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Chapter 748: Boys Are Meant to Be Beaten
Chapter 748: Boys Are Meant to Be Beaten
Chapter 748: Boys Are Meant to Be Beaten
The officials present were all men. Who didn’t understand each other’s mindset?
Which man doesn’t wish he could have countless beautiful wives, just like a general ordering his troops, the more the better.
So when the Buddha’s Mouth voiced Qin Feng’s innermost thoughts, eight or nine out of ten believed it.
If so, then Princess Anya’s true intentions were likely to hit the mark as well.
The officials cautiously sized up Qin Feng and Anya, wondering just when those two had become entangled.
As for their original intentions to propose marrying off their daughters to Qin Feng, they didn’t dare entertain the thought further.
Contending with Liu Jianli and that Dragon Clan woman for a man already required immense courage. Throw in a princess on top of that – how was that different from walking into the jaws of death?
Moreover, nothing in Imperial City could really be hidden from the reigning Emperor, yet he turned a blind eye to this situation. He must want this marriage to happen.
Between the Princess’s desires and the Emperor’s machinations, what lowly official dared see through the ruse?
The Minister promptly said: “We would never believe the nonsense spouted by that freak. Your Highness and Young Master Qin, please rest assured.”“Yes, yes.”
“We never believed it to begin with.”
The others chorused in agreement.
When the Buddha’s mouth heard this, his eyes bulged. These people were clearly insincere – they were telling blatant lies with their eyes open!
Its eyeball spun as it truthfully revealed their thoughts.
“If Princess Anya marries into the Qin Family, they will soar to unprecedented heights.”
“Contending with the Princess for a man is impossible. It’s better to change tact and betroth my daughter to the Qin Family’s second young master. “
“I recall the second young master has formidable martial talent and was taken as a disciple by the Southern Domain’s divine general Zhen Tianyi. His prospects are likewise limitless.”
Beside them, Qin An’s expression stiffened as the topic suddenly turned to him.
Princess Anya gritted her silver teeth, and the tips of her fair ears turned red. She tried her best to maintain the image of a princess, she narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, and glanced at everyone.
The officials all averted their eyes and lowered their heads with guilt. But their unrestrained thoughts only prompted the Buddha’s Mouth to ramble on incessantly.
“Perhaps the Emperor also intends to promote this marriage between the Qin Family and the Princess, to gain the Dragon Clan’s support.”
“His Majesty truly schemes deeply.”
“What a pity, I had hoped my boy could win the Princess’s heart. Looks like there’s no chance now.”
What the fuck? Qin Feng’s eyes bulged. These bastards dared to discuss the Emperor so privately. Do they not fear losing their heads? And who wished for their son to become the reigning imperial son-in-law?
He scrutinized the crowd, trying to discern who had spoken those words.
However, these officials were all experienced bureaucrats. They all raised their heads and looked around in surprise, as if they were trying to prove their innocence to show that what it just said was not what they thought!
And when the Buddha’s Mouth’s eyeball glared towards certain individuals, they directly rebuked in outrage: “Utter nonsense, complete nonsense! Our loyalty to His Majesty is witnessed by the sun and moon – how could we utter such treasonous words!”
“Hah, the ramblings of a freak demon, obviously fabricated from thin air.”
“Exactly, this is precisely what Young Master Qin warned us about earlier.”
The group of officials turned their heads towards Qin Feng in unison.
You bastards, too afraid to implicate Anya so you drag me in instead? Qin Feng’s expression stiffened before he nodded. “Indeed, what the gentlemen say is correct.”
But the Buddha’s Mouth remained shameless, and Anya’s face grew increasingly unsightly.
As more and more of their inner thoughts were exposed, the officials realized this was no place to linger. Leaving behind their gifts and some perfunctory well-wishes, they hurriedly departed.
Of course, some officials took the opportunity on their way out to advertise their daughters to Qin An.
Some even asked Qin Feng if he had considered betrothing his children while still infants.
The former proposals were directly rejected by Qin An, whose heart already belonged to another.
As for the latter, Qin Feng politely “requested” they leave – how could he let those pigs defile his precious children?
After becoming a father, he seemed to finally understand why the senior Bai Yan was so overprotective of his daughter.
With the crowds finally dispersed from the Qin Manor, and the servants finished cataloging the gifts, they returned to the main hall where the two wives tended to the children.
Gazing upon this heartwarming family scene, Qin Feng couldn’t help feeling that home truly was a man’s warmest harbor.
Crack!
A bolt of ethereal lightning suddenly manifested, leaving a charred mark on the floor.
The sudden scene startled Second Mother and other weak women, and they knew without thinking that this was little Qin Lan’s doing.
She is still an infant, but possesses strength that far exceeds that of her peers, so it is natural that she will occasionally lose control of herself.
Which was precisely why Qin Feng hadn’t dared let the Second Mother or the maidservants tend to the children alone.
The rosy-cheeked Qin Lan waved her little hands gleefully, emitting a tinkling laughter. Yet Cang Feilan’s elegant brows furrowed as one hand gripped the infant’s neck, holding her aloft.
The Second Mother paled in horror. “Feilan, what are you doing?”
“In the Dragon Clan, misbehaving children must be disciplined,” Cang Feilan stated matter-of-factly.
As she spoke, her right hand rose, arcs of lightning dancing across her palm.
This is just a spanking, why are you trying to shock her? Qin Feng stopped her and snatched his precious child Qin Lan.
“Feilan, this is not right,” Cang Mu shook her head.
“That’s right, you need to explain to Feilan the proper way to raise a child,” Qin Feng agreed.
“For such disobedience, she should be taken to the Heavenly Pool to experience the tempering of lightning,” Cang Mu said solemnly.
Ah, this seems a bit different from what I had in mind. Qin Feng’s eyes bulged.
The others also wore expressions of shock.
“Aunt, I almost forgot, this was how we were raised when we were kids.”
“A few jolts of lightning not only will make her behave, but enhance her affinity for it. To temper her strength we must start from a young age,” Cang Feilan nodded slightly.
It’s really not easy for you Dragon Clan to grow up alive. Everyone present thought so, except for one person.
Liu Jianli glanced at the cradled Qin Xiao, pensive. “Start from a young age…”
Crack!
A crisp sound rang out as everyone turned to see the corner of the rosewood table shattered by Qin Xiao’s bare hand.
This item was not cheap. Qin Feng frowned, with a look of distress on his face.
“Elder Sister Jianli, since he’s being so disobedient, you should discipline him,” Cang Feilan stated matter-of-factly.
Liu Jianli pondered briefly before silently raising her right hand towards Qin Xiao’s bottom, arcs of vigor qi swirling across her palm.
Yet this time, Qin Feng did not intervene. Indeed, a naughty boy needs a beating now and then to learn his lesson.
Soon, the main hall echoed with crying.
After lunch, as Anya rose to say goodbye, Cang Feilan glanced at her and Jianli’s children and her elegant brows furrowed as if remembering something.
“Elder Sister Jianli, do you still remember what that fortune-teller said at the tavern during our journey to the Western Domain?”
Liu Jianli lowered her head in thought before replying softly, “The fortune-teller who divined the genders of our children? If I recall, he predicted them all correctly.”
“Do you also remember him saying that although we each have one son and one daughter, your husband would have two sons and two daughters?”
As he sipped tea, the cup in Qin Feng’s hand trembled at those words. Why dig up such an old wive’s tale now of all times?
He glanced around to find Liu Jianli and Cang Feilan both eyeing him with scrutiny.
If it continues, I’m afraid there will be a court hearing, and I’ll have to find an excuse to leave. Qin Feng said with a smile: “Anya, are you going back? I’ll see you off.”
Before he finished, the white-robed Anya reseated herself and asked gently, “Please continue, Elder Sisters. Though I’ve reached the fourth rank, I’m still not very skilled in the art of divination. I’d like to hear about this fortune-teller of yours.”
Qin Feng’s expression froze as he stood dumbstruck.
At the Grand Literature Academy’s Heavenly Tower, a figure in a white dress approached gracefully.
On the first floor, Yang Qian was organizing lesson plans for Peaceful Academy when he noticed the visitor and asked in a surprise. “Anya? It’s been quite a while since you last came to inquire about cultivation with this master. What brings you here today?”
Anya replied softly, “I have reached the fourth rank, yet I still don’t fully comprehend the way of divination. I’ve come to seek guidance from Teacher.”
“You were born into the imperial family as a princess, destined for great fortune. It’s only natural you will struggle with divination. I may not have a perfect solution, but since you’re here, you may as well ask about the next stage of your cultivation. The teacher awaits atop the tower.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Upon reaching the top floor, the Heavenly Tower National Teacher sat before a table with two steaming cups of tea already poured.
“Have a seat.”
The teacher knew I was coming. This thought crossed Anya’s mind as she bowed respectfully before taking a seat.
She inquired how to cultivate the way of divination, to which the Heavenly Tower National Teacher’s response did not differ much from Yang Qian’s.
A flicker of disappointment showed in her eyes before she began asking about the specifics of cultivating the Literature Saint path, including methods to reach the third rank.
The Heavenly Tower National Teacher answered each query comprehensively.
After their lengthy discussion, the sun had already set and dusk fell.
With little tea left in the cups, the Heavenly Tower National Teacher said, “It grows late, you should return.”
Anya gave a soft acknowledgment before hesitating and continuing, “These past few days, I’ve often visited the Qin Manor. Seeing Junior Brother Qin’s two wives and children leaves me filled with profound sentiments.”
“The continuation of life is truly the greatest miracle in this world. I don’t know if the teacher shares this view?”
The National Teacher did not answer but raised his head and waited for her further words.
“I too am a woman, and will marry and bear my own children one day. Seeing Junior Brother Qin’s children these past days, I’ve become quite fond of them. So I often wonder, when it’s my turn, will I give birth to sons or daughters? I don’t know if the teacher could enlighten me.”
As their four eyes met, the apprehensive Anya instinctively averted her gaze, afraid her thoughts would be seen through.
“Perhaps two sons,” the National Teacher stated indifferently.
“Ah?” Anya was startled and asked immediately, “Teacher, are you certain you haven’t made a mistake? Perhaps you should divine it again more carefully?”
That fortune-teller clearly said Qin Feng would have two sons and two daughters. If she gave birth to two sons, wouldn’t that contradict it?
“Or perhaps two daughters.”
Anya stood up suddenly. “Master, you should really recalculate more carefully!”
Two daughters would also contradict it!
The Heavenly Tower National Teacher shook his head. “If one knew such things in advance, where would the enjoyment be? Wait until that day, and you’ll see for yourself.”
“I…suppose so. Then this disciple shall take her leave.” Anya departed disappointedly.
Before leaving, the Heavenly Tower National Teacher suddenly asked, “Has His Majesty decided upon the heir apparent?”
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will undoubtedly be the Crown Prince who ascends. Why does the Master ask? My royal father is still in his prime – discussing succession is premature.”
“It’s always better to be prepared.”
At a mountain peak in the Western Domain, Bai Wudi’s expression was unsightly.
Who in these lands did not know of her fearsome reputation?
Especially after the world’s anomalies, having crossed into the transcendence realm, even the Demon Slaying Department had to give her face!
Yet in recent days, the few mountain bases under her control had been destroyed one after another, with all her subordinates killed!
She had surveyed those mountain bases – no corpses remained, only blood soaked grounds reminiscent of hellish crucibles.
The lingering aura left behind was ominous enough to make even her apprehensive.
Some entity had arrived in the Western Domain and was massacring indiscriminately!
Beside her, Mo Sanyi said, “I’ve made inquiries. The recent unrest isn’t targeting us specifically, but leaving such grisly scenes wherever this intruder passes through the Western Domain.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Wudi’s expression soured. “What about that Fu woman? With such a being rampaging through the Western Domain, how could she not have reacted at all?”
“If she can’t properly manage things here, I’ll take over instead!”
No sooner had she finished than a figure flashed into view.
“You’re saying I can’t manage things?” The frowning Fu Ruoyun, donning martial attire with a wine jug at her waist, retorted.
The recent turmoil in the Western Domain already left her in a foul mood. Hearing Bai Wudi’s words immediately fanned the flames within.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Bai Wudi stated nonchalantly.
Those words instantly raised tensions to a knife-edge.
Both were already agitated, conveniently finding an outlet for venting in each other.
Within a few moments, the battle began, shaking the earth and the mountains.
Only after exhausting their fury did they finally cease – though the original mountain range had been reduced to a flattened plain.
Mo Sanyi spoke up opportunely, “Could Commander Fu’s presence here also be related to the being that recently appeared in the Western Domain?”
“Correct. From what I know, three cities and over a dozen mountain villages have already been destroyed. Over ten Red Lotus demon-slayers have died, and two Thirty-Six Stars tasked with tracking this entity are also missing.”
“I’ve come to share intelligence and discuss countermeasures,” Fu Ruoyun stated frankly.
“If you were truly capable, why come begging us? Can’t handle it yourself?” Bai Wudi sneered disdainfully.
Seeing the flames of battle about to reignite, Mo Sanyi hurriedly changed the subject, divulging everything she knew.
Listening intently, Fu Ruoyun began tracing a path with her vigor qi on the ground. The endpoint clearly led towards the Western Extreme!
“What is it going to do there?” Fu Ruoyun said quietly to herself.