Liu Zhenqing really didn’t know how he had provoked this enemy. He wanted to ask more questions, but was afraid of arousing suspicion, so he could only remain silent.

Zhao Haicheng thought he had frightened Liu Zhenqing, and he was silent for a moment before speaking: “Young Master Huo, I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m not lying to you about the good relationship between Captain Song and Liu Zhenqing. I hope you can think about it clearly.”

Liu Zhenqing thought for a while and pretended to sigh sadly, appearing very hesitant.

This Zhao Haicheng was also pure and innocent. Seeing that he was upset, he immediately reined in his tone and said: “You…..don’t be sad, there are many good men in the world. Young Master Huo has an outstanding temperament and is very intelligent. Captain Song is not worthy of you.”

Facing Zhao Haicheng’s obvious stare, Liu Zhenqing could no longer pretend. Just at this time, the carriage arrived at the inn.

The coachman notified them, and only then did Zhao Haicheng stop trying to persuade him. He got off the carriage first, and when Liu Zhenqing was coming down, he took the initiative to stand under the carriage and stretch out his hand. Looking up, he waited for Liu Zhenqing to reach down.

But Liu Zhenqing pretended not to see, and jumped down from the carriage.

Zhao Haicheng stared blankly.

Once Liu Zhenqing stood firm, he said farewell.

Zhao Haicheng said: “How long will Young Master Huo be staying here?”

Liu Zhenqing said to himself: Isn’t your process for persuading someone to break up a little too fast?

“It shouldn’t be too long.” Liu Zhenqing could only speak according to the situation. “Me and him…..I can’t just leave.”

Zhao Haicheng frowned slightly but still said: “Leave as soon as possible. It isn’t safe here lately.”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes lit up, and he said: “Is…..is that the case? Is it pirates?”

Zhao Haicheng did not get carried away, and gave no answer. He just said: “If…..Young Master Huo encounters any difficulties in the future…..he can come to me. I will help.”

Damn, this was clearly trying to steal someone else’s lover.

Liu Zhenqing could only brace himself and say: “Thank you, Lieutenant General Zhao, for your kindness.”

Zhao Haicheng’s eyes softened a lot, and he said: “You go inside and rest early.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded, then turned around and walked into the inn.

Zhao Haicheng watched silently until his figure disappeared, then got on the carriage.

“Sir, where are you going……”

“Back to the water village.”

The coachman was confused for a moment. When he was about to get on and drive the horse forward, he hadn’t sat down yet when the horse ran off wildly. Zhao Haicheng inside was badly hit. When he tried to fly himself out, the carriage had already hit a stone pillar on the street and broke apart on the spot. Zhao Haicheng was also thrown out violently.

This made the quiet street lively for a while. Liu Zhenqing heard the noise when he returned to the room and opened the window to take a look. He suddenly said in surprise: “Was it you?”

Huo Fenglie landed beside Liu Zhenqing, his face completely dark: “He has the ambition of a wolf.”

Liu Zhenqing turned around and said: “Reckless.”

In fact, he was happy inside. That Huo Fenglie was jealous but still took the overall situation into consideration was what made Liu Zhenqing the most satisfied.

“But we need to investigate Zhao Haicheng very thoroughly.”

“I’ll go investigate. There’s no need for you to see him again.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. Remembering what happened on the ship previously, he said with a smile: “Oh? Why?”

“He has evil intentions toward you!” Huo Fenglie said in a deep voice.

“Then what are you agitated about?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Huo Fenglie choked for a moment. Just as he didn’t know what to say, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

The two stared, thinking that Zhao Haicheng had left and then returned.

Liu Zhenqing went to open the door and saw Uncle Ding sneaking around.

“You’re finally back. I’ve been waiting for you all night.” As soon as Uncle Ding came in, he gave them an engraved shell.

It said: April 20, Pingjin Square.

There was also a sketch of an eagle below.

“He Lan’s tattoo.” Huo Fenglie recognized it at a glance.

“A little beggar brought this at noon today. He said that a big brother gave him some silver and asked him to deliver it, but he didn’t know anything else.”

Perhaps it was He Lan. He wasn’t sure if they had come or not, so he could only have someone send a signal, and if they responded, they could assemble.

“The date mentioned is tomorrow. Where is Pingjin Square?” Liu Zhenqing asked Uncle Ding.

Uncle Ding said: “It is a very hidden auction house here. Many high-ranking officials like to go there to buy things and people, and tomorrow happens to be their auction day. However, only those with invitations can enter. Do the two of you want to go? I’ll get you invitations.”

“That isn’t necessary, someone will take us there,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie exchanged glances. Although they didn’t understand why it was this place, they had to make the trip there tomorrow.

Because he had so many things on his mind, after sending Uncle Ding away, Liu Zhenqing had no intention of teasing Huo Fenglie anymore. After acupuncture, he went to sleep early. Before he could go find Song Xingmu the next day, the man came running with Yi Chuan. He asked in a rush: “How was it? I heard that Zhao Haicheng got on your carriage last night.”

Huo Fenglie, who was delivering porridge to Liu Zhenqing, froze. His face turned grim.

Liu Zhenqing also recounted what had happened the night before a bit speechlessly.

Song Xingmu, who had a disruptive temperament, couldn’t stop laughing after hearing this. He repeatedly gave Liu Zhenqing a thumbs up, and even Yi Chuan on the side wore a bewildered expression.

“He likes men?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of him getting married or looking for a woman.” Song Xingmu smiled evilly and said, “Maybe that youngster is just in love. Why don’t you just sacrifice yourself as a honey trap?”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. To the side, Huo Fenglie was passing food to Song Xingmu and just tossed him a bowl of white porridge. 

Song Xingmu was not angry, and added the side dishes himself with a smile.

“This is a really unexpected situation, ah. However…..” Song Xingmu said while eating, “It’s very strange, ah.”

“It really is strange. What kind of hatred is that? You said he is an island resident. Can you check on his situation?”

“I understand what you mean, but that was investigated a long while ago. At the least, his island has been the safest for many years, with almost no changes. Most of the residents on the island make a living by fishing, although sometimes family members are killed by pirates. Although it is sad, he shouldn’t hate me. Even during the time I was away, there were very few incidents.”

Yi Chuan said with a frown: “Very few is not none. The actions of pirates are sometimes undiscoverable, but even if there was such an accident, it shouldn’t make him hate you. Why did he hate Prime Minister Liu back then? He also went to the capital to complain.”

“Perhaps it is because of the rumors. Aren’t there some about collusion with pirates? I heard the storyteller say this.” Liu Zhenqing said, overcome with vexation, “Anyway, we know that his hatred is real, and he hinted at an incident happening soon. There is no need to think too much about other things. This is the priority.”

“What else?” Song Xingmu asked doubtfully.

Huo Fenglie opened his mouth and brought up the matter of Pingjin Square.

“Ah? I go there often. It should be open tonight.” Song Xingmu introduced Pingjin Square to them.

Pingjin Square was a place created by jianghu factions, and rare items or slaves were often auctioned. Most were of unknown origin.

They handled and resold things, regardless of whether they were good or evil. As long as you could afford it, you were the master. In a sense, they offered fair treatment to young and old alike.

It was said that before, the auction house was located elsewhere. It turned out that someone stole an heirloom belonging to a local official, and when it was sold to Pingjin Square, the official took people to go ask for it. Pingjin Square refused to hand it over and suggested that he could pay for it. When the official grew angry, a fight broke out and Pingjin Square was destroyed.

As a result, the official’s house caught fire the next day. Although there were no casualties, the manor burned down completely. The treasure was returned to Pingjin Square for another auction, and was finally taken away for a thousand taels.

“Since they came here, pirates and items stolen by pirates are often auctioned off,” Song Xingmu said.

“Pirates can be auctioned off?”

“Yes, ah, just like regular slaves. Many people buy them, some for revenge and to vent their anger, and some to use purely as human resources. They usually go for one hundred taels apiece,” Song Xingmu said.

Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie listened for a long time and had a general understanding.

The four of them went to investigate the household registrations of the island residents, checking them one by one. Just as Song Xingmu said, not much had changed, and it looked very peaceful. In fact, as long as the island residents did not go to sea, pretty much nothing would happen, because pirates rarely attacked the islands. After all, Liu Zhenqing had designed a message transmission device like the Great Wall in ancient times, letting the islands serve as defense towers for one another.

It was said that they were currently abandoned because many of the island residents had come ashore. A great many islands were deserted, so they were no longer used. However, there were also frequent navy patrols, so even if one went to sea, it was relatively safe if they chose a good time.

Such a contradictory status quo was really confusing.

Very soon, they boarded a carriage at night and went to Pingjin Square.

A luxurious underground pavilion was hidden under the restaurant.

Everyone needed to wear a mask when entering. Except for Pingjin Square, who sent the invitations, everyone else’s identities were quite conveniently unknown.

After entering, they were taken to Song Xingmu’s exclusive seats.

Huo Fenglie lowered his head and said to Liu Zhenqing: “I’m going out for a while.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded.

Seeing that Huo Fenglie was about to leave, Song Xingmu asked curiously: “What are you going to do?”

Liu Zhenqing said on Huo Fenglie’s behalf: “To check and see if the others are on site, and then determine the nearby military force and defense situation.”

Song Xingmu was surprised that Huo Fenglie hadn’t said anything just now, but Liu Zhenqing was so clear about it.

Song Xingmu turned to Yi Chuan and said: “You two should go together. Yi Chuan is familiar with this place, and it will go faster.”

Yi Chuan nodded and went out with Huo Fenglie.

There were only two people left in the room, so it was easier to talk. Liu Zhenqing remembered something and said: “By the way, our two companions…..one originates from the Jinyiwei and the other from the Dongchang…..they were still young at that time and were not yet…..”

Song Xingmu instantly understood what Liu Zhenqing meant, and smiled: “Am I as inexperienced as a child? The Jinyiwei and Dongchang acted under orders back then. The winner is king and the loser is a bandit. There’s no point in holding a grudge.”

“As expected of you, ah,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

Song Xingmu said in turn: “On the contrary, it’s you I don’t get.”

Liu Zhenqing blinked in confusion.

Song Xingmu suddenly said in deadly earnest: “It’s hard for me to speak with Huo Fenglie here. After all, he’s from the Huo family. Now it’s just the two of us. Let me tell it to you straight, no one in the royal family is worthy of you. I thought that according to your character, even if you got such an ending in your last life, wouldn’t you not bother with revenge? You should have just dropped the idea with frustration. I didn’t expect that…..you’re busy running around again for the safety of Great Zhou.”

Liu Zhenqing hid nothing, saying directly: “In the beginning, it was exactly as you said. I wanted to stay out of it and be a carefree person who doesn’t bother with the world of mortals. I also didn’t want to recognize anyone, but…..after being forced to get involved, I’ve found various things that might be related to the debt I left behind in my previous life, so…..I can’t let it go.”

“What debt?” Song Xingmu asked.

“It’s better that you don’t know,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Song Xingmu knew that he shouldn’t continue asking when he saw that Liu Zhenqing was showing almost the same cold expression as when he was Prime Minister Liu in his last life.

So he joked: “I think it’s a love debt. Because of your Er-gou?”

Liu Zhenqing chuckled and said: “That’s right, the most important thing is this love debt. Because Er-gou is here, the other debts don’t matter. You don’t know, but he has loved me since a long time ago. Isn’t that cute?”

Song Xingmu couldn’t imagine General Huo being cute, but seeing Liu Zhenqing’s expression, he understood. At least he wasn’t bitter, didn’t care about his stigma, and was still very happy. This was much, much better than the previous Prime Minister Liu, and it seemed as if he could see the dazzling young Xiting of the past.

“So you know. He told you?” Song Xingmu couldn’t bear the sight of Liu Zhenqing showing off. 

In the end, this sentence sealed Liu Zhenqing’s doom. The corners of his mouth twitched and he said: “I discovered it myself. Ai, you have been with men, tell me what it’s like.”

As Liu Zhenqing spoke, he tugged at Song Xingmu to appeal to him, like a love novice seeking advice from a love master.

Song Xingmu didn’t expect such a strange situation, and replied with a hard mouth: “Then he doesn’t like you, and everything is just your own imagination.”

Liu Zhenqing’s heart reflexively tightened, and he retorted at once: “I’m no fool! You can’t tell if he likes me through observation, ah. Besides, I’m so great…..there are so many people who have liked me, so why would Er-gou look down on me?”

Song Xingmu quarreled: “Where are you great? You like to play pranks, bully others, and have a lot of debts to pay. Not to mention, your current looks are not half as amazing as they were back then.”

Song Xingmu’s words were like a bolt from the blue.

Regardless of anything else, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but panic. Was it really because of his looks?

No wonder he can restrain himself no matter how I seduce him. It’s just that these looks aren’t enough. If I had my previous appearance, he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself for a moment, ah.

Liu Zhenqing was thinking angrily, but then he changed his mind. He didn’t think that Er-gou was so superficial. Could it be that Er-gou treated him as a woman, but he couldn’t accept men at all?

Song Xingmu could only laugh when he saw his shifting expression. The Liu Zhenqing of the past would not be so casually fooled by him. Sure enough, after falling in love, Prime Minister Liu had also become Young Man Liu.

Song Xingmu stopped digging a hole for his brother and said: “But Yi Chuan and I both think he likes you.”

“Didn’t I just say that?” Liu Zhenqing let out a long breath. “He doted on me when he was young and is very good to me. Others cannot enjoy such treatment. You saw how he picked out fish bones for me during the meal today!”

“Isn’t it embarrassing to say that? You’re older than him!” Song Xingmu teased: “Forget him, what about you? Do you like him?”

Liu Zhenqing’s cheeks were slightly red. He pursed his lips and was about to speak, when a voice suddenly came from the door. He was startled, thinking that Huo Fenglie had returned.

But he only saw someone bump into the door seemingly by accident.

Even though they were all wearing masks, Song Xingmu recognized him at a glance.

“Yo, why is Lieutenant General Zhao here too?”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. He saw Zhao Haicheng look at him with burning eyes, then say in a low tone: “Captain Song, Young Master Huo, I’m sorry to bother you. I went to the wrong room.”

After saying this, he looked deeply at Liu Zhenqing, seeming greatly disappointed.

Song Xingmu nearly burst out laughing when he heard the words “Young Master Huo.” Then he embraced Liu Zhenqing and challenged Zhao Haicheng: “It’s fine, it’s fine. Today is a busy day. I brought my baby over to have a look.” After speaking, in front of Zhao Haicheng, he lifted Liu Zhenqing’s chin and said: “Baby, whatever you want later, I’ll buy it for you.”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched, but he still said cooperatively: “Okay.”

It seemed that Zhao Haicheng couldn’t stay any longer. Saying farewell, he turned and left without even opening the door. When he bumped into Huo Fenglie and Yi Chuan head-on, he didn’t look much, and just left with a dark face.

When the two returned to the door, they saw Song Xingmu and Liu Zhenqing in an embrace.

Their two faces darkened on the spot.

At this point, the auction began.

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