“So how exactly is the military now? Who is in power?” Liu Zhenqing asked the key question.

Uncle Ding said: “It has been a year. On the surface, the military power has been handed over, but the soldiers here have been changed several times, and the navy’s vitality is very low. Song Jing is basically the leader, and they are not as rigorous as our Huo Family Army. But to be honest, I do not understand Song Xingmu’s approach. He appears to have not learned from his mistakes. Although he has a good reputation, he is a bit careless. After a year back, there are quite a lot of rumors about his love affairs, and he has also fought against pirates several times, but he has never seemed to care about seizing power. Everyone is speculating that he is unwilling to compete with his uncle, and wants to take it easy.”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t think that Song Xingme would suddenly change his nature. He was afraid of a boring life, so it was likely that he had wicked intentions somewhere.

But Liu Zhenqing felt it was a bit strange. Other than Song Xingmu, everyone else in the Song family was average, ah. Could his uncle really have stopped Song Xingmu for a year?

“Uncle, since the emperor has dispatched troops, does that mean that Song Jing’s ability to lead troops in combat is not as good as Song Xingmu’s?”

Uncle Ding said with a nod: “It is indeed not as good as it should be. It should be said that they are not at the same level at all, but…..Song Jing has high-ranking military officer who is proficient in warfare, so his overall strength is not weak.”

“Who?” Huo Fenglie was more curious about the officer who was proficient in warfare.

“There is quite a story about him. His name is Zhao Haicheng. He came from a small island, and was young with great ability. When Great Zhou was collecting charges against that man, he went to the capital alone to file a complaint against Liu Zhenqing that when he was in Ming’an County, he colluded with pirates to raid the common people, and colluded with thieves to arrange an assassination. That was the time the emperor was attacked. This report was an outstanding achievement, and the emperor naturally gave him many rewards. This was an honor, and he had somewhat of a reputation. Some time after returning, he took the initiative to join Song Jing’s command, and then climbed step by step to his current position of lieutenant general. He also gradually honed his fighting skills, and I must say that he did contribute to the stability here. It is only that he doesn’t have any background when it comes to training soldiers, and he is still a bit behind. However, those soldiers have faced life and death with him, so they trust him more than they trust Song Xingmu. As a result, Song Jing still has the actual power.”

When Uncle Ding finished speaking, Liu Zhenqing poured him a cup of tea. With a grateful sound, he quickly drank the tea to moisten his mouth.

Huo Fenglie glanced at Liu Zhenqing, but he shook his head to indicate that he wasn’t familiar with this person. He was probably a person of some skill, and followed the trend to gain benefits by reporting him.

Hearing this, Liu Zhenqing more or less breathed a sigh of relief.

If the rebel ships could enter and leave the port here at will, then there must be something wrong with the management of the navy. As long as Song Xingmu was not completely in power, he could be trusted.

Uncle Ding finished his tea and said: “General, Young Master Liu, do you have any questions?”

Liu Zhenqing thought for a moment before asking curiously: “Song Xingmu should be in his thirties now. Did he marry?”

Uncle Ding hadn’t expected Liu Zhenqing to ask such a down-to-earth question. “Never. To put it bluntly, whose family’s good daughter or good young master would marry a man who lingers in places of revelry all day long with beautiful young women and intimate male friends, ah? And he didn’t seem to be interested in looking. Previously, relatives from the general’s family introduced him to people of a suitable age, but he refused.”

Liu Zhenqing was speechless for a moment. Sure enough, he still didn’t care. If he was said to be provocative, he did it invisibly and by accident. And Song Xingmu was a true libertine who hated being restrained. He could pass through thousands of flowers without letting a leaf touch his body. He was the true Sea King.

People often knocked on his door to force him to take responsibility, and he ran faster than a rabbit.

Just when he thought of something interesting, he suddenly heard Uncle Ding ask Huo Fenglie in a cautious tone: “General, I seem to have heard that you are not married yet, ah?”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes widened at once, and his ears pricked up as he listened silently.

Uncle Ding could be considered an elder, and he was also an elder he was not very familiar with. It was rare for Huo Fenglie to show a completely uncooperative attitude.

“En.”

Uncle Ding said with concern: “General, look at Song Xingmu, can’t you learn from him, ah? How pitiful to have no companion at this advanced age, ah.”

Huo Fenglie had no idea how to answer.

Uncle Ding inquired again: “Have you not met anyone you like? Do you want me to introduce you?”

Sure enough, as one got older, it was easier to care about these kinds of things.

Liu Zhenqing saw that Huo Fenglie no longer wanted to cooperate, and planned to leave Uncle Ding a way out.

He skewed his eyes and suddenly said with an embarrassed expression: “Uncle Ding, you…..”

After speaking, he swept Huo Fenglie a coquettish and angry look.

Uncle Ding was stunned for a moment. Recalling what had happened just now, his eyes darted between them unconsciously. “Could it be that this old man’s eyes are bad?”

Hearing Uncle Ding say this with such an attitude, Huo Fenglie realized something instantly.

“No…..”

As a result, Liu Zhenqing held his hand as soon as the word came out. Their obviously clasped hands on the table immediately made Uncle Ding want to clutch his chest.

Looking at Liu Zhenqing in astonishment, Huo Fenglie saw him silently wink at him, as if wanting to put on an act for Uncle Ding.

Without waiting for Huo Fenglie’s response, Liu Zhenqing smiled and slowly clasped Huo Fenglie’s fingers in his hand. He could feel the stiffness in Huo Fenglie’s fingers and the cold sweat on his palm.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t look at Huo Fenglie’s expression, but smiled shyly at Uncle Ding.

Uncle Ding didn’t know whether to smile or not, or whether to be happy or not. After all, he found out Huo Fenglie had found a man, but was thankful that he found someone at all. The general should also be congratulated on this happy event, but he felt like something wasn’t right. Why did the general seem nervous?

“You said before that he is…..a friend?”

Liu Zhenqing said awkwardly:”Actually, we don’t know where we are going yet, so we don’t plan to make it public right now.”

Uncle Ding instantly understood that they had probably gotten together on the road, so they told outsiders that they were friends. It was because of him mentioning marriage that they had to speak of it publicly. 

“Blame me, blame me, I was talking nonsense just now. Young Master Liu is also…..also a good match for the general,” Uncle Ding had no choice but to boldly praise at this time.

“Thank you.” Liu Zhenqing look shy, but also gave his thanks generously, as if he was really meeting his lover’s side of the family.

When Huo Fenglie heard this, his hands shook uncontrollably.

“Congratulations, General…..Congratulations. When the time comes to marry, you must come south again to hold a wedding banquet, ah. Old Ding is shameless enough to ask you for a drink.”

“Don’t worry, if we get married, you will be invited.” Liu Zhenqing smiled and raised his glass. Uncle Ding also quickly raised his own, and Huo Fenglie realized in a daze that he was the only one out. He didn’t react until his clasped hand was shaken, and instinctively raised his cup in cooperation. Huo Fenglie became even more addled after drinking tea in place of wine.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t take the initiative to let go the entire time, and Huo Fenglie was also unable to move away. The two of them simply held hands on top of the table. Uncle Ding was filled with joy, and felt that the relationship between the general and the future general’s wife was pretty good. He no longer cared whether it was a man or a woman, and Old Ding was also open-minded. In any case, the Huo family already had an heir, and General Huo would not be put under too much pressure if he had no heirs.

They talked casually for a while about the situation here. After mentioning several shops that Song Xingmu often went to, the matter came to an end.

Uncle Ding knew that they had important things to do and didn’t bother them, leaving the teahouse afterward.

The storyteller had changed subjects and begun talking about Song Xingmu’s romantic history. It was bustling with noise down below. Only in this nook, a certain person awakened as if it had been a lifetime. His hand shook, and he felt Liu Zhenqing loosen his grip. He moved his fingers in front of Huo Fenglie and complained: “They’re all stiff.”

Huo Fenglie’s breathing was short, his brow furrowed, and there seemed to be some indescribable emotions in his eyes. “Qing-ge, why did you…..”

“Why did I pretend to be the person you like?” Liu Zhenqing said bluntly.

Huo Fengile choked for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

Liu Zhenqing tilted his head and asked in confusion: “Is that not it?”

Huo Fenglie’s pupils shrank and he looked at Liu Zhenqing in disbelief.

Then he heard Liu Zhenqing ask: “Weren’t you going to ask me this question?”

Huo Fenglie suddenly felt oppressed. He was almost frightened to the point of being unable to breathe just now, thinking that Liu Zhenqing was asking him why he wasn’t his sweetheart.

“Yes…..” Huo Fenglie said.

“Yes?!” Liu Zhenqing suddenly changed his tone, looking surprised.

Huo Fenglie was so out of sorts that he considered saying what he was thinking: I have a sweetheart.

He felt like he was going crazy.

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s expression, Liu Zhenqing knew it had come to an end, and said with a smile: “I thought you understood. It is normal for a family elder to care about you. If you didn’t silence him on this matter, he would waste a lot of time. Perhaps when reporting to you later, he would include private work and cleverly introduce someone to you. Regardless of whether you listen or not, family must worry about such matters. Why bother? Why not just put on an act and make him feel at ease?”

Huo Fenglie’s heart was pained as he looked at Liu Zhenqing. This move seemed to make sense, but it felt unnecessary. He had reason to suspect that Qing-ge was just playing around.

And this was really not a good thing for him, making him so greedy that he couldn’t control himself. He recalled the scene full of lies just now as if it was a dream, like falling through the clouds into the abyss at the moment he woke up. It was really difficult to bear.

Huo Fenglie gave a silent sigh and said against his convictions: “En, let’s go. We didn’t reset well all the way here, so let’s go to the inn.”

Liu Zhenqing stood up and said: “Let’s keep sharing.”

There was a slight pause in Huo Fenglie’s footsteps. “This is a large city, and every room at the inn has two beds.”

Liu Zhenqing said at once: “I’m aware. I was speaking of a room, not a bed.”

Huo Fenglie choked as he was bullied once again.

Liu Zhenqing shook his head with a smile and walked out triumphantly. Huo Fenglie could only follow behind in vexation.

There were indeed two beds at the inn, and Liu Zhenqing quickly chose one. When he lay back and put on his slippers, he felt a slight pain in his feet and hissed faintly.

“What’s wrong?” Huo Fenglie asked quickly, coming over.

Liu Zhenqing directly raised his feet to show him. During this period, they often abandoned carriages to avoid the soldiers in pursuit, so they walked a lot. His shoes were too new. Although there were no blisters on his feet, they were very red and felt like they had nearly reached a critical point.

“It…..hurts.”

Huo Fenglie said with a frown: “You lie down first.” After that, he turned around and asked an attendant to bring hot water while he went to look for the ointment they had brought with them. It was, after all, given to him by the Master. The medicines were quality goods, and included one used for muscle soreness, especially with massages. Huo Fenglie rummaged through them and brought it to Liu Zhenqing’s bedside.

Liu Zhenqing saw the familiar medicine bottle, then looked with a smile in his eyes at Huo Fenglie, who was earnestly making preparations.

When the hot water arrived, Liu Zhenqing soaked his feet first. As soon as he put his feet in, he saw Huo Fenglie go down on one knee, reaching out toward the water.

Liu Zhenqing quickly stopped him and said: “What are you doing?”

“Helping massage you,” Huo Fenglie said seriously, raising his head where he knelt beside the bed.

Such a pure expression made Liu Zhenqing’s heart tremble inexplicably.

“You are the general who protects the country. It’s fine if you massage me with ointment later, but if you reach into the water now just to wash my feet, it wouldn’t be appropriate.” Although Liu Zhenqing was slightly moved by Huo Fenglie, he was still in firm opposition.

But Huo Fenglie said: “It is appropriate. You have forgotten that you washed my feet when I was a child.”

As he spoke, he grasped Liu Zhenqing’s ankle almost forcefully. Although strong, the force was very gentle when holding it. Then he slowly put it into the water and moved to and fro very carefully, massaging it.

It was impossible for Liu Zhenqing to resist over and over again. He was resigned to seeing Huo Fenglie like this, but he did think of what Huo Fenglie said.

He smiled and said: “When you were so little, as small as a mite, it was normal for me to wash your feet. Back then, you slept in the same bed as me and I used you as a pillow. I certainly must wait upon you well first, ah. Speaking of, I even helped you bathe.”

Huo Fenglie looked embarrassed, and regretted bringing this matter up. Fortunately, his head was lowered and there was no need for Qing-ge to see.

“But then you seemed to suddenly stop letting me bathe you. Why was that, ah?”

At this time, Huo Fenglie couldn’t see that the corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth had raised with evil intentions. But he watched Liu Zhenqing raise one foot and hooked the inside of his wrist with round, white and pink toes through the water.

Huo Fenglie was asked a question he didn’t know how to answer, and then his hand was touched like this.

“I just…..got too big.”

Liu Zhenqing smiled evilly inside and said in a frivolous manner: “Where are you big?”

His tone of voice inexplicably reminded Huo Fenglie of some embarrassing memories: “I just grew up…..got older.”

“Oh, I understand. You were shy.”

“En. I grew up, and there was no need for others to bathe me. I wasn’t a child anymore.”

“Indeed…..not a child anymore.” There seemed to be a frivolous smile in Liu Zhenqing’s tone, which puzzled Huo Fenglie.

After washing his feet, he dried them with a clean cloth and placed them gently on the bed as if they were jade.

Then Huo Fenglie rubbed his hands together to warm them, and the ointment quickly melted due to his internal strength. Just as he was about to reach out, he saw Liu Zhenqing lay back on the pillows and lift his legs, placing his feet on Huo Fenglie’s legs where he sat on the bed.

The location was a bit dangerous, reminding Huo Fenglie of the teahouse.

He felt like Qing-ge was not going to make it easy for him today.

Huo Fenglie sat still and concentrated. He only wanted to make Liu Zhenqing’s feet feel better.

Liu Zhenqing suddenly said: “Actually…..whether it is a foot massage or a medicinal massage, I can do it myself. Why did you jump in?”

Huo Fenglie was taken aback, and suddenly realized that he was just accustomed to taking care of Liu Zhenqing. He was also afraid that taking too much care would cause Liu Zhenqing to have ill feelings.

“I have internal strength, and I’m good at massaging,” Huo Fenglie whispered.

“That’s true. It feels very good.”

Liu Zhenqing leaned back comfortably as he spoke. He was half-lying down, and his outer layers had been removed, leaving only his inner robe, relaxed and comfortable.

But as soon as Huo Fenglie raised his head, he promptly lowered it again and didn’t dare take another look.

Liu Zhenqing’s clothing had opened casually due to his movements, revealing light and shadow that provoked the imagination, as well as the looming bite mark on his neck. Although he had seen it a few times when they slept together, every time he saw it, he…..

No more. He couldn’t think about it anymore. Huo Fenglie abruptly changed the subject and said: “How did you and Song Xingmu meet?”

Liu Zhenqing was enjoying himself, and was about to groan with pleasure to stimulate Huo Fenglie. When he heard this question, he thought about it and said: “I met Song Xingmu when I first went south. It was probably around this time of year, and we met by chance on the road.”

As he spoke of this, Liu Zhenqing suddenly laughed.

They wanted to inquire about something at that time, so Liu Zhenqing and Li Xingruo encouraged Huo Feihan to talk to the locals.

As a result, Huo Feihan found a young man who looked rather stunning.

The two others looked at each other for a moment, and thought of something fun in tacit understanding.

Just when Huo Feihan opened his mouth, he and Li Xingruo shouted from behind.

Liu Zhenqing rushed up and grabbed Huo Feihan, saying with a resentful look on his face: “You just asked me to leave with you, and now you’re making an appointment with him. What do you mean by this?”

Li Xingruo also looked at him resentfully: “That’s right, how can you always play with and abandon our young master?”

Huo Feihan froze on the spot, pupils quivering. There were countless people around watching, pointing the finger of blame…..

Liu Zhenqing told Huo Fenglie about this experience without reservation.

Huo Fenglie was speechless: “You teased my Da-ge again.”

The more Liu Zhenqing thought about it, the funnier it became, and he was shaking with laughter in the end. “It was fun to tease your brother like that.You didn’t see it, your brother’s expression made me and your sister-in-law laugh for three days and three nights. It was worth it. It was totally worth it.”

Huo Fenglie shook his head helplessly, a relaxed expression on his face. “Then what does this have to do with Song Xingmu…..”

“The person your brother was chatting with was Song Xingmu. He believed it to be true, but his reaction was very interesting.”

“How so?”

“Contrary to expectations, he said arrogantly: What is wrong with choosing someone better?” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile, “That is how we got to know each other.”

They were of similar ages and had similar minds, so they naturally mixed together.

Huo Fenglie thought helplessly, other than his Da-ge, these were not ordinary people, so it was normal for them to spend time together.

Liu Zhenqing suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and said with a smile: “Hey, if you meet Song Xingmu, give him the ointment in your hand as a meeting gift. He will definitely like it.”

Huo Fenglie appeared puzzled. “Does he often fall and get injured?”

Smiling, Liu Zhenqing shook his head and said: “Didn’t I say? He doesn’t differentiate between men and women. Sometimes when meeting men, he requires good ointment. I asked my master, and this ointment is the most suitable.”

Huo Fenglie paused for a few seconds. Liu Zhenqing seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and it was as if he had been struck by lightning. The smooth feeling in his hands instantly became hot due to the melted ointment.

Qing-ge said…..he said…..

Why would he ask the senior miracle doctor this, ah !

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Chapter Seventy-Four << Table of Contents >> Chapter Seventy-Six