Liu Zhenqing didn’t recognize the impending danger, but he saw Huo Fenglie’s face become very frightening. As if he had been stimulated by something, some dark red appeared in his eyes.

Startled, Liu Zhenqing felt that he had teased too much and made Huo Fenglie sad.

He quickly said: “I’m just kidding. Actually, I’m really not familiar with Yue-guniang. We only spent time together for a few days back then, and it was a bunch of people gathered together. If I really meant it, how could I not have contacted her after leaving?”

The words were like a clear spring pouring into his heart, causing Huo Fenglie to return to his senses in an instant. Then he was shocked to realize that his hand was heading toward Liu Zhenqing’s neck.

What did he intend to do just now? He wanted to capture Liu Zhenqing, wanted to…..

Huo Fenglie’s expression shifted several times, and a feeling of guilt overcame him. He couldn’t help but say in a hoarse voice: “Qing-ge, don’t make such jokes with me.”

These words were progress. When Liu Zhenqing saw that Huo Fenglie had returned to normal, he said with unclear implications: “That isn’t the type of person I like either, ah. I was just teasing, you have to believe me.”

After saying that, Liu Zhenqing thought that according to Huo Fenglie’s considerations, he would ask him what type he liked. Although he didn’t know how to answer yet, he just wanted to hear Huo Fenglie’s uncontrollable question.

Then he would make up some answers and tease him to see what he would do. Despite having such bad thoughts, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but look at Huo Fenglie a few more times.

What type…..did he like? He really hadn’t thought about it before.

Liu Zhenqing was thinking wildly, but Huo Fenglie straightforwardly accepted his answer. He didn’t follow Liu Zhenqing’s plan, but changed the subject instead: “Then I’ll deliver it to her.”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth immediately twitched, and there was a speechless look on his face. He feared this kid really didn’t have the emotional intelligence to pursue someone.

He was really…..not enlightened! The fact that he discovered Er-gou liked him really depended on his own intelligence, without outside help. Otherwise, if he waited for Er-gou to express his feelings, he would have already been married and had children. No wonder he died without knowing in his previous life.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but say: “You still haven’t said why you didn’t want me to know.”

Huo Fenglie had already turned his back at this time, and said vaguely: “I just thought it was improper.” With that, he fled.

When Huo Fenglie sent the music score to Yue Xuqian, he looked at Huo Fenglie in disbelief. 

Huo Fenglie said: “It was Qin Yu. He served in the palace back then and heard Qing-ge play. He likes music, so he wrote it down. I just asked, and he happened to have it.”

Yue Xuqian thought this was an incredible coincidence, but wasn’t suspicious, and immediately sent it to his aunt.

On the other side, He Lan feigned casualness and came to the door of Qin Yu’s room. Leaning against the doorway, he asked: “Why did Zhanyuan seek you out just now? The two of you talked inside for so long with the door closed.”

For so long? Qin Yu looked at He Lan without understanding. He had obviously just told him one thing. Although he didn’t understand why Huo Fenglie didn’t send the music score directly since he had it, it wasn’t a big deal. After his brother told him, Qin Yu had agreed without asking any questions.

So in the face of He Lan’s questioning, Qin Yu said: “It was nothing.”

“You’re being perfunctory with me?” He Lan said with a smile that wasn’t a smile.

Qin Yu said with impatience: “It has nothing to do with you.”

He Lan’s expression changed slightly. “We are all brothers, don’t exclude me.”

Qin Yu simply didn’t speak. Just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind. When he was about to defend himself, He Lan had already stepped forward and grabbed Qin Yu’s raised wrist. He twisted and pressed down, trapping Qin Yu in front of the table.

Qin Yu couldn’t stand any physical contact with He Lan. His expression turned cold, and he was about to take action.

Suddenly, he heard He Lan ask in a low voice: “You’ve been anxious these past few days, and now you have a secret with Zhanyuan. What are you hiding from me?”

It was rare for He Lan to be serious. His eyes were like the sun, hot and piercing, and they immediately burned Qin Yu’s cold heart. He was somewhat surprised. This wasn’t normal behavior. He Lan was always out spying, and the two of them rarely met these days. How had He Lan seen that he was so anxious?

Although He Lan’s assumption was a bit wrong, Qin Yu also loathed the feeling of being seen through, and even more, his worries should not be glimpsed by anyone.

Qin Yu said with a contemptuous smile: “He Lan, you didn’t care so much before. Since we are brothers, you shouldn’t be suspicious.”

He Lan’s expression was a bit strange. He said bluntly: “I don’t suspect anything. I just want to know what you were doing just now.”

Qin Yu felt that He Lan was simply unreasonable. His eyes flashed, and he said mockingly: “What, do you think that I’m yours after bedding me, and you want to meddle in all my affairs?”

Qin Yu knew He Lan very well. Every time he counterattacked with something that embarrassed He Lan, He Lan would be cowed. Huo Fenglie hadn’t said whether he could tell anyone else about the matter, so he naturally wouldn’t, and would just provoke this person into going away.

But this time, He Lan gazed at Qin Yu with an unusual expression, and suddenly gave a cold scoff: “It’s not because I bedded you. I can meddle in your affairs if I want. It depends on my mood, okay? Or do you think it’s reasonable for me to manage you after you’ve slept with me, so that’s why you said it?”

Furious, Qin Yu said: “He Lan, say that again if you have the balls!”

He Lan smiled flippantly and used one hand to lift a strand of hair by Qin Yu’s ear. He said as if he was teasing a woman from a good family: “Is there anyone in this world who knows better than you whether or not I have the balls?”

When Yue Xuqian came to thank Qin Yu, he heard the sound of cracking and breaking objects inside the room.

He touched his chin and thought for a moment, musing that it would be better to thank him at another time.

At night, Huo Fenglie went out to spy. Liu Zhenqing was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea,Yue Xuqian was working in the study, Qin Yu was meditating in his room, and He Lan was sitting in front of the steps rolling an egg on his bruised, panda-like eye.

The melodious sound of the qin floated over the courtyard, surprising everyone who heard it. Because this time, it was complete.

The beautiful melody was calming, but also masked the sound of a flying bird.

Qin Yu opened the window and looked at the carrier pigeon, then opened the message with a calm expression.

Not long after, Yue Xuqian walked out of the study with a stern expression and ordered his subordinates to make arrangements with haste.

At the same time, Huo Fenglie, who was stalking someone, finally saw progress. The weapons had begun to be packed into boxes, and several carriages arrived outside the Hou Manor. They likely planned to leave the city at dawn the next day. 

Huo Fenglie had a shadow guard continue to watch, then turned around and hurried back. But when he was halfway there, he suddenly discovered that there was a fire burning in the courtyard where they were staying, along with the sounds of people running everywhere to put out the blaze.

There was a huge tremor in Huo Fenglie’s heart. He raised his qinggong speed to the extreme, but when he was about to approach the courtyard, he heard He Lan’s voice.

Huo Fenglie turned his head and saw this person waving in a dark alley, and immediately went over. Once he saw He Lan’s normal demeanor, the alarm in his heart gradually reduced and he regained his composure.

He Lan said directly without any nonsense: “Everyone is fine. It was the enemy. Yue Xuqian discovered something in advance and moved everyone. The shadow soldiers and I just fought a group of assassins, but they weren’t very skilled this time. It was just troublesome, and there was a lot of gunpowder. Most of them died, leaving two. I initially went to find you, but met you halfway. You were going too fast and probably didn’t hear me calling you. Let’s go back and interrogate the prisoners.”

Huo Fenglie and He Lan quickly rushed to another house. This one was smaller. Other than the relatives who usually resided together, Liu Zhenqing and Qin Yu followed Yue Xuqian. 

As soon as they looked up, they saw Huo Fenglie and He Lan descend. Just as Liu Zhenqing was about to greet them, he was caught by Huo Fenglie, who inspected him carefully before saying: “Are you all right?”

The corners of He Lan’s mouth twitched. Wasn’t it just said that they had been evacuated in advance? How could he still be injured, ah?

Liu Zhenqing shook his head and said: “Fortunately, it was discovered in advance. Otherwise, we could have been caught off guard and caused trouble for Young Master Yue’s family.”

“Don’t mention troubling us. I was supposed to help you hide your whereabouts, but it didn’t work out. The truth is, I didn’t fulfill my duty as the lord of the property and almost caused you to get into trouble. But…..other than the four of you, do you have any allies?” Yue Xuqian asked curiously.

Everyone looked at Yue Xuqian in puzzlement.

Yue Xuqian called over a shadow guard and said: “He met a man in black when he was patrolling outside, and the man told him that someone was going to attack my home at night. That was why I made arrangements for evacuation in advance.”

The shadow guard also recounted the situation at that time, but because it was so simple and straightforward, no clues had been left. 

Liu Zhenqing glanced at Huo Fenglie, who shook his head. The other two were even more confused.

It was odd no matter how one thought about it. Someone had known about the attack before they did, and was willing to warn them, but not willing to reveal their identity.

“Nobody knows?” Yue Xuqian asked curiously.

Huo Fenglie said: “Xuqian, since the other party is already aware we are here, it is not suitable for us to work with you. After all, it’s not safe, and you have a family.”

“There is no need to be like this, Fenglie. I’ve already thought about it and will send them to resettle in Langling tomorrow. Don’t worry about things here.”

“No, the Lord of Qi has already taken action and will set off tomorrow morning,” Huo Fenglie said.

Yue Xuqian said: “You intend to follow them? This isn’t proper, ba. You forget that I told you my people have already gone to deliver a letter. According to the round trip distance, if the miracle doctor agrees, he will be here in two days. It wouldn’t be good for you to miss him, so it is best that you let my shadow guards follow them first. You wait for the results before taking action.”

Huo Fenglie said: “We discussed before that it is fine for the shadow guards to follow in the early stages, but what if they take the river transport? The nearest port is only a day away from here. It would be extremely inadequate without our provisional judgment.”

“Then you don’t care about your body?” Liu Zhenqing said suddenly.

Huo Fenglie was stunned for a moment. Faced with Liu Zhenqing’s solemn look, he regarded him with some embarrassment. In fact, he had originally thought that Liu Zhenqing would go along with it based on his previous behavior, but Qing-ge seemed to have changed.

“This is not simple, let’s work separately,” He Lan said directly. “I’ll go first and leave you ciphers along the way. This tracking process may take a long time. Since you have this time, why not recover from your illness first?”

“That won’t work,” Qin Yu said suddenly.

He Lan raised his eyebrows and said: “Why, don’t you believe in my ability to make decisions on the spot?”

“It’s dangerous. If assassins come again, we will be easily defeated if we are scattered,” Liu Zhenqing analyzed.

Huo Fenglie was silent, and seemed to be hesitating. This made He Lan very angry. “In any case, there are still a few hours until morning. You see if you can think of a better way.”

Liu Zhenqing understood that this case was ultimately about the rebels, and Huo Fenglie wasn’t sure whether He Lan should be allowed to go so deep into it. There were many decisions that only the two of them who knew the whole picture were able to make.

The issue was set aside for the time being. At the worst, they could let the shadow guards follow first, so they went to interrogate the assassins first to see if they could make further assessments.

Even though the assassins died without talking, based on their clothing, weapons, and accent, it could at least be ascertained that they were from the capital. Apart from this, they questioned them to no avail.

They all couldn’t help feeling a bit frustrated as they walked out. Suddenly, Qin Yu tugged Huo Fenglie and said: “Zhanyuan, I have something to tell you alone.”

He Lan was the first to stop, and looked at Qin Yu with burning eyes. They had fought over this before. He Lan had thought Qin Yu would take some care, but unexpectedly, he was squeezed out again in the blink of an eye?

But even though He Lan’s gaze was flying, Qin Yu didn’t reply.

Huo Fenglie didn’t think too much of it. He gave Liu Zhenqing a look, asked Yue Xuqian to have the room alone, and closed the door to talk with Qin Yu in detail.

He Lan squatted outside, staring at the door. Liu Zhenqing walked up next to him. “Aren’t you tired? Go sit and wait.”

Giving Liu Zhenqing a resentful look, He Lan said: “You don’t care? They are hiding something from us. We’re obviously working together, so there should be nothing they can’t tell us.”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t expect the always laughing and joking He Lan to react so strongly, and just said: “What does this have to do with it? In any case, it isn’t detrimental to us. Perhaps it has nothing to do with us and it is not convenient for too many people to hear.”

“Not convenient…..what isn’t convenient for Lao Qin to let me know?!” Flustered and exasperated, He Lan said: “Clearly, we all…..”

Liu Zhenqing quickly looked up at the sky, pretending not to understand, but he could probably understand He Lan’s anxious mood. Was it because of that incident that He Lan had different feelings for Qin Yu?

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but say: “You care about Brother Qin and don’t want him to be alone with Brother Huo?”

Wasn’t drinking vinegar like this outrageous? Even Liu Zhenqing felt that Qin Yu treated Huo Fenglie very averagely, not much different from Bai Su. But he was particularly emotional toward He Lan. The most significant thing about the brothers was that the way they got along was obviously different from others. 

He Lan immediately felt uncomfortable when Liu Zhenqing said this, and instinctively retorted: “I’m worried about you, okay? You’re not afraid of Zhanyuan being taken away, ah.”

Liu Zhenqing wanted to roll his eyes, but felt that He Lan was overthinking it, so he said directly: “I think you are overly concerned. I don’t see Qin Yu having such ideas.”

He lan retorted at once: “That’s because you don’t know. In fact, I have always thought that Lao Qin likes Zhanyuan.”

“Ah?” Liu Zhenqing was quite bewildered by this.

He Lan said: “If he didn’t care so much about his incomplete body, he might have faced his own feelings long ago.”

“Wait, how can you be sure?” Liu Zhenqing said in disbelief.

“Naturally, Lao Qin accompanies us because when he was still young, he was saved by Zhanyuan in the palace. He must have remembered that life-saving grace, ah, and then gradually became involved with us.”

He Lan spoke so firmly that Liu Zhenqing’s head buzzed. 

Inside the room, Qin Yu was pale, but his eyes were steady as he said to the silent Huo Fenglie: “Therefore, allow me to go.”

“No, it is too dangerous. Let Yundu accompany you.”

Qin Yu’s expression shifted slightly. “I don’t need him. He will only get in the way.”

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Chapter Sixty-Six << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Eight