The tension had been heightened to this point, and this humble Liu Zhenqing was the main culprit.

Recalling the incident with his fiance, Jin Li whispered in his ear every day to emphasize that Huo Fenglie did not have a fiance, so he could pursue him confidently and boldly.

In the past, Er-gou seemed to have been a late bloomer. He never got close to any girls in his teens, but back then, crisis was lurking on every side. Now he had not yet been engaged at twenty-six, and there was no telling what the elders of the family thought. That sister-in-law was also unreliable.

This could just be thought of as helping Er-gou arrange a wave of marriage offers.

Liu Zhenqing shamelessly rationalized his irresponsible behavior, and after some thought, he was quite satisfied. He felt that as his sworn brother, he had already cared for Er-gou’s lifelong affairs.

Faced with the abruptly eager gazes of everyone, He Lan and Qin Yu seemed to see Huo Fenglie’s icy face crack in an instant. It was so novel. This Young Master Liu was a talent.

But Huo Fenglie frowned soon after, and the people around no longer dared to stare at him openly.

Rong Shiming also realized that Liu Zhenqing had led him by the nose just now. Thinking about it, how could a person like Huo Fenglie be willing to be dragged along like this by Liu Zhenqing? He said at once: “General Huo, it seems that Young Master Liu is very fond of you. General Huo is so fortunate.”

Ah? Sowing discord to kill someone with a borrowed knife?

Liu Zhenqing was also aware that his behavior might successfully offend Huo Fenglie, but the dignified general wouldn’t get so angry that he would come down and beat him. At least, the Er-gou he knew was not such a petty person. Thus, he had the confidence to act recklessly just now.

Liu Zhenqing looked up and heard a deep voice. “It is time for Young Master Rong to leave.”

That imposing tone that brooked no resistance was thrown into Rong Shiming’s face. He had failed to provoke him, and was slapped in the face instead. Rong Shiming was about to become angry, but froze when he met Huo Fenglie’s gaze.

Those eyes were like the brightest stars in the winter night sky. With just a casual glance, a cold wind blew, freezing into the depths of people’s souls and making them shudder, not daring to look directly at him.

The gaze of a killing god was really not something that an ordinary young master could withstand. Rong Shiming immediately trembled with fright and almost knelt down instinctively.

Liu Zhenqing on the side was a little surprised. He was not familiar with the current Huo Fenglie. His memory was still of the boy back then. At that time, his bright black eyes were full of gentleness and vitality, but now they were filled with violence, unconsciously overflowing with murderous intention, yet as calm as death. Huo Feihan, who was the same age as he fought on the battlefield, had never had such a look in his eyes.

Liu Zhenqing was stunned for a long moment, because his vision was clearer than when he was unconscious last time. It wasn’t until Rong Shiming looked away in embarrassment and sent him a fierce look that he returned to his senses.

The look in Rong Shiming’s eyes clearly said “Just you wait.” Liu Zhenqing gave a slight smile and calmly made a gesture of invitation for him to scram.

At last, Rong Shiming and Jiang Zi’er left the stage in despair, and the onlookers were dispersed by He Lan.

Liu Zhenqing saluted He Lan, and was just about to leave when he was stopped.

He Lan said with some surprise: “Didn’t Young Master Liu come here for a meal? Why are you leaving? It’s a rare chance encounter, let’s eat together, ba.”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. Thanks for the invitation. That other person will not be so broad-minded.

“I won’t disturb the lords’ gathering.”

He Lan gave an ill-intentioned smile. “It’s no bother. I sincerely invite you.”

He had long seen that He Lan was a lively master who didn’t take things too seriously. Did Er-gou have such a naughty child around him before?

When he glanced up again, Er-gou could no longer be seen by the window.

“He-daren, I just made such a scene. Are you sure it’s appropriate for me to go up now?” Perhaps he was just luring the dog in to beat it and take pleasure in another’s misfortune.

“It is appropriate. You saved Yunci and Yunqian, it doesn’t matter if you offend him.” He Lan said with a smile: “What’s more, didn’t you praise him just now? How could he be so indifferent to right and wrong!”

He had the ability to smile until the corners of his mouth split and say such things to deceive people.

After one or two accidental glances, it was enough to know that Er-gou was alive and well. Liu Zhenqing really felt that there was no need to meet him again.

Seeing Liu Zhenqing’s clear resistance, He Lan became even more curious. After all, Liu Zhenqing’s behavior before was the complete opposite.

No way, how could he let such an interesting thing go? He practically dragged Liu Zhenqing with him.

He Lan was a martial artist, and Liu Zhenqing was carried up like a small chicken.

When he returned to his senses, he was already standing outside the door of a private room. The servants who followed him saw that their master was looking for General Huo, so they would naturally not interfere.

There were two people sitting in the private room on the second floor. One was Huo Fenglie, who was sitting by the window, and the other was a young man with a cold and scrutinizing gaze.

Neither of them questioned He Lan suddenly bringing someone up.

Liu Zhenqing could only bite the bullet and say: “Apologies, everyone. I…..”

He intended to say that he had something to do, so he would leave first.

But the moment he looked up, he met Huo Fenglie’s eyes again. This time, they were so deep that it was impossible to see to the end of them.

Last time, he had just had a quick glance and didn’t take a closer look. But now when he looked at Huo Fenglie again, he sensed a big difference. His heart moved, but it was difficult to make his feet retreat, and he finally followed He Lan into the private room.

“Excuse me…..”

The Huo Fenglie in his twenties was naturally much more upright and handsome than Er-gou in his teenage years, but he had a cold feeling about him. His temperament seemed to be more taciturn, and his entire person was like his name, like biting cold wind and the endless abyss of battle.

After some thought, it could be understood that the parents of the previous generation of the Huo family had passed away early. Although there were other elders around, they could be regarded as brothers who were mutually dependent. After his brother died in the war, Huo Fenglie not only had to take care of the Huo family at a young age, but also shouldered the banner of the Huo family army to protect the emperor and the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He and Huo Feihan had left a mess behind for this kid. He was supposed to grow up to be the brightest young man in the capital under their wings, but instead, he was forced to grow up quickly.

If he was not ruthless, not frightening, and didn’t use murderous intent as armor, how could he have achieved his current fame?

But seeing such changes, Liu Zhenqing still felt guilty in the end.

After sitting down, He Lan took the initiative to ask: “Young Master Liu, how are you? Have you remembered anything?”

Knowing that He Lan was referring to the other person, Liu Zhenqing shook his head. Although he still didn’t know him, he could still tell the third person’s identity. He had delicate features, no stubble, and no obvious Adam’s apple. If martial arts practitioners could spend time in his company, he was clearly from the eunuch Dongchang.

“You really don’t remember. He is…..” He Lan was about to introduce him, but Qin Yu interrupted with displeasure, “I’ll do it myself.”

“This one is Qin Yu, an official of the Dongchang. We have met a few times, but we haven’t spoken.” Qin Yu’s voice was cold, and the original owner would certainly have felt very ill at ease hearing it. 

But Liu Zhenqing had met many people, and instinctively knew that Qin Yu was like this by nature and was not targeting him, so he responded politely.

Qin Yu was also surprised by Liu Zhenqing’s calmness. His suspicion of Liu Zhenqing, however, did not diminish, so he asked directly: “Since Young Master Liu cannot remember anything, how was he so clear about General Huo when dealing with Rong Shiming just now?”

“Right, oh, I had just called Zhanyuan from below. There are so many windows on the second floor, and there were many people peeking out to see the show, but you picked Zhanyuan out of the crowd. How could Young Master Liu, who has lost his memory, tell who General Huo was at a glance? Although you may have seen him at Longxing Gambling House, it was probably just a brief glimpse before you fell unconscious. Could it be that you’ve forgotten everything else but Zhanyuan? Or could it be that one glance lasts for eternity? How touching, ah.” He Lan spoke teasingly.

One of them was smiling and the other was not, but their eyes were both filled with sharp inquisition. 

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flashed, and the corners of his mouth slightly rose. Sure enough, this was no simple invitation, ah. These two people were vigilant, and Fuo Fenglie……had some doubts, so he allowed them to question him.

“The two of you are joking with me. Although I have lost my memory, my personal servant did not. He admires General Huo very much. I only remembered those things after he whispered them in my ear. As for recognizing him at a glance, General Huo saved my life at that time. It would not be difficult to remember my benefactor, even at a glance.”

It was not too much of an exaggeration to be suspicious, nor easy to refute.

Liu Zhenqing estimated that they were just instinctively aware of his perceived irregularities, so when Liu Zhenqing finished speaking calmly, the two of them looked much more natural.

Huo Fenglie, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke: “How did Young Master Liu know that the academics of the Imperial Academy spoke those words?”

He Lan and Qin Yu were both stunned when they heard this, but when they thought about it carefully, Liu Zhenqing had indeed mentioned it before. When they heard it at that time, they just thought that Liu Zhenqing was praising Huo Fenglie. After all, they had known Huo Fenglie for many years, and wouldn’t dare to say such baseless words.

Now, hearing Huo Fenglie say this, it seems that the academics had truly said this?

If they didn’t know such a thing, then how did Liu Zhenqing find out?

Liu Zhenqing looked stiffly at Huo Fenglie, who was sitting to his right. Although Huo Fenglie was currently looking at him, his black eyes were calm and without waves. His slender hand rested quietly next to the teacup, as if he didn’t have any suspicions, just a little bit of doubt he had to clear up but no hope for an answer.

Reserved and…..self-controlled.

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Chapter Eleven << Table of Contents >> Chapter Thirteen