Stupified, Liu Zhenqing stared at the jade pendant in disbelief. Because they were quite close, he could see the unique mark he had left on it, so it had to be his jade pendant.

And he indeed brought a jade pendant to Nanfeng City back then.

But why was this jade willow leaf pendant on Fang Mu?

He didn’t remember giving it away, ah!

Liu Zhenqing stared at it with a face full of bewilderment.

He watched as Tang Mu gently picked up the pedant with his long, slender fingers and rubbed it in his hand. Looking at the shine on the jade, he likely caressed it often.

Goosebumps popped up all over Liu Zhenqing’s body. The corners of his mouth twitched. No way, Tang Mu liked him?

“Is General Huo inquiring about this?” Tang Mu asked.

Huo Fenglie nodded with a look that was anything but encouraging. Looking somewhat ill-at-ease, Tang Mu said: “This…..is a gift from my sweetheart. This type of jade pendant is quite ordinary. As General Huo can see, it is extremely common.”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. Why did Tang Mu lie, ah? He definitely never gave it away. But now was not the time to argue.

“A token of love?” Huo Fenglie’s frigid eyes moved away from Tang Mu.

Liu Zhenqing looked at the wide-eyed Tang Mu, who slowly shook his head: “It doesn’t have such a blessing.”

Liu Zhenqing breathed a sigh of relief. At least the lie wasn’t too outrageous.

Huo Fenglie lowered his eyes. His mood seemed to have recovered, but his expression was desolate, which made Liu Zhenqing extremely uncomfortable. But there was not much he could say since Tang Mu was in the carriage, so he could only be troubled.

All three of them played dumb and naturally didn’t speak more on this matter. After Tang Mu greeted Liu Zhenqing, he soon brought up the method Liu Zhenqing had proposed the day before.

“I thought about Young Master Liu’s method all night and found it extremely interesting.” Tang Mu said: “Did the young master find out that Western Shu was ignoring this matter?”

Liu Zhenqing saw Tang Mu’s earnest look and understood that he was really considering the feasibility. Thus, he explained: “My guess is that they don’t lose anything anyway if those people flee. There is no need to waste manpower and money to deal with the fugitives, so they will naturally leave them alone.”

Tang Mu said thoughtfully: “Once trade with us comes to a stop, they will be forced to take a stance and deal with their own messes.”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and nodded: “We’re not the ones committing an injustice, so why should we clean up after them? We can naturally use the same method to deal with such unethical behavior. If they don’t act, they won’t have a share of trade benefits in the future. We can even divert Nanfeng City’s trade to other countries. Even if the journey is longer, it will at least be a bit safer, so nobody will object too much. The only losses will belong to Western Shu.”

Tang Mu’s eyes brightened incrementally. He regarded Liu Zhenqing with pleasant surprise and said: “That’s right. When it comes to dealing with the fugitives, it is indeed more convenient for Western Shu to handle it themselves than for us to capture them. They just can’t be bothered to care. Young Master Liu is highly talented. Other officials and I have been thinking it over for so long without coming to a suitable conclusion, and Young Master Liu made it clear in a few sentences. As expected of a member of the Liu family.”

Tang Mu was quite excited when he said this, but then paused.

Liu Zhenqing forced a smile.

Tang Mu coughed, and instead of making excuses for his gaffe, he went on to say: “What if they don’t agree?”

“Then we’ll just do it. The common people cannot be allowed to suffer, and…..they should agree,” Liu Zhenqing said with a slight frown.

Tang Mu stared at Liu Zhenqing with a bit of shock. The common people cannot be allowed to suffer. These words……Prime Minister Liu once said this, and his expression was similar to Young Master Liu’s right now.

As expected of…..people related by blood.

“If they don’t agree, they actually have something hidden in their hearts. In fact, there is another speculation as to why they are allowing the fugitives to escape.”

“What is it?” Tang Mu returned to his senses.

Liu Zhenqing glanced at Huo Fenglie. Because he didn’t know if his speculation was correct, he could only look toward the one who would know best.

Huo Fenglie seemed to have been listening to them the entire time, unhappy and never speaking.

It wasn’t until Liu Zhenqing looked over that he spoke in a deep voice: “I heard Commander Dai say that the attacks force them to rush around. This situation is actually a method of defensive investigation.”

“Defensive investigation!” Tang Mu had misgivings.

“To test the operations, defense, and combat ability of Nanfeng City’s defenders,” Huo Fenglie said. “If their king is ambitious, it is entirely possible that he deliberately allowed the fugitives to escape in order to probe and make calculations.”

When Tang Mu heard this, his expression changed drastically and his entire body went stiff. “If they don’t agree to our request, then it proves that they really do have such a plan?”

“This is just speculation,” Liu Zhenqing said. “And even if they agree, it doesn’t mean they don’t have ulterior motives.”

The speed of Tang Mu’s brain could no longer keep up with Liu Zhenqing’s.

Liu Zhenqing was all smiles: “They will receive news about Huo Fenglie soon. In order to avoid the general’s suspicion, they should obediently agree. But never mind that, protecting the common people is critical.”

Tang Mu regarded Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing with lingering trepidation. He felt that the two of them were singing the same tune. One civil and one military, they were incredibly capable. In just a few words, they determined the current situation, gave a solution, and even predicted the opponent’s actions.

Ever since Prime Minister Liu left, he had never met anyone whose ingenuity amazed him to such an extent.

Tang Mu cupped his hands again and said: “Thank the both of you very much.”

Once he gave thanks, Tang Mu couldn’t help but wonder what official position Young Master Liu held now. People so far south usually didn’t know the specific situation in the north, so he asked this question.

Liu Zhenqing could only say awkwardly: “The Liu family are Imperial merchants, so we aren’t allowed to take the Imperial examinations.”

Tang Mu was taken aback for a moment, and then his expression gradually became one of embarrassment. Looking at Liu Zhenqing, he hesitated to speak.

Finally, the carriage arrived.

Tang Mu disembarked first to make arrangements.

The two of them had to tidy themselves before getting out of the carriage. Liu Zhenqing feared that Huo Fenglie would be dragged off to perform official duties as soon as he stepped out and they would have no time to talk, so he stopped him and said: “Er-gou, don’t be unhappy, ah.”

Liu Zhenqing made an opening in hopes that Huo Fenglie would ask.

In the end, Huo Fenglie said: “He seems to not hate you?”

Taken aback, Liu Zhenqing said: “Of course he doesn’t hate me, he’s someone who knows the truth.”

Huo Fenglie wasn’t surprised. Although he was unaware of the specific situation, he knew there must be a secret. It was just unexpected that the party involved also knew the secret.

However, it was no surprise that Tang Mu regarded Qing-ge’s jade pendant as a treasure.

Huo Fenglie nodded and moved to go out. He didn’t even ask.

Liu Zhenqing grabbed the man again in consternation. “Aren’t you going to ask me about the jade pendant?”

Huo Fenglie paused, saying with an indifferent expression: “This isn’t the first time.” He had become accustomed to Qing-ge’s arbitrary behavior. He had witnessed him giving them away to others with his own eyes. It was only that he couldn’t accept at first that Qing-ge had also given them away to men, but considering the current relations between the two of them, it seemed…..it was nothing unacceptable.

Liu Zhenqing was stifled for a moment. Looking at Huo Fenglie’s expressionless face, he saw that he had a sad kind of look in his eyes. All of a sudden, he felt like he was being called a scumbag right to his face.

He used to be a bit…..a bit casual with women, but his heart wasn’t swayed and he never touched anyone. On the other hand, Er-gou had kissed him, and he didn’t make a fuss. But Liu Zhenqing just gave out a few more pendants, which led to a few more rumors of romance, and Er-gou was unhappy.

Liu Zhenqing felt somewhat wronged when he thought about it. He wanted to speak a few words of displeasure, but when he saw Huo Fenglie’s dispirited appearance, he still couldn’t bear to, ah. How could he make his Er-gou sad?

He was quick to explain helplessly: “No matter how many times, this really isn’t the case. Didn’t I tell you before? Did you forget? I never gave one to a man. I swear an oath on this. In fact, I also don’t understand. He was originally such an honest child, so why would he lie about such a thing? Does he really like me so much that he dared to make up this lie?”

Liu Zhenqing suddenly had a face full of helplessness.

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing as if his trust in him was in jeopardy.

Liu Zhenqing raised a hand and said: “I swear, I honestly didn’t give him anything. Back then, weren’t we at most just an adult and a child? He wasn’t grown then.”

Huo Fenglie asked the key question. “Did you come here with that jade pendant? Did it fall? Was it stolen?” He had dropped one once and said it was a gift.

Liu Zhenqing’s expression became unnatural.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes darkened again: “You gave it to someone?”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and touched his head: “It seems I was drunk. I saw a girl…..she looked pretty. I don’t know who she was, but I was grateful to her for sending me back, so I just handed it over…..Tang Mu probably got it from her by chance.”

Huo Fenglie’s eyes seemed to fill with fire. He stared at Liu Zhenqing and said: “You gave it to someone you didn’t know while drunk?”

Liu Zhenqing gave a dry smile, searching for an excuse: “So…..some jade pendants are just objects, unlike the sword I gave to a certain person, which is…..” Damn, it didn’t seem to be unique. Huo Feihan also had a similar one. It seemed he really hadn’t given Er-gou a unique gift.

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing coolly. He gave a silent sigh and said no more, moving to disembark.

But Liu Zhenqing grabbed him again.

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing. In fact, he thought Liu Zhenqing had said everything there was to say. He also felt that no matter how much he said, it would only make him feel like…..one of many.

Just as he was thinking, he felt someone suddenly hold his face. 

Huo Fenglie was stunned for a moment. Before he could react, he sensed a figure approaching and his lips softened.

He felt Liu Zhenqing pressing against him. He could only hold onto the wall of the carriage with one hand and embrace him with the other.

Qing-ge’s kisses always caught him off guard. He couldn’t understand. He thought he was just helping Qing-ge to relieve his loneliness. Even a kiss when he lost control was understandable, but what was this kiss?

Huo Fenglie looked up blankly and heard Liu Zhenqing say: “Neither the jade pendants and the sword are unique, only I am.”

After saying this, Liu Zhenqing lowered his head and kissed him deeply. In the carriage with only the two of them in it, this kiss gave Huo Fenglie peace of mind.

Liu Zhenqing thought to himself, I’ll give it all to you. How can others compare?

But what Huo Fenglie thought was, yes, Qing-ge was unique. He should be satisfied with being so close, being greedy would only make him annoying.

Huo Fenglie looked obsessively at the person kissing him with his eyes closed and couldn’t help but wrap his arms around Liu Zhenqing, turning passivity into initiative. The two of them had become proficient in this business, and enjoyed the beauty in silence.

Suddenly, Huo Fenglie’s captivated eyes flashed. He frowned slightly and moved his hand toward the sword at his waist. 

The long sword moved the carriage curtain a bit, creating a gap.

Tang Mu and Dai Tingyu, who were about to call for them to come out, happened to see Liu Zhenqing laying in Huo Fenglie’s arms through this gap. Seeing their deep affection, the two quickly looked away in embarrassment and took a few steps back.

“Hehehe, I really didn’t expect Brother Huo to have such a side and not be able to control himself. My Er-ge was not like this before.,” Dai Tingyu said awkwardly.

Tang Mu said: “Their affection is deep. It’s clear that General Huo likes Young Master Liu very much. It seems you were right when you told me before that General Huo doesn’t hate Prime Minister Liu.”

Dai Tingyu chuckled and said: “It’s more than not just hating him, ah.”

Although Tang Mu thought Dai Tingyu’s tone was strange, he didn’t ask further and only talked about what they had just analyzed in the carriage. 

Dai Tingyu went pale with fright, and then became angry: “Damn it! If they dare to commit any crimes, I’ll kill them!”

Tang Mu patted Dai Tingyu and said: “It’s fortunate that those two warned me. But this Young Master Liu is truly capable.”

“Yes, ah, he’s really impressive,” Tang Mu also exclaimed. 

“The two of them are a perfect match for each other,” Tang Mu said with a smile.

Dai Tingyu’s conscience was uneasy for a moment: “Chengzhu, say…..isn’t it bad to use someone as an emotional stand-in for a dead person?”

Tang Mu glanced at Dai Tingyu in confusion at first, and then his expression changed. “General Huo liked Prime Minister Liu, and now he’s using the current Young Master Liu as a substitute?”

Dai Tingyu’s mind instantly expanded. “Chengzhu, you, you…..what are you speculating about?”

When a boor like Dai Tingyu was faced with an intelligent man like Tang Mu, what could he hide? It was originally a guess, but Dai Tingyu’s performance proved it. But Tang Mu didn’t embarrass him, saying directly: “Of course it’s not good if the other party is really moved by his feelings.”

Dai Tingyu said: “But it can give the family and clan the strongest protection.”

Tang Mu’s expression instantly froze.

The Liu family suffered unfair treatment because of Prime Minister Liu…..If a general like Huo Fenglie could protect them…..there was really nothing to say.

But Tang Mu felt very sad at this thought. After all, he knew that Prime Minister Liu had not been what the world now thought of him, and also knew that there was no need for the Liu family to go through this, that there was no need for a substitute in order to seek asylum. 

But he…..couldn’t say anything.

Tang Mu couldn’t help but touch the jade pendant at his waist.

Noticing Tang Mu’s silence, Dai Tingyu could only say awkwardly: “I was just talking casually. Don’t tell anyone, Chengzhu.” He knew that Tang Mu had an attitude of respect toward Prime Minister Liu, which was different from what the world knew. Although he had asked for the reason, Tang Mu said it was a secret that he could not disclose even upon death. Then Dai Tingyu could only know one result regardless of the process. But if this ruined Brother Huo’s interests, he would be in trouble himself. Even though this felt wrong, he would still support his good brother.

The reason he complained to Tang Mu was that he felt the man was smarter than him. He was just seeking a rational excuse, but unexpectedly, Tang Mu also felt that something was wrong.

At this time, Liu Zhenqing, who was being silently sympathized with by the two, had just finished enjoying Er-gou. He licked his lips in front of him, making Huo Fenglie look him directly in the eyes.

Liu Zhenqing said with satisfaction: “Don’t keep them waiting, let’s get out.”

When the two left the carriage, Tang Mu and Dai Tingyu returned to a normal state and received both of them warmly.

At this time, far away at the imperial palace in the capital of the Western Shu Kingdom…..

A man in black-red clothes raised his blade and let it drop. A person’s head rolled just in time to stop at someone’s feet.

The man in black-red clothes didn’t look back, and his voice was cold, yet filled with endless ridicule: “You still know to come back?”

“Huo Fenglie has come to Nanfeng City.”

“Really? You didn’t go to reminisce about the past?”

“He really isn’t my person from before.”

“Not your old person. Was that why you saved those two people on the island?”

The visitor’s expression remained unchanged. He only stated: “Since you sent someone to follow me, why not stop me if you didn’t like what I was doing?”

The man in red-black clothes slowly turned around, then suddenly appeared in front of the speaker and grabbed his chin: “As your master, I will naturally be more tolerant of your willfulness, but if people from the capital discover this, we will be in big trouble. Would you rather cause trouble for me by assisting irrelevant people?”

The visitor’s face still remained unchanged, as if he had no unnecessary emotions. Faced with this question, he just said lightly: “You are not my master. I only have one master. You are just my mission, which will be over in a year. No, four months.”

The man in red-black clothes stared blankly. His face immediately filled with fury, the veins on his forehead popping out. “You want to leave me? Impossible!”

But the visitor only looked at him, then turned to leave. “I’m going to rest.”

The man’s eyes reddened in anger. In the end, he couldn’t say a word as he watched that person leave.

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Chapter One Hundred Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Four