Today happened to be Nanfeng City’s Flower Festival. As soon as they went to the streets, they could see colorful flowers hanging beneath the eaves, floating in the river, and placed on stalls. It was as if they had entered a world where flowers were in full bloom, and even the wind blowing in their faces was mixed with the fragrance of various flowers.

“Not only do they use flowers to brew wine, but if you look at cakes at the stalls around us, many of them are also made from flowers,” Tang Mu presented with a smile.

Liu Zhenqing asked curiously: “Do you have any tasty recommendations?”

Tang Mu said: “It depends on personal taste.”

Liu Zhenqing glanced at Huo Fenglie.

Huo Fenglie immediately stepped forward to buy some food of each type and carried them in his arms.

Liu Zhenqing walked around with a smile, eating all the way.

Dai Tingyu watched this, dumbfounded. The dignified general was working as a servant? He couldn’t help but continuously shoot Tang Mu meaningful looks.

Tang Mu smiled and said nothing. He had seen much more electrifying scenes.

A young girl suddenly came forward and shyly stuffed a bouquet of flowers into Tang Mu’s arms: “I’m Wan-er, from Dongdao Street.” When she finished speaking, she ran away with a smile.

When Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie looked back, Tang Mu’s expression was somewhat unnatural.

Holding his forehead, Dai Tingyu said: “It’s starting again.”

“What’s the situation?” Liu Zhenqing asked curiously.

“This is a custom. If a woman likes a certain man, she can send flowers to show her affection, in hopes that the other party will send people to her home to discuss marriage.” Dai Tingyu said: “Every year at this time, as long as Tang-chengzhu goes to the streets, he’ll inevitably encounter…..”

Before he finished speaking, girls could be seen coming forward to give flowers one after another. Since it would be rude to reject such things, he could only accept them.

After some time, Tang Mu couldn’t hold any more.

And Dai Tingyu actually received a few flowers.

Liu Zhenqing looked at Dai Tingyu in disbelief. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in Dai Tingyu’s charms, but there was still himself and Huo Fenglie standing in front of him. Why hadn’t they received any?

Likely noticing Liu Zhenqing’s confusion, Tang Mu explained awkwardly: “You’re outsiders and they aren’t familiar with you, so naturally they won’t…..”

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Zhenqing heard from the side: “Young Master…..this daughter…..requests…..”

Liu Zhenqing thought she was addressing him, and when he turned around with a joyful heart, he saw the visitor stuffing flowers into Huo Fenglie’s snack-filled arms.

Liu Zhenqing’s face wrinkled up. He looked at Tang Mu and said: “Didn’t you say…..”

Tang Mu smiled helplessly and said: “Perhaps General Huo is so charming that people can fall in love with him at first sight.”

Liu Zhenqing looked with dissatisfaction at Huo Fenglie, who didn’t seem to think it was a big deal.

But after a while, several more courageous women came forward to give Huo Fenglie flowers.

Liu Zhenqing narrowed his eyes for a moment, then said abruptly: “Is it okay to give them away to strangers like this? What if they actually have to get married?”

He wasn’t jealous that others had given Huo Fenglie flowers, nor angry that he himself hadn’t received any. He was just questioning the rationality of this.

Tang Mu laughed at the sourness in his voice and pointed to a young man setting up a stall nearby.

When Liu Zhenqing looked, he suddenly found that the man had some conspicuous red silk tied around his waist. At a glance, there were indeed many men wearing eye-catching red silk ribbons on the street.

“That…..”

“Red silk tied around the waist shows that they have a wife or are engaged, and that they won’t accept flowers,” Tang Mu explained with a smile.

Liu Zhenqing listened to this with interest and turned to look at Huo Fenglie with a half-smile.

Huo Fenglie instinctively felt that there was a target on his back. As expected, it wasn’t long before they happened upon a vendor specializing in red silk, and Liu Zhenqing directly went to it.

Tang Mu and Dai Tingyu both looked at Huo Fenglie.

Dai Tingyu said: “Is Young Master Liu going to give one to Brother Huo? Is it possible that Brother Huo is already engaged?”

Huo Fenglie shook his head.

“Then…..”

“He just thinks it’s fun,” Huo Fenglie said lightly.

Not long after, Liu Zhenqing bought a piece of red silk and said to Huo Fenglie: “Save yourself some trouble and don’t waste those girls’ flowers. Come on, raise your arms.”

Huo Fenglie was holding things, and could only raise his arms obediently. Liu Zhenqing stood directly in front of him and tied the red silk on him.

Dai Tingyu to the side whispered to Tang-chengzhu: “Should Young Master Liu be told that if you take the initiative to tie someone’s silk today, it means you’re proposing marriage to your lover?”

Tang Mu held back his laughter with a cough, saying: “He’s so clever, but he might not have considered what type of person is qualified to tie the red silk for another.”

These words naturally didn’t fall into Liu Zhenqing’s ears, but with Huo Fenglie’s great internal strength, he heard them clearly.

Looking down at Liu Zhenqing as the other tied the red silk for him, Huo Fenglie cheeks reddened uncontrollably. Although he knew that Qing-ge was just playing around, he still couldn’t help but feel a little happy and complicated inside.

Seeing that it was fastened well, Dai Tingyu joked: “You’re just tying one on Brother Huo? What about you?”

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing raised an eyebrow and said: “No one has given anything to me.”

Huo Fenglie looked away with his lips slightly pursed.

Liu Zhenqing said: “Brother Tang and Brother Dai don’t need one to avoid them?”

“We’re locals, so we don’t dare tell such a lie,” Dai Tingyu said.

The consequences of not daring to lie came back to bite them on the next two streets. Tang Mu was practically buried in flowers. Looking at Tang Mu, who was tiredly huffing and puffing, his face seemed to be dyed red by the flowers, and petals landed in his hair from time to time. With that handsome face hidden among the petals, he really did look more beautiful than a flower. They could only be taken away by servants and delivered to the City Lords manor.

“Brother Tang is so popular, ah. If you don’t marry, you will probably receive them for many years,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

Tang Mu shook his head helplessly and said: “A few years ago, I announced that I will never marry.”

“Chengzhou doesn’t have to make this sacrifice to defend the city. Don’t you still have me?” Dai Tingyu said with a chuckle.

“I don’t think marriage is necessary. Being able to defend the city is enough for me in this life.” After speaking, Tang Mu couldn’t help but touch his jade pendant. This movement alerted Liu Zhenqing, and he suddenly felt that starting this topic was a bad idea.

Huo Fenglie also looked at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing coughed awkwardly and changed the subject: “By the way, where are Brother Tang’s other siblings? Have they all married or started businesses?”

“My younger brother is studying literature and is already married, but they live elsewhere. My younger sister also got married and lives in the city.”

Liu Zhenqing was slightly surprised to hear this: “And the other?” Didn’t he recall that Tang Mu had two younger sisters?”

Tang Mu paused and looked at Liu Zhenqing in some puzzlement, thinking that perhaps he’d happened to hear something elsewhere. He said: “I am one of four siblings. The other one…..my twin sister Tang Rou passed away from illness several years ago.”

Liu Zhenqing was immediately embarrassed: “I’m so sorry.”

He vaguely recalled that there was a girl who looked identical to Tang Mu. 

Because Tang Mu and Tang Rou were twins, they were both elegant and heroic in spirit, both of them very good-looking. In his impression, they practically behaved the same. But Tang Mu was natural and poised when they were together, while Tang Rou had the appearance of a young girl, and would hide shyly whenever she saw him. He didn’t recall spending much time together, but unexpectedly, the beauty had a harsh life. If she were still here, she would already be a great beauty who could conquer the entire country.

“It’s okay.” Tang Mu smiled casually.

After a while, the group sat down in a tavern. More people came forward to give flowers to Tang Mu, even men.

Astonished, Liu Zhenqing asked Huo Fenglie in a whisper: “Do you think that if Song Xingmu was here, he would be as popular as Tang Mu?”

Huo Fenglie glanced at Liu Zhenqing and said: “I couldn’t say.”

But Liu Zhenqing forced a smile and said: “Yes, ah, Liu Zhenqing must have been the most attractive in the past, right?”

Huo Fenglie didn’t see the trap at all, and instinctively nodded.

Liu Zhenqing’s smile faded at once, and his tone suddenly became enigmatic, “Yes, ah, I would have received many flowers if I came here before, unlike the current me, who hasn’t received any.”

Huo Fenglie was at a loss: “Qing-ge…..”

Liu Zhenqing gave Huo Fenglie a look of condemnation, as if he had been wronged. “You also don’t want to give any to me now.”

Huo Fenglie’s heart was instantly yanked up and down, and he instinctively wanted to coax him. Regardless of what he had just heard about what giving flowers meant, he promptly went to a stall outside to buy some.

Liu Zhenqing held his chin with a smile as he looked at Er-gou, whom he was teasing.

“What is Brother Huo doing?” Dai Tingyu asked doubtfully.

“Didn’t you say that giving flowers means you want the other party to propose marriage?” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “He went to buy flowers for me. Later, I will think about how to propose marriage.”

Dai Tingyu and Tang Mu were astonished when he said this.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t stop laughing when he saw their facial expressions. Then a big red flower branch suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback by the sudden development, and Dai Tingyu and Tang Mu also looked the flower branch over.

They saw a very young man in black standing in front of Liu Zhenqing.

Although the man’s facial features had not fully matured, he was already at the point of becoming fierce and handsome, with a tall, straight posture. He really had the bearing of an attractive young man. However, the look on his face was full of domineering arrogance, and it could be seen at a glance that he was no ordinary person.

In particular, it was the way he looked at people, his cold eyes looking downward with natural contempt and amusement. The corners of his thin lips were raised, and he had an obstinate and unyielding attitude.

“A gift for the young master. Please.”

According to the rules, Liu Zhenqing had to accept it. Even though he should be happy to be given flowers, Liu Zhenqing was scrutinizing the visitor’s face, because this man looked…..somewhat familiar.

“Why are you giving me flowers?” Liu Zhenqing asked with a smile on his lips.

“I feel that the young master and I are like old friends at our first meeting. What should I call you?”

Liu Zhenqing said bluntly: “Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before asking for someone else’s name?”

There was a bit of impatience in the man’s eyes, but he still said in a good tone: “This one is Qiao Jin. My caravan is passing through Nanfeng City.”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flashed faintly. He wasn’t sure which characters were used in that name, but he didn’t recognize the pronunciation. “This one is Liu Xiaozhu.”

Qiao Jin stared in obvious surprise for a moment, then said: “A good name.”

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “Since you’ve given me flowers, I’ll treat you to a drink. Please have a seat.”

Qiao Jin sat down in a relaxed manner: “Where has Young Master Liu come from?”

“The north.” Liu Zhenqing ignored the other two people, by all appearances chatting happily with Qiao Jin.

“Is it difficult to do business right now?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

“It is. We’re near to being locked up in the city and unable to leave. With orders from above, food rations may be cut off at the bottom,” Qiao Jin said.

Liu Zhenqing’s smile became even brighter. At this moment, a figure appeared outside the door, and it seemed as if half the outside light was blocked at once.

Liu Zhenqing looked over and saw Huo Fenglie standing at the door, holding a flower with an expressionless face. His emotions were difficult to parse. He just solemnly looked at them, eyeing the flowers in Liu Zhenqing’s hands.

The atmosphere sank all around, as if Huo Fenglie was holding not a flower, but a sword.

Qiao Jin also turned to observe the person who had come, and raised his eyebrows in a very provocative gesture.

Noticing Qiao Jin’s gaze, Huo Fenglie frowned slightly and walked up.

“You’ve been gone a long time, ah,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

Huo Fenglie’s lips pressed down as if he was in a huff, but he still handed over the flower in a well-behaved manner. With a smile, Liu Zhenqing placed the flowers Qiao Jin had just given him on the table and inserted the pink flower branch from Huo Fenglie into the lapel of his clothes. Just by lowering his head, he could get close to the flower branch and smell its fragrance.

This action indeed improved Huo Fenglie’s mood a lot.

Qiao Jin to the side said abruptly: “Brother, isn’t it bad to do this? You’re wearing red silk around your waist.”

These mocking words immediately caused a lot of discussion around them. This was indeed a situation that made people misunderstand.

But Liu Zhenqing reached out and hooked the red silk around Huo Fenglie’s waist, pulling him forward.

“I tied it just now. Isn’t that fine?”

What this meant was that this young master had just proposed to that brother, and the brother sent him flowers again, ah. Naturally, everyone’s disdain turned into congratulations.

Qiao Jin smiled and said: “Does Young Master Liu understand what this means?”

“Of course I do,” Liu Zhenqing said, smiling.

“In that case, it was unnecessary for me to give you flowers. It turns out that you two have this kind of relationship,” Qiao Jin said with raised eyebrows.

Liu Zhenqing donned an expression of surprise and said: “I thought you had investigated thoroughly before appearing in front of us. Aren’t you just here for him?”

Qiao Jin’s expression shifted at once: “What are you saying…..”

Before Qiao Jin could finish speaking, Liu Zhenqing stepped back and said in a cold tone: “Fenglie!”

They cooperated tacitly, and almost at the same time Liu Zhenqing called out, Huo Fenglie moved swiftly toward Qiao Jin.

At such a close distance, it was impossible for Qiao Jin to avoid the attack of a master like Huo Fenglie. Even though it could be seen that Qiao Jin knew some martial arts, he was still grabbed at the neck by Huo Fenglie and captured alive.

Such an incident naturally frightened the people around them.

Tang Mu and Dai Tingyu also stood up at once.

Tang Mu immediately shouted for the sake of the peoples’ safety: “Clear the place!”

The subordinates following him immediately began protecting the common people as they left.

“What…..what’s going on?!” Dai Tingyu automatically guarded Tang Mu, thinking there was some kind of danger. 

“Who is he…..” Tang Mu asked Liu Zhenqing with a frown.

Standing behind Huo Fenglie, Liu Zhenqing looked at Qiao Jin and said: “Little friend, would you like to introduce yourself again?”

Qiao Jin’s expression had become fierce at this time. He stared at Liu Zhenqing and then at Huo Fenglie, his eyes full of disbelief.

“It turns out he’s not a male pet,” Qiao Jin mocked.

Before Liu Zhenqing could react, the force of Huo Fenglie’s grip immediately made breathing difficult for Qiao Jin.

Qiao Jin roared fiercely like an angry tiger: “You…..I’ll remember you!”

But Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “Remember him? It’s still uncertain if you’ll get out alive!”

“Do you know who I am?”

“Do you think I know who you are?” Liu Zhenqing said mockingly. “Whoever you are, he didn’t arrest you based on your identity, did he?”

Qiao Jin’s expression changed several times.

“What on earth is going on?” asked the confused Dai Tingyu.

Tang Mu said seriously: “Most people in this city know me, and a person from a caravan should know me even better. But when he came over, all of his attention was focused on Brother Liu while he turned a blind eye to the two of us, which proves he’s here for Brother Liu. It’s extremely odd.”

Qiao Jin wore a bad expression.

“Firstly, I don’t have the looks of Tang-chengzhou, and secondly, I don’t have the status of Commander Dai. Why would he come to me, ah?” Liu Zhenqing wrinkled his nose in dissatisfaction as he spoke, touching the flower arrangement in his lapel: “Is the only thing worthy of his attention that I’m…..a male pet?”

Huo Fenglie turned to give Liu Zhenqing a displeased glance. He didn’t like such an insulting term being used on Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t care, and seemed to be amused. He raised a teasing eyebrow at Huo Fenglie and said: “Thus, it’s only possible that he came here for General Huo.”

“What kind of person would deliberately come here for General Huo?”

Dai Tingyu said at once: “A foreigner! Foreigners like to get their eyes on Brother Huo.”

He said this as if they all admired Huo Fenglie. The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s lips twitched.

“What’s more, he just mentioned that the caravan almost couldn’t leave. The proposal we discussed about the Western Shu Kingdom hasn’t been announced to the public.”

As soon as Liu Zhenqing spoke those words, the expressions of Tang Mu and Qiao Jin abruptly changed.

Tang Mu took another look at Qiao Jin’s age and said in astonishment: “How is this possible? Could this be Western Shu’s…..”

Before he could finish speaking, there was a sudden commotion on the roof of the tavern. In an instant, countless roof tiles tumbled down.

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Chapter One Hundred Five << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Seven