If I send you to join the army and marry a woman, will you conquer the Empress?

boom!

These words shocked the entire audience.

The surrounding neighbors were all dumbfounded, as if they had heard the most absurd joke in the world.

"Did I hear that right? Eunuch Cao called for Qin Feng?"

"How could a down-on-his-luck person possibly alarm the Emperor?"

"Could Qin Feng really have some extraordinary background?"

Under the horrified gazes of everyone, Qin Feng straightened his clothes, held his head high, and slowly walked out of the courtyard.

"This humble citizen, Qin Feng, is here! I am grateful for Eunuch Cao's personal visit!"

His steps were steady and his demeanor composed, a stark contrast to the panicked crowd around him.

When Eunuch Cao saw Qin Feng, he surprisingly managed a smile.

"Young Master Qin, kneel down to receive the imperial decree."

"This humble subject obeys the decree!"

Qin Feng lifted his robe and knelt down solemnly.

Bai Wanqing and the Shangguan sisters in the courtyard also knelt down immediately, their hearts pounding in their throats with nervousness.

In the alley, Zhao Quan, Gao Yanei, along with more than a dozen yamen runners and all the neighbors, knelt on the ground in a huge mass, not daring to breathe.

The entire alley was completely silent.

Eunuch Cao cleared his throat, slowly unfurled the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, and, in his distinctively high-pitched voice, read it aloud, word by word:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!"

"Qin Feng, son of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, is of noble character and exceptionally brave. In the Western Mountains, he encountered assassins, bravely stepped forward, eliminated the evildoers, and protected the Emperor. I am greatly pleased!"

boom!

He was credited with protecting the emperor?!

Zhao Quan, kneeling on the ground, felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him on the head, leaving him completely stunned!

Protecting the emperor doesn't necessarily mean protecting the emperor; it can also include protecting members of the royal family.

But in any case, this is a tremendous achievement!

"He is hereby awarded a thousand taels of gold to commend his bravery!" said Eunuch Cao.

What?!

A thousand taels of gold!

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Previously, they were still arguing over the eight hundred taels of silver, but now the Emperor has directly bestowed a thousand taels of gold upon them!

"Furthermore, I bestow upon the young hero a renowned sword from the Imperial Treasury, the 'Great Xia Dragon Sparrow'!" Eunuch Cao added.

Daxia dragon bird!

These four words carry more weight than a thousand taels of gold!

That's a treasured sword listed in the "Great Xia Divine Weapon Manual," priceless and unavailable on the market, a divine weapon coveted by countless martial artists!

However, this is not the end!

Eunuch Cao paused, then, with all his might, read aloud the last sentence of the imperial edict:

"The Qin family was filled with loyal and courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for the country, their contributions greatly benefiting the nation!"

"Now, Qin Feng is hereby granted permission to inherit his father Qin Zhan's title of 'Loyal and Valiant Marquis'! It is hoped that he will carry on his father's will and serve the country with utmost loyalty!"

"So be it—!!!"

……

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent!

Title!

He shall inherit the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor!

Just moments ago, Qin Feng was a destitute man whom everyone could bully!

And now, he has transformed into a hereditary marquis of the Great Xia Dynasty.

This reversal happened so fast, it's unbelievable!

"Your Majesty, I accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude! Long live the Emperor!"

Qin Feng was thrilled. He raised his hands high and respectfully accepted the imperial edict.

Become!

This is truly a windfall!

Brother Xia, oh no, Princess Fuyao, this gift of yours is truly too generous!

With this status, let's see who dares to bully the Qin family in the future.

……

In the courtyard.

"Little Wind!"

"My husband..."

Bai Wanqing and the Shangguan sisters were overwhelmed with joy, tears streaming down their faces.

They watched the departing figure receiving the imperial decree, their eyes gleaming with pride and joy!

On the other side, Zhao Quan and Gao Yanei seemed to have been completely drained of energy, collapsing to the ground.

Lord Marquis...

Qin Feng became a marquis!

Even if the Gao family were as wealthy as a country, merchants were still lowly in the presence of true nobles!

"Congratulations, Young Marquis!"

With a wave of his hand, Eunuch Cao summoned the imperial guards behind him, who immediately carried up two heavy boxes.

Swish!

The box was opened, revealing neatly stacked gold ingots that gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight!

Beside him, another guard respectfully handed over a long brocade box.

"Young Marquis, a thousand taels of gold is merely a common reward. This 'Great Xia Dragon Sparrow' is the true priceless treasure."

"Forged by Ou Yezi, the master swordsmith of the previous dynasty, it can cut through hair with a breath and slice through iron like mud. It ranks eleventh in the 'Great Xia Divine Weapon Ranking'!"

With a delicate, orchid-like gesture, Eunuch Cao introduced, "His Majesty said, a precious sword is bestowed upon a hero! Only you, Marquis, are worthy of this sword!"

Qin Feng took the brocade box, opened it, and took a look.

There lay a simple, ancient-looking battle sword with a long, slender blade, lying quietly inside.

The blade was shrouded in the shadow of a dragon and a bird, and a fierce killing aura swept over you!

Nice knife!

Qin Feng admired it in his heart and solemnly accepted it.

He had just learned a profound-level "Thunderclap Blade Technique" from that assassin leader, and was worried about not having a good blade!

This is just like having a pillow delivered to your head when you're about to fall asleep!

"Thank you, Eunuch Cao!" Qin Feng clasped his hands in thanks.

"You're too kind, Lord Marquis."

Eunuch Cao bowed and smiled, "The imperial edict has been delivered, and I should return to the palace to report back."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Quan and Gao Yanei, who were lying on the ground, both had a hint of relief in their eyes, as if they had survived a disaster.

If Eunuch Cao leaves, there might still be room for maneuver in this matter!

however……

"Please wait, Eunuch Cao!"

Suddenly, Qin Feng's voice rang out again.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Quan and Gao Yanei, a cold, mocking smile appearing on his handsome face.

"Father-in-law, if you had arrived even a moment later, I fear I would have been exiled to the frontier, a thousand miles away!"

"The memorial tablets of all the loyal martyrs of my Qin family will also be smashed on the spot!"

"Today, I implore you, sir, to uphold justice for me!"

……

"What?!"

Cao Gonggong's effeminate face instantly turned fierce, and his hoarse voice became shrill.

He abruptly flicked his whisk, made a delicate gesture with his fingers, glared at Zhao Quan and Gao Yanei, and sternly rebuked them:

"What audacity!"

"Lord Qin is a meritorious official personally appointed by the Emperor; his future is limitless!"

"We'd like to see who has the audacity to mess with you!"