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T/N: You guys are going to really like this one…..

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Huo Fenglie didn’t see Liu Zhenqing for several days. Because Liu Zhenqing was angry with him, even when he tried to seek him out through proper business, he was blocked on the other side of the tent by Liu Qiao and never even caught a glimpse of him.

He was clearly just next door, but Huo Fenglie’s thoughts were overflowing and his heart felt as if it was being roasted on an open flame. He didn’t understand Liu Zhenqing’s heart, so he was walking on thin ice to maintain the delicate relationship between them. He instinctively evaded the fearful thought that everything was a dream after all. A dream that would eventually end.

Unexpectedly, a subordinate reported that Liu Zhenqing had taken Liu Qiao and departed the military camp.

Huo Fenglie, who was handling military affairs, froze on the spot for a moment before disappearing into the camp.

He rushed out at an extremely fast speed, his black and white eyes gradually going bloodshot as the emotions in his heart went out of control.

If Liu Zhenqing really wanted to leave, to leave him, how could he keep this person?

Huo Fenglie could even feel the demons surging out of his heart, as well as the dark side of his mind pouring out uncontrollably.

Perhaps he should have tied that person up and locked him away so he couldn’t go anywhere. It didn’t matter even if he hated him, as long as he could keep him.

Never again did he want to think of those eight years in a cold abyss, unwilling to live and unable to die.

But as soon as he left the military camp, he could only tell the general direction Liu Zhenqing and Liu Qiao had gone. After running for a while with no one in sight, Huo Fenglie felt his heart plummet, and even the hidden tattoo seemed to be burning.

It would be easy to find Liu Zhenqing alone. But with Liu Qiao included, if they wanted to leave…..

Suddenly, a dark shadow flew across his field of vision. It was Liu Qiao.

Huo Fenglie quickly followed him. After running for who knew how long, he came upon a dense forest. The shadows of the trees in front of him continued to recede from his field of vision, and a bright light suddenly appeared in the dark night. When he passed through the last circle of trees, it was like a fantasy world.

There was a small lake surrounded by trees. Clear as a mirror, it reflected the beautiful starry sky, as if the stars had fallen into the lake. River lanterns of different shapes floated upon it, exuding a soft light that lent a glow to the stony, grassy shore.

Flowers that didn’t grow here were all over the place, and hundreds of red ribbons hung on the nearby trees, fluttering in the breeze. Lanterns were also dotted around, illuminating this magical world. It was as if he had strayed into some fairy’s cultivation spot.

Huo Fenglie was a little confused when he first laid eyes on this scene. Liu Qiao didn’t appear in his sight, and he quickly focused on the boat in the lake. There was someone on it.

Huo Fenglie rushed to the shore and saw the person he longed for emerge from the boat’s tent.

“Qing-ge…..” Huo Fenglie was stunned, and his eyes that had sunken into deep water finally lit up.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for only a few days, Huo Fenglie felt as if a lifetime had passed.

On the boat, aqua robes seemed to blend his slender form into the world where heaven and earth met. Liu Xiaozhu’s original appearance wasn’t superb, but with the addition of Liu Zhenqing’s personality, it became charming and elegant.

Perhaps beauty was in the eye of the beholder, because those originally round and harmless eyes presently turned into long, narrow peach blossoms, intelligent and refined. The slight hook to the edges of cherry-hued lips was wanton and romantic.

His features were picturesque, his temperament like jade, shining brightly like the moon and the stars.

Huo Fenglie could only stare blankly.

The night breeze ruffled Liu Zhenqing’s inky hair and lifted his robes slightly, tugging at Huo Fenglie’s heartstrings.

To Huo Fenglie, Liu Zhenqing was the most beautiful sight in the entire world. He saw him in his youth and could no longer part from him. He just wanted to guard him carefully and keep him exclusively, but almost lost him. 

Fortunately, he was right before his eyes.

Seeing Huo Fenglie stand there blankly, Liu Zhenqing curled a finger toward him.

Obedient as always, Huo Fenglie leaped over and landed before Liu Zhenqing, like a dog obeying his master’s command.

Liu Zhenqing gazed up at Huo Fenglie. The good-looking boy of the past had grown up to be handsome, tall, and dashing. He had to raise his head to get a good look at the reserved and restrained eyes under dark black lashes. The strands of love emanating from those eyes seemed about to become corporeal and wrap around him in circles.

Since who knew when, those eyes were filled with Liu Zhenqing and decorated with deep affection, always expressing love in places Liu Zhenqing wasn’t paying attention to.

After missing out on a lifetime and so many years, Liu Zhenqing didn’t want to waste any more time.

Huo Fenglie was somewhat at a loss with Liu Zhenqing looking at him like this. Just as he was about to open his mouth and apologize, Liu Zhenqing suddenly went down on one knee in front of him. 

Huo Fenglie was stunned.

Liu Zhenqing seldom knelt, whether in his past or present life, and even more so had never taken such a posture in front of Huo Fenglie. After all, Huo Fenglie had always been like a younger brother.

It was naturally impossible for Huo Fenglie to let Liu Zhenqing kneel for him. An uncomfortable feeling constricted his heart.

Huo Fenglie hurriedly tried to help him up, but Liu Zhenqing grabbed his outstretched hand first. Raising his head, he spoke gently with a soft smile on his face.

“Huo Fenglie, I, Liu Zhenqing, wish to get engaged to you and achieve a happy marriage. From then on, we will be together in life and in death, and grow old together hand-in-hand. Are you willing?”

As Liu Zhenqing spoke, he spread his other palm upward. Two silver-white rings lay in an exquisite box. The shape of the rings was unfamiliar, and they looked extremely delicate.

But Huo Fenglie didn’t react for a long time, just staring blankly at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing tilted his head with a chuckle: “Huo Fenglie, what is your answer?”

Liu Zhenqing could feel a slight tremor in the hand he was holding.

When Huo Fenglie spoke, his voice was completely hoarse.

“Qing-ge…..don’t play such a joke on me, I’ll take it seriously. If I take it seriously…..Qing-ge, you can’t afford it. Do you want to do something? Do you have any odd plans? You told me to answer you, but…..don’t make such a joke.”

Huo Fenglie’s voice seemed to be magnified by the night wind, with a deep vibrato.

But this time Liu Zhenqing didn’t retreat, nor did he become angry.

He firmly believed that Huo Fenglie loved him. Even if Huo Fenglie didn’t love him, he had decided to have Huo Fenglie, and he would never let go of the person he had fallen in love with. What’s more, he believed that Huo Fenglie had him and only him in his heart.

So when he witnessed Huo Fenglie’s reaction, he only felt distressed for him.

He couldn’t understand why Huo Fenglie was so lacking in confidence.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Zhenqing maintained his smile and said: “I do have something I want to do, and I do have a plan.”

Huo Fenglie was taken aback. The nervousness on his face turned to blankness, then to an ugly smile. He was about to withdraw his hand, but found that Liu Zhenqing was still holding onto it tightly.

“Qing-ge…..”

“I plan to propose marriage first, then when you agree, I’ll write the marriage contract. When we return to the capital, I’ll ask Li Xingruo to go to Liu Manor and propose the match. I really do want to marry you. After all, your brother promised you to me back then. I didn’t refuse. If the manor is still there, I will definitely take you into my home. But now that I think about it, we might as well forget about you marrying into the Liu family. I’ll suffer a small loss and join your general’s residence as a wife. I want to do something big for this special event and let the whole world know that you, General Huo, are marrying me.”

“If you stay in the capital in the future, I’ll stay in your General’s Manor. If you go to the battlefield, I’ll accompany you as your military advisor. No matter what, we cannot be separated. As for children, it’s fine not to have them, or we can adopt one. In any case, the Huo family already has the twins. If Li Xingruo isn’t able to take care of the children, we can do it.”

As Liu Zhenqing babbled on about their bright future, he saw Huo Fenglie’s expression change. His pupils gradually quivered, and even his body became extremely tense.

Liu Zhenqing chuckled and said: “Huo Fenglie, do you understand? I want to marry you for no purpose or plan or any other reason. Only because my heart has been moved by you. I like you, I love you, I adore you, and I want to be with you forever.”

Huo Fenglie was trembling all over. When he heard these words, his blood surged and he almost lost his mind.

Liu Zhenqing released Huo Fenglie’s hand and took out the larger ring.

“I made the rings myself these past few days. I’m not very good at it, and I didn’t make them well. I’ve had many jade willow leaf pendants and given them to many people, so they’re not worthy of my precious Er-gou. But there is only one pair of these rings in the world. There is a different name for them – wedding rings. You know I’m not from this world. This is a custom in my family. Giving them to each other confirms the engagement, pairing us for life. This is my exclusive gift to you.”

Liu Zhenqing took Huo Fenglie’s hand again and touched his ring finger, caressing it gently: “Put it on, and you’ll be mine. If you want to refuse, just take your hand back.”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t look at Huo Fenglie, and just stared intently at his hand. Slowly, slowly, he piously placed the ring on his finger.

When the ring was securely on his tense hand, Liu Zhenqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He looked up. Huo Fenglie’s face was stiff, but tears were sliding uncontrollably down that resolute face. Liu Zhenqing could even hear his choked breathing.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes stung. He actually had the urge to cry. He handed the other ring to Huo Fenglie and stood up, placing his hand in front of him. “You’ve agreed, so now it’s your turn to put it on me.”

Huo Fenglie spoke at last, his voice calm but tearful as he regarded Liu Zhenqing with dark eyes.

“You’re serious?”

“Of course!” Liu Zhenqing nodded. “And you?”

“I…..I like you, Qing-ge, I like you. That hasn’t changed since long ago. You’re obviously aware.” Huo Fenglie’s tone seemed a little aggrieved.

“Yes.” Liu Zhenqing smiled. “Then you refused to confess and made me think you didn’t like me.”

“I was afraid…..afraid that if you knew I still coveted you, you wouldn’t want me anymore.”

“How could you think that? I’m glad you covet me, ah.” Liu Zhenqing was amused. Sure enough, this kid had an inexplicable inferiority complex. Perhaps it was because he had always regarded him as a little brother, and there were so many rumors of his romance with girls, that Huo Fenglie was so unsure of himself.

Huo Fenglie finally opened his mouth to say: “I’m still scared now. But if you have second thoughts, it’s no use. It was you who first…..you who first…..”

Huo Fenglie seemed angry. His eyelashes trembled and he practically gritted his teeth. Grabbing Liu Zhenqing’s hand with irresistible strength, he put the ring on his finger.

The moment his fingers were restrained, Liu Zhenqing felt his heart tremble. It was as if he had finally landed on solid ground, as if their lives together hadn’t been stable until this exact moment. It felt so amazing.

This proved that he had a real connection and really belonged in this world.

Huo Fenglie, on the other hand, stared at the matching rings on his and Liu Zhenqing’s hands in a daze.

He and Qing-ge really…..

When he was young, he was passionate and daring, and only wanted to grow up soon. Standing next to his loved one, he knew Liu Zhenqing already had somebody in his heart, so he could only silently withdraw, hoping to call him ‘Qing-ge’ once in a while.

But then Qing-ge died. 

He went crazy, grasping at illusionary hope and using his own way to protect everything Qing-ge cared about, waiting for him almost hopelessly. 

Later, Qing-ge came back. Nobody else knew, and Qing-ge didn’t want anyone to know either. He just wanted to escape without even telling the people he cared about before. Huo Fenglie ranked behind many people in Qing-ge’s heart, and could only do his utmost to keep him. 

Until now, he never expected Qing-ge to respond to his feelings, because he felt that Qing-ge wouldn’t change his mind.

He thought that all the intimate times they’d shared before were just casual fun after Qing-ge expanded his horizons.

But he had never imagined that his dream would one day come true. 

Qing-ge actually wanted him.

“Fenglie…..”

Liu Zhenqing’s voice instantly snapped Huo Fenglie out of his daze. When he looked up, Qing-ge was right in front of him with a smile on his face.

And a second later, Liu Zhenqing placed his arms around Huo Fenglie’s neck.

This time, Huo Fenglie finally stopped holding himself back and took the first step into the other’s arms. Their passionate kiss allowed him to vent his explosive emotions. 

It seemed like it wasn’t just their bodies that were close, but their souls as well.

Huo Fenglie’s tears still slipped down to the junction of their lips, but neither of them stopped.

It was all so sweet and addictive.

When they returned to their senses, the two of them had been lying entangled on the boat for a while. Their clothes were a mess, and they almost couldn’t control themselves. 

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing infatuatedly. Light flowed in his eyes, astonishingly bright, his newfound emotions impossible to conceal. There was a blush on his cheeks, giving him the appearance of a shy youth. 

And Liu Zhenqing’s eyes were a little out of focus, as soft as a sheen of mist. His rosy, swollen lips were as delicate as flowers ripe for the picking. The beauty and passion his features conveyed made a person’s heart bound.

Huo Fenglie’s body stiffened, and his voice came out a little thick: “Qing-ge…..”

Liu Zhenqing relaxed a bit, his cheeks turning red. Under the trees and sky…..was also pretty good. In any case, Liu Qiao was standing guard outside.

Just as he was thinking, he saw Huo Fenglie raise his hands to reach for his clothes.

Liu Zhenqing planned to feign shyness, but as a result, Huo Fenglie helped him gather together his slightly messed up robes. “Qing-ge, should we go back?”

Liu Zhenqing: Er-gou is good everywhere, but he’s a bit conservative.

It seemed he would have to take the initiative himself. Sneaking into Huo Fenglie’s arms, he instantly took action. Huo Fenglie trembled all over: “Qing…..qing-ge…..”

“Are you sure you can go back like this?” Liu Zhenqing’s eyes were charming and silky. He leaned toward Huo Fenglie’s ear with a smile and said, “Aren’t you a master? You should know that no one is nearby, and Liu Qiao won’t peek or eavesdrop. It wasn’t easy to find our happiness together. Won’t you exercise your rights?”

Huo Fenglie naturally understood what Liu Zhenqing was implying. He gulped: “This place is crude. I would wrong Qing-ge.”

“Then it’s good I don’t dislike it.” Liu Zhenqing chuckled, his voice like the wind, trying to blow a certain person’s heart into a mess.

But not to mention his other advantages, his self-control was outstanding: “No, the night breeze is cold, and it’s even colder on the lake. Qing-ge’s body is weak.”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t want to move. The scenery was beautiful, and it was the place he had proposed. Why not create another good memory here? He’d spent so much time setting up the scene, after all.

He even brought medicine…..yes, medicine.

Liu Zhenqing reached out to grab the package in the corner of the boat. Then he took out a pill, held it in his mouth, and fed it to Huo Fenglie.

Huo Fenglie swallowed without resisting. After a moment of surprise, he asked: “What was it?”

Liu Zhenqing sat up with Huo Fenglie in hand and looked at him with a smile.

Huo Fenglie was a little confused at first, but then his body began to heat up and his originally excited body went full meltdown. He looked at Liu Zhenqing in disbelief.

“Qing-ge, you…..”

“Don’t worry, that pill just has a minor boosting effect. It can make someone honest and unrestrained, but the main effect is to heat the body. Fenglie, I want to see your tattoo.”

Huo Fenglie was startled. “You…..”

“I’ve heard all about it. It was tattooed using my ashes. Let me see it.”

Uneasiness flashed across Huo Fenglie’s face. It was as if he’d done something bad and gotten caught, or as if a hidden secret had been discovered.

It was true that his body was extremely hot, and at this temperature, the tattoo would soon appear. Seeing Liu Zhenqing’s serious expression, Huo Fenglie finally nodded.

Without a pause, Huo Fenglie took off his clothes.

Liu Zhenqing had already raised his hand. It was just like unwrapping a package, peeling off layer after layer until a strong, upright body appeared in front of him. With his unusual temperature, the scars on his body seemed to turn red.

Suddenly, a layer of green began to emerge, the pattern gradually becoming clearer.

Liu Zhenqing’s pupils began to quiver.

He saw willow leaves and branches start to grow from the near-fatal wound over Huo Fenglie’s heart. Like a huge dragon wrapping around his body, it coiled up over and over, gradually covering his scars, large and small. Some of the old injuries were almost concealed by dark green willow leaves, protecting Huo Fenglie’s injured body like armor.

Liu Zhenqing was even more shocked by the tattoo that he’d thought he would be.

Huo Fenglie had used a tattoo made of his ashes to cover all the old wounds on his body, as if he was protecting his Er-gou.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but reach out to touch the willow leaves, to rest his forehead against them. Feeling the scorching heat below, his heart felt warm and tingly, as if magma was flowing through it.

“Fenglie…..it seems I didn’t protect you well. You still suffered a lot of injuries afterward.”

The tattoo offered no protection. New scars wreaked havoc outside the range of the tattoo.

Liu Zhenqing could only embrace Huo Fenglie.

Huo Fenglie hugged him back, saying softly: “No, Qing-ge must have protected me so that I could wait for you to come to life.”

No matter how many times he was injured on the battlefield, he actually had no will to survive, but still survived to the end. Others said his fate let him survive in adversity, but now that he thought about it, perhaps the gods prevented him from leaving because Qing-ge was coming back.

Liu Zhenqing was so moved that he couldn’t help but place a kiss on the beginning of the tattoo over his heart.

The other’s body shivered slightly under his kiss. A muffled moan brought the two of them back to the present.

Liu Zhenqing stared for a moment, and then his lips curved into a wicked grin.

He took some medicine and removed his clothes.

If he didn’t eat Er-gou tonight, he would feel sorry for himself.

“Fenglie, let’s not go back, okay? I want you,” Liu Zhenqing said softly, raising his head to look at him with watery eyes. Huo Fenglie couldn’t bear it.

His eyes darkened and he embraced Liu Zhenqing tightly, pressing him down.

The boat began to rock gently on the lake. After some period of time, a hand reached into the lake to wash away the heat.

Liu Zhenqing was dazed for a while, then looked over with dissatisfaction at the person who was neatly dressed while holding him in his arms.

After two rounds, his body was already limp and powerless, but Liu Zhenqing was very dissatisfied, very dissatisfied.

He hadn’t even taken off his pants! No fun at all, ah! At most, compared to before, this time Huo Fenglie was the one in control…..he’d thought this was the prelude, but the prelude was played twice and the song immediately finished.

“Er-gou, are you incapable of doing this?! I even gave you medicine,” Liu Zhenqing asked directly, his expression cold. “If you can’t do it, I will!”

He Chuzhou immediately froze. His neck reddened with embarrassment and he said awkwardly: “Qing-ge, I can force out that type of medicine with my internal strength. You’ve forgotten.”

Liu Zhenqing narrowed his eyes at him.

Huo Fenglie lowered his head and admitted his wrongdoing: “It’s not that I didn’t want to.”

“What is this? Don’t tell me that you need time to accept a man now, Laozi took time.” Liu Zhenqing said a bit irritably.

“We…..we’re still not married yet, so it’s not appropriate…..”

Liu Zhenqing: …..

Damnit! Who taught you to be so conservative? It must have been Huo Feihan!

Laozi’s happiness!

Huo Fenglie had come up with such an excuse. Liu Zhenqing didn’t know what to say, but he really couldn’t do it tonight. Next time. Next time, he would persist.

Huo Fenglie hugged him and kissed him from his forehead to his lips, sticky and sweet, like a treasure he had just obtained and couldn’t put down.

Liu Zhenqing was also satisfied with such tenderness. He stopped being unhappy and responded gently and softly.

After a while, Liu Zhenqing began to settle accounts: “I asked you to marry me before. Why did you reject me? Did you think I wasn’t serious and was just playing a prank on you?”

Huo Fenglie stiffened. With a helpless chuckle, he said: “I was stupid. I thought you wanted me to get engaged to someone else.”

“Ah?” Liu Zhenqing was baffled. “That’s impossible no matter how you think about it. How could I give you to someone else, ah? I’ve been in your arms, what’s wrong with your head?”

Huo Fenglie kissed Liu Zhenqing again in a soft apology until Liu Zhenqing’s legs went weak.

“En, I was stupid. Qing-ge should punish me.”

“You stinky brat, you refuse to get down to business, then deliberately invite me…..”

“Then I’ll be with Qing-ge one more time.”

“Who cares about this kind of being together…..ah…..you…..stupid dog!”

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T/N: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone! Now that the festivities are over, I should have a lot more time to translate!

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Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four