What did Yue Xuqian mean to Huo Fenglie? Liu Zhenqing still hadn’t figured it out. Aside from their secret rivalry before, Yue Xuqian’s attitude had taken a sharp turn and there was no more ambiguous behavior. Why was there another Yue family girl?

Moreover, Huo Fenglie had gone to see her behind his back, which was truly suspicious.

After a moment of surprise, he was pulled by He Lan to the gate of the courtyard next door.

They had been living temporarily in the other courtyard these days and knew that the Yue family mistress was living in the area, and they were going to thank her for her hospitality in the future.

He Lan pointed at the wall with a meaningful look. “Zhanyuan was supposed to take over before, but he was replaced by Yue Xuqian’s shadow soldier. I thought he was delayed by something, but when I flew back, I passed by and saw him accompanying a woman. I just took a quick glance and saw that the woman was very good-looking, and the most important thing was that it was only the two of them.”

Qin Yu, who followed along, looked at He Lan speechlessly and then turned to ask Liu Zhenqing: “Do you want to look? I’ll send you up.”

It was impossible to go next door, as it would be too rude, but he could still sneak in by taking a look on the wall.

It wasn’t until this moment that Liu Zhenqing returned to his senses and hurriedly stopped the two of them. “That’s also rude, ah. After all, we’re all outsiders.”

Although he was very curious about this matter, he still had more of a sense of propriety than He Lan and Qin Yu. He urged the two of them to go back.

He Lan said with a dull expression: “Are you really not curious at all? Isn’t it okay to just take a look? I really think the Yue family is eyeing Zhanyuan. A man didn’t work, so they used a girl instead.”

“Maybe she’s just an old friend.” In fact, Liu Zhenqing was puzzled. Back then, there was no Yue family girl playing with Er-gou, ah.

Qin Yu glanced at Liu Zhenqing’s expression and said: “But Zhanyuan never spends time with women alone. It is indeed strange.”

These words were like a hidden weapon, stabbing Liu Zhenqing.

On the other hand, He Lan couldn’t help but throw a glance at Qin Yu. This look was a bit odd, which also caught Qin Yu’s attention.

But Qin Yu hadn’t exchanged glances with He Lan for a long while, so he just wanted to turn around, but restrained himself.

“If he doesn’t want to look, then go take a look yourself if you’re curious.”

Qin Yu didn’t know what had caused He Lan’s sudden, strange ire, but his tone still aroused Qin Yu’s instinctive confrontational spirit.

“Okay, I’ll go look.”

Before He Lan could turn hostile, Qin Yu had already flown up. Liu Zhenqing didn’t stop him. He Lan also flew up and lay down next to Qin Yu.

Liu Zhenqing was the only one left below who was curious but had to stick to his bottom line.

Very soon, Liu Zhenqing stood under the wall and heard He Lan say: “Look, I was right.”

“She is indeed a beauty, but don’t you think there is something wrong?”

“Ah? What is wrong? Heavens, she wants to play the qin for Zhanyuan to listen to. When has Zhanyuan had such leisure and elegance? Sure enough, it’s a date with a beautiful woman, ah.”

Liu Zhenqing’s breathing went stagnant.

“Lao Qin, what do you think?” He Lan seemed to be challenging him.

He only heard a cold scoff from Qin Yu.

“Why are you unhappy?”

“With your observation skills, I don’t know how you got into the Jinyiwei.”

The conversation between the two turned into an argument.

But gradually, the sound of the qin began to overwhelm everything. The qin player was very skilled, and had an extraordinary level of mastery. She was playing a piece she was good at, because it sounded very soothing and lively in the beginning, full of the charm of a qin.

However, even though the two people were well-rounded, the more they heard, the more surprised they became.

This song was so catchy that if it spread, it would definitely be popular in the Great Zhou Dynasty, but neither of them had ever heard it. Could it be that the woman had composed the music herself and would not release it to the outside world?

And in this case, playing alone to a man, it felt like there was an ulterior motive.

But Liu Zhenqing wore a strange expression. This song was clearly…..

Suddenly, the sound of the qin seemed to miss a beat, and it stopped at once. There was a period of silence, and then it continued to play. As if the player didn’t know what the music score was in the middle, she finished the song and started over again. However, no matter how skillful the beginning was, she always stopped when she reached the key point.

This behavior was odd. It didn’t look like she was showing off her talent to others, but rather like she was asking someone for advice. But since when did Huo Fenglie know how to play music?

The two wore confused expressions, and saw Liu Zhenqing looking thoughtful.

“There seems to be something wrong. Could it be that she’s a foolish girl?” He Lan touched his head, feeling that all the ambiguous atmosphere had been disrupted by the half-baked music that continuously looped.

Qin Yu couldn’t bear it anymore at this moment and said: “Girl? Which girl have you seen wearing her hair in a woman’s bun? That is obviously a lady.”

He Lan was taken aback, and his eyes immediately widened. He didn’t notice the lady’s hair bun, only that she looked young, and was excited to gossip upon seeing this scene.

Qin Yu looked at Liu Zhenqing as he said: “This fool is making noise, let’s go.”

Liu Zhenqing gave a faint smile, looking like he really didn’t care about anything.

There was no knowing if Huo Fenglie went to spy on the enemy or if he stayed with the woman the whole time. In any case, he returned at night.

He tried to speak several times, but hesitated. Liu Zhenqing didn’t rush him. It was rather fun to see him struggling.

In the end, Huo Fenglie didn’t speak even when they were going to sleep, so Liu Zhenqing couldn’t resist teasing him: “I heard from He Lan that you didn’t take over today. Where have you been?”

Huo Fenglie felt ill at ease for a moment, and his eyes which were so firm in the past wandered a bit now. “I just went to pay my respects to the Yue family elder.”

Liu Zhenqing suppressed a laugh and didn’t continue to ask, leaving Huo Fenglie scratching his head. This kid was too inexperienced to play tricks with him.

Liu Zhenqing lay down on the bed to sleep. Huo Fenglie stood beside the bed and asked when he didn’t see the cloth: “No more binding?”

Nodding, Liu Zhenqing said: “The wound is healed, and my movement won’t affect it.” Having said this, he moved aside to make room for Huo Fenglie.

But Huo Fenglie didn’t get in, and only stood there silently.

Liu Zhenqing looked up to see Huo Fenglie lowering his eyes as he said: “Then I…..will go back to sleep next door.”

Liu Zhenqing suddenly realized, yes, ah, Huo Fenglie’s condition had stabilized long ago. If his own injuries were healed, was there any reason for them to continue sleeping together?

Only, he had recently gotten used to it.

Of course, sleeping together only meant sleeping under the covers, just like when they were children. But now that Huo Fenglie had gotten older, there were extra rooms and the place was safe, so there was no reason to continue sharing a bed.

What’s more, sleeping together in the first place was only his idea…..

Liu Zhenqing was dumbfounded for a moment, watching as Huo Fenglie gave a restrained goodbye and turned around, leaving without hesitation.

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t happy, but he could only watch him go.

After he left, Liu Zhenqing grabbed the pillow and tossed it hard. Only then did he feel the tightness in his chest dissipate.

“Such a fool, ah. He didn’t think to take advantage of my lack of reaction to stay with me, and didn’t even make excuses.”

Liu Zhenqing always felt that Huo Fenglie really observed etiquette most of the time when facing him, continuing to maintain the relationship of elder brother and younger brother, as if he was suppressing something. At this moment, Liu Zhenqing wondered if he had guessed wrong.

He didn’t understand. If he really liked him, then he should show affection, pursue him, and cross the line a little bit every day. If he was afraid that a failed pursuit would destroy the relationship between them, then he could find various reasons to pursue him secretly. What was the point of delaying like this?

Nowadays, it was as if Huo Fenglie was running ahead and looking back frequently, making Liu Zhenqing think that Huo Fenglie wanted him to catch up and become his companion. And while Liu Zhenqing was still hesitating over whether he should do it or not, this kid didn’t stop at all or even look back for him. Usually he could take the initiative to look back and pull him along…..

Could it be that Huo Fenglie had no experience in this field and didn’t understand how to pursue a person?

Ai? Wait, wasn’t he also afraid that Huo Fenglie would express himself further to him? Why was he troubled by this strange behavior, ah?

Did he, the “admired,” still have to figure out a way for the “admirer” to pursue him? This was simply unreasonable.

Ahhhh, it was annoying to death.

The next day, when Yue Xuqian came to dine with them, there was a sad look on his face. Huo Fenglie asked him about it privately.

Yue Xuqian said: “I was going to ask you, what did you say yesterday when you and my aunt were alone to reminisce about the past? She stayed up all night after she went back last night and fell ill in the morning. Her body has been weak since she gave birth to a child, so she can’t get too agitated.”

When Huo Fenglie heard this, his face became solemn. “She just asked me if I remembered a piece of music that Qing-ge played back then.”

Yue Xuqian was stunned for a moment, and then recalled, “It turns out she is still struggling with this problem, ah.”

Yue Xuqian gave a light sigh, remembering those days in the Lanling manor, receiving visitors from the Huo family and inviting some local young people to play together. His aunt danced gracefully and was one of the best. Everyone invited her to perform, and his aunt agreed, hiring a qin master to play as an accompaniment.

After the dance, everyone was amazed, and praised her. Only Liu Zhenqing drank and remained silent. At that time, Liu Zhenqing was already a well-known talent, and with his face, he was the target of attention from other young masters. Someone stirred up trouble by asking Liu Zhenqing if he didn’t like auntie’s dancing.

Yue Xuqian really suspected that Liu Zhenqing was drinking and chatting with Huo-dage at that time and wasn’t paying attention at all.

So when the person asked, Liu Zhenqing was taken aback for a moment, and while holding the wine cup in his hand, he immediately boasted: “Yue-guniang’s dancing is unparalleled. Her body is as flexible as the clouds, and lotus flowers grow with her every step. It is my honor to watch her dance.”

“Oh, please. You didn’t respond at all just now.”

Liu Zhenqing stood up and said with a smile: “That’s because the qin player is no good and didn’t bring out the most beautiful parts of Yue-guniang’s dance. I only regret that the performance was not perfect, not that I think Yue-guniang’s dance was not perfect.”

Liu Zhenqing had a silver tongue and made it difficult for anyone to find fault, but it made Yue-guniang feel that although he was handsome and talented, he was glib and insincere. He clearly hadn’t watched her, and even said that the qin player was no good. This was the best qin player in Lanling.

Naturally, this girl from the Yue family was no pushover, so she directly demolished Liu Zhenqing’s excuses on the spot. “This little girl has long heard of Young Master Liu’s talent. He must be proficient in music. Since Young Master Liu doesn’t like the dancing music played by a qin master, why doesn’t Young Master Liu give a perfect performance?”

At that time, Liu Zhenqing was truly dumbfounded. After all, with just his face, he was invincible in front of women. He never expected that he would be embarrassed by Yue-guniang.

Everyone started to jeer. Huo Feihan and Li Xingruo didn’t help him, because they knew that Liu Zhenqing’s talent would not cause him to be embarrassed.

Liu Zhenqing said helplessly: “I’m not that good at well-known music, but I do know a few private tunes. If Yue-guniang is willing to try, she can listen to it first.”

Yue-guniang just thought that Liu Zhenqing would counterattack and use a rare song to embarrass her, but she loved dancing music and was naturally well-informed. Even if she had never heard it before, she could still work with it.

However, when Liu Zhenqing plucked the strings with his fingers and the music swelled in the wind, lingering in her ears, the girl froze.

When it was played for the first time, everyone present was astonished. They hadn’t expected that this person was so proficient in music, and the folk tune he played was so different. Not only had they never heard it before, but the style seemed different from the trends in Great Zhou.

“Yue-guniang, I don’t know if this song is suitable for dancing. If it won’t work, then just forget about it.” Liu Zhenqing regarded Yue-guniang with a smile, which instantly caused her mood to fluctuate. She knew that Liu Zhenqing was trying to leave a way out for her, but this song…..seemed to give her the urge to dance to her heart’s content, as if it was specially chosen for her.

“This is a very good song.” Yue-guniang looked at Liu Zhenqing with a very different expression this time, full of appreciation.

Thus, on the water platform under a willow tree, there was a song of drifting clouds and flowing water, a dance as graceful as a soaring swan. Her every smile and frown was full of charm, and the young man was leisurely and carefree, doing as he pleased.

After that, Yue-guniang got to know them, and they often traveled together. Yue-guniang truly wanted Liu Zhenqing to teach her this piece of music, but it was in Liu Zhenqing’s nature to stir up trouble. He deliberately refused to teach it to her, and teased another family’s young girl until she lost her crush and couldn’t even learn a finished song.

Due to an emergency, the Huo family and entourage had to leave in a hurry, and in the end, she still did not learn the complete piece of music. With fragments of memories, she could only restore so much through what Huo Fenglie had heard before.

Yue Xuqian no longer remembered it all. She had seen Li Xingruo over the years and asked people who were present one after another, but in the end, nobody could recall it. Therefore, when Huo Fenglie passed by, his aunt couldn’t help but ask if Huo Fenglie had any impressions. Even if he hummed a little tune to help her complete it, this could be considered setting her mind to rest, but Huo Fenglie also let her down.

Yue Xuqian complained: “My aunt fears that she will have to carry this regret with her for the rest of her life. Let it pass, it encountered its fate and so did Liu Zhenqing. Why did he not leave his own music score behind?”

When he heard Yue Xuqian’s explanation, Huo Fenglie fell silent.

Yue Xuqian left after speaking, and Huo Fenglie walked back lost in thought. As soon as he exited the doorway, he turned the corner and saw Liu Zhenqing sitting in the corridor not far away, pretending to look at the sky.

“Qing-ge,” Huo Fenglie called as he approached.

“I just came out for a walk. What, are you done chatting with Yue Xuqian?” 

Liu Zhenqing hadn’t come over to take a look after he saw Yue Xuqian pull Huo Fenglie away alone. He just came out to digest.

When he finished speaking, there seemed to be a struggle in Huo Fenglie’s dark eyes. Liu Zhenqing asked in confusion: “What’s wrong?”

Huo Fenglie finally spoke: “Qing-ge, when you went to Lanling with us, did you…..ever play a piece of music you composed yourself in public?”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback, and the expression on his face changed slightly. “I remember, ah. But you’re mistaken, I didn’t compose it myself. I heard it, but no one else had heard of it. You were there at the time.”

Huo Fenglie nodded and said: “En, I just…..suddenly remembered. Can you write the music score?”

“What for? If you want to listen, I can play it for you anytime, ah. Why do you need the music score? You can’t play it,” Liu Zhenqing said deliberately.

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s eyes flash with obvious struggle and embarrassment almost made Liu Zhenqing laugh to death.

But Huo Fenglie found a reason and said: “Yue Xuqian still remembers it and wants this score.”

This reason…..Liu Zhenqing was dissatisfied. Forget it, he didn’t want to embarrass the child anymore. Liu Zhenqing turned to Huo Fenglie and said: “Come with me.”

When he returned to the room, Liu Zhenqing took out the music score he had written and gave it to Huo Fenglie, then leisurely watched his reaction.

When Huo Fenglie overcame his shock, he lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong. “Qing-ge, you knew?”

“I had a decent friendship with Yue Xuqian’s aunt. Why did you have to hide it from me? It’s fine if I meet her once,” Liu Zhenqing said with a frown.

Huo Fenglie no longer dared to look at Liu Zhenqing, but his tone of voice revealed his dissatisfaction. “A decent friendship. You used to go shopping with her, listen to music, go boating, and watch the river lanterns…..”

Huo Fenglie listed them out in detail for a while, and the situation changed in an instant, making Liu Zhenqing’s head spin. “Wait, did I?”

“Clearly you did. Now you just need to give her a jade pendant.”

Liu Zhenqing felt that he had been misunderstood. “Even if all that happened, it was still with a group of people. Don’t say that I was having a private rendezvous with her. We were just normal friends.”

Suddenly, Huo Fenglie raised his head and regarded Liu Zhenqing with his dark eyes, which made Liu Zhenqing feel guilty. “What? I’m not lying.”

Huo Fenglie said: “When we were leaving, Sister-in-law asked you what you thought of Yue-guniang. Do you not remember how you answered?”

Liu Zhenqing stared at Huo Fenglie in astonishment. He really didn’t remember. Who would remember his casual remarks?

“You said that she was rather cute, and that she was your type. It would be great if she were the one you were engaged to.”

Liu Zhenqing: ……

He really said that?

“Ai, no way, I obviously said this to spite your sister-in-law. I didn’t mean it at all.”

Suddenly, Huo Fenglie said seriously: “Then what were you thinking at that time? Nowadays, do you still have…..other ideas? You should know that she liked you back then, and now you also understand that she still misses you.”

Liu Zhenqing reacted at once and took a deep breath. This boy turned out to be so jealous, and didn’t want him to know that Yue-guniang from back then was next door. It turned out that this was the reason. Why…..why did it seem cuter the more he thought about it?

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but think about how much Er-gou liked him, enough to drink this aged vinegar with gusto. The scent of it could be smelled in the air.

Feeling itchy, Liu Zhenwing narrowed his eyes slightly, looking like he was pondering it. “Since she’s still thinking about my music score, I……ai, but I don’t know if she’ll accept me as I am now, ah. If she doesn’t accept me, I will…..”

Huo Fenglie froze in front of him as soon as these words came out, and his expression could be said to have become a little scary. His eyes were fixed on Liu Zhenqing’s face. Where Liu Zhenqing couldn’t see, he slowly raised his hand with all of the blue veins showing.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Sixty-Five << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Seven