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He grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s shoulder at this time, causing him to let out a low cry of pain. Huo Fenglie’s face paled, and he quickly let go.

“Qing-ge, your shoulder…..” Huo Fenglie said anxiously.

Hearing Huo Fenglie’s question, Liu Zhenqing was a little puzzled. Had this guy forgotten that his shoulder was injured?

Liu Zhenqing was momentarily embarrassed. Huo Fenglie thought there was something wrong with the wound, so he got up to go find the doctor.

But he was stopped by Liu Zhenqing.

“I’m fine, Er-gou. Do you still remember what happened before you fell unconscious?”

Huo Fenglie wore a blank look. “I saw you jump into the water, and I went to save you…..” He frowned slightly at this point, as if his memory ended there.

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. “You can’t remember what happened after that?”

Huo Fenglie said with a serious expression: “What happened after that? Was it me who caused Qing-ge to get hurt? Let me see your injury……”

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s appearance, he didn’t seem to be lying. Liu Zhenqing suddenly felt depressed. How could he dare let him see his wound? There was a bite mark left by Huo Fenglie next to it.

Liu Zhenqing had no choice but to say that Huo Fenglie had lost control and killed two of the villains, then fainted and was brought here by him, where they encountered Yue Xuqian.

“Yue Xuqian?!” Huo Fenglie was very surprised.

At this moment, someone pushed open the door and said: “You’re awake? That’s good, otherwise I really don’t know how I would feed you the medicine. You’re still so defensive. When you took a medicinal bath just now, the doctor wanted to feed you ginseng, but you wouldn’t open your mouth.”

Following these teasing words, Yue Xuqian appeared at the door dressed in white, and walked in personally holding the medicine.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help feeling embarrassed upon hearing this. Why should this…..this kind of memory be left to him alone, ah! It was irritating to death!

Huo Fenglie had a rare change of expression when he saw his long-lost childhood friend.

“Drink the medicine first.” Yue Xuqian walked to the bed and handed over the medicine bowl.

Huo Fenglie took the bowl, but didn’t drink it right away. Instead, he said first: “Xuqian, can you call the doctor?”

As soon as these words came out, Liu Zhenqing and Yue Xuqian were instantly worried that Huo Fenglie might be feeling uncomfortable.

Just as Yue Xuqian was about to send someone to find the doctor, he saw Huo Fenglie turn his head and look straight at Liu Zhenqing beside him. “Let the doctor take another look at your injury.”

Yue Xuqian was stunned, and looked at the equally stunned Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing quickly waved his hands and said: “No need, no need. It doesn’t hurt now, it’s fine.”

Huo Fenglie frowned, looking at Liu Zhenqing as if he didn’t agree, while Yue Xuqian regarded his brother with interest. According to his understanding of Huo Fenglie, if it was his own wound that hurt a little but he said he didn’t need a doctor, Huo Fenglie would let it go. That level of concern was enough, but his current concern for Liu Zhenqing seemed to be excessive.

He had kept calling for Qing-ge when he was unconscious before. Naturally, he knew which person Huo Fenglie was calling, but now he was worried about another young master from the Liu family. What was this?

Seeing that Huo Fenglie still looked like he wanted to persuade him, Liu Zhenqing lost his temper.

He had originally wanted to wait until he felt better before questioning him slowly, but now Liu Zhenqing said with a cold face: “Compared to Brother Huo, I certainly have no problems. If a famous doctor hadn’t come to take a good look, I wouldn’t have known that Brother Huo’s old illness was so severe. I definitely never heard Brother Huo mention it at all.”

Huo Fenglie froze, and saw Liu Zhenqing narrow his eyes slightly. He was obviously holding a grudge. Suddenly at a loss, he could only be obedient and lower his head to drink the medicine while trying to defend himself: “I brought the medicine made by Sister-in-law. It’s fine.”

He naturally knew what an ordinary doctor would probably say upon seeing his condition, and knew that Liu Zhenqing would be angry once he heard about it.

But he didn’t want Liu Zhenqing to worry. He knew this person very well. This person liked to take responsibility for him the most. If he knew about his condition, Liu Zhenqing would definitely be distressed and blame himself for not learning medical skills well, and then keep it in his heart every day. He didn’t want to increase Liu Zhenqing’s inner burden.

“If it’s fine, would it have become like it is now?” Liu Zhenqing said with displeasure.

Yue Xuqian also became serious and said: “Fenglie, don’t hide it from us. The doctor examined your body and told us all about your situation. Your condition has worsened due to your injuries, and the situation is really not optimistic. This is no joke.”

Facing the two of them, Huo Fenglie could only say calmly: “Actually, when I went south this time, I planned to meet my sister-in-law’s master on the way.” Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing as he spoke.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. As expected.

“That legendary doctor?” Yue Xuqian asked.

Huo Fenglie nodded. “My current condition is relatively under control, and there won’t be any problems in the short term. This time was just because I unexpectedly encountered a strange martial arts master. So…..don’t worry.”

When Huo Fenglie said not to worry, Yue Xuqian thought he was the one being talked to, but when he looked up, this person wasn’t looking at him.

He only saw his brother looking at Liu Zhenqing with innocent eyes, as if with a slight intention to please.

He was initially worried about Huo Fenglie’s physical problems, but now his attention was diverted by the way the two of them got along. This was really becoming more and more incomprehensible.

Liu Zhenqing lowered his eyes and thought for a moment before saying, “Then let’s postpone the investigation and go get you treated first.”

Huo Fenglie said with a frown: “We can do both at the same time. We’re being hunted now, which proves that the other party is anxious. This case cannot be delayed, as you should know.”

Liu Zhenqing shook his head firmly. Of course he knew. In the past, he never would have been so emotional, but this was Er-gou’s life and safety. He was no longer Prime Minister Liu, and nothing was as important as the people he cared about.

Seeing the stalemate between the two, Yue Xuqian said: “How about you give me his location and I’ll send someone to invite him over. In any case, you happen to be recovering here.”

“Senior Miracle Doctor will not easily go out for a consultation. Even I can only seek medical treatment at home,” Huo Fenglie explained.

Liu Zhenqing thought for a moment and said: “I’ll write a letter to the miracle doctor. He might come after reading it.”

Yue Xuqian glanced at Liu Zhenqing in surprise, feeling that his tone was a little too confident. Huo Fenglie couldn’t even invite this person, but he could invite him with just one letter? He couldn’t help but give Huo Fenglie a meaningful look.

Huo Fenglie hesitated and said: “Could it be that you want to……”

Liu Zhenqing knew that Huo Fenglie must be guessing whether he wanted to reveal his identity to his master. He just said with a smile: “Although Senior Miracle Doctor hates worldliness, he is obsessed with medical skills, and I have some novel treatment methods. I can write them for the master, and he will naturally come if he’s interested.”

Although he had not inherited his master’s mantle, he could still deceive him. Liu Zhenqing had a relatively clear understanding of him. The matter of treatment had been decided for the time being.

Yue Xuqian said: “By the way, what is the case you spoke of? Is it related to the several major cases that have been circulating recently?”

There had been many major cases in a row for two consecutive months, causing the common people to talk about them and praise the current emperor.

The two exchanged glances, and Huo Fenglie was the first to ask: “Xuqian, why did you come here?”

Yu Xuqian said: “I’m visiting relatives. This is their manor.”

“Then are you familiar with this place?”

“The fresh food from the river here is pretty good, and I come here often, so I’m pretty familiar with it. Why?”

Huo Fenglie began to explain what they were investigating here.

He only spoke about the missing money, but didn’t mention the rebels.

But Yue Xuqian suddenly said: “What a coincidence. I couldn’t be…..that they want to rebel.”

The two people were taken aback, and asked Yue Xuqian why he said such a thing.

A cold light flashed in Yue Xuqian’s eyes, and he said: “There is nothing much in Yangkun Prefecture, but there are quite a few mines. Mining, transporting ore, blacksmithing, and making weapons require a lot of money. In the past two years, there has been a person in Yangkun Prefecture who suddenly became ostentatious, and most of the carriages coming and going have been related to Tongmao Prefecture. Going back and forth, using embezzled money to build weapons privately, what is that if not rebellion?”

“Which person?” Huo Fenglie asked.

Yue Xuqian said with a sneer: “A relative of the emperor whose family has been in decline for several generations. There was a princess among their ancestors, and his title is now the Lord of Qi.”

Neither of them had heard of the Lord of Qi, so his family was indeed in decline.

“This person is lustful and greedy for money, with no ability or patience. His monthly salary is not enough for him to spend. He had no power and no way to make money, and was just very ambitious, dreaming all day long. About a year or two ago, he suddenly started buying mines and hiring blacksmiths, spending money like it was water. No finished products emerged, but the lord’s family lived increasingly extravagantly. I had socialized with him at the entertainment houses, and he is able to do a few simple things, but in fact, he is a fool. He doesn’t seem like a cunning person who could determine your route and arrange assassins.” Yue Xuqian made a simple analysis and said: “Therefore, there should be someone behind him.”

Liu Zhenqing thought as fast as Yue Xuqian and said at once: “We need to find out where the forged weapons are being transported to.”

And that place must be the most likely gathering place for the rebels.

“Okay, since you two are injured, I will handle this for you. You take good care of your injuries.” Yue Xuqian said casually: “And since someone wants to kill you, it’s best to take this opportunity to hide your whereabouts. Don’t show up in public, and if possible, don’t leave the courtyard until your injuries are healed.”

From their few simple interactions and chats, Liu Zhenqing could tell that the child Yue Xuqian had grown up well. He was methodical, quick, and clever, so he had no objection to leaving things to him.

“Then we’ll leave it to you.” Seeing that Liu Zhenqing hadn’t responded, Huo Fenglie nodded in agreement. He clearly trusted Yue Xuqian’s ability.

Yue Xuqian smiled and said: “Young Master Liu, I would like to speak with Fenglie alone.”

Just when Huo Fenglie was about to say that there was no need to hide anything, Liu Zhenqing stood up first and said: “Just right. I’ll go explain our plan to Brother He and Brother Qin.”

Huo Fenglie heard this and nodded.

It wasn’t until he left that Yue Xuqian began to talk about serious matters, asking about Huo Fenglie’s situation in the capital and the emperor’s current attitude toward him. He was the great general of the country, so why was he sent south to take over such a thankless case? Were there really rebels?

Huo Fenglie naturally spoke of what could be spoken of, but he would definitely not disclose the emperor’s secret order to the outside world. Yue Xiqian looked at Huo Fenglie and said with a puzzled look: “Your Huo family is really…..forget it, let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about Young Master Liu.”

“Why?”

“You’re still asking me why? There is suddenly such a person at your side, so close to you, and this person’s surname is Liu. In terms of seniority in the clan…..he and Liu Zhenqing should be cousins.” Yue Xuqian touched his chin and said, “What is the relationship between the two of you?”

Huo Fenglie looked at Yue Xuqian expressionlessly. Yue Xuqian still knew Huo Fenglie. Whenever he looked at a person in this way with the corners of his mouth turned down, he didn’t want to say more.

However, Yue Xuqian was not a person who could be dismissed easily. “You’ve been alone for so many years. Others don’t know the reason for this, but I do. There is suddenly a young master at your side who admires you. This isn’t something you would do unless you…..”

“Who says he admires me?” Huo Fenglie interrupted directly.

Yue Xuqian was taken aback, saying: “The rumors in the capital…..”

“He lost his memory. He isn’t who he used to be, and he doesn’t admire me,” Huo Fenglie said straightforwardly.

Yue Xuqian raised his eyebrows slightly. His judgment was not as simple as hearsay.

But since Huo Fenglie spoke so firmly, Yue Xuqian became increasingly curious about their relationship. He said probingly: “Then if he doesn’t like you, why is a wealthy young master like him working so hard and taking risks with you?”

“He was originally planning to go south. His family affairs were involved in a case, and…..I forced him to go.” Huo Fenglie’s face darkened a little when he said this. If he had known it would be so dangerous…..

Huo Fenglie’s words corroborated some of Yue Xuqian’s speculations. How could a person like Huo Fenglie force someone to stay by his side?

Although he hadn’t spent much time with him, Young Master Liu did seem quite similar to Liu Zhenqing. So, Huo Fenglie finally couldn’t bear the pain and found a little substitute?

This was not quite like something Huo Fenglie would do, but Yue Xuqian really had no other suitable guesses. However, Yue Xuqian didn’t believe it when Huo Fenglie said that the man didn’t like him.

Yue Xuqian’s thoughts were similar to Bai Su’s. No matter what the reason was, it was a good thing that Huo Fenglie was no longer alone.

As Yue Xuqian was thinking wildly, Huo Fenglie suddenly said: “Right, which relatives were you talking about? I’ll go greet them tomorrow.”

After all, there were many marriages between the Yue and Huo families, so many of them were distant relatives. It was definitely inappropriate to come and occupy someone’s place to recuperate without saying hello.

Yue Xuqian suddenly raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: “It’s fine, she’s an acquaintance of yours. She’ll definitely come visit you once she learns about your situation.”

“Acquaintance?”

Yue Xuqian narrowed his eyes slightly and said: “She’s my aunt. You met her when you were children.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression instantly became uncomfortable upon hearing this. “It turns out to be your aunt.”

Yue Xuqian finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Look at your face. Are you still jealous about back then?”

Huo Fenglie’s expression stiffened. “I’m not.”

Yue Xuqian almost split his sides laughing. If Huo Fenglie hadn’t been so obvious during the days they spent together when they were children, Yue Xuqian wouldn’t have discovered that his childhood friend was so ambitious.

“It’s not like you don’t know that Auntie has long been married. That person didn’t respond to her at the outset, and she wouldn’t wait for years like some foolish and helpless person.”

Yue Xuqian glanced at Huo Fenglie and saw that his expression hadn’t changed much. It seemed that his mental state had indeed improved a lot, and he was no longer so obsessive. Perhaps he really had found a good substitute.

“Uncle passed away a few years ago, and Auntie lives here alone with her children, so I often come to visit. Right, Madam Huo seemed to have passed by here not long ago, and they met before. But I didn’t expect you to be here in the blink of an eye. When you are nearly recovered, I’ll ask her to come over.”

“No, I’ll just go and visit her.”

“That’s fine too. But there are other guests here, and it would be inconvenient if they saw you.”

On the other side, Liu Zhenqing went to the courtyard next door again and saw the same scene. If He Lan’s handsome face hadn’t been bruised and swollen, Liu Zhenqing would have suspected that he was seeing an illusion.

“How did this happen? Did you fight with Brother Qin?” After all, it was impossible for someone else to have taken action against He Lan here.

Sitting on the steps, He Lan sighed: “Tell me, haven’t I been wronged? I just wanted to help him apply medicine, but he actually beat me. Lao Qin has no conscience.”

As soon as he finished saying this, there was a bang on the door behind him, as if something had hit it in anger. It seemed that Qin Yu was awake and heard them talking.

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. He felt that they had returned to their original relationship, but He Lan was kind-hearted to help with the medicine, so why was Qin Yu so angry? Could it be that…..he was forced to do that kind of thing, so he was still mentally disturbed?

If the two of them didn’t have that kind of relationship and were only brothers, then…..it would be unimaginably embarrassing.

“I advise you to avoid annoying him during this period,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

“I was wronged, ah. You didn’t see, I protected him like a son, but he beat me like a grandson when he was unhappy.”

“With your figure of speech, it was not unfair for him to beat you.” Liu Zhenqing was truly made speechless by He Lan’s brain circuit. Was he deliberately making Qin Yu angry, ah?

Sure enough, there was another bang on the door.

“Don’t break it, this is someone else’s door. If you break it, you’ll have to pay for it,” He Lan said foolishly. Then he asked Liu Zhenqing: “Didn’t you go back to guard Zhanyuan? Why are you here?”

Liu Zhenqing said: “Oh, Brother Huo is awake.”

When he finished speaking, He Lan was about to ask a surprised question when he heard the door behind him suddenly open. Qin Yu was standing in the doorway.

He Lan was startled. He jumped up and said: “Why did you get out of bed? The doctor said you shouldn’t move around.”

He had beaten him out before, but since then, he had been keeping Qin Yu company outside by bickering with him. Qin Yu wasn’t angry enough to get out of bed and beat him, so why had he come out now?

Qin Yu didn’t even look at He Lan, and asked directly: “Zhanyuan is awake? How is his injury?”

This concerned tone instantly made He Lan feel uncomfortable. So he rushed out as soon as he heard the news about Zhanyuan? Couldn’t he still hear this while lying inside?

Liu Zhenqing explained the plan to treat the illness and asking Yue Xuqian to help with the investigation.

“Zhanyuan’s body is important. Everything else can wait,” Qin Yu said.

He Lan, who had been about to say this, suddenly had a bad taste in his mouth when he heard Qin Yu say the same thing.

Qin Yu and He Lan said what they should say when things got serious.

Qin Yu said with a frown: “Forging weapons…..if it is true, it does seem like a rebellion, but can it be completely left to the Yue family?”

It sounded bad to say this, but Qin Yu was born in the Dongchang. Other than the people he approved of, he would instinctively be more vigilant against others, no matter their identity.

He Lan naturally understood Qin Yu’s thoughts. “My injuries are minor, so it’s no problem for me to accompany them. Moreover, they need someone who knows the details, otherwise they won’t know what to pay attention to when encountering an unexpected situation.”

Qin Yu nodded upon hearing He Lan’s idea.

When He Lan suddenly saw Qin Yu responding to him, he felt a little happy for no reason and said right away: “Lao Qin, go back to bed and lie down. You’ve been standing for too long. I will go find Young Master Yue now to finalize the plan.”

Qin Yu was taken aback. He moved his mouth, wanting to say that He Lan’s injury would heal in another two days, so there was no need to rush.

Liu Zhenqing said: “Young Master Yue is reminiscing with Brother Huo right now. It’s better to wait for a while.”

“That’s right. They’ve been friends for many years. With such a chance encounter, they will definitely take a while.” Having said this, He Lan at once said jokingly to Liu Zhenqing: “By the way, do you know about the relationship between the Huo and Yue families?”

Liu Zhenqing nodded. Of course he knew.

“Let me tell you a little secret. There was once an elder from the Huo family who wanted to marry Yue Xuqian and Zhanyuan together,” He Lan gossiped.

Surprised, Liu Zhenqing said: “Yue Xuqian is a man.”

“Of course I know that, but wasn’t the Huo family helpless at that time? They didn’t care that he was a man either.” He Lan said with a smile, “So you need to keep an eye on Zhanyuan, lest he is taken away. After all, they still have their childhood friendship.”

Liu Zhenqing gave He Lan a blank look. “Rest assured, that is absolutely impossible.”

Er-gou liked him. How could he have a relationship with Yue Xuqian? It was just brotherly love.

He Lan smiled and said: “Why didn’t you say you’re no longer interested in Zhanyuan this time?”

Liu Zhenqing instantly choked. “I’m not!” After saying so, he said goodbye and left in embarrassment.

He Lan couldn’t stop laughing. He turned around to see Qin Yu looking at him coldly, and immediately stepped forward to help him. “I’ll send you back.”

However, Qin Yu still avoided contact. “Using hearsay to provoke people again.”

He Lan raised his eyebrows and said: “I call it promoting other people’s feelings.” After saying this, he couldn’t help but turn his face a bit and sweep his eyes across Qin Yu’s face inquiringly. “Are you fighting on Brother Liu’s side, or are you not happy to hear that Zhanyuan may have a relationship with Young Master Yue?”

Qin Yu glanced at He Lan in confusion. “Stupid.” He went to leave after saying this, but He Lan grabbed his wrist.

Qin Yu paused and looked back at this person. He Lan’s expression seemed unresponsive. When he noticed Qin Yu’s glare, he turned to help as if still wanting to assist him. However, Qin Yu opened and closed the door mercilessly in front of him.

Outside the door, He Lan looked blankly at his hand. Qin Yu’s wrists were so thin…..really thin. Before, he was able to capture Qin Yu’s two wrists with one hand.

Inside the door, Qin Yu walked toward the bed. Every step hurt, but Qin Yu just frowned slightly. He walked to the bed and lay down, feeling a little better. Raising his hand, he looked at his wrist. There were still bruises on it that hadn’t faded. These were not left by that simple grab just now.

“Brute!” Qin Yu gave a light curse, then closed his eyes tiredly. Suddenly, there was the sound of flapping wings outside the window. It was a homing pigeon used by the Dongchang for communication.

Qin Yu instantly opened his eyes, and a solemn look flashed through them.

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Chapter Sixty-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Three