Two minutes before the doorbell rang, Pei Xi was still in serious discussion with He Chuzhou about how dinner would go, including what the appropriate eating process should be like.

“So we’ll pretend to be a couple, just like when Wu Qing came over last time?”

This was Pei Xi’s question.

“Theoretically, but in practice, it might be a little different. Wu Qing has a low IQ and is easy to fool, but that’s not the case for my mom. It’s easy for her to spot tricks when there are too many flaws.”

This was He Chuzhou’s answer.

It sounded very troublesome. Pei Xi was bewildered: “Then what should I do?”

He Chuzhou: “Just be natural, don’t be too deliberate. If you really don’t know what to do, you can imagine me as a former love interest of yours.”

Pei Xi: “I can’t imagine it.”

He Chuzhou: “Huh?”

Pei Xi: “I have never been in love.”

The corners of He Chuzhou’s eyes moved a bit when he heard this.

While nodding to express his awareness, his lips curved slightly.

They were very close to each other, and Pei Xi could clearly see his change of expression: “…..Is it funny?”

“No, ah, it’s not funny.”

He Chuzhou did his best to keep the corners of his mouth flat, but couldn’t hide the lilt in his voice: “I just thought it was a coincidence. I’ve also never been in love.”

He Chuzhou thought for a moment: “Then just keep it the same as usual. There’s no need to deliberately put on a show.”

The same as usual?

Pei Xi recalled the relationship the two of them had when he was in his right mind, and hesitated: “Are you sure this will work?”

“I’m sure, ah.” He Chuzhou said clearly and logically: “But it can’t be exactly the same. Um…..it needs to be changed a little bit.”

Pei Xi: “Changed how?”

He Chuzhou: “Don’t be too polite to me.”

Pei Xi: “ ? ”

He Chuzhou raised his eyebrows: “Think about it, who would say ‘thank you’ and ‘you’re welcome’ to his boyfriend? Aren’t they all supposed to be told to do things and ordered around like slaves?”

“So according to this way of thinking, the more natural you are, the less suspicious my mom will be.”

Treating her son like a slave in front of his mother……was this something a normal person would do?

Pei Xi’s expression was complicated: “Are you serious?”

He Chuzhou: “Yep.”

Pei Xi: “But I think—”

He was unable to finish his sentence due to the ringing of the doorbell.

It was accompanied by a series of chaotic knocks, which could be easily attributed to He Aiyue.

“They’re here. I’ll get the door.”

He Chuzhou gave Pei Xi an encouraging pat on the shoulder: “Don’t worry, you won’t go wrong as long as you do what I said. I’m optimistic about you.”

Pei Xi: “…..”

It was only a dozen steps from the living room to the door.

Pei Xi hadn’t decided whether or not to follow along and greet them, but He Chuzhou had already opened the door.

“Ge, ge! Ge?? Who are you, where is my brother? Is my Pei-ge here? Pei-ge, are you here? Your sister is coming—”

He Aiyue rushed inside, and Mrs. Chu immediately grabbed her by the collar and thrust her behind her back.

She wore a black coat with a light-hued woolen shawl, along with an expensive, long-treasured brooch. Her hair was also meticulously done and she stepped steadily in her high heels, lending her an air of elegance and refinement.

Upon entering, she paid little attention to her son and instead looked around the living room, quicking locking onto the young man standing beside the sofa.

Pei Xi was wearing a suit he hadn’t had time to change out of, with a white shirt that wrapped snugly around his tall, slim figure, highlighting his cold and noble temperament to the fullest. Coupled with his uniquely outstanding appearance, he was reserved and quiet. Even standing there and doing nothing, he made Chu Yuelan fall in love with him at first sight.

“Xiao Pei, you’re off work too?”

She softened her voice, and the smile that bloomed on her face was one that He Chuzhou, her biological son, had rarely seen: “Coming here so suddenly, Auntie hasn’t disturbed you, has she?”

Pei Xi had frozen in place the moment she appeared. His mind went blank. Upon hearing her question, he could only give a mechanically “No,” not knowing what to say next.

Chu Yuelan had applied ten layers of filters on him, and her eyes were filled with stars. He Aiyue, who stuck half her head through the door behind her, went stupid and was without words.

He Chuzhou was the only one to immediately notice his unnaturalness. He covered his lips and coughed deliberately, gesturing toward Chu Yuelan where she couldn’t see.

This was a hint that if he didn’t know what to say, he could call her Auntie first and throw the conversation back to her.

Pei Xi’s gaze fell on He Chuzhou. Recalling with difficult what he had just said, and facing the other’s encouraging eyes—

“Why are you winking at me? Why haven’t you gotten water for Auntie and Meimei?”

“……”

“……”

“……Huh?”

“Cough cough, um, Mom.”

He Chuzhou quickly took two steps forward and whispered: “Xinxin may be a little nervous meeting you for the first time. I’ll take him back to the bedroom to change his clothes, you guys sit down for a moment. Whatever you want to drink, it’s in the fridge.”

Without waiting for Chu Yuelan’s reply, he strode over at once to put an arm around Pei Xi’s shoulders, ushering him away from the scene with all due haste.

He Aiyue eagerly followed behind them until they vanished at the top of the stairs. Then she gave a ‘wow’ and cozied up to her mom, saying: “Such love, they still have to go back to their room and whisper~ Mom, how do you feel?”

“I feel splendid.”

Chu Yuelan clasped her hands together. She smiled with unparalleled brilliance, eyes shining with joy: “The energy he uses to order your brother around is very similar to your mom’s in the past. I’m very satisfied.”

As one scene went on in the living room, there was another one in the bedroom.

He Chuzhou closed the door and turned around to see Pei Xi standing there, still unresponsive. He bent down to look directly into the other’s eyes, then reached out to gently hook his chin and make his eyes focus on him.

“Didn’t you perform very well last time? What happened today, Classmate Pei? Is my mom that scary?”

As Pei Xi stared at him, his clogged brain gradually cleared. The blankness on his face receded and was replaced by great regret and frustration: “My apologies. I…..”

He didn’t know what to say.

This was completely different from what he had expected.

Meeting Chu Yuelan as He Chuzhou’s boyfriend and meeting Wu Qing felt completely different.

Only when Chu Yuelan appeared in the villa did he realize there was a matter that had been neglected.

This so-called dinner was actually meeting the parents.

He was meeting the parents as He Chuzhou’s boyfriend.

Meeting the parents.

Meeting the parents.

Meeting the parents.

Once it appeared, this realization lingered in his mind.

Although he clearly knew this was all fake, he still couldn’t control his embarrassment, and his brain short-circuited.

“Oh. I understand,” He Chuzhou suddenly said.

Pei Xi’s heart inexplicably tensed: “What do you understand?”

He Chuzhou evaluated: “Isn’t this called elder phobia? The way it manifests is that whenever you encounter an elder, you fear having your soul dominated.”

Pei Xi: “……”

Pei Xi: “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

He Chuzhou clicked his tongue, feeling quite sad: “If I had known you were afraid, I would have helped you escape…..”

“You can pretend to be sick and uncomfortable, or that you received a call and need to work overtime or something like that…..”

“No need,” Pei Xi cut in.

He Chuzhou: “It won’t be a short meal. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I was just unprepared. I’m much better now.”

After Pei Xi finished speaking, he thought of another thing and cast He Chuzhou an uneasy look: “Just now…..did I say the wrong thing? Did I make a bad impression on your mother?”

The corners of his mouth were clamped straight, the emotions in his eyes driven by anxiety. He seemed to really regard this as an important matter.

He Chuzhou saw this and sucked in a breath.

When he met him for the first time, he wished he could stay thousands of miles away from this person who was fighting him to death over a shopping mall project. 

Now, he saw him standing in front of him, surprisingly well-behaved and full of trust as he asked him anxiously if he hadn’t performed well enough in front of his mother.

Unfamiliar emotions surged through his chest. His heart felt like a puddle of sugar water, and every time it beat, it squeezed out tenderness to every part of his body.

It was killing him.

How the hell could he be so cute?

Why did he like him so much?

Why did it all stab his heart from the inside out!

The need to hold him reached its peak at this moment.

So he did just that.

His long arms wrapped around Pei Xi’s waist, and with a little force from his palms, he pulled him into a hug that required extreme restraint to remain in the range of comfort.

“That isn’t so, you performed very well. My mom’s eyes practically glowed when she looked at you.”

“You don’t need to worry about Aiyue. She saw you long ago and had already started to praise you in front of me when we weren’t familiar with one another.”

“It’s normal to be nervous when meeting an elder. I was also nervous during the New Year when my mom ordered me to stand at the door and greet all of the elders in the living room. Even more nervous than you are now.”

“If you really don’t know what to do, just leave it all to me. You don’t have to say or do anything, just nod and shake your head and I’ll take care of the rest.”

*

*

There was heavy traffic in the peak hours after the workday, and restaurants were full. Considering the issue with parking, He and Pei Xi didn’t take a vehicle alone, but instead rode in Mrs. Chu’s car.

“Don’t worry.” He Aiyue turned around and said from the passenger seat: “The restaurant Mom reserved is really close. Even if you guys don’t take a taxi on the way back, it’s only a half hour walk.”

He Chuzhou gave a perfunctory hum. From somewhere in the back seat, he took out a dolphin figurine and waved it in front of Pei Xi.

Pei Xi reached out and took it. He Chuzhou pushed something when he let go, and the dolphin issued the sound of waves as its body made stretching and swimming movements.

Pei Xi spread out his palm and let it swim.

He Chuzhou tilted his head and looked at him with a smile: “It’s funny. There was originally a shark, but it was unfortunately lost by someone who didn’t know how to take care of it.”

He Aiyue: “……”

She wanted to seek her mother as an impartial third party and saw that from time to time, Chu Yuelan glanced at the rearview mirror at the two big boys in matching couples clothing and smiled so hard that the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

He Aiyue: “……”

OK.

FINE.

She clicked into her circle of friends and posted angrily: 

[The person who gave me something to coax me doesn’t hesitate to step on me! Some people! You’ve acted the same way all your life! (Please note: this post is only for a certain person and not for others.)]

A minute later, a certain person replied to the post: 

[/Ruthless.jpg]

Chuyue Landing, a high-end restaurant with purely Chinese decorations.

There were dedicated personnel to guide them from the entrance through the lobby and patio garden, then along an arching path to a private room in the back courtyard.

Each private room had a name corresponding to each of the restaurant’s house-developed dishes, most of them using words taken from poetry. Their meanings were unclear, yet graceful.

When the menu was brought, He Chuzhou ignored He Aiyue’s eagerly-extended hand and handed it straight to Pei Xi.

“Xiao Pei, order whatever you want. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the names. There are pictures.”

Pei Xi declined: “No need. Auntie, you just pick something.”

Chu Yuelan elegantly clasped her hands when offered the menu, her eyes curving in a smile: “We’re family. There’s no need to be polite to Auntie.”

Pei Xi: “……”

He looked at the hot potato in front of him and silently turned to He Chuzhou for help.

The latter understood tacitly and took the menu from him in a natural movement: “Mom, don’t embarrass Xinxin. It’s his first time here and he hasn’t tasted anything yet. Why make him order?”

Chu Yuelan came to a sudden realization: “Oh, right. Apologies, ah, Xiao Pei. Auntie is so happy today that she didn’t consider this.”

Pei Xi was relieved that the problem was solved, and shook his head to indicate that it didn’t matter.

Chu Yuelan turned to He Chuzhou: “Don’t just focus on your own tastes. Order more of what Xiao Pei likes to eat.”

He Aiyue craned her neck: “Right, right, right. Don’t just prioritize your own tastes, order some of my favorites too.”

He Chuzhou tapped the menu: “Come take a look for yourself.”

“Aiya, okay!” He Aiyue grinned, raised her butt, and moved next to her brother to pick out food.

Chu Yuelan stared at Pei Xi. The more she looked at him, the more satisfied she became. The more she looked at him, the more she liked him. “I heard Chuzhou call you Xinxin. Is that your nickname?”

Pei Xi nodded in affirmation.

Chu Yuelan’s eyes were so straightforwardly enthusiastic as she gazed at him that Pei Xi didn’t know where to look.

Chu Yuelan: “Then is it okay for Auntie to call you Xinxin?”

Pei Xi  unconsciously raised his eyes.. His heart moved slightly.

It was strange. When this name came from Chu Yuelan’s mouth, it felt completely different from when He Chuzhou did it.

He couldn’t tell specifically why, which immediately put him at somewhat of a loss.

“It’s okay,” he replied stiffly.

He immediately heard Chu Yuelan use the newly-approved title as she addressed him in a friendly lilting tone: “Xinxin.”

It was like a box that had been sealed for a long time had opened, the dust blown away from its corners.

He was helpless against the way his breathing slowed, and curled his fingertips to test whether he still had control of his body.

Chu Yuelan asked him many questions while helping him pick out food.

She asked him if he was a local. Wancheng was humid and cold after autumn. Was he accustomed to covering himself with down or cotton quilts at home? Would he be bothered by the cold?

She asked him if work had been busy lately. He looked so thin. Did he forget to eat on time when he was busy?

She asked him what he liked to eat, sweet or salty, heavy or light, whether he liked soup, or coriander, onion, ginger, and garlic.

It was very everyday. Very trivial.

But Pei Xi wasn’t annoyed at all, and answered each of Chu Yuelan’s questions very earnestly.

Even the initial nervousness disappeared without him noticing, and his mood grew extremely relaxed.

Different from the calm, cool expression on his face, his eyes shone with a faint light that even he was unaware of.

He Chuzhou, who had been paying close attention to his condition and was ready to rescue him at any time: ?

Did this mean he wasn’t needed at all?

Facts proved that it was impossible for him to be completely unneeded.

After all, apart from one elder, there was still someone younger than him right at his side.

Before the meal was over, He Aiyue, who had been ordered to eat more and talk less while eating, finally couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Pei-ge, Pei-ge. It’s okay for me to call you Pei-ge, right? It feels too weird to call you Sister-in-law.”

“I heard from my cousin that you didn’t like my brother very much before. How did you get together after that, ah?”

“Is it because my brother has an unrequited love for you and shamelessly stalked you, and you were so annoyed that you couldn’t bear it, so you reluctantly agreed?”

“Can you tell me specifically what it’s like to be stalked? In return, I can write down your love story and give it to you!”

“Although for the sake of popularity, there may be some literary and artistic handling. A story needs to have ups and downs to be interesting.”

“Pei-ge, Pei-ge, what do you think about a car accident and amnesia? It’s dramatic and really popular!”

“……”

Pei Xi clenched his chopsticks and took a silent breath.

He Chuzhou wore a smile that wasn’t a smile: “You must want me to bring up the fact that you got 79 points on your midterm math test and didn’t dare go home, so you secretly went to Yun Ji’s house and got Auntie to sign off on it for you.”

Chu Yuelan: “ ? ? ? ”

He Aiyue: “ ? ? ? ? ? ? ”

He Aiyue: “Ahhhhhhhhhhh Boss He, how dare you ! ! ! ”

---

Chapter 43 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 45

Liu Zhenqing was somewhat bewildered. After all, Huo Fenglie had said that morning that he’d be very busy today and might not be able to return in the evening, so he told him to rest early and not wait up for him.

Why was he here now? And with such an odd expression.

Of course, Liu Zhenqing was unaware that Huo Fenglie had suddenly heard the news that the Empress Dowager and the Taifei had arrived at the Imperial Academy. He had originally thought that the two of them wouldn’t meet until the Longevity Festival, not expecting that it would happen ahead of schedule. 

He knew clearly that there was no longer anything between those two people, and intended to endure it, but was unable to. He barely remembered how he got here, and only knew that he had to see Liu Zhenqing as soon as possible.

But in the end, he was a step too late. They had still…..met.

Huo Fenglie stood ten meters away from them. The moment he came in, he found the two of them looking at each other in silence, with the Empress Dowager even crossing over boundaries.

Had they recognized each other?

At the thought of this possibility, Huo Fenglie felt like his brain was exploding.

Yao Hua also sobered up a bit due to Huo Fenglie’s intrusion. She and Liu Zhenqing were actually separated by a tea table, so her reaching out could also be interpreted as grabbing the teapot. There was nothing wrong with this move in the eyes of others, but Yao Hua was still momentarily embarrassed. After all, she had nearly lost her head and thought the person in front of her was Liu Zhenqing.

Yao Hua regained her composure: “What is it, Zhanyuan? Is there an urgent matter? This one is entertaining your future wife.”

Yao Hua spoke with a friendly smile, but it sounded very unpleasant to Huo Fenglie. He could only salute first to calm himself down.

Huo Fenglie’s restless look naturally caught Liu Zhenqing’s eye. He looked at Huo Fenglie in confusion and asked: “Have you come to see me?”

Huo Fenglie nodded silently, but the moment he raised his head, he saw the scene of the two of them sitting together. And in the end, he still couldn’t withstand the panic and uneasiness raging in his heart. Disregarding everything else, he rushed forward and grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s arm. With a red tint to his eyes, he hauled Liu Zhenqing up and went to leave.

Liu Zhenqing was astounded by such rude and impatient behavior. He felt that it was extremely rare, so he didn’t resist.

Yao Hua was somewhat astonished. She stood up and was about to say something, but due to her slight drunkenness, she seemed to have forgotten that the place she was sitting was some distance from the actual ground. She stepped directly into the air and fell forward.

Huo Fenglie focused all of his attention on Liu Zhenqing, completely ignoring the noble Empress Dowager beside him.

But Liu Zhenqing’s eyes still caught it, and he quickly stretched out his arms to stabilize her. Yao Hua placed her hands on Liu Zhenqing’s arms and stopped her downward trajectory. But due to this sudden movement, the jade pendant hidden beneath her robes swung forward.

The familiar jade willow leaf pendant stunned everyone present.

Liu Zhenqing regarded the jade pendant with astonishment. He’d never actually expected that Yao Hua would keep it, and was instantly ashamed and embarrassed.

And Huo Fenglie followed Liu Zhenqing’s gaze toward Yao Hua. When he saw the jade pendant, his entire body froze. It was as if all of the bones in his body had begun to shake.

Before Liu Zhenqing could react, he was abruptly pulled into Huo Fenglie’s arms and picked up somewhat roughly. They flew into the sky in the next second, bounding over peach blossom trees in another direction. 

The guards look on in a fluster. It wasn’t until Yao Hua waved them down that they returned to their original positions and continued to stand guard.

Yao Hua sat down in bemusement and continued to drink. Huo Fenglie’s expression just now reminded her of the scene when Liu Xiting had given her the jade pendant. Looking back on it now, the child seemed to have been jealous, Yao Huo thought with some interest. She put the jade pendant back again.

And at this time, Huo Fenglie had already brought Liu Zhenqing back to solid ground. Liu Qiao would usually stay away in such situations.

Thus, they were the only two in this area.

Huo Fenglie put Liu Zhenqing down in front of a peach tree. This particular tree was a bit strange, as if two of them had merged together.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t recognize anything different about this place, and only sent Huo Fenglie a look of confusion. It was the first time he had seen such an irritable look on him.

“Er-gou, you…..”

Huo Fenglie interrupted in a low voice: “You saw that jade pendant.”

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly for a moment, then became a little amused. This wasn’t the first time Huo Fenglie had drunk vinegar over a willow leaf pendant. The dignified general was unexpectedly so petty and jealous.

But so cute, ah.

Liu Zhenqing leaned against the peach tree slightly. His posture was casual, but paired with the background of peach blossoms, it possessed a sense of style.

“I saw it. Weren’t you right next to me when I gave it to her?”

“She still has it with her!” Huo Fenglie immediately lost control of his tone.

Startled, Liu Zhenqing was caught up in his memories.

Among those in the Imperial Academy, aside from Li Xingruo, Liu Zhenqing was the most familiar with Yao Hua. Although they didn’t spend time together often, they could still be considered friends.

Speaking of this, the first time the three of them became partners was when they teamed up to deal with the bullying incident. The woman who was being bullied, but still refused to admit defeat, was Yao Hua. It was likely after this when Yao Hua became extremely aware of Liu Zhenqing, and often brought him snacks to eat. She was dignified and elegant, but deep down, she was a good, curious and adventurous girl who had to be bound by rules.

Face with such a girl, Liu Zhenqing had opened his mouth and teased her like a little sister.

When she was young, Yao Hua would call him Xiting-gege.

Later on, Li Xingruo had probably told Yao Hua that marriage was not something the two of them were concerned about, and that the engagement would be broken off sooner or later. So Yao Hua didn’t have too many worries, and secretly expressed her feelings at the Peach Blossom Banquet.

Liu Zhenqing had drunk a lot of wine at the time, and was a little numb and overwhelmed in the face of this confession. But when the girl asked him if he liked her, Liu Zhenqing naturally divulged the truth that he had always regarded her as a sister.

He watched the girl cry like raindrops on peach blossoms. She was also a friend, so Liu Zhenqing could only take a jade pendant from his waist and give it to her as a gift. He used some pleasant words to coax her, which immediately made Yao Hua’s tears turn into laughter. At that time, he also discovered that Li Xingruo was peeking at them along with the two Huo brothers.

Yao Hua was somewhat shy. Li Xingruo hurriedly went to comfort her, while Liu Zhenqing had already begun teasing the very tense Er-gou.

His expression at that time was almost the same as now.

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing before him and couldn’t help but think that the Imperial Academy was so big. Liu Zhenqing had clearly been accompanying the twins, but how he had sought out the Empress Dowager. No matter how he thought about it, Huo Fenglie felt ridiculed.

He was like a despicable thief who took away a treasure that had originally belonged to someone else, and discovered that no matter whether he lived or died, he was unwilling to return it. He also feared that the treasure would run away and cease to belong to him.

“Qing-ge…..” Huo Fenglie’s face was tense as he looked directly at Liu Zhenqing and said: “Don’t forget that you asked me to marry you. You said you like me, and that you want to be with me forever.”

He seemed to be deliberately stressing this and warning him.

Such a reaction surprised Liu Zhenqing. 

No way, he was drinking vinegar to this extent. 

“Er-gou, she’s the Empress Dowager, ah!” Liu Zhenqing said with amusement. “What are you thinking? We were never together before.”

“You almost got together, didn’t you?!” Huo Fenglie retorted at once, his gaze so open that Liu Zhenqing thought there was something wrong with his memory.

But what Huo Fenglie said made sense.

When he and Li Xingruo broke off their engagement, many people had come to their manors to propose marriage. The Liu family and Yao Hua’s family could be regarded as friends, and both parties intended for their children to marry. At that time, his grandfather had asked him what he intended to do, but for Liu Zhenqing, the freedom to choose one’s spouse was more important, and he didn’t like arranged marriages. At that time, he felt that if he was destined to be with Yao Hua, the wedding could wait.

At that time, those close to them felt that they were a likely match. After all, they were already familiar with each other, and also very similar. It was a case of the woman chasing the man. Only, Liu Zhenqing dispensed with worldly conventions and was often running around, so they didn’t have many opportunities to spend time together.

Then Crown Prince Jingyang’s first wife, Yuan Jue’s biological mother, died of illness. The former emperor wanted Jingyang to remarry and selected Yao Hua, who was the most qualified to be empress amongst the unengaged noble girls, and she was named princess.

Anyone in the world would have no choice but to obey when faced with an imperial edict. Crown Prince Jingyang didn’t know that Yao Hua had such feelings for Liu Zhenqing. He deeply respected his newly-taken wife, and Yao Hua was a well-behaved, well-bred young lady. Although she was upset and broken-hearted, she concealed her love and sincerely became a good wife to the prince. 

Liu Zhenqing hadn’t had many thoughts about this as he drank the wedding wine.

Now that he gave it some thought, if Yao Hua hadn’t married His Highness the Crown Prince, based on their circumstances, they might very well have…..

His eyes took on a strange look as he pondered this.

Huo Fenglie kept his eyes firmly locked on Liu Zhenqing’s face. Seeing his slight change of expression, he felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.

He had always known that if Liu Zhenqing had not passed away, according to Yuan Jue’s vow, the person standing before Liu Zhenqing right now would not be him, but Yao Hua.

In fact, Huo Fenglie had always been very contradictory. He was unwilling to let go of Liu Zhenqing once he got him, but because he wished so much for this person to be happy, he had subconsciously given Liu Zhenqing an out. 

He was constantly worried that Liu Zhenqing would have regrets after returning to the capital and meeting Yao Hua. Thus, he used the excuse of not being married yet to put off fully possessing Liu Zhenqing, as if using his last trace of sanity to make it easier for himself to let go.

He hadn’t wanted the two people to meet so soon. Although he was afraid of losing Liu Zhenqing, he didn’t intend to actually prevent them from meeting for fear that if Liu Zhenqing wanted to see Yao Hua and he stopped him, he would make Liu Zhenqing upset. He couldn’t do it.

Yet he still overestimated himself, and regretted it upon hearing the news that they were about to meet. It was him who stood before Liu Zhenqing now, ah! Were they not engaged? Liu Zhenqing had slept in his arms the previous night, accepting his kisses and touches.

He shouldn’t feel that he could let go for the sake of Liu Zhenqing’s happiness. After all, it was Liu Zhenqing who had provoked him first and made him a promise. A promise that would be fulfilled. He should have taken possession of Liu Zhenqing long ago so that he would never have the desire to go out and see Yao Hua again.

With this in mind, Huo Fenglie’s expression changed completely. As if he’d lost control, he lowered his head and kissed him.

Liu Zhenqing was caught off guard. His eyes widened. He frowned in discomfort at the heavy force, but the impulsive and jealous Huo Fenglie was quite a boon for Liu Zhenqing.

Not yet realizing the seriousness of the problem, Liu Zhenqing felt this was just a different way to mess around and was a little excited.

But then, Liu Zhenqing was suddenly turned around and pressed against a tree without any gentleness. He was dumbfounded, his eyes blowing wide.

Liu Zhenqing was usually bold and wanton, but was still somewhat fearful at critical moments. Especially now, with Huo Fenglie acting so fierce and strange.

“Er…..Er-gou, I didn’t bring any ointment. Wh….what’s going on with you? Isn’t it bad to do it this way?”

Although Liu Zhenqing said so, Huo Fenglie didn’t stop, and he could only go along with it even though it seemed different than what Liu Zhenqing had expected for his first time. There was obviously something wrong with Huo Fenglie’s’ state of mind. If it hurt, then it hurt, but since the person behind him was in such a state, he wouldn’t make a big deal of it.

In order to relieve his inner uneasiness, Liu Zhenqing reached out a hand and pressed it on top of Huo Fenglie’s. Both hands happened to be adorned with their rings, and the moment those metal rings touched seemed to penetrate Huo Fenglie’s clouded mind.

At the critical moment, Huo Fenglie forcibly suppressed himself and shifted his attention.

The two closely entwined peach blossom trees trembled, petals falling with the wind.

Abnormal sounds came from a remote corner of the peach blossom grove without end.

It wasn’t until a long while later that a limp Liu Zhenqing was held in Huo Fenglie’s arms as they rested under the trees.

Liu Zhenqing’s cheeks blushed red as he turned his head to give Huo Fenglie a strange look. Unexpectedly, thunder had roared, but little rain fell. It had taken him so long to mentally prepare himself, but in the end, it was only his legs that hurt. But it was still…..ahem, satisfying. It could be considered a simulation of what was to come.

But why do this? What was he waiting for? In not taking the final step, was Huo Fenglie afraid he would be hurt? Then do some preparation work, ah!

At the sight of Liu Zhenqing trembling slightly in his arms and giving him a look of dissatisfaction, Huo Fenglie, who had gradually sobered up as he vented his anger, was instantly overwhelmed by guilt.

He had nearly forced Qing-ge. How could he do such a thing? What came after also wasn’t good, and he felt he had bullied the other party.

“Qing-ge, I’m sorry, I…..”

Hearing Huo Fenglie’s tone, Liu Zhenqing knew he had recovered. The heat on his face hadn’t gone away, and there was still a wet mist in his eyes. Even though he was all kinds of dissatisfied, he still asked patiently: “What’s wrong? You’re so jealous of me meeting the Empress Dowager. What’s going through your head? I told you before that I’ve given jade pendants to many people, but the wedding ring is for you alone.”

Seeing that Liu Zhenqing wasn’t angry, Huo Fenglie was even more upset. It was as if he’d lost all his strength. He shook his head, not daring to look at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing grasped Huo Fenglie’s fingers and slowly touched the wedding ring, saying: “We’re engaged, the marriage certificate has been written, Sister-in-Law has gone to propose our union, and the emperor will soon grant us our marriage. Is there anything that hasn’t been guaranteed? I know there were a lot of rumors of my past romantic affairs, but have some confidence in me, alright? You’re the only one I’ve been intimate with.”

Liu Zhenqing only felt that Huo Fenglie had drunk a lot more vinegar this time, and didn’t think too deeply about it. 

When Huo Fenglie heard this, he understood Liu Zhenqing’s resolve. After meeting Yao Hua, Liu Zhenqing still chose him.

In an instant, Huo Fenglie was elated and amazed, but also…..remorseful and guilty. When he was angry with Liu Zhenqing just now, he had wanted to attack him on the spot…..

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing, the emotion in his eyes nearly overflowing: “Qing-ge, I like you, I really like you. I’m sorry for losing my temper just now. I swear I’ll never do it again.”

Liu Zhenqing found this all very peculiar, but his recently satiated body made him a bit lazy. He reclined comfortably in Huo Fenglie’s arms and said: “Just now….it was pretty good, Er-gou. I didn’t expect you to be so good at it. Be honest, are you secretly reading little books behind my back?”

Huo Fenglie was currently in a state of agitation. When he was teased so shamelessly out of the blue, he could only stumble over his words: “No…..Qing-ge, don’t say such things.”

Liu Zhenqing said promptly: “You dare to do it, but you’re afraid to say it? Don’t say no, ah. I thought you’d finally decided to do me, but this is the result? I can’t say this wasn’t good, but you’re going to seriously make me doubt my charm.”

Regarding the situation just now, Huo Fenglie truly couldn’t hold his head up: “I was wrong, Qing-ge. I’ll wait…..until we get married.”

This time, Huo Fenglie didn’t subconsciously leave himself a way out. It was just that he felt terrible about this situation, and he must still give his future wife the respect he deserved.

Liu Zhenqing pouted, a little speechless, but was coaxed by a kiss from Huo Fenglie.

Thinking deeply, Liu Zhenqing feared leaving potential doubts in Huo Fenglie’s mind and just gave a simple explanation of the day’s events. He finally understood. Huo Fenglie had just found out that he was meeting with the Empress Dowager, so he left his official duties and hurried over. It seemed he really regarded Yao Hua as his love rival, perhaps because among his friends back then, she was the one closest to him.

“So, I didn’t come here specifically to see the Empress Dowager. It was Bai Su who was showing me around. I was casually taking a stroll and recalling interesting stories about your brother and Sister-in-law when I accidentally came to where the Empress Dowager was. I didn’t plan to go in, but when she heard that your future wife was here, she invited me inside. I suppose she wanted to help vet me for you. We had just spoken briefly when you arrived.” Liu Zhenqing spoke with a smile, his teasing expression lacking the slightest burden.

Although Huo Fenglie listened to this sourly – after all, in his opinion, the Empress Dowager was still Liu Zhenqing’s former sweetheart – he’d made a firm choice just now. Now that Qing-ge had explained it in such a way, what more could Huo Fenglie say? He could only hug this person tightly like a large dog: “En, I understand.”

Liu Zhenqing had no intention of speaking any more about Yao Hua. After all, she was still wearing the jade pendant, which was a bit embarrassing. He simply began to tease Huo Fenglie about some of the rumors he’d heard from Bai Su and interrogated him about whether each one had actually happened. 

Huo Fenglie blushed at these questions. All of them were stupid, childish things he had done before, and he was embarrassed to have them revealed before his beloved.

In the end, he had no choice but to block Liu Zhenqing’s voice until his bullying mouth softened and became well-behaved.

Liu Zhenqing said resentfully: “I’m familiar with this trick.”

Huo Fenglie couldn’t stop the curve of his lips.

Liu Zhenqing shifted his posture and continued to lean against him. He looked at the trees opposite that had been involved in the matter between them, and could only laugh: “I don’t know who planted them, but they deserve an apology.”

The peach blossom grove was so enormous because students had continued to plant trees here for generations.

Huo Fenglie was taken aback: “Have you forgotten?”

“Ah? Should I remember?” Liu Zhenqing couldn’t think of anything at the moment.

“This is where the three of you planted trees back then,” Huo Fenglie said.

Liu Zhenqing retorted at once: “Impossible. We planted three trees in the same spot back then, how can there only be two…..”

Liu Zhenqing paused for a moment and saw two trees to the far left. Although they were a little closer, they weren’t so close that their branches became entangled, much like when Li Xingruo and Huo Feihan planted trees and she deliberately placed hers close.

The trunks of the two trees they’d faced just now were practically touching, not to mention the entangled tree branches. From above, they were basically the same tree, but there was a gap in age and maturity between the two.

Liu Zhenqing quickly stood. His legs were still trembling slightly, and he was supported by Huo Fenglie as he walked forward. Rounding the trees, he found his name engraved on the trunk, with Huo Fenglie’s name on the younger tree next to it.

He looked at Huo Fenglie in astonishment.

Huo Fenglie reached out and touched Liu Zhenqing’s name on the tree trunk, saying: “I secretly planted it when I was studying here. Bai Su didn’t know about it.”

Seeing Huo Fenglie like this, Liu Zhenqing’s heart palpitated and he couldn’t help but reach out to touch Huo Fenglie’s name. He teased with a smile: “Such a schemer, ah. Did you have to touch everything that pertained to me?”

Huo Fenglie was given a jolt, and looked at Liu Zhenqing with some embarrassment, afraid that Liu Zhenqing would think that he…..had gone too far.

However, this was indeed what he had done.

He had not yet grown up, and couldn’t express his feelings, so he could only do this to relieve the ache of his secret love.

Liu Zhenqing suddenly skewed his gaze, recalling that Bai Su had said that Huo Fenglie often….. “Er-gou, ah, you used to come to the peach blossom forest alone at night. Was it just to sit beneath this peach tree?”

Huo Fenglie fidgeted a bit awkwardly: “En, I did. I just…..missed you.”

Having learned from the previous interrogation, Huo Fenglie admitted this honestly in order to prevent Liu Zhenqing from saying more embarrassing things.

But he still underestimated the degree of Liu Zhenqing’s wit.

“Then under the moonlight and peach blossoms, did you take advantage of the silence of night to secretly look at it and think about me, helping the peach tree grow, ah?

Huo Fenglie’s breath momentarily stagnated. He quickly grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s hand: “Qing-ge?”

“Answer honestly, did it ever happen? How many times?”

Huo Fenglie blushed with embarrassment. He embraced Liu Zhenqing and went to kiss him again, but Liu Zhenqing pulled a branch in front of him, his smile more charming than the peach blossoms as he raised an eyebrow and said: “If you don’t explain it clearly, you can’t kiss me.”

Huo Fenglie froze. In the end, he could only lower his head obediently and say: “I did…..”

“How many times?”

“I really…..really don’t remember.”

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but smile, and said teasingly: “No wonder my peach tree looks so different.”

Seeing that Huo Fenglie couldn’t take it any longer, Liu Zhenqing took away the peach blossom branch and approached gently, comforting him: “What are you ashamed of? Qing-ge is happy to hear that, and a little regretful. I had obviously come to the Peach Blossom Banquet when you were studying here, and you carried me back to the house. Why didn’t you know to bring me here and do something while I was drunk?”

“At that time, I drank so much that I almost passed out. You could have done whatever you wanted. Why were you so unenlightened?” As Liu Zhenqing said this, he couldn’t help being suspicious. “That’s not right, ah. You dared to take my first kiss at your brother and sister-in-law’s wedding banquet, so…..tell me honestly, did you secretly do something at the Peach Blossom Banquet?”

This time, Huo Fenglie shook his head: “You were so drunk that you hugged me like I was a pillow and fell asleep.”

Sounding rather regretful, Liu Zhenqing said: “You silly dog. Not only did you not take advantage, but you suddenly decided to go to the battlefield. What was going through your head?”

Huo Fenglie just looked at him with affection and kissed him softly, his love and adoration undisguised.

He hadn’t told the truth.

When he’d carried Liu Zhenqing back to the room to sleep, he had genuinely just wanted to quietly be with his sweetheart.

But that night, Liu Zhenqing had hugged him and said that he was afraid. He talked a lot, never worried that it would leak to outsiders.

Huo Fenglie only felt a deep helplessness. He loved Qing-ge and just wanted to get rid of all of Qing-ge’s worries, so he could only leave temporarily to grow up, and then return to Qing-ge when he had become stronger.

But he was still a step too late. Fortunately, the heavens gave him a chance to make amends, and Qing-ge was still by his side.

. . . . . . .

And Liu Qiao, who wasn’t needed to guard Liu Zhenqing at this time, discovered an acquaintance. He felt like something was off when he laid eyes on Prime Minister Jiang, so he continued to follow him until the man snuck into the courtyard where the Empress Dowager and the Taifei were resting.

---

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Chapter 129 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 131

[Don’t be so clingy.]

[Stay away from He Chuzhou and stop causing trouble for him.]

Don’t be so clingy…..

Stay away from him…..

Stop causing trouble for him…..

He Chuzhou was stunned.

He Chuzhou was dumbfounded.

He Chuzhou directly cracked in two!

What was this?

What the hell was this?

He stared at the note, unable to calm down for a long while.

Had he just used the most direct, crude method to make clear to himself that he wasn’t being polite enough?

Did he distrust He Chuzhou to this extent?

What was with this warning tone from a third-party perspective?

But these were not the most important things.

The most important thing was: how would he coax this person well now? ? ? 

He Chuzhou’s mood was more than complicated as he faced Pei-calico’s broken gaze. It was as if a level 10 tornado had passed through, clearing his head.

“It’s really not like that. How could it be possible?”

He didn’t know how many times he repeated his feeble explanation: “I go to the study when I work every day, and when I’m done with work, I go to the kitchen. How could a man who’s so faithful to the role of a husband cheat? How could there be a mistress?”

“I’ll bet my head to guarantee that everything I’m saying is true. If I’m telling a lie, you can go ahead and stab me.”

“Besides, there’s only been a dog in the house recently. No one else has been here except for us.”

His words were frazzled, and Pei Xi finally deigned to open his mouth slightly: “If there hasn’t been a third person here, then where did this note come from and why is it under my pillow?”

He Chuzhou: “I also don’t—”

Pei Xi: “Could it be that you put it there?”

He Chuzhou: “……?”

Pei Xi was almost in tears: “Did you use the tone of a third party because you’re annoyed and want me to stay away from you?”

He Chuzhou: “? ? ? ”

No!

Why on earth was this frying pan being flung at him?

“Wait, Xinxin, listen to me first.”

He took a deep breath and lifted his hand, raising three fingers: “First of all, there is no mistress or cheating. I swear that I’m absolutely loyal to you.”

“Secondly, while remaining calm and rational, can we use our inquisitive spirits a bit? For example, if you take a closer look, doesn’t the handwriting on this note look familiar?”

Pei Xi followed his guiding words and focused his eyes on the crumpled note once more.

Just now, he had glanced at the content and gone right to the frying pan. Now that he looked closer, he realized that the handwriting really did seem familiar.

The upright and elegant script, neat and beautiful segments, coupled with practiced folds and hooks…..it could be conservatively estimated that it was 80, 90, 100 percent…..a match to his own handwriting.

He looked up blankly: “I wrote this?”

He Chuzhou breathed a sigh of relief and gave a firm nod.

The sadness in Pei Xi’s heart vanished like a popped bubble. The redness of his eyes hadn’t yet faded, and his gaze revealed only confusion.

“But why would I write this?” he wondered.

He Chuzhou attempted to deceive him by downplaying it: “I don’t know, maybe it was just a note you wrote down while watching a TV series?”

Pei Xi shook his head: “I don’t have the habit of writing notes while watching TV. It’s even less likely that I would write your name.”

He Chuzhou: “Maybe you practiced writing it for fun —”

“I didn’t.”

This time, Pei Xi simply interrupted He Chuzhou before he could finish speaking: “When I practice my writing, I copy economic principles.”

“……” He Chuzhou was speechless.

“I wouldn’t write something like this for no reason. If I wrote it, something must have happened.”

Pei Xi thought for a couple of seconds, then raised his head: “Chuzhou, did you do something wrong again?”

He Chuzhou: “ ? ”

Pei Xi analyzed seriously: “Did you say I’m too clingy? Or did you blame me for causing too much trouble for you?”

He Chuzhou: “ ? ? ? ”

He Chuzhou: “Honorable lord, I didn’t, ah.”

Why on earth had the pot spun twice in midair and landed on his head?

And why had Pei Xi said ‘again’?

Pei Xi: “Are you taking advantage of my poor memory to avoid admitting it?”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou: “……….”

Pei-calico truly had the potential to become an underworld judge. He Chuzhou would definitely be the first victim of injustice at his hands.

“I’m not coaxing you or lying to you.”

He Chuzhou was worn out: “I really never said those things. You don’t know, but I wish I could tie you up and carry you with me everywhere. How could I find you troublesome?”

Pei Xi was suspicious: “Really?”

He Chuzhou: “It couldn’t be more true.”

Pei Xi gave a thoughtful nod, his gaze remaining on He Chuzhou for a moment. Then, without saying anything else, he put the note away in his pocket and went out to have breakfast.

He Chuzhou let out a long breath. He stood up, tiredly wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead.

Was it over?

But soon, reality told him that not only was it not over, it was only the beginning.

He walked into the kitchen and sat down opposite Pei Xi.

Just as he was about to ask if the milk was cold, the latter picked up his breakfast and calmly moved two seats down, then continued to eat in a dignified manner.

He Chuzhou: “? ? ? ”

He Chuzhou: “Why?”

Pei Xi, prim and proper: “I’m keeping an appropriate distance so that you won’t be crowded.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

It wasn’t over.

After breakfast, He Chuzhou went to work in the study.

Pei-calico usually would have set up a tablet next to him and started to read. And if he wasn’t reading, he was guaranteed to take He Xingxing for a walk every hour.

But after three hours today, he hadn’t seen the dog, much less a human figure.

He clearly heard footsteps going from the living room to the bedroom several times outside the door.

He couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t sit still.

He poured over half a cup of coffee into the pothos plant on the windowsill. Pretending to go out with an empty cup, he found Pei Xi sitting on the couch and watching a movie.

Laying on the carpet in front of the couch was He Xinxing. His eyes opened when he heard movement and he stood up, then ran over enthusiastically to rub against his old father, who he hadn’t seen all morning.

In contrast, Pei Xi just raised his eyelids and gave him a mild look, then lowered his head and continued to watch the movie. He ignored him, and had no plans to move to another location.

He Chuzhou grinded his back teeth and slowly brewed a cup of coffee. He coughed lightly in the white steam and said, seemingly casual: “Xinxin, do you want to go read in the study?”

“No.”

Pei Xi watched a silly part and dragged the progress bar back a little: “You’re working hard. My movie is a bit noisy, so I won’t go in and disturb you.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

At lunch, Pei Xi still sat two seats away from him, back straight as he ate in graceful silence.

He Chuzhou’s fingertips made a pattering sound on the tabletop. He wanted to say something, but couldn’t find an excuse. The meal was tasteless.

In the afternoon, he simply didn’t go to the study. He switched to working on his laptop, and moved himself and the computer into the living room.

Pei Xi saw him out of the corner of his eye and looked up.

He Chuzhou sat on the armchair closest to him. He put the computer on his knees and said calmly: “The study was a bit stuffy.”

Pei Xi nodded in understanding, then took his tablet back to the bedroom.

He Chuzhou: “……”

He had never had such a frustrating day in his life!

Pei-calico had stopped hugging him and talking to him. He automatically avoided him when he tried to get closer, and even kept a distance of two meters from him when walking the dog in the evening.

The inexplicable stalemate lasted until nighttime, and He Chuzhou couldn’t endure it anymore. When Pei Xi finished bathing and was about to head back to the guest room, he simply picked him up and thrust him into bed: “Little ancestor, can you please stop making trouble?”

Pei Xi blinked, saying innocently: “Chuzhou, I’m not making trouble.”

He Chuzhou was expressionless: “You’ve been giving me the silent treatment all day!”

Pei Xi: “I’m just keeping a proper distance so as not to bother you.”

He Chuzhou laughed angrily at him: “And what is the proper distance? Are we strangers? Did we just meet yesterday?”

Pei Xi: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

He Chuzhou: “How can keeping such a distance increase fondness? It just makes things worse!”

Pei Xi lay on his back in bed. Seeing that the person before him was on the verge of exasperation, yet still lowered his voice and was unwilling to be cruel to him, he finally couldn’t hold out any longer. A smile flashed across his eyes.

“Chuzhou, look.” He lifted his arms and placed them around the other’s neck, saying in a slightly raised tone, “It’s you who can’t live without me.”

It all suddenly became clear to He Chuzhou. He said in disbelief: “You did this on purpose?”

Pei Xi’s gaze went sly. He smiled, saying nothing.

He Chuzhou’s face changed several times, from green to red and then to green again. In the end, he breathed a sigh of relief and buried his head heavily next to Pei Xi’s.

The ear pressed to his felt slightly cold. Pei Xi couldn’t see his face, so he raised a hand and poked his back: “Gege, are you angry?”

“How could I dare? I’m just grateful you’re not angry with me.”

He Chuzhou’s voice dragged out longer than usual. He was silent for a moment, then said in frustration: “I never thought you were troublesome. Not in the beginning, and certainly not now.”

Pei-calico was absolutely correct. It turned out that He Chuzhou was the clingy one, as well as the one who couldn’t live without the other.

He had been restless all day, and it was only now that he had this person in his arms that his whole body thawed and warmed from the inside out.

“I know, ah.” Pei Xi nuzzled against his head, and his tone was very similar to when he called He Xingxing a good boy: “I know everything.”

He Chuzhou hummed: “You know, yet you still tested me all day long.”

Pei Xi: “Who says I was testing you?”

He Chuzhou: “What was it if not a test?”

Pei Xi: “Just a small punishment.”

“……?” He Chuzhou immediately raised his head with a hiss: “Wait a minute, punishment?”

Pei Xi: “Chuzhou, I wouldn’t write a note like that for no reason. Even if I don’t know why, I do know myself.”

He Chuzhou’s teeth ached: “So you still don’t believe me?”

“I believe you, ah, of course I believe you.”

The corners of Pei Xi’s slightly downturned eyes curved beautifully: “So you must not have made it clear, or didn’t express yourself clearly and caused me to misunderstand. Not only did you make me misunderstand, but you didn’t find out in time after the misunderstanding and give me an explanation.”

He Chuzhou stared somewhat blankly. It was unknown if he had thought of something, but he surprisingly didn’t deny what Pei Xi said. 

“Of course, I was also wrong. I didn’t ask for an explanation right away, and just dwelled on it alone.”

Pei Xi said with some puzzlement: “Although I don’t understand why it’s so difficult to remember.”

He didn’t understand, but He Chuzhou did.

Because in Pei-calico’s eyes, they were the closest and most loved people to each other. They had no need for reservations. No need to guess about each other.

But it wasn’t so for Pei Xi.

In Pei Xi’s eyes, they didn’t have a close relationship. Pei Xi had felt he was troubling him from the moment he moved in, so he was extra sensitive and doubtful.

Pei Xi: “So you can punish me too and ignore me all day tomorrow. I’ll accept the punishment willingly.”

He Chuzhou’s mouth twitched: “……Seriously?”

Pei Xi’s face was grabbed halfway through his nod.

He Chuzhou scoffed: “Come on, is that punishing you or me? I’m not stupid.”

Pei Xi blinked. He couldn’t help but laugh as he pulled up the blanket to cover them both, finding his favorite position in the other’s arms: “Then forget it. Let’s go to sleep.”

He Chuzhou helped tuck the blanket behind his back.

Pei Xi hooked his collar with his fingertips: “Will you dream of me tonight?”

He Chuzhou thought for a moment: “Probably?”

Pei Xi: “Then you can confess your love for me a hundred times in your dreams.”

He Chuzhou: “Okay. I’ll confess one hundred and one times.”

*

*

The next morning, Pei Xi was the first one to open his eyes.

As soon as he moved an arm, he was unconsciously patted on the back by the person sleeping beside his pillow, who mumbled in a sleepy voice: “I like you the most. Be good, sleep a little longer.”

“……”

He froze at once, not daring to move.

After waiting like this for a long while, he made sure He Chuzhou wasn’t awake and slowly moved away from his arms. He didn’t dare step over him, so he could only get out by moving to the foot of the bed.

When he went to the bathroom and looked up, he saw that his face in the mirror was red almost to the root of his neck.

“……”

He had no choice but to turn the faucet on low and repeatedly splash cold water on his face to reduce the heat.

This was all because of his lack of consideration.

Not only had he failed to achieve his goal, he had also acted like that toward He Chuzhou…..

He’d never thought that “he” would implement the content of the note like that.

Placing his hands on the edge of the sink, he lowered his head and closed his eyes, letting the water on his face slowly drip to collect at his chin.

Scenes from the previous day flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern, and he covered his eyes. He really couldn’t tell what he was feeling at the moment. It was all complicated and chaotic.

He remained in the bathroom for a long time, and it wasn’t until the heat on his face completely subsided that he wiped away the water and opened the door.

Unexpectedly, he found He Chuzhou leaning against the door frame, scrolling through his phone as he waited.

The latter raised his eyes when he heard the door open. Their eyes met. Pei Xi automatically paused, and his eyes darted away in unease. “I’m done, go ahead.”

He Chuzhou put away his phone with a hum.

Pei Xi looked steadily forward, and was about to pass him when he was stopped after only two steps: “Pei Xi.”

He stopped. Looking back, he saw that He Chuzhou was still leaning against the door frame. Perhaps because he had just been asleep, his eyes looked particularly lazy and gentle.

“I told my mom I was being troubled only as an excuse to her. Otherwise, she would have called back and tortured me for three days and three nights.”

He Chuzhou saw that Pei Xi was stumped for words. He didn’t move from his place, but continued to explain: “I had probably two or three difficult matters to deal with yesterday. The first was that my aunt told me not to give Yun Ji a raise, the second was a poorly-written project proposal from an intern, and as for the third matter, I was worrying about how to get you to agree to come home with me to celebrate the New Year.”

Pei Xi tried his best to control his expression, but upon hearing He Chuzhou’s last sentence, he couldn’t help the slight widening of his eyes: “Go back with you…..for the New Year?”

“Yes, ah.” He Chuzhou said very matter-of-factly: “There are a lot of people in my family, including many little didis and meimeis. My hometown is really lively during the New Year, and I want to take you to see it.”

“My expression might have been too serious as I was thinking about these things and caused you to misunderstand something, so I wanted to explain it to you.” 

“I said before that I’ve never thought you were too clingy after losing your memory, nor that you’ve caused me any trouble. This isn’t just me being polite to you. On the contrary, you haven’t recovered yet, and I can only feel at ease when I can see you.”

“If I make you uncomfortable in any way, tell me directly. After all, apart from being roommates, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call us friends, would it?”

He smiled, his whole person appearing warmer than the sunlight shining through the windows: “Will you think about the New Year? My hometown is really fun. There’s a lantern festival and fireworks, and I can take you on a canopy boat ride.”

The room became quiet after these words.

Pei Xi stood there for a long time without speaking.

He Chuzhou didn’t expect him to agree right away, but his dazed expression made his hands itch.

Unable to resist, he raised his hand and gently rubbed the top of the other’s head, not too hard, just like he did every time to Pei-calico: “Don’t you have to go to the company today? Hurry and get dressed, I’ll take you there in a moment.”

Having said this, he turned and went into the bathroom, looking into the mirror with a sleepy yawn.

It was no joke. He had really dreamed of Pei-calico last night.

That person wearing a school uniform and sitting in a classroom had enchanted him to such an extent that he’d confessed to him one hundred and one times on the spot.

With the bathroom door shut, he didn’t see He Xingxing run in to join the fun.

Of course, he also didn’t see Pei Xi, who had just cooled down, turn red to the tips of his ears like a boiled shrimp.

*

*

“Rewrite everything I marked. There are also new project inspections to keep up with, regular quality inspections, and all substandard materials must be replaced.”

Pei Xi handed over a stack of documents, and Xiao Gu greeted him as he stepped forward to take them. He wore a wan expression, and didn’t look as energetic as before.

Pei Xi scanned his face: “Ask for leave if you don’t feel well. There’s no need to force yourself.”

Xiao Gu nodded: “Thank you for your concern, President Pei, but I’m in good health and don’t feel ill.”

The reception girl happened to hear this as she entered to hand over the visitor list. She covered her mouth and snickered, saying to Pei Xi: “President Pei, there’s something you don’t know. Xiao Gu just bravely confessed to by one of his good brothers, and he’s upset!”

Xiao Gu knew that Pei Xi didn’t like to chat at work, and was even less interested in this sort of thing. Fearing he would get angry, he quickly explained: “It’s a small matter, just a small matter. I’ll take care of it as soon as possible and it won’t affect my work.”

Pei Xi: “What’s troubling you? Do you not know whether to accept or reject him?”

Xiao Gu: “…..ah?”

Xiao Gu hadn’t expected Pei Xi to actually respond to the topic. He was stunned to the point of stuttering: “I-I didn’t consider accepting. I don’t like him, and being confessed to by someone I don’t like is quite troublesome.”

Pei Xi frowned: “You find it troublesome to be confessed to?”

“The point is definitely not the confession, ah.”

The girl said with a smile: “The point is that he was confessed to by someone he doesn’t like. If it was someone he actually liked, he would be happy beyond measure.”

Pei Xi seemed to think of something upon hearing this. His eyes flickered indistinctly, and he didn’t continue the conversation.

Xiao Gu was cautious: “Does President Pei have anything else for me?”

Pei Xi: “No. Go attend to your work.”

“Okay.”

Xiao Gu let out a breath as he exited the office. Thinking about it, it still felt unreal: “President Pei actually cares about my personal affairs?”

“You take President Pei too seriously.”

The reception girl followed him out: “President Pei has always had a good temperament, hasn’t he?”

Xiao Gu: “Really?”

The girl: “Of course.”

She was so confident that Xiao Gu doubted himself.

Why did he feel that President Pei was a little unpredictable?

*

Inside the office.

Pei Xi pressed the tip of his pen to paper, thinking absent-mindedly. Suddenly, several consecutive message notifications interrupted his thoughts.

He unlocked his phone and clicked in:

Chuzhou: [Bad news, my mom and sister are coming to have dinner with us later.]

Chuzhou: [Old rabbit lighting a cigarette.jpg]

Chuzhou: [I suggest you send me a message that you’re working overtime tonight. I’ll take a screenshot and show it to them, which will help you escape.]

Pei Xi: [Then what will you do?]

Chuzhou: [What else? I’ll handle them myself]

Chuzhou: [Don’t worry. At most, I’ll be blamed by my mom and mocked by my sister. It’s just one night of being pestered by the two of them, so it’s not a big problem.]

Chuzhou: [Send it, just say “I don’t have time, I’m working overtime tonight.” I’ll send them the screenshot now.]

Pei Xi: [……]

Pei Xi: [No need, I’ll be back early in the afternoon.]

---

Chapter 42 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 44

Shen Congfeng drove these two people away before Pei Xi’s uncle arrived. The trip took four hours one way, and the old man feared that if they arrived in Wancheng too late, their work would be delayed the next day.

It was a pity that in the end, He Chuzhou wasn’t able to discover what Pei Zhen’s problem was.

Whether it was epilepsy or intermittent insanity, even if the symptoms were mild, he was still seriously ill, and Pei Xi had endured hardship due to his unreasonable behavior.

Once Shen Congfeng knew that he wasn’t aware of everything, he kept silent.

“I shouldn’t talk too much. You two are the closest people in the world to each other now. What you want to know is something that should be told to you by Xinxin personally. This old man can’t get involved.”

These were the old man’s exact words. He Chuzhou had expressed his understanding.

But he had no intention of taking the initiative to ask Pei Xi.

Every time a not-so-good memory was mentioned, it was tantamount to ripping open an already healed wound again.

It was better to leave them in a corner to gather dust until they were completely forgotten. Even if they were accidentally mentioned again one day, they would be rusted, smoothed-over needlepoints and blunted blades.

Perhaps Pei Xi would be willing to tell him one day in the future. He didn’t know if this day would come, nor how soon. The only thing he was certain of was that it would not be today.

From entering the expressway to exiting it, Pei Xi was silent. He just leaned back in his seat tiredly and turned his head to face the window.

His appearance was reflected in the passenger window, eyes lowered and desolate, watching as the gray sky was swallowed up by night and gradually turned black.

He Chuzhou didn’t bother him. He turned the music on very low. Relaxing, simple music spread through the air, better than nothing for soothing a person’s heart.

Late at night, as they entered the most prosperous area of Wancheng through the surrounding city, the long queues of vehicle tail lights and gorgeous neon lights on both sides made the scene feel lively for a brief time. 

Very soon, as the vehicle drove through the downtown area, the excitement gradually faded away and was left behind.

He Chuzhou didn’t choose a crowded restaurant, but parked the vehicle outside a private one.

The number of people coming and going were so few that they could be ignored. Ginkgo trees were planted on each side of the road, their ninety percent yellow leaves rustling in the night breeze.

He pulled the hand brake and turned off the engine and put the keys in his pocket, then looked up to find that the person in the passenger seat was still in a daze. After some thought, he gently tapped the center of the steering wheel with a force that shouldn’t startle anyone.

The two taps were very clear in the silent vehicle. The person in the passenger turned toward him in reaction.

The street light behind him couldn’t enter his eyes, leaving just a thin, fragile layer of light Pei Xi’s side profile, very similar to the look in his eyes at this moment.

“Are you still worried?”

He Chuzhou’s voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of scaring him, but it was also very relaxed as he tried to infect the other person with his mood: “Would you like to call and ask about him again?”

Pei Xi shook his head.

After a few seconds, he murmured in a raw, hoarse voice: “I know Grandpa is fine. I just, just have some lingering fear.”

There was no upper limit to the influence that a loved one could have on a person. When one’s mental strength was weak, they couldn’t bear even the slightest disturbance.

“I can’t help but think, what if something happens to Grandpa? What if something happens and he isn’t taken to the hospital in time?” 

“When we rushed over here, I actually thought about the worst possible outcome so many times. But I really can’t imagine what life would be like without Grandpa.”

The emotions implanted in his brain were accompanied by thorny trees that survived tenaciously in the desert. Perhaps it was a small, inconspicuous bush on the surface, but nobody knew what twisted, intricate things were buried beneath the sand.

“Maybe nothing will change. The sun will rise and set as usual, I’ll go on with life as usual, eat and sleep as usual, and continue my days as usual.”

“But it feels like something has been broken, run over and crushed to powder, blown away by the wind, and will never come back.”

A vehicle passed by on the road. The headlights penetrated the windshield and swept across Pei Xi’s face, illuminating his unconsciously teary eyes.

“Chuzhou, I have many blood relatives on my father’s side and my mother’s side. Those I know and those I don’t know add up to a lot.”

“But I know that other than Grandpa, none of them love me.”

He looked at He Chuzhou through the dark night, not actually expecting to receive any comfort. It was just that the impulse had crept into his throat, and it felt more comfortable to say it out loud.

But now that he had spoken, it didn’t seem to be much better. His heart was still empty, and he didn’t know what to fill it with.

He Chuzhou looked at his dim eyes, then opened the car door and got out quietly under that gaze.

Pei Xi was startled, and watched blankly as He Chuzhou walked around the front of the car to the passenger side and opened the door, thinking he wanted him to get out faster.

Just as he was about to move, his field of vision suddenly dimmed. While still seated inside the car, he was hugged forcefully as the other person leaned over.

It was a very brief hug.

Before he could even feel the warmth of the person enveloping him, He Chuzhou lifted him out of the vehicle like a child and placed him firmly on the ground.

“Pei Xinxin, are you trying to anger me to death?”

He Chuzhou ruffled his hair as if to vent his anger, and even more like there was nothing he could do about him: “I’m such a big person standing right here. Are you treating me like a human being?”

“…..Ah?”

Pei Xi was confused by this series of actions, and it took him a moment to remember to explain: “That’s not—”

He Chuzhou interrupted him: “That isn’t what you mean?”

Pei Xi paused, then nodded blankly.

He Chuzhou asked again: “I don’t count as your relative?”

Pei Xi started to subconsciously nod, but paused midway.

If they were married…..did he count as a relative?

He didn’t know how to define this.

But it didn’t matter.

He didn’t know how to define it, but He Chuzhou was happy to do so: “Relationships between people in this world are very complicated. Many times, relatives are more unfamiliar than strangers, and strangers are closer than relatives.”

“A blood relationship is a bond, not a constraint, and this certainly doesn’t mean that only those related by blood can be called relatives. How can you, with such an intelligent mind, be constrained by this point of view?”

“Emotional ties are much more important than blood ties. Relatives shouldn’t weaken your will. They should encourage you and be your spiritual support, understand?”

Pei Xi nodded slowly.

But gradually, as his breathing became slightly disordered, he felt blooming flowers sprouting from his chest: “So, you and me, we can…..be considered relatives?”

“Of course. If I’m not a relative, then who is?”

When He Chuzhou saw his eyes finally brighten again, his lips curved. He helped push back the hair sticking up on Pei Xi’s head, leaning down to look at him.

“I know you only have one grandpa. You love him very much and want him to be well forever.”

“But I only have you as my wife. I also want you to be well, to have no worries and always be happy.”

“So, Pei Xinxin, be happy.”

“This is my wish, and your grandpa’s wish too.”

*

*

He Xingxing, who had been satisfied with going out early in the morning, shook his head and ran into the house. As soon as his father untied the leash, he fell to the floor belly-up and happily begged for pets.

But his father didn’t have time to pet him. He was busy in the kitchen, making breakfast.

He had no choice but to roll back and lie on the floor, sticking out his tongue. After staring at the living room for a while, he stood up with a bored swish of his tail and ran toward the bedroom.

His furry head arched through the crack in the door. He first put his two front paws on the bed, and when he found nobody there, his eyes began to wander around. Finally, they stopped at the cabinet on the right side of the floor-to-ceiling window.

He Chuzhou had brought back so many gifts of different shapes and sizes. Pei-calico hadn’t had time to put them away the day before, so he temporarily put them all in the cabinet and planned to sort them into categories when he had time.

Pei Xi was standing in front of that cabinet, looking at the pile of gifts. His long, thick eyelashes could conceal the emotions in his eyes, but they couldn’t cover the upward curve of his mouth.

Something knocked lightly against his ankle, and he glanced to the side. He Xinxing was at his feet, staring at him and wagging his tail with enthusiasm.

Pei Xi’s eyes curved, and he knelt down to rub the dog’s ears. He Xinxin’s eyes narrowed in pleasure, and he scratched his chin with his fingertips.

“Puppy.”

“Having known each other this long, you and I have an emotional bond, right?”

The puppy didn’t understand.

The puppy could only wag his tail happily.

Pei Xi didn’t care. He only helped straighten the dog’s crooked collar.

The aroma from the kitchen came through the crack in the door, and he smelled the scent of bone broth noodles. He patted the dog’s head, stood up, and walked toward the door.

The closer he got to the kitchen, the stronger the aroma grew.

Likewise, the movement inside could be heard more clearly.

“Yes, yes, yes, we’ve talked about it.”

“I think so too, ah, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I really can’t leave. Work is too busy and he’s too clingy. It’s quite troublesome.”

Pei Xi’s footsteps immediately paused.

As he looked at the back of the person in the kitchen, the smile in his eyes gradually faded.

He Chuzhou was completely unaware of this.

He was very busy. Firstly, preparing breakfast, and secondly, dealing with Mrs. Chu’s interrogation of him early in the morning.

The difficulty lay in how hard Mrs. Chu was to deal with: “Why are you pretending not to know? You’re still a troublemaker, laughing so happily. Your behavior is as bad as your father’s.”

“I gave you time to buffer yesterday. You must explain everything today, or you will suffer the consequences.”

“I’m giving you a friendly warning.”

He Aiyue’s smiling voice suddenly sounded: “Actually, Mom was called to play cards with the sisters yesterday. But it seems there’s no card games today. She’s very free, so she can deal with you slowly.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

Chu Yuelan said, light as air: “Go to school. If you say another word, don’t expect any pocket money this week.”

He Aiyue put her small school bag on her back and rushed off.

There was so much to handle that He Chuzhou didn’t know what to do. In desperation, he promised repeatedly that he would explain everything later, and was finally successful in hanging up the call with Mrs. Chu.

The noodles were pretty much done, so he took them out of the pot. He turned around, bowl in hand, and saw Pei Xi standing nearby.

“What a coincidence, they just came out.”

He Chuzhou put the noodles on the dining table and took a tissue to wipe his hands: “Come see how they taste. If they’re missing anything, I’ll add it for you.”

Pei Xi walked over and sat down in silence.

He Chuzhou handed him some chopsticks. He had originally wanted his feedback, but unexpectedly received an apology: “Am I causing you trouble?”

He Chuzhou thought he was talking about breakfast, and raised his eyebrows: “What trouble? It’s just a matter of cooking one more serving.”

Pei Xi: “That’s not what I’m saying.”

He Chuzhou was at a momentary loss, but his mind was fortunately quick enough to react: “What are you saying?”

Pei Xi said nothing, but He Chuzhou already knew the answer.

“Well, I had planned to tell you later.” He Chuzhou said helplessly: “Some difficult things did happen yesterday. You should mentally prepare yourself.”

“My parents saw you on a video call and know that you’re in my house. The misunderstanding is quite…..fantastical. I was just explaining it to my mom.”

“And your grandpa was also admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure. Don’t worry, he got to the hospital in time and it wasn’t a big problem. We were there too. The good news is that your grandpa is in good spirits, but the bad news is that he also misunderstood.”

It was originally a matter between two people, and the more people who misunderstood now, the more troublesome it would be to solve subsequent problems.

He thought Pei Xi’s mood would inevitably be affected when he was apprised of these difficulties. What he didn’t expect was for Pei Xi to be very calm from beginning to end. After listening, he simply nodded with a complete lack of emotion.

“Aren’t you worried?” He was surprised.

Pei Xi shook his head: “There’s nothing to worry about. Us being together is just a misunderstanding. Starting now, we need to break up.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou could only press the tip of his tongue against his cheek.

It made sense, and was very practical.

But why couldn’t he smile?

The letter of guarantee written by Pei Xi himself seemed to have only promised not to blacklist him.

So was there any way to make Pei-calico voluntarily promise not to dump him?

Waiting online. So damn urgent.

“Actually, my mom always likes to make trouble for me when she has free time, so I’m used to it. I’ll just make up an excuse and explain it to her later.”

He was still a little upset at being broken up with in advance, but he still needed to explain what should be explained: “Don’t worry, it’s not your problem.”

But this was not the trouble Pei Xi was referring to. 

It was just that those words…..

Never mind.

He said nothing more.

It was one thing for Mrs. Chu to enjoy causing trouble for her son. Whether he could give an explanation or prevaricate was nother matter. Naturally, He Chuzhou would avoid the important things and dwell on the trivial.

There was fortunately not too much work today, so he had time to deal with it, and could also make time to slowly seesaw back and forth with the indomitable Mrs. Chu.

Mrs. Chu’s rapid change of attitude also caught him by surprise.

At first, she couldn’t believe that he liked boys. Then she wondered if he had learned some vulgar tricks and was hiding a sugar baby from them on the outside.

He Chuzhou was dumbfounded: “Mom, let Dad give you some information about Pei Xi’s identity when he has time. I don’t need to be his sugar daddy, ah, how would that work?”

Mrs. Chu scored full marks for intellectual curiosity and immediately went to her husband to be educated. When she returned ten minutes later, she adjusted the hem of her skirt and changed her attitude again.

“Such an impressive man. How did you catch Pei Xi? What did you do?”

“Do his parents agree?”

“How is Pei Xi’s mental state? Is he okay? Otherwise, how would he agree to this?”

He Chuzhou: “…….”

What should he say?

He sometimes felt that Mrs. Chu was rather amazing.

Some time later, Pei Xi had become the absolute second son of the He family without his knowledge.

“There are so many cabbages all over the ground. If you can pick up an emerald or diamond, I won’t have raised you in vain.”

“But let’s discuss this. Don’t make Xiao Pei afraid that he isn’t good enough for you to show around. You’re still trying to keep him a secret. Do you know how to respect a person? If you don’t know, just ask your dad to teach you.”

“As an adult, you should take good care of others. Don’t think that he can be wronged just because he’s a boy.”

“When will you bring Pei Xi back for a meal? I have a gift prepared.”

“But is Pei Xi busy with work recently? If he’s busy, never mind, it can wait until the end of the year. If he’s willing, he can come over and celebrate the New Year with us.”

There was nothing He Chuzhou could do. The only reply he could make was: why can’t it wait until I actually catch him?

What if he doesn’t feel the same?

We’re in a barely half-way relationship without having confessed to each other. And unfortunately, my boyfriend has already sentenced our relationship to death, and we’re definitely going to break up in the future. It’s likely that nobody will understand it except him.

He gave a melancholy sigh, trying to think of a reason to refuse.

However, something occurred to him mid-sentence, and his fingertips paused.

Where did Pei Xi usually celebrate the New Year?

Did he stay in his own house alone without celebrating all day long? Or did he go back to that unhappy home?

If that was the case, then why shouldn’t he take Pei Xi back to celebrate the New Year?

Even if he wasn’t able to catch him before the New Year, who said he could only bring a boyfriend back to celebrate?

Thus, he deleted the half-sentence rejection and instead replied [OK], and began to brainstorm ways to kidnap Pei Xi and bring him back to celebrate the New Year.

Pei Xi had just finished a phone call with his Uncle and passed by the study. The door wasn’t closed tightly, and he accidentally caught a glimpse of He Chuzhou’s troubled face, as if he was dealing with a very difficult matter.

So he stopped his trek to the bedroom and stood where he was, suddenly at a loss for what to do.

When He Xingxing ran over curiously, he subconsciously took half a step back and hid in the shadows, fearing that the person in the study would notice him.

He Xingxing sat there and looked at him with his tongue hanging out, as if wondering why he wasn’t going in.

Pei Xi had no way of answering.

That person only told him that emotional ties were more important than blood ties, but forgot to tell him what to do if it was one-sided and there was no so-called bond.

He Xingxing was panting loudly, and sounded as if he’d been squatting at the door for a long time without coming in.

He Chuzhou put down his phone and stood up to go take a look.

As soon as the door opened, he happened to find Pei Xi, who was about to head back to the bedroom.

“Going to sleep?” he asked.

Pei Xi nodded, his expression very tranquil.

He Chuzhou sounded out his mood: “I explained things to my mom, and she likes you a lot. She wants to invite you over for a meal when you’re free.”

“No need.”

Pei Xi’s voice was very light as he refused simply: “Since it’s a misunderstanding, it would be hard to manage if we met. I won’t cause such trouble for you.”

Sure enough, the plan still had a long way to go.

He Chuzhou was inwardly regretful, but it didn’t show on his face. His smile remained the same: “Okay. If you don’t want to go, then don’t go.”

He Xingxing was very excited to see his father come out. He shook his fur, walking around the two people several times as his tail slapped loudly against the door.

He Chuzhou had just crouched down and pet him a couple of times when he heard a cool voice above his head: “He Chuzhou, I said before that if I make things difficult for you, you can ignore what I say instead of being polite.”

“I can’t control myself when I’m confused, so instead of causing trouble for you, I prefer for you to leave me alone.”

He Chuzhou couldn’t react for a moment after hearing this. Pei Xi didn’t seem to expect an answer from him, and went to the bedroom.

After the previous letter of guarantee incident, He Chuzhou had put a small notebook and a pen on the bedside table and told him it was in case of emergencies.

Pei Xi took the notebook, tore out a page, and carefully wrote a paragraph. Finally, he frowned in thought and then solemnly wrote a sentence at the end.

Then he put the notebook and pen back in their original positions, folded the paper, and stuffed it under his pillow.

He could only think of this method to communicate with “himself.”

*

*

He Chuzhou reflected for a long time, but couldn’t figure out where things had gone wrong to make Pei Xi think he was causing him trouble.

Had he not made it clear enough before?

Where was the issue?

He spent the whole night thinking about it, and was even wracking his brains while preparing breakfast. The sound of footsteps behind him interrupted his thoughts, and he turned around: “You’re awake?”

Pei Xi gave a drowsy hum and peered into the pot: “Xingxing opened the door and I smelled you frying eggs.”

He Chuzhou flipped over a golden-fried poached egg and showed it to him: “Does it smell good?”

Pei Xi nodded, and Chef He immediately pinched his cheek.

The latter raised his eyebrows and said slowly and deliberately: “Of course it smells good. But my stomach is tied into knots because of you breaking up with me.”

Pei Xi was puzzled: “What?”

“Nothing, I’m just kidding.”

He Chuzhou glanced at him: “Go wash your face, brush your teeth, and tidy up. It’ll be done soon.”

Pei Xi acquiesced, and gave him a small hug from the side before leaving.

He Chuzhou watched him return to the bedroom until he was no longer visible. Then he turned around with a sorrowful sigh to skillfully flip the eggs over again.

If Pei-calico would still cling to him when he was in his right mind, there was no telling how happy He Chuzhou would be.

He took the fried poached eggs out of the pan, heated up the milk and made some waffles. Breakfast for two was prepared, but the other person hadn’t come out yet.

After placing the plates and cups on the dining table, he walked into the bedroom and found the other person sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor in a daze while holding a piece of paper in his hand.

“Are you still drowsy?”

He walked over after his teasing words and met a pair of watery eyes.

“ ? ? ? ”

His smile faded, and he immediately crouched down in front of him: “What’s going on? Weren’t you okay just now? Did you knock into something?”

Pei Xi didn’t nod or shake his head. He just looked straight at him and said in a dry, hoarse voice: “Chuzhou, do you have a mistress?”

He Chuzhou: “ ? ? ? ”

He Chuzhou: “ ? ? ? ? ? ”

---

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Chapter 41 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 43

It was almost the day of the Imperial Academy’s opening ceremony, and there was an air of uneasiness in the capital. The Jinyiwei and Dongchang could be seen running around every which way.

Dozens of carriages drove to the Imperial Academy one after another. From time to time, someone would open the carriage curtains and peek at the officers and soldiers passing by outside.

As for the students who were going to study, the older ones knew some things about these matters while the younger ones were just excited about the start of a new semester.

Just like the two people inside Liu Zhenqing’s carriage.

“I knew it would be no problem for Uncle Liu to act.” Huo Yunci was endlessly happy as she held the letter she had received from Huo Fenglie.

Liu Zhenqing propped up his chin and gazed outside: “Then the two of you must remember this kindness from me, ah. If your mother finds out, I’ll definitely say you forced me to do it, or else she’ll beat me.”

Huo Yunci hugged Huo Yunqian and said with a smile: “It’s okay, we’re loyal to our friends. If something happens, we’ll handle it ourselves!” 

Liu Zhenqing’s lips curved. He said to himself, your mother will definitely say I was the one who led you astray. She won’t even blame you.

He thought about how Li Xingruo had sent a matchmaker to his door the day before in order to go through the marriage proposal process in private first. This could be regarded as caring about their marriage and being a decent sister-in-law for a moment. If she found out later that he was pretending to be a substitute at a parent-teacher meeting, she would definitely scold him for having no conscience.

Liu Zhenqing put the curtain down and said: “When you see the instructors later, you must be good. Will you be able to pretend?”

The two brats immediately said it would be no problem.

Very soon, the carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Imperial Academy was located. When Liu Zhenqing looked up and saw the familiar staircase, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Huo Yunci asked curiously: “Why are you laughing? Isn’t this your first time here?”

It was indeed Liu Xiaozhu’s first time here, but Liu Zhenqing was quite familiar with it.

“I just remembered…..an interesting thing your Second Uncle told me.”

The eyes of the two children instantly widened. They wondered what kind of thing their indifferent-natured Second Uncle could have said, and inquired even more curiously.

“Back then, your parents went to school here and often sneaked down the mountain to play in the middle of the night. One winter, someone poured water on the stairs so that they turned to ice. But they were unaware, and slid directly from the top of the mountain to the bottom as soon as they came out. If your father hadn’t been able to do martial arts, your mother would’ve become disabled.”

Liu Zhenqing thought about the tragic situation their group of three found themselves in back then. It was really…..incomparably embarrassing. Li Xingruo hurt her butt after falling and couldn’t get out of bed for ten days, and Liu Zhenqing dislocated his arm. The instructors were unaware of their mischievous nature at that time, and all felt it was strange. How could two people who were resting well inside the academy have gotten injured?

After hearing Liu Zhenqing’s depiction of events, the twins wanted to laugh but didn’t dare to, so they could only endure and pretend to cough.

At this time, other students the same age as them passed by continuously, saying hello and taking in Liu Zhenqing’s presence with surprise and curiosity.

After all, the news of Madam Huo’s marriage proposal had spread within a day, and Liu Zhenqing’s identity was naturally spread amongst the people.

Now, as they saw Liu Zhenqing bringing the two children to the opening ceremony, their jaws dropped.

Before he departed the capital, Liu Zhenqing had left behind several shocking rumors. Seeing him again now, they all marveled at how capable he was to have actually captured General Huo. And looking at the Huo family’s attitude toward Liu Zhenqing, there was a clear distinction between love and hate, so they wouldn’t offend an innocent person.

Some people were exaggeratedly broad-minded, while others gossiped behind their backs, but this had little impact on the children. Liu Zhenqing had asked once when he got worried: “I’m from the Liu family. Will you be unhappy about me being with your Second Uncle?”

The two children had shaken their heads.

“Mother said that person wasn’t an enemy. He was her and Father’s brother, and no matter what the outside world says, we should remember this.”

They were made to swear an oath to remember, and although they had yet to distinguish right from wrong, they had many questions. If they faced the real Liu Zhenqing, they didn’t know what kind of feelings they would have, but they would never change their views on the Uncle Liu before them because of that. They believed in the choices of their mother and Second Uncle, as well as their own feelings.

So at this moment, while others were giving Liu Zhenqing strange looks, the twins were just like Huo Feihan and Li Xingruo. Standing beside Liu Zhenqing to the left and to the right, they blocked the gazes of others in a protective manner.

Liu Zhenqing could already think of another reason they would fight with others in the future.

He smiled helplessly. Raising his hands, he touched the heads of the two children and continued to tell them interesting things about their parents.

After arriving at the Imperial Academy square, Liu Zhenqing found that no one was in a hurry to go inside and were instead patiently waiting for something at the door. Even the academicians and instructors had come out.

After a while, Liu Qiao stepped forward and said: “I just heard news that the Empress Dowager and the Taifei will be arriving soon.

Liu Zhenqing was a little taken aback. No wonder nobody was going in. It turned out that they were waiting to receive them.

The Empress Dowager and the Taifei…..Yao Hua and Jian Shuang.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes revealed a trace of nostalgia. It wasn’t because they were classmates back then. After all, they hadn’t socialized much at that time. But in the most difficult years that followed, these two had helped a lot.

Yao Hua could be said to have stabilized things behind the front lines, helping the emperor select concubines and balance related interests. And when dealing with the Three Kings, Jian Shuang was indispensable for making suggestions behind the scenes and guiding the emperor in handling government affairs and helping Liu Zhenqing perfect his plans. Without Jian Shuang, Liu Zhenqing certainly wouldn’t have been able to control the court by himself. Liu Zhenqing had never seen a woman more talented and beautiful than her. She hid her talents while studying, but she wasn’t in very good health. She vomited blood several times that year due to fatigue, but still persisted.

It could be said that she possessed thunderous ability and skill, paired with a jade-like body and a gentle temperament.

Among these two people, Liu Zhenqing was relatively familiar with Yao Hua. After all, he’d given her a jade pendant.

Suddenly, he thought: Had Er-gou also been there when he gave away the jade pendant? He estimated that the vinegar jar had overturned at that time.

Liu Zhenqing continued to think about Er-gou, but Er-gou was very busy today and might not be able to return at night. Ai, he could only stay alone in the empty boudoir.

Very soon, a mighty royal procession could be vaguely seen. Everyone performed postures of welcome, kneeling down and shouting a deferential greeting.

Liu Zhenqing knelt down with the two children to salute. He wasn’t curious enough to go see his old friends, and just waited for the lengthy ceremony to end. Then he followed the two children in a well-behaved manner to their instructor for discipline.

When he saw the instructor, Liu Zhenqing almost lost his composure. They were actually old acquaintances. He used to be an ordinary teacher, but now he was a senior instructor?

Liu Zhenqing still recalled that in those days, this person had a habit of talking a lot. Liu Zhenqing could fall asleep on his feet every time he spoke.

“This is…..” The instructor was very surprised to see Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing immediately handed over the letter signed by Huo Fenglie and said with a smile: “The childrens’ mother and second uncle are busy, and send their apologies. I’ve come on their behalf, and will convey your words to my husband in detail later, so please rest assured.”

Liu Zhenqing looked very good dressed up, and sounded like he knew what he was talking about. Although the instructor was displeased, when faced with a signed letter from General Huo, he could only treat Liu Zhenqing as an elder for the time being and carry on.

“Yes, yes, yes, it is as you say. They shouldn’t have taken action.”

“Right, right, right, they were impulsive and you punished them correctly.”

“The Huo family elders will educate them well.”

This fellow was old, and his babbling skills had also increased with age. It nearly exhausted Liu Zhenqing’s patience. When he was a student, he always had to talk back while being scolded. This time, for the sake of the two children, Liu Zhenqing could bear it to the limit. Thinking of his grandfather, who was called over here again and again to discipline him, Liu Zhenqing finally felt a little guilty.

“What should you do next time?” The instructor asked the two children, whose heads were bowed.

Liu Zhenqing almost replied: “If forced, don’t use your fists and instead try to win with your mouths.”

But if he said that, then it would be Li Xingruo who would come to collar the three of them later.

The two children were about to speak when a woman’s light laughter came from outside the door.

When he turned around, he saw two familiar figures standing at the door. One was as dignified and elegant as the sun and moon, and the other was like a goddess from a dream, beautiful enough to cause the downfall of a country. Time seemed to have left no trace on their faces, but had added a bit more charm and grace.

The instructor was shocked, and immediately led them all to kneel down and pay tribute. But Yao Hua stopped him, saying: “There is no need to be so polite. This one and company just came to see the instructor, but unexpectedly witnessed a scene of academic discipline once more.”

It was Yao Hua and Jian Shuang who had appeared at the door. They were followed by a very small group of guards and palace attendants, clearly in an attempt to seem approachable.

Yao Hua’s voice was full of laughter, soothing the nervous mood in the room. Jian Shuang, on the other hand, was just like in Liu Zhenqing’s memories, always following Yao Hua with a polite smile.

The instructor had taught them, after all, so he wasn’t worried as he led everyone to stand up again.

“Yunci, Yunqian, what’s wrong? Are you in trouble?” Yao Hua’s gaze fell upon the dragon and phoenix twins, still on intimate terms with them.

The two children greeted her cordially. After all, every time they entered the palace, the Empress Dowager gave them the most rewards and was the kindest to them. They sensed the care and affection of an elder, and were naturally willing to get close to her.

Jian Shuang also regarded the two of them with soft eyes. But soon, they swept over to Liu Zhenqing.

The moment the two of them inadvertently locked gazes, Jian Shuang was slightly startled, while Liu Zhenqing lowered his eyes respectfully.

Jian Shuang inexplicably felt a bit strange.

At this time, Yao Hua also noticed Liu Zhenqing and said in surprise: “Young Master Liu came with the two children to see the instructor?”

Liu Zhenqing respectfully gave an explanation, and Yao Hua was a little amazed. Unexpectedly, the facts were more exaggerated than the rumors. Li Xingruo and Huo Fenglie had so easily accepted another person into the family. It was truly unbelievable that they trusted him so much. It seemed Young Master Liu must be something special.

But as the Empress Dowager, she couldn’t communicate too much with men from outside. After greeting the instructor, she wanted to take a look over at the womens’ quarters and invite Huo Yunci to accompany her.

Huo Yunci immediately looked askance at Liu Zhenqing, who nodded with a smile.

Huo Yunci left happily, the Empress Dowager helping her block the rest of the instructor’s flying spittle.

Liu Zhenqing and Huo Yunqian were the only ones left, and the instructor couldn’t reprimand them alone, so he could only allow them to leave.

Huo Yunqian said with enthusiasm: “Uncle Liu, it’s your first time here! Let me show you around!”

Liu Zhenqing was likely more familiar with every corner than any student here. In order to make trouble, how could he not be familiar with the terrain? But the child was so earnest. Liu Zhenqing didn’t want to let him down, and was naturally happy to accompany him.

Unexpectedly, they heard an argument just after taking a detour.

“What were you thinking? I just asked you to teach a lesson, and you prepared this topic. You’re making things difficult for me.”

“Laoshi, what’s wrong with it?”

Liu Zhenqing heard this and recognized Bai Su’s voice. Bai Su was actually here?

Turning into the corridor, he saw Bai Su arguing with an old white-bearded man. He must also be an academic.

It seemed that Bai Su, the number one scholar, occasionally came over to teach.

“It’s wrong, of course it’s very wrong. I told you that no discussions on Liu Zhenqing’s policies are allowed. Are you trying to cause trouble for yourself?”

“But how can one tell right from wrong without discussing it? How can you tell right from wrong if you avoid talking about it? Teacher, you taught me that I must have my own point of view on everything and not just follow the crowd. If those policies were discussed separately without using Liu Zhenqing’s name, how would they look from the perspective of Imperial power, from the livelihoods of the common people, and from the perspective of the Great Zhou Dynasty? Does Laoshi still think they were all mistakes and crimes?”

“Right and wrong can be left for future generations to discuss, not us. You’ve read so many books and still don’t understand. Don’t I know you well? You want to vindicate someone through intense discussion among the students, but it’s useless. The students here are not ordinary students, they are elites. When you raise this issue, you won’t be able to remain in class any longer. You behave yourself!”

When the academician finished speaking, he left in a huff.

Bai Su stood quietly next to some rockery, not making a sound. After a moment, he heard footsteps and glanced back in surprise: “Brother Liu?”

Liu Zhenqing took in Bai Su’s slightly pallid face. He gave a silent sigh, then stepped forward with a smile to greet him.

“I just learned about Zhanyuan’s return yesterday and went to the General’s Manor, but I didn’t see you. I was going to visit Liu Manor today, but didn’t expect to meet you here. Are you here alone?” Bai Su said in bewilderment.

“Yunqian was with me just now. I saw you, and I didn’t need him to lead me around anymore, so I told him to go back to the living quarters,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

Bai Su stared for a moment: “You heard everything?”

Liu Zhenqing nodded.

Bai Su said awkwardly: “Am I useless?”

Liu Zhenqing asked: “Why would you think that?”

“I intended to clear their names directly, but I had to give up in the end because there was no substantive proof. I tried to collect evidence afterward, but was repeatedly blocked. I also wanted to write a biography for them, but my knowledge of the truth from back then is limited. Just now, I wanted to guide the younger generation to discuss it from an outside perspective and let the children understand what those people did back then without involving emotion, but I ended up getting scolded by Laoshi. It really feels like failure. Why is it so difficult to clear their names?”

Bai Su was doing this not only for Liu Zhenqing, but for his brother, Bai Yu. He wanted to tell the world that the path his brother took and the person he followed weren’t wrong, but it was far, far too difficult.

Liu Zhenqing had tried to persuade Bai Su before, but it was a pity that this child was stubborn and dug a pit for himself. 

Liu Zhenqing patted Bai Su on the shoulder and said: “You must believe that since your brother decided to take that path, how could he have cared about his posthumous reputation? They would want you to live well.”

Bai Su smiled. Of course he understood what Liu Zhenqing meant, but the children of the Bai family were stubborn. His brother had followed a traitor without hesitation, and Bai Su also wanted to resolutely complete the path to clearing their names, even if it took a lifetime. Otherwise, how could a person with someone in their heart draw a picture of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers in a broad and level manner? 

Bai Su didn’t speak further on the subject. He looked at Liu Zhenqing and said with a smile: “I’m done talking, let’s go. I’ll show you the Imperial Academy and tell you more about Zhanyuan’s childhood.”

Liu Zhenqing’s interest was immediately piqued. Huo Fenglie had indeed spent some time here.

Bai Su had gone to the General’s Manor and naturally found out about their engagement. Along the way, he chatted happily with Liu Zhenqing, full of admiration.

“That’s the martial arts training ground over there. Look at those five iron figures. They’re usually used by people practicing their martial arts. One night, Zhanyuan went crazy for some reason and suddenly came here and destroyed those iron figures overnight. When I went to see him, his hands were bleeding.”

Liu Zhenqing was surprised: “Why did he do that, ah?”

Bai Su shook his head, saying: “Maybe he was in a bad mood. He usually keeps his emotions in check, and it’s difficult for others to notice them. But when I sent him back, I thought I heard him say that he couldn’t win. I thought it was because he lost a competition after returning home.

Liu Zhenqing was full of questions when he heard a cough from behind him.

Bai Su was startled and looked over, only to see a man wearing a mask.

Liu Zhenqing quickly said: “He’s my guard.”

Bai Su didn’t think too much about it, just feeling that this guard was like a ghost.

But Liu Zhenqing snapped back to his senses. Liu Qiao was giving him a hint.

He estimated that Huo Fenglie had struck the iron figures back then to vent over his defeat to Liu Qiao during a martial arts competition.

Aiya, what a heartbreaking little cutie.

The two of them then arrived at the dining hall. Bai Su smiled and said: “You know Zhanyuan likes to pick out fish bones, right?”

Liu Zhenqing wanted to laugh.

“Back then, a person who liked Zhanyuan saw him picking fish bones and placing them aside and asked if he would give her some fish to eat. The girl was giving him a hint to show her favor, but Zhanyuan ignored it. The angry girl went back and cried.”

Liu Zhenqing released a puff of laughter. 

Bai Su chuckled and shook his head.

Liu Zhenqing asked curiously: “Were there a lot of people who liked Zhanyuan?”

Bai Su nodded: “That’s for sure, ah. Regardless of status, appearance, or ability, he was definitely the most popular person at the time, but no matter how good the man or woman was, it was pointless, because he.….ahem…..”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “It doesn’t matter. I love hearing this, because he was absolutely obsessed with Liu Zhenqing at the time.”

Bai Su thought Liu Zhenqing was being magnanimous, and could only say with a laugh: “Now he absolutely likes you.”

“It’s all the same, all the same. It proves that he’s a man who cherishes bonds of friendship and family.” Liu Zhenqing smothered a smile, and couldn’t help wanting to know more. “Don’t hide it, I want to hear more proof that he liked Liu Zhenqing.”

Bai Su looked at him speechlessly. Was he not jealous at all? If he said too much, would he really not cause trouble for Zhanyuan?

“Why?”

“Because they’re all interesting stories from my fiance’s youth. I want to know more about him,” Liu Zhenqing said with great sincerity and magnanimity.

Bai Su had no choice but to speak. For example, if someone from the academy replicated Liu Zhenqing’s paintings, Huo Fenglie would use various means to secretly collect them. For another example, Huo Fenglie could occasionally be heard saying Liu Zhenqing’s name in his sleep. And when Liu Zhenqing came to the academy to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet, Huo Fenglie grew nervous days in advance and freshened himself up anxiously, paying attention to his appearance.

But at that time, Bai Su wasn’t aware that Huo Fenglie liked Liu Zhenqing, who was so much older than him, so he didn’t think much about it. But thinking about it later, he had really proven it in every way.

As they walked, the two of them came upon the Peach Blossom Forest, where the Peach Blossom Banquet was held.

As they talked, someone quickly approached Bai Su and said that an academician needed him for something. Bai Su could only depart first, leaving Liu Zhenqing to wander alone until lunchtime.

Since Liu Zhenqing was by himself, Liu Qiao naturally stayed with him.

“It’s still the same here,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Liu Qiao listened silently.

Liu Zhenqing said slowly: “There was a tradition at the Peach Blossom Banquet in those days where one would express their love to the object of their affections that night, and if they were graduating, they would propose marriage.”

“Was Master confessed to by many people?” Liu Qiao asked. 

“No, this was an unprecedented event,” Liu Zhenqing said proudly.

“Then wasn’t the general very unhappy?”

“Hahaha, he was indeed there at the time. His little face was all twisted up. I thought he was so unhappy because I didn’t allow him to drink at such a young age. Although he still didn’t understand at the time, he must have had me in his heart.” The more Liu Zhenqing spoke, the prouder he became.

Just then, he saw some guards not very far away. They saw him coming and shouted to drive him away, but a familiar voice quickly sounded.

“Is it Young Master Liu? Invite him in.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. It was Yao Hua.

Looking in that direction, he suddenly felt a little awkward.

That was a secluded place, and Liu Zhenqing used to be invited there by people who wanted to confess to him.

Yao Hua had been one of them.

But Liu Zhenqing was still engaged to Li Xingruo at that time, so everyone’s confessions were nothing more than making sure they didn’t have any regrets.

Now that Yao Hua was the Empress Dowager, ordinary people could only obey her command. Liu Zhenqing told Liu Qiao to stay back and then walked over.

Very soon, he saw a mat placed under a peach blossom tree. Yao Hua had taken wine made from the peach blossoms here and was drinking it alone.

Liu Zhenqing stepped forward and saluted respectfully. Yao Hua waved her hand and said: “Young Master Liu, have a seat.”

Liu Zhenqing was stunned for a moment. He saw that Yao Hua seemed a little drunk as he approached, and felt a bit uncomfortable.

“Your Majesty has called me in for…..”

“I heard you are marrying Zhanyuan, and I was a little curious. Young Master Liu appears to be…..rather affable.” Yao Hua had not originally meant to say this, but after taking a close look at Liu Zhenqing’s face, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, especially when making eye contact. She couldn’t help feeling melancholy. Perhaps it was because of the blood relationship, or perhaps it was all in her head, but Yao Hua felt that the one before her bore a great similarity to that person.

Yao Hua was indeed drunk. Especially in this place, it was as if she was seeing an illusion. With a faint frown on her beautiful features, she reached toward Liu Zhenqing’s face uncontrollably.

At this moment, a surprised call came from a guard in the distance, as if attempting to stop someone who was in a hurry.

“General Huo! No trespassing!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhenqing quickly turned. Huo Fenglie rushed over out of nowhere, and the moment he saw them, he stopped and looked at them blankly. The look on his face was one of absolute emptiness.

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t sure if he’d seen it wrong, but a hint of red seemed to flash through Huo Fenglie’s eyes, exceedingly bright.

---

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Chapter 128 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 130

The moment Pei Xi hugged He Chuzhou, their closeness alerted him to how tense the other was.

“What’s wrong?”

He turned his head, following He Chuzhou’s gaze. Before his eyes had time to focus on the phone, He Chuzhou had already strode over and turned off the video call.

Pei Xi: “ ? ”

Pei Xi: “Chuzhou…..what were you watching?”

He Chuzhou feigned calmness: “Huh? It was nothing. I just clicked on a video randomly and closed it because it was too silly.”

Pei Xi nodded with a hum.

He Chuzhou thought he’d fooled him, and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Pei Xi speak again: “I understand that you had a hard time on your business trip and need to watch some videos to relax, but I don’t agree with you doing it in the study. Perhaps it’s more appropriate to do it in the bathroom, where it’s convenient to clean up after relaxing. Don’t you agree?”

He Chuzhou didn’t get it: “Why would I need to watch videos? What would I clean up —”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou: “? ? ? ”

He Chuzhou was flabbergasted: “That’s not it! I don’t have those. I was just watching something casually and turned it off because it was too noisy.”

Pei Xi nodded in understanding: “En, I get it.”

He Chuzhou met his sincere eyes: “……”

“Okay, I’ll be honest.”

He Chuzhou couldn’t hold it back. Between being misunderstood and laying his cards on the table, he had no choice but to choose the latter: “I just had a video chat with my parents.”

Pei Xi hadn’t expected this: “Ah?”

He Chuzhou: “Did you want to say hello to them?”

Pei Xi said blankly: “Should I not?”

He Chuzou: “After the scene of you warmly thanking me just now?”

Pei Xi: “What scene—”

Pei Xi: “……”

Calling it the rise and fall of fortune was the perfect interpretation of the study room at this moment.

He Chuzhou looked at Pei Xi’s silently lowered eyes, the tight corners of his mouth, and the red tips of his ears, and knew he’d made the right bet.

As expected, Pei Xi’s talent for hitting dizzying straight shots only applied to him. If the target was someone else, he had the habit of shrinking himself down like a shame plant.^[1]

“It’s okay,” he comforted intimately. “You moved really quickly. They might not have seen clearly.”

Pei Xi frowned: “But wasn’t it too rude?”

He Chuzhou waved an uncaring hand: “It wasn’t. Besides, I hung up the phone. If anyone was rude, it was me. You can’t be blamed.”

What’s more, given the current situation, they probably didn’t care about politeness.

Even in the face of these words, Pei Xi’s upbringing had engraved in his bones that one did not hang up the phone on one’s elders. Since they were husband and wife, Pei Xi should share half the responsibility for He Chuzhou’s actions.

Thus, he told He Chuzhou to call back, greet the two elders, and apologize to rectify the current situation.

“Just forget it.”

No matter how brave He Chuzhou was, he would never dare lay down his cards in front of his parents: “They’ve already gone to have afternoon tea in the garden.”

Pei Xi: “They can still answer the phone.”

He Chuzhou said decisively: “They can’t.”

Pei Xi: “Why not?”

He Chuzhou: “Because…..because it’s our family’s tradition to eat duck heads for afternoon tea, and they can’t answer the phone with both hands occupied.”

Eating duck heads for afternoon tea?

Why this particular thing?

Pei Xi was dubious. He was going to say something, but a burst of music sounded abruptly in the living room.

When he heard the ringtone of Pei Xi’s cell phone, he felt as if he’d been granted amnesty, and smoothly changed the subject: “Go answer your phone first.”

When Pei Xi turned around and went out, He Chuzhou could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He picked up his phone to take a look. The members of their family group chat numbered only four in total. In just five minutes, the messages had reached 99+.

He Aiyue: [ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod]

He Aiyue: [Boss He, have you silently accomplished something big?! You’re so awesome, ah!]

He Aiyue: [So cool! So awesome!]

He Aiyue: [I’ll never call you unenlightened again, you’re really a modern man! What should I call that person? Sister-in-law? Or Brother?]

……

He Jiangchuan: [That was President Pei, young President Pei, am I right? Chuzhou, what are the two of you…..?]

He Jiangchuan: [Are you in a relationship, or…..?]

He Jiangchuan: [But no wonder you don’t like to come home and have dinner with us anymore, hehehehe]

……

Chu Yuelan: [He Chuzhou, you little brat, ah. You said there was no rush when I asked you to come back for a blind date, but you’re actually doing something like this in private? Did you hide it out of shame?]

Chu Yuelan: [Don’t imitate others who fool around outside. You have the ability to hide someone at home, but can’t send your mom a video, huh? Coward.]

Chu Yuelan: [You’d better give me a reasonable explanation /smiley face]

……

He Aiyue: [Ge, please say something. I’m a little scared of the atmosphere here.]

He Aiyue: [/shaking and trembling.jpg]

He Jiangchuan: [Son, ah, just give an explanation. Don’t make your innocent old father and your sister suffer, ah.]

He Jiangchuan: [/very important, give it to us straight.jpg]

He Yuelan: [Are you trying to be clever here?]

He Aiyue: [/shaking and trembling.jpg]

He Jiangchuan: [/shaking and trembling.jpg]

He Aiyue: [/shaking and trembling with excitement.jpg]

He Jiangchuan: [But haven’t you and Pei Xi always had a bad relationship? Why are you…..hehehe.]

He Aiyue: [Dad, you don’t understand, this is called a love-hate relationship, where rivals become young lovers. It’s very popular nowadays. We young people all love to watch it!]

He Aiyue: [I love it so much!]

……

What was all of this?

He Chuzhou’s eyes hurt from looking at it. Just as he was thinking about how to handle this difficult and unexpected situation, Pei Xi hurried in with a helpless and flustered expression: “Chuzhou, my grandpa has been admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure!”

*

*

Pei Xi’s grandfather didn’t live in Wancheng, and it took four hours to drive there without traveling by highway.

Pei Xi didn’t speak the whole way there. He just kept checking the time and reading the information with anxiety and insecurity written on his face, which made He Chuzhou wring his hands for him.

“Don’t worry, no news is good news.”

The light dimmed as they entered a tunnel. He Chuzhou reassured him: “Don’t be too anxious. Since he sought medical treatment in time, there definitely won’t be any problems.”

Pei Xi nodded, but his expression didn’t improve much and his pallor hadn’t recovered. His pale and worried face was reflected in the car window.

If the mentality of those involved could be adjusted with one or two words, there wouldn’t be such stress and anxiety.

It wasn’t until they exited the tunnel that his eyes brightened as he received news that his grandfather’s condition had stabilized, and he was being moved to the general ward.

The nerves that had been tense this whole way finally relaxed completely, and he leaned back into the seat with cold hands and feet as his lingering fear slowly eased.

There was still an hour left. He Chuzhou told him to take a nap and rest, and that he would let him know when they arrived.

Pei Xi closed his eyes, but He Chuzhou knew he wasn’t asleep. The small movements of his hands continued, revealing his anxiety.

An hour later, the car drove into the hospital’s underground parking lot.

The two found the elevator to the inpatient department and took it directly to the 8th floor. The senior ward was the closest to the end of the corridor. There was still a long way to go.

Pei Xi wasn’t in his right mind at the moment, and He Chuzhou was unsure if he should go with him.

But when his grip started to loosen on the hand he was holding, Pei Xi noticed immediately and looked up at him.

His clear eyes revealed a fragile and helpless dependence. He Chuzhou felt as if he’d been shot right in the heart, and before his brain could catch up, his hand was already holding this person’s tighter.

The senior ward also had only one person in each room, so He Chuzhou caught sight of the old man resting in bed as soon as he stepped inside.

He appeared frail in stature and had a kind-hearted look to him. Although he seemed weak and spiritless due to physical discomfort, his expression was stunned when he saw Pei Xi, and he became visibly happy again.

“Our Xinxin has come?”

The grey-haired old man always treated his favorite grandson as a child who needed to be coaxed: “Did Sister Zheng call you? I already told her you’re usually busy, and to not bother you and make you worry.”

Sister Zheng was the Shen family’s housemaid, and was also the first to discover Shen Congfeng’s abnormal state and send him to the hospital.

Pei Xi sat in a chair next to the bed and held Shen Congfeng’s withered hand: “I told her not to hide the state of your health from me. Besides, how can you claim everything is fine when you’re in the hospital?”

Shen Congfeng chuckled cheerfully: “I’m fine, ah. I just passed out while eating. It’s nothing serious.”

Pei Xi knew all too well the old man’s tendency to make light of things, and didn’t take his words seriously at all: “Did the doctor say anything?”

Shen Congfeng: “Pretty much the same thing as my last checkup, that I should take my blood pressure medication on time, maintain a light diet, consume less chili pepper and salt, quit smoking and drinking, and control my weight.”

Memorizing this carefully, Pei Xi asked again: “Where’s Uncle? Why didn’t he send you to the hospital?”

Shen Congfeng: “Your uncle is working out of town.”

Pei Xi: “Didn’t you call him?”

Shen Congfeng: “I called him, he’s on his way back and will get here before dark. But you came all the way here, did it delay your work?”

Pei Xi shook his head: “It didn’t.”

Shen Congfeng patted his grandson’s hand helplessly. Only then did he notice that there was someone in an inconspicuous spot near the door: “Xinxin, is this a friend of yours?”

Pei Xi looked back at He Chuzhou and said to He Congfeng: “Have you forgotten? This is He Chuzou.”

“Chuzhou?” Shen Congfeng repeated, unable to recall this person. “This…..?”

He Chuzhou had initially hoped the old man wouldn’t notice him, and let him leave as unobtrusively as he’d come. What luck. He could only bite the bullet: “Grandpa, I came with Xinxin to see you.”

Shen Congfeng was stunned once more when he heard what He Chuzhou called Pei Xi. He couldn’t help that when his eyes fell on him, they were somewhat searching and appraising.

But before he could take his measure, Pei Xi spoke again: “I’m married. Chuzhou is my husband, don’t you remember?”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He just knew it.

“Ah?” Shen Congfeng was astonished. He never suspected that they had this kind of relationship, not to mention that he hadn’t heard any news of Pei Xi getting married, nor that he was even in a relationship: “You’re…..married?”

Pei Xi nodded. He was about to say more, when He Chuzhou hastily cut him off: “Xinxin, when we came in, didn’t the doctor tell us to go get the medicine later? 

Pei Xi thought about it and stood up at once: “Then I’ll go now. Chuzhou, you help by staying with Grandpa.”

It just so happened that he wanted to go find Sister Zheng and ask her carefully about his grandfather’s situation.

One of the three people left, and the ward grew quiet. There was also a subtle change to the atmosphere.

Shen Congfeng was still unable to digest the news that his good grandson had gotten married without saying a word. But the old man had been good-tempered all his life, and even though he was surprised, his tone was still mild: “It’s Chuzhou, right? You and Xinxin…..when did you get married?”

He Chuzhou had originally planned to explain the entire matter to him after sending Pei Xi away.

He could see that Pei Xi and his grandfather were very close, and he believed that if he hid it, Pei Xi would be very angry when he found out.

It was just that when he met the old man’s kind and inquiring eyes, everything he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

The old man had high blood pressure. He could bear the news that his grandson had gotten married, but he might not be able to bear the news that his grandson had gotten in a car accident and had side effects after a head injury.

Pei Xi had kept it secret before, likely because he didn’t want the old man to worry. How could he expose it at this time?

After much thought, his words turned into a sigh of resignation when they reached his lips.

Forget it.

He walked over and sat in Pei Xi’s seat. He selected an apple and started to peel it, saying in a modest and natural tone: “Not long ago, we got the certificate abroad. We haven’t had the wedding yet. We originally wanted to tell you, but we’ve been busy during this period, so we put it on hold.”

“Ah, so that’s it. That Xinxin also said no business was delayed by coming over, but I knew he was bluffing me again.”

Shen Congfeng grinned, then sighed a moment later: “Very good. I feel relieved knowing there is someone by Xinxin’s side.

He Chuzhou was taken aback at the speed of his acceptance. He even slowed down his apple peeling and raised his eyes: “You can rest assured. Isn’t there anything else you want to ask me?”

Shen Congfeng: “Such as?”

He Chuzhou thought: “Such as…..my character, hobbies, temperament, family background, whether I can promise to treat Xinxin well. Things like that.”

In fact, he didn’t know what questions should be asked. He was just prepared to answer the old man honestly no matter what he asked. He remembered all his family’s ID numbers, and could call up a lawyer to sign a guarantee on the spot.

“Silly boy, can a person’s character be learned just by asking?”

Shen Congfeng laughed, looking at this young man who wore an open and upright expression. His sincerity, casualness, and straightforwardness matched his family’s Xinxin well.

“There’s no need to ask anything.” He said with a smile, “I watched Xinxin grow up. I know him, and I believe in his discernment.”

He Chuzhou was a little surprised: “He grew up with you?”

“That’s right.”

When Shen Congfeng spoke of the past, it was unknown if there was more tenderness or distress in his cloudy eyes.

“His parents divorced early on. Neither had time to take care of him when they first separated, so they sent him to me, and he lived with me for a long time.”

“But then his mother went abroad, and his father came to pick him up.”

“Not long after that, I heard the news that his father had remarried. The wedding was held late, when Pei Yansong’s second child was almost two years old.”

Second…..child…..?

He Chuzhou immediately recalled something, and his eyebrows moved slightly. “Xinxin’s half-brother? Is his name Pei Zhen?”

When he saw Shen Congfeng nod, He Chuzhou’s heart felt unspeakably strange.

It turned out not to be a memory fabricated out of confusion. What Pei-calico had confided in him was most likely true.

Shen Congfeng let out a sigh: “After Xinxin was taken away by his father, I didn’t see him again for a long time. I only knew from phone calls that his father was very strict with him and urged him to learn a great many things. I felt sorry for him, but at the time, I just thought his father was doing it all for his own good.”

“But a few years later, I accidentally heard that his father had sent Xinxin away when he was just entering high school. Just because his younger brother didn’t like him, his father decided to transfer him to another city, where he stayed alone for almost three years.”

He Chuzhou’s smile gradually faded as he held the handle of the knife. His face darkened, and for the first time in his life, he was repulsed by someone he had never met: “Was he not allowed to go back during the New Year and holidays?”

“It was said that Pei Zhen’s state was very unstable at the time and they dared not let Xinxin return, for fear of agitating him again.”

Shen Congfeng closed his eyes. His aging face was filled with self-blame and regret: “Maybe I shouldn’t have let Pei Yansong take Xinxin away from me in the first place, or took him back myself when he told me how exhausted he was.”

“Three years is such a long time. He had a home, but couldn’t go back to it, and there was no one to ask how he was doing. It makes me sick just thinking about it.”

“Even though I asked his uncle to send me there to accompany him until he finished his university entrance exam, until he got to university and no longer needed this old man, I couldn’t make up for those three years.”

“Just like his carefree childhood, the lively, outgoing Xinxin could never come back.”

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[1] A really cool plant that retracts its leaves when touched. ⮐

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Chapter 40 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 42

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

The bedroom door was not tightly closed.

When He Xingxing ran in with his little cartoon bowl clattering in his mouth, Pei Xi was sitting in bed, scrolling through his phone.

He Chuzhou had sent him his return flight number very early, and specifically told him that if he wanted to pick him up at the airport, to contact the driver in advance instead of getting a taxi alone.

The newly-built airport was too big. If one wasn’t familiar with it, it was easy to get lost and be unable to distinguish the entrance.

He was supposed to arrive at four in the afternoon, but it was currently before ten in the morning. There were still more than six hours left, so there was no rush.

Therefore, he sent He Chuzhou a reply, as well as a message to the number stored in his phone, asking the driver to pick him up to go to the airport.

Afterwards, he simply tidied up for a while, changed He Xingxing’s food and water, and went to the kitchen in his house clothes.

After several previous trials and errors, he was able to make presentable-looking cookies. They had tasted good when he tried them last time, and their appearance was just barely acceptable.

The point was that he’d made them with his own hands. He knew that no matter what, He Chuzhou would like them.

In a good mood, he stirred the butter in according to the steps he knew by heart, sifted in the egg yolk powder, mixed it with low-gluten flour and kneaded it into dough, then divided them into small pieces and put them in the oven. He set the time and waited for the timer to sound—

Why didn’t it work?

He looked at the broken, shapeless cookies that exuded a faint burnt smell, wondering which step had gone wrong.

But it wasn’t a big problem. He quickly felt relieved.

He would just do it again.

He Chuzhou’s plane didn’t arrive until four o’clock, so he had plenty of time.

At the same time in a different country, He Chuzhou was counting the gifts and preparing them to be shipped.

He had bought so many that all kinds of bags and packages were piled up in the living room, leaving Yu Ji with almost nowhere to go when he came through the door.

“You prepared so much for someone?”

Yun Ji was dumbfounded: “Did the partners’ staff not think you were troublesome?”

He Chuzhou didn’t lift his head: “Before I left, they said they would be happy to continue offering their services to me next time.”

Yun Ji: “Did you pay them for their hard work?”

He Chuzhou: “En.”

Yun Ji: “How much?”

He Chuzhou thought for a couple of seconds, then said casually: “Around half your monthly salary.”

Yun Ji: “ ? ”

Yun Ji: “ ? ? ? ”

Yun Ji: “ ? ? ? ? ? ”

Yun Ji: “Hello? May I ask how cheap I am as a person?”

“These, these, and these.”

He Chuzhou briefly gestured with the hand holding a pen: “Help me pack these in the white suitcase, and the others in the black and blue ones.”

Yun Ji rolled his eyes: “You help yourself.”

He Chuzhou: “I’ll give you twice the year-end bonus. It’ll come out of my own pocket, not the finance department.”

Yun Ji perked up and said: “You got it, brother! How should I pack them? In different categories according to size?”

Money makes the world go round, and could also make a cousin work hard without complaint.

After transporting the several cases of gifts to the airport and checking them in, Yun Ji clapped his hands and turned to He Chuzhou: “My auntie didn’t make a two-meter-long list for you this time, did she? This is so much.”

He Chuzhou: “It’s not all for your auntie.”

Yun Ji: “Some is for Aiyue?”

He Chuzhou: “En, maybe one or two things.”

Yun Ji: “Just one or two? Then who did you get those one or two cases for? Are you a purchasing agent?”

“Children shouldn’t talk so much about adult matters.”

He Chuzhou had his head lowered to reply to a message. It was unknown who he was chatting with, but his eyebrows were raised and his face was filled with delight.

Yun Ji’s face twisted up in disgust, but he couldn’t help but move closer in curiosity: “So you really have someone, Cousin? Who is it? Is it Pei Xi? Do my auntie and the others know about it too?”

“I told you, kid, don’t ask any more questions.”

He Chuzhou placed his hand on the other’s forehead and ruthlessly pushed him away. He said with a proud air of complacency: “Don’t talk nonsense in front of your auntie, or you won’t get your year-end double hush money.”

There was a question mark above Yun Ji’s head: “Isn’t that my labor fee? How did it become hush money???”

“Same thing.” In a good mood, He Chuzhou put away his phone. “We capitalists simply have the virtue of vampires. Get used to it.”

After nearly six hours of flight time, the moment He Chuzhou took out his luggage, he immediately caught sight of the figure he had longed for so much among the people passing by.

Pei-calico had dressed like a university student today.

Wearing a white sweatshirt, jeans, sneakers, complementing his handsome little face, he stood there like the very best attractive green onion. Anyone passing by would take a second look.

But he was different.

Not only could he look, but he could also take this person home and sleep with him at night.

He felt proud as hell just thinking about it.

He couldn’t wait to go over and give him a comforting hug after such a long separation. Before his brisk steps had covered two meters, he was interrupted by an inopportune sound next to his ear.

“Pei Xi? President Pei? I was right?”

Yun Ji covered his mouth and lowered his voice, a look of gossiping and watching the fun plastered to his face: “He’s here to pick you up, Cousin! You still haven’t admitted it, but you’re having a love affair!”

Yun Ji: “This is great, ah, you’ve actually gotten to this point. Can this be considered an ordinary  guy catching a beauty? It’s so inspirational, even though I don’t understand it. The world joins in jubilation, men silent and women weeping.”

“Tsk, how did I forget you were here?”

He Chuzhou took Yun Ji’s hand and thrust the cart full of luggage into it: “Go load the suitcases into the car with the driver, and tell him to wait for me at the door. You can leave first since you have nothing to do.”

Yun Ji: “ ? ”

Yun Ji: “I just…..”

He Chuzhou: “I’ll triple the amount.”

“……”

“Damn it! I give in, I give in! Why can’t I resist the temptation of money!”

Yun Ji walking out, cursing. As he went, he looked back to sneak a peek—

The hell? Where did they go???

In a corner near a side passage were the missing people. Pei Xi had pulled He Chuzhou over here and hugged him hard.

After a brief separation, the hollowness temporarily filled by longing was made solid and whole. The corners of He Chuzhou’s mouth practically lifted up to the sun.

“Did you miss me, ah?”

He smiled, grasping the back of Pei Xi’s neck. Men sometimes liked to ask questions they already knew the answer to.

Pei Xi answered honestly in his ear: “I missed you. I baked cookies for you. You can eat them when we go back.”

Speaking of baking cookies, a certain person had a small score to settle.

He Chuzhou pulled Pei Xi’s head away from his shoulder and raised his eyebrows: “Aren’t you going to tell me that I disturbed you while you were baking?”

Pei Xi said: “I don’t mind being disturbed.”

He Chuzhou felt sour: “You didn’t like me talking so much and told me not to disturb you.”

Pei Xi said seriously: “But if I didn’t find something to do, I would miss you all the time.”

He Chuzhou’s eyes glimmered.

Pei Xi added: “I didn’t want you to be distracted and worried about me while on your business trip. Always thinking about hurrying back would delay your work.”

Classmate Xiao Pei was so considerate and sensible, so sweet and coaxing. What else could he say?

He couldn’t say that even though he’d ignored him, he was still eager to return home, right?

However, there was one thing that needed correction: “In your eyes, am I someone so obsessed with love that I don’t even care about work?”

“Of course not.”

Pei Xi pursed his lips in a smile. He held He Chuzhou’s face and made him lower his head, nuzzling very slightly against his forehead and the tip of his nose: “You are the most amazing person.”

“Welcome home, Gege.”

It was no exaggeration to say that at this moment, He Chuzhou felt as if ten thousand pop rocks were spinning and jumping on the tip of his heart. They crackled and popped, and even the powdered sugar glowed with all the colors of the rainbow.

He no longer thought about how good it sounded, nor did he think about how to trick this person into calling him that again. He only wanted to bring him home, throw him on the bed, and lick him from top to bottom.

Gift boxes big and small were poured out and piled on the living room carpet, each one with a different colored delicate, romantic ribbon tied in a bow.

Two people sat cross-legged on the floor, knees touching. One was carefully opening gifts, while one was happily eating cookies from a plate.

They were a bit hard.

And a little salty.

But it didn’t matter. They were still delicious.

Every time Pei-calico opened a gift, he would turn his head and give him a kiss on the face. It made him a little, ahem, a little overwhelmed.

It was just that, when he brought these gifts back, he hadn’t expected this kind of thank-you.

Pei-calico’s mouth is so soft…..(chew, chew, chew)

Pei-calico smells so good….. (chew, chew, chew)

His kisses are going to get him hot…..(chew, chew, chew)

Tsk, keep it together, He Chuzhou (chew, chew, chew)

You have to go step by step (chew, chew, chew)

If you can’t keep it together, don’t take advantage, just get out of here (chew, chew, chew)

No way, too tired from the business trip. Must sit down for a little longer (chew, chew, chew)

…..Pei-calico’s mouth is so soft (chew, chew, chew)

He looked at the small pile of unopened gifts in front of Pei Xi and sighed with regret. Setting down the cookies, he took his cell phone and went to the study.

“Mom, did you receive the gift?” The video screen popped up. He opened the study door ajar, walked behind the computer desk, and pulled out the chair.

Mrs. Chu was sitting in a dignified manner on a sofa, wearing a green cheongsam and a white fur shawl as she elegantly unboxed a light-hued, palm-sized gift box. “En.”

He Chuzhou sat down: “How is it?”

From this angle, he could just see the slim figure sitting alone on the living room floor, concentrating on opening gifts.

Such was Pei-calico. Even his back was cute.

Mrs. Chu took out a string of white pearls, round and translucent, from the gift box, looking at them over and over with satisfaction: “Not bad.”

He Chuzhou: “As long as you like it. There should also be a bracelet in a black box.”

Chu Yuelan raised her eyebrows: “There should be? Did you not pick them out yourself?”

He Chuzhou spread his hands helplessly: “When your son heads off, he needs to be led around by someone, and he certainly doesn’t know any local specialties. How can he rely on the local people?”

Chu Yuelan gave it some thought. This was true. She then took a bracelet made of green jade and sandalwood and showed it to the camera: “Your dad bought this for me on our anniversary. What do you think?”

He Chuzhou praised: “Beautiful, ah. The old man is still such a romantic even at this age.”

Chu Yuelan set the bracelet down and commented pertinently: “En, it’s a good thing you didn’t pick things out yourself. Remember to ask the locals next time, okay?”

He Chuzhou: “……”

“Hahahahahahaha!”

The rich laughter of a middle-aged man echoed outside the screen, coming from the old man who’d given her the beaded bracelet.

Soon after, He Aiyue’s head popped over and she blew him a fierce kiss: “Ge, I like the gift you got me so much! Love you, love you, muah, muah muah! I’ve decided that I won’t bad-mouth you to Mom for the next month!”

The corners of He Chuzhou’s mouth twitched speechlessly: “Thank you so much.”

“Aiya, you’re welcome, you’re welcome~”

The young girl happily withdrew and resumed tinkering with her gift.

Chu Yuelan slowly opened the bracelet box, and suddenly remembered something: “By the way, Chuzhou, your dad wants you to send him a couple of books when you have time.”

He Chuzhou: “Books? Aren’t there a lot at home?”

Chu Yuelan glanced fleetingly to the side: “You have a mouth, come say it yourself.”

In the next second, there was another face on the screen.

He Jiangchuan’s temples had gone grey, but he still had a spry temperament, and the brilliance of his youth could be vaguely seen. When such a good-natured person smiled, every wrinkle on his face seemed to be filled with joy.

“I’ve read almost all of the ones we have at home. Last time I went to your place, I saw some interesting books. I don’t remember the titles, but the covers were red and the characters were gilded.”

“I was polite. I saw something interesting and didn’t just take it away.”

He Chuzhou stood up and immediately glanced at the red-covered books on the bookshelf. He took two books and raised them toward the camera: “These ones?”

He Jiangchuan took stock and shook his head: “No, they were thicker than those.”

He Chuzhou stuffed the books back into their original spots and continued to search.

Suddenly, he heard the door click. As soon as he turned around, a figure rushed toward him and hugged his neck. 

Pei Xi wasn’t as tall as him, so he had to stand on his tiptoes as he kissed him loudly on the forehead. In a rare show of emotion, a smile spread across his features.

“I’m done.”

“I like everything very much. Thank you, Gege.”

He Chuzhou’s mind went blank for half a second. He sucked in a deep breath.

Then, not daring to breathe, he turned his head and looked at the cell phone propped up on his desk.

Three faces were squeezed into the small screen, all with varying expressions.

There was a rare crack in Mrs. Chu’s unshakable elegance. Old Man He was profoundly shocked.

He Aiyue’s reaction was the biggest. Her eyes widened like copper bells, her mouth gaping wide enough to hold an egg.

---

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Chapter 39 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 41

Liu Zhenqing’s cheeks reddened at Li Xingruo’s words, making her smile.

“Look at you today. You never worried about flirting with others in the past, but now you’re shy and blushing?”

Liu Zhening coughed, saying: “What about the jade Rubik’s Cube?”

Li Xingruo paused, and a chill flashed through her eyes: “I always thought it would be buried with your previous body.”

“It wasn’t in the coffin?” Liu Zhenqing asked in surprise.

It stood to reason that it should be buried with him. Not to mention funerary items, that was something he carried with him. He had a special status, and nobody in the palace would dare to steal his property.

“You should have heard about Fenglie opening the coffin.”

Liu Zhenqing said with a nod: “En, Bai Su told me in detail.”

Li Xingruo said: “Back then, Fenglie returned with serious injuries to pry open the coffin and take your bones away. Seeing him like that, I just let him do what he wanted. But I looked at the coffin and found nothing in it, nor on your body.”

“It’s actually lost.” Liu Zhenqing’s face darkened slightly. He didn’t care about his belongings after his death, but that was a jade token given to him by Huo Fenglie.

Li Xingruo looked at him and said: “Let it pass. Now that you’re together, everything else isn’t that important. On the contrary, the matter of cremation…..”

Liu Zhenqing said: “I told you all that was my wish.”

Li Xingruo nodded: “You are the only one with such a unique request. I didn’t stop him, because I heard you say it before. Did you know he used your ashes for a tattoo?”

Liu Zhenqing gave an awkward nod, a little embarrassed to say it.

Smiling, Li Xingruo said: “He didn’t tell anyone else. I discovered it by accident while treating him. Fenglie likes you to the core.”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth rose slightly.

“Many thanks to you as well,” Li Xingruo said abruptly.

Liu Zhenqing looked at her in confusion.

She said: “His heart died after you passed, but he had to be strong and hold on. It seemed like his life was more painful than death.”

Liu Zhenqing’s face went blank. He said dumbly: “I…..heard Master say wouldn’t actively cooperate with treatment.”

Shaking her head, Li Xingruo said: “It wasn’t just that he didn’t cooperate, but he also didn’t take his life seriously at all. No matter how badly he was injured, he never asked the doctor whether he would heal or how long it would take to recover, like he didn’t care at all. Both Uncle Tian and I could see that if it weren’t for the fact that there were young ones in the family who needed to be taken care of, that the border would become unstable without the Huo family in charge, and that he had to fulfill your and Feihan’s last wishes, he might have left to follow you long ago.”

Liu Zhenqing shivered as he felt a full-body chill.

Li Xingruo gazed at the twins playing with Liu Qiao not far away: “If you’d come back a few years later, when the two littles ones are grown and mature enough to take over the Huo family, the mechanism box still wouldn’t have been opened and he certainly wouldn’t have waited.”

This last sentence rendered Liu Zhenqing unable to sit still. Waves of fear swelled in his heart, and his back was actually covered in sweat.

He had always intended to stay away from the capital and not disturb or be disturbed. Little did he know that there was another person whose life was tied to his. If they hadn’t met, if Er-gou hadn’t recognized him, then we would have gone away anonymously and at ease, but would perhaps soon hear about the death of the general who guards the country.

Perhaps he would have just been sad for a while and secretly express his condolences, lamenting the fate of the Huo family to die in battle and that Er-gou hadn’t left any heirs. And then…..that would be it.

Liu Zhenqing’s heart broke at the thought of this possibility. He wanted to see Er-gou immediately, to hug him tightly and coax him.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t sit still, wanting to find the original designs Huo Fenglie used so that he could feel better mentally.

Li Xingruo wanted to continue talking to him about the remaining ashes, but thought Huo Fenglie should have mentioned it to Liu Zhenqing. As a result, Liu Zhenqing had already hurried away without giving Li Xingruo a chance to speak.

Liu Zhenqing went to Huo Fenglie’s study and found the original designs for the jade Rubik’s Cube. Looking at the detailed draft, he had scrapped several pieces. He had really put a lot of thought into them.

That year, after the Imperial Academy Peach Blossom Banquet, Huo Fenglie had suddenly said he wanted to go to the battlefield at the age of fifteen. He’d given him a gift before departing – a hollow mini Rubik’s Cube carved from rare warm jade. It could be hung at the waist instead of a jade pendant, and also had a gradient green hue for decoration.

When he was thinking over problems in the past, he always played with this small object. It wasn’t heavy hanging at his waist and could be picked up and played with at any time.

But because of this, strange rumors circulated that he would kill a person each time he turned a Rubik’s Cube.

Liu Zhenqing, however, really liked it. At first, he occasionally wore it as a normal decoration. Then he basically wouldn’t change it out for any other jewelry, and wore it until he died in the Dragon Court.

Feeling a little depressed, Liu Zhenqing sat in the study and thought about the scene where he’d said goodbye to Er-gou. That fool never told him the jade was important. If he had…..at that time, he probably wouldn’t have had the heart to refuse a young man who was about to go to the battlefield. Even if he was shocked and had no thoughts in that regard for the time being, he would respectfully accept it and say they would talk about it in the future.

But Er-gou just left without saying anything.

“Master?” Seeing Liu Zhenqing at a loss, Liu Qiao came down and said: “I’ll help you find it.”

Liu Zhenqing let out a breath and said: “Fenglie and I have known each other for so long, and now we’re engaged. He hasn’t mentioned it again, likely because he already searched for it and couldn’t find it in the end.”

Liu Zhenqing felt some guilt for not putting away that jade stone of great significance.

Huo Fenglie had a lot of matters to handle, and it was already very late when he returned. He would normally stay the night in the military camp under such circumstances, but now he had a reason to come back.

He returned to the house on light feet and looked around. The bed curtain had been lowered and Liu Zhenqing was already asleep. A single lit candle emitted a faint light, as if waiting for someone to return home.

Huo Fenglie’s cold eyes gradually gentled under such weak illumination.

He quietly finished washing up and removed his outer layer. Just as he was about to lift the bed curtain, someone suddenly rushed out and hugged Huo Fenglie.

“Er-gou.”

Huo Fenglie was a little happy to still be able to talk to his lover. “Qing-ge, I’m back. Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Liu Zhenqing released Huo Fenglie wordlessly, then grabbed his collar and led him to bed with an amorous look on his face.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes darkened. He cooperatively embraced Liu Zhenqing and kissed him.

Huo Fenglie had missed him dearly after not seeing him for a day, as if it was only Liu Zhenqing’s presence that could make him happy.

As soon as he reached down with his hand, Liu Zhenqing grabbed his hands and pinned them above his head.

“Don’t move.”

Huo Fenglie looked blankly at Liu Zhenqing above him. The light was weak, but a pair of eyes could be seen, like those of an exceptionally clever fox hunting prey.

But in the next second, Huo Fenglie couldn’t see anything – because Liu Zhenqing had directly covered his eyes with a handkerchief.

He thought Liu Zhenqing still hadn’t given up and was about to try again, so he could only call out, “Qing-ge…..”

“Don’t worry, I won’t push tonight.” Liu Zhenqing’s smiling voice slowly approached.

A while later, Liu Qiao was about to close the door to rest in another room in the courtyard, when he was suddenly alerted by a noise, and then a call of “Qing-ge!”

Liu Qiao was so alarmed that he rushed in the direction of the sound in the main room.

“Master? General Huo?”

Liu Qiao heard the sound of wood breaking, as if shattered by internal force.

Just as Liu Qiao was about to anxiously break in, he heard an indistinct voice: “It’s fine, go back and rest…..no need to come over if you hear noises.”

Although he was somewhat unsure, since nothing had happened, Liu Qiao went back to rest.

Inside the room, the head of the bed frame had broken and fallen to the floor. It would definitely have to be replaced the next day, but neither of them cared.

Then Huo Fenglie hurriedly shouted: “Qing-ge!”

Although Liu Zhenqing wanted to learn what Huo Fenglie had done to him before, Huo Fenglie moved too fast and pushed him away firmly.

But in the next moment, Huo Fenglie froze.

Liu Zhenqing was also stunned.

Huo Fenglie took a sharp breath and said: “I’m sorry, Qing-ge!” Then he instantly came over and wiped Liu Zhenqing’s face with the handkerchief that had just been covering his eyes.

“Qing-ge, it’s okay, I’ll get some water for you to wash with.” Huo Fenglie was a little flustered, and his voice fluctuated. 

Liu Zhenqing’s voice was hoarse when he opened his mouth, but his nature was still inherently naughty. “Er-gou is very good at playing, ah. Did you take a peek at a picture book? I didn’t expect it to be like this. Was it satisfying?”

Huo Fenglie nearly forgot how to breathe, his entire face flushed red. Where was the maturity and poise when arranging tasks for his subordinates during the day? In front of Liu Zhenqing, he would always be a fool.

He ignored Liu Zhenqing’s teasing and hurried off to get water. Halfway there, he recalled the critical moment just now…..and quickly got some tea.

When the tea was handed to Liu Zhenqing, he raised an eyebrow and gave Huo Fenglie a wicked smile, saying: “It tastes good.”

When Liu Zhenqing saw Huo Fenglie lower his eyes in vexation and shyness, he was perfectly satisfied. 

He pulled this person back into bed and found that the other was still a little unhappy.

Liu Zhenqing could only coax the puppy: “What is it? Do you feel uncomfortable? The heat tattoo on your body is showing. I could see you felt so good that you were about to lose control.”

Huo Fenglie’s punch had smashed the head of the bed.

He pursed his thin lips slightly, but in the end, Huo Fenglie could only say non threateningly: “Next time…..don’t do this. I really will lose control.”

“Er-gou really has double standards. You can always do it, but I can’t.” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “I just like it when you lose control. The more out of control, the better.”

Huo Fenglie was truly aggrieved and distressed. He wished he could hold Liu Zhenqing in his heart, hold him at the top of the clouds. Being intimate was already the happiest thing, so how could it be like this…..

But facing Liu Zhenqing, what could he do? He could only act like a large dog, rubbing against Liu Zhenqing’s neck and begging unskillfully for mercy. “Qing-ge, please.”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth curled up.

“Then tell me honestly whether you liked it or not. If you tell the truth, I’ll listen to you.” Liu Zhenqing teased this little friend, but his eyes were staring so intently at Huo Fenglie that he couldn’t help but hold his breath. In the end, he could only nod honestly.

How could he not like it? Even though he took off the blindfold when he was alarmed, the feeling of being unable to see anything and only being able to let Qing-ge do what he wanted was truly unendurable. Especially for a martial arts master like Huo Fenglie, who was already sensitive. Once one sense was missing, the others were inevitably magnified. Seeing the scene afterward, he liked it so much that he almost went crazy.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and raised his eyebrows: “Since you liked it, I’ll definitely do it more in the future.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression changed at once. He’d been tricked again.

Liu Zhenqing really liked to bully Er-gou in bed. In a good mood, he kissed the corner of his mouth and coaxed in a low voice: “Qing-ge hasn’t come yet. Help Qing-ge.”

Huo Fenglie’s body stiffened, but he still couldn’t help but embrace that warm body.

The night was neither long nor short, just long enough for the two of them to cuddle up against each other.

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t willing to make Huo Fenglie stay up late. After all, he could sleep during the day, but Huo Fenglie was busy.

“Okay, go to sleep,” Liu Zhenqing said, stroking Huo Fenglie’s cheek.

Huo Fenglie hugged Liu Zhenqing in silence. Finally, he said: “Did something happen today? Qing-ge seemed to be in a low mood.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Huo Fenglie to be aware of it. He didn’t seem to have revealed anything, ah.

Not hiding anything from Huo Fenglie, Liu Zhenqing said: “I asked Junior Sister today why you didn’t give me a jade pendant token from your Huo family when we’re already engaged.”

Huo Fenglie stared blankly for a moment, then looked intently at Liu Zhenqing. Liu Zhenqing nuzzled Huo Fenglie’s nose, the light in his eyes like gently flowing water.

“You blockhead, why didn’t you tell me when you gave it to me? If I knew, I would have cherished it even more.”

Huo Fenglie was silent. After a moment, he said: “I was too young back then. I knew you would be shocked. Sorry, Qing-ge, I looked for it but couldn’t find it.”

Liu Zhenqing: “I should be the one apologizing. I accidentally lost it.”

“It’s not Qing-ge’s fault.”

Liu Zhenqing smiled against his forehead: “Fortunately, we didn’t lose each other. That’s enough.”

Those guilt-ridden matters would slowly be made up to Er-gou in the future.

But it seemed Er-gou wouldn’t give him the chance.

Those days in the General’s Manor were basically spent doing whatever he wanted, playing around with Junior Sister and chatting and laughing with the two little ones. It was very comfortable.

But Huo Fenglie must have been given a fright that night. Although it was unknown if he was guarding against him, he was a little evasive.

This afternoon, the twins were taken to the Huo family for exams. Liu Zhenqing was bored and reading some unspeakable books in the courtyard while Liu Qiao caught fish in the stream, when he saw someone leaping in.

Liu Zhenqing looked up to see He Lan, and greeted him.

He Lan approached the pavilion and was about to speak, when his eyes instantly lit up.

“What a great thing, this painter is amazing! How did you find it?”

“A cut-sleeve shop. You don’t even know this?” Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows.

“How can that be? When I went to buy some, they were all poorly painted.”

“That’s because you don’t have the right connections. I’ll sell this copy to you for fifty taels.” When Liu Qiao bought it, he’d looked at the cover rather than the inside and ended up getting cheated twenty taels. He Lan immediately paid for it. This type of painting was worth it! He happily thanked Liu Zhenqing after the transaction and put it in his sleeve. Then he said seriously: “By the way, where’s Zhanyuan? I came to find him.”

“Probably in the military camp.”

“I was just there and didn’t see him.”

Liu Zhenqing gave a snort and saw Liu Qiao suddenly pause in the distance, then go back to fishing with a natural expression. He Lan seemed to realize someone had come, and started to look behind Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and feigned ignorance: “Ai, how would I know where he is? He’s been so cold to me recently and won’t pay attention to me.”

Sure enough, He Lan’s expression went strange.

Liu Zhenqing deliberately opened a book and pointed to one of the erotic pages, saying: “Do you think that if I do this, he’ll give me a second glance?”

In the next second, a gust of wind blew as a hand went over Liu Zhenqing’s shoulder and abruptly closed the book on the table.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyes toward the person above him. Seeing the embarrassment on his face, he suppressed a smile and directed a look of resentment at him.

He Lan coughed when he saw this. He patted the book in his sleeve and said very reasonably: “Zhanyuan, ah, now that you’re engaged, no matter how busy you get, you can’t neglect Brother Liu, ah.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded aggrievedly, and Huo Fenglie’s expression shifted.

He could only say helplessly: “Yundu, what do you want from me?”

As he spoke, he turned all the books on the table over. Out of sight, out of mind.

Only then did He Lan remember proper business. He glanced at Liu Zhenqing and said without further comments on the subject: “The emperor has ordered a secret investigation of Prime Minister Jiang. I remember him being involved in something regarding military pay, and I need relevant information. You prepared two copies back then for future emergencies, so give me one of them.”

Huo Fenglie was taken aback, saying: “One copy was given to the emperor, and the other one…..I gave it to Zichuan just now because the Dongchang was also ordered to investigate.”

He Lan was stunned, and instantly said in shock: “Lao Qin! He came to find you? Didn’t I say for you to…..”

Huo Fenglie cut him off: “He said he didn’t want to see you.”

He Lan’s expression turned ugly at once.

Huo Fenglie added: “But since you’re here, you should meet him by chance on your way back.”

He Lan’s eyes lit up, and he flew away while shouting: “Why didn’t you tell me earlier!”

When He Lan left, Huo Fenglie looked down to find Liu Zhenqing looking at him with a smile in his eyes.

Huo Fenglie was a little ill-at-ease. He pushed the books farther down the table and took a seat, saying: “Qing-ge, let me tell you about Zichuan.”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and picked up a book, flipping through it: “Tell me.”

Huo Fenglie drew in a sharp breath and could only stare directly at Liu Zhenqing’s face without looking elsewhere.

“Zichuan didn’t tell me specifically what he and his adoptive father have talked about. He just said that his adoptive father would never cease to be faithful and would never harm the Huo family.”

Liu Zhenqing frowned slightly.

Huo Fenglie said in a heavy voice: “He said that if I don’t believe him, I can guard against him and the Dongchang. He won’t stay close to us for the time being, but will follow his adoptive father.”

“What do they intend to do?”

“He didn’t say.”

“He’s your brother. What do you think?”

“Zichuan is suspicious by nature. The reason he’s listening to his adoptive father now must not be because he’s been persuaded, but that his adoptive father must have demonstrated enough sincerity and evidence to make him think there is nothing wrong with following him. Aside from my suspicions…..”

“You suspect that the one leaving us messages to avoid danger was from the Dongchang?”

Huo Fenglie nodded. “They were able to follow us all over, and in addition to being more capable than the enemy, they acted on their own initiative to either save or kill.”

Liu Zhenqing thought for a moment and didn’t refute it.

“Qing-ge, don’t worry. I won’t take this lightly because of my personal relationships.” Huo Fenglie said: “The first priority now is Prime Minister Jiang. He’s a key figure in all of this, and once he’s taken down, many things may become clear.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded in agreement.

Huo Fenglie smiled and said: “Qing-ge, today Yuan Jue gave orders to make it look like we’ve just come back, so you can leave the house tomorrow instead of staying inside all the time.”

Huo Fenglie knew Liu Zhenqing’s lively nature the best. It was impossible for him to stay inside all time without going out.

Liu Zhenqing looked at him with a half-smile.

“What’s wrong?” Huo Fenglie asked.

“Blockhead, if I return in an upright manner, then…..won’t I have to go back to Liu Manor?” Liu Zhenqing donned a sad expression. Pushing Huo Fenglie’s chest, he said: “So heartless, are you really tired of me?”

Huo Fenglie was dumbfounded. He quickly took Liu Zhenqing’s hand and stared, wide-eyed. He really hadn’t expected this.

“Qing-ge, this matter…..”

Knowing that Huo Fenglie was asking if there was any room to maneuver, Liu Zhenqing shook his head. Living in the General’s Manor before marriage couldn’t be justified. Although he didn’t care about reputation or anything like that, they couldn’t be so careless. He must go back to Liu Manor.

There was no need to worry about his safety when leaving the General’s Manor. After all, Liu Qiao would be following him. He just couldn’t bear to leave all the Huo family members, especially his Er-gou.

Er-gou lowered his eyelashes. Sure enough, he was upset.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes gleamed: “Ai, I must return tomorrow. Fenglie, satisfy a small request of mine today.”

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing, who pointed to the book on the table, where the page was open to certain scenery under a pavilion.

Huo Fenglie’s ears instantly turned red.

“The sunset is so beautiful and the scenery is so nice, but it won’t be possible when it gets cold in a few days.”

“I’ll have Liu Qiao leave. No one would break into this place other than He Lan and Qin Yu, right?”

He sat on Huo Fenglie’s lap and hugged his neck with a smile on his face, saying: “I’m leaving soon.”

Huo Fenglie’s eyes flashed and he embraced Liu Zhenqing tightly. Unfortunately, looking out from the pavilion, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t see much of the beautiful scenery of the setting sun and sky full of stars. He could only see Huo Fenglie’s burning gaze.

Later, Huo Fenglie carried Liu Zhenqing into the manor to clean up.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and said to Huo Fenglie: “Remember to tell Uncle Tian.”

“Tell him what?”

“That starting tomorrow, Second Master Huo will be staying out all night.”

Huo Fenglie was washing Liu Zhenqing’s hair. He froze upon hearing this and almost stuttered when he looked at Liu Zhenqing. “Qing-ge…..what do you mean?”

Liu Zhenqing turned around in the tub, leaning against the edge as he said with a smile: “Naturally, you’ll have to climb my wall every night, break into my room, and sleep in my bed.”

Huo Fenglie took a few deep breaths. He could only look at Liu Zhenqing helplessly.

“Do you really want to be apart from me? I don’t want to leave you for a single moment. I’ll miss you and my heart will ache.”

Liu Zhenqing’s sweet words instantly defeated Huo Fenglie. He bent down and kissed Liu Zhenqing on the forehead: “En, I’ll come find you.”

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Chapter 126 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 128

Two days later, Huo Fenglie received a secret order to bring Liu Zhenqing with him to the palace.

Neither of them seemed surprised about being faced with such an imperial edict. Having hinted at so much before, rumors outside were gradually beginning to spread. Regardless of his purpose, Yuan Jue must be concerned about Huo Fenglie’s big lifetime event.

Only…..

Looking at Liu Zhenqing’s dull expression, with a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Huo Fenglie’s eyes flashed. He lowered his eyes to hide them, saying: “If you don’t want to go, don’t go.”

Liu Zhenqing was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh: “And dare to resist an imperial edict?”

Huo Fenglie’s expression remained unchanged, fixed on Liu Zhenqing with a firm look.

Liu Zhenqing knew that Huo Fenglie was serious. Even if it upset Yuan Jue, Huo Fenglie didn’t want to make Liu Zhenqing unhappy at all.

Liu Zhenqing could only reach out and pinch the other’s upright nose: “How can the future wife of the general who guards the country not meet with the emperor? I said I wanted to tell the world about our marriage, but it won’t be suitable for me to reveal too much to Yuan Jue, so I’ll pretend to be more timid later. You must remember to ask Yuan Jue for a marriage decree.”

Huo Fenglie was slightly startled: “Ask for a marriage decree?”

Liu Zhenqing said in surprise: “You don’t think it’s enough for us to get engaged privately, do you? You’re currently the general who guards the country. If you don’t let the emperor participate in the marriage, it will be unreasonable, and when the time comes, people outside will make arrangements again.”

Liu Zhenqing felt that there was something wrong with the way Huo Fenglie was looking at him. Just as he was about to inquire, Huo Fenglie had already stood up and said: “Understood. Let’s go.”

The people who came to pick them up that night were of the Jinyiwei, the six of them wearing flying fish uniforms. The leader among them happened to be He Lan, whom they hadn’t seen in a long while.

He Lan only knew that they were back temporarily after receiving a secret order. He looked quite excited upon seeing the two of them and came up to them, saying: “I thought you weren’t coming back. How is Zhanyuan’s health?”

Huo Fenglie was in a good mood after meeting He Lan. “I’m completely fine,” he said.

He Lan was a big talker, but couldn’t say much while carrying out a mission. All they could do was give their greetings and set off together.

Watching as Huo Fenglie lifted Liu Zhenqing and followed them on the road using qinggong, He Lan raised a gossiping eyebrow.

But He Lan vaguely felt like something was wrong behind him, so he approached the two as they leapt and said: “Did you bring anyone else with you?”

He Lan’s perception in this area was still very keen. Liu Qiao was naturally following behind them.

“A shadow guard. He won’t follow us into the palace.”

He Lan was a little surprised. “When did you take on a shadow guard?” he asked.

“He’s mine,” Liu Zhenqing said.

He Lan feigned sudden enlightenment, saying with a smile: “Oh, I understand. Your status isn’t ordinary anymore. Being the future wife of the general is a very precarious position.”

The Jinyiwei were very well-informed, so they had naturally heard some things.

Liu Zhenqing smiled when he heard this and said: “Indeed.”

He Lan raised his eyebrows. This meant that the news was true and they were really engaged. Even when they were traveling together, he could tell that they had a different relationship. But when he actually heard about the engagement, He Lan’s fragile heart still received a shock. And to think, they had made a bet that Huo Fenglie would be a bachelor for the rest of his life.

Thinking of his own situation, he felt pure envy and jealousy.

They arrived at the palace in secret. The moment they landed, Liu Zhenqing didn’t know if it was just in his head, but he felt a biting chill come over him. 

Under the palace wall, down the corridors, and through the arches, familiar scenes came into view. After all, from the age of twenty-four when the new emperor ascended, he had spent most of his time each day in the palace with Yuan Jue.

It was no exaggeration to say that in the last two years, the palace was the place where he spent the most time and went through the most changes.

Liu Zhenqing’s brow furrowed almost noticeably. The hand hanging by his side was grabbed by someone, and it wasn’t until he felt the contrast between hot and cold that he felt the chill of his own palm.

Liu Zhenqing cast a sideways glance at Huo Fenglie, smiling slightly at his worried expression.

“The palace is so big, ah,” Liu Zhenqing lamented.

He Lan thought it was his first time here, and said with a smile: “This is just the start. If you have the opportunity to go to the highest building and look down, you’ll know just how big the palace is.”

Liu Zhenqing echoed him with an expression of wonder.

Under the escort of the Jinyiwei, they finally arrived at the government hall.

When a eunuch came out to meet them, Liu Zhenqing tried to let go of Huo Fenglie’s hand. After all, it wouldn’t be good if the emperor saw them engaging in PDA like this.

Huo Fenglie didn’t let go, but held on tightly as he pulled Liu Zhenqing into the hall.

The majestic hall was quiet and empty. Liu Zhenqing lowered his head. Wherever he looked, only the bright yellow hue of the steps could be seen. And as Huo Fenglie knelt down and saluted, he couldn’t see anything.

After waiting a while, they heard a clear voice with a slight smile tell them to get up.

Liu Zhenqing kept his head lowered after standing up, behaving himself. He didn’t look directly at the holy face, but could still feel those eyes on him. 

Yuan Jue was indeed looking at Liu Zhenqing, watching him follow Huo Fenglie obediently and inconspicuously.

But just now as Huo Fenglie led him inside, he watched over every move the other made.

Yuan Jue had known Huo Fenglie for so many years, and had never seen him take such care of anyone.

Even when it was “Liu Zhenqing,” Huo Fenglie would only follow him in silence and look up to him.

Thus, Yuan Jue became even more curious about the Young Master Liu before him.

“Eldest Young Master of the Liu family, raise your head.”

Liu Zhenqing had already expected this. Without thinking too much, he feigned uneasiness and slowly raised his head to look at Yuan Jue. He averted his eyes as much as possible, as if afraid of beholding the emperor.

Liu Zhenqing’s acting skills were naturally top-notch. Yuan Jue took a few glances and felt like this person was different than he’d imagined. He was a little disappointed.

And Liu Zhenqing exerted himself to suppress his roiling, chaotic emotions. Different from the shock he felt when meeting Huo Fenglie, Yuan Jue was now like a stranger to Liu Zhenqing.

Yuan Jue had truly grown up. He looked more and more like Crown Prince Jing Yang, like a benevolent emperor. But there was still a vicious aura to his features that would be difficult for others to detect. Liu Zhenqing knew this was all because of his harsh experiences during childhood.

“I’ve heard that Young Master Liu was involved in the war with the Western Shu Kingdom. Was he injured?”

“A…..answering Your Majesty, the general rescued us in time, and the civilians are safe,” Liu Zhenqing said with fear and trepidation.

“Following the general on his southern tour, Young Master Liu must have helped a lot. This can be regarded as working on my behalf. I will certainly reward you based on your merits.”

Liu Zhenqing immediately knelt down and said: “Your Majesty, this common one is guilty. He left the capital privately just to prove the innocence of the Liu family. I dare not expect credit. Now that the Liu family is fine, this one is even more grateful. What’s more, it is already good that this one didn’t cause any trouble for General Huo. I didn’t help at all, only gave advice when there were occasional financial problems, and was useless everywhere else.”

Yuan Jue’s eyes narrowed slightly. He twisted the jade ring on his hand. This kind of performance was the most common type he had seen, but he kept feeling that something wasn’t right. Perhaps because such an ordinary, common person shouldn’t have been favored by Huo Fenglie, or because he didn’t look like ‘that’ person. Why made Huo Fenglie change? He’d heard that this person had harassed Huo Fenglie before, and Huo Fenglie hadn’t given him the time of day.

“Your leaving the capital has my tacit approval, but since I’ve said this, I’ll just assume you’ve made up for past faults with good deeds.” Yuan Jue wasn’t interested in testing Liu Zhenqing further. He looked at Huo Fenglie and said: “But there are currently many rumors about you in the outside world…..”

Huo Fenglie knelt down and said: “Your Majesty, if you’re speaking of the engagement between Young Master Liu and I, it is indeed true. Young Master Liu and I will procure a wedding contract tomorrow.”

Yuan Jue was taken aback. His eyes darkened, and he said: “Zhanyuan, do you mean what you just said?”

“How can marriage be a trivial matter? How could it be but a trifle? It’s naturally impossible for a humble subject to speak nonsense in front of Your Majesty. The marriage certificate has been handed off to Sister-in-law at home. When the time is right, she will go to the Liu family to propose marriage.”

Yuan Jue’s expression changed slightly when he heard this, and he waved his hand to let Liu Zhenqing go down first.

Liu Zhenqing glanced at Huo Fenglie, who gave him a firm nod.

Then, Liu Zhenqing left with the eunuch.

It wasn’t until there were only the two people left in the palace that Yuan Jue got to the point: “Zhanyuan, I thought I heard wrong at first. Do you really intend to marry him?”

“Your Majesty, please bestow this marriage on me as a reward,” Huo Fenglie said.

Yuan Jue stiffened, knowing that Huo Fenglie was serious.

“Why? It’s not him you like.”

Huo Fenglie raised his head to look at Yuan Jue, then said: “When I marry him, I will naturally be happy with him.”

Yuan Jue choked for a moment. Right, ah, in the whole world, who could force Huo Fenglie to marry? If Huo Fenglie wanted to marry, he would naturally be willing.

Yuan Jue still seemed a little unconvinced. It was clear that Huo Fenglie liked Liu Zhenqing, ah. He’d been in love with him for so many years, to the point that he didn’t care about life or death, and would not marry for the rest of his life. How could he actually marry someone else in the blink of an eye and announce it to the world?

He’d thought it fantastical when he first heard the rumors, but now that Huo Fenglie had admitted it in person, Yuan Jue still thought it was unbelievable.

But looking into Huo Fenglie’s resolute eyes, Yuan Jue didn’t voice his doubts. He only said: “He is of the Liu family. Do you know what that means?”

“Your Majesty has said that this Liu family is not that Liu family.”

Yuan Jue wore a cynical smile: “That is for everyone in the country to hear, but you understand clearly. How many of your Huo family and Huo Family Army can accept a descendant of the Liu family as your wife?”

They had discussed these issues when they first got together. Even those in the army stationed in Nanfeng city who knew Liu Zhenqing’s identity were quite critical of it. However, the Huo Family Army was disciplined. At most, they would express resentment when it came up in conversation, but they would not reveal their anger. Moreover, the generational replacement had been rapid in the past ten years and there were already very few veterans who had passed through Huo Feihan’s hands. There weren’t that many people who truly had a grudge against the descendants of the Liu family.

Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie. One who was used to seeing all kinds of things out in the world, and one who had never seen such things at all. They naturally didn’t care about these external matters as long as they received the blessings of those they cared about. After all, under absolute authority, those who would scold them could only say words.

Huo Fenglie said: “This subject only wishes to marry one person in this life.”

Yuan Jue took in Huo Fenglie’s stubborn expression and laughed angrily: “Even if everyone in the world stabs you in the back, you’re not afraid.”

Huo Fenglie shook his head.

Yuan Jue’s turbulent breathing gradually settled in his chest. He could see that Huo Fenglie was determined to marry Liu Zhenqing. And when Huo Fenglie was certain of something, how could he so easily compromise with the outside world? 

“Alright. If you wish for a marriage decree, how can I refuse? I hope my brother will be happy, but I didn’t expect that after all this time, he would choose the Liu family again. Can this be considered an ill-fated relationship?” Yuan Jue lowered his eyes and said, “When something happened to Huo-dage, that man was still in power and no one dared to question Huo-dage’s death. But the verdict was later overturned. According to military reports, everything pointed to that person harming Huo-dage and his 100,000-strong army, so everyone hated and cursed him. I also asked if you hated him, but you never answered.”

Yuan Jue regarded the expressionless Huo Fenglie and said: “I know now that you don’t hate him.”

That was why he could calmly accept a person from the Liu bloodline.

Huo Fenglie looked at Yuan Jue and asked the same thing: “And does Your Majesty hate him?”

He didn’t need to detail what he saw and heard in the south — because the emperor before him was more intelligent than him. He didn’t know what Yuan Jue was thinking when he didn’t help Liu Zhenqing clear his name, and he couldn’t guess. Perhaps not clearing his name was beneficial to the emperor, or as Liu Zhenqing himself said, clearing his name was futile and would only create conflict with the common people. But since Yuan Jue was indifferent, it had already caused a rift between the monarch and his minister.

What Yuan Jue wanted to see the most was the Huo Fenglie who loved and hated Liu Zhenqing. Not this one.

Both of them were unwilling to discuss matters regarding Liu Zhenqing, and quickly got down to business.

Liu Zhenqing, on the other hand, was waiting outside the hall in the company of He Lan.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t keep his silence inside the palace, and could only talk to He Lan.

After hearing that they had returned, it was truly surprising that He Lan had hardly met Qin Yu in private.

“Why? Have you been so busy since coming back? Is it because of interrogating the rebel prisoners?”

They had returned with the rebel prisoners, after all. Although they had come back one after another, how could they have not seen each other for so long when they were both in the capital?

He Lan rubbed his nose, saying: “I am busy, but the main thing is that Lao Qin is avoiding me! No matter how I look for him and leave messages to meet him, I haven’t seen him at all. I try to say hello every time we meet in the palace, but he just acts like he doesn’t know me! Ruthlessly changing his face and running away after playing with me, it’s really…..”

He Lan spoke through gritted teeth and curses.

Liu Zhenqing was rather surprised. He naturally knew better than He Lan what Qin Yu would do after coming back. But going by this reaction, had he remained with the Dongchang to work for his adoptive father?

“Hmph, but now there’s a way. Isn’t Zhanyuan back? I’ll see if Qin Yu is willing to go see Zhanyuan!”

Seeing how He Lan’s expression became so distorted when mentioning Qin Yu, he must have suppressed a lot of anger.

And this fellow seemed to still mistakenly think Qin Yu liked Huo Fenglie.

He Lan complained about Qin Yu for a long while in front of Liu Zhenqing, until Huo Fenglie came back.

When they returned to the General’s Manor, He Lan especially emphasized that if Qin Yu came without him noticing, he was to be informed. If he didn’t inform him, he wouldn’t be a good brother.

Huo Fenglie regarded He Lan with some befuddlement. He Lan had to stay on duty all night, so he had no choice but to leave first.

“What’s going on?” Huo Fenglie asked.

Liu Zhenqing suppressed a smile and said: “He Lan probably feels he’s been let down.”

At this time, Liu Qiao also flew down: “Aren’t they a couple?”

“You know?” Liu Zhenqing said. “Right, it was you who saved them from the island.”

“En, I saw them embracing each other on the island. Clearly, they were kissing,” Liu Qiao said directly.

Liu Zhenqing nearly laughed out loud. “Were they carrying out a mission or falling in love, ah? But speaking of this, thank you so much for saving them on the island.”

Thinking of this matter, Huo Fenglie also thanked Liu Qiao. After all, He Lan and Qin Yu didn’t know who had saved them, so as good brothers, they could only express gratitude on their behalf. Moreover, Liu Qiao had taken action because he knew they were Huo Fenglie’s brothers.

However, Huo Fenglie recalled one other thing.

“The Yue Family Villa? I’ve never been there. During that time, I was just traveling back and forth between the island and Western Shu,” Liu Qiao replied doubtfully.

When Huo Fenglie brought this up, Liu Zhenqing also remembered that between the Yue family and Song Xingmu, there used to be killers constantly trying to assassinate them, but they always received some helpful information. Liu Zhenqing had also thought it was Liu Qiao.

After all, Qiao Jin and the others were under the influence of the people in the capital. Knowing that assassination was possible, since Liu Qiao had helped He Lan and Qin you, how could he have not been the one to help the others too?

Yet Liu Qiao had just denied their conjecture.

That was to say, there was indeed another force obstructing them in order to protect them. None of them could figure it out for the moment, so they could only leave it like this for the time being.

When they returned to their rooms, Liu Zhenqing asked what had happened after he left. He’d expected Yuan Jue to have some objections to their marriage, but Liu Zhenqing was relieved to hear that Yuan Jue had agreed to them getting married after the Longevity Festival.

Liu Zhening said: “Did Yuan Jue talk to you about the Longevity Festival? What are his plans?”

Huo Fenglie said: “It will be announced in a few days that I’ve returned for the Longevity Festival, so preparations will be changed at the last moment.”

“Oh, to catch the opponents off guard? If the enemy made arrangements long ago, their actions will inevitably be disrupted and there will be clues to follow.”

Liu Zhenqing had felt before that Yuan Jue would be putting himself in danger, but it seemed that even now, he didn’t understand him well enough. After all, Yuan Jue still had caution engraved into his bones and wouldn’t risk his own life. Perhaps in the end, if he really couldn’t find who it was, he would find ways to break the wings of everyone he suspected in order to avoid harm.

Huo Fenglie said with a nod: “So I’m afraid I’ll have to go to the military camp in secret to arrange things for Mo Yu and Mo Qi these days. Qing-ge will stay at home.”

Liu Zhenqing expressed his understanding: “What about the group of rebels who were caught?”

Huo Fenglie shook his head, saying: “Those who knew the crux of it are dead, and the rest are unimportant people.”

“Dead?” Liu Zhenqing said in surprise. “The Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple seem to be influenced by the people in the capital. Where are Jiang Wang and King Jing?”

Huo Fenglie said: “Yuan Jue already suspects Prime Minister Jiang Wang after the Imperial Examination fraud, but there seems to be no suspicion placed on King Jing’s head, so I didn’t ask further questions.”

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but play with the Rubik’s Cube Huo Fenglie had placed on the bed for him as he sank into thought.

Huo Fenglie watched the Rubik’s Cube in Liu Zhenqing’s hand. His eyes flickered momentarily and he suddenly asked: “How did you feel about entering the palace today?”

Liu Zhenqing paused, then said with a smile: “I was just dragged off by He Lan to listen to his complaints, so I didn’t have any other thoughts, ah. By the way, about Qin Yu.”

“If he doesn’t come to me, I won’t make conjectures about his behavior for the time being,” Huo Fenglie said solemnly.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “Er-gou is truly loyal.”

Huo Fenglie carefully parsed Liu Zhenqing’s expression and seemed to be unable to detect any other extraneous emotions.

As he was being stared at, Liu Zhenqing took the Rubik’s Cube and tapped the tip of Huo Fenglie’s nose. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes immediately darkened. He directly pulled him into his arms, hugging and kissing him.

Liu Zhenqing was confused by Huo Fenglie’s sudden enthusiasm. It was him who took the initiative in the past, after all.

But this time, without waiting for Liu Zhenqing’s reaction, Huo Fenglie had already lifted him and dumped him into the bed tent.

When Liu Zhenqing’s red-marked hands dropped from the bed frame, he could already hear the crow of a rooster.

Liu Zhenqing sleepily squinted his eyes, looking at the fully-dressed Huo Fenglie who was about to leave for the military camp. He couldn’t help the resentment emanating from his body.

He was so proactive last night, but the result was that he didn’t take the final step. Whose patience was he trying to test, ah? Was the one on top more patient than the one below? Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but dwell on this issue. After all, it would be his first time in this regard.

When Liu Zhenqing woke up once more, he heard twittering and chirping from outside. It was clear that the twins had come to visit him again.

“Liu Qiao?” Liu Zhenqing called.

Liu Qiao quickly appeared: “Master, are you getting up?”

“En, what are you doing outside?”

“Practicing martial arts with Miss Huo.”

Liu Zhenqing laughed, saying: “She must be pestering you.” Looking up, he saw that Liu Qiao’s collar was stretched wide due to the heat and the fighting.

A jade pendant was exposed at the skirt of his clothes. Liu Zhenqing noticed something strange at first glance — it seemed this was not the one Liu Qiao carried with him, so he asked: “This jade pendant of yours…..”

“Oh, this isn’t the original piece.” Liu Qiao took it out and said, “This is what Qiao Jin gave me.”

Liu Zhenqing was shocked the moment Liu Qiao took it out, and quickly beckoned for Liu Qiao to come closer and show him.

The corners of his lips twitched at his first glance. He said: “Qiao Jin gave it to you?”

Liu Qiao shook his head, saying: “Back then, we were fleeing pursuit and had no money. I pawned my piece, and a few years later, Qiao Jin redeemed it again. But instead of giving it to me, he gave me his own. I think they’re pretty much the same, so it doesn’t matter, and we can continue to pawn them when we have no money.”

Liu Zhenqing’s face was about to convulse. Well, Liu Qiao’s bad habit of exchanging jade pendants for money had followed him. However…..

“You can’t exchange this jade pendant if you don’t have money. If you do, Qiao Jin will go crazy. Do you understand the meaning behind this jade pendant?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Liu Qiao shook his head.

“This is an heirloom from his mother, a member of the Liu family. According to the circumstances at the time, this is likely the only heirloom he was able to take away.” Liu Qiao’s expression became a little strange at this explanation, and Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s a cost-effective deal. Even though you don’t care about the jade pendant, it’s also your only certification from him.”

Liu Qiao said with a slightly uncomfortable look: “Then since it’s important…..does this count as an exchange of tokens, ah?”

“Eh, forget it.” Such an important thing was more like a love token. Qiao Jin knew Liu Qiao wouldn’t understand, so he just did this first. Unexpectedly, Liu Zhenqing exposed it at this moment.

Liu Qiao frowned in distress but didn’t say anything more, simply adjusting his clothes.

But Liu Zhenqing had a flash of inspiration and recalled something related to the Huo family.

So when the twins went to play with Li Xingruo in a lively manner, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but look at the red string around her neck.

“What are you looking at! Looking so foolish, did you suddenly find that my appearance is the same as before?” Li Xingruo said, putting down her medical text.

Liu Zhenqing just said: “I remembered a tradition of the Huo family. The elders will choose a piece of jade for the younger generation, so that they can make an ornament to give as a love token in the future. I remember when Boss gave you a jade token and begged you for a kiss. Doesn’t it stand to reason that Er-gou also has a piece of jade?”

Li Xingruo was amazed, and gave Liu Zhenqing a strange look.

“What? Does a male wife not deserve one?” Liu Zhenqing instantly became unhappy, saying, “The marriage certificate is already written, so I shouldn’t deserve any less!”

Li Xingruo rolled her eyes and said: “Since you know he’s liked you for so many years, can’t you guess for yourself?”

“Ah?”

“For example, are there any unique pieces of jade among the things he’s given you?”

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly: “Yes, a jade Rubik’s Cube. I used to…..”

Liu Zhenqing’s words stuck in his throat. He instantly turned wide, disbelieving eyes toward Li Xingruo.

Li Xingruo nodded.

“Wasn’t he just fifteen years old back then? He didn’t confess his feelings to me, so why would he give me such an important thing?”

Li Xingruo smiled: “You said it yourself. He met the right person and decided that you must be the one. It didn’t matter whether it was given earlier or later, because it would never be given to anyone else.”

“You two just let him mess around?” That had been given in front of Huo Feihan. The Huo family’s traditional jade pendant couldn’t be given away lightly.

“He was very serious, and carved it himself. How could it be considered messing around?” Li Xingruo smiled cheerfully. “In fact, you two have been a couple for a long time.”

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Chapter 125 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 127