Amidst the houses lined up in front of the palace road, Qin Yu pushed He Lan away fiercely and fixed him with a cold glare, wiping the corners of his mouth in disgust.

He Lan used his thumb to wipe away the blood from his bitten lip. His eyes were also somewhat fierce as he sneered, saying: “What? You don’t like it anymore? Didn’t you still like it a lot two months ago?”

Qin Yu turned to fly away with a cold expression, but was caught by He Lan, who persistently pursued his love. For a moment, Qin Yu really couldn’t break free.

Suddenly, a book flew out of He Lan’s sleeve and fell open on the ground.

A shameful scene immediately came into view. Qin Yu’s face darkened, and he twisted in He Lan’s grip to glare at him.

He Lan smiled roguishly and caged him against a wall from behind, rubbing against him suggestively.

His mouth nearly touched Qin Yu’s earlobe as he said: “You saw that right. I’m currently studying how to use it on a certain heartless bastard who leaves without saying goodbye, throws a person away after using them, and turns hostile for no reason.”

Qin Yu’s pupils constricted, but he didn’t speak.

He Lan seemed to be provoked by the expression on his face. He grabbed his chin and tried to kiss him, but Qin Yu turned his head to avoid it.

He Lan’s tone became harsh: “What do you mean by avoiding me for so long? Do you want to get rid of me? Or are you afraid that others will find out about our relationship? Qin Zichuan, who am I in your eyes?”

“If someone is ignoring you, you should be more self-aware. Let go, I still have business to attend to!” Qin Yu said.

“I took on the mission first and you took it last. When you took it, did you know we were on the same mission and could handle it together? So you’re still seeking out Zhanyuan alone, but not me?”

As He Lan spoke angrily, Qin Yu found an opening and escaped in an instant.

Qin Yu: “When have the Dongchang and Jinyiwei been able to work together?”

He Lan’s breathing froze when these words were spoken. Yes, the Dongchang and Jinyiwei were tit for tat, but the two of them weren’t, ah. They were good brothers before, but now they were…..

He Lan made no further attempts to capture Qin Yu, and only glared at him, clearly angry. Qin Yu’s attitude was like everything in the past was just a passing cloud. Was he really the only one who cared?

Qin Yu: “You came after me because you want that information. We at the Dongchang don’t intend to monopolize it. After my adoptive father’s review is complete, you can just send someone to the Dongchang to ask for it.”

He Lan stamped his foot, watching as Qin Yu flew away without hesitation.

He Lan furiously punched the nearby wall. “Who the hell wants information!”

At the Dongchang, Qin Yu set all of the compiled information on Zheng Wei’s desk. Ink, paper, and a grindstone were very common items on the desk. The only thing that stood out was an old plum blossom hair pin tranquilly placed in a brocade box next to the inkstone.

“Yifu, it’s all here.”

Zheng Wei was the director of the Dongchang and Qin Yu’s adoptive father, but he was actually only in his thirties and a martial arts practitioner. The years had left almost no traces on his face, except for a pair of falcon-like eyes that reflected the vicissitudes of experience.

“What is your analysis?” Zheng Wei asked.

“He has done too many things and left a lot of clues. He wants to salvage the situation, but is unable to,” Qin Yu said straightforwardly.

Zheng Wei rubbed his brow and said: “Sure enough, the emperor cannot be underestimated. After all, that person was the one who taught him. He suddenly attacked Jiang Wang at this juncture and ordered Huo Fenglie to return in the event of a counterattack. This has really…..thrown everyone’s plans into chaos.”

“Has the emperor already made a conjecture?” Qin Yu asked.

Zheng Wei: “Whether or not the emperor has suspicions, he will act with caution. He has suffered too much, and will not be willing to take risks. It’s just a pity…..what did Huo Fenglie have to say?”

“Even if Zhanyuan treats someone as a brother, he will still be cautious about that person for the sake of the Zhou Dynasty’s peace.”

Zheng Wei nodded and said: “Good, that’s just how he should be. By the way, is he really getting married? To Young Master Liu?”

The heaviness on Qin Yu’s face lessened somewhat: “En, they’re a good match.”

Zheng Wei seemed to have thought of something. The corners of his mouth rose slightly and he asked: “I saw that you were in a bad mood when you came back. Did something happen?”

Qin Yu’s eyes flashed slightly: “No.”

Zhang Wei looked up at Qin Yu and said with a sigh: “Fenglie is about to marry. I don’t know when you will find a sweetheart.”

Qin Yu’s expression shifted: “I don’t need one. Yifu, I’ll go down and do some work.”

“Go.” Zheng Wei gestured for him to leave.

At the same time, He Cong, commander-in-chief of the Jinyiwei, looked at the person in front of him with a slight frown. “Why are you so angry?”

“It’s nothing, just a conflict with the Dongchang. They took away the thing Zhanyuan was holding onto.”

“The Dongchang?” The smile on He Cong’s face remained unchanged, but there was a trace of coldness in his eyes. “Don’t you have a weapon? With your skills, not many in the Dongchang can do anything to you.”

He Lan was taken aback. “Uncle, what do you mean by this? To fight them directly?”

He Cong stepped forward and patted He Lan on the shoulder. He said: “Remember, our honor and favor is tied to the emperor. Do you know why the emperor ordered us to investigate this time?”

He Lan looked at him in puzzlement: “So that it can be investigated from different sides, the same as before…..”

He Cong smiled and shook his head: “The person being currently being investigated is the Prime Minister, and he’s not a simple person. Jiang Wang has been in the court for so many years, and there are deeply entwined relationships involved. How can the emperor believe that we and the Dongchang aren’t colluding with him?”

He Lan’s expression changed: “This is a test given to us by the emperor?”

“In all of the recent cases, the key figures have died at the end. Jiang Wang is not Liu Zhenqing. No matter how powerful he is, he can’t grasp the sky with one hand. Since he could successfully silence people each time, the emperor will naturally suspect the people closest to him. General Huo’s sudden return is the most favorable proof. All of the guards in the capital have been substituted before the Longevity Festival. He wants to catch the enemy by surprise while they make secret preparations and force them to make mistakes while they’re busy. We must not make any mistakes at this time. If we do, we may be put on the emperor’s list of suspects.”

He Cong analyzed things slowly, and He Lan felt a full-body chill.

“So from this moment on, we have a real competitive relationship with the Dongchang. Whoever finds useful information the fastest will be able to gain more of the emperor’s trust. We must prove that our sole purpose is for the emperor’s use, understand?”

He Lan’s pupils shrank. He felt nauseous. Not because the emperor’s trust was like walking on thin ice in the company of a tiger, but…..did Qin Yu have these thoughts too? Did he think they were both already standing on opposite sides of the scale, to see who would reach the halfway point first and be the safest?

“He Lan, I don’t know whether or not the Dongchang is loyal to the emperor, but our Jinyiwei are absolutely loyal. I know you’re free and open-minded, but you must not hold the Jinyiwei back at this critical moment, so do not get too close to the people of the Dongchang.”

He Lan looked up at his uncle. Seeing the look of warning in his eyes, he knew that his active attempts to seek out Qin Yu these days had made He Cong dissatisfied.

He Lan lowered his head and cupped his hands: “This nephew understands.”

. . . . . . .

In the Imperial Palace, the sound of rapid coughing spread throughout the hall.

“You’re all a bunch of trash, is this how you serve the Taifei? The weather is getting colder, don’t you know how to pay attention?” Empress Dowager Yao Hua scolded the palace attendants in a frigid voice. When she saw that everyone was kneeling down and trembling, Yao Hua calmed down. “Why aren’t you hurrying to invite all the Imperial physicians?”

As soon as Yao Hua finished speaking, she heard the fragile voice of Taifei Jian Shuang sound from the inner hall.

“Jiejie.”

Yao Hua quickly walked to the inner chamber and came to the bed. When she saw that Jian Shuang was about to get up, she reached out to help her. “Meimei, just lie down.”

“Jiejie, I’m fine. I just stayed up late reading a book last night and didn’t pay attention to resting.” Although Jian Shuang was sickly, she was as delicate and beautiful as an orchid. Even with her sickly appearance and absence of cosmetics, her beauty was like that of a fairy. It was likely that even speaking loudly would trouble her.

“You, ah, you said yesterday that you would go with me to the Imperial Academy to see the girls from aristocratic families and see if there is anyone suitable to be Princess Jing. How can you go there now?” Yao Hua’s helpless voice was also doting. 

“I’m only thinking of King Jing’s future. After all, he’s the child the two of us raised, so we naturally want the best for him,” Jiang Shuang said aggrievedly, a hint of displeasure in her eyes, “It’s a pity that things haven’t been peaceful lately.”

“You’ve sensed it too. You’re as clever as any man, how could you not be aware of changes in the court? But I can’t understand what the emperor is trying to do. Even the palace guards have been switched out.”

Jiang Shuang leaned into Yao Hua’s arms, saying softly: “Of course we cannot understand the emperor’s intentions. Jiejie, don’t worry, and don’t ask too many questions. In the past, interference in political affairs by the harem was a last resort. Now that the emperor is older, he will be unhappy.”

Yao Hua stared at her for a moment, then gave a nod and said: “Meimei is right.”

“Jiejie, wait for me to accompany you. Let’s go together to the opening ceremony of the Imperial Academy to meet the young girls and recall the friendship between us as classmates in the past,” Jian Shuang said softly, taking Yao Hua’s hand.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Yao Hua seemed to recall the events of the past and couldn’t help but smile. “By the way, I heard that the emperor will grant General Huo a marriage in the near future, and his spouse will be the young master of the Liu family.”

Jian Shuang nodded: “If this news gets out, it’s bound to cause some controversy. But it’s fine as long as the juniors are happy.”

Yao Hua said: “It hasn’t been easy for him either. Being able to find someone he likes now can be regarded as compensation from heaven. We should take this opportunity to find a consort for the Eighth Princess as well. Let’s go to the Imperial Academy to see them all.”

Jian Shuang had no objection to this. The Eighth Princess had her own mother concubine and hadn’t been raised by them. It was only that her mother concubine had passed away, so the Empress Dowager alone had the final say in the Eighth Princess’s marriage. The Eighth Princess had been pestering Huo Fenglie before and wouldn’t let him go. They could only turn a blind eye, but now that General Huo was getting married, they had to give up.

“By the way, Jiejie, heard the empress came to cry to you again?” Jian Shuang asked.

Yao Hua smiled helplessly and said: “You heard? Ai, I had no choice. The emperor is really too busy, and even if he doesn’t enter the harem very often, his work can be considered diligent. I can’t say much, and can only help the emperor comfort her a little more.”

Jian Shuang smiled softly: “It’s not surprising that the empress is anxious. Although there are not many concubines in the palace, the prince and princess also have children. She has none, so she is naturally a little worried.”

Yao Hua nodded and said: “Yes, ah, she is the daughter of the Prime Minister and the mother of the country. If it continues like this, it won’t be easy for her. Why haven’t the Imperial physicians pinpointed the reason? Should we invite Huo-furen to the palace and also ask her to nurse you back to health?”

Jiang Shuang said: “Jiejie, have you forgotten that person’s temper? How could she be willing to enter the palace?”

Yao Hua gave it some thought. When they were classmates in the past, Yao Hua once thought she was her love rival. Not that she thought about it, she had been young and knew no true worries. They hadn’t seen each other in many years. Yao Hua only knew that she was raising a pair of children extremely well, which was enviable.

“I wonder if we will meet Li Xingruo at the Imperial Academy,” Yao Hua murmured. Family elders usually attended the Imperial Examination opening ceremony.

“With her temperament, how could she do such a conventional thing?” Jian Shuang said with a smile.

Yao Hua also laughed at the thought.

. . . . . . 

At this time, in a carriage returning to Liu Manor, Liu Zhenqing met the gazes of the twins and raised an eyebrow. “Tell me, what is the purpose of sending me off so graciously?”

Huo Yunqian glanced at his sister shyly.

Huo Yunci coughed and said: “Classes start at the Imperial Academy in two days.”

According to Liu Zhenqing’s previous suggestion, the two young ones would indeed learn whatever they wanted at the Imperial Academy without telling the family elders. The academicians and educators at the academy had no objections. In any case, they had already received Li Xingruo’s approval, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

But when Li Xingruo gave permission, she said: “If you want to study, then study hard and don’t cause trouble for me at the Imperial Academy.”

Liu Zhenqing really wanted to complain when he heard this. When the three of them got together in the past, they had caused a lot of ruckus. He still remembered how the gentlemen of the Imperial Academy had scowled whenever they saw them. In this way, Li Xingruo had the good intention of keeping her children out of trouble.

Looking at the faces of the two children, Liu Zhenqing was enlightened. “So, have you stirred up trouble?”

Huo Yunci instantly became anxious: “It’s their fault. They laughed at me for being a woman carrying a weapon, and said that me and Didi got it backwards. How could I not beat them up!”

“So there was a fight, ah. Did you win?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Huo Yunqian and Huo Yunci had thought they would be scolded, and were stunned upon hearing this.

“I…..I won,” Huo Yunci said.

“But Jiejie was still injured,” Huo Yunqian said. “They were all punished, but Jiejie was punished the most since she made the first move.”

Huo Yunci said with dissatisfaction: “Why are you just talking about me? Weren’t you punished too?”

Huo Yunqian blushed. It turned out that he had been upset with his sister’s punishment and deliberately put laxatives in the meals of those who had started the fight. Although Huo Yunqian was very clever about dishing out those drugs, he was still investigated and punished.

And as a result, the two were instructed to bring their elders to school during the opening ceremony for the next semester to discuss their education issues.

Liu Zhenqing really wanted to complain after hearing this. The two children were really not that astute.

Thinking back to when the three of them dealt with others, Liu Zhenqing would force the opponent to take action first, and then let Huo Feihan jump in. If they were to plant drugs, Li Xingruo certainly wouldn’t have let the instructors catch on. At that time, even though Huo Feihan was unable to hide what was on his face, and the academicians and instructors all knew it was the three of them stirring up trouble, there was nothing they could do other than reprimand them bitterly.

Even when they were actually punished, except for Huo Feihan, Liu Zhenqing and Li Xingruo fled when they could.

But of course, this inheritance couldn’t be passed to the children. Liu Zhenqing could only pretend to be stern and say: “You didn’t dare tell your mother, so you came to find me…..”

“Aren’t you our future Second Aunt? So…..” Huo Yunci said politely.

“If I go, your teachers will also need to accept me, ah. We haven’t gotten married yet,” Liu Zhenqing said.

“You just need to say that you’re here on behalf of Second Uncle, who’s busy. Just ask Second Uncle to give you a certificate. We dare not tell him, but he’ll definitely listen to you,” Huo Yunqian said.

In the past few days, they had observed that their Second Uncle obeyed Uncle Liu in all things. Although they didn’t know how things had developed this way, they liked Uncle Liu very much, and their mother also got along with him. Thus, they naturally recognized him as their Second Aunt. Since he was destined for that title in the future, they should make use of it first.

Liu Zhenqing was amused by their words. “That’s rather clever. Okay, I agree.”

The two immediately clasped their hands in delight.

“However…..” Liu Zhenqing spoke again.

The two looked at him nervously.

Liu Zhenqing smiled. Making a show of sounding like an elder, he said: “You also need to learn a lesson, don’t you?”

Huo Yunci raised her little fist. “Of course! I have to practice my skills well. If anyone dares to bully us again, I’ll beat them until they’re unable to complain!”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. No wonder she clung so tightly to Liu Qiao lately. This wasn’t the kind of lesson he was talking about, ah. Rather, it was to save some reputation for their parents in the eyes of the Imperial Academy academicians!

Liu Zhenqing coughed and said: “You are people with identities and status. How can you start fights at every turn? If you have sense, just speak the truth. If you mess around casually, your teachers will still punish you when they find out.”

Huo Yunci frowned in thought for a moment, then said: “Reason with knowledge, and if that doesn’t work, reason with action.”

Liu Zhenqing: You really get it from your mother.

“I’m telling you not to be so violent. Yunquian, please give your sister more advice in the future,” Liu Zhenqing said helplessly.

Huo Yunci didn’t take it seriously.

Huo Yunqian nodded. By nature, he preferred not to have conflicts with others, but when his sister was bullied, he would certainly not sit idly by and ignore it.

Liu Zhenqing presently asked: “By the way, who are the people you had a fight with?”

“The eldest grandson of a noble family, the grandson of a minister, as well as…..” Huo Yunci listed them carefully.

The more she spoke, the brighter Liu Zhenqing’s smile became.

When Huo Yunci finished, Liu Zhenqing said slowly to the person outside the carriage: “Will you remember those, Liu Qiao?”

“I’ll remember, Master.”

The two children looked at Liu Zhenqing in confusion.

Liu Zhenqing said: “It’s nothing, I just want to send them some gifts. I hope everyone can get along well after the opening ceremony.”

Although the two were not happy with this sort of adult behavior, they had no way to stop it and could only accept it. 

But a cold light gleamed in Liu Zhenqing’s eyes.

The nephew and niece of the general who guards the country, whose statuses were second only to a prince’s grandson, were still being treated like this at the Imperial Academy. The reason was very simple. Those people took advantage of their lack of a father to bully them. The two children were too strong to go crying to their mother, and their Second Uncle had a high position that kept him busy all day long, rendering him unable to take care of the childrens’ conflicts.

What else could be done? Only this idle second aunt could take care of it.

That night, the hair of several unaware children was cut short. Since there was something wrong with their appearances, they couldn’t go to school and were only able to wait until their hair grew out. Such an extreme coincidence would of course remind them of the conflict between the children. Everything pointed directly toward the Huo family, but who would dare to go to the General’s Manor to file a complaint? After all, their children were at fault first, and getting their hair cut off was just a small punishment.

Naturally, they could only reprimand their children this time and educate them on some rules. They were all students in the Imperial Academy and must have a clear understanding of their identities. Not just anyone could be bullied.

However, the two children only came to know this after going to the Imperial Academy and being questioned by other curious students.

At this time, they had just sent Liu Zhenqing back to Liu Manor.

It was inconvenient for them to go inside, so they could only take a separate carriage.

Because Liu Zhenqing had come back so suddenly, there was no one in front of Liu Manor to greet him.

But when Liu Qiao opened the door, a doorman came to open it. 

Seeing a strange half-masked man standing near the door, he was just about to raise his guard when he saw Liu Xiaozhu standing not far away and was given a sudden shock: “Young Master!”

There was immediately a great disturbance in Liu Manor.

Because everyone had returned safely from prison, they had learned that it was Liu Zhenqing who had gone south with General Huo to investigate and was able to clear up the family’s grievances.

So this time, even the people in the second and third courtyards greeted Liu Zhenqing with tears in their eyes. Liu Zhenqing’s former servant boy, Jin Li, hugged Liu Zhenqing’s thigh and cried nonstop, having been very worried about him.

Coming out last, the old man stepped forward with reddened eyes to grip Liu Zhenqing’s hands: “It’s so good that you’re back, so good. Thank you for your hard work, child.”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t let their tragic emotions flourish for too long. He heard that the old man was disheartened and was preparing to move his family back south, with the intention of passing the title of Family Head to him.

Liu Zhenqing said directly: “You can go south, but I can’t be the head of the family, nor can I leave.”

Everyone immediately questioned him, thinking that Liu Zhenqing had acquired some constraints due to the investigation.

But Liu Zhenqing smiled leisurely and said: “Because I’m engaged to General Huo.”

It was a thunderous blow. Everyone had originally thought Liu Zhenqing was crazy for pursuing Huo Fenglie. The two families were the least likely in the world to intermarry. When they heard the news, the entire family was stunned and the old man almost fainted. But once Liu Zhenqing was taken back to the study and carefully interrogated, they finally had to face the facts.

It wasn’t until nighttime that Liu Zhenqing was able to retire.

Jin Li had already prepared hot water for Liu Zhenqing to bathe.

Liu Zhenqing had also introduced Jin Li and Lui Qiao, so that Jin Li would listen to Liu Qiao in the future. At first, Jin Li wasn’t happy and felt that his position had been taken away from him, but when he saw Liu Qiao chopping big rocks with his bare hands, he instantly went quiet.

After Liu Zhenqing soaked in the hot water and relaxed for a while, he heard the sound of a window opening outside.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t open his eyes. He just smiled and said: “Where did this flower picker come from?”

“Qing-ge…..”

Liu Zhenqing’s lips curved. He knew who it was as soon as he heard that voice. “Boring. You shouldn’t have said anything. You should have blown out the candles first and dove into the tub. When I was frightened, you could cover my mouth and have a mandarin duck bath together with me. To be a flower picker, you must have the qualities of a flower picker. Start over.”

The room was silent for a moment. Just as Jin Li was about to enter, he suddenly saw the candles in the cleanroom extinguish. Then there was a clear cry, followed by the sound of rushing water. Jin Li thought something had happened to the young master, and was about to reach out and open the door when suddenly, a dark figure descended in front of his eyes. It was Liu Qiao.

Just as Jin Li was about to speak, Liu Qiao took him by the collar and flew away.

“The young master…..”

“Master is fine. He’s just playing, don’t disturb him.”

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Chapter 127 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 129