Chapter 999: First Volume_Chapter 999: Master and Servant Reunite

First Volume_Chapter 999: Master and Servant Reunite

Because Qin Feng most despised "bureaucratic red tape," his household registration issuance process was short and swift, with more and more civilians receiving their documents and leaving happily.

Although Qin Feng knew full well that doing this could very likely plant hidden dangers, he considered that the Brocade Clothing Guard would conduct strict post-issuance reviews of everyone who received the documents, preventing imposters from sneaking into Beixi County, so he felt somewhat "unworried."

Because the process of obtaining household registration documents was extremely simple and carried no "handling fees," an increasing number of civilians rushed over upon hearing the news.

Seeing how things were going, Qin Feng realized that signing documents at this pace would take forever, so he had Liu Ming, Xiao Xiangxiang, and Shu Feng join in as well.

While Qin Feng was busy signing household registration documents, Jing Ci suddenly pushed open the door and walked out of the room where she had been detained.

Even Jing Ci herself was startled—she had never expected her door to be unlocked.

But considering this was the most heavily guarded place in Changshui County and that she possessed no martial skills, she never entertained any thought of escape.

After circling the doorway, just as Jing Ci was about to return to her room, she heard a faint call from the adjacent room.

Looking over, she saw another person imprisoned in the nearby room.

Recalling the envoy Zhang Chao who had been captured by Qin Feng, Jing Ci softly called out: "Is this Lord Zhang?"

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Jing Ci exhaled in relief—Zhang Chao being alive was good news for anyone.

Seeing Zhang Chao's door was barred from the inside, Jing Ci walked over, unlatched it, and let him out.

Upon seeing her, Zhang Chao immediately knelt to the ground and bowed deeply.

"Your humble servant pays homage to Your Highness, Princess."

Jing Ci quickly waved her hand, signaling Zhang Chao to rise without ceremony.

Seeing Zhang Chao's clean attire and vigorous spirit, with no signs of abuse, Jing Ci couldn't help but sigh: "Damn Qin Feng—what's he playing at? We're prisoners, yet he's left us completely unguarded—is he utterly unconcerned about our escape, or just overconfident?"

Hearing Jing Ci's complaint, Zhang Chao shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Your humble servant's legs are weak, and Your Highness is a woman— even if we were allowed to run, where could we possibly go?"

"The townspeople, though all Da Di subjects, are now under Qin Feng's control; if they spot us, they'll report us to him immediately."

"Moreover, the City Wall is heavily guarded on all sides—outsiders can't break in, and we can't get out."

"As for Qin Feng, though ruthless in battle, he has treated your humble servant well, so it's best to stay put and avoid stirring up trouble."

Seeing Zhang Chao had also abandoned any thought of escape, Jing Ci's expression grew even more helpless.

Recalling how, when Qin Feng first arrived in Da Di, she had looked down on him with superiority, now, in an instant, she herself had become his prisoner—despite how close this place was to Wang Du, as a Princess, she could cry to heaven and receive no answer, cry to earth and receive no reply.

At that moment, footsteps approached.

Jing Ci and Zhang Chao both turned toward the sound, tensing up simultaneously.

A Tianji Camp Guard, armed to the teeth and radiating lethal intent, passed through the Gate—yet upon seeing Jing Ci and Zhang Chao in the courtyard, he showed no reaction and continued with his duties.

Witnessing this, Jing Ci could only laugh bitterly: "It seems Qin Feng doesn't care about us at all."

Zhang Chao also sighed: "Yes—as long as we don't leave the courtyard, the soldiers won't pay us any mind."

At this, Zhang Chao suddenly realized something and said mournfully: "Your Highness… how did you end up here too?"

Feeling Zhang Chao's puzzled gaze, Jing Ci remained silent, her heart pierced like with needles—though she knew full well she had been sacrificed by her Father King, she still refused to display her suffering before others.

Jing Ci changed the subject, speaking bitterly: "Lord Zhang, do you think Da Di still has a chance?"

Hearing this, Zhang Chao sighed deeply: "Your Highness wishes to hear the truth—or a lie?"

Jing Ci didn't hesitate: "Of course the truth."

Zhang Chao shook his head helplessly: "It's too late now—the ship has sailed; no one can save a collapsing empire."

At these words, Jing Ci and Zhang Chao fell silent together, not speaking for a long while.

Jing Ci's heart was filled with reflection—since ancient times, Da Di and Liang Kingdom had been the two most powerful nations on this land, waging endless wars for centuries, with Da Di often holding the upper hand.

Even Liang Kingdom's full might had failed to subdue Da Di—who could have imagined that Qin Feng alone could topple this vast empire?

No wonder General Chen Si once said: Qin Feng alone is better than ten thousand troops.

As Jing Ci brooded, Zhang Chao's voice spoke again.

"Your Highness, your humble servant has a question—though I'm unsure whether I should ask it."

Jing Ci gave a bitter laugh: "It's come to this—what's left that can't be asked?"

Zhang Chao took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Your Highness's arrival in Changshui County was no accident—you were sent by His Majesty to negotiate peace with Qin Feng, and the bargaining chip… was marriage?"

Upon hearing the word "marriage," Jing Ci's eyes filled with bitterness.

After much hesitation, she nodded helplessly: "Father King intends to marry me off to Qin Feng to secure his withdrawal—but… as you see, Qin Feng clearly doesn't regard me as anything at all."

Jing Ci didn't continue, yet her heart grew heavier—she understood that in Qin Feng's heart, only Jing Qianying had a place; she had none.

Qin Feng would overthrow all of Da Di for Jing Qianying, yet for Jing Ci, he wouldn't even withdraw his troops.

In the end, in Qin Feng's eyes, Jing Ci was merely a tool for use—past interactions were nothing but calculated exploitation; not even friendship, let alone affection, existed.

Jing Ci didn't understand—what did she lack compared to Jing Qianying?

Facing the same man, their treatment was worlds apart.

Jing Ci even felt a faint hope—she wanted to see what kind of breathtaking beauty the legendary former Emperor's Princess possessed, to have turned even Qin Feng, cold and heartless, into her devotee.

Zhang Chao didn't press further; his heart had already given up all hope for Da Di's fate.

After all, if even marriage failed, what in Heaven and Earth could possibly make Qin Feng change his mind?