Tang Rou breathed a long sigh of relief after speaking. It seemed she had finally found closure after telling the truth.

But then her expression changed.

“I just didn’t expect to have such a mother. She never thought that I could continue pretending and never agreed with my approach. She wanted me to step down and make way for my uncle, and she always thought I would marry. She felt that if I could marry General Huo, then my crime of impersonating the city lord would be lifted.”

Tang Rou wasn’t shy at all as she spoke of this matter. She was completely cold. She obviously had no designs upon Huo Fenglie, and scoffed at her mother’s crazy ideas.

“She wanted me to obediently marry, and then use General Huo’s name to boost my uncle’s name for city lord. She also felt that Nanfeng City would naturally be protected as long as I became the general’s wife, which was better than me working hard as the city lord.” Tang Rou smiled bitterly and shook her head as she said this: “I ignored her at first, but when she saw the general return victorious, she still had wicked thoughts that led to the farce last night.”

Liu Zhenqing could only shake his head and say: “I thought I’d made it obvious enough. Am I so lacking in your mother’s eyes?” After some thought, his current face seemed to be no match for Tang Rou’s. Moreover, Tang Rou was a woman. In the eyes of a female elder, a woman must be considered better than a man.

Tang Rou smiled softly. “It’s just that my mother is obsessed. General Huo must have encountered many such things over the years. If it was so easy to succeed, it would have succeeded already, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s right, just like Qiao An last night. Not only did he fail to throw himself into his arms, he almost lost his life.” Liu Zhenqing looked at Er-gou with a smile, satisfied.

Huo Fenglie drank his tea calmly as he was discussed by the two.

Tang Rou looked at the two of them and said: “Don’t worry, I really do have someone else in my heart. I have no plans to marry in this life, so no matter what my mother does or says, there is no need for you to pay attention to it. I apologize to you in advance.”

Tang Rou said this to reassure the two of them. After all, they were a couple. But Tang Rou, who was so honest about her feelings, still embarrassed them.

“As for my identity…..” Tang Rou’s eyes flickered.

Liu Zhenqing intended to say that he would hide it for her, if that was what she wanted.

But Tang Rou immediately looked at Huo Fenglie, saying firmly: “General Huo, I have little ability and cannot accomplish it. If you are willing to clear Prime Minister Liu’s name, I will voluntarily go to the capital with you to testify. Now that Commander Dai is in Nanfeng City, I can be at ease. No matter what happens to me and the Tang family, this is what should be done. I want to inform His Holy Majesty and the civil and military officials of what really happened back then. I want to let all of them know what kind of person Prime Minister Liu was!”

Stunned, Liu Zhenqing looked at Tang Rou with some…..complexity.

There seemed to be tears in Tang Rou’s eyes: “I heard that his name is still on the column of sinners on the Twining Dragon Jade Pillar. It shouldn’t be there.”

Liu Zhenqing was dumbfounded. He never expected that in a city far to the south, after many years, there was still someone who…..would do this for him. He was truly moved.

Huo Fenglie glanced at Liu Zhenqing, then looked at Tang Rou and said: “Of course. I hope you will do this.”

Startled, Liu Zhenqing was about to kick Huo Fenglie. But then Huo Fenglie said: “But I know he wouldn’t want to see something like this happen. Your brother sacrificed himself, and you have both repaid his kindness.”

Tang Rou at once said anxiously: “How can this be? We…..”

“Didn’t he tell you at the end? He would rather bear the infamy in exchange for one request: that you would safeguard the honor of the Tang family and Nanfeng City. You did it, and that’s enough.” Huo Fenglie said steadily: “Don’t worry about your identity. You will be fine.”

Tang Rou was stumped for words.

Liu Zhenqing coughed and said: “Do you think that a person who risked such infamy would care about their posthumous reputation?”

Tang Rou was slightly taken aback, and stared at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “I’m his relative. He has no descendants, so I will make the decision for him. You don’t need to do anything. Just carry on with what you’re doing now. If you want to unburden yourself, then do so. Just do what you want to do.”

Liu Zhenqing was originally a person from a different time, and deep down, cared less than the ancients about his posthumous name. What he said was naturally true, not to mention that Tang Rou’s risky approach was even more inappropriate. Fortunately, Huo Fenglie understood and helped to dissuade her.

Speaking of this, Liu Zhenqing glanced at the jade pendant in Tang Rou’s hand and said awkwardly: “A man dies the way a lamp goes out. Don’t be too attached to the past.”

Tang Rou looked at Liu Zhenqing for a long moment, and at last heaved a sigh: “Thank you both very much for the clarification. I understand.”

Just as she spoke, there was a burst of noise outside.

Tang Rou’s expression changed slightly, and she said: “Perhaps…..”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: “Perhaps a good show is about to happen.”

Dai Tingyu came in with urgent news. He had faith in Tang-chengzhu, so he came straight to Tang Rou, but didn’t expect that she wasn’t in her courtyard. He had no choice but to go to Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing first. This matter could not be concealed.

As a result, as soon as he arrived at the courtyard, he found many people who seemed to be planning to go inside. The leader among them was Tang-furen.

Dai Tingyu naturally drew attention as soon as he appeared. Stepping forward to greet her, he was about to speak when Tang-furen slew her eyes and pulled at Dai Tingyu, crying: “What should be done? Tang Mu went into General Huo’s residence last night and hasn’t come out.”

Dai Tingyu was a straight man, so he had no other thoughts and said directly: “Could it be that they stayed up all night discussing the war? Tang-furen, do you have something to speak to the City Lord about?”

Tang-furen’s face stiffened, and she said: “No…..it’s my child’s…..innocence…..”

Dai Tingyu’s head was filled with questions.

Tang-furen only looked anxious, and took people with her to break in.

Dai Tingyu sensed that something wasn’t right and wanted to stop them, but he couldn’t figure it out and really couldn’t stop the turbulent crowd.

As a result, these people ran halfway there before coming to a sudden stop. Under the pergola in the courtyard, they saw Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing sitting there having breakfast.

Seeing this situation, the two people turned to look at everyone in confusion.

Tang-furen was also a bit muddle-headed, feeling that the situation before her was different from what she expected.

“What are you all doing?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

“My son…..” Tang-furen was about to put on a performance.

Dai Tingyu said: “They came to see the City Lord. They said he was here last night.”

Huo Fenglie said coldly: “He’s not here.”

Tang-furen erupted at once: “How is that possible? General Huo, a real man has the courage to take responsibility. You must…..”

Huo Fenglie’s disgusted eyes swept over her coldly. Tang-furen instantly felt as if her neck were being strangled by invisible hands, and couldn’t speak a word.

Liu Zhenqing donned a puzzled look and said to Dai Tingyu: “Didn’t we separate after our discussion at the Office of Government Affairs last night? Fenglie returned after finishing up matters with you, and we went to bed without ever seeing the City Lord.”

Dai Tingyu nodded. That seemed to have been the case.

But Tang-furen was endlessly agitated. Just as she was about to open her mouth to argue, movement was heard outside the courtyard.

“Mother, what are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to come here at will?” Tang Rou’s voice sounded outside, causing everyone to immediately turn around.

Dai Tingyu said hurriedly: “Chengzhu, you’re here. I happened to come to you with something urgent.”

Tang-furen stared at Tang Rou and said: “You…..where were you last night? What did you do? Think well and make it clear. No matter what, Mother calls the shots for you! Otherwise…..”

Tang-furen’s eyes seemed to hold a warning. Many things were hard to say without making a scene. 

“Could it be that Mother is dreaming? It’s better to go back and rest to avoid being confused all the time. The person in front of you is the general who guards the country. If you get in trouble…..” Tang Rou’s tone became a bit dark. “I recall that General Huo has the power to kill anyone who plots against him at will. Would Mother like to give it a try?”

Tang-furen’s face instantly paled. She stared at Tang Rou in disbelief.

Tang Rou stopped looking at her, and announced to the servants in a cold voice: “All of you withdraw. Anyone who dares to disobey orders and come near this place will be killed without mercy!”

Although Tang Rou was considered a civil servant, such a dire warning still made everyone weak with fear. Disregarding Tang-furen, they retreated one after another.

Tang-furen was unable to vent her rage, and was so frightened that she could only give Tang Rou a fierce look, as if scolding her daughter for not living up to expectations. In the end, she could only leave in a fury. She said before departing: “Later, you will come to the ancestral hall and kneel for me!”

It was until they left that Tang Rou breathed out an exhausted sigh of relief.

Dai Tingyu looked right and left: “What’s going on, ah? I feel like…..” Dai Tingyu wasn’t stupid. At this moment, he finally understood Tang-furen’s meaning.

It was quite a shock. Did Tang-furen want to bring Tang-chengzhu and Brother Huo together? But Brother Huo was with Young Master Liu now, ah. Was Tang-furen unconvinced? Tang-chengzhu was indeed…..rather good-looking.

Wait. Could it be that Tang-chengzhu also liked men? So that was why Tang-furen hatched this plan? 

Dai Tingyu’s thick eyebrows practically danced as he stared at Tang Rou in shock.

But no one cared what he thought. Tang Rou rubbed her brow and said to Dai Tingyu: “You just said you came to us for something?”

Dai Tingyu removed his gaze from Tang Rou’s handsome features and said quickly: “Right, it’s something very serious!”

Dai Tingyu was also quite embarrassed. After all, it was a Tang family secret, but this matter had been instigated by the King of Western Shu and it was impossible not to report it.

Thus, when Dai Tingyu finished telling them, the three people present became quiet.

Dai Tingyu laughed awkwardly and said: “That person actually has no evidence, so…..”

“Everything he said is true,” Tang Rou said.

Dai Tingyu saw the bad expression on Tang Rou’s face and said at once: “Don’t worry, Chengzhu, I’ve blocked the news. The mistakes your father made have nothing to do with you. You’ve done so much for Nanfeng City over the years. I’ve witnessed it all. Who could be a better City Lord? I believe in you and will follow you.”

Tang Rou was taken aback, and smiled at Dai Tingyu: “Many thanks, Commander Dai.”

Dai Tingyu didn’t know if he had been disturbed by the situation just now, but his heart was a bit confused by that smile and he swiftly lowered his head to avoid seeing it.

At this time, Liu Zhenqing touched his chin and said: “This isn’t good, ah. It seems we must find a way to prevent news from Western Shu from infiltrating.”

“They want to tell people what happened back then to shake the credibility of our Tang family and disturb the stability of Nanfeng City. But I think it’s a bit childish. Even if I am defeated, now that General Huo and Commander Dai are here, it doesn’t make much sense for them to do this. Is this just to get revenge on me?” Tang Rou really couldn’t figure it out.

“Upsetting the relationship between the Tang Family and Nanfeng City is part of it, but upsetting the relationship between you and Huo Fenglie is the key point,” Liu Zhenqing analyzed. “According to the rumors, Fenglie hates Prime Minister Liu…..”

Huo Fenglie glanced at Liu Zhenqing, who smiled at him and continued: “That the Tang family was favored by Prime Minister Liu to secure the position of City Lord would definitely make Fenglei fearful. In Western Shu’s eyes, their willingness to cooperate with him would create a rift, and it would be easy to take advantage of this instigation.”

“Is that so?” Tang Rou frowned.

Okay, it was actually a bit far-fetched, but it was the only thing Liu Zhenqing could think of. Perhaps when it came to war, people’s hearts were the most difficult thing to control. It turned out they actually had this handle on them. If they could make use of it, they would.

In any case, they would take precautions first.

But many matters were all-pervasive. In less than three days, the news gradually leaked out into the city. Even with rigorous arrests and regulations, the news could not be controlled. Gradually, the people of Nanfeng City became restless.

Even Tang-furen, who had been residing in the City Lord’s manor, heard of this. She became furious and rushed to Tang Rou.

“Cut out the tongues of those who are talking nonsense! Our Tang family has done so much for Nanfeng City. How can they just listen to rumors, slander their master, and defend that traitor!” Tang-furen was unaware of the truth, so she only felt that this was a huge injustice.

Tang Rou was already very hard-pressed by these matters. After all, the story was indeed true. Although everything she was doing now had been jointly decided upon by everyone, she still felt somewhat that she was betraying her conscience. Tang-furen was still yelling at her, and she really wanted to tell the truth. But in the end, she could only endure and send Tang-furen away.

In the face of this, Tang-furen could only say: “If you had known earlier, you would have listened to me, isn’t that right? If you were the general’s wife, who would dare do such things, ah! Would they dare slander the Tang family along with the general who guards the country?”

This instant this matter was brought up, Tang Rou stood up and sent Tang-furen a fierce look.

Tang-furen also knew that her daughter was repulsed by this idea, but how could she watch her daughter fail to take the brighter path in order to take the single-plank bridge? She said: “I won’t talk your ear off, but let me ask you, are General Huo and that young master just having fun or are they to be engaged? Who is he, and how did he seduce General Huo?”

Tang Rou couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to her. She sent someone to drive Tang-furen away, but Tang-furen refused to give up and planned to investigate privately.

On the other side, the rumors within the city finally grew out of control. When Tang Rou was conducting routine inspections and giving public speeches to appease the common people, she was surrounded by people urging her to give an explanation.

They seemed to think that if the person they had been grateful to for so many years was a wicked person, that would be the ultimate insult against them, so they could not tolerate deception.

“The City Lord should explain clearly. Are the Tang family loyal or traitors? What actually happened back then?”

“I remember that the woman at the Old City Lord’s side was indeed very seductive. She didn’t look like a good person.”

“City Lord, please explain. My father died in that war. He shouldn’t have died without knowing who his enemy was.”

This statement carried a lot of weight, and in an instant, many people began to speak similarly.

Tang Rou’s expression was already somewhat unsightly.

“Everyone, don’t listen to those baseless things. The enemy is maliciously trying to divide us!”

But before Tang Rou could finish her words, something suddenly flew at her from below.

Dai Tingyu immediately stepped forward to grab it, and when he looked, it turned out to be a rock. Someone had thrown a rock at Tang-chengzhu?!

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Chapter One Hundred Twelve << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Fourteen