Just as they were talking, a loud noise suddenly came from the third room in the small courtyard, which was supposed to be the room He Lan was staying in. They had originally thought that neither of them came back last night, so how could there be any movement?

When the three people heard this sound, they rushed over to take a look and saw He Lan being kicked out of the room by someone.

He fell with an aiyo in front of the three of them. Upon closer inspection, there was a big footprint on his chest.

They looked up in shock and saw Qin Yu flying out of the room with a sinister expression. The layers of his robes were still open, leaving only the inner garment fastened as he rushed out and stepped on He Lan.

He Lan stood up and quickly began to fight Qin Yu, but Qin Yu was so furious that He Lan couldn’t resist him at all, and was soon stepped on again. He could only look to Huo Fenglie, who was standing aside, for help.

“Zhanyuan, save me.”

However, Huo Fenglie shielded Liu Zhenqing and stood at a distance. Even Bai Su silently stepped back, refusing to save him.

In the end, amidst a burst of cries and howls for mercy, the one-sided beating ended. Qin Yu went to Bai Su’s room to change clothes with a sullen face.

He Lan lay on the ground and rubbed his legs silently, looking with resentment at the three people who had watched him being beaten.

“You’re not human, why didn’t you help me?”

“Will you tell us what you did first?” Bai Su rubbed his brow helplessly as he spoke, as if he was accustomed to this.

Liu Zhenqing’s face was full of curiosity. “This is the first time I’ve seen Brother Qin truly angry.” Although Qin Yu was a cold person, he could occasionally let loose with these few people and play around, and truly treated himself as one of their own.

He Lan let it be known that he was wronged. “I only pushed him down on the bed…..”

The three people: ? ? ?

“And tore off his clothes.”

The three people: ! !

“I wanted to see the tattoo on his body.”

Huo Fenglie frowned in disgust, while Liu Zhenqing looked curious. Tattoo?

Bai Su said with a sigh: “How is it different from the tattoo on your body? Didn’t you all get them with Zhanyuan when you were young?”

This being said, Liu Zhenqing indeed saw that He Lan, whose clothes were ripped and torn, had a tattoo on his body.

“I have an eagle, and he has a snake. I was just curious. I heard that the snake’s scales are different, and I wanted to take a closer look.” He Lan clapped his hands and said, “I failed again.”

Bai Su couldn’t be bothered to talk to him anymore: “I think you were simply itching to be beaten.”

Seeing He Lan’s unresigned appearance, Liu Zhenqing felt deeply that this fellow not only showed no introspection at all, but also still intended to keep trying.

Although he had never expressed anything and Liu Zhenqing never asked, Qin Yu came from the Dongchang. At this time, the Dongchang were all eunuchs, and this was a rather sensitive thing, so Qin Yu should have a taboo about others looking at his body, even his brothers. Then he happened to encounter this careless fellow He Lan, so Qin Yu couldn’t be blamed for beating him.

However, according to Liu Zhenqing’s observations, He Lan’s martial arts should be superior to Qin Yu’s. Therefore, He Lan was beaten at this moment because he knew he was in the wrong, and let himself be beaten. He was a typical fool who loved to create difficulties for himself.

Huo Fenglie asked a more important question: “Why did you sleep together?”

He Lan said: “We didn’t return until dawn, and didn’t want to disturb Yuzhou’s rest, so I just asked Lao Qin to come to my place.”

In fact, this fellow was trying to find a chance to see his tattoo. Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but have this conjecture.

This farce quickly broke up. Afterwards, Qin Yu came out to have breakfast with everyone and ignored He Lan, who gave an airy apology. But He Lan was thick-skinned, so the result didn’t matter.

During this time, Liu Zhenqing realized that their tattoos were actually different. Huo Fenglie’s was usually not visible, and would only show up when his body heat reached a certain level. For example, when they bathed in the hot spring last time. And Qin Yu and He Lan’s were directly visible.

Although they had all gotten tattoos from the same person, they didn’t know what Huo Fenglie had tattooed on his body. They were only vaguely aware that it was very large and took up his entire upper body.

Liu Zhenqing gave Huo Fenglie a curious look, but Huo Fenglie still avoided talking about it and said: “It’s nothing special.”

Such concealment meant it must be very special. Liu Zhenqing’s curiosity was no lower than He Lan’s, and he intended to take a peek the next time Er-gou bathed.

After dinner, they split up. Liu Zhenqing first followed Bai Su to find Cheng Xi.

In the office hall, several officials transferred from local areas and officials from the investigation team gathered together. When everyone saw Bai Su and Liu Zhenqing arrive, they turned a blind eye. The local officials didn’t know them and only thought they were part of the investigation team, and naturally, everyone in the investigation team knew Bai Su and Liu Zhenqing. Although Liu Zhenqing had a special status, they had all received hints that he had come with General Huo, so they naturally didn’t dare to say anything and just kept their heads down to work.

Cheng Xi was the leader here, so he had a separate study. The two of them went directly to his study where it was more convenient to talk.

As soon as they entered, they saw the tall man with a slightly bloody cloth on his head standing next to the desk. He had a frown on his face and a frosty expression, carefully reviewing the information in his hands.

If it weren’t for a few coughs from time to time, the room would have been so quiet that it seemed like you couldn’t even hear him breathing.

The paperwork consisted of case files and newly obtained confessions, and sorting out each person’s charges was a huge workload. Who made this Imperial Examination fraud almost half the burden on the officials here?

Hearing a sound, Cheng Xi looked up. His face was covered in frost just now, but facing Bai Su, he looked like a delighted big brother.

“The two of you were given a fright today.”

“Cheng-daren, don’t say that. We’re here to help. Is there anything we can do for you?” Bai Su stepped forward with a slight smile, but his eyes remained on Cheng Xi’s wound with a hint of worry.

Just as Cheng Xi was about to speak, he suddenly coughed again. Bai Su quickly stepped forward to support him and pour him tea.

Liu Zhenqing listened carefully to the sound of his cough, and feared that he was going to cough up blood. Looking at Cheng Xi’s skin, there was no color to it. 

“Cheng-daren, do you really not need to see a doctor?” Liu Zhenqing said. Cheng Xi’s body looked like he had a long-term lack of rest, excessive worry, and exposure to cold. To put it bluntly, without proper treatment, his life would be short.

Bai Su also said with a frown: “It is better to rest. This case is not your responsibility in the first place, so there is no need to sacrifice yourself to such an extent.”

Cheng Xi waved his hand and said: “I’ve been sick for a long time and I’m well aware. I should take advantage of my ability to still work, and work harder.”

These words sounded as if he had no fear of his mortality.

As Cheng Xi spoke, he looked at Bai Su with a smile: “I promised Wangshu that I would be a good official who works on behalf of the common people, but I can’t live up to his expectations.”

Bai Su’s eyes flashed, and his breath caught in his throat.

Liu Zhenqing frowned slightly. Such “good officials” were very rare. And it seemed that Cheng Xi’s feelings for Bai Yu were very deep. If he didn’t have a wife and a mistress, he would have really believed Huo Fenglie’s analysis.

Bai Su helped Cheng Xi sit down and said: “I came to help you. Don’t worry, I won’t delay your progress.” He was already a top scholar, so it would be easy to deal with these matters. Before, he simply hadn’t wanted to get involved in such things.

Seeing Bai Su like this, Cheng Xi didn’t refuse. He held a hot tea cup to warm his hands and looked at Bai Su in a daze. “I’ll ask my servant to bring some snacks from Shu Ya Pavilion later. Wangshu liked them very much. He said the two of you had the same tastes, so I think you’ll like them too.”

Bai Su’s hand holding the brush paused, then he nodded and said, “Thank you, I’m looking forward to it.”

Liu Zhenqing took the opportunity to step forward and say: “Give me the list of jailed officials and I’ll sort it out.”

Bai Su was about to hand it over to Liu Zhenqing when Cheng Xi asked with polite curiosity, “By the way, has Young Master Liu also passed the Imperial Examinations?”

“That…..actually, no.” Liu Zhenqing was suddenly embarrassed.

However, Cheng Xi did not discriminate, and asked with a smile, “Then what is Young Master Liu’s name?”

Liu Zhenqing said directly: “My name is Liu Xiaozhu, courtesy name…..”

Before Liu Zhenqing could finish speaking, the teacup slipped from Cheng Xi’s hands and hit the floor with a bang.

Liu Zhenqing looked over and saw that Cheng Xi’s expression, which had been pleasant just now, was filled with shock, and then turned into an uncontrollable sullenness. 

Liu Zhenqing’s heart thumped, and he had a guess in mind.

“Oh, what is the relationship between Young Master Liu and the late treacherous minister Liu Zhenqing?”

As soon as these words came out, Bai Su also realized the problem and looked embarrassed, wanting to stop him.

“It seems that Cheng-daren already knows,” Liu Zhenqing said calmly.

“When I took over this case, I naturally knew that the Imperial merchant Liu family in the capital was also involved in the Imperial Examination case, and I also heard the name of their eldest son. Unexpectedly, Young Master Liu was not arrested, and even more unexpectedly, he is traveling with General Huo and Young Master Bai.” The hostility on Cheng Xi’s face was undisguised, and his unkind gaze even extended to Bai Su.

“Cheng-daren, the Liu family has been divided since their ancestors’ ancestors lived, and Brother Liu didn’t even know that person. We should not implicate innocent people,” Bai Su said firmly.

But Cheng Xi continued to look at Liu Zhenqing with gloomy eyes and said: “Apologies, I believe that General Huo and Young Master Bai can treat you fairly. They have clear grievances and can act normally, but I cannot. When I think of Wangshu’s tragic death, I just can’t understand it, and I don’t want to see anything related to that person. To avoid me losing my composure, Young Master Liu should leave.”

This was the first time Liu Zhenqing had felt such deep-seated hatred since his rebirth. He gradually lost all expression on his face and faced Cheng Xi’s anger in silence.

Although Cheng Xi was very restrained, he began to cough violently again right away. The coughing was even more severe this time, and it seemed as though he was about to cough up half his life.

It would be rude to stay any longer. 

Liu Zhenqing could only apologize and walk out.

Bai Su wanted to persuade him to stay, but he didn’t know what to say. Liu Zhenqing just gave him a faint smile and said: “Take care of Cheng Xi. He’s right. His behavior is only natural, and it was me who was insensitive. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

When Liu Zhenqing finished speaking, he turned around and left.

Bai Su sighed and looked back at Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi also looked at Bai Su. “I know I am not qualified to say anything to you, but you are Wangshu’s younger brother. Do you know what he went through? Everything started because of Liu Zhenqing. Everything is his fault. How can you still have contact with his relative?”

Although Bai Su could understand Cheng Xi’s attitude, to be honest, Cheng Xi’s performance before was so perfect that the current Cheng Xi made Bai Su a little disappointed.

On the other side, Liu Zhenqing was thinking about where to go next. His steps got continuously slower, and his head went lower and lower.

Suddenly, he bumped into something. When he looked up, he saw that Huo Fenglie had appeared in front of him and was regarding him with a serious look.

Liu Zhenqing blinked. “What are you doing here?”

“Du Dongfeng is working. I was watching from above and saw you.” Then he heard Huo Fenglie ask in a slightly worried tone: “What’s wrong?”

Liu Zhenqing: “Oh, I didn’t find anything over there. I plan to go to Qin Yu’s place and have a look. There should be a list in the interrogation room.”

Liu Zhenqing was the best at acting. He confirmed that he hadn’t leaked out any emotion, but in the next second, Huo Fenglie grabbed his wrist.

Startled, Liu Zhenqing stared at Huo Fenglie with wide eyes. But Huo Fenglie didn’t say anything, and just forcefully pulled him toward the small courtyard.

“Yi? What are you doing? I’m not going back, ah, wait…..” Liu Zhenqing was pulled so hard that he staggered. Before he could regain his balance, he was picked up by Huo Fenglie.

It was difficult to comply with this kind of princess carry. Liu Zhenqing said with embarrassment: “Er-gou? What are you doing?”

But when he looked up, he only saw Huo Fenglie’s slightly gloomy face, as if he was sulking and blaming himself for doing something wrong. He didn’t dare to look at Liu Zhenqing.

Such an Er-gou made Liu Zhenqing shut up for a moment.

With a bang, Huo Fenglie kicked open their door. Liu Zhenqing didn’t realize what he was going to do until he placed Liu Zhenqing on the bed and removed his shoes.

Soon after, Huo Fenglie turned around and brought over a bunch of small mechanism toys he had bought on the road and spread them on the bed. Even a hidden Rubik’s Cube was included. 

Huo Fenglie looked up at Liu Zhenqing and said: “Stay here and don’t move. Wait for me for a while.”

Liu Zhenqing seemed to realize what Huo Fenglie was going to do, and said nothing.

Huo Fenglie hurriedly left. Soon, a circle of snacks he had said were delicious the day before were added to Liu Zhenqing’s bed. There were also new novels, as well as drinks that were not too strong, and Liu Zhenqing’s favorite incense was lit on the small table next to him.

Liu Zhenqing watched Huo Fenglie place them carefully and couldn’t help but smile: “What are you doing?”

Huo Fenglie looked up at Liu Zhenqing and said: “Qing-ge, you rest today. Don’t do anything. Just stay in bed.”

As he spoke, Huo Fenglie helped Liu Zhenqing put down the bed curtains to give him a small space.

In fact, he did this because it was what Liu Zhenqing used to do when he was unhappy and gave himself a holiday. Er-gou remembered.

Amused and helpless, Liu Zhenqing said: “Is there anything serious to be done?”

“There is…..nothing important, not at all,” Huo Fenglie said in a suddenly dark and cold tone.

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly at Huo Fenglie standing beside the bed, and suddenly felt that the person in front of him was no longer a child. He was grown up enough to shield him from some unpleasant emotions.

“I will keep an eye on Du Dongfeng,” Huo Fenglie said softly. “At noon, I will bring Qing-ge back the grilled fish from Wan Zhao Tower.”

As he spoke, he reached out and gently touched Liu Zhenqing’s head. “Qing-ge, have a good rest.”

Liu Zhenqing felt an inexplicable surge of sourness. Huo Fenglie’s tone of voice was a bit cold and unnatural, but he really felt the affection in his words.

It was strange. When Huo Fenglie said he felt sorry for him before, he only thought it was amusing, but now he felt very moved.

This person really felt distressed for him.

“Okay.”

Having received this response, Huo Fenglie left so as not to disturb Liu Zhenqing’s rest.

Lui Zhenqing took a deep breath and truly let himself go. He wrapped himself in the quilt and nestled in bed, eating snacks, playing with toys, and reading books when he was tired of playing.

When he was flipping through the pages, Liu Zhenqing came across a unique book.

The cover said “Album of Secluded Courtyard Paintings.”

Liu Zhenqing opened it curiously, and found that the first picture showed two figures sitting face to face on a bed, each of them using their hands to play with the other…..

Wait? What was he looking at? There were two men!!

Liu Zhenqing sucked in a deep breath and instinctively slammed the book shut.

Great Zhou was open to homosexuality, and even marriage was possible. This was not rare to Liu Zhenqing, and because of his appearance, he was often admired by men. So Liu Zhenqing knew some common sense things about it, but had no interest in his own sex, so he had never been curious to see any male erotic pictures. 

The scene just now shocked him hard.

It was so bizarre.

Why was this sort of thing mixed in with the books, ah?

Such nonsense. Liu Zhenqing tossed the book aside with no intention of looking at it again.

After a stick of incense, Liu Zhenqing closed the book again with a red face.

So ridiculous, how could that be possible? It must be an exaggerated depiction! Too unrealistic!

After another stick of incense, Liu Zhenqing felt that his soul had transcended, as if he had received incredible knowledge and the door to a new world had opened.

All those men who liked him wanted to do these things to him! He thought for a moment and really couldn’t accept it no matter what.

Er-gou had found this. Could it be…..

Several scenes suddenly flashed through Liu Zhenqing’s mind, including bathing in the hot spring pool, the Heaven’s Blessing Sect’s aphrodisiac, determining the scent on his body before…..all the drawings he had just seen became countless fragments and mixed together in his mind, as if they were about to condense into some kind of picture.

Liu Zhenqing’s mind went blank, and he wrapped himself in the quilt in shame and anger. He seemed to have accidentally thought of an incredible scene just now. It was simply crazy.

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Chapter Forty-Seven << Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Nine