Half a month later, the three returned to the capital in secret.

The simple carriage arrived at the back door of the General’s Manor late at night without alerting anyone else. Liu Qiao slipped in quietly by himself to tell Uncle Tian.

Uncle Tian received a shock upon seeing Liu Qiao. After all, Liu Zhenqing had often taken him in and out of the general’s residence. Even though Liu Qiao hid in the dark and had little sense of presence, as the manor’s elder, he had naturally met Liu Qiao many times and recognized him. “Y-y-you…..”

Liu Qiao handed over a token and said: “General Huo and Master are back.”

“What! Master!” Uncle Tian nearly shouted, but his throat felt like it was being strangled due to his shock, and he couldn’t utter a clear sound.

It felt like a lifetime ago, like he was dreaming, dreaming of Liu Qiao delivering a message on behalf of Liu Zhenqing and Huo Feihan. But looking at Liu Qiao, who had obviously grown up and matured, Uncle Tian still rubbed his eyes.

Seeing Uncle Tian like this, Liu Qiao remembered his master’s instructions: “He is the younger relative of my previous Master. The one I’m following now is Young Master Liu Xiaozhu.”

Uncle Tian’s shock was endless. After all, in the past, Liu Qiao and Bai Yu were synonymous with Liu Zhenqing, ah. But he quickly realized that Huo Fenglie was back, and was quick to open the door himself.

Huo Fenglie disembarked the carriage and nodded toward Uncle Tian as he approached. Before Uncle Tian could ask any questions, he turned and raised his hands to lift Liu Zhenqing down.

Huo Fenglie had been brought up by Uncle Tian, who naturally knew his second young master well. So when he saw the tender look on Huo Fenglie’s face, he understood in his heart. He had initially thought the two of them had that kind of relationship, but were hiding it. Sure enough, they went out and didn’t cover it up even once. Was this an honest and upright relationship?

Uncle Tian was a bit agitated, but at the same time felt that this was fate. Looking at Liu Qiao next to him, he felt even more so.

But noticing that Liu Zhenqing looked somewhat groggy, he asked in confusion: “What is going on with Young Master Liu?”

“He drank too much,” said Huo Fenglie.

“Ah? Uncle Tian was a little surprised, having thought he was sick or tired. But he didn’t say anything more when he saw Huo Fenglie start to carry him inside. He quickly followed, saying: “The Snow Catkin Courtyard hasn’t been cleaned up yet…..”

“He’s staying with me,” Huo Fenglie said directly.

Uncle Tian was stimulated again and swallowed the rest of his words.

“Is Sister-in-law here?” Huo Fenglie asked.

“She is back at Li Manor and will return tomorrow. Eldest Young Lady and the Young Master also went with her.”

Huo Fenglie’s serious face relaxed a little. “Understood.”

“Second Master, this time…..”

“I was ordered to return to the capital in secret and participate in the Longevity Festival,” Huo Fenglie said. “Continue to not allow anyone in or out of my courtyard. If you have any questions, contact Liu Qiao.”

Uncle Tian looked back at Liu Qiao, who nodded.

He was about to ask something else when he saw Liu Zhenqing move in Huo Fenglie’s arms. He placed his arms around Huo Fenglie’s neck and kissed his cheek: “Er-gou, drink again, drink again!”

Uncle Tian was shocked. The address ‘Er-gou’ was…..

He looked at Huo Fenglie with some worry. After all, there was only one person who had addressed Huo Fenglie that way. Now, even the Eldest Young Lady didn’t call him that anymore. The remaining person was a taboo in Huo Fenglie’s heart.

But Huo Fenglie allowed Liu Zhenqing to nuzzle his cheek, and continued his explanation as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. The feelings between the two seemed natural.

Uncle Tian was no longer shocked. He seemed to understand that Young Master Liu had not only caught the eye of the Second Master, but had also entered his heart, erasing the taboos and wounds therein. Uncle Tian was relieved.

When they got to the rooms, Huo Fenglie placed Liu Zhenqing on the bed. Uncle Tian procured hot water, and Huo Fenglie helped scrub Liu Zhenqing.

Seeing that Liu Zhenqing’s brow was furrowed due to excessive drinking, he asked Uncle Tian for hangover soup.

Liu Zhenqing was not cooperative when being fed soup. Huo Fenglie could only feed him by mouth, but the frivolous Liu Zhenqing was even more unscrupulous when drunk, and gradually turned feeding soup into kissing. But this time, Huo Fenglie didn’t go along with him, and pushed Liu Zhenqing away.

Looking at Liu Zhenqing’s drunken appearance, he couldn’t help but frown.

In fact, Liu Zhenqing’s new body got drunk as soon as he started drinking, which he clearly understood. But as soon as they entered the capital and headed toward the General’s Manor, he still found an excuse to drink and subsequently got drunk.

Huo Fenglie naturally knew Liu Zhenqing was afraid. This was the fear of returning home after a long time and not knowing what awaited him there.

They were together now and would be married in the future, so it was inevitable that he must recognize his sister-in-law.

How could Liu Zhenqing face Li Xingruo calmly? It could be said that the two people closest to Liu Zhenqing in this world were Huo Fenglie and Li Xingruo.

He tried to gain artificial courage by numbing himself with wine, but his guilty conscience got him drunk, and Sister-in-law wasn’t even home.

Huo Fenglie lay down with Liu Zhenqing and embraced him, knowing in his heart that if it wasn’t for himself, Liu Zhenqing really would have walked away. He wanted so desperately to escape everything in the capital. There were too many bad memories here.

“I’m sorry, Qing-ge,” Huo Fenglie murmured as he held him.

Liu Zhenqing had a very restless sleep. His dreams were filled with scenes of the three of them spending time together until he awoke in the morning.

He heard Uncle Tian’s voice outside the door.

“Second Master, the Eldest Lady has returned.”

Liu Zhenqing sat up slowly. Just like clockwork, he got up, washed, and changed clothes. When Huo Fenglie came in, Liu Zhenqing had already cleaned up like a gust of wind.

Huo Fenglie stared blankly, saying: “Uncle Tian went to tell Sister-in-law I’m back. We’ll meet with her later…..”

“Okay!” Liu Zhenqing’s tone was a bit rapid. He tried to relax his face and smile, but it remained tense.

Huo Fenglie stepped forward and hugged him. “Don’t be anxious,” he said.

Liu Zhenqing nodded stiffly and followed Huo Fenglie out.

But when they stepped out of the small courtyard and into the large one, just before passing through the peach grove, they saw a figure in red walking at a rapid pace.

“Master!” Liu Zhenqing was playing in a tree nearby, and shouted a warning as soon as he saw her. 

Liu Zhenqing also saw the red-clothed figure rushing through the peach grove like a ball of flames, approaching rapidly, and he could only stop.

The moment he saw Li Xingruo, his legs went weak. Because at this moment, Li Xingruo’s eyebrows were raised in anger, her eyes glaring. She generated wind where her feet passed, and the hairpin was about to fall out of her hair. This was just how she used to be when in a rage. The lady in her thirties was now like a twenty-eight-year-old girl, her anger and emotions all expressed on her face. Just like ten years ago.

The moment she and Liu Zhenqing met eyes, her fierce gaze mellowed. Her steps paused slightly, but in the next second, she approached even faster.

With such an expression, she had probably…..guessed something.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flashed, and before Li Xingruo got to them, he stepped forward to speak.

But Li Xingruo had already taken the lead to punch him.

The blow turned Liu Zhenqing’s face to the side, and he fell down. Behind him, Huo Fenglie instinctively started to move, but chose to stay where he was.

And faced with an angry Li Xingruo, Liu Qiao could only crouch in the tree and gulp, sending up a silent prayer for his master.

Liu Zhenqing was stunned by the blow, his head buzzing. It was as if he had returned to the past in an instant. He covered his face and automatically shouted: “Why did you hit me?”

“Shouldn’t you be beaten?” The furious Li Xingruo glared fiercely at Liu Zhenqing, her whole person like a firecracker. She stepped forward and grabbed his collar, raising a hand to hit him.

Neither of them knew martial arts, so Liu Zhenqing naturally blocked it with his hands. “You…..are still so violent, Tigress.”

“Say that again! Not only will I hit you, but I’ll poison you too!” Li Xingruo became even more enraged and raised her fist again.

Seeing that the situation wasn’t good, Liu Zhenqing immediately gave in and said: “I was wrong, don’t hit my face.”

Liu Zhenqing raised his hands to block her, but after a long moment, her fist still hadn’t fallen. He looked up to find Li Xingruo paused mid-swing, looking at him with reddened eyes.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flickered. “Junior Sister…..”

Li Xingruo seemed to be called back from somewhere by his voice. Her eyes went soft and she abruptly hugged Liu Zhenqing, uncontrollable tears falling down at last.

“Idiot! Why didn’t you say anything when you came back! Are you a fool?” Li Xingruo cursed, choking with anger. She gritted her teeth, hating him to death.

Liu Zhenqing sat on the ground as he was embraced by a weeping Li Xingruo. His eyes were also sore. He raised a hand and gently patted her.

“I’m sorry. Junior Sister…..I’m back.”

. . . . . .

The two siblings, Huo Yunci and Huo Yunqian, originally lived with their mother. When they heard that their Second Uncle and Liu Xiaozhu were back, they were so elated that they wanted to rush to find them. But their mother stopped them with a strange expression and said she would go alone first. They were not allowed to follow.

Although the two had rather different opinions, they still obeyed in the face of their mother’s absolute authority.

While they awaited news in the courtyard, they saw their mother bring them in directly. Before they could come forward to greet them, they watched in horror as their mother took Uncle Liu into the small Buddhist chamber.

The two couldn’t believe it. They never entered that place casually. Only Second Uncle and their mother could…..bewildered, they tried to follow after them but were blocked by their Second Uncle.

Neither of them bothered to say hello, but pointed toward the Buddhist chamber and chirped out questions.

“They’re offering incense to your father.” Huo Fenglie answered calmly. But he still turned to look anxiously at the small Buddhist chamber.

At this time, the door to the chamber was closed.

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly at the familiar tablet on the table. He used to come here often to talk to Huo Feihan.

It wasn’t only Li Xingruo who often did things like burn incense and wipe the memorial tablets. Liu Zhenqing did it too. It seemed like a way to communicate with Huo Feihan.

Liu Zhenqing touched the name on the tablet and said: “Boss, I’m back.”

“Don’t blame me for coming late to say hello, ah. You know me. I’m a coward.”

Li Xingruo scoffed when she heard this.

Liu Zhenqing looked over helplessly. Suddenly, his eyes glanced over the tablet covered with a cloth next to him, and he looked at Li Xingruo with some surprise. The rumors back then were a mix of truth and falsehood, and until now, Liu Zhenqing dared not speculate on what Li Xingruo thought about past events. Did she hate him like everyone else? And even if she didn’t hate him, there must be doubts in her heart. After all, he didn’t speak to Li Xingruo back then and just returned with Huo Feihan’s body.

But seeing this, he knew the answer.

Liu Zhenqing closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I broke my promise.”

Li Xingruo scoffed coldly. She knew that what Liu Zhenqing spoke of was his original promise to not sacrifice himself lightly and to take good care of his body and live a long life.

“I didn’t malign you. This was prepared after your death.” Li Xingruo lifted the cloth to show Liu Zhenqing. “You aren’t called by this name anymore, so how do you plan to deal with it?”

Liu Zhenqing thought for a moment. Then he gave an easy smile and said: “Keep it.”

“Ah?”

“In the future, it will be enshrined with the Huo family.”

“What did you say?!”

Liu Zhenqing looked seriously at the tablet, then turned to Li Xingruo and said: “Boss, Junior Sister, I have something to tell you. Something very important.”

Li Xingruo saw Liu Zhenqing’s serious expression and thought there was some major event in the dynasty. After all, in the past, he would only wear such an expression when it came to important matters involving life and death. She stopped pursuing the issue of enshrinement for the time being and asked, “What is it?”

Liu Zhenqing took an exquisite box out of his sleeve. Inside were two bright red pieces of paper.

Li Xingruo’s expression went abruptly blank. That was the paper usually used for marriage letters.

Liu Zhenqing placed one in front of the tablet and handed one to Li Xingruo.

“Apologies, ah, Er-gou and I have decided to be together. Boss, Junior Sister, leave Er-gou to me.”

Liu Zhenqing had no intention of letting Huo Fenglie bring it up first. He felt like he should be the one to gain the permission of Huo Feihan and Li Xingruo, so he took responsibility. If they had any dissatisfaction or resentment, they could put it all on him.

Presently, Li Xingruo’s eyes widened and she read over the marriage document seven or eight times.

“You…..you two…..”

“I won’t try to defend myself, but I really like Er-gou. So I plan to marry him and grow old together,” Liu Zhenqing said somewhat uneasily.

Li Xingruo wore a complicated look for a long moment. And then she burst into laughter.

She pointed a finger at Liu Zhenqing and said: “You…..you were actually caught by Er-gou, hahaha! Just as I said.”

She unexpectedly addressed Huo Feihan’s tablet: “Huo Feihan, what did I say? I won this bet. As expected, I’m still the best.”

“Ah?” Liu Zhenqing watched Li Xingruo’s reaction in astonishment. It was a bit unexpected. Although Huo Fenglie’s various reactions after Liu Zhenqing’s death had not escaped Li Xingruo’s eyes, this reaction was still wrong, ah. His eyes darted. “Could it be that you already knew…..”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Li Xingruo in disbelief. After all, he hadn’t known anything at all.

Li Xingruo wiped the tears from her eyes. He didn’t know if she was smiling or…..

“Yes, ah, I already knew.”

“How?”

Li Xingruo blinked. As if recalling a pleasant memory, she said: “On the drink Huo Feihan and I married, weren’t you having drinks together with a group of people?”

“Right, ah, they wanted to get Boss drunk. For the sake of your wedding night, I tried my best to intercept drinks for him. That was the first time I drank to the limit and fell unconscious,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Li Xingruo gave an angry snort: “You weren’t any use. Huo Feihan still got drunk and fell asleep. I had no other choice but to go and make sobering soup for you, and I found you sleeping on the rockery in the courtyard.”

Liu Zhenqing was momentarily speechless. “All those people, ah, and not one cared about me?”

Li Xingruo smiled and said: “There was someone there, ah. Wasn’t it Er-gou who took care of you?”

Liu Zhenqing stared at her vacantly.

“I saw Er-gou secretly kiss you. That’s when I knew.”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes abruptly widened. He said in disbelief: “How old was he then, ah.”

Wait, could it be that he was Er-gou’s first kiss?

And his own first kiss had been stolen by Er-gou a long time ago?

Li Xingruo said with a smile: “The brat did such a bad thing. As his sister-in-law, I naturally had to file a complaint.”

Mouth twitching, Liu Zhenqing said: “So if Boss knew too, why did you hide it from me, ah?”

Li Xingruo averted her eyes, saying: “You were involved with so many women back then and had constant affairs. Although there were men who admired you, you weren’t that type at all. We just let the brat have a crush on you.”

Liu Zhenqing was speechless: “How could there have been any romance, ah?”

Li Xingrup clicked her tongue in disdain, and Liu Zhenqing immediately gave up fighting back. If there was anyone else in the world who could control him, it was Li Xingruo, his Junior Sister and Sister-in-law.

“Er-gou was still young at the time, so we didn’t take it seriously. We didn’t tell you so as not to ruin your relationship. It was just his first awakening of love, and he didn’t understand anything. Plus, your face really was indistinguishable between male and female. We thought Er-gou would get over it when he matured. We just treated it as a bet for fun. I bet that the two of you would get together. I watched Er-gou clinging to you since childhood, but Feihan said you were determined to marry the most beautiful woman in the world, so you definitely wouldn’t consider Er-gou.”

Liu Zhenqing hadn’t expected such a thing to have happened in the past. He was dumbfounded.

“Then…..you and Boss don’t mind…..”

Li Xingruo said with a contemptuous smile: “You fool, ah, actually asking us this. Besides, would you be able to let him go if we did mind?”

Liu Zhenqing choked. Naturally, that was impossible. He couldn’t let Huo Fenglie go no matter what. This was the first time he had wanted someone so strongly.

Li Xingruo smiled and said: “Although you weren’t very good at it, him being targeted by you proves that his life was destined for calamity, though there’s no need to worry about you hurting him.”

Liu Zhenqing was instantly displeased. What kind of words were these? 

But Liu Zhenqing was really relieved. He looked toward Huo Feihan’s memorial tablet and gave thanks.

He turned to Li Xingruo and found that she seemed to be regarding him with great satisfaction. Liu Zhenqing felt uncomfortable under that gaze.

“What is it?”

“You’re Liu Xiaozhu now. You’re still younger than me and you’re going to marry Er-gou soon, so from now on, you can only call me Sister-in-law, not Junior Sister.”

After so many years, Li Xingruo still wanted to argue about this. She had always resented the title ‘Junior Sister.’ 

Liu Zhenqing narrowed his eyes: “But Master still recognizes me.”

Li Xingruo’s eyes widened: “You two recognized each other?”

“Yes, ah, when we went south.”

“How many people know of your identity?”

Liu Zhenqing counted carefully. When he finished counting, he saw that Li Xingruo was already rolling up her sleeves for battle.

“W-what? Isn’t it just a name? In any case, nobody is going around calling me that casually, ah.”

Li Xingruo narrowed her eyes, saying: “Hmph, very good. You didn’t recognize me and Feihan when you came back the first time, but instead recognized a circle of people. We must be at the back of the queue.” After saying this, she addressed the tablet behind them and said: “How should I teach him a lesson?”

Liu Zhenqing instantly had a bad feeling and turned around to leave.

The curious twins outside the door watched as their mother chased Liu Zhenqing with her fist raised.

“Calm down, calm down, it just happened that way!”

“It just happened that way. Don’t worry, I won’t hit you too many times, just as many times as the number you ranked me. With Feihan’s share, it will be doubled!”

“Er-gou, save me!”

“Yunci and Yunqian, successfully stop your Second Uncle and I’ll give you three days off!”

When Uncle Tian came over, he found the courtyard bustling with activity. He watched it for a moment in a daze.

It was like they had gone back to the old days. When Liu Zhenqing made Li Xingruo angry, she would chase him around and beat him. And when Huo Fenglie went to help him without any principles, Huo Feihan was the one who had to step in and keep Huo Fenglie from Li Xingruo. Everything seemed to have stayed the same, but also changed.

. . . . . . 

In the palace, someone came to deliver a report. “Your Majesty, Huo Fenglie sent a message from the General’s Manor. He has arrived and is ready to be summoned at any time.”

Yuan Jue nodded, saying: “Let him rest for two days first. He’s worked hard running back and forth.”

“Your Majesty, there are also…..”

“What else is there?”

“There are some rumors about General Huo.”

“What rumors?” A little absent-minded, Yuan Jue raised his teacup to take a drink.

“General Huo is…..is engaged to Liu Xiaozhu, the young master of Liu Manor.”

Yuan Jue’s gaze froze, and the teacup in his hand became unstable for a moment. It swayed slightly before finally stabilizing.

Yuan Jue raised his eyes and said in a low voice: “Engaged?”

“That is what the rumors say.”

Yuan Jue set down his teacup and waved his hand. After everyone left, he slowly closed his eyes and leaned back in the Dragon Chair, slowly rubbing his jade thumb ring.

“Engaged? To someone other than Liu Zhenqing? Is it a substitute? Or is he sincere? How could he be sincere? How could he forget Liu Zhenqing?”

. . . . . .

At this time, the slightly drunk Liu Zhenqing hugged Huo Fenglie on the bed and rubbed against him. The person being rubbed against was growing hot, and the smell of wine was intoxicating. Huo Fenglie could only hold Liu Zhenqing down and make him rest well.

“Aiya, how annoying. This body can’t handle alcohol at all. I can’t even outdrink Sister-in-law now.”

Huo Fenglie heard this and wanted to laugh. Li Xingruo had taken advantage of the fact that the twins and Uncle Tian were around to first bring up the marriage contract and then force Liu Zhenqing to serve tea and call her ‘Sister-in-law.’ She also found continuous excuses to make him call her that, like a sister-in-law laying down the rules of the house.

As a result, Liu Zhenqing didn’t know how to react for a moment, so he just called her ‘Sister-in-law.’

“Sister-in-law also got drunk. She never drinks at home,” Huo Fenglie comforted him.

Liu Zhenqing turned around and held Huo Fenglie’s face with a malicious smile.

“What is it?” Huo Fenglie asked.

“Er-gou, who was your first kiss, ah?” Liu Zhenqing asked knowingly.

An unnatural look flashed across Huo Fenglie’s face.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “Other than me, have you ever kissed anyone else? Let me start by saying you’re the only one I’ve kissed.”

Huo Fenglie’s cheeks were slightly red. At last, he said uncomfortably: “Qing-ge, there is only you. It’s always been you.”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and pecked Huo Fenglie on the lips: “Very good.”

They had a wonderful night, their spirits were relaxed, and Liu Zhenqing didn’t cause too much of a disturbance.

Huo Fenglie breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stroked Liu Zhenqing to help him sleep.

Because they had returned in secret, it was therefore inconvenient for Liu Zhenqing to return to the Liu family. Naturally, only insiders could know about the engagement first.

But Huo Fenglie knew that soon, the entire capital would know about their involvement.

He still felt uneasy at the thought.

Gazing at Liu Zhenqing’s face, he murmured: “Now that you’re back, if you get close to that person…..will you have regrets?”

Liu Zhenqing was already asleep and naturally made no response.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes just darkened slightly. In the end, he hugged Liu Zhenqing and slowly fell asleep.

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