King Qi was a dissolute womanizer, King Zhao was a treacherous murderer, and King Huai used military might wildly and excessively. These three once plotted against the crown prince and sent Yuan Jue out as a hostage. They contended against each other, and Liu Zhenqing, together with Huo Feihan and some officials loyal to the former crown prince, muddied the waters. They attacked through devious means, wearing them out, before finally — Liu Zhenqing killed them one by one.

This was what history called the troubled times of the Three Kings.

And Yuan Jin was the only son of the warlike, battle-tested King Huai.

King Huai was a man of military exploits and ambition, with a thirst for power. At that time, the Liu clan followed the path of being wise and neutral, as clear as a stream of fresh water, so they naturally disliked these three overly ambitious kings. However, Liu Zhenqing’s aunt was in love with King Huai and insisted on following him.

The late crown prince was still a youth back then. His three strong, young uncles were constantly competing with the emperor, which resulted in many people being implicated. Including Liu Zhenqing’s parents. In the name of not being dragged down in this fight for succession, the conflicts between his grandfather and aunt became increasingly frequent. Finally, when Liu Zhenqing transmigrated, relations were severed with his aunt and it was announced that she had died young. In fact, she had concealed her identity and followed King Huai in obscurity.

Later, as the crown prince grew up and became more capable, the three kings became more attentive to boundaries. But when the prince’s health took a downturn, the struggle for the throne gradually turned chaotic.

On the last night before the death of the Liu family’s patriarch, King Huai returned in secret with Liu Zhenqing’s aunt in order for her to see him one last time. It was the last and first time Liu Zhenqing met that rumored aunt. Because he was already following the miracle doctor at that time, although his aunt concealed her figure, Liu Zhenqing discovered that she was pregnant.

But King Huai seemed to want to conceal the existence of this child, so few people knew about it.

A few years later, his aunt died of illness, and Liu Zhenqing’s conflict with the three kings became increasingly fierce. And when Liu Zhenqing defeated King Huai, the man revealed the whereabouts of Yuan Jin and asked him to safeguard the child for the sake of his aunt.

Liu Zhenqing thought about how the old Liu family patriarch had hesitated to speak to him in the end. He was likely worried that such a day would come and hoped that he would be merciful, but was too embarrassed to open his mouth.

He hesitated again and again, but for the first time, Liu Zhenqing made a decision that went against the security of Great Zhou’s Yuan clan. He told Liu Qiao to send Yuan Jin away.

Liu Zhenqing told Huo Fenglie the truth about that year. Huo Fenglie listened silently, his face gradually darkening. Seeing Huo Fenglie like this, Liu Zhenqing was uneasy.

He knew that Huo Fenglie might not blame him too much, but, after all, he had done something that was completely contrary to the Huo family’s ideals. This likely made him ill-at-ease. Additionally, the three kings only thought about the internal struggles at that time and ignored the external situation. As a result, the two brothers had to remain on the battlefield for a long time, each doing the work of several people while Liu Zhenqing set an orphan of the three kings free…..

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t explain himself clearly. He himself didn’t have a clear conscience, but he had to do this. Fortunately, they learned from Liu Qiao that the problems they’d encountered along the way had nothing to do with Qiao Jin, who was at best a bystander. This was able to mitigate Liu Zhenqing’s guilt.

Looking toward Huo Fenglie, Liu Zhenqing let out a sigh: “I’m sorry. I…..”

But Huo Fenglie abruptly reached out and grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s arm with such force that Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but grimace. Liu Qiao reflexively moved to fight Huo Fenglie off, worried that he would hurt Liu Zhenqing. Even though he was stupid, he still understood that his master’s rescue of Qiao Jin was tantamount to betraying his companions who supported Yuan Jue.

Even Qiao Jin to the side fell silent, just staring at them coldly.

But in the next second, Huo Fenglie could be heard asking Liu Zhenqing half-angrily: “Just for him!”

Liu Zhenqing was stunned, as well as the other two.

This was different from the wrath they had expected.

Huo Fenglie pointed angrily at Qiao Jin beside them: “Just because you wanted to save him and send him away, you made your personal guard leave your side?!”

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly, his expression softening by increments.

Liu Qiao froze. Qiao Jin immediately drew in a breath, but seeing Liu Qiao’s appearance, he didn’t speak and could only grind his teeth.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes seemed to have become two shards of ice. He pointed a finger at Liu Zhenqing and said in a tone of great regret and grievance: “Why? Why didn’t you…..protect yourself?”

Liu Zhenqing took in Huo Fenglie’s aggrieved expression and hesitated to speak. He couldn’t explain the situation back then. If he did, Er-gou would be even more sad.

“It’s just that…..Yuan Jin’s status was special, and he couldn’t be handed over to just anyone. It was all an accident…..an accident.” Liu Zhenqing could only come up with the most superficial excuse. “The three kings had fallen at that time. I had great power and no one could challenge me, so I took it lightly.”

Huo Fenglie stared at Liu Zhenqing, the emotions in his eyes dense and unresolved.

Yes, ah, if Liu Qiao hadn’t obeyed his order to send Qiao Jin off, he would have remained at Liu Zhenqing’s side. Then how could Liu Zhenqing have died? Although Huo Fenglie didn’t interrogate Liu Qiao, the guard bowed his head in guilt and clenched his fists until they shook.

When he saw Liu Qiao feeling so guilty, Qiao Jin was truly afraid of being implicated. Suddenly anxious, he said angrily: “Are you stupid? What do those previous incidents have to do with me and Liu Qiao? His situation back then made it impossible for him to retire after accomplishing his task. Once the three kings were gone, he would be the next one disposed of by the court and the people. Who asked him to pretend to be a traitor when he had no intentions of being one? Such a person was destined to die. It had nothing to do with whether or not Liu Qiao was around. And even if he was, that would be one more person dying in vain!”

Liu Qiao stared at Qiao Jin in shock. He couldn’t help but retort: “The emperor was Master’s apprentice. He knew everything Master did. He respected and relied on Master and would never hurt him. If I could have protected Master back then and prevented an accident from happening…..”

Qiao Jin hated iron for not becoming steel: “Didn’t I tell you? The so-called royal Yuan Clan kills members of their own family. Even if Yuan Jue respected and relied on him, how long could he tolerate an official with such power? One year? Two? When suspicion entered the emperor’s heart, he would have died sooner or later, not to mention that half the things he’s done couldn’t be washed away.”

Liu Qiao was in a daze.

Qiao Jin glared at Liu Zhenqing, saying: “Analyze for yourself whether this is the case, don’t say anything to make Liu Qiao feel guilty! Yuan Jue was taught by you. If he couldn’t even do this, how would he be able to secure his position in the world while surrounded by wolves!”

Liu Zhenqing could only lament that the children of Great Zhou’s Yuan family were born with such keen intelligence.

Just as he was about to respond to Qiao Jin’s words, he heard Huo Fenglie’s low, hoarse voice: “One year or two…..”

At a loss, Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie. Those eyes were full of deep sentiment, full of paranoia as they stared at him intently.

Huo Fenglie could hardly speak, and continued with difficulty: “I was there, ah…..”

Back then, he would have returned from the battlefield and stayed by Liu Zhenqing’s side. Even if he was cast aside when he had served his purpose, even if everyone in the world wanted Liu Zhenqing’s life, even if it was Yuan Jue, Huo Fenglie would have still protected Liu Zhenqing, ah.

He just had to wait a year or two.

Why hadn’t he waited for him? Why had he let himself die so early?

Liu Zhenqing’s heart trembled. He raised a hand to touch Huo Fenglie, but the man turned his head, as if he was so aggrieved that he couldn’t bear his touch.

Liu Zhenqing could only step forward and embrace him, rubbing his back gently as if comforting a child.

“Er-gou, I’m sorry for not waiting for you, but that’s all over. Aren’t I here now? I’m by your side, and I will always be by your side, okay?”

Huo Fenglie didn’t answer, hugging him tightly instead. All regrets had become unspeakable, and all assumptions had become meaningless. It was only that those regrets were buried in their hearts forever, and emerged to sting them from time to time.

Liu Zhenqing comforted Huo Fenglie, then went to Liu Qiao again. He looked at the guard, whose head was lowered, his whole body tense as he clutched his sword tightly. It was just like in the past when he made a mistake and was afraid of being disliked and driven away by Liu Zhenqing.

“Don’t blame yourself. It was a fault in my judgment and had nothing to do with you.”

“Master…..” Liu Qiao raised his head, his voice trembling in despair.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and reached out to touch his head, but was interrupted by Qiao Jin: “He was just following orders. There’s no need for him to blame himself, and he doesn’t need your comfort either. Enough, ah, you’re still trying to have your arms around two men. You already have Huo Fenglie, don’t mess with Liu Qiao! I heard before that you change your loyalty frequently, flitting from one person to another, leaving debts of romance everywhere…..”

While scolding him, Qiao Jin watched Liu Zhenqing defensively.

Liu Zhenqing wore a baffled expression at first, then almost choked when he realized that this misunderstanding still hadn’t been resolved.

What was this? Was his reputation really so bad?

Helpless, Liu Zhenqing was about to explain when he saw Qiao Jin’s serious, anxious look as he tried to shield Liu Qiao. Suddenly, Liu Zhenqing skewed his narrowed eyes as the corners of his mouth rose slightly. Anyone who knew him could tell that he had a plot in mind.

Liu Zhenqing said at once: “Qiao Jin, do you really intend to rebel?”

Qiao Jin’s expression shifted at these words. His hand automatically went to the weapon at his side, and a fierce expression appeared by degrees on his face.

Seeing Qiao Jin like this, he lamented to himself, wasn’t he quite well-behaved as a child?

Liu Zhenqing had only met Qiao Jin once, which was when he succeeded in finding him. He was fair, clean, and cute. At just eight years old, one could already tell that he would grow into a handsome boy in the future.

It was unknown if he wanted to protect his son or if he wanted to seize the throne without distractions, but King Huai rarely saw Qiao Jin. So for Qiao Jin, his memories of his parents were vague and emotionless. He was surrounded solely by servants who took care of him coldly, and he could hardly leave the courtyard to see the people and things outside.

Until Liu Zhenqing showed up and told him that his father was dead and he was to be sent away. His reaction wasn’t much. Without affection, he naturally had no hatred. He had never enjoyed the prestige of the royal family, so he wasn’t unwilling. But he was very clever. He understood that he would die if he didn’t leave, so he obediently cooperated with Liu Zhenqing and was taken away by Liu Qiao.

Because of Qiao Jin’s behavior and reaction, Liu Zhenqing had always felt that this child would live a stable life in anonymity.

He never expected that it would turn out like this.

But the current situation may be a little stranger than Liu Zhenqing thought, strange to the point of simplicity. Perhaps the gods had actually given him a bit of luck.

Qiao Jin looked at him with an emotionless expression when he asked this question. Liu Qiao watched Qiao Jin anxiously, and Huo Fenglie’s eyes were cold.

Qiao Jin knew very well that once he said he would rebel, let alone Huo Fenglie, even Liu Zhenqing, who had coaxed him to call him ‘Cousin’ would kill him for the sake of the overall situation. And Liu Qiao…..Qiao Jin didn’t dare think about it.

“Do you think I’m stupid, making me answer this question? Even if I say I won’t, will you believe it? The blood of rebels and traitors flows in my body,” Qiao Jin said mockingly.

Liu Zhenqing nodded and said: “It’s true that I won’t necessarily believe you. After all, you told Liu Qiao that you intend to seize the throne.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Fenglie revealed his killing intent while Liu Zhenqing suddenly turned hostile, saying in a deep voice: “Liu Qiao!”

Before he could react, Qiao Jin felt an unsheathed sword against his throat again. This time, it was Liu Qiao.

Qiao Jin looked at Liu Qiao with wide, disbelieving eyes. He was simply outraged. Unexpectedly, the thing he’d been most worried about had happened. Liu Qiao really wouldn’t hesitate to take action against him for Liu Zhenqing. In front of Liu Zhenqing, these nine years of companionship were worth nothing!

“You intend to kill me?? You intend to kill me!! Liu Qiao!!”

Facing those eyes full of inquiry and resentment, Liu Qiao was not at all a blockhead, but he did avoid his gaze. In fact, he felt some discomfort in his heart and hoped that Qiao Jin would comply with his master’s wishes and not stir up trouble.

Qiao Jin’s eyes reddened, whether out of anger or grievance. He was trembling. Seeing him like this, Liu Zhenqing felt that he was a little pitiful.

But the more pitiful one was, didn’t that make people want to bully them even more? Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but smile. He took two abrupt steps forward and leaned intimately against Liu Qiao. In the past, because his body was often tired and weak, he would lean on Liu Qiao when he was tired while standing. Thus, Liu Qiao was accustomed to such an action.

But it burned some people’s eyes.

Qiao Jin watched powerlessly as Liu Zhenqing practically embraced Liu Qiao, who showed no reaction at all. He continued to point the sword at him, letting Liu Zhenqing move his hands up and down. This difference in treatment made Qiao Jin’s eyes bleed.

He would find excuses to hug Liu Qiao in the past, but Liu Qiao would impatiently turn away. Liu Qiao was a master among masters. With such sensitivity, he hated being too close to others.

Yet now, Liu Zhenqing’s head was resting on his shoulder.

When he saw Qiao Jin looking as sour as vinegar, Liu Zhenqing was satisfied.

“Have you misunderstood? I only loaned my baobei to you for a while. You’ve had him for many years, and it’s time for me to take him back. What’s so surprising about him killing you? As long as I give the order, Qiaoqiao will naturally obey me,” Liu Zhenqing said matter-of-factly.

“You! What did you say!” Qiao Jin was shamed into anger, but his heart was filled with sadness, as if Liu Zhenqing’s every word transformed into a blade stabbing into him.

“Liu Qiao has already left. Why are you following him so eagerly? You should know he won’t choose you,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Qiao Jin’s face instantly paled, but he made a show of bravery: “You…..you just treat him like a servant, a weapon. You already have Huo Fenglie, what more do you need!”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and reached out to grasp Liu Qiao’s chin, as if he was about to kiss him. He said: “You said it, ah, I like my arms around two men!”

Liu Qiao didn’t struggle. After all, there were so many cases where Liu Zhenqing wasn’t serious and didn’t follow the routine. He was accustomed to it. In any case, his brain couldn’t keep up, so he only needed to go along with it without thinking too much. As Liu Zhenqing approached, he didn’t show a reaction.

But Qiao Jin finally couldn’t endure it any longer and seemed to lose all reason.

“Stop, don’t touch him! What do you want, what do you want!” The stimulated Qiao Jin went wild. As if his treasure was about to be defiled by others, he moved forward desperately, his neck rushing directly toward the tip of the sword.

Liu Qiao noticed and instinctively moved his hand back, not wanting to hurt him.

Taking everything in with a slanted look, Liu Zhenqing made up his mind. Suddenly, the back of his neck tensed and he was directly picked up, his back soon hitting a firm chest.

“What are you doing!” 

The chilly voice reminded Liu Zhenqing that in order to test Qiao Jin, he had ignored Huo Fenglie. Sure enough, there was also a piercing gaze behind him.

Liu Zhenqing quickly turned around and said with a smile: “It’s not real, not real. I was just testing him.”

But Huo Fenglie’s expression was still ugly.

On the other side, Qiao Jin disregarded everything and rushed forward like a mad dog. Liu Qiao had to take action to restrain him.

Seeing that Qiao Jin had lost control in his anger, Liu Zhenqing stopped provoking him and said in a good mood: “Okay, la, I was just teasing you. Don’t you know what the relationship is between me and Liu Qiao? Even if it’s not clear, don’t you know what kind of person Liu Qiao is?”

Qiao Jin struggled for a moment, still unstable. He glared fiercely at the fellow who was trying to steal his person, wanting to pounce on him and bite him to death.

Liu Zhenqing could only say: “What you saw before was that I got a fish bone stuck in my throat, and Liu Qiao used his internal strength to help me. I was just deliberately teasing you. I swear, Liu Qiao is only a family member in my heart, a younger brother!”

Huo Fenglie’s expression improved, but Qiao Jin was still suspicious and regarded him with a tigerish face.

Liu Zhenqing shook his head helplessly: “Qiao Jin, if you really intended to rebel, you wouldn’t have followed Huo Fenglie in the first place. How could you follow your enemy if you want to rebel, unless…..”

It seemed as if someone had pressed the pause button on Qiao Jin’s anger, and his expression changed several times as he stared at Liu Zhenqing.

“Where are you going with this?” Qiao Jin felt like he was being tricked.

Liu Zhenqing tilted his head, saying: “I just want to hear the answer to my original question. What exactly do you want to do, and what do you want most?”

Qiao Jin felt that Liu Zhenqing was truly awful. In just a few moves, he played with people’s hearts and grasped things that Qiao Jin didn’t want to admit.

Seeing that Qiao Jin was still resisting, Liu Zhenqing raised an eyebrow and said directly: “Tell me, you don’t really want to rebel, and you have no interest in the throne. You actually have a single reason for doing this, which is…..”

“Don’t say it!” Qiao Jin was instantly anxious.

Liu Zhenqing looked like he was about to open his mouth again.

Qiao Jin was finally unable to fight: “I’m just going with the trend. If I can’t do it, then forget it, there’s nothing good about being the emperor! Leave me be, I’m still not happy!”

Liu Zhenqing was happy.

Liu Qiao looked around in confusion, but seeing that his master intended to spare Qiao Jin’s life, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Liu Zhenqing regarded Qiao Jin, who was unwilling to be manipulated or take his defeat lying down: “Since you call yourself Qiao Jin now, I’ll assume that the Yuan Jin from back then is dead. No one can prove your royal identity, and you’re now in our hands. I will poison you later to ensure that you’re of use to us and will cooperate with our follow-up actions.”

Qiao Jin gave him an ugly look: “Despicable.”

“Who told you not to call me ‘cousin?’ Why should I look after you?” Liu Zhenqing said self-righteously.

Qiao Jin’s face turned colors. He felt like he was being severely bullied: “I won’t cooperate with you. I’d rather die than surrender!”

Liu Zhenqing clicked his tongue. This brat was certainly rebellious…..well, so were both of his parents.

“Isn’t it good to live? Only by living will you have a chance to realize your dreams,” Liu Zhenqing teased.

Qiao Jin turned his head unyieldingly. He hated Liu Zhenqing. Even if Liu Zhenqing gave him a chance to live, he would know that it was Liu Zhenqing who allowed him to live such a life. And Liu Qiao still belonged to him…..he didn’t want to listen to Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing saw that the brat was in a raging temper and seemed like he wouldn’t listen to his words at all, so he could only hold off.

“Liu Qiao, take care of the injury to his neck.” Liu Zhenqing motioned for Liu Qiao to take him farther away. He needed to discuss this with Huo Fenglie.

Liu Qiao nodded, then grabbed Qiao Jin and walked toward the stream.

Qiao Jin’s neck had been sliced by Qiao Jin’s sword due to his impulsiveness, and was still bleeding slowly.

Liu Qiao maneuvered him toward the creek and took out some golden wound medicine, saying to him: “Take care of it yourself.”

Qiao Jin gave him a fierce glare and refused to take it: “Wouldn’t you like it more if I died? Then you could fly away with your master!”

Liu Qiao looked at him in bafflement: “I don’t want you to die. Didn’t you inflict this wound on yourself?”

Qiao Jin choked. But he felt a little better. At least Liu Qiao said he didn’t want him dead.

But in the next second, he heard Liu Qiao say: “And whether or not you die, I’ll follow Master.”

Qiao Jin froze. He no longer knew how to vent the anger in his chest that was about to explode.

“In your eyes, that Liu Zhenqing is a treasure, and I’m a weed on the roadside. Even though we’ve been together for so many years, you’ve never had me in your heart!” Qiao Jin’s voice was so furious that it shook.

He knew he shouldn’t have asked this question, because he already knew the answer. But he was still unreconciled, and could only glare at Liu Qiao with aggrieved stubbornness.

Liu Qiao asked in confusion: “Why are you always competing with Master?”

Qiao Jin said angrily: “Don’t you know why?”

Liu Qiao decisively shook his head.

Qiao Jin almost vomited blood. Unable to bear it anymore, he abruptly took action and grasped Liu Qiao’s chin. Without waiting for Liu Qiao to react, he moved to kiss him. But in the next second, he was knocked away by Liu Qiao’s palm and fell into the stream.

Qiao Jin sat blankly in the water, looking at the unhappy Liu Qiao on the bank.

Liu Qiao said with a frown: “You tried to bite me? Are you a dog? Stop messing around. If I really take action, you’ll have a hard time.”

Qiao Jin stood up tremblingly. Looking at the senseless Liu Qiao, he no longer knew what to say.

But Liu Qiao was still thinking about Liu Zhenqing’s previous words, and persuaded: “I advise you to think clearly. Since Master made this proposal, he will spare your life. As long as you cooperate obediently, Master will still consider you his cousin and treat you well.”

“Who cares?” Perhaps he had been hit too many times, because Qiao Jin now seemed numb and frustrated.

“Can’t you just listen to Master? At any rate, he saved your life.” Liu Qiao frowned as he watched the soaked Qiao Jin walk to his side. He looked truly pitiful, like a drowned dog.

In the end, he was the child he had watched grow up, and Liu Qiao did his best to sincerely persuade him. He didn’t want Qiao Jin to stand on the opposite side of his master. He hoped that Qiao Jin would be obedient and live a good life.

Qiao Jin hated the way that every time Liu Qiao opened his mouth now, it was about Liu Zhenqing. He seemed to be more spirited than when he was following him, and even spoke more. He scoffed self-deprecatingly: “You want me to listen to him? Okay, ah, just kiss me and I’ll listen.”

Qiao Jin was taunting him with all his might. He had tried his utmost to get close, but it was still misconstrued as an attack. He was very tired.

But in the next moment, Liu Qiao asked: “Really?”

Qiao Jin was stunned for a moment. He turned his head instinctively and, before he could react, a kiss fell onto his lips.

Qiao Jin was dumbfounded.

Liu Qiao pulled back after kissing him. He couldn’t believe it was so simple, and asked: “So now you’ll behave? You should have said so earlier.”

Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched where he was hiding behind a tree, and he couldn’t laugh or cry. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He shook his head, thinking that Liu Qiao was not enlightened at all. And there was simply no way to enlighten him. Should he give him some corrective education, ah? How could he just casually kiss a person?

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Chapter One Hundred Nineteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One