Qin Feng glanced at Eunuch Li again, but this time the latter turned away for some unknown reason.
His expression betrayed a sense of conflict, not because he didn’t receive feedback from Eunuch Li, but because he was tasked with introducing a partner to that girl disguised as a man, which made him feel quite uncomfortable.
Qin Feng couldn’t help but be slightly stunned.
If a man and a woman who have been together for a long time were to maintain a pure friendship, there is only one possibility, and that is that one of them is extremely ugly.
Obviously, he and Anya did not fall into this category.
Qin Feng mocked himself inwardly, ‘Lusting after what’s beyond one’s reach, is this a common trait among men? It seems I can’t escape it either.’
With this in mind, he clasped his fist and said, “Apologies, Your Majesty, but I don’t have any suitable candidates here.”
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li looked at him again. He had thought it was Princess Anya’s unrequited love, but he hadn’t expected it to be reciprocated. However, if the Qin Family boy were to marry Princess Anya, the Qin Family would likely become the most powerful family in the Great Qian.
The daughter of the Military God of the Liu Family, a woman from the Dragon Clan’s lineage, plus a royal princess—just thinking about it would make any man envious. And the backgrounds associated with these women were enough to make one’s scalp tingle!
Emperor Ming raised an eyebrow, lightly tapping his finger on the desk, making a crisp sound. “Qin Feng is one of the Thirty-Six Stars of the Demon Slaying Department, and he must know many people within the department.”“The Demon Slaying Department has worked hard to protect the borders of the Great Qian from the invasion of demons and ghosts. I have also considered betrothing Princess Anya to a high-ranking warrior from the Demon Slaying Department to express the royal family’s recognition and gratitude toward them. What do you think, Qin Feng?”
Qin Feng didn’t hesitate. “I feel it’s inappropriate, Your Majesty.”
“Why is that?”
“The contributions of the Demon Slaying Department to the Great Qian are undeniable, but they are constantly engaged in battles with demons and ghosts, with one foot often stepping into the Gate of Hell.”
“In case of an accident that prevents them from returning, it would undoubtedly leave Princess Anya heartbroken. Moreover, the high-ranking warriors in the Demon Slaying Department are already old. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider.”
“That’s a reasonable point.” Emperor Ming nodded in agreement and then changed the subject, “I remember both you and Liu Jianli were present at the founding of the Sword Dao Alliance, and you even received a token from Sword Emperor Bai Yan.”
“Speaking of the Sword Dao Alliance, I am also pleased with its establishment to nurture warriors for the Great Qian and enrich the talent pool. If Princess Anya could be betrothed to a talented young man from the Sword Dao Alliance, it wouldn’t be a bad choice.”
“This…” Qin Feng hesitated to speak.
“What’s wrong again?” Emperor Ming asked curiously.
“The Sword Dao Alliance is filled with talented young individuals, but they are primarily warriors whose minds are focused on cultivation and the path of the sword. Moreover, Princess Anya follows the Literature Saint Dao lineage, so how could she possibly have common topics with these warriors? I’m afraid she won’t be happy after marriage,” Qin Feng explained.
“According to Qin Feng’s words, finding someone from the Literature Saint Dao Lineage would be the best match for Anya? If so, I have some candidates in mind, such as Sun Qi, the second disciple of the Heavenly Tower National Teacher,” Emperor Ming suggested.
“Sun Qi has profound cultivation, but his character is a bit eccentric,” Qin Feng stated frankly.
“What about Xu Lexian, the third disciple?” Emperor Ming continued.
“His character is acceptable, but his appearance…” Qin Feng stopped himself before being impolite.
“That makes sense,” Emperor Ming nodded slightly. “What about Yang Qian?”
“Senior Brother Yang excels in cultivation, appearance, and character, but unfortunately, there is quite a significant age difference between him and Princess Anya,” Qin Feng lamented, shaking his head.
“In that case, it seems Fei Xun is the only option,” Emperor Ming mused.
Qin Feng wanted to voice some objections, but after thinking for a while, he couldn’t find any faults related to Senior Brother Fei.
His cultivation, character, appearance, and age were all exceptional. The only complaint was his somewhat arrogant and scheming personality, but most scholars were like that. Moreover, considering the disguised woman’s peculiar demeanor, perhaps they were indeed a perfect match?
No, they were a match made in heaven!
Just as Qin Feng was conflicted, Emperor Ming shook his head and said, “Still inappropriate. Fei Xun is acceptable in every aspect, but he is from a humble background and lacks a title. He’s not a suitable match for Anya.”
With a sigh, Emperor Ming lamented, “Finding a suitable husband for Anya is truly not an easy task.”
At this moment, Eunuch Li, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up, “Your Majesty’s requirements are too strict. How can there be a man who meets so many criteria? You want someone from the Demon Slaying Department, related to the Sword Dao Alliance, and also following the Literature Saint lineage. Not to mention having exceptional cultivation, character, appearance, age, and a title. It’s practically impossible, hmm?”
“Hmm?” Emperor Ming seemed to have an epiphany.
“Hmm?” Qin Feng also seemed to realize something. Were all these conditions pointing towards himself?!
As he looked up, he indeed found both the Emperor and Eunuch Li staring at him.
Qin Feng cleared his throat, “Your Majesty, I already have two wives at home.”
Eunuch Li chuckled, “A real man should have multiple wives and concubines, isn’t that common?”
‘Without ‘jest,’ there’s no practice, and without practice, there’s no right to speak. You have no idea what it’s like to have several dominant wives at home,’ Qin Feng discreetly withdrew his gaze and continued, “But the position of the main wife already belongs to Jianli. How could Princess Anya, being a princess, be relegated to the status of a concubine?”
This time, Emperor Ming took the initiative to speak, “Both Liu Jianli and Cang Feilan are exceptional women in the world. It’s unlikely anyone would dare to say much under their influence. Moreover, as long as you treat them equally, whether they are wives or concubines, what difference does it make?”
At this point, Qin Feng finally understood. From the beginning, the Emperor and Eunuch Li had been collaborating, setting up a trap for him to fall into. It was obvious they wanted him to become the Princess’s husband!
Seeing Qin Feng standing there in a daze, Emperor Ming coldly snorted and stood up, “What? Is my Princess Anya not good enough for you? Today, you must give me a satisfactory answer, or else I’ll have your head!”
In the royal family, emotions could be unpredictable, but this was just Emperor Ming’s way of pressuring Qin Feng!
Eunuch Li immediately whispered, “Young Master Qin, don’t deceive yourself!”
Upon hearing this, Qin Feng bowed respectfully and openly refused.
He reasoned and appealed, recounting every detail of his acquaintance with his two wives and their shared experiences in times of hardship. He also made it clear that he had already made up his mind not to marry any other girls.
Therefore, even though Princess Anya was exceptionally outstanding, he wouldn’t dare to entertain any inappropriate thoughts!
Hearing these words, Eunuch Li couldn’t help but admire him inwardly. Throughout history, many men had abandoned their humble wives to marry into noble families. But how many could remain so dignified and composed in front of the Emperor?
‘Princess Anya must have a reason to admire Young Master Qin. I just wonder how His Majesty will react,’ Eunuch Li cautiously glanced ahead.
Emperor Ming looked at Qin Feng, his expression inscrutable, but inwardly extremely satisfied with his response.
Only with such character could he entrust Anya to him.
“So, regardless, you cannot marry Anya?” Emperor Ming asked calmly.
Qin Feng took a deep breath and replied slowly, “Unless Your Majesty issues a decree for the marriage, I will never agree!”
Emperor Ming and Eunuch Li were both stunned by his words.
After Qin Feng left, Eunuch Li chuckled and remarked, “Despite all his talk, it’s clear he still wants to marry her. Issuing a decree for the marriage is effortless for His Majesty.”
Emperor Ming raised an eyebrow, “Why do you think he wants me to decree the marriage?”
Eunuch Li pondered for a moment and tentatively suggested, “Perhaps he wants to give himself a way out?”
Emperor Ming shook his head.
“Is it because Princess Anya is of noble birth, and he wants to observe proper etiquette?” Eunuch Li tried again.
Emperor Ming shook his head once more, then spoke, “There are rumors about him throughout the Imperial City. Haven’t you heard? Since you’re aware, you should know that his fear of his wife is practically common knowledge. At first, I didn’t believe it, thinking it was exaggerated. But now, it seems the truth is even more astonishing.”
Eunuch Li reacted with surprise, “Could it be that Qin Feng is asking for His Majesty’s decree to marry in order to justify his two wives?
Emperor Ming nodded, looking somewhat resigned.
This was clearly an attempt to shift the blame onto him!
Eunuch Li was also stunned on the spot, unsure how to respond. After a long while, he sighed, “Young Master Qin, you truly are unpredictable.”
“But Your Majesty, there’s still one thing I don’t understand. Why are you suddenly so concerned about Princess Anya’s marriage? Previously, you clearly hoped she would help share some financial and administrative burdens and didn’t want her to marry too soon.”
In imperial families throughout history, sons were always favored over daughters, but Emperor Ming was different.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have entrusted the important financial source, the Gathering Treasure Pavilion, to Anya, nor would he have sought her opinion on important matters.
Emperor Ming didn’t directly address Eunuch Li’s question. “What do you think of Qin Feng?”
Eunuch Li hesitated for a moment before replying, “He can be considered a unique talent with no equal before or after him. He could even succeed the Heavenly Tower National Teacher.”
It’s important to note that in the Great Qian, being compared to the Heavenly Tower National Teacher was the highest praise one could receive.
Eunuch Li had been by the Emperor’s side for years, and his ability to speak cautiously had reached its peak. Generally, he never spoke too highly of anyone.
But in front of the Emperor, he had expressed such admiration more than once, and it was sincere!
After all, looking back on Qin Feng’s journey since arriving in the Imperial City, calling him a legend was not an exaggeration.
From inventing gunpowder, improving the Martial Qi Control Art, to establishing the Peaceful Academy, his various accomplishments had strengthened the Great Qian’s military might and significantly increased the number of Literature Saint Dao Lineage practitioners.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the current prosperity of the Great Qian was not only due to the Emperor’s wise rule but also owed much to Qin Feng!
Of course, Eunuch Li kept these thoughts to himself. Matters concerning the Imperial Court symbolized the Emperor’s supreme authority and couldn’t be discussed with outsiders.
However, Emperor Ming openly acknowledged, “The prosperity of the Great Qian owes much to Qin Feng. Since Anya is also fond of him, settling this marriage would ease my mind. Moreover…”
Emperor Ming didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he looked at the painting of an unopened sword in the study, lost in thought.
The words of the Heavenly Tower National Teacher echoed in his mind for a long time.
He would not blame Emperor Tianxuan for his choice. Being able to open the eyes of the nine dragons was enough to show what an amazing person this ancestor was.
Thinking from the perspective of leaving behind a prosperous nation, who would be willing to sacrifice themselves to fulfill the dreams of future generations?
‘What choice will I make when that time comes?’ Emperor Ming asked himself in his mind, but he didn’t have an answer.
It was approaching the end of autumn and it was getting dark early. When Qin Feng returned to Qin Mansion, it was already dark.
Emperor Ming’s words in the study continued to echo in Qin Feng’s mind, leaving him feeling quite conflicted.
“If I were to see her now, I wouldn’t know how to face her,” Qin Feng sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Who are you unsure about facing?”
The gates of the Qin residence opened, and Anya appeared in an elegant white dress. Under the moonlight, her eyes sparkled, her skin glowing with a radiant warmth.
Qin Feng had long known that Anya was a stunning woman, but in his current state of mind, her beauty seemed even more enchanting.
Fortunately, he noticed the lack of curves on her chest and quickly regained his composure, and a hint of regret flashed in his eyes.
“What are you looking at?!” Anya noticed his gaze and became annoyed. She crossed her arms over her chest, though there was no curvature to emphasize.
“I’m just curious, it’s so late, why haven’t you gone back yet.” Qin Feng coughed.
Since I hadn’t seen you, Anya hid her unnatural look and calmly replied, “Qin Xiao and Qin Lan are too adorable. When I am with them, time flies without me noticing it.
“I see. Children are always so innocent and lovely. If you truly like them, why not have one yourself? Then you’ll have one to bother you when the time comes,” Qin Feng joked without thinking.
But the moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
“Is it amusing?”
“Not at all.”
The two fell into a silent gaze, Anya maintaining her usual demeanor. She casually brushed her hair to cover her slightly flushed ears.
“Would you accompany me for a while?” Anya broke the silence first after a moment.
“Of course.”
As a princess, Anya naturally had a carriage waiting outside the old tavern’s stable.
Although it was only a few streets away, they deliberately slowed their pace, walking for quite some time.
It wasn’t until they saw the royal stableman grooming the horses that they realized they had arrived at their destination.
After a simple farewell, Qin Feng intended to return home but was stopped by Anya.
“What’s wrong?”
Anya asked softly, “What kind of relationship do you consider us to have?”
Qin Feng was slightly surprised, “Of course, we’re close friends.”
“Friends, huh?” A hint of disappointment flashed in Anya’s eyes. This answer was within her expectations but not what she wanted to hear.
She took a deep breath, as if gathering courage, and finally said, “But I don’t want to just be your friend anymore.”
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