Indeed, it wasn’t difficult to handle at all. Once he received the letter, Yuan Jue directly granted the request and sent it swiftly to Nanfeng City.

Reading over the private message about the current situation, Yuan Jue slowly turned the jade ring on his finger. The smile on his face was cold.

“It seems Zhanyuan really does have a new advisor. Liu Xiaozhu…..Liu……”

*

*

When he heard their arrangements, Dai Tingyu gave Liu Zhenqing a thumbs up.

And Tang Rou stared at Liu Zhenqing in shock and bewilderment. She had never expected someone to go to such lengths for her.

She lamented silently once more: This relative was indeed very similar to Liu Zhenqing.

Next, Dai Tingyu woke up Uncle Tang and began to interrogate him.

When Uncle Tang awoke and realized the others were no longer there and that Huo Fenglie was back, he understood at once that he was doomed. Even if he used his status as Tang Rou’s uncle and begged her to save him, it would all be in vain. After all, even Tang-furen was absent, which proved that nobody was on his side.

Dai Tingyu clearly had a knife against his throat. Uncle Tang was a coward at heart, and confessed everything at once.

The facts were thus: People from the Western Shu Kingdom had contacted him and promised to work with him inside and outside to make him City Lord, offering him glory and wealth. He resented Tang Rou for refusing to abdicate, which resulted in this situation. Regarding the Old City Lord’s treason, he had no idea whether or not it was true, but he possessed some minor cleverness. Rumor would become truth if he actually obtained the position, so up to the end, the Western Shu Kingdom had no idea that Tang Rou was a woman. It was entirely his intention to use this to raise the stakes and show his goodwill to the Western Shu Kingdom. 

“You really are my uncle.” Tang Rou was so angry that she almost laughed.

“I’ve confessed everything. For the sake of me being your uncle, please have mercy.” Uncle Tang said tearfully, “Your mother only has this one brother. If you kill me, your mother will never forgive you.”

“Then I just won’t be forgiven!”

Although Tang Rou was a woman and had an affable personality, she was not a pushover. For both public and private reasons, Uncle Tang must die. At most, she was unwilling to do it herself, and left it to Dai Tingyu to remove him from the City Lord’s manor before executing him.

But the impact caused by Uncle Tang was extremely dire, and even with 50,000 troops camped nearby, the anxiety of the common people in Nanfeng City couldn’t be assuaged in one day.

Of course, it didn’t matter that Tang Rou’s identity as a woman was exposed. As soon as the Imperial Edict arrived, everything would be put to rest. But the matter of the Old City Lord still couldn’t be discussed, not only for the sake of the innocent members of the Tang family, but also for the sake of peace in Nanfeng City.

But just as Uncle Tang had expected, if one thing was true, the other matter would be regarded as true in the eyes of the public even without evidence, so corresponding measures must be taken to guide public opinion.

As everyone discussed, Tang Rou frowned in thought. As an involved party, it was difficult for her to think outside the box, and Dai Tingyu was racking his brains even more. He really couldn’t bear it anymore, and wanted to beat people up when he went out nowadays. What those bastard common people said about Tang Rou was entirely unreasonable.

He really couldn’t think of anything in the end, and instinctively turned to ask Liu Zhenqing: “Young Master Liu, do you have a method?”

Tang Rou also looked over expectantly. With an awkward smile, Liu Zhenqing said: “There is indeed a method, but it’s a bit damaging to your reputation.”

Tang Rou hadn’t actually expected Liu Zhenqing to have a solution. She said quickly: “What reputation do I have now? Brother Liu, please speak.”

Liu Zhenqing touched his head and slowly explained his plan.

*

*

Soon after, in the Western Shu Kingdom, someone knelt down and reported the news from Nanfeng City to Qiao Jin.

“It is rumored that Your Majesty has long known that Tang-chengzhu is a woman, and because his love was unrequited, you snatched the throne and used it to force Tang-chengzhu to submit. They say that all of the current rumors are just traps set to force Tang-chengzhu to marry you, so…..”

“Nonsense! That isn’t true at all!” 

Qiao Jin became anxious at once, because he saw Liu Qiao peering at him with curious eyes.

Under pressure, the subordinate said: “Of course it’s only a random fabrication, but…..it is already known to everyone in Nanfeng City. Everyone’s emotions have been assuaged, and nobody believes what was said about the Old City Lord. Coupled with the Imperial Edict from the Zhou Dynasty’s emperor, the Tang-chengzhu’s identity has been rectified and she has been appointed as the City Lord. So now, the common people of Nanfeng City are united against the outside world. They all say…..don’t even think about marrying their City Lord!”

Qiao Jin was so enraged that the veins on his forehead bulged. He hadn’t expected that someone would use such a trick against him, causing him to fall short of success. Inexplicably, he thought of that member of the Liu family, feeling that such an unscrupulous method must have come from his mind. 

“What about Huo Fenglie!” Qiao Jin asked, “Is there news?”

“There has been no movement. He met up with the main army, and they are training steadily. It seems they are ready to attack our Western Shu Kingdom at any time.”

Qiao Jin’s face darkened. He gestured for him to step down, and saw that Liu Qiao was still looking at him curiously. He immediately shouted at Liu Qiao: “Don’t believe that too!”

Liu Qiao considered for a moment, then said: “You’re eighteen and it’s time for you to get engaged, but…..Tang-chengzhu is much older than you…..”

“Bullshit! Are you trying to anger me to death too?” Qiao Jin was in a fury.

Liu Qiao shrugged, saying: “In any case, your plan failed.”

Qiao Jin’s mood wasn’t good. He knew that although his excuse for this plan was to reveal the truth about Liu Zhenqing and restore his reputation, Liu Qiao knew that his real purpose was to deal with Huo Fenglie. Liu Qiao was unhappy with this, but didn’t stop him. In his opinion, apart from the already deceased Liu Zhenqing, Qiao Jin was at least the most important in Liu Qiao’s heart, so he was quite happy. But unexpectedly, that was thoroughly undermined by this person.

“Are you happy that my plan failed?” Qiao Jin habitually vented his anger on this block of wood.

Liu Qiao said: “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?!”

“Because I don’t know whether or not you wanted it to fail. What are you trying to do?” Liu Qiao regarded him with a rare frown.

Qiao Jin’s eyes darkened. He said: “Regardless, what will happen to me if you leave? It can’t be that you also don’t care about me?”

Liu Qiao was taken aback. He saw Qiao Jin’s bright eyes glinting under his thick black eyelashes, like an encroaching wild beast. It made one’s heart tremble to behold it. That natural attractive force was worthy of a member of the Yuan clan.

That gaze was so fiery hot that it made Liu Qiao rely purely on instinct to avoid danger.

“If it really does come to battle, even if Western Shu has a 200,000-strong army, it won’t be able to defeat Huo Fenglie’s 50,000 Huo family troops.” Liu Qiao showed rare concern for Qiao Jin’s plight.

Qiao Jin gritted his teeth, saying coldly: “Of course I know that even the generals of Western Shu can’t stop Huo Fenglie, but……he is not the flawless God of War he was before. Do me a favor.”

“Tell me,” Liu Qiao said. “I won’t assasinate Huo Fenglie.”

Qiao Jin glared angrily at Liu Qiao: “Help me kidnap a certain person. Rest assured, I’m reluctant to let you take risks. Someone will assist you.”

Liu Qiao was startled. Reluctant to let him take risks? It seemed this kid had begun to like saying things like this in the past year or two.

*

*

On the other side, at the City Lord’s manor.

Due to being frightened by Huo Fenglie, Prince Qiao An hadn’t shown up for several days. But at this time, he actually came to Tang Rou.

“I heard that the false king of Western Shu likes you?”

Liu Zhenqing, who was discussing matters with Tang Rou, laughed endlessly upon hearing this. Unexpectedly, Tang Rou had heard about this while living in seclusion. It seemed that his plan had been successful.

Tang Rou rubbed her brow with a headache: “Your Highness, it’s time for you to pack up and head to the military camp.”

Because 50,000 troops had arrived, the military camp was naturally safer than staying in the City Lord’s manor. Liu Zhenqing was also going over.

“Let me remind you, that person is no good. Don’t become confused and betray your Great Zhou Dynasty,” Qiao An said.

“Many thanks for the reminder. I won’t,” Tang Rou said with displeasure.

Qiao An scoffed coldly and departed. Compared to his previous attitude toward Tang-chengzhu, it was about twice as bad. This clearly had something to do with the extremely low status of women in his country.

Liu Zhenqing gazed after Qiao An’s departing figure and analyzed the purpose of his actions. When he turned around, he found Tang Rou looking at him.

Tang Rou was currently still in customary men’s attire.

“What is it?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

“It’s still hard for me to imagine that Nanfeng City’s attitude has changed in such a way,” Tang Rou sighed.

“Just don’t blame me for ruining your reputation,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile. “The common people are more receptive to gossip than power struggles, especially when it comes to love and hate. This can arouse their collective sense of honor and unity against the outside world, which is the most consistent way to divert attention. And when the emperor’s Imperial Edict arrived, the positive effects were condensed, and the common people naturally felt that all of the previous negative news was all a conspiracy. In fact, they had been led well. Public opinion was a double-edged sword. If used well, it would definitely benefit them. And at this point, the king of Western Shu was still young.

Tang Rou considered for a moment before saying: “Just like Prime Minister Liu used public opinion to exonerate our Tang family, Nanfeng City has been stabilized. Brother Liu, you have a lot in common with Prime Minister Liu.”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and said curiously: “Do you intend to wear men’s clothes all the time?”

Looking embarrassed, Tang Rou said: “It’s convenient, and I’ve said that I don’t intend to marry.”

Liu Zhenqing coughed and said, “Actually…..”

“I know what you’re going to say. I’m not going to marry and attach myself to someone. I just don’t think it’s necessary.” Tang Rou said with a smile: “I’m content right now. Not every woman in this world wants to get married and have children.”

Liu Zhenqing was momentarily stunned. “Indeed,” he said. He had actually intended to say that she could look at the people next to her. Dai Tingyu, for example. But it felt inappropriate to say such a thing now.

According to the time, Huo Fenglie should be coming back to pick him up. Liu Zhenqing intended to go back and clean up.

As a result, he met Tang-furen halfway.

They hadn’t seen each other for several days. Upon meeting again, Tang-furen seemed to be in a daze. When she saw Liu Zhenqing avert his gaze, she at last stepped forward to salute Liu Zhenqing and apologize for her previous offenses.

Seeing her finally behaving in a reasonable manner, Liu Zhenqing breathed a sigh of relief. “Is Tang-furen out for a walk?”

“No…..I…..I’m looking for General Huo.” Tang-furen’s tone of voice sounded a little weak. Looking at her pale face, Liu Zhenqing wondered if she was ill. Although he had some medical skills, Liu Zhenqing was not generous enough to extend them to everyone he met.

“General Huo should be here soon. Would you like…..to wait in the courtyard?” Liu Zhenqing glanced in the direction Tang-furen was walking and simply planned to go to the courtyard they resided in.

Tang-furen nodded and said: “I’ll trouble you.”

When the two arrived at the courtyard, Liu Zhenqing said: “I still need to pack my bags. Tang-furen, please make yourself at home.” He was actually a little curious as to why she was here. But according to the relationship between the two of them, Tang-furen probably didn’t have anything to say to him. Thus, Liu Zhenqing could only clean up and wait for Huo Fenglie to return.

In fact, all Liu Zhenqing needed to take with him were a few articles of clothing and the medicine left to him by his master. When he went to the bedroom, he saw that everything was basically tidied up. He dared say that when he was lying in bed in Huo Fenglie’s room, the man had come and cleaned everything up for him in advance.

Liu Zhenqing looked at the bags placed on the table and sat down with a smile to take inventory. He recalled that there seemed to have been a similar scene in the past. As long as Er-gou was around, even a young Er-gou, he didn’t need any servants around him. Er-gou would prepare everything for him, so he didn’t have to worry about such trivial matters at all. 

Li Xingruo had said jealously that Er-gou didn’t even treat his own brother like this, and that he was basically part of the Liu family.

Come to think of it, hadn’t he been raised by the Liu family?

The more Liu Zhenqing thought about it, the happier he became. Suddenly, he remembered the hidden troubles in his heart and could only sigh. He’d been thinking about Liu Qiao these days. He still couldn’t think of what to do, and didn’t know how to talk about it with Huo Fenglie. He always felt that as soon as he spoke, the perfect image Huo Fenglie had of him would be destroyed. After all, Huo Fenglie came from the loyal and patriotic Huo family, and his infatuation with Liu Zhenqing might be broken. He was already used to Er-gou’s affection for him, and if it diminished even a little, he might not be able to bear it.

But a war might begin soon, and he couldn’t just not tell him, ah.

Just as he was lost in thought, he heard a noise outside. Huo Fenglie had returned.

As soon as Liu Zhenqing opened the door, he saw that a distance across the courtyard, Tang-furen had knelt down and was kowtowing heavily toward Huo Fenglie.

Huo Fenglie was very indifferent toward outsiders. He didn’t step forward to help her up, and only asked: “What is the meaning of this, Tang-furen?”

Tang-furen had naturally come because of Tang Rou. She knew in her heart that everything was untrue. Huo Fenglie had protected Tang Rou so that she could avoid fretting over the crime she’d committed, and also protected the Tang family from the problems left behind by the Old City Lord. Tang-furen felt exceptionally guilty and grateful, and naturally wanted to express her gratitude.

But Tang-furen’s purpose was not limited to that.

“General Huo, I would like to apologize to you for my previous designs with you and Rou’er, but my intentions were good. You and Rou’er are the same age, and you’ve also seen that she has been passing for a man all these years and her conduct is pure. If General Huo doesn’t dislike her, can he accept Rou’er?”

Liu Zhenqing was struck dumb. With a slight frown, Huo Fenglie looked up at Liu Zhenqing by the door of the house. He couldn’t understand why he had let Tang-furen inside.

How could Liu Zhenqing not have known that Tang-furen had such a plan, ah? Publicly prying into his corner? He really wasn’t taken seriously, ah. He really didn’t have a legitimate identity. He should get engaged and married as soon as possible. Next time he would just say that he was the general’s fiance, husband, wife, whatever, and see who dared to be so hasty.

“Tang-furen, please come back another time.” Huo Fenglie’s refusal was cold.

Tang-furen’s face paled, and she began to cough. Feeling as if she was at the end of her life, she immediately kowtowed to Huo Fenglie and said: “I know that General Huo already has someone, but you are the general who guards the country, ah. It doesn’t matter if there is one more or one less person at your side. Even if you don’t give Rou’er the status of first wife, a side wife or concubine is fine, or at least give her a son or two to let the world know that she is your woman.”

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but frown upon hearing this. He seemed to understand Tang-furen’s thoughts.

Huo Fenglie’s brow furrowed. His tone was displeased: “Why does Tang-furen look down on her daughter like this?”

Tang-furen kowtowed again, her forehead turning red. “The King of Western Shu has his eye on my daughter, I…..”

“That is false,” Huo Fenglie said directly.

In the end, Tang-furen could only tell the truth: “General, have mercy. Just accept Rou’er. That father of hers left a life-threatening danger behind for our whole family. Even if we can hide it for a while, there is still a sword hanging over our heads, ah. As long as you put her under your protection, Rou’er and her younger siblings will not…..If this old woman dies, that’s fine, but they are innocent, ah.”

Tang-furen shuffled on her knees to Huo Fenglie. She knew that this was her only chance. If Huo Fenglie left, there would be no chance of fighting for asylum for her children. Tang-furen tugged at the hem of his clothes and said with a teary face: “General Huo, Rou’er is beautiful and gentle. If the matters at home hadn’t happened, she would have been able to marry and become a wife long ago. I no longer expect an engagement between Rou’er and the general. As long as you just accept her…..”

Huo Fenglie simply stepped away. Tang-furen lost her grip and fell to the ground in great embarrassment. Liu Zhenqing looked at the older woman with a sigh, then stepped forward to help her. 

Tang-furen grabbed Liu Zhenqing and said bitterly: “Young Master Liu, Rou’er has a good relationship with you and won’t compete with you. We just want to save our lives, ah. Please help intercede for me, Young Master Liu, and ask General Huo to agree.”

Although this Tang-furen was always doing muddle-headed things, she was thinking of Tang Rou in this particular matter.

“But is Tang Rou willing?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Tang-furen said quickly: “As long as you agree, Tang Rou will still accept if I cry, make a fuss, and threaten to hang myself.”

Liu Zhenqing thought for a moment, then said: “Tang-furen, please go back first. I will advise him.”

Tang-furen instantly looked at Liu Zhenqing in shock, while Huo Fenglie opposite stared blankly at Liu Zhenqing.

After the staggering Tang-furen was sent away, he turned to find Huo Fenglie glaring at him with a dark expression.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “What’s all this? I lied to her, otherwise the old woman would cry, fuss, and hang herself right here. Why go to all this trouble? It was better to trick her into leaving first so she wouldn’t faint in front of us. I made no promises on your behalf, so why are you angry?”

Huo Fenglie turned around and said: “I’m not angry.”

“You’re obviously angry.” Liu Zhenqing stepped forward and nudged Huo Fenglie, saying with a smile: “You’re outstanding and hold a high position. It’s normal for others to have such thoughts.”

Huo Fenglie slowly turned his head to look at Liu Zhenqing, and it could be seen that he really wasn’t angry at all. On the contrary, he was teasing him. Huo Fenglie smiled wryly and took a deep breath, saying: “Have you ever encountered such a thing before?”

Liu Zhenqing rubbed his nose and said proudly: “There must be many times, but I don’t have…..”

“Then did Tang Mu have such a plan before, to promise Tang Rou to you? It happened to be that she liked you.” Huo Fenglie’s tone was suddenly unclear.

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback, and looked at Huo Fenglie in astonishment. How had he guessed? He was so clever, ah.

Huo Fenglie knew he had guessed correctly as soon as he saw his expression. Tang-furen had such thoughts, but he hadn’t known if Tang Mu had them back then. What’s more, Tang Rou was still in her prime at that time, and Liu Zhenqing was not yet married. A marriage to the powerful Prime Minister Liu would naturally give protection to the Tang family.

Liu Zhenqing was about to explain that Tang Mu had only mentioned it, but Huo Fenglie was already walking toward the room.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t take it seriously, simply regarding it as a casual chat.

Soon afterwards, he and Prince Qiao An were escorted to the military camp by a team led by Huo Fenglie. Liu Zhenqing wanted to show off by riding with the general under the eyes of 50,000 people, but on the way there, Huo Fenglie was very stern. Riding on Chen Jiangyue, he didn’t look back at Liu Zhenqing peeping at him.

Even when he coaxed Chen Jiangyue to turn his head, Huo Fenglie still took the reins to control her.

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t clear on if he just wanted to maintain his dignity in front of the army or if before they left the City Lord’s manor, Tang-furen had secretly pulled him aside to talk and annoyed him.

But he had tricked that old woman.

Liu Zhenqing shamelessly followed Huo Fenglie after disembarking the carriage. He still knew the rules of the military camp. After all, he used to spend time next to Huo Feihan, so he wouldn’t mess around and damage Huo Fenglie’s prestige. He took care to not behave excessively.

This was the 50,000-strong Huo Family Army, and they followed Huo Fenglie. They saw that besides Qiao An, there was a young master following their general very closely. Was this a distance their general would permit? Would the general shoulder-toss him to the ground? Everyone couldn’t help being curious.

The quartermaster was just about to find a place for Liu Zhenqing, when Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “I don’t want to waste resources, I’ll share a tent with your general.”

He heard Qiao An scoff coldly beside him. The subordinate was shocked, and looked toward his general.

Huo Fenglie was talking with someone, and turned around when he heard this. He was about to say that he wasn’t sharing a tent with Liu Zhenqing, but then he saw him look over with a smile. And he still…..nodded.

The quartermaster was dumbfounded, and could only have someone show Liu Zhenqing the way. Huo Fenglie was still busy, so Liu Zhenqing went on his own.

The tent where Qiao An was staying was right beside Huo Fenglie’s. When he saw Liu Zhenqing swaggering into Huo Fenglie’s tent, he was suddenly so angry that his face twisted up. His eyes flashed again, and he scoffed.

The tent of the general who guards the country wasn’t much more ostentatious than the others, and was in the center of the military camp. When Liu Zhenqing entered, he looked around and saw that there were too few places to sit, so he threw himself directly onto Huo Fenglie’s bed. He was feeling tired after riding in the carriage for so long.

Just at this time, a soldier announced that he was coming in to add an extra bed. At a glance, he discovered Liu Zhenqing lying on their general’s bed indecently, and was stunned on the spot.

Liu Zhenqing looked at the bedding the soldier was holding and skewed his eyes, saying with a smile: “No need to bother, I’ll sleep right here.”

The rather young soldier instinctively retorted: “That’s the general’s bed the young master is using. The general …..”

As a result, he was teased by the older man and retreated awkwardly.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t stop laughing. This would spread throughout the military camp soon. He felt as if he had easily put a stop to an untold number of hidden love rivals, as well as fellows who wanted to be Er-gou’s in-laws.

---

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