T/N: I’m posting the last two chapters together! Thank you all for sticking with this story! There are a ton of extras that I’ll be putting out these next few weeks, so stay tuned!

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Great Zhou brought 200,000 troops to blockade the border of Xiheng, and Xiheng also had 200,000 troops stationed there. The two sides were evenly matched, and neither dared to act rashly, but as the party in the wrong, Xiheng naturally took the initiative to send envoys to negotiate.

Under pressure from Li Jinshu, the Xiheng envoys could only shamelessly say that the prince and Liu Zhenqing had hit it off at first sight and regarded each other as brothers, so he was invited to be their guest. When the time came, they would naturally send him back, and if General Huo was worried, he could come as a guest too.

Such a statement sounded dignified, but it was simply making fools of them. Not only were the envoys of Great Zhou unable to bear it, but even the Xiheng envoys felt that it burned their mouths. They had the impression that their prince was just as the rumors said, finding this lousy excuse to start a war in order to compete with Huo Fenglie.

After several failed negotiations, the atmosphere became increasingly tense, and the Huo Family Army continued to advance toward the border. From the top of the Xiheng border city wall, a dense black line could be seen on the horizon. That was the shadow of General Huo. By then, the people were already in a panic.

If a great number of powerful people, including the emperor and Li Jinshu, hadn’t been present in the border city, the common people likely would have already fled.

Inside the border city teahouses, all kinds of gossip abounded. Some said Li Jinshu had gone crazy, some said he was losing power and was using the war to maintain his influence, and some said that he finally intended to rebel and become emperor. Even more said that Li Jinshu was enchanted by a beauty from Great Zhou just like he had been many years ago, and, ignoring the safety and interests of the people of Xiheng, intended to exchange a city for a single person.

When the common people saw the envoys coming in and out, they discussed it even more. They felt like fish on a chopping board, with the person holding the knife deciding their fates.

In fact, the border city had experienced numerous wars, and were already a hardy people. It wasn’t normal for them to be so anxious and restless in such a short period of time. This naturally drew the attention of the higher-ups, who sent people to investigate.

In a small alley leading to the residential area, a caravan was stationed.

A dark shadow flashed in and immediately let out a loud groan, which attracted the attention of the people reading in the courtyard.

Yue Xuqian looked up at Qin Yu, who had just killed a person, and said: “I’ve scattered information in such disorder, but he’s already found us so quickly? Li Jinshu is indeed impressive.”

“Should we switch locations?” Qin Yu asked.

Yue Xuqian smiled and said: “According to Brother Liu’s instructions, we’ve basically completed all the steps. It’s time to retreat. If we stay, we’ll only be a hindrance.”

Qin Yu nodded: “I’ll escort you out.”

“Where are those two?” Yue Xuqian asked.

“They’ve gone to that location to practice. After all, there can’t be any mistakes.” Qin Yu frowned slightly as he spoke.

“Why? Do they still feel it’s risky?” Yue Xuqian asked.

Qin Yu said: “They fear making a mistake.”

“One must fight to live on the field of death,” Yue Xuqian said with a faint smile.

On the other side, there were several more patrols atop the city wall. One guard was walking when he heard the sound of air breaking. But he saw nothing, just some rubble piled up nearby. The guard didn’t think much of it, and continued on his way.

Inside the palace.

“You’re not really going to snatch that person from Huo Fenglie, are you? What if they really invade?” the young emperor inquired.

“Then we’ll fight. Does the emperor think I’ll lose?” Li Jinshu said indifferently as he reclined on a bench.

The young emperor’s expression turned unsightly: “This emperor doesn’t want to see the Kingdom of Xiheng fall into war because of such a foolish thing.”

“Foolish?” Li Jinshu’s tone was displeased. “I’m living my most interesting life now. How can that be foolish?”

The young emperor was so angry that he could barely speak.

The Imperial Tutor stepped forward and said: “Your Highness, what do you intend to do next? Will you just keep delaying time like this? Wait until a fight breaks out?”

Li Jinshu smiled and said: “I’ve contacted the two border countries to put pressure on Great Zhou. I want to see if Huo Fenglie can continue to maintain his blockade here.”

Upon hearing Li Jinshu’s preparations, the old Imperial Tutor felt relieved and persuaded the emperor to back off.

As a result, just after leaving, they ran into Liu Zhenqing in the gardens.

Liu Zhenqing was sitting in the garden drinking tea, with Liu Qiao standing next to him. The young emperor saw him from a distance and didn’t think he was all that good-looking. Why had Li Jinshu suddenly gone crazy and insisted on competing with Huo Fenglie over him?

When the young emperor arrived here under such embarrassing circumstances, he hadn’t met Liu Zhenqing. And after being humiliated by Li Jinshu, he couldn’t help but walk over to take Liu Zhenqing’s measure.

As soon as he drew closer, he heard Liu Zhenqing speaking.

“Liu Qiao, what do you think I should do? Although the general treats me well, our Liu family is not well-received in Great Zhou. But it’s different for Prince Li. Since he is willing to grant me a position among the royalty, no one will look down on me anymore.”

Liu Zhenqing’s lamentations utterly shocked the young emperor. When Liu Qiao notified Liu Zhenqing that the young emperor had departed, Liu Zhenqing smiled as he drank his tea and massaged his waist. In recent days, Huo Fenglie would come every now and then at night. The two of them were like newlyweds, yearning for each other day and night, and naturally couldn’t control themselves when they met. It was Liu Zhenqing who sacrificed himself voluntarily to calm Huo Fenglie’s anxious mood.

Liu Zhenqing had told Huo Fenglie to go back and make arrangements for the Huo Family Army in order to avoid subsequent complications.

Huo Fenglie did as he was told, and Mo Qi and Mo Yu and others were successively promoted to important positions. The allocation of troops was arranged, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Everyone was filled with admiration for Huo Fenglie, and thought it was amazing that he could still remain so calm.

Only Li Xingruo, the miracle doctor who had just arrived along with Han Ye, gradually touched upon the truth. Zheng Wei, who had escorted them there, didn’t ask any questions and just picked up his adoptive son a few days later. It was inconvenient for them to stay in the military camp, so they found a place to stand guard nearby.

On this day, Li Jinshu was leisurely playing chess with Liu Zhenqing. “Huo Fenglie has arrived with his army. The cavalry can now be seen from the city walls.”

“So you don’t intend to let me go?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Li Jinshu said with a smile: “If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have abducted you in the first place. I’ve received a return letter from Great Zhou’s emperor. He doesn’t seem to be very good at doing business. I offered him a city, but he wouldn’t trade you for it.”

Liu Zhenqing hesitated: “He would have to be truly spineless to agree to that exchange. It has nothing to do with me, it’s because he would never do something to discourage the country’s troops.”

“Indeed, I made the wrong judgment,” Li Jinshu said, dropping a chess piece. “However…..when the survival of his country is at stake, will he care about a subject’s wife?”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and placed a move. “I’ve read the history of the Kingdom of Xiheng.”

Li Jinshu paused and looked at Liu Zhenqing.

“The Yuan clan of the Great Zhou Dynasty is less than a thousand years old. In the past, the predecessor of Xiheng was more powerful than Great Zhou, but a thousand years later, that predecessor is no longer here and our Great Zhou still exists. Do you think it is so susceptible to disaster?”

Li Jinshu’s eyes narrowed slightly. If the person in front of him was the real Liu Zhenqing, he should guard against him. If he wasn’t, then……these words were just to mess with him.

He teasingly changed the subject: “You’ve said that Huo Fenglie has many masters around him, so why hasn’t he tried to save you after being at the border for so long? Regardless of success or failure, he should have at least tried. Bringing his army here is just to maintain face for Great Zhou. Could it be that……I was right last time, and he doesn’t want you anymore?”

Liu Zhenqing smiled, saying: “Prince Li is still trying to brainwash me, ah. You really won’t give up.”

Li Jinshu said: “I’m just saying – a substitute is just a substitute. You’re not Liu Zhenqing, and you’re not worth his effort. You should know how to choose the right master.”

“I also want to know, if I’m just a substitute, is it really worth the prince’s effort to cause a war just to keep me?”

Li Jinshu narrowed his eyes and said: “What if I feel like you’re more than just a substitute? After all, you still owe me an explanation. Perhaps I’ll receive an unexpected answer.”

Liu Zhenqing said: “It is the prince who hasn’t completed the conditions. The prince can’t force me to give him the answer.”

“I feel like I’ve been tricked, but it’s fine. I’m able to slowly look for evidence and make my own conjecture.” Li Jinshu smiled and said, “This process is also very interesting.”

“What sort of conjecture has Your Highness made?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Li Jinshu raised his eyebrows and leaned closer: “For example, that you’re the genuine Liu Zhenqing.”

Liu Zhenqing’s expression barely changed at all under Li Jinshu’s observation. He just narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smug smile: “And what if I am?”

Li Jinshu’s expression changed instantly: “How…..is this possible?”

Liu Zhenqing slowly dropped the last piece. The black and white chess pieces filled the entire board. He stood and clapped his hands, saying: “I’m just saying whatever. Your Highness, please continue to guess.”

With that, Liu Zhenqing turned and left.

Li Jinshu’s heart was beating like a drum, and he was sweating all over. Speculation was one thing, but if he was right, if this was real……it would simply be the ecstasy of regaining what had been lost.

All of a sudden, Li Jinshu looked down. His face shifted. On the chessboard where he’d had the upper hand just now, he had at some point been defeated. He had actually…..lost.

This time, Li Jinshu went even crazier. He madly sent people to keep an eye on Liu Zhenqing and to investigate all the information there was on him. Anything and everything, he wanted to grasp it, painstakingly probing for the truth.

But his behavior seemed particularly out of place during this tense situation, and the rumors that he had gone mad grew increasingly numerous and believable.

Due to the higher security, Huo Fenglie was unable to visit Liu Zhenqing. At most, he could only go to Liu Qiao and take a look from a distance. But this didn’t affect Huo Fenglie’s heart. As long as he could look, he was able to leave with peace of mind and continue to work hard for their future.

A few days passed, and war was at their doorstep. A giant crossbow-propelled bolt shot through the city gate and marked the beginning of the confrontation between the two armies. The commanders under Huo Fenglie challenged them one after another, shouting: “Hand over the general’s wife!”

Li Jinshu had already brought Liu Zhenqing to the military camp. The situation was worse than Li Jinshu had imagined.

The young emperor had taken his people back to the Imperial City, and was beginning to secretly gather military power behind Li Jinshu’s back, and the remaining forces were still trying to persuade Li Jinshu. He was a bit uneasy about the current situation. Although he wasn’t afraid to fight, fighting would delay his time with Liu Zhenqing, so he naturally didn’t want it to come to that.

Therefore, his best option was to wait for support from the other countries and continue to put pressure on Great Zhou. They had worked together like this many times and had a natural tacit understanding.

Under this kind of pressure, exchanging one person was akin to a marriage connection, so the switch would definitely take place.

But very soon, the two countries sent letters to express their polite refusal. Even if there was profit in it, they had to refuse under the circumstances.

Because their two countries were blockaded at the gates by a 50,000 strong army headed by Dai Tingyu in the southwest, if they wanted to support Xiheng, they must grit their teeth and fight their way out. This had originally just a matter of making noise, in hopes that acting as a threat would stop the fighting. But now, it would evolve into actual war if they took a step forward. Dai Tingyu had also led his men to shout that if they dared to delay their general in picking up his wife, their countries would be the next to be destroyed.

Their countries were not like Xiheng, which was on equal standing with Great Zhou. If they competed here to see who was more ruthless, what would they do if Huo Fenglie turned around to attack them?

They didn’t want to sacrifice themselves for another’s gain, so they had no intention of participating for the time being.

Li Jinshu hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.

But it was strange. How could Huo Fenglie have known his plans and arranged people in advance. And why wasn’t that 50,000 strong army confronting Western Shu? By changing their location, weren’t they afraid of losing the southeast? If Huo Fenglie had issued the order without authorization, how could the emperor allow it?

Li Jinshu’s anger gradually increased, but the problem wasn’t too serious for him to handle. He currently still had the upper hand.

Just then, a military report came in. The Western Shu’s army had actually begun to harass Xiheng from the other side, threatening to take back the land they had lost hundreds of years ago.

What was going on? Xiheng and Western Shu only shared a small border and had nothing to do with each other. Western Shu wasn’t qualified to attack Xiheng. They were merely contemptible buffoons.

The new king of Western Shu must be a lunatic, right? Biting everyone in sight? Biting Great Zhou first and then Xiheng?

But it must be said that this new king was indeed putting pressure on Li Jinshu, since their main forces were focused here to deal with the Huo Family Army. Xiheng’s defenses had long grown weak, easy to attack but difficult to defend. If Western Shu disregarded, there would definitely be trouble.

Moreover, once the king of Western Shu took the lead, other fence-sitting countries would eye the weakened Kingdom of Xiheng and perhaps have wicked intentions of allying with Great Zhou. The situation could be reversed in an instant.

Coupled with the accumulation of various minor problems, Li Jinshu actually felt a sense of frustration rising within him. He had never faced such a troublesome dilemma in all his life.

Had he been too presumptuous in his initial plans? He’d thought he was able to read peoples’ minds as he devised his strategies, so where had he gone wrong in the end? How on earth had he gotten himself into this predicament?

Li Jinshu read the battle report and felt his heart tighten. Abruptly, he had an intuition and stood up, hastening toward the tent where Liu Zhenqing resided.

Upon entering, he found Liu Zhenqing leisurely reading a book by the fire. Li Jinshu suddenly recalled their previous conversation. How had Liu Zhenqing been so sure that the stability and safety of Great Zhou wouldn’t be in jeopardy? Could it be that all of this was……

Looking back, Xiheng had become plagued with internal and external troubles within the span of a month. Although there had originally been various underlying problems, Li Jinshu had been dismissive of them. But no one had the ability to instigate all of these problems so quickly.

Li Jinshu stared at Liu Zhenqing in a daze and asked: “Did you do all of this?”

Liu Zhenqing put away the book: “What is the prince talking about?”

Li Jinshu’s heart once again started to beat wildly. He narrowed his eyes: “I want to know the answer to that puzzle. If you don’t tell me…..”

Li Jinshu suddenly closed in on him, but had to dodge a dart. When he looked up, he saw Liu Qiao stuck to the top of the tent. Li Jinshu had been slow to react, and quickly realized something wasn’t right.

In fact, at this distance, Liu Qiao could have killed Li Jinshu. He had the advantage even with there being a hostage, so why hadn’t he taken the opportunity? Had he missed? Or did they not want to fall out for the time being?

Li Jinshu was puzzled, and couldn’t figure it out. He could only look up at Liu Zhenqing with his eyes blown wide, practically bursting with suspicion.

“Your Highness, if you want to know the answer, then take me to Huo Fenglie. I’ll tell you once we meet.” Liu Zhenqing seemed to deliberately deescalate by offering a condition.

Li Jinshu was suspicious for a long moment, but the desire in his heart to find answers was unbearable. Even though there seemed to be a problem, Li Jinshu weighed the pros and cons and ultimately nodded: “I can let you see him from the city wall. You must give me an answer. But I won’t let you go, even if…..”

Liu Zhenqing’s lips curved: “Even if it puts Xiheng in danger? Li Jinshu, you really are a lunatic.”

They were similar, so similar that Li Jinshu felt like he was being tortured to death. But he was about to hear the answer. As long as he knew the answer, he could rest at ease.

People around him said that Li Jinshu was crazy, but he begged to differ. At first, he had just wanted a substitute to accompany him through these days of boredom. Now, he needed to know if his guess was correct and whether there was really such a magical thing in this world.

Accompanied by the beating drums of both armies, Huo Fenglie soon led his troops to a distance of twenty meters in front of the border city, confronting the enemy from below.

And Liu Zhenqing was finally brought to the city gate.

Li Jinshu took Liu Zhenqing’s arm and led him to the wall.

Liu Zhenqing could see Huo Fenglie astride Chen Jiangyue in the distance just by lowering his head. Although it had only been a few days since he’d seen him, he was already filled with longing.

Huo Fenglie below stared straight back at Liu Zhenqing. His black and white eyes flashed, and he shouted: “I’m here to take you back!”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s lips rose in a peerlessly beautiful smile, his face nearly as bright and passionate as it had been in the past.

Li Jinshu was momentarily stunned, and almost couldn’t control himself as he pulled Liu Zhenqing back a step: “I’ve fulfilled my promise. Tell me, who are you, and are you the one behind those things?”

Liu Zhenqing turned to look at Li Jinshu. He suddenly laughed, whispering: “Haven’t you guessed it?”

Li Jinshu looked at Liu Zhenqing in disbelief: “Proof…..do you think I’ll believe anything you say?”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and, just like back then, gave Li Jinshu a look that said he was determined to win.

“More than ten years ago, I came to you in order to protect someone else. I let you put your name on me, but in the end, I wasn’t able to save the person I wanted to save.” Liu Zhenqing looked at Li Jinshu and took a step forward.

Li Jinshu inexplicably took a step back.

“Now, I’ve come to you once again to protect someone else, but do you think I would make the same mistake twice? Li Jinshu, have you enjoyed the situation I prepared for you?” Liu Zhenqing said unhurriedly.

Li Jinshu almost stumbled a step, but in the next moment, he fell into ecstasy and began to laugh wildly: “It’s you, it’s really you! You’re Liu Zhenqing!”

Liu Zhenqing raised an eyebrow at the jubilant Li Jinshu, but his eyes swept around. Because at this moment, everyone was looking at Li Jinshu as if he was a madman. Even his adjutant looked bewildered. Liu Zhenqing had been speaking in a voice that only the two of them could hear, but Li Jinshu had no such scruples, and everyone could hear what he shouted.

The prince was calling another person by the name of someone who had been dead for years. Wasn’t this insanity?

But Li Jinshu didn’t notice the situation slipping out of control.

“Liu Zhenqing, you fool, you admitted your identity to me. Do you think I’ll let you go? I won’t make the same mistake twice. No matter how difficult the situation is, I’ll never let go of you! Hahaha!” Li Jinshu was endlessly thrilled.

Li Jinshu shouted to Huo Fenglie down below: “Huo Fenglie, he’s mine! Of you two brothers, the elder couldn’t defeat me, and the younger can’t even think about defeating me! If you want war, there shall be war!”

Huo Fenglie just gazed at him coldly. With a wave of his hand, orders were relayed. The army approached, and the earth seemed to tremble.

Although the guards of the border city were also making preparations, other lieutenants stepped forward to try to persuade Li Jinshu that this was really no time to start a war.

And at this moment, a eunuch rushed up to deliver an Imperial edict.

Li Jinshu was very displeased at the interruption, but the eunuch had to read the edict, so he pretended to listen. 

As a result, when the Imperial edict was read, it turned out that Li Jinshu’s military power was to be confiscated on the grounds that he was unwell. Along with the eunuch came other military officials of Xiheng.

Although they were rather intimidated by Li Jinshu, the various rumors this past month had caused them to waver, so they had come to sound him out.

Li Jinshu’s face was unsightly when he heard this, like that of an enraged leopard. He first glanced at Liu Zhenqing and scoffed. Then, he took the Imperial edict and tore it to shreds.

“Don’t disturb me, get out of here!” 

In the past, people would be quick to obey Li Jinshu when he was in such a temper. But when he spoke now, he suddenly found that these people weren’t scurrying away, but were instead standing motionless.

For the first time, his authority as Regent was being challenged.

He was shocked at first, then said with a sneer: “Are you seeking death?”

The second he spoke, he killed the nearby eunuch. Such insane behavior baffled the others even more.

No matter what, they really couldn’t allow a madman to lead them into war, ah.

But just as Li Jinshu called his secret guards to deal with them according to the principle of “those who obey me will prosper and those who disobey me will perish,” he felt a moon-white figure flash by his side.

Li Jinshu was startled, and when he turned around, he saw Liu Zhenqing standing atop the city wall. If he leaned back just a little, he would fall.

“What are you doing!” Li Jinshu was horrified.

“Naturally, I’m returning to my beloved,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Li Jinshu suddenly laughed: “Archers, on your mark!”

At his command, all bows and arrows pointed at Huo Fenglie.

“Liu Zhenqing, you were never this crazy before. Unless you can come back from the dead, even if you jump down and Huo Fenglie saves you in time, I can have my men shoot thousands of arrows and kill you both at such a short distance.”

Li Jinshu hadn’t had any concerns about bringing Liu Zhenqing up here with him. Unless he was crazy and intended to commit suicide here, it was impossible for him to do such a thing.

Li Jinshu asked himself if he had driven them to the point of committing suicide for love, and felt it was unbelievable. Such behavior made him laugh.

He believed that a person as intelligent as Liu Zhenqing wouldn’t make such a decision.

But Liu Zhenqing just gave him a slight smile. Li Jinshu watched Liu Zhenqing tilt backwards. His heart constricted and he rushed forward to pull him back, shouting: “You think I won’t kill you, but I’m telling you, if I can’t have you, nobody else can either!”

Liu Zhenqing laughed as he began to fall: “Li Jinshu, I know you won’t let me go, but if I can’t be with the one I love, then death doesn’t matter.”

These words fell into the ears of many.

Everyone watched in amazement as Liu Zhenqing jumped off the city gate. Li Jinshu appeared to be unable to react. Why was Liu Zhenqing always surprising him and exceeding all of his expectations? This feeling was really too terrible.

The sound of hooves followed, and a tall figure flew up to catch his lover mid-air, holding him in his arms.

Li Jinshu beheld this scene when he rushed to the wall. His heart was overflowing with fury, but he still struggled. He knew he must make a decision. Liu Zhenqing was about to be taken away. If he really left, he would never come back, and Li Jinshu would lose him completely. What should he do? He hesitated for a moment with a raised hand, but the moment he swung it down, it was proven that Li Jinshu was indeed someone who would destroy a thing if he couldn’t possess it.

But rather than all of the arrows firing, only a few managed to fly out toward the falling people. As everyone looked up, screams sounded from the city gate. With his rapid skills, Liu Qiao knocked down the archers above. Even though there were some who slipped through the net, he had the assistance of long-range arrows from an unknown source.

But none of this attracted Li Jinshu’s attention.

Because he was watching the arrows fly toward Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing, seemingly in a panic. One arrow whizzed by close to Huo Fenglie, but the moment he spun around while holding Liu Zhenqing, an arrow plunged fiercely into his back. According to the length of the arrow’s tail, it should have pierced through Liu Zhenqing as well. But because Huo Fenglie was shielding the other person so tightly in his arms, Li Jinshu was unable to see Liu Zhenqing’s injury.

There was no movement when the two people fell onto the horse. They appeared to be dead as Chen Jiangyue ran off with them.

Li Jinshu’s heart trembled. He wanted to go and grab that person, but was stopped by his subordinates, who proceeded to anxiously warn him.

Li Jinshu watched as, enraged by their general being shot, the Huo Family Army began a long-range attack on the Xiheng border city to the sound of claxons.

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Chapter 146 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 148