Dai Tingyu was so furious that he jumped down and grabbed the fellow who threw it, just an ordinary young man.

“How dare you throw rocks at someone! Do you know who you just threw that at?”

“What are you doing! Soldiers are beating people at will!” the young man shouted as he struggled. He likely didn’t know the identity of the person who caught him, so he thought the person in front of him wouldn’t casually kill someone. “Are you stifling the voices of us common people? We have the right to know the truth.”

The young person jeering in such a way immediately aroused public outrage.

The people who originally asked the question also turned into ill-toned inquisitors, throwing blame and putting on a ludicrous performance with their eye sockets about to burst from anger. It was just like the rumors. They had been deceived.

Dai Tingyu’s eyes were red with anger, but Tang Rou called him back.

Tang Rou bowed deeply to everyone, saying: “I know you are all uneasy right now because of the news, but think about it. Didn’t we win a battle not long ago? Our Tang family has been in Nanfeng City for generations. This is my home, ah. As the City Lord, I will always cleave to Nanfeng City and protect everyone. Please, everyone, calm down and trust me.”

Tang Rou’s words were truly sincere.

The people below were quiet for a moment at first. Then a voice said abruptly: “Who knows if you’ve been bribed like your father was? It’s not like your Tang family hasn’t abandoned us before, ah.”

When these words sounded, the atmosphere just now was disrupted once more.

Tang Rou stared blankly at the crowd around her, while Dai Tingyu’s face grew livid with fury. These people clearly didn’t know the truth at all. How could they embarrass the City Lord like this based on hearsay?!

Just when things were on the verge of going out of control, a figure suddenly flew forward to stand in front of Tang Rou and Dai Tingyu.

Due to his ice-cold aura and lofty form, everyone was instantly in shock and awe.

Many of them had witnessed Huo Fenglie’s heroic and triumphant return, and naturally recognized him.

Making a public appearance at this time was very useful. When everyone was certain that the new arrival was General Hou, someone actually asked Huo Fenglie to help find out the truth. It seemed they were more willing to believe Huo Fenglie than to believe Tang Rou and Dai Tingyu, who had been protecting them.

How ridiculous this scene was. But this was reality. Because he knew this would happen, Liu Zhenqing had asked Huo Fenglie to salvage the situation in time.

Huo Fenglie spoke coldly to them all: “Those who dare to listen to hearsay and spread rumors to cause trouble will be punished as spies!”

The order was powerful and resounding, and immediately frightened everyone present. Many people were so stifled that their faces were ashen as they mumbled, “How can we be spies! We mean well. Please don’t accuse us wrongly, my lord.”

Huo Fenglie’s frigid gaze seemed to sweep across everyone present. No one dared to look up at him, and the scene gradually quieted down.

“I trust Tang-chengzhu, and I am willing to guard Nanfeng City alongside him. If you lack faith, you can leave.” Huo Fenglie completely ignored these people’s entreaties. Like a cold-faced Shura, he put the common people in a state of awe and fear, uncertain if this powerful official would actually punish them.

When Huo Fenglie was done speaking, he shot a glance at Dai Tingyu.

Dai Tingyu immediately led troops to clear the way and escort Tang Mu out.

It wasn’t until they returned to the City Lord’s manor that Dai Tingyu stomped in anger. 

Liu Zhenqing watched them return and asked Tang Rou: “Is everything okay?”

Tang Rou shook her head.

Dai Tingyu said angrily: “Okay? He was nearly hit with a rock just now. Tang-chengzhu has been in charge of Nanfeng City for so many years, and when has he ever been treated like this before? These people are cruel and unscrupulous. You didn’t see…..”

Dai Tingyu spoke in a fluster for a while, but found that not only did Huo Fenglie not respond after coming back with them, but Liu Zhenqing’s expression also lacked emotion. 

“Doesn’t it make you furious?” Dai Tingyu said heatedly.

Liu Zhenqing smiled at Dai Tingyu’s reaction: “It seems that you’ve always had smooth sailing when leading troops to war.”

Dai Tingyu was taken aback: “What do you mean?”

Liu Zhenqing said mildly: “This is a normal reaction for ordinary people, ah. Repeated lies become fact. If a lie is told too often, people will naturally believe it, especially during such unstable times when people are the most suspicious. When someone takes the lead, even if there is no evidence, a hero will turn into a villain in their eyes if there are too many rumors.”

Dai Tingyu was shocked for a long moment, then said abruptly: “Just like Liu Zhenqing?”

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly, then shook his head. His situation wasn’t like that. He had actually done bad things. Even if those things were for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty on a national level, on a personal level, the common people had indeed lost out. Therefore, he never thought about clearing his name, because even if he did, some people would still criticize them from their own perspectives. This was human nature.

“It’s very easy for the common people to change their evaluation of a person from praise to disparagement. A few words of hearsay are enough, but the reverse is very difficult. Not only must there be enough ironclad evidence to change their minds, they also need to shamelessly admit they were wrong. And when they belittle someone, they are often sincere, but when admitting their mistakes, they will downplay them. They are magnanimous and tolerant of their own mistakes, but critical and severe regarding the mistakes of others.” Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “So settle down, ah. It’s not worth getting angry over this sort of thing.”

Dai Tingyu stood in amazement when he heard this.

He suddenly remembered that the Old City Lord’s betrayal and Liu Zhenqing’s infamy were clearly opposites. There were many people who suspected and belittled the City Lord just now, but nobody spoke a word about the injustice done to Prime Minister Liu. What they cared about was being deceived by the City Lord. They felt that their gratitude had been extended toward the wrong person, but not that Prime Minister Liu’s benevolence had been attributed to the wrong person.

“But…..but even if the Old City Lord was wrong, what does that have to do with Tang-chengzhu? Tang-chengzhu has toiled hard for Nanfeng City for so long and contributed a lot. Are they all blind? Do they not remember?” Dai Tingyu felt aggrieved on behalf of Tang Rou. Others didn’t know, but he knew very well. How many nights had he seen Tang Rou’s exhausted figure? Such conscientiousness had enabled a small border town like Nanfeng City to develop so well. What could they be dissatisfied with?

“The common people like to elevate themselves in hypothetical situations and accuse those involved in those problems as imperfect. This is entirely normal. If conflicts happen more frequently, you’ll probably get used to it.” Liu Zhenqing patted Tang Rou on the shoulder to offer comfort.

Huo Fenglie grabbed his hand and held it away.

Liu Zhenqing: ……

Tang Rou smiled at everyone: “I’m fine. Don’t worry, everyone. The common people were also deceived, and…..it’s true that I deserve this. What’s more, this is a lot better than I expected.”

Both Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie knew Tang Rou meant that at least her identity as a woman wasn’t exposed.

“I just feel that we’ve had such strict control, so why are there still such large-scale rumors? There has to be a mole. It must be investigated thoroughly.” When Tang Rou said this, Dai Tingyu naturally raised his hand at once to take over the matter, and left in a hurry.

The three people hadn’t been talking for long in the Office of Government Affairs when they saw Tang-furen rushing toward them on the warpath.

Tang Rou really didn’t have the energy to spare to face Tang-furen at the moment. Before the woman could speak, she got up to drive her away.

Unexpectedly, Tang-furen directly passed her by and headed toward Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing was momentarily a bit confused. Before he could react, he was picked up by Huo Fenglie, who kicked Tang-furen away the moment she rushed over.

It happened so suddenly. It wasn’t until Tang-furen fell into a pillar and the dagger in her hand flew out that everyone realized what was going on. 

“Mother, are you insane?” Tang Rou hurried forward in absolute shock to grab Tang-furen, who was reaching for the dagger. 

Tang-furen seemed to have lost her mind. She shoved Tang Rou away and shouted: “You’re the one who’s crazy, you’re all crazy! Who is he! I’m asking you, who is he! It turns out you can still live in harmony with him! Have you forgotten how your father died? Have you forgotten that your father was even decapitated after death? How can you spend time with someone who is kin to such an evil person! A relative of that person still dares to come to our Nanfeng City. He’s simply looking down on us and came here to humiliate us. There are rumors outside slandering us now, so how do we know it wasn’t him? I’ll make him bleed today to pay homage to my late husband’s spirit in the afterlife.”

When Tang-furen roared out in such a way, everyone immediately understood what was going on with her. Because Tang-furen wanted to snatch Huo Fenglie as her son-in-law, she had secretly investigated Liu Zhenqing, and soon learned his identity. After all, Liu Zhenqing hadn’t concealed his identity as Liu Xiaozhu from the outside world.

And as for Tang-furen, she didn’t care about the rest of it. She only knew one thing – that the fellow who stole her daughter’s man was kin to the treacherous minister who brought harm to Nanfeng City. It felt like they were enemies meeting on a narrow road, and with overwhelming hatred, she had rushed over regardless of anything else.

Tang-furen roared in grievance, face stained with tears that ruined her makeup and made her appearance fierce and terrifying.

This kind of sorrow made Tang Rou the most helpless. Because her mother didn’t know. Because…..she couldn’t bear to let her know about her father’s betrayal. That was the agreement she had made with her brother. It was enough that the two of them knew about such a cruel thing. 

And now, the ignorant Tang-furen couldn’t believe her eyes as she witnessed Huo Fenglie still protecting Liu Zhenqing. “General Huo! Why are you still protecting him! You’ve actually lost your wits to lust! Have you forgotten your Huo family’s grudge? This man is that person’s kin, ah!”

Huo Fenglie looked at Tang-furen and killing intent flashed across his face.

Liu Zhenqing frowned slightly, a bit embarrassed.

Tang-furen still tried to get up and vent her anger on the person in front of her. It was as if since brothers paid each other’s debts, so should even such a distant relative.

And at this moment, Tang Rou truly couldn’t endure any longer and shouted: “The rumors outside are all true!”

Although she couldn’t bear to hurt her mother, it was even more unreasonable to let harm come to her benefactor’s relative. 

With tears hanging in her eyes, Tang Rou grabbed Tang-furen and said: “Mother, it’s all true!”

Tang-furen was dumbfounded. Suddenly, her eyes widened in anger and she slapped Tang Rou directly in the face. “You unfilial daughter! What nonsense are you talking about!”

It could be seen that these words had such an impact on Tang-furen that she no longer cared about concealing her daughter’s identity. Luckily, there was no one else around but the four of them.

Tang-furen had used a lot of force, and Tang Rou’s face immediately became swollen and red. Slowly, she turned her head toward her mother with eyes full of sorrow.

Trembling all over, Tang-furen said: “If you say such a thing again, I’ll smash your mouth! Is it because your brother is gone? Your wings have grown and hardened after being City Lord for a few years, and you even slander your own father for fear of offending others. How could I have given birth to a daughter like you!”

“Mother!” Tang Rou roared: “Back then, Father was obsessed with the concubine. Didn’t you know that best? He also said he wanted to divorce you and marry her. Have you forgotten about the quarrels and fights you two had over it? Later, why did Father suddenly give up on divorcing his wife? You thought Father had changed his mind, but the next day when we fell asleep, there was a fire. Father did that, ah! It was Father! If my brother hadn’t escaped and run into Prime Minister Liu, we would have all died in that fire. Your face was burned in order to save your daughter, but did Father ever show concern for you? Did you not find that strange?”

Tang Rou had finally aired all her secrets and grievances. In fact, she hadn’t fully known the truth back then. It was her brother who knew, and he only told her when they had to deal with their father later on. She didn’t want her family to collapse back then, but now she wasn’t capable of remaining silent.

Tang-furen was frozen on the spot. Her entire being seemed to have been drained of energy, and he face was ashen. Tang Rou couldn’t help but step forward and hug her, saying: “You shouldn’t disrespect Prime Minister Liu, ah. It was he who bore the infamy and saved our lives. He not only saved our family’s lives, but also saved us from being criminals implicated by Father. He was a benefactor for our entire family. This is the truth, Mother, the truth, ah.”

“No…..impossible, I don’t believe it…..I don’t believe it. It’s not possible, he would never be so cruel to me!” Tang-furen seemed to have been stimulated, and ran out almost crazily.

“Mother!” Tang Rou shouted, quickly chasing after her.

Watching this scene, all Liu Zhenqing could do was sigh. It was nothing to Huo Fenglie. He pulled Liu Zhenqing away and looked him up and down. Clearly he had taken action in advance and Liu Zhenqing hadn’t been injured at all, but he still checked him over uneasily for a moment, as if the other person’s hatred could have left an invisible wound on Liu Zhenqing.

When Liu Zhenqing saw his lowered head, he stealthily pinched Huo Fenglie’s nose. That nose was perfectly straight, and very easy to pinch. Liu Zhenqing played with it for a while, and Huo Fenglie let him. Then he looked up innocently over Liu Zhenqing’s hand. Those clear black and white eyes were so cute. Liu Zhenqing released his grip and inquired: “When you led troops into battle in the past, did you ever encounter unreasonable people who wronged you for your good intentions?”

Huo Fenglie seemed to search his memory for a moment, then said: “I don’t remember.”

“You don’t remember?” Liu Zhenqing asked curiously.

“It’s because I didn’t care.” It didn’t matter to Huo Fenglie. His heart was no longer with him at that time, and the good or bad intentions of others never entered his eyes. It was fine as long as he could fulfill his responsibilities as a member of the Huo family and protect Great Zhou on behalf of Qing-ge and his older brother.

Although Liu Zhenqing didn’t know the reason, he smiled at Huo Fenglie’s words and said: “It’s good that you didn’t care.”

In the evening, Dai Tingyu obtained some information and came to report it. However, instead of going to the City Lord, he went straight to Liu Zhenqing’s courtyard.

Because Huo Fenglie had gone to the military camp, Liu Zhenqing was alone in the courtyard. When he saw Dai Tingyu coming, he advised after hearing his purpose that Tang Rou might be with Tang-furen.

In fact, Liu Zhenqing was also very curious about the situation over there, but because of his awkward identity, he didn’t go see it. As it happened, Dai Tingyu asked him to go over and take a look. 

“Tang-furen knows?” Dai Tingyu said in surprise. “That haughty old woman must have received a great blow when she found out, and might take her anger out on the City Lord. That’s not good, we should go over and have a look.”

When Dai Tingyu rushed over, the servants were standing around outside, not daring to approach. When he inquired, they all said that the City Lord gave the order to be ready to go in.

Dai Tingyu didn’t care about the facts of the matter, and rushed in directly. Upon entering, the expected scene of the City Lord being bullied was absent. There was only Tang Rou sitting in the courtyard and drinking alone with a bitter expression. There were still traces of dried tears on her face. When Dai Tingyu drew closer, he could hear Tang-furen sobbing, fussing, and cursing in the distance, her voice hoarse and dry. Although she couldn’t be heard clearly, she was probably unable to accept it after hearing the truth.

“Chengzhu,” Dai Tingyu said as he stepped forward.

Tang Rou raised her head and looked at Dai Tingyu in a daze, saying: “You’re here. What’s wrong?”

Dai Tingyu had rarely seen Tang Rou drink. After all, she had to exercise self-discipline as the City Lord. Not knowing if Tang Rou was drunk or not, he said: “I’ve identified some sources that may be related to your uncle. I went to arrest him, but wasn’t able to catch him. Strictly-speaking, he’s guilty of collusion with the enemy and needs a city-wide arrest warrant from you in order to avoid further escalation of the situation.”

Tang Rou listened with a frown. Seeing that she was silent, Dai Tingyu said: “Chengzhu, I know this is awkward for you.”

Tang Rou took a token from her waist and said, “Go. Do it.”

Dai Tingyu knew she was upset, so he didn’t say much. He was preparing to take the order and leave, but saw Tang Rou collapse onto the table.

“Heavens, you’re drunk?” Dai Tingyu instantly felt helpless. He stepped forward to nudge Tang Rou, but she had already passed out. He couldn’t leave the City Lord here.

He called for the servants over to help this person back to the main residence to rest, but nobody responded. Then he remembered that those servants were hiding far away. After some thought, he didn’t trouble them, and just picked the City Lord up and flew with him to his residence.

He went to put Tang Rou down, but when he had just taken her down from his shoulder, his neck was hooked abruptly and he fell down along with the other person.

In an instant, Dai Tingyu’s iron-like muscles seemed to come into contact with something soft.

Dai Tingyu stared blankly, thinking that scholars were different and their muscles were all soft. He had better tell the City Lord to exercise more in the future, or else he really wouldn’t even be able to truss a chicken.

Just as he was getting up, a voice suddenly reached his ears.

Its tone was gentle and melodious, very pleasant to the ears. It was superior to the girls he had heard singing songs from Jiangnan. 

But this voice contained an endearing tearful tone.

“Brother…..I’m sorry…..Brother…..”

Where was the female voice coming from? Where was…..

Dai Tingyu froze in disbelief, watching as the petite red lips of the person beneath him opened and closed. Only then did the scent of a woman’s body reach his nose. And there was still the soft…..Dai Tingyu stood abruptly, feeling as if his entire being had been electrocuted. He took a dozen successive steps back, his eyes as wide as a bull’s. 

The City Lord…..was a woman?!

Weren’t all women supposed to be soft and delicate, tearful and useless, long of hair and short of knowledge, knowing only the trivial matters of the boudoir? How…..could this be the City Lord?!

The City Lord must be a man, ah…..Tang-furen hadn’t wanted to play matchmaker before……wasn’t it more reasonable for a man and woman to marry?

He must be a man, ah…..when they were together…..it seemed they had never bathed or swam together, and his invitations were to no avail……

So…..

Curious about the situation, Liu Zhenqing wandered around the gardens nearby. As he was waiting for Dai Tingyu to return, he heard a long scream of Ahhhhh soar high into the sky, startling him. Liu Zhenqing thought something had happened, but when he looked up, he saw Dai Tingyu in the middle of a breakdown, roaring as he flew over the courtyard wall and left the City Lord’s manor.

Liu Zhenqing: ???

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Chapter One Hundred Thirteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Fifteen