Imperial House and uphold the rightful order?"

"No supervisor needs to be sent—have the Three Great Generals of the Northern Border return to Beijing for their Imperial report."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zheng's eyes widened in disbelief; everyone in Jingdu and the court knew the Three Great Generals had long obeyed orders only from Qin Feng, not the Emperor—even after the National War, they had feigned illness to avoid returning to Beijing for their rewards, sending confidants instead.

Even the postwar reorganization relied entirely on Beixi County for finances, materials and supplies, bypassing the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War entirely.

The entire Heaven had long accepted the consensus: the Three Great Generals of the Northern Border no longer served the Emperor—they served Qin Feng.

If the Three Great Generals truly returned to Beijing for their Imperial report, it would not only restore the Emperor's authority but also serve as Qin Feng's public oath of allegiance.

But such a thing was nearly impossible—could a mere woman like Liu Hongyan accomplish it?

Sensing Chen Zheng's skeptical gaze, Liu Hongyan smiled faintly: "Grand Commandant, you need not doubt it. Before Qin Feng left Beijing, he had already made arrangements."

"Qin Feng once said that when his power grew, you, as a pillar of integrity, would surely risk your life to remonstrate. At that moment, I would offer you the return of the Three Great Generals to Beijing as my reply."

"As for the difficulties, you need not concern yourself—why do the Three Great Generals refuse to return? Simply because they fear being killed after the mill grinds to a halt. But with the Qin Family guaranteeing their safety, they will have no cause for worry."

Hearing this, Chen Zheng stroked his chin thoughtfully, finding the proposal plausible.

But a new question arose—he immediately countered: "What if His Majesty insists on executing the Three Great Generals?"

Liu Hongyan smiled gently: "Grand Commandant, when His Majesty first sought to punish the Three Great Generals, it was out of necessity. Now, what reason remains to kill the donkey after the mill has ground?"

"His Majesty is wise and far-sighted—he would never create such unnecessary trouble for himself."

Chen Zheng frowned slightly, gazing at the Second Miss before him, and inwardly sighed—this Qin Family truly harbored hidden dragons and tigers; even its women could stand alone, truly admirable.