Chapter 97: First Volume, Chapter 97: The Prince

First Volume, Chapter 97: The Prince's Ambition

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere inside the Cool Pavilion changed instantly.

Qin Feng wasn't afraid, but he couldn't help sighing inwardly—no wonder he was the Emperor's son; his conduct matched his father's perfectly, switching moods on a dime with not a hint of warning.

Then again, even if Qin Feng despised the Second Prince a hundred times over, he had to play his part well—otherwise, the high hats of treason and insolence were beyond his capacity to bear right now.

Qin Feng pushed his acting to its limit, his body trembling violently, nervous and stammering: "Your Highness, how can you say such a thing? Even if I had a hundred times my courage, I would never dare defy you. My reverence for Your Highness flows like an endless river, as boundless as the Yellow River in flood—unstoppable! Though young, Your Highness already possesses grand talent and vision; I have long regarded you as my idol, wishing I could enshrine you in my home and worship you day and night!"

This torrent of flattery, thick as pearls and jade, even confused the Second Prince—he couldn't help chuckling inwardly; even the most shameless sycophant knew when to stop.

This Qin Feng was nothing short of a master sycophant, delivering his lines in perfect, unbroken succession without even a stumble.

The Second Prince's gaze toward Qin Feng grew even more intrigued: "Rumors in the city say you're a madman, but I don't believe it—you're clever, and smarter than most clever men. Let me speak plainly with you: I summoned you today only to ask about the Zui Xian Lou and the Longhu Gang."

"We have no past grudges or recent quarrels—why do you constantly oppose me?"

Qin Feng lowered his head, assuming a posture of profound fear: "Your Highness, you are unaware—those at the Zui Xian Lou and the Longhu Gang, relying on Your Highness's divine authority, have committed countless atrocities against the common folk. I feared Your Highness's reputation would suffer, so I was forced to take this desperate measure. I beg Your Highness, in the name of my sincere loyalty, to show mercy and magnanimity."

The Second Prince couldn't help laughing aloud, shaking his head: "Qin Feng, Qin Feng—you truly haven't disappointed me. You can turn black into white. Very well, let me ask you this: how will you compensate me for the losses you've caused?"

Qin Feng didn't hesitate a moment, speaking with utmost sincerity: "I take full responsibility for Your Highness's losses. But everyone knows my Qin Family is as poor as a monk's bowl—even the Ji Wang's birthday gift was beyond our means. From now on, each month, I will deliver ten taels of silver from my personal allowance to the Imperial Treasury."

The lute-playing woman could no longer hold back, scolding sharply: "Qin Feng, how dare you insult His Highness!"

Qin Feng looked genuinely shocked, waving his hands frantically: "Your servant's loyalty is pure as heaven and earth—how could this be an insult?"

The lute-playing woman sneered, spitting directly on the ground: "You're shameless! I've never met anyone as bottomless as you! His Highness is the Second Prince of Shedynasty—and you offer ten taels of silver as compensation? You're clearly insolent and treasonous!"

Qin Feng didn't answer, but timidly glanced at the Second Prince's unreadable face: "May I ask, Your Highness—who is this lady?"

The Second Prince didn't know what Qin Feng was up to, but replied calmly: "A maid."

"Oh…" Qin Feng feigned sudden understanding, dragging out the "oh" for an absurdly long time.

Then, under the Second Prince's gaze, Qin Feng slowly turned to the lute-playing woman and roared: "You're just a lowly maid—when did you get the right to speak? Trying to challenge me? Get out!"

The lute-playing woman stood frozen, certain she was dreaming.

The Second Prince nearly stumbled backward—had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed this boy dared insult a prince's personal attendant.

The White-Cloaked Guest had long been seething, teeth clenched: "How dare you act so boldly before His Highness!"

Qin Feng ignored the White-Cloaked Guest entirely, turning to the Second Prince with a complete 180-degree shift in expression, smiling obsequiously: "Your Highness, this maid is utterly disrespectful, ignorant of all propriety. If Your Highness likes, I'll gift you several well-bred, thoughtful little maids—they're far superior to this one who only strums and sings."

The lute-playing woman turned bright red with rage: "You—you call me someone who strums and sings?!"

Qin Feng glared: "You're just a maid—I'm the son of the Minister of War! Keep pushing me, and I swear I'll slap you!"

The lute-playing woman trembled with fury; as the Second Prince's Personal Maid, even Court Heavy Ministers treated her with deference—when had she ever endured such humiliation? She was about to lash out when the Second Prince shouted:

"Enough!"

The lute-playing woman instantly wilted, shooting Qin Feng a venomous glare, then fell silent.

Qin Feng, of course, never let anyone get the better of him—he shot the lute-playing woman a furious glare of his own, perfectly embodying the word "petty."

"A good man doesn't fight women"—that saying meant nothing to Qin Feng. Anyone who dared challenge him, even Heaven's Emperor himself, would regret it.

The Second Prince's expression had turned dark, but he understood clearly: this Qin Feng was too cunning to be probed—he might as well cut to the chase: "I give you two choices. First: join my service. I will promote you, and no one in Jingdu will dare oppose you."

"Second: we part ways now. We have time ahead of us."

Qin Feng was overjoyed, immediately bowing deeply with clasped hands, appearing ecstatic.

Seeing Qin Feng's behavior, the Second Prince sneered inwardly—good, you finally show some sense!

Just as everyone assumed Qin Feng would gratefully accept the Second Prince's olive branch, Qin Feng suddenly said: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your mercy—I'm urgently needed for an Imperial Audience. With no other business, I take my leave."

Without hesitation, Qin Feng turned and walked away.

The Second Prince's smile froze on his face; a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, but it vanished instantly, replaced by calm as he watched Qin Feng depart.

The lute-playing woman seethed with hatred, her voice sharp: "Your Highness, how can you let such insolence go unpunished?"

The White-Cloaked Guest, though a Martial man with no interest in court intrigue, hated Qin Feng with every fiber of his being: "This scoundrel dares to ignore Your Highness—I shall go cut off his head to avenge you."

The Second Prince waved his hand, picking up his book again, distracted: "No need. Though Qin Feng behaves erratically and his nature is strange, he truly possesses talent—otherwise, the Emperor would never favor him so. Even if I must kill him, I won't let his blood soil my hands."

The lute-playing woman refused to accept it, staring at Qin Feng's retreating back, wishing to flay him alive: "How can we let him go so easily?!"

The Second Prince's anger had vanished; a confident smile spread across his face: "A mere Commoner—no matter how much he stirs, he cannot create a wave, let alone shake the foundation. A war costs tens of millions of taels of silver—can you really earn that much in a short time selling White Sugar from a Wine House? Ridiculous."