When he awoke the next day, Liu Zhenqing felt much calmer. After another day of travel, they arrived at Kanchuan City.

Kanchuan City was originally a small, remote village, but due to the diversion of the official road, many groups passing from one prefecture to another had to stop here, causing it to gradually become a city similar to a transit hub.

The livelihood of the people in the city basically revolved around the comings and goings of guests, so inns and restaurants were the venues with the most traffic.

And they had come to this place because the missing funds had passed through here, so they intended to find out where the money went after leaving this place. 

But because the enemy was in the dark and they were in the light, they couldn’t operate openly this time. They had to find a way to sneak into the city guard’s office and check the correspondence files directly, see the last whereabouts of the team from Tongmao Prefecture during a certain time, and then make a decision. Therefore, staying the night here was a must.

In the evening, Qin Yu and He Lan took action early, while Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie stayed at the inn. After all, it was not necessary for everyone to go handle such a small matter.

Sitting on the second floor of the inn, Liu Zhenqing was watching the hustle and bustle outside the window when he heard Huo Fenglie say from behind: “Do you want to go out?”

Liu Zhenging looked back at Huo Fenglie and raised his eyebrows, saying: “Is this okay? They work and we go shopping?”

Huo Fenglie said: “It’s not a problem.”

Seeing such a lively scene on the street made Liu Zhenqing feel really itchy, so he went out with Huo Fenglie.

They asked a waiter where the funnest place was, and he enthusiastically recommended going to East Street.

When the two of them arrived at East Street, they were taken aback by the excitement. There were truly a lot of people.

Liu Zhenqing was looking around when a hand suddenly appeared beside his shoulder, hugging Liu Zhenqing and pulling him forward. 

Liu Zhenqing was stunned, and felt extremely embarrassed.

At this time, Huo Fenglie had already turned back coldly to look at the person who had tried to run into Liu Zhenqing.

The man paused in his steps and turned to look over fiercely, but was met by a pair of cold and piercing eyes that almost made his legs go weak. Knowing that he had encountered a ruthless person, he just tried to flee, but was knocked to the ground by an invisible force and knocked unconscious.

Huo Fenglie didn’t look back. He just hugged Liu Zhenqing and continued walking, leaving the chaos behind. The person he was holding suddenly paused. Huo Fenglie looked down at the person in his arms and saw Liu Zhenqing looking uncomfortable as he asked: “Can’t you walk well? Why are you tugging and pulling? I almost…..lost my footing.”

Huo Fenglie said without thinking too much: “Qing-ge, there are too many people. Come closer to me.”

Liu Zhenqing was mentally exhausted, ah.

So going out was an excuse to go on a date, then create opportunities to cuddle. Was this pursuing him romantically?

Er-gou was really…..

Liu Zhenqing gave Huo Fenglie a feeble glare.

I know you like me, but please restrain yourself, okay? Aren’t you afraid I’ll notice it and be frightened, then ruthlessly reject you and break your heart?

Don’t you understand how to proceed step by step, ah?

But in the end, Liu Zhenqing didn’t escape, and let Huo Fenglie hold him. Just like this, they passed through the lively crowd.

Let it pass, let it pass. There were indeed a lot of people here, and it was just an arm around the shoulder, so he would tolerate this kid.

As he walked down the street, Liu Zhenqing gradually found that something was wrong. How come there was a brothel every three step and an entertainment house every five steps, ah.

So that’s what this place was…..as soon as Liu Zhenqing turned his head, he saw beauties appearing everywhere, laughing and chattering with red sleeves fluttering.

It turned out that the waiter recommended such a place.

Huo Fenglie also seemed to realize that something was wrong. He frowned and came to a stop, then said: “Brother Qing, let’s go that way.”

Looking in the direction Huo Fenglie was pointing, he clearly wanted to leave this place.

Liu Zhenqing suddenly skewed his eyes and said with a smile: “Er-gou, after all these years, have you never been to an entertainment house?”

Huo Fenglie shook his head.

Liu Zhenqing said in surprise: “Not for discussions with officials or gatherings with friends?”

“Restaurants and tea houses are enough.”

It was likely that even if those officials wanted to, they must follow the general’s wishes.

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie, at a loss for words. Could this be considered the ignorance of an influential family’s child in ancient times? After all, going to that kind of place in ancient times was not all about sex, but more about socializing.

One corner of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth suddenly rose, and his narrowed eyes flashed. He tugged Huo Fenglie’s shoulder, gesturing for him to come closer so he could whisper something.

Huo Fenglie turned his ear sideways and felt Liu Zhenqing’s sweet breath as he spoke, penetrating into his sensitive ear.

And what he said was even more…..

“Er-gou, are you still a virgin?”

When Liu Zhenqing asked, his heartbeat couldn’t help but accelerate. Then he watched red spread across Huo Fenglie’s face from his earlobes, and it was as if he didn’t know what expression to wear.

He turned his head to look over, and his eyes seemed to contain a hint of reproach. “Qing-ge, you…..”

Liu Zhenqing looked innocent. “So you have no experience?”

Huo Fenglie took a deep breath, but in the end could only give a vague hum.

The corners of Liu Zhenq’s mouth rose higher uncontrollably. He took Huo Fenglie’s arm and led him somewhere. “Then shall I take you to look today?”

Huo Fenglie staggered at the tug. His face changed drastically, and he abruptly stopped. He absolutely refused to take a step forward, as if he was about to be sold for money to a den of rogues.

“Come, ya, I remember what I promised you before. When you grew up, I would be the first one to take you to an entertainment house to gain experience. Today is just the day to fulfill that promise.” Liu Zhenqing smiled wickedly.

In fact, Liu Zhenqing was a frequent visitor to entertainment houses in the past, and had many confidantes. There were even rumors that if a courtesan was not praised by Liu Zhenqing each year when she was in the same room with him, she could not be considered a true courtesan. Of course, he didn’t go there to do anything. Many spring buildings in the capital were very stylish, and watching performances, spending money, and having fun, could be regarded as an evening pastime. In the past, not only did he go, but Li Xingruo often disguised herself as a man and the three of them went out to play.

It was just that Er-gou was too young at the time. He definitely couldn’t go to such a place, so he was often left alone at home by them.

He wouldn’t sleep at that time, not restoing until they returned at night.

Back then, Liu Zhenqing felt that the child definitely didn’t want to be excluded, so when Er-gou wanted to follow them, Liu Zhenqing promised to take him to see the excitement when he turned sixteen. In the end, it was delayed until now.

“Qing-ge!” Huo Fenglie became anxious and suddenly pulled Liu Zhenqing, almost bumping into him.

Huo Fenglie grabbed the moving Liu Zhenqing with both hands and said gravely: “Qing-ge, I don’t want to go.”

Liu Zhenqing tilted his head and said: “Really? Then…..I’ll go.”

As he spoke, he was about to turn around, but was pulled back by Huo Fenglie. His expression was no longer so calm, and he almost looked anxious. “No!”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie and said: “What? I used to come here often. This is a rare opportunity, you know.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression changed several times, and in the end, he said aggrievedly: “Qing-ge, let’s go somewhere else.”

The dignified general actually spoke to him in such a pleading tone. Liu Zhenqing pursed his lips, thinking that Er-gou really…..liked him very much.

“This place is lively, so we can just go in to watch and not do anything else.” Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but say: “In the capital, I also used to…..just go in to watch.”

Huo Fenglie was stunned for a moment. His eyes flashed, and he said: “I know. Da-ge said so before, but…..” He didn’t know how he got the scent of powder all over his body, as well as the sachet given to him by a girl.

Huo Fenglie calmed down incrementally and said: “If you want to watch the fun, we can find some music houses or theaters. The more people, the more eyes. It’s not good to go to a place like this.”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and shook his head helplessly. What was this? Possessiveness?

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t even his, so why was he so possessive? Couldn’t he really not be more restrained?

However, seeing that Er-gou truly seemed like he was being cornered, Liu Zhenqing stopped insisting. He was about to leave when a small thing flew from up high.

Huo Fenglie raised his hand to take it. Liu Zhenqing also noticed and watched as Huo Fenglie spread his hand. It turned out to be a peanut.

Looking up, they saw a familiar face by the second-floor window of the spring building, as well as a look that told them to go up.

Huo Fenglie frowned, and Liu Zhenqing was taken aback: “Qin Yu?”

The two of them weren’t behaving badly. Qin Yu must have something to do there. He probably happened to see them and called them up on the way.

Huo Fenglie’s expression turned ugly for a moment. Liu Zhenqing smiled dryly and led this person into the spring building.

Following the establishment owner, they arrived at the private seating area on the second floor. As soon as they entered, they saw Qin Yu sitting inside drinking, with a girl accompanying him.

“Come.” Qin Yu said to the girl on the side: “My two friends are here. Go and call some more people.”

The girl sensibly stood at once, then smiled sweetly at Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing. “The two lords are so handsome. It’s a blessing to have you here. I wonder…..do you want boys or girls? We have them all here. Do you need a recommendation, or should I bring some over so that the two of you can choose?”

This was definitely Huo Fenglie’s first time in a place like this, and he felt uncomfortable all over.

Liu Zhenqing stepped forward with a smile and teased: “It’s up to this beautiful sister to choose. They should be as beautiful as this sister, otherwise the three of us will have a falling-out, oh.”

The girl was instantly amused, and stretched out her hand to pat Liu Zhenqing’s chest delicately. “The young master is making fun of this slave. Young Master, please wait a moment. This slave will leave right away.” Saying this, she gave Liu Zhenqing a flirtatious look.

Liu Zhenqing said at once: “Beautiful sister, walk slowly.”

The girl soon left. Qin Yu raised his eyebrows and said, “That’s pretty impressive, ah.”

Liu Zhenqing was about to laugh when he saw Huo Fenglie’s face turn dark. Glancing at Liu Zhenqing’s chest, he walked over to sit down.

“What’s going on?” Huo Fenglie’s tone was a little unfriendly.

Liu Zhenqing could only take a seat.

“We went to the city guard’s residence and entered the warehouse to investigate, but found that the files placed outside did not contain any records on Tongmao Prefecture.”

“Outside?” Huo Fenglie grasped the key point.

“Because there is still part of the treasury that cannot be opened, we guessed it must be in there. But the treasury needs a key, and the key is with the city guard. After some snooping, we found that the city guard comes here every night, so we came directly to find him. Yundu went to look for him, and I was waiting for news when I saw you.”

Liu Zhenqing nodded and said: “Only the ones on Tongmao Prefecture are missing. It seems that someone told them to either hide or destroy them.”

“If they aren’t in the treasury, then we can only arrest people and interrogate them,” Qin Yu said.

Just as he was speaking, someone pushed the door open. It was He Lan who entered.

And He Lan was shocked when he saw them.

“Have you found him?” Qin Yu asked.

He Lan smiled and said to Huo Fenglie: “Perfect, you’re right on time.”

“What do you mean?” Huo Fenglie asked.

“I just happened to see that the old boy is wearing the treasury key around his neck. There are guards around him, so if we want to get the key, we either have to confront him or steal it while he’s sleeping, then return it after using it. I prefer the latter. After investigating, I found that three officials who came with him booked three rooms. I don’t know which one he will use, so we can only split up to ambush him and find an opportunity to steal it. Originally, Qin Yu and I weren’t enough, but it’s just right now that you’re here.”

After He Lan finished speaking, he sat down and took a sip of wine, saying: “It’s like this, so we should act now.”

“That will work,” Qin Yu said.

Huo Fenglie paused and looked at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing said: “I’ll wait for you here.”

Just when He Lan and Qin Yu were about to nod, they heard Huo Fenglie say: “No, you come with me.”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes instantly widened, and he said: “Brother Huo, you have business to do. I don’t know martial arts. Won’t I hold you back?”

Seeing the disapproval on Huo Fenglie’s face, Liu Zhenqing thought about it and suddenly couldn’t help but say with a smile: “I’ll just watch the show and deal with the beauties who come over later. How could I have the nerve to be dishonest when you’re doing serious things?”

When Liu Zhenqing said this, He Lan and Qin Yu immediately looked at Huo Fenglie with ambiguous meaning.

He Lan couldn’t suppress his smile: “They’re all on the third floor. I’ll go to the Peony Room, Lao Qin will go to the Drunken Immortal Room, and the last one is the Orchid room. You guys act as soon as possible.”

Having said this, He Lan left first.

“Go, ba.” Liu Zhenqing sat down and said, “Go and come back quickly.”

Huo Fenglie was silent until there was a knock on the door. The girl from just now returned.

“Young masters, this slave has brought others.”

However, after calling out for a long time, there was no response. When she opened the door and went inside, the room was empty aside from a silver ingot on the table.

“Aiya, why did they leave? Sisters, I’m not lying to you. They were all very handsome men, each with his own style. If it were me, I would do it for free. It’s a pity.”

And Liu Zhenqing had been brought to the Orchid Room by Huo Fenglie.

Liu Zhenqing narrowed his eyes and admonished: “Why are you so disobedient?”

Huo Fenglie didn’t speak, as if in silent resistance. He went in and began to check the room, looking for a hiding place.

“Huh?” Liu Zhenqing asked again.

Huo Fenglie had no choice but to say: “Since someone is covertly sabotaging our progress, it’s inevitable that someone is following us. What if there is danger?”

Liu Zhenqing shook his head helplessly. This child was obviously jealous and couldn’t distinguish between public and private matters.

Clearly he was a great general, but he was so impulsive.

Sure enough, did love make people childish?

If it weren’t inconvenient to say, he should really teach him that it was okay to like someone, but not to like them too much. If you liked someone too much, it would affect your judgment. There was no need to have a love brain.

A hiding place for two people was definitely harder to find than a hiding place for one person.

In the end, they could only choose under the bed. After all, there was still a risk that the wardrobe would be opened. There was a footrest at the bottom of the bed, which was completely covered, but they could see clearly through the gaps from inside.

Before Liu Zhenqing lay down, Huo Fenglie spread out his outer robe to prevent him from laying on the cold ground.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and complained: “I could have been drinking and watching the show.”

Huo Fenglie couldn’t help but say: “I think you just want to have beauties by your side.”

Liu Zhenqing gave Huo Fenglie a helpless look and was about to retort.

Then they heard the door open. The two looked at each other and went quiet, listening to what was going on outside.

“Liu-daren, be careful.”

Liu-daren? They won the lottery! It was the city guard. Ai? Why was it a male voice speaking?

Liu Zhenqing’s expression became strange, and then he heard increasingly embarrassing sounds.

He was dying. How had this evolved into listening to the live version of two men here?

This was more shocking than the book, ah.

The movement outside became more and more wild, and they didn’t even go to the bed, but sat on the table. Old Liu was very fierce, and the young master was also very good at shouting, which made the straight man Liu Zhenqing blush. In addition, the incense in the room should be the kind specially used by the spring building, so he was somewhat affected.

Soon, there was a bang from above the bed. All kinds of flirtatious words followed. Liu Zhenqing felt like it was a physical interpretation of the story!

Immediately afterwards, they got to the main point.

Liu Zhenqing was currently scolding He Lan countless times in his heart. What bad idea had he come up with?

It was better to wait until the person was dead asleep before coming back in the middle of the night. Although it may delay time, it was worse to be tortured like this.

Liu Zhenqing really didn’t mean to look, but he couldn’t help it. After all, he felt a little physically uncomfortable, and he wondered, what would happen to Huo Fenglie?

After a scan, Liu Zhenqing felt his brain buzzing.

He could only close his eyes and pretend to be an ostrich.

Suddenly, the person next to him seemed to move. Because the two of them were next to each other, Liu Zhenqing could naturally feel the strong current of air. He looked over instinctively, thinking he was about to take action, and saw a tall figure leaning toward him.

This time, there was no night breeze to block.

What was this kid going to do!

“Qing-ge…..” The low voice was hoarse and magnetic, which instantly caused Liu Zhenqing’s breathing to become disordered. Huo Fenglie raised his hands as if to hold his face.

Wait, calm down, ah, it’s just the influence of the drugs in the environment! You can’t mess around, ah!

Damn it, we shouldn’t have come in. Er-gou isn’t doing it on purpose!

You’re pressuring me, ah! Can’t you give me some time?

I have to think about this, it’s a big deal.

I couldn’t even mentally get through the first page of that book!

What to do? What to do? If Er-gou comes on hard, should I kick him away?

No way, that would ruin the mission, ah!

But….but…..can’t we change to a better location for our first time?

Er-gou, you are too unromantic!

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Chapter Fifty-Six << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Eight

There was nothing wrong with Xiao Hei’s wound. Lu Qi crouched on the floor and checked again and again, temporarily putting him in a cage to prevent Xiao Sanhua from causing him secondary harm.

Xiao Sanhua ignored her ex who had become a sister. Instead, she circled around Mu Nanqiao’s feet and nuzzled him in an unusually coquettish manner. 

She was indeed Lu Qi’s cat, as sensitive as her owner. Sensing that the man’s mood was not right, she came over to comfort him.

But this damn slave was always distracted. In the end, Xiao Sanhua lost her patience and walked away with a swing of her tail.

Mu Nanqiao stood silently behind Lu Qi, as if awaiting trial.

After Lu Qi settled the little black pig and put his emotions back in order, he was able to say as relaxed as possible: “Let’s go and have a look next door.”

. . . . . . .

The door to room 502 was opened, and Mu Nanqiao pressed the switch next to the door.

The lights in the room lit up, shining like a sea of stars, and Lu Qi already knew why there were so many lights in the room. The more lights there were, the closer Mu Nanqiao actually got to darkness.

When he actually entered the room, Lu Qi actually hesitated somewhat. Mu Nanqiao held his shoulders firmly and pushed him gently forward. 

“Let’s go,” Mu Nanqiao whispered.

Holding the key, Lu Qi walked toward the bedroom door. 

Click–

The door lock popped open, and a crack opened in the closed door. Light poured along the crack in the door, carving out a sharp angle in the darkness of the room.  

Mu Nanqiao stood behind Lu Qi, watching the little deer peer into the darkness. He reached out and rubbed Lu Qi’s soft hair, then walked around him to press the light switch on the wall. 

Lu Qi held his hand down, turning his head to say: “Do you usually…..turn on the lights?”

Sometimes, he was astonishingly perceptive. Mu Nanqiao shook his head and said: “Will you be afraid if I don’t turn on the lights?”

Lu Qi’s fingertips hooked his palm: “I won’t be afraid if you hold onto me.”

At this moment, even if there was an abyss in front of him, Mu Nanqiao would probably step into it without hesitation.

But he still pushed the door open as far as it would go, and most of the light from the living room shone in. Lu Qi finally had a clear view of the small bedroom. 

There was nothing much. Just a sandbag, a TV hanging on the wall, and a small table with a roll of bandages and trauma medication on it. 

There was no place to sit, so Mu Nanqiao went to the living room to get a thick blanket. He spread it on the ground, and the two of them sat side by side.

There were so many things that he didn’t know where to start. He couldn’t just say, “I’m not normal.” Mu Nanqiao could say this to anyone without any burden, but only when facing Lu Qi did he wish that he was a healthy person.

Fortunately, Lu Qi took the lead and asked in a low voice: “How much did you hear about what Lin Yuan said? How much is true and how much is fake?”

Mu Nanqiao took a deep breath. As if he had come to a decision, he stood up and turned on the TV.

It was a fluent English standard broadcast. Lu Qi’s English listening skills were not bad, not to mention that this news came with related videos, so it was easy to understand. 

[Two Chinese students recently snuck into Yellowstone Park late at night. One of them ignored the warnings and climbed over the guardrail into Norris Geyser Basin. He lost his footing and fell, suffering severe burns all over his body. After resuscitation failed, he passed away last night. Here……]

There was a video of the rescue scene, but despite the pixelation, when the man was pulled out by workers, his skin had turned a dark red due to the high temperature burns and corrosion. It turned into a blurry mass due to the pixelation, which was even more shocking.

This person was still alive, thrashing around at all times and cursing himself for being a fool.

Most of the subsequent news was not from China. The one who hit his head while racing and suffered a fracture was also intoxicated, and the other one was shot to death by a love rival because of jealousy. The one who was imprisoned for embezzling public funds three years ago, even if he was released after serving his sentence, would still be over fifty years old.

The news was constantly circulating. With fluent English in the background, Mu Nanqiao’s expression was so calm that it was almost indifferent as he said: “The incidents Lin Yuan mentioned are real, but these people died in accidents that have nothing to do with me.”

Lu Qi looked back at him, and as soon as his lips moved, Mu Nanqiao spoke again: “I have proof that they were accidents.”

He went out again, this time taking a laptop. Sitting back next to Lu Qi, he waited for it to start and looked around at the small bedroom and Lu Qi, who was sitting there obediently yet out of place.

“I have proof,” he repeated in a low voice. “Believe me.”

The bedroom was cold and damp, and he always felt that the cold air was about to condense into icicles. The biting cold penetrated into the bones like needles. Mu Nanqiao knew that it was all in his mind, but he still couldn’t stop his fingertips from trembling. He looked away, not wanting Lu Qi to notice anything unusual about him. 

It seemed like he was back at that snowy night when he was sixteen.

Standing in the snow, he explained over and over to the man he called Grandpa that he hadn’t broken the vase. He talked a lot at that time, perhaps too much, and the old man finally gave an impatient frown.

“You were the only one in that room! Who else could it have been if not you?! This is conclusive evidence!” The old man glared furiously, as if the person standing before him was not a youngster, but a heinous sinner. “Can you understand the proverb? Sure enough, children born to foreign women do not understand etiquette, justice, or integrity.”

He told Mu Nanqiao to kneel.

But no matter if Mu Nanqiao was scolded or kicked, he always stood upright. In the end, those people entered the house and left him standing alone in the heavy snow.

After everyone dispersed, Mu Rui poked his head in furtively. This cousin, who was one year younger than him, was a head shorter than him in height. He came over and whispered maliciously: “I know you didn’t break that vase.”

It was so cold. Mu Nanqiao regarded him numbly.

Mu Rui said proudly: “That vase was actually not valuable at all. Who would put their collection outside as a display? But you know that in Grandpa’s heart, you are worth less than that vase.”

He smiled, fiddling with a thin string in his hand. “Unfortunately, your excuses are useless. People only believe what they see. Even if it is a coincidence, it is the co-called evidence of a bastard.”

Only later did he realize that neither the plot nor these words could have belonged to the brainless Mu Rui.

This was a warning given to him by his second uncle.

Mu Chuansong had done it.

Today, many years later, he still trembled because of that snowy night. Almost urgently, he brought the computer to Lu Qi and said at once: “Zheng Shize was detained for drug abuse while in China. This is the criminal record. Later, after his father sent him abroad, he started spending time with some motorcycle gangs. This is a photo they took together. Also…..”

Hands shaking, he slid the mouse and scrolled down the page. There was a lot more material below.

He tried his best to cover up the abnormality, but how could Lu Qi not feel it? He reached out to hold Mu Nanqiao’s wrist, and his body temperature was unusually low.

It was as if he was enshrouded by an invisible blizzard.

“Mu Nanqiao?” Lu Qi knelt down and reached out to touch his forehead. “What’s wrong with you? Where does it hurt? Have you been investigating these things the past few days?”

Mu Nanqiao grabbed his hand, squeezing the bones in his fingers a little painfully. Lowering his head, he met a pair of persistent eyes. He had originally thought that those beautiful fox eyes would always be lazy and calm, but at this moment, there was a shocking emptiness in them.

His Adam’s apple rolled, and Mu Nanqiao’s voice was heavy: “Lu Qi, I didn’t do it.”

Lu Qi’s response was to lower his head and kiss him.

Through the vast wind and snow, he kissed the young man.

Soft, warm lips transferred warmth little by little. Mu Nanqiao’s entire body tensed up. He let Lu Qi kiss him inexpertly and in a fluster, until the tip of Lu Qi’s clumsy tongue brushed his lips softly.

As he trembled, the warm sun dispersed the wind and snow.

He lifted his arms and embraced the young man. This person had given him the strength to break away from the nightmare, and his waist and shoulders were so thin that he could easily be wrapped up in his arms. His fingers caressed that warm back inch by inch, until at last they landed on the back of Lu Qi’s neck and pressed down with gentle force.

Mu Nanqiao raised his head. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he kissed the young man’s soft lips.

Lu Qi’s ears turned red belatedly, and the heat continued to spread. He put his hands on Mu Nanqiao’s shoulders and silently moved back a little. Mu Nanqiao’s lips didn’t chase after him, but his fingers relentlessly tapped the back of his neck, and the tip of his nose nudged Lu Qi’s.

Their breaths intertwined, and Lu Qi blinked his wet eyelashes.

Thus, Mu Nanqiao’s kisses fell on his eyelashes. “Crying?”

“No.” Lu Qi’s voice was muffled. “I just…..wanted to kiss you…..”

The arms holding his waist tightened a bit. Lu Qi was still kneeling down, and this posture made him slightly taller than the sitting Mu Nanqiao. He raised a hand and rubbed Mu Nanqiao’s hair just like Mu Nanqiao had done to him many times.

In the dim space, the news was still broadcasting on a loop as Mu Nanqiao whispered: “Lu Qi, I actually thought about how to kill those people one by one. There was no reason for me to stay alone in the mud. They should rot and stink together with me.”

Lu Qi gave a soft “en” to show that he was listening.

“But the probability of something happening to such trash is always higher, and they died one after another.” Mu Nanqiao smiled mockingly. “So I didn’t know who to hate anymore. If there really is karma, and this is the punishment sent down by the gods, then why couldn’t I pass judgment with my own hands?”

These regrets had accumulated over the years and turned into toxic obsessions. Together with the anger that had nowhere to vent, the roots penetrated into his heart like a vine, and with every heartbeat, his flesh and blood were torn apart.

But now, the rotting wound was opened up, and the sun shone in gently. He heard the sound of new flesh and blood, like dead trees sprouting again after a wildfire.

He buried his head in Lu Qi’s shoulder and gave a hoarse laugh. “Fortunately, fortunately I didn’t have time…..”

If he really dirtied his hands, how could he use those hands to hug Lu Qi?

He was sincerely grateful for this small favor from fate.

---

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Chapter Twenty-Nine << Table of Contents >> Chapter Thirty-One

Liu Zhenqing had never been so embarrassed and nervous in his two lifetimes. No, in his three lifetimes. Although there were many men and women who liked him previously, now that it had become Er-gou, nothing felt right, ah.

This was the child he watched grow up like his own brother.

No matter how he thought, he couldn’t have imagined that such a day would come.

And although Great Zhou was open, most people were heterosexual. Er-gou had a brother and a sister-in-law at his side, and didn’t know anyone of that type. How did he suddenly become gay? What was even more important was that when Er-gou heard that a man wanted to marry Liu Zhenqing before, he…..wait, maybe he wasn’t disgusted at that time, but jealous?!

How old was he then, ah?!

The more Liu Zhenqing thought about it, the worse he felt. He seemed to have teased Er-gou many times after his rebirth, even when Er-gou got “morning wood” at his side. Liu Zhenqing really wanted to cover his face.

The back of his hand suddenly felt warm. Liu Zhenqing suddenly came to his senses and saw Er-gou touching his hand!!

Liu Zhenqing started to pull away, but his body stiffened and he looked at Huo Fenglie with awkward nervousness.

Why was he doing it in public? Was he not afraid that he would get angry? If he pierced this window paper, how would they get along in the future, ah!

“Didn’t you get a good rest?” Huo Fenglie asked with a frown.

Liu Zhenqing shook his head in discomfort, all of his attention on his hand.

Still touching, still touching. When had he become so comfortable taking a man’s hand?

God! The back of his hand felt hot.

Huo Fenglie raised his hand naturally, preparing to grab the fish in front of Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback for a moment, and quickly pressed down to protect his food. “What are you doing?”

“It’s cold and can’t be eaten.”

“It’s fine, I can eat it.” Liu Zhenqing quickly grabbed it. Huo Fenglie had worked so hard to make this, how could it be wasted?

“That won’t work, you have a bad stomach and can’t eat cold food.” Huo Fenglie frowned.

“When did I…..”

“Your body was poisoned for a long time when you were in the capital,” Huo Fenglie reminded.

Liu Zhenqing was stunned. He had almost forgotten. He watched with helpless eyes as Huo Fenglie took away the fish.

He originally thought Huo Fenglie was going to throw it away, but he actually took it and started to eat it.

Liu Zhenqing watched for a moment, and his pupils suddenly quivered. Hadn’t he taken a bite of that fish just now?

It was that spot!

Er-gou, h-h-he ate it directly?!

What was he trying to do! Why was he being so obvious, ah!

Er-gou’s intentions were so obvious. Why hadn’t he noticed at all in the past?

“Ya, Lao Qin, do you not want to eat? Then give it to me.”

On the other side, without waiting for a response from Qin Yu, He Lan snatched his half-eaten fish and ate it happily.

Liu Zhenqing: ……

Liu Zhenqing took a deep breath. Calm down. Be cool.

Perhaps he was being a little excessive.

Right, come to think of it, Huo Feihan used to finish his and Li Xingruo’s food and share a pot to drink wine.

Liu Zhenqing, who at first wanted to become an ostrich, suddenly seemed to have found a glimmer of hope. Compared to the way Huo Feihan was with him before, it seemed Er-gou was not so blatant. Could it be that he had misunderstood him, and in fact, Er-gou actually just regarded him as his closest brother?”

En, let’s not rush to conclusions, and just watch. For such a big matter, the evidence must be solid.

Liu Zhenqing lowered his head and ate the fresh fish Huo Fenglie had given him. It had no fish bones, and was well-selected.

After staying at Qingheng Mountain for a few hours, they were on their way again. Liu Zhenqing subconsciously magnified every small detail, constantly wavering between confirmation and denial.

After all, Liu Zhenqing really didn’t want to admit that the little brother sitting next to him had such thoughts about him.

It was awkward no matter how he thought about it.

And it made him feel uneasy at the moment.

The small carriage suddenly felt overcrowded, and Huo Fenglie’s presence could be felt everywhere. Even the cool aura of his body seemed to envelope Liu Zhenqing with heat.

But….he seemed to smell really good. There was something indescribable about it.

Liu Zhenqing’s body inadvertently leaned in. The carriage suddenly shook, and he fell into Huo Fenglie’s arms.

Before Liu Zhenqing could struggle, Huo Fenglie had already hugged him firmly.

When Liu Zhenqing raised his head and saw that face so close at hand, his breath suddenly froze.

Wait, this guy could have obviously just supported him, so why bother hugging him?

Sure enough, he still had ulterior motives?

After Huo Fenglie held him steady, he saw Liu Zhenqing looking at him with a very disapproving expression and was confused.

“Did you get bumped?”

You’re holding me so firmly, shouldn’t you know whether I was bumped or not?

“Aiya, why are you throwing yourself into my arms? Has Lao Qin been coveting my arms for a long time?”

Qin Yu: “Let go, could you not just support me?!”

He Lan: “Come on, I want to fall too. Where can I find support, ah.”

Liu Zhenqing: ……

He held his aching head. Liu Zhenqing was mentally exhausted, but he soon rolled his eyes, and while the carriage was moving smoothly, he suddenly brought up a topic.

“Brother Huo, there is actually a question I’ve been curious about that I want to ask you,” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile.

Huo Fenglie: “What is it?”

Liu Zhenqing squinted his eyes and said casually: “Brother Huo is about to turn twenty-seven, how has he never gotten married? Have the Huo family elders really not urged you?”

As soon as these words came out, the carriage became eerily quiet.

He Lan on the opposite side gave Liu Zhenqing a thumbs up. “Awesome, ah. Brother Liu, your courage is commendable, advance bravely…..”

“I’m not brave, just curious.” Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie with sincere eyes, as if he, an elder brother, truly cared about the lifelong events of the younger generation.

Huo Fenglie regarded Liu Zhenqing with a heavy gaze and said: “It has nothing to do with anyone else if I don’t marry.”

This…..was he really planning to not marry? Could it really be…..because…..of him?

Liu Zhenqing was anxious. He had brought up this topic because he wanted to give Huo Fenglie a heads-up, so he continued: “Haven’t you met a girl to fall in love with over the years?”

Huo Fenglie’s dark eyes grew darker, like thick ink that couldn’t be melted away. His tone of voice also became lower, as if he was emphasizing, “No, not interested.”

Liu Zhenqing choked. He Lan, fearing that there would not be enough chaos in the world, said: “Zhanyuan, it sounds like you don’t like girls. Then…..” His eyes darted back and forth at Liu Zhenqing. “Do you like young masters? You’re interested in young masters?”

Liu Zhenqing quickly said: “Perhaps it’s because you haven’t spent much time with girls. After all, you’ve been in a military camp. You saw your older brother and sister-in-law were good together and gave birth to a lovely pair of twins, but you don’t yearn to marry a girl and start a family?”

“These words coming from your mouth are so persuasive,” He Lan teased, trying to make things difficult for him.

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. “I’m thinking about it now, ah. A wife and children and a warm bed, I feel happy just thinking about it.”

Liu Zhenqing’s words inevitably puzzled the clamoring He Lan.

When Liu Zhenqing finished speaking, he felt a chill come over him. Turning his head cautiously, he saw that Huo Fenglie’s lowered eyes concealed his expression, and the lines of his masculine face were stern.

Why was it that he couldn’t see anything, but Liu Zhenqing felt more guilty than if he could see something? 

Sensing something wrong in the atmosphere, He Lan quickly said: “In that case, I really want to as well, hahaha. I’m not married yet.”

Qin Yu: “Isn’t it because you were rejected three times that you’re still waiting?”

He Lan immediately said with a smile: “Don’t expose the shortcomings of others. Besides, it’s not my fault. The Jinyiwei is rather unpleasant, and based on my temperament, those girls always think I’m not suitable for a life-long relationship. What can I do, I’ve been wronged, ah. In fact, I’m a peerlessly good man. Whoever marries me will definitely be happy.”

“You’re not sincere anyway, so naturally the girls don’t want to talk to you,” Qin Yu said coldly.

The bickering of the two resolved the awkward atmosphere, but Huo Fenglie turned around and went to ride on horseback.

The two looked at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing said awkwardly: “He’s angry?”

The two nodded.

Liu Zhenqing sighed and suddenly realized that if Er-gou was really interested in him, and had been for many years, saying this definitely would have hurt him.

He was angry now, so…..he really liked him?

Summarizing it like this, he instantly became more anxious.

No way, I can’t be so sure, I can’t give up hope, ah! Anything is still possible, I can’t say for sure. Let’s look for evidence.

The most troublesome thing was that he couldn’t ask directly. Moreover, relying on his own judgment, Liu Zhenqing felt that he was becoming more and more biased toward the point that he was unwilling to face.

“Zhanyuan hates when others talk to him about this topic. When the emperor talked to him before, he also had a cold face. He definitely isn’t happy about you fooling around, ah,” He Lan said.

“Because he gets angry, the Huo family never brings it up,” Qin Yu added.

He Lan said with a smile: “What are your intentions toward Zhanyuan, ah. He seems to like you, so why bring up such a topic? If you planned to test his feelings for you, then why deliberately provoke him by saying that you want a wife, children, and a warm bed? I think you hit your head.”

“I treat him as a brother, I was just speaking casually,” Liu Zhenqing said, ill at ease.

He Lan gave him a look of disbelief and said: “In any case, he’s angry. Wait, is he angry because you brought up a topic that shouldn’t be mentioned, or because you talked about your wife and children, ah?”

Liu Zhenqing was startled, and gave He Lan a distant look.

Thanks so much, it’s back to square one again.

They rested halfway through the journey to determine the next route. Although He Lan hinted that he should apologize, Liu Zhenqing refused. Making Er-gou unhappy was nothing. It would be best if he could kill the flowers that shouldn’t bloom.

Anyway, he was a man and an older brother, so it was impossible for him to accept Er-gou. If Er-gou really had that intention, then apologies, he could let Er-gou be disappointed in love.

After a while, Huo Fenglie picked some fruit and walked up to Liu Zhenqing. He lowered his head and whispered: “Qing-ge, fresh fruit.”

Liu Zhenqing: ……

He was clearly angry, but then turned around and tried to coax him?

Sure enough…..he really liked him?

He was already a little embarrassed and confused. “Er-gou, just now…..”

“Qing-ge, I don’t like that topic. Let’s stop talking about it.”

Shit, he felt so guilty. Seeing Er-gou’s drooping head, he felt it was pitiful and really wanted to comfort him, ah.

Liu Zhenqing moved his hand, but still held back.

No, he couldn’t give Er-gou hope. Regardless of whether his guess was right or not, there was nothing wrong with keeping his distance. He couldn’t just not accept someone in his heart and still not have a sense of proportion. That would be too cruel to the one who was giving sincerely.

“I spoke so much for your own good,” Liu Zhenqing said dryly.

Huo Fenglie was silent for a moment, then said, “I know.”

Liu Zhenqing still couldn’t control his conscience: “If it makes you unhappy, then just pretend I didn’t say anything. This….this kind of thing is not something a person can control.”

“All right.”

Huo Fenglie didn’t say anything more, sitting down to peel the fruit.

That gradually indifferent attitude really made Liu Zhenqing’s feel as if something was grasping his heart, and he didn’t know where to begin to refuse this meticulous care.

They arrived at the place they would stay for the night. It was a farmyard, with bunks all in a row close together for sleeping. He was looking at the wall on the left, with Huo Fenglie sleeping to the right.

Liu Zhenqing’s entire being felt uneasy. Could…..could he apply for a change of position?

He couldn’t seem to find an excuse!

How could he sleep like this, ah!

The night was quiet, and shallow breathing could be heard, but Liu Zhenqing was so nervous that he didn’t fall asleep until late at night.

It seemed that the night wind was blowing, and he could feel a bit of coolness coming in from the window beside him, causing Liu Zhenqing to feel a little cold.

Suddenly, the person next to him moved, as if Er-gou had woken up. Liu Zhenqing quickly calmed his breathing and pretended to be asleep.

It was unknown if he had to get up during the night or…..

A few strands of hair suddenly swept across his face, and Liu Zhenqing’s heart tightened. He didn’t move. That hair could only be Er-gou’s, so what was Er-gou doing? Was he getting closer?

Liu Zhenqing: ! !

Then, a hand touched his other side of the bed through the quilt.

Before Liu Zhenqing could be shocked, an invisible sense of oppression suddenly came from above, as if someone had moved over top of him. Although there was no contact, it felt like someone was above, because the moonlight was blocked and there was a sense of darkness through his eyelids.

Liu Zhenqing’s entire body was stiff, his mind blank.

What should he do! !

The next second, hands moved into Liu Zhenqing’s bed.

Liu Zhenqing’s hair stood up at once, and he hugged his pillow tightly, as if he would be safe with it in his arms.

But those rogue hands were shameless. One touched his waist, and the other touched his leg.

Liu Zhenqing felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Er-gou was…..attacking him at night! Taking advantage of him when he was sleeping?!

Liu Zhenqing suddenly recalled certain scenes.

Wait, that book? Er-gou wanted to do what was written in that book to him!

So Er-gou really sent that book on purpose?

What kind of books did Er-gou usually read? Was it to stir up his imagination?

You brat, you have a knack for feigning ignorance, ah. You’re usually aloof and ascetic, but I didn’t realize you were such a scheming boy? Taking advantage of me at night when I’m asleep?

It’s too much, too much. What did he do when I was asleep in the past? This pup, this little beast, how can he do this?

Laozi is going to beat him sober!

No, no, no, if I wake up now, there’s no turning back. This matter should be dealt with using the cold treatment.

Ahhh, what to do, ah.

Shit, Er-gou used too much force with his hands, isn’t he afraid of waking me up?

And….and….there are two people next to us!

Don’t you know you must do this kind of thing secretly? What should be done if someone sees?!

Liu Zhenqing felt his body being slightly lifted up. Was this preparation for convenience?

Did he want to kiss him? Or take off his clothes?

I’m telling you, there are others nearby! You’re just picking me up directly? It turns out you are this kind of dog!

No, he couldn’t be allowed to continue like this. He had crossed a line. He had to…..

Huh? 

Liu Zhenqing felt his body being promptly moved to the side.

Then the hands left his quilt. The darkness outside his eyelids vanished and the moonlight continued to shine through. The quilt was pulled flat.

There was a rustling movement from the place he had originally been laying, and it gradually became calm.

Liu Zhenqing’s brain had shut down, and it took him a while to come to his senses.

So…..he just switched beds?

Seriously, ah!

Liu Zhenqing was nearly furious with embarrassment, and couldn’t understand why he had changed beds in the middle of the night. He had thought…..

Liu Zhenqing opened his eyes cautiously and glanced to the side with a depressed look. Suddenly, a scene made Liu Zhening’s heart tremble.

Huo Fenglie was sleeping on his side, facing him. He was tall, and could just block the night breeze that leaked through the cracks in the window.

Although the breeze was very light, Liu Zhenqing could still feel the coolness on his body.

But now, he couldn’t feel anything.

Liu Zhenqing was stunned for a while. Looking down, he saw Huo Fenglie lying on his side under the moonlight, gently holding a lock of black hair in one hand. Those few strands were Liu Zhenqing’s hair. The curvature of that hair in Huo Fenglie’s hand was just enough to touch Huo Fenglie’s thin lips and straight nose.

It seemed as though he was sniffing and kissing it gently.

Liu Zhenqing’s cheeks gradually became hot, and his heart trembled slightly.

Such…..a silly dog. After all these years, there are so many outstanding people in the world worthy of your affection. Why do you like me?

Liu Zhenqing sighed silently, and couldn’t help but lie down on his side face to face with Huo Fenglie. He didn’t take his hair back, and fell asleep quietly.

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Chapter Fifty-Five << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Seven

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The two of them gazed at each other face to face. Huo Fenglie’s eyes contained so much that Liu Zhenqing felt as if his heart was enveloped and protected by a gentle spring breeze.

“Do you want to know the truth about back then?”

Looking into Liu Zhenqing’s almost dazed eyes, Huo Fenglie suppressed all the emotions in his heart and shook his head gently.

“If you don’t want to say it, I don’t want to hear it. Qing-ge, you said that this is your new life. The past is in the past. Just forget whatever you want to forget.”

It must be said that Huo Fenglie’s answer let Liu Zhenqing breathe a sigh of relief. The moment the topic began, he was mentally prepared to be questioned thoroughly, but he still flinched back in the end. No one would want their junior to see their failure.

“R-right, the cremation?” Liu Zhenqing asked curiously, changing the topic.

Huo Fenglie said: “You said you didn’t want a traditional burial method. You said the tomb would be robbed and the body might be exposed to the wilderness a hundred years later, so cremation was the most suitable for you.”

“I said that?” Liu Zhenqing really didn’t remember.

Huo Fenglie nodded.

“The ashes?”

Huo Fenglie’s breath caught, and his eyes flickered as he said: “You said ‘I’ll follow the wind to the end of the world, and follow the sea to drift across the ocean’…..”

“Ah, that does sound like something I would say. Hahaha, not bad, not bad. It’s pretty good like this.”

Huo Fenglie opened his mouth, but still didn’t dare to say more. In fact, there was a third sentence, “and grow together with all things.”

The two casually talked about other things, eventually returning to the carriage.

He Lan watched them return, eyebrows raised and his expression full of teasing. “Yo, you’re back. What kind of beautiful memories are you creating behind our backs?”

Liu Zhenqing felt that among the three brothers, the one who had the deepest misunderstanding about this matter had evolved to the point of directly making fun of them. It was useless for him to explain himself, but Er-gou…..

“Get in the carriage and set off.” As expected, Huo Fenglie offered no explanation and simply got down to business.

The four of them continued south. Although they didn’t know where the money was transported to, among the correspondence and customs clearance certificates, they could temporarily decide on a location and continue the investigation when they arrived.

The carriage traveled forward slowly. It was a long journey, so naturally everyone sat inside.

They talked along the way, from serious discussions about the oddities in the case, to unavoidably talking about Bai Yu and Cheng Xi.

“Is that worthy of being called love?” Qin Yu mocked directly.

Liu Zhenqing also felt nauseous.

He Lan said: “Although I also think that Cheng Xi’s death would be considered light even if he was cut into pieces by a thousand swords, he must have loved Bai-dage. How could a normal person do what he did, ah, freezing a corpse and then trying to marry it.”

He Lan couldn’t help but shiver as he spoke: “I feel that even if I fall in love with someone in the future, I won’t be able to act lovingly toward their bones after they die.”

Qin Yu scoffed coldly and said: “That only shows that your love isn’t deep enough.”

He Lan immediately grabbed the loophole. “Hehe, you’ve fallen into a trap. You just said that Cheng Xi’s feelings are not worthy of being called love.”

Qin Yu quickly retorted: “That isn’t the same.”

He Lan quickly pulled Liu Zhenqing over and said: “What about you?”

“Uh…..” Liu Zhenqing was confused by their argument. He was about to say that a person with deep feelings of friendship would care about the other person’s bones, like Er-gou…..

But before Liu Zhenqing could say anything, the two of them started arguing again. This time, Bai Su wasn’t there to stop the fight. Huo Fenglie didn’t bother to care about them, and Liu Zhenqing’s relationship with them wasn’t close enough for him to intercede, so he could only watch as their quarrel got worse.

And at this time, a strange suspicion flashed through Liu Zhenqing’s mind.

Although he was shocked by the facts before, he did find it a bit strange.

Why…..did Er-gou have such a major reaction to his death, ah?

Now that he thought about Bai Su’s description at that time, it felt inconsistent no matter how he heard it.

That loss of control when facing his grave. 

Just like…..just like…..a description in a storybook.

In a daze, Liu Zhenqing picked up a few storybooks. He had read them before, so he was very familiar with the life-or-death scenes between the male and female protagonists.

The more he read, the more uneasy Liu Zhenqing felt.

After sitting in the carriage for a long time, he became drowsy and fell asleep. When he woke up again, there was a familiar shoulder and a hand at his waist to fix him in position, making him feel as if he was falling into the other person’s arms.

The familiar scent stunned Liu Zhenqing, and he looked up.

Huo Fenglie also had his eyes closed to rest, looking calm and mature.

Liu Zhenqing’s heart skipped a beat, and he glanced to the side. Qin Yu was leaning against the wall of the carriage, sleeping quietly with his arms around himself. He Lan was alone on one side, sleeping with his arms spread out.

Everyone was obviously napping…..

Why was Er-gou holding him, ah?!

Wait, Er-gou hugging him seemed to have happened frequently in recent memory.

He did that when he was a child, but after growing into a teenager, Er-gou was very polite and behaved as he should, so why had he become unruly again now?

With two grown men being so close, it was no wonder that the three brothers always misunderstood them.

Was it because he was careless and didn’t think anything was inappropriate? 

No, with such an analysis, didn’t this mean that Er-gou was treating him…..

Wrong! Wrong! Absolutely not right, ah!

Liu Zhenqing stared at Huo Fenglie’s face, his brain almost falling into chaos. But Liu Zhenqing still firmly believed that he must be thinking too much.

After all, he was ten years older than Er-gou, ah. Er-gou must have always regarded him as his older brother. The closeness now was just a special situation when regaining a lost relative.

Right, Er-gou was inherently slow when it came to emotions. Wasn’t he still unmarried?

Wait, unmarried?! He wasn’t married yet at this age, and still didn’t have a lover. He was really just emotionally obtuse.

Liu Zhenqing’s mind was filled with exclamations and question marks. Suddenly, Huo Fenglie moved, and Liu Zhenqing instinctively closed his eyes.

He could feel Huo Fenglie’s chest quiver slightly, as if he had woken up from a short rest.

He must have turned to look at him, because he felt his breath on his face.

Wait, what was that feeling on his cheek? He had reached out and touched his face!

Why touch it, ah? What was so good about a grown man’s face?

Should he open his eyes to catch him and ask about it?

But…..wouldn’t it be embarrassing if he really did that?

Now he wasn’t sure!

No way, was he coming closer? Why did he feel like that breath was getting closer and hotter?

Was he near? What did he intend to do? Could it be…..Liu Zhenqing suddenly remembered the scene when Er-gou pounced on him under the Heaven’s Blessing Sect’s aphrodisiac and sniffed his body.

Did he want to steal a kiss?!

“Qing-ge?”

There was a soft, muted whisper.

Was he testing whether he was awake? To conveniently steal a kiss? This pup!

Should he open his eyes? Should he…..

“Brother Liu? What’s wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

Huo Fenglie suddenly shook Liu Zhenqing hard enough that he couldn’t pretend anymore, and he was forced to wake up and stare at the person in front of him. For a moment, he didn’t know what expression to wear, as if he had peeked into the young man’s mind and seen something he shouldn’t know.

Huo Fenglie said with doubtful eyes: “What’s wrong? I just felt that you’re short of breath, and your cheeks are hot. Is your condition still not good?”

“Ah?” Liu Zhenqing was stunned.

Huo Fenglie reached out and touched Liu Zhenqing’s face again, saying: “It’s red and hot. How are you feeling?”

Liu Zhenqing: ……

“I’m fine, the carriage is probably a little stuffy. I’ll go out and ride on horseback to get some fresh air.” Liu Zhenqing looked calm on the surface, but he was embarrassed inside. He had…..misunderstood.

When they arrived at the town in the evening, Huo Fenglie still gave Liu Zhenqing fish at the dinner table and picked out the bones.

A pair of chopsticks reached toward the small plate, but Huo Fenglie forced them back with a look.

He Lan clamored: “No way, no way, the fish you picked is only for Brother Liu to eat? Do you value the desire of your heart over your friends, ah?”

Liu Zhenqing’s entire body tensed. He hadn’t sensed it before, but now he felt that something was wrong.

And why didn’t Huo Fenglie react to such a statement?

When resting at night, there were two rooms and four people.

“I don’t want to share a room with him.” Qin Yu refused directly. “Get another room.”

Looking aggrieved, He Lan said: “Why? It’s such a waste if two people can’t stay in such a big room.”

Liu Zhenqing: Wait, why do I default to sharing a room with Er-gou?

He hurriedly said: “Brother Qin, how about we room together?”

As soon as Liu Zhenqing opened his mouth, the three people looked at him.

He didn’t know if it was a psychological effect, but he felt that Huo Fenglie’s look in his direction was a little different.

Qin Yu did not refuse such an arrangement, and seemed fine with it as long as he wasn’t staying with He Lan.

He Lan put his arm around Huo Fenglie’s shoulders and joked: “I’m sorry, Lao Qin has a conflict with me, which caused your family to be separated.”

Liu Zhenqing: Er-gou, say something to prove your innocence, ah!

He stealthily raised his head to glance at Huo Fenglie, only to find the other’s dark eyes staring at him. Liu Zhenqing was suddenly uneasy.

At nighttime, it was time to rest.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Liu Zhenqing opened it and saw Huo Fenglie standing outside, holding a white porcelain bottle in his hand.

“What is it?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Huo Fenglie said: “I happened to hear that there was fresh milk here.”

After speaking, he handed it over.

Liu Zhenqing took it. It was warm.

That was an old habit of his. It was easy for a noble son to drink warm milk before bed. But nowadays, this kind of thing was not sold everywhere.

Er-gou actually remembered this.

Liu Zhenqing looked up at Huo Fenglie in astonishment, and saw that his black eyes seemed to be softly illuminated by the surrounding candlelight. 

That kind of smile that was rarely shown to others appeared briefly in front of Liu Zhenqing, and the other person said goodnight before leaving.

Liu Zhenqing stood there blankly, holding the porcelain bottle.

Qin Yu saw it and said: “Zhanyuan sent that? What is it?”

“Warm milk.”

Qin Yu was taken aback. “It’s sold here?”

Liu Zhenqing nodded.

Qin Yu seemed to want a drink, so he went out to ask a waiter for some.

After a while, he returned empty-handed.

“What’s wrong?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Qin Yu said with a frown: “It’s not from the inn, but from outside the city. It will take too long to run there. How troublesome. I’m going to sleep.”

Liu Zhenqing: ……

Blushing, he silently drank the warm milk.

What on earth was Er-gou doing, ah!

Liu Zhenqing thought about this problem, tossing and turning all night long. He had intermittent dreams, all of them related to Er-gou. Some were from the past while others were recent, but he couldn’t remember what he dreamed about.

His complexion wasn’t very good when he got up. Before boarding the carriage, a worried Huo Fenglie insisted on taking him to see a doctor.

After Liu Zhenqing said firmly that he could treat himself, and after making sure that he was fine, Huo Fenglie finally obeyed.

Once he got into the carriage, Huo Fenglie directly prepared cushions and blankets for him, including pillows, so that he could have a good rest.

In order for it to be quiet, he took his two brothers out to ride on horseback, which made Liu Zhenqing feel embarrassed.

But in the end, he really hadn’t slept well, so he fell asleep in the shaking carriage. 

He slept for an unknown amount of time, and the carriage seemed to suddenly stop. Liu Zhenqing sat up in a daze.

Just then, there was a knocking sound next to the window. After a moment, the curtain opened and Huo Fenglie peeked in.

“Awake?”

Liu Zhenqing nodded, and Huo Fenglie said at once: “Come out and have a look.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback for a moment, then stood and got out of the carriage. As the fresh mountain air came, he saw a beautiful landscape painting.

At some point, their team had reached a forest.

Liu Zhenqing faintly admired the scenery for a moment, and saw Huo Fenglie already standing under the carriage, reaching out to help him.

Liu Zhenqing came down and was about to ask where this place was. The scenery was very nice. He heard He Lan remark from the side. “I initially didn’t know why Zhanyuan had to change the route, but now I understand. The scenery is so beautiful! It’s worth the trip.”

“Qingcheng Mountain is indeed pretty good.”

Qingcheng Mountain?!

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. His eyes widened, and he looked around carefully.

Thunder and lightning flashed in his mind.

The stream, willows, pavilion, and peach grove were an extremely familiar landscape when viewed from a specific angle.

. . . . . . .

When playing in the south, he, Feihan, Xingruo, and Er-gou rested in the pavilion here.

He pointed to the surroundings and said: “The scenery here is unique and beautiful. I am destined for it, this should be my future residence.”

“What kind of destiny?” Huo Feihan asked curiously.

“There are willows (liu) streams (xi) and a pavilion (ting), ah!” Liu Zhenqing pointed them out one by one with a smile. “When I get old in the future, I will come to live here in seclusion and enjoy the rest of my life. Do you want to come with me?”

Li Xingruo: “Then I want that peach blossom grove. I’ll re-plant it with herbs.”

“No way, find another place. The peach blossom grove is beautiful, and the peaches can be eaten. I also want to build a grape trellis and a place to stargaze.”

“You only know how to eat and play,” Li Xingruo said contemptuously.

“Then I…..I want a place to practice martial arts,” Huo Fenglie said.

When the three of them finished speaking, they looked at Huo Fenglie and asked casually: “What do you want?”

Huo Fenglie didn’t answer, but turned to look at Liu Zhenqing.

. . . . . . .

“Doesn’t…..this scenery look familiar?” He Lan said, touching his chin.

“It’s very similar to the courtyard in the General’s Manor,” Qin Yu said directly.

He Lan reacted at once and shouted to Huo Fenglie: “You saw such beautiful scenery and rebuilt it in your courtyard. Tell me, when did you become interested in this sort of thing?”

Huo Fenglie ignored them and looked at Liu Zhenqing with deep eyes and a light smile, saying: “Qing-ge, the scenery is still the same.”

“En…..en.”

He watched as Huo Fenglie leisurely enjoyed the scenery here.

Liu Zhenqing’s forehead was covered in sweat. 

Oops, Boss, Junior Sister.

Er-gou, h-h-he likes me!

All the past inconsistencies between them, now that he thought about them, made him blush. And when he was sick before and Du Dongfeng came to visit him, Er-gou looked unhappy.

If he doesn’t like me, then what? He must like me.

What, what should I do, ah!

We’re both men, and I’m his brother.

Aiya, this is such a big matter, how can I be worthy of the Huo family!

Not good! Really not good!

Although it’s normal for him to fall in love with my charm and good looks, how old was he back then?

And now my face has changed.

No, Er-gou must be sincere. Gender isn’t an issue, and he held my bones. Can there be any problem with my face?

No wonder he treated him so well and trusted him unconditionally. Now wonder he hadn’t gotten married after so long. No wonder…..

The more Liu Zhenqing thought about it, the more of a mess he became. His head was about to explode.

I’m such a sinful man, ah!

But….the corners of his mouth slowly rose when he wasn’t paying attention.

Huo Fenglie looked over and saw Liu Zhenqing’s expression. Thinking that he was happy to be here, he finally felt relieved. After all, Liu Zhneqing had been absent-minded these past few days. He must have been affected by the previous incident, so he brought him here.

Huo Fenglie’s mood changed with Liu Zhenqing’s. He reached out and took the other’s wrist. “Let’s go, I’ll fish for you.”

Liu Zhenqing watched Huo Fenglie take the initiative and had only one thought in his mind.

Fuck! He really unabashedly likes me! Why so unrestrained, ah! Aren’t you afraid I’ll notice?!

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Chapter Fifty-Four << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Six

The team made haste and indeed reached the capital city at the end of summer. 

A-Ning opened the carriage curtain a little and looked curiously at this densely populated, bustling, and noisy capital city of Dayan. Compared to the tranquility and elegance of Baihe City, this place was really as bright and dazzling as a worldly dream, with carved and painted buildings everywhere. The windows were decorated with colorful window sills, and the ridges of the roofs were engraved with auspicious animals and flying clouds. The gate bore silver nails and vermilion lacquer, and a huge wooden pillar was suspended in the air to form a bridge, decorated with red paint. From far away, it looked like a flying rainbow piercing the sun, grand and magnificent.

Thus, he turned around to ask his young master to look together, but Liu Xian’an had already fallen asleep again, sleeping soundly and with great skill. Not to mention the cheers of the common people on both sides of the street, even if they were all carrying gongs, it would be difficult to wake him up. As for why he was so tired, one must ask His Royal Highness Xiao Wang outside.

Liang Shu was dressed in luxurious clothing as he rode a horse slowly down the long street. His deep features were softened by the sunlight, and the bloody, murderous aura of the past was also reduced. Even a bit of a friendly smile could be seen, having been soaked by the gentle rain in Jiangnan. When he turned the corner, he looked back and watched as the carriages in the procession turned onto another inner street and headed to Xiao Wang Palace.

He himself led people to the Imperial palace. Liang Yu went out to receive him in person. The civil and military officials were originally worried about whether His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s old illness could be cured in Jiangnan. He must not be weak and frail, or be brought back by others, so they all craned their necks to look. With great difficulty, they found the person in question—the wide sleeves of his black robes were blown high by the wind, and he rode on a tall horse that was also pitch black. The peaks of his eyebrows were slightly raised, the corners of his lips pulled into a smile, which immediately reminded the white-bearded old men of the familiar feeling of chest tightness and heart pain from back then. 

If they were ordinary people, the elder brother might immediately go looking for a stick when he saw his younger brother who deserved a beating. But considering that this family was indeed unusual, Liang Yu still expressed the generosity and kindness that an emperor should have. He and his brother returned to the palace in a respectable manner and went through all the official procedures. Then, when the officials had dispersed and there was no one around, he unleashed a flying kick and cursed angrily: “What great prospects you have. Why didn’t you just move into Baihe Mountain Village? Where is Second Young Master Liu?”

“He went back to the palace first. I’ll bring him to see Emperor Brother later.” Liang Shu said, “Why didn’t I see Lu-daren today?”

“He retired and returned to his hometown. After you beheaded Lu Xiang, he aged more than ten years overnight.”

Liang Shu approved: “He is already seventy or eighty years old, and if you add another ten years, he really should return to his hometown. It’s not easy for such an old man. I will bring two jars of good wine to visit him another day.”

Liang Yu had a headache: “He was so ill that he was only hanging on by a breath. You want to bring wine over just because you fear he will die too late. Don’t make trouble for me. If you really want to visit, then take Second Young Master Liu with you.”

Liang Shu’s eyelid twitched: “Then he would be even more angry, and may point at my nose and curse me for rebelling against orthodoxy before he faints.”

Liang Yu was furious: “Must you enter the bedroom together? Let Second Young Master Liu go in alone!”

Liang Shu: “Oh. I’ll obey the decree.”

He was very honest after being yelled at. 

Liang Yu was so angry that he wanted to laugh. Out of sight, out of mind. He waved his hand to chase this person away: “Go back. Gao Lin has nearly repaired your broken house, go and take a look. Bring that person to family dinner in the evening, and be careful of your second sister.”

Since it was a family dinner, Princess Ning Yi must be invited to the palace. Liang Shu took exception to this: “The person is already mine, how can Second Sister take him away by force?”

Liang Yu said: “Then you give it a try.”

Liang Shu recalled the arguments where his second sister made a terrible scene, and gave a hiss. It was best to not give this kind of thing a try if possible. So before returning to Xiao Wang Palace, he made a special trip to the princess’s palace. As a result, he was hit in the shoulder by a peach when he entered the door, leaving him with a fruity smell all over his body.

“So arrogant and unreasonable, I’m going to complain to Emperor Brother, ah!”

“Halt!” Princess Ning Yi held up her skirts and stepped over the threshold, breathing hard. “I asked myself why you went to Jiangnan without a trace and didn’t come home for two or three years. It turns out you were trying to steal a person from me.”

Liang Shu found a big chair for himself and sat down: “The two of us are in love, and have established a relationship that will last into marriage. He is talented and beautiful, how can this be called stealing? This is called a destined marriage. Sister, accept it.”

Princess Ning Yi: “…..Get out of here.”

“I won’t go. Are there any good things in the Princess’s Palace? I’ll pick a couple to give to Xiao An.” Liang Shu stood and walked on a familiar route to the warehouse. Princess Ning Yi was so dumbfounded by his shameless actions that she almost couldn’t hold back from ordering her servants to beat her unlucky brother out. But she didn’t do so because firstly, no one had the courage, and secondly, it was true that no one could beat him. Thirdly, although His Royal Highness Xiao Wang spent a lot of time in the warehouse like a bandit, he didn’t take much in the end. He only picked out a thin bamboo and jade wind chime and said: “Thank you, Imperial Sister.”

Princess Ning Yi was surprised: “Why did you only choose this?”

Liang Shu asked: “Why, is this wind chime special?”

“It’s not fancy, but simple and elegant. It’s not really something that can be appreciated.” Princess Ning Yi pointed out, “That’s more your aesthetic category.”

Liang Shu turned his head and glanced at the many golden jars and vases that looked to be worth a lot of money, and reluctantly accepted it. Imperial Sister was right. He had already come, so it was fine to take two.

Princess Ning Yi couldn’t endure it, and kicked him out of the Princess’s Palace.

Liang Shu was in a good mood. He carried the jingling bamboo and jade wind chime all the way home and hung it under the eaves of his bedroom, then knocked on the window lattice lightly.

Liu Xian’an opened the window, and there was a crisp sound in front of him, two magpies chirping on the eaves. Liang Shu handed him a bouquet of wildflowers he had procured from who knows where, and asked: “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Liu Xian’an disputed this: “It’s not like I have to sleep all the time.”

“Not so, you really have to sleep all the time.” Liang Shu said, “You sleep when you should sleep, sleep when you shouldn’t sleep, and bite people with your eyes closed if they don’t let you sleep.”

Liu Xian’an: “I don’t bite.”

Liang Shu turned his head and showed him a circle of teeth marks on his neck.

In this position, there was no way to say that the other party was trying to blackmail him. Liu Xian’an turned around lightly. I feel sleepy, I’m going to sleep.

Liang Shu grabbed him by the back of his collar and forced him back to the window. Gao Lin was carrying two jars of wine. When he entered the door, he saw the jade-like couple flirting and his eyes suddenly hurt. It didn’t matter if he stood where he was or walked away, he needed to reflect deeply on why he had come here at all.

Liang Shu said: “Leave the wine. You can go back and change your clothes, you’ll be coming with me to the palace for the banquet later.”

Gao Lin turned pale with fright. As if he had seen a phantom, he turned around and ran away.

Liang Shu turned around and asked: “He’s the commander of an army, after all. How can he be so disgraceful?”

“Lieutenant General Gao’s roots and soul are with the desert.” Liu Xian’an raised his hand to touch the string of wind chimes. “The capital city is beautiful, but the northwest is more unrestrained.”

“Then what about your roots and soul?” Liang Shu asked.

He originally brought this up for the sake of love words, because wherever the other’s soul was, it had to be tied to him. As a result, he suddenly choked upon receiving the sentence “on the clouds 80,000 li away.” He was silent for a long moment, then said in distress: “Can it be lowered a little? You’re too high, and not easy to catch.”

Liu Xian’an smiled and leaned his upper body out of the window, closing in to kiss him.

There was no Lieutenant General Gao this time, so they could kiss a little longer.

The palace banquet in the evening was held at the Lotus-Viewing Pond. Princess Ning Yi entered the palace early. Perhaps the maid felt that she was too aggressive, because she whispered: “The princess only had a quick glance into the sedan chair last year and didn’t have time to take a closer look. Perhaps when we meet him this time, we will find that Second Young Master Liu is not as good…..as we remember…..”

“Good” went without saying, because Liang Shu had already walked over with Liu Xian’an. There was a main path next to them, but the two of them didn’t walk on it, and instead stepped onto a white jade boardwalk in the middle of the lake. 

It was rare for Liu Xian’an to enter the palace, so he couldn’t dress too casually. Therefore, Liang Shu had prepared a new set of light green robes for him. Standing there, his entire temperament was like the wind passing through a bamboo forest, and also like the endless sky washed away by rain in the depths of summer, both immortal and graceful.

The maid: “……” Aiya, why did His Royal Highness Xiao Wang snatch away such a handsome treasure!

Princess Ning Yi was also angry, and felt that the fault did not lay with the handsome man, but mainly with her unlucky brother who had no sense of morality.

Liang Shu took two steps and stood in front of Liu Xian’an. Princess Ning Yi withdrew her gaze and became even more angry. Why couldn’t she look twice?

But it couldn’t be helped, because His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was so narrow-minded. Never mind looking at him twice, even once was only for the sake of family ties.

When Liang Yu arrived at the Lotus-Viewing Pond, what he saw was this harmonious scene of deep affection between brother and sister. He was angry and amused for a moment. Raising his hand, he indicated that everyone should not be too polite, and sat at the head seat, saying: “I was pestered by Li Mi and his group in the Imperial study for half a shichen. All that chatter has given me a headache.”

Liang Shu asked: “Were they scolding me again?”

Liang Yu was puzzled: “You just returned. What can they scold you for?”

“That’s not accurate.” Liang Shu turned to look at the person next to him. “Haven’t I gotten used to being scolded? Who told those old men to scold me no matter what happens? They won’t listen to reason.”

His tone actually sounded a little aggrieved.

Princess Ning Yi: So this is how you deceive such an immortal!

But the immortal actually believed it and said quite earnestly: “The next time someone scolds you, I will go and reason with them thoroughly.”

Liang Shu said: “Okay.”

The emperor was left with his mind buzzing. One person was enough to give him a headache. Why had he brought this one back to not only fail to bring peace, but also to provoke him together. He rubbed his temples and decided not to discuss political matters tonight. And Liu Xian’an was also looking at the emperor. His facial features were similar to Liang Shu’s, but his expression was much softer. Generally speaking, he would definitely never take a ruler out of his sleeve if he had nothing to do.

He held the cup of wine and smiled.

Liang Yu asked: “What is Second Young Master Liu so happy about?”

“I just think it’s very good here.” Liu Xian’an said: “It’s refreshing and comfortable, and the breeze brings the fragrance of the lotuses in the pond.”

Liang Yu smiled and said: “Since you are at ease, let’s have a few more drinks. We won’t talk about political affairs at today’s family dinner. When I have time another day, I will come back to thank Second Young Master Liu for his great contributions to the Baihe River and the Southwest.”

Liang Shu also wanted to drink, but was kicked under the table gently. Your old injury is not fully healed!

His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, who had practically forgotten what wine tasted like: “……”

Perhaps seeing that he was so pitiful, Liu Xian’an dipped his chopsticks into some and dabbed it on a piece of chicken in front of him: “Eat.”

Princess Ning Yi nearly laughed out loud.

Liang Yu also held his forehead with one hand. He couldn’t endure any longer, so he cleared his throat as if nothing had happened and said: “Let’s eat.”

Liu Xian’an continued to guard the wine cup. Just like this, the most troublesome devil in the royal family was made docile, doing whatever he said.

This made the whole family feel very comfortable.

After dinner, the two of them did not rush back to Xiao Wang Palace, but walked around the Imperial gardens again.

Liu Xian’an asked: “Is that the ancient book tower the emperor mentioned tonight?”

“Yes, it is full of strange books. Apart from you, most people are probably not interested in it.” Liang Shu said, “I’ll say in advance that you can read them, but you cannot read so much that you don’t even want to come home. You also need to bring two more bodyguards, so that Imperial Sister won’t cause trouble again. Never mind, I’ll accompany you personally.”

“Then we must install a bed in the ancient book tower first.”

“Am I so ignorant that I’ll fall asleep whenever I read a book?”

“I don’t know. Will you install one?”

“…..Yes.”

Liang Shu caught a fallen flower from a treetop, inserted it into the other’s collar, and changed the subject: “In the future, you will help me deal with those white-bearded old men. Emperor Brother heard it, so you are not allowed to default on your debts.”

“What is so complicated about this?” Liu Xian’an yawned. “It’s only speaking sense. Just leave it to me from now on.”

Liang Shu was satisfied. No matter how old the white-bearded old men were, they would only be eighty years old at most, and a forty-eight thousand year old had six hundred eighties.

Such wisdom was incomparable.

This time around, he would definitely win.

[The End]

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T/N: I’ll start posting the extras soon!

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Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six << Table of Contents >> Extra 1

T/N: I’m posting the last two chapters at the same time!

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He bathed in the hot spring all the way from dreamland to reality, and Liu Xian’an was confused. He really couldn’t remember how he got back to the bedroom tonight, and seemed to have moved to the bedroom in the blink of an eye while eating. The lights in the room were extremely dim, and it was pitch black outside. The north wind caused the few withered yellow leaves on the branches to rustle. Liu Xian’an habitually thought that the small waterwheel in the courtyard was probably going to spin again.

Sure enough, a familiar “squeaking” sound came from outside the door.

His heart was suddenly at ease, and he felt as relaxed as a feather floating among the clouds. It turned out that returning to a familiar home was like this.

Liang Shu asked: “What are you smiling about?”

“It’s hard to explain. Wu, beautiful things can only be enjoyed by oneself.” Liu Xian’an stretched, then reached out and wiped the face of His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, who was like a drowned rat. He couldn’t wait to return to his familiar big bed, so he said to Liang Shu: “Turn around.”

Liang Shu shook his head: “Won’t turn around.”

Liu Xian’an visually measured the distance from the tub to the bed, and still felt that he needed to turn around somewhat.

Liang Shu smiled and came closer: “I took it off with my own hands, why are you embarrassed now? I won’t turn around.”

Liu Xian’an said: “I didn’t know you took it off.”

Liang Shu suggested, you can continue to close your eyes now and pretend not to know.

Liu Xian’an just barely agreed, that’s also fine. In any case, after closing his eyes, the person guarding the bathtub could be a prince or chaotic nothingness, and in the realm of nothingness, there were definitely not so many rules, so it was fine to wear clothes or not to wear clothes.

Liang Shu wrapped him back on the bed with a big, soft blanket, then took a cloth and wiped his hair bit by bit. Before he was finished wiping, Liu Xian’an fell asleep again, sleeping without any distractions and completely relaxed. After being tucked back into bed, he immediately rolled sideways into a wild posture, as if he would never wake up from a long dream.

Liang Shu smiled and lowered his head to kiss his ear. A-Ning had been standing guard outside the door. Calculating that the time was almost up, he gently knocked on the door and came in to remove the bathtub. The boy lowered his head and worked quickly. He also asked with caution: “Your Highness, tonight….”

“I’ll stay here,” Liang Shu said.

A-Ning responded affirmatively and quickly asked someone to bring new hot water. Anyway, when the prince returned to Baihe Mountain Village, he also lived in the waterside pavilion. So long as the door was closed more tightly this time, the others would think that the prince was still sleeping in the guest room, so it was not a breach of etiquette.

His Royal Highness Xiao Wang in the hot spring pool opened his eyes again and asked lazily: “Why are you here again—”

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Xian’an had already found a comfortable position in his arms. The sky was full of pink clouds, and there were colorful fallen flowers on the shore. This scene was truly suitable for sleeping, so he muttered: “Don’t talk.”

Liang Shu brought his ear closer: “What?”

Liu Xian’an didn’t say anything more. He lay on the bed with his face turned sideways, only revealing a bit of his smooth earlobe. Liang Shu gently twisted it with his fingertips, and then remembered the dream he had when first staying in at the waterside pavilion, soaked with rain and dew and dyed crimson.

The soundly asleep Second Young Master Liu was shaken up by the clouds and flowers everywhere. He awoke in a dizzying fantasy, and reality was even more dizzying. Liang Shu held his hands, and his teeth wandered around the knot of his throat and went all the way down. Liu Xian’an frowned slightly. His muscles and bones, which had been warmed and softened by the hot water and quilt, now felt like they were being completely pulled away from his body. When he couldn’t bear it anymore, he raised his leg to kick, but his ankle was held instead.

Liang Shu slowly re-tied the loosened red rope on his ankle for him. When he raised his eyes again, his expression was as if he had returned to that fantastical, bone-eroding dream. He looked down into those beautiful eyes that were exactly the same as those in that spring dream, looking at them for a long moment before kissing them with a somewhat constrained devotion.

Liu Xian’an thought, then…..this is also fine.

But it was a bit difficult to deal with. It turned out that the simple sentence, “Spring comes and flowers bloom all over,” could stretch out so endlessly when placed within the bed tent. Liu Xian’an felt that he was about to be hit by this fierce storm and had nowhere to hide. Finally, he stumbled into the Three Thousand Worlds in a daze, not thinking that he wouldn’t be safe there either. 

His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, with his unusually strong and beautiful figure, held his thin waist in his hands and moved it slowly, asking with a half-smile: “What did you say?”

Lying in the thick petals beside the hot spring, Liu Xian’an realized tiredly and vaguely that the worlds seemed to no longer be decided by him alone. He was immediately gloomy, but not for long. This was because for quite a while, he was forced to go back and forth between waking reality and drowsy dreaming, facing two different yet identical people until he finally fell asleep completely due to exhaustion.

I must sleep for a hundred years this time, he thought.

Two hundred years is also fine.

In the end, he only slept for less than five hours. For a lazy fellow who had just returned home from a long trip, this was already a short period of time. When he opened his eyes, the sky outside had turned slightly pale. The north wind still made the water wheel squeak, but made the surrounding area quieter and quieter. Liu Xian’an turned sideways and stretched out his arms, burying his face in Liang Shu’s arms with the intention of lying down for a while.

Liang Shu smiled and didn’t open his eyes, but only held him tighter in his arms.

The two of them thought at the same time, let’s just live like this for the rest of our lives.

. . . . . .

This small Jiangnan city seemed to have a light snowfall specially to welcome His Royal Highness Xiao Wang. Although there were a few drops of rain mixed in, a circle of white accumulated on the top of the mountain, which attracted people all over the city to climb up and have a look. 

Liang Shu asked: “Do you want to go see it?”

Liu Xian’an didn’t want to go. He held the heater and shook his head firmly. Snowfall was nothing unusual, and now that the city was full of people running around, a lot of them would certainly suffer from frostbite. It’s going to be busy, let’s not join in the fun.

“Okay.” Liang Shu said, “Then let A-Ning play with A-Yuan and the others, and let’s go for a walk on the street.”

Liu Xian’an didn’t want to go out on the street, but was dragged out in the end by Liang Shu. The city was very quiet, and the two of them held the same umbrella as they walked along the wet alley.

After walking for a while, Liu Xian’an said: “Slant the umbrella over there.”

Liang Shu refused: “You’ll get wet if I slant it over.”

“But your shoulder is all wet.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“…..You’ll get sick when you get older.”

“There are doctors in the family.”

Liu Xian’an had no choice but to pull him into a small shop to escape the rain and snow. The shopkeeper was from the Min ethnic group, and had brought his sick wife to Baihe City for medical treatment when he was young. After she recovered, they stayed in Baihe City. They were old and couldn’t climb the mountain, so they didn’t go to see the snow, but continued to stay busy in the kitchen, one making cakes and the other making fish balls.

Liu Xian’an asked for a clean handkerchief and had Liang Shu sit down, standing beside him to wipe his wet shoulders. He also asked for two bowls of hot soup. The two of them sat on the same bench. Liu Xian’an bit into a fish ball and said: “I asked Father yesterday to take a look at your old illness. When you are almost healed, we can return to Wangcheng. Will the emperor make you hurry?”

“No, we’ll stay in Jiangnan,” Liang Shu said. “It’s so cold now that it’s not suitable to rush. Everyone says that spring in Jiangnan is the best, where the sun rises and flowers bloom. We will wait until the spring warms and the flowers bloom before going back. Emperor Brother won’t be anxious.”

Thus, Liu Xian’an believed that the emperor was not anxious.

He wasn’t anxious, mainly because Liang Shu would write a letter every now and then. One day his heart ached, the next day his stomach hurt, and the day after that he felt that his eyes were blurry. Every letter was opened by Liang Yu in public during the morning court. Therefore, all the civil and military officials expressed concern. It sounds like he still needs to rest, but there are many miracle doctors in Baihe Mountain Village. Heaven helps the worthy, so the emperor need not be anxious.

Gao Lin mingled among the officials, his head buzzing from the noise.

He had already obtained a large palace given to him by the emperor. It was said that it was the former residence of an elderly man and had not been taken care of for many years. The weeds in the courtyard were taller than a person, and the growth of the weeds in Xiao Wang Palace next to it was just as impressive.

“……”

Liang Yu kindly instructed: “Aiqing, keep an eye on the craftsmanship and tidy up the two palaces together. Otherwise, it will be truly embarrassing for the people coming and going to see it in this desolate state.”

Gao Lin received the edict and expressed his gratitude, but he hadn’t even touched the shadows of the beautiful flowers in his dreams when he took on the role of a supervisor again. He felt miserable and wanted to go back to the southwest. 

And his family’s lazy general who was addicted to gentleness and warmth, spent the New Year in Jiangnan and enjoyed the spring. He didn’t even think about returning to the capital as soon as possible, and Liu Xian’an didn’t rush him. He lay on the table and drew maps of the Baihe River one after another, and Liang Shu added detailed annotations on every picture he drew. After saving enough for a carriage, they would rush 800 li to the royal city.

It caused Liang Yu to be unable to scold him. Moreover, he had to pay out of his own pocket from time to time to send some money to this unlucky brother, so that others wouldn’t criticize him for eating and drinking for free and not doing anything productive.

But in fact, the disciples of Baihe Mountain Village quite liked this Royal Highness Xiao Wang. They were gradually no longer afraid of him, and Madam Liu didn’t seem to want to charge for food and accommodation. She often cooked soup herself and delivered it to the waterside pavilion. When she came in, Liang Shu was tinkering with the water wheel, because the old thing had been getting louder and louder recently. It was as thin and weak as a ghost’s shriek, which really disturbed people’s dreams. 

“I heard it again.”

“I heard it.”

“…..Then you can repair it.”

Liu Xian’an sat under the overhang with his hands folded, watching him repair it. However, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang had not done carpentry since he was young, so he was not very familiar with the job. It looked like it was breaking more and more as he repaired it, and it was finally put together in a twisted fashion. Before it could be placed back on the rockery, pieces of wood fell to the ground with a clatter.

Liu Xian’an suppressed a smile.

Madam Liu also wanted to laugh.

In the end, Liu Xian’an repaired it himself, standing on tiptoes to install the water wheel. When he moved it with his hand, there were dots of silver light and ripples.

Liang Shu held his shoulders and said: “Emperor Brother has written another letter urging us to return to the capital.”

“Okay, then let’s go back to the capital.” Liu Xian’an wiped his hands. “It just so happens that your injuries are almost healed. Now when we return to the city, we can still make it in time for the summer. Father was still saying yesterday for me to pack up a batch of medicine and deliver it to the Imperial Hospital.”

Liang Shu asked: “A dowry?”

Liu Xian’an said: “It’s mainly to treat the deficiency of qi and blood.”

Liang Shu changed direction, no good, ah, that’s not a dowry. It’s inauspicious.

Liu Xian’an was puzzled. How can illness be auspicious?

“It’s hard to tell. For example, if the yang energy is too strong, the fire needs to be lowered.” Liang Shu touched his chin with his finger, with pride that came out of nowhere. “This illness sounds like it should be fine.”

Liu Xian’an: “……”

Forget it, I don’t want to talk to this medically blind person.

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Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven

Lu Qi had only run down two floors when he met two men in suits. The two of them had strong physiques, and seemed to be very skilled as they stood there and blocked the entrance to the stairs. 

Lu Qi was startled, and looked suspiciously at the two panting people who had also been running.

“Mr…..Mr. Lu…..” These people came forward to talk to Lu Qi. “We are Mr. Mu’s bodyguards. He told us to come up and restrain a lunatic, and then call the police.”

Hearing that they were Mu Nanqiao’s bodyguards, Lu Qi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked, “Where is Mu Nanqiao?”

“Mr. Mu……” The two exchanged glances. “Mu Naqiao just now drove away.”

Lu Qi nearly cried in anger. Why was this person running away?!

He squeezed through the two bodyguards and ran downstairs.

“Mr. Lu!” One of the bodyguards looked down at him. “Mr. Mu drove away, you can’t catch up…..”

Lu Qi paid no attention. He ran downstairs and took a look around. Not to mention the car, he didn’t even see the car’s exhaust.

He stood there blankly, then thought of something and felt for the mobile phone in his pocket, but found nothing. He had forgotten to bring it down.

After standing there for a while, he sniffed a bit aggrievedly, wondering why this person ran away so fast without even saying a word.

There was movement behind him. Lu Qi turned around and saw two bodyguards escorting Lin Yuan down.

Seeing that he had failed to catch up to Mu Nanqiao, and having been originally trampled on by that person at will, Lin Yuan suddenly put up a struggle and twisted to speak to Lu Qi.

Lu Qi walked over, and Lin Yuan immediately said with eagerness: “Do you believe me, Xiao Qi? He simply has nothing to say, otherwise why would he run?!”

Lu Qi didn’t want to spare him a look. He had come over because he had something to ask the two bodyguards.

“Do you know where Mu Nanqiao went? Home or to the company?”

The two men in suits looked at each other before finally shaking their heads in unison: “We don’t know…..”

Lu Qi was anxious: “Aren’t you his bodyguards? You don’t know where your employer is?”

“We’re actually Chairman Mu’s bodyguards.” The taller one explained to Lu Qi: “Young Mr. Mu started to practice boxing a few years ago and participated in professional competitions before. Other than when he uses us to maintain order, we usually don’t follow him.”

Lu Qi: ……

Why didn’t he know that Mu Nanqiao practiced boxing?

“Then what are you doing here today?” Lu Qi cast them both a strange look. “Did you come here to catch this crazy person?”

“No…..” The shorter bodyguard carefully pointed toward the belt of greenery, where there were several boxes stacked up half the height of a person. “Mr. Mu had us help him move the fireworks and set them off.”

Lu Qi: ……

He seemed to have guessed what Mu Nanqiao intended to do, and became even angrier at the thought.

He turned around and ran away, opened a box, and pulled out a kaleidoscope firework. Then he returned angrily, pulled Lin Yuan’s collar, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Lin Yuan: “Fuck….ugh….Lu.….”

“Ai, ai, ai?” The shorter bodyguard quickly held the handsome young man who was bristling in anger, thinking that this honest young man was even more remarkable when angry. “Don’t be impulsive, don’t be impulsive…..”

Lin Yuan got a mouthful of gunpowder, spit twice, and looked at Lu Qi in disarray. “Are you crazy? You love him that much? Is he that good?! Did he bewitch you?!”

Lu Qi asked coldly: “He’s your white moonlight, and you’re asking me if he’s good? Don’t you know whether he is good or not?”

Lin Yuan almost choked to death at his words.

He had discovered that after being with Mu Nanqiao, Lu Qi seemed to have opened new meridians. He still didn’t speak much, but every word stabbed into the heart.

Shaking with anger, he said tremblingly: “I don’t like him at all, the one I liked from the beginning was you! It was him who imitated you and deceived me! He lied to me!!”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t get it.” Lu Qi didn’t want to waste any more time on him, so he asked the two bodyguards to take him away and hurried upstairs to find his mobile phone.

But Mu Nanqiao didn’t answer his phone.

Lu Qi took a deep breath, and his temple twitched twice.

He was so, so angry. He needed to calm down and think. There were actually traces to follow regarding what was amiss with Mu Nanqiao, but if Mu Nanqiao had designed accidents to kill people…..

Lu Qi stroked Xiao Sanhua’s soft fur, feeling a bit confused. Of course bullies should be punished, but the fact was that they made a person feel powerless. Most bullies lived a good life, and when talking about the past, they would only say lightly: It was just a joke.

But the victim could never emerge from the shadows for the rest of his life. This wasn’t fair.

Therefore, when enjoying feel-good dramas and novels, the protagonist’s meticulous and step-by-step revenge was particularly exciting. But if there was such a person in real life…..

Lu Qi was just an ordinary person, and he inevitably felt uneasy.

It took courage to sleep in the face of the abyss, even if there were flowers flourishing beneath it.

But he didn’t want to listen to Lin Yuan’s side of the story. He was a scumbag with a negative trust score, and Lu Qi didn’t believe him.

After some thought, Lu Qi sent a WeChat message to Mu Nanqiao.

[Whatever you say, I will listen. I can wait, but don’t make me wait too long. (hugging cat.jpg)]

. . . . . . .

The temperature had dropped sharply these past two days, and Lu Qi had to put on a coat when going out. Xiao Sanhua had been eating too much recently, so the veterinarian suggested buying a cat leash and taking her downstairs for a walk.

This was the reason Lu Qi didn’t want to raise a dog. Dogs needed a certain amount of exercise, and as soon as winter came, Lu Qi wanted to weld himself to the bed. Thus, it was suitable to raise a cat to sleep with him.

Unexpectedly, different paths led to the same destination, and he ended up walking a cat.

He took out his mobile phone and glanced at it. Mu Nanqiao was pushed almost to the bottom of his WeChat. Lu Qi pulled him out and was originally going to place him at the top, but after some thought, he gave up angrily.

He was angry, but couldn’t help feeling a little worried.

The way those people died was purely by accident, and it was just the commonality of “bullying others” that made the incidents seem so dramatic. But whoever said otherwise needed to provide evidence. If Lin Yuan really had evidence, he would have already seized the opportunity to drag Mu Nanqiao into the water. And how could Mu Nanqiao prove his innocence for something he never did?

Therefore, Lu Qi did not need precise evidence in this matter. He only needed an answer from Mu Nanqiao. The problem was bedroom 502. If what Lin Yuan said was true, then Mu Nanqiao’s mental state was obviously not very good. It was indeed a hurdle to explain this frankly, so he could wait until Mu Nanqiao was willing to open the door.

Now, the wait tormented him. Would overcoming this psychological barrier be difficult for Mu Nanqiao?

Lu Qi was really a bit anxious.

But this matter had to be made clear, otherwise, what would happen to that person in the future? Would he avoid this question forever? Would there always be a hidden mine that would eventually explode?

This was not Lu Qi’s character. 

Having been lost in thought for a while, Lu Qi sighed and went to take Xiao Sanhua and buy cat food. When he tugged the leash, he realized that Xiao Sanhua had broken free and run off.

Lu Qi was taken aback. He called Xiao Sanhua’s name and walked around twice. Finally, he saw his own little cabbage on a strip of lawn, along with a cat that had a dark body and golden eyes. Lu Qi wanted to call him – the wild pig eating his cabbage. 

As soon as Xiao Sanhua saw her father, she immediately came over with a small chirp and left the wild pig behind. Lu Qi felt a little relieved, but the wild pig followed with no fear of death and seduced Xiao Sanhua at his feet.

Looking at his coloring and skillful technique, could he be Xiao Sanhua’s ex and the father of the four cubs?

Lu Qi was angry. He was already very angry, but this little black pig was asking for trouble.

He knelt down and tentatively reached out to touch the black cat. Lu Qi was ready to withdraw his hand at any time, but the black cat was unexpectedly well-behaved. Maybe it was because he smelled Xiao Sanhua on Lu Qi. The cat acted very flatteringly, and even rolled over to expose his belly and acted coquettish.

With him looking like this……

He was a little like a certain person who looked cold and aloof, but was actually good at acting coquettishly.

“Very good.” Lu Qi smiled, his eyes falling between the little black cat’s legs.

The cat’s little bells were furry. Tsk, tsk, he did have the capital to flirt with women.

Lu Qi stretched out his evil hands toward the little black cat. 

Now was the best time. Today, he would help this scumbag who ran away after flirting to cut off the roots of love!

Thus, that night, Father Xiao Hei and his ex-wife Xiao Sanhua became a pair of sisters. After observation at the pet hospital, Lu Qi carried the cage and took Xiao Hei home.

Too many stray cats preyed on the birds living in the city, so the work of Lu Qi’s rescue center also included the business of neutering. This wasn’t the first time he had done it, but it was the first time he felt guilty.

After all, he had these balls removed because of some personal emotions.

Carrying the kitty as he walked downstairs, Lu Qi whispered: “Don’t blame me. If I’m to blame, it’s because you have the temperament of a certain bastard. I can’t get to him easily, so I can only vent my anger on you. I’m sorry, I’ll compensate you with a lifetime of food and accommodation from now on…..”

He skirted a flower bed and said: “The blame for your dismantling will be placed on his head. This is a punishment on his behalf…..”

“A punishment for me?” A low, hoarse voice sounded from behind him, with a hard to detect note of fatigue. “What should I do? It seems you’re really angry. Let’s discuss it, baby, this one really cannot be neutered.”

The carrier shook, and Lu Qi nearly dropped Xiao Hei to the ground. The frightened Xiao Hei jumped and meowed, and it was unknown if his wound reopened.

Turning around, Lu Qi saw that the person he had been thinking about for several days was standing not far behind him. He looked at him quietly, standing beneath street lights that lit up one after another. The emotions in that person’s eyes were still unclear, but they were so focused. So focused that they could be called thirsty.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other for just a few days, Mu Nanqiao had actually lost some weight. The clothes he wore were completely different from usual, a thin and loose light blue corduroy jacket, white sweatpants, and sneakers. He looked like he had just taken a shower, his hair damp and hanging down in an orderly manner.

At first glance, he looked like a college student.

Lu Qi felt that he was being manipulated. Seeing him like this, that little flame in his heart swayed in the wind again, and when he saw Mu Nanqiao’s bandaged hand, the flame went out with a pop.

Forget it. Mu Nanqiao had walked firmly toward him many times, but ran away this time. He would just forgive him.

Lu Qi set down Xiao Hei, and was about to walk toward Mu Nanqaio, but the person who fell silent after making a joke suddenly walked over with haste.

The wind blew past his ears, and he was pulled firmly into an embrace. Mu Nanqiao really had just taken a shower, and there was the faint scent of shower gel at his neck, a very refreshing fragrance. Warmed by his body temperature and then wrapped in his scent, Lu Qi, who had been restless for many days, finally felt his heart begin to beat calmly and easily.

He sniffed with reddened eyes and buried his head, saying in a low voice: “Let’s discuss your performance. You’ve seen the consequences of refusing to confess.”

Xiao Hei said weakly: “Meow~”

Mu Nanqiao smiled and said hoarsely: “I was just too scared.”

He had worked hard to finally make Lu Qi fall in love with the shining Mu Nanqiao, but in the end, his disguise was exposed. Lu Qi had found out that those lights came from broken gaps, and he was actually a defective product riddled with holes. 

He was afraid of Lu Qi’s questioning and disappointed eyes.

He was even more afraid that those dark emotions would break free from their shackles when Lu Qi turned around and left. 

He would take the sun as his own, even if he was bruised and burned all over.

Afraid of such a result, he ran away in cowardice.

The past few days were a blur, and it seemed that all his senses had been paralyzed. He knew that something was wrong with him, but he allowed himself to sink. Only one feeling became clearer and clearer, gradually evolving into deep pain. 

He wanted Lu Qi. Wanted to hold him, wanted to kiss him, wanted to knead and make marks on this person who was as white as paper, forcing him to unfold little by little…..

At last, he stood in front of Lu Qi.

Instead of hurting Lu Qi, he would rather cut open his incurable illness.

“Let’s go up.” He kissed Lu Qi’s earlobe and put a key into his hand. “You go open that door and meet another Mu Nanqiao.”

---

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Chapter Twenty-Eight << Table of Contents >> Chapter Thirty

The tax fraud case and Imperial Examination case were concluded together. All the evidence and prisoners had to be taken back to the capital for trial, and the investigation team would go back collectively. Naturally, Bai Su also took Bai Yu’s body home.

Qin Yu and He Lan should have left together. After all, they had come down in the name of investigating the Imperial Examination case, and the tax fraud case could be considered extra credit.

But in the end, due to the amount of money missing from the ledgers, they officially received an Imperial edict to continue the investigation, so they stayed to act together with Huo Fenglie.

However, only Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing knew about the involvement of rebels behind the scenes. They also learned about the death of the Minister of Revenue, which meant that the trail had gone cold again. It could be seen that this group of people had acted decisively and anticipated the enemy’s movements. Even Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but secretly admire their ability to cut them all off with one small move.

They arrived at the pier, and everyone saw Bai Su off.

Bai Su stood next to Liu Zhenqing, waiting for Huo Fenglie and the others to check for safety issues using their martial arts training.

“Are you really not coming with me? The Imperial Examination case is over, and the Liu family wasn’t involved with any of it. The Liu family will definitely be released after we return home, so why should you stay?”

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t explain it. In fact, what they were involved in was not the Imperial Examination case, but the rebel case.

“You forget, I was originally going south.”

Bai Su gave him a doubtful look. No matter how he had planned to settle down in the south, after encountering this kind of unforeseen event, shouldn’t he go back to comfort his family and decide on a different time to depart?

However, Bai Su thought about it and suddenly smiled, saying: “Are you worried about Zhanyuan?”

Bai Su’s statement was so ambiguous that Liu Zhenqing couldn’t laugh or cry. It was all Liu Xiaozhu’s fault. Even amnesia couldn’t help him escape this.

Liu Zhenqing smiled. “No way, I just happen to be on the road with Brother Huo and the others.”

Bai Su pretended not to hear it, and only thought that Liu Zhenqing wanted to follow Huo Fenglie. He said: “Among them, Zichuan is the most astute in his work, but it’s a pity that Yundu keeps disrupting their pace. Only you are stable. It is indeed more helpful to have you giving them advice.”

Liu Zhenqing gave a dry smile and said: “It’s good that I won’t hold them back.”

“Zhanyuan…..” Bai Su wanted to say something about the state of Huo Fenglie’s body. Huo Fenglie had nearly fallen ill when Liu Zhenqing fainted that day, but he felt that it was his brother’s private matter and couldn’t be talked about casually, so he could only say: “I’ll leave Zhanyuan to you.”

Liu Zhenqing felt a little helpless upon hearing this. These people had really misunderstood. He couldn’t help but speak further, “I haven’t been interested in Brother Huo for a long time…..”

Bai Su understood Liu Zhenqing’s meaning. During these days of spending time together, none of them were blind. It could be said that Huo Fenglie completely regarded Liu Zhenqing as one of his own, and also as someone important. Bai Su was the brother who had known Huo Fenglie for the longest time, and he had never seen him get along with another person like this. He had personally verified that Liu Zhenqing was different.

He thought that Qin Yu was right, and that Huo Fenglie must have thoughts about him. As a good brother, he was naturally happy to see this result. It was better than holding onto hopeless memories.

And Liu Zhenqing originally admired Huo Fenglie. He didn’t believe that after losing his memories, he could not fall in love with him after spending so much time together.

So Bai Su was more inclined to think that they were still going around in circles, but there was a knot in their hearts. It was not convenient to say anything else, but this could add fuel to the flames.

Bai Su suddenly said: “There is something I want to tell you. I wonder if you heard about that rumor after losing your memory.”

“What rumor?”

“The one about Prime Minister Liu’s grave.”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes turned helplessly. Suddenly hearing this, he trembled and was even more embarrassed than before. Why bring up such a thing without rhyme or reason?

Bai Su said with frustration: “In fact, his tomb was in the wilds back then, and anyone could go there and humiliate him wantonly. Back then, someone asked me to go to his grave and spit on it. I considered it, because at that time I had just been notified that…..and I was a little out of control. But I didn’t go. Even though I was resentful at that time, I couldn’t do something contrary to my convictions. In fact, I kind of admired him, and didn’t want a formidable person like him to be treated like this in the end. It’s fortunate I didn’t go, because after that, I discovered that he was very important to Zhanyuan. Even though the outside world spread rumors that he had killed Huo-dage , implicated the Huo family army, and coveted Sister Huo.”

Liu Zhenqing thought to himself that he had dug up the grave and then calmed down after venting his anger, and probably regretted his behavior at that time. Therefore, Bai Su felt that he was rather important to Er-gou. After all, they were like family back then.

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t bothered by Er-gou in this matter. It was normal for young people to be impulsive.

“Do you know what Zhanyuan did when he returned to the capital that year?”

There was really no need to remind him of the matter of digging up the grave, crushing the bones, and scattering the ashes. Although he was a modern person and didn’t care about the state of his corpse, it still sounded a little unnerving.

Liu Zhenqing was awkward and didn’t answer, but Bai Su didn’t seem to wait for a response.

He said directly: “I saw with my own eyes that he was wearing armor still stained with blood when he rode Chen Jiangyue and rushed straight to the tomb. I was accompanying Madam Huo at the time, because she insisted on cleaning Prime Minister Liu’s tomb.”

As Bai Su spoke, he recalled the shocking scene of seeing a Huo Fenglie he almost didn’t recognize.

“Zhanyuan rode to the tomb and practically rolled off his horse. His face looked like that of a dead person. Regardless of Madam Huo’s dissuasion, he dug the grave up with his bare hands. At that time, I just foolishly watched from the side as Zhanyuan burst into tears. He was more and more in disarray. His hands could gradually no longer be seen, and he seemed to be injured, with blood dripping from his body as he moved. It all flowed onto the lid of the coffin. Madam Huo stepped forward and slapped him, but she couldn’t sober him up. He didn’t seem to believe the man could have died like this. He directly opened the lid of the coffin and frantically tried to pick that person up. In the end, he found that the body would fall apart if he moved, so he could only sit in the coffin holding the rotting bones and cry bitterly all night long.”

Once Bai Su finished speaking, he looked at Liu Zhenqing and was taken aback. Although Liu Zhenqing’s face was expressionless, his eyes gradually shone with moisture and he was in a daze, as if he had been struck by lightning.

Bai Su said in astonishment: “Brother Liu, you…..”

Liu Zhenqing murmured: “It…..was like this? How could it be like this?”

Bai Su gave a bitter smile and said: “It was probably because he was so shocked. It was said that when he heard the news, he rushed back all night without stopping.”

Such a long distance?!

“I really…..had never seen Zhanyuan like that.” Even when his brother passed away, although he cried sadly, he just silently took over the responsibility of the Huo family army and acquiesced to the Huo family’s mission. But at that time, he cried like a helpless child and finally looked despondent, as if he could lie down in the coffin at any time. It shocked Bai Su greatly.

It was not easy to say how specifically sad Huo Fenglie was, so he just sighed. “Most of the rumors are exaggerated, but what I saw was true. The destruction of bones and ashes was just a rare cremation. Although I don’t understand why the burial method of remote ethnic groups was used, Zhanyuan did secretly cremate Prime Minister Liu.”

Looking at Liu Zhenqing, who could hardly react, Bai Su continued: “I say this because I want to tell you that the rumors about Zhanyuan’s resentment of Prime Minister Liu are actually false. Others, including Zichuan and Yundu don’t understand, but I do. He acts the way he does because he hates others mentioning Prime Minister Liu in front of him, because they always do so with malice. He doesn’t want anyone to touch things related to that person, and doesn’t want anyone to criticize him. As a result, the rumors became more and more exaggerated. In fact, I think Zhanyuan still has deep feelings for that person. After all, he watched Zhanyuan grow up.”

Bai Su couldn’t tell the person in front of him how Huo Fenglie felt about that person for fear of it having the opposite effect, but he also needed to make sure that this person didn’t have a grudge about the feud between the two families. This was to facilitate their future progress. With Huo Fenglie’s temperament, it would likely be difficult for him to make this clear himself.

In fact, Bai Su really didn’t know whether Prime Minister Liu had anything to do with Huo-dage’s death, but due to recent events and the attitudes of Madam Huo and Zhanyuan toward that person, he believed that it might have been another desperate situation.

Bai Su knew that good brotherhood came slowly and with difficulty, and hoped that everything would go well, but he could only help so much.

After saying what needed to be said, he said goodbye to everyone, boarded the ship, and left.

Everyone followed with their eyes, but Liu Zhenqing was in a daze.

“What’s wrong?”

A deep voice suddenly sounded in his ear, shocking Liu Zhenqing’s heart. Turning to look, although that person’s handsome features were still like that of a sheathed sword, full of coldness and danger, his expression held a highly reserved concern. Even back then, he was naturally cold and handsome. It was hard to imagine that such a face could appear like the situation that Bai Su described. 

Er-gou had truly been sad over his death. He had followed Huo Feihan to the battlefield since he was fifteen years old, and rarely returned. They saw each other at most once a year, and the last time they exchanged letters, Liu Zhenqing scolded him.

Damn, the more he thought about it, the guiltier he felt, ah.

Er-gou obviously had a lot of questions about what happened back then. No amount of suspicion would be too much, and Liu Zhenqing could understand the resentment, but yet…..

To be honest, Liu Zhenqing found it difficult to accept the situation described by Bai Su. It was really not as good as the initial rumors, in which case his mentality could be more broad and level.

When he was thinking wildly, Huo Fenglie suddenly grabbed his arm. “Did Yuzhou tell you something?”

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s sudden nervous expression, Liu Zhenqing was even more at a loss. At once, Huo Fenglie wrapped his arms around Liu Zhenqing’s waist and flew away.

He Lan and Qin Yu, who were conversing, saw this and their faces were full of confusion.

“Hey, Zhanyuan, where are you going? Aren’t we leaving soon?” He Lan shouted.

He heard a voice from far away, “Wait by the carriage.”

“What’s the matter?” He Lan asked doubtfully.

Uninterested, Qin Yu turned around and walked toward the carriage. He Lan stepped forward and put his arm around the other, saying: “Ai, you said Brother Liu stayed here for a purpose, and now the two of them are acting behind our backs. Is it…..hehehe.”

Qin Yu glanced at He Lan with disgust and turned his body to avoid contact with him. But He Lan continued to stick to him out of habit, pulling and tugging all the way back to the carriage to wait.

And at this time, Huo Fenglie had already brought the other person to a secluded place.

After setting him down, Huo Fenglie said anxiously: “Qing-ge, what did Yuzhou tell you? Your complexion was not quite right before.”

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s uneasy look, Liu Zhenqing was a little puzzled. Did this fellow not want him to know the truth about the grave digging? Was he afraid of being embarrassed?

Liu Zhenqing thought about it and decided to bring it up carefully. “Yuzhou just told me….that the matter of you digging up my grave was not consistent with the rumors.”

Huo Fenglie’s originally stagnate breathing seemed to have eased, but his brow was still furrowed as he said: “Is this the case?”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie with some embarrassment. “He said you didn’t believe I was dead, so you dug up the grave in despair and cried. Is that…..?”

Huo Fenglie’s expression turned ugly when he heard him mention his death, but his tone was as calm as could be: “I only heard about it the year after, when the Three Kings Rebellion was clearly over. I thought everything was safe and I could go back and reunite with you after the war. Unexpectedly, I heard that you had died a year before…..so I couldn’t accept it.”

Seeing Huo Fenglie say it so simply, Liu Zhenqing became even more confused. “Yuan Jue hid it from you?”

“En, he said he feared it would affect the battlefield in the west.” Back then, he almost raised a hand to Yuan Jue.

Liu Zhenqing nodded. After all, the internal affairs were settled at that time, but the foreign enemies still remained. As a leader, it was reasonable that it could inconveniently affect him.

“It was my fault for being foolish. At that time, the enemy had suddenly become stronger. I only thought they intended to counterattack, but didn’t think…..”

At that time, Liu Zhenqing’s existence was not only feared by the Imperial court, but also by the surrounding wolves. Once he died, it was inevitable that those people would take advantage of the chaos and advance. Therefore, everyone unitedly attacked Prime Minister Liu, which also made the wolves understand that the Great Zhou Dynasty would not be in chaos just because the powerful minister died.

This was one of the reasons it didn’t matter that Liu Zhenqing was engraved on the list of sinners.

But seeing Huo Fenglie’s expression, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but pat his head and say: “It wasn’t easy for you either. Thank you for your hard work.”

Huo Fenglie was taken aback, and suddenly remembered that person who went to the battlefield and beat him after hearing about the news of Qing-ge’s death. That was when he heard about it.

He almost died on the battlefield at that time, and the man contemptuously spoke the truth into his ear, leaving one statement behind.

“You are as useless as your brother, and didn’t protect him well. If I had known what would happen today, it would have been better to take him with me back then.”

The mocking insinuation of incompetence still remained in his ears. He looked at the person in front of him again. Huo Fenglie’s expression changed over and over, and a sudden impulse came over him. The redness in his eyes was nearly uncontrollable, and he suddenly lifted his hands to hug the person in front of him tightly in his arms. The force was strong enough to melt this person into his bones.

Liu Zhenqing was startled by Huo Fenglie’s sudden behavior. He initially thought it was unexpected, but when he thought of Bai Su’s description, he couldn’t help feeling a twinge of pain in his heart. He raised his arms and hugged him.

Liu Zhenqing returning the hug seemed to wake Huo Fenglie from the abyss, and he didn’t even need to take medicine to suppress it. He understood now that he was no longer holding bones.

This time he was warm, and could hug him back.

Liu Zhenqing let Huo Fenglie hug him for a while, and then inexplicably felt a little awkward. He patted him and pushed him away, saying with a smile: “I really thought the rumors were true at first, and it gave me a shock. When I saw you later, I wanted to hide away to avoid being affected.”

Huo Fenglie looked aggrieved and said: “How could that be possible?”

Liu Zhenqing retorted: “How could it not be possible? After all….” At this point, Liu Zhenqing suddenly paused.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes also flickered.

Liu Zhenqing was silent for a moment, and then looked at Huo Fenglie and said: “Have you really never resented me? Even though your brother’s defeat in battle was related to me?”

Huo Fenglie gave Liu Zhenqing a firm look and said: “I’m telling you, never.”

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly.

Huo Fenglie gazed at Liu Zhenqing with a pair of the most sincere, burning eyes.

“I don’t know what the situation was at that time, but I know that you would never hurt Da-ge.” Huo Fenglie said calmly: “Even if you could hurt everyone in the world, you would never hurt him.”

When Liu Zhenqing heard these words, all of the bones in his body seemed to shake slightly. He clearly hadn’t told Er-gou anything yet, which could be considered deliberate concealment, so he should know he was guilty. Why did Er-gou always react unexpectedly when it came to trusting him? There was what happened to Wangshu before, and now even his brother…..

He ground his teeth, somewhat at a loss. It was as if he was struggling with something, and daring to test something out. “You really believe in me? But I didn’t save your brother or those 100,000 in the Huo family army.”

“There is a difference between not being able to save someone and wanting to hurt someone.” Huo Fenglie frowned.

“I didn’t try my best to save them. It was my fault.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression turned a little unsightly. “You tried your best, and you were right. I believe that Da-ge never blamed you.”

Liu Zhenqing became even more agitated, saying: “I didn’t. I could have saved them, but they didn’t, they didn’t wait for me. It was my hesitation that delayed me. It was all my fault. You’re saying this because you don’t know the original situation. Your brother didn’t have to die! You should blame me and hate me.”

Huo Fenglie suddenly moved. He tugged the person in front of him and pressed their foreheads together, as if he could make the other party understand the emotions conveyed in his eyes. 

“Qing-ge, when my Da-ge and I went to the battlefield to lead the troops, that was the last time he and I saw each other. He only told me one thing. He said that if I held the power of the military in the future, no matter how things developed, rather than go with what the people around me were saying, it was better to stick to two points.”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie blankly.

He knew that the Huo family were trained to “Fight and die for the country, and support the Great Zhou Dynasty to the death.”

This should be one of the things Huo Fenglie asked his brother to adhere to.

Huo Fenglie did say this.

His eyes became sharp, as if there were flames burning within the ice.

“The second point was — always believe in any decision made by Liu Zhenqing. Even if no one in the world is on his side, we will still be at his side.”

“I did what my brother told me to do.”

. . . . . . .

The General’s Manor, in the small Buddhist chamber.

Li Xingruo rambled while wiping the tablet.

“I heard that the second son of the Bai family is returning, and he’s bringing his brother’s body with him. There really…..are all kinds of strange things.”

“I wonder if it will bring out what happened back then, or if it will let my senior brother clear his name a little bit.”

Li Xingruo scoffed and poked the memorial tablet, saying: “Blockhead, have you ever been so angry that you want to beat people because you can’t stand others talking about him like this? Hehe, I don’t know if Yuan Jue has any conscience. But it doesn’t matter if he has no conscience. In any case, Er-gou is here, and he won’t let Senior Brother be wronged again.”

---

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Chapter Fifty-Three << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Five

After settling the guests in the manor, Master Liu sent his servants to the inn to call his second son home in advance. Liu Xian’an was so sleepy that he just wanted to fall asleep in the carriage, but just when he closed his eyes, there was suddenly the earth-shattering sound of fireworks outside. In the middle of winter, spring thunder exploded across the land, and the roar swept through the sounds of laughter all the way. 

The area around Baihe Mountain Village was already packed with people. Although this sort of grand scene often occurred when Second Young Master Liu went out to play in the past, most of the onlookers were young girls, or mothers-in-law and aunts who were not young at all, their main purpose to admire a handsome man. But this time, there were men and women, old and young, on both sides of the street. There were also many family disciples guarding the gate, some of whom had not even had time to remove their aprons.

A-Ning said in surprise: “Did everyone miss you so much?”

Liu Xian’an responded with a “hmm” and continued to close his eyes and dream. He didn’t care whether others missed him or not. It was more important to sleep. The good thing about His Royal Highness Xiao Wang in the hot spring pool was that he never wore clothes, so he didn’t need to change. He pulled this person into his arms and suggested: “Why not just stay here?”

Second Young Master Liu still retained some sense. My father may not agree.

He walked swaying along the majestic clouds and sea. Beside him, A-Ning was very worried and shook him hard: “Young Master, Young Master, why did you fall asleep again while walking? Wake up quickly. Weren’t you still greeting people at the door just now?”

Liu Xian’an opened his eyes: “Ah?”

What kind of greeting? I have no impression of it at all.

Thus, when Master Liu came out and saw his son’s confused and boneless appearance, his mood suddenly became complicated. Why didn’t it look like he had made any progress?

A-Ning sneaked behind and pinched him hard.

Liu Xian’an jumped up: “Hiss!”

Master Liu cleared his throat in a dignified manner: “You’ve returned.”

Liu Xian’an saluted: “Father.”

Hearing this “father,” the father himself was in a relatively good mood. He entered the front hall with his son, ordered the maid to make good tea and bring his favorite snacks, then asked: “I heard that you went out this time and did something in the Baihe River Basin and in the southwest. Is this true?”

“Yes.” Liu Xian’an ate snacks. “The Baihe River is wreaking havoc, coinciding with the summer heat. The refugees don’t have access to clean water and food, so there are many diseases. As for the southwest, the dense forests are full of miasma, there are many poisonous insects, and the common people have many injuries and illnesses. They all need doctors.”

“Since you can see, and originally had the ability to see, why were you unwilling to do things at home?”

Liu Xian’an gave a slight sigh, wondering why his father hadn’t figured it out yet. So he explained once more, not knowing how many times he had already done so: “Because what Father and Da-ge ask me to do can be done by other disciples. Since there is no shortage of manpower, why must I do it? I have many other things to be busy with.”

If it had been before, Master Liu might have begun looking for a stick upon hearing this and drove his lazy son to the pharmacy to do some hard work. But this time, he at last asked calmly, what are you so busy with?

Liu Xian’an brushed the snack residue from his hands and said: “Communicating with the spirits of heaven and earth, traveling around the universe on a white crane, mixing all things into one, abandoning the principles of time, seeking nothing.”

Master Liu nodded: “Continue.”

Thus, Liu Xian’an spoke of the Three Thousand Worlds again, that incomparably magnificent and spectacular folded universe that existed only in his mind, where clouds chased after music and stars streamed through palaces, and the setting moon held the rosy, immortal glow of daybreak. There were Kunpeng roaming freely in the Eastern Sea, and magnificent palaces were built on the clouds, with white jade ladders and coral trees. Many famous people throughout the ages owned noble white cranes, which could rise and fall with the wind and travel forty-thousand li per day.

Master Liu never knew that there could be such marvelous and exquisite ideas in the world. He had always been pragmatic in his medical practices, and was neither romantic nor dissolute, with a character that was so rigorous that he was almost rigid. But to give birth to such a son who was both romantic and dissolute, yet also had good medical skills, he felt a lot of emotion in his heart and his eyes were slightly hot.

Liu Xian’an thus said: “Then I will also invite my parents to be guests next time.”

It would be necessary to divide the territory in advance so that the elders could not run into His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, who did not like to wear clothes and always stood up from the hot spring.

Perhaps because of the close connection between father and son, Master Liu mentioned at this moment: “What about you and the prince?”

“We have already planned it.” Liu Xian’an said: “I’ll stay at home for some time and then go to Wangcheng. Then I’ll probably start working on changing the course of the Baihe River.”

“Changing the course of the Baihe River?” Master Liu was slightly taken aback. “Which tributary should be changed?”

“No, changing the entire river.” Liu Xian’an said: “Cut and straighten the bend in Luofeng City, strengthen the embankments and dredge the silt, so that the Baihe River branches northward at Hukou Pass, leaving only a branch that continues across the present fifteen cities.”

Master Liu listened to this in disbelief. When he was young, he went to Luofeng City to provide free medical treatment for refugees, and still remembered the endless broad surface of the river. The enormous waves caused by heavy rain could almost collapse the entire sky. When it roared, it was like tens of thousands of tigers and hungry wolves, devouring fertile fields and the common people.

He gripped the handrail tightly and frowned: “In the past, there has never been such a huge project.”

“But someone has to do it,” Liu Xian’an said. “Someone will start it first, and the next generation can follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and continue on step by step. It may take fifty years, a hundred years, or even two hundred years, but it can be completed in the end.”

Master Liu was worried: “But the beginning already has a thousand difficulties. Have you considered this?”

“I have considered it.” Liu Xian’an held his tea cup. “Changing the course of the Baihe River means that some people in the north will be forced to give up their current livelihoods. They will lose their fields and houses, and even their ancestral graves will be flooded and washed away.”

That was not one hundred households, but thousands of households, making tens of thousands of people sacrifice for something that will only pay off two hundred years later. This was really too ephemeral and difficult, but no matter how difficult it was, one must still grit their teeth and take the first step.

Liu Xian’an said: “I don’t care about false reputation.”

It didn’t matter whether it was the initial reveling or cursing, or the so-called “fame” after hundreds of years.

Master Liu asked: “What about the prince?”

“The prince cares even less than I do.” Liu Xian’an said, “That’s just the kind of temperament he has.”

They spoke and spoke, and Master Liu sort of wanted to laugh. He had never before thought that his son, who was usually the laziest, would challenge the most ambitious project in the world. He seemed like a small crane on huge waves, spreading its wings and flying headlong into the center of the storm.

With mixed feelings in his heart, he was silent for a long time until someone called from outside: “Village Master, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang is here!”

The sound of firecrackers exploded again. Everyone in the city knew. Liang Shu was dressed in splendid clothes, as if a beam of sunshine had been woven into the fabric. Liang Yu was extremely considerate, and had specifically ordered the embroiderers that the new clothes should make the prince look as warm and gentle as possible. And the embroiderers did so, but they still couldn’t stand up to His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s murderous aura. This caused the disciples in charge of welcoming him to tremble more and more, not even daring to raise their heads. Their admiration for their Second Young Master became even more like a torrential river.

“Your Highness.” Master Liu led the entire family to salute. After the conversation just now, he already had a new understanding of Liang Shu. The young man before him was willing to shoulder the centuries-old foundation of the entire dynasty. Against such a magnificent backdrop, Master Liu felt that he should also look farther ahead, abandon his selfish thoughts, and stand side by side with them in the clouds tens of thousands of li high, watching the rolling tide of time together.

The banquet was very lively.

The main reason was because Liu Nanyuan was lively, and chatted with a few relatives to liven up the atmosphere. Liu Xianche even kept a straight face as he told a rare and rather terrible joke. Madam Liu continued to look right at Liang Shu. Although she didn’t know why she wanted to look at him, he pleased her eyes.

After a few cups of wine, someone asked about the war in the southwest. Liang Shu had a good attitude and answered all their questions. He was very considerate and meticulous in the etiquette of visiting his father-in-law for the first time. Everyone looked happily at His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, and then at their family’s own lazy fellow…..ai, why did it seem as if he was about to fall asleep again?

He was sleepy, and had also been drinking. Liu Xian’an had his chopsticks held up calmly. If it hadn’t been for him not moving for a long time, he would have been able to fool them.

An aunt said: “Xiao An is like this. As soon as he hears us talking about small household affairs, he can’t help but want to sleep.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Liang Shu smiled and said, “The food has nearly been eaten. Since we are family, I will no longer be strict about etiquette, and take him back to rest first.”

When he finished speaking, he stood up and picked up the person with one arm: “Lie down well.”

Liu Xian’an immediately put his arms around his shoulders.

Liang Shu asked: “Where is the waterside pavilion?”

“This…..this way, Your Highness, please!” A servant boy quickly bowed and led the way.

The large group of people were left staring at each other over the banquet. Only Liu Nanyuan and Liu Xianche were not surprised. As for Master Liu and Madam Liu, they both had headaches. This was fine at home, but if they went to a banquet in the royal city in the future, it would be…..ai, how distressing.

The waterside pavilion was a long way from the front hall. Liang Shu was in no hurry, and walked with him slowly, using his big cloak to block the wind. A-Ning had already lit a warm fire in the house. When he heard the door, he stood up and said in surprise: “Your Highness, is the banquet over so soon?”

“No, Xiao An is tired.” Liang Shu said, “You can go and eat. There’s no need to wait, I’ll do it myself.”

He walked to the bedroom with his sweetheart, then bent down and touched the bed. It was soft and warm enough. He set the person on it and warned: “Don’t sleep yet.”

Liu Xian’an didn’t listen, and tried to crawl under the quilt but failed. Liang Shu fetched hot water for him to rinse his mouth, and ordered a bucket of bathwater.

So His Royal Highness Xiao Wang in the Three Thousand Worlds waited for someone who was also soaking in the hot spring. He asked: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come today?”

Liu Xian’an also found it strange. Yes, why did I come back here again? He was in a daze, and at the same time thinking hard about what he should do now. After thinking about it, the relatives at the dinner party came to mind one by one. He was suddenly stimulated and said, right, I’m still eating, ah!

Splash, he stood up and tried to run. The water in the bathtub splashed everywhere, and Liang Shu couldn’t dodge.

Liu Xian’an stared at him speechlessly for a moment, then sat back down with a splash. He looked around with his heart beating wildly and asked, how did I appear here?

---

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

Bai Su had already burst into tears. He tried to struggle out, wanting to touch his brother, his brother whom he admired the most. He would always help him correct mistakes in his essays, and when their father punished him, he would accompany him to be punished. He would always find ways to take him out to play when he was sad, give him all the things he liked, tell him interesting things about the court, and tell him all the wise deeds of Prime Minister Liu and Huo-dage. Even when he was worried about the situation with the government, he would still say that with those two people here, the world would be peaceful sooner or later, and then the two brothers would travel together and create a map of the whole country.

The last time Bai Su saw him, he was clearly a corpse beyond recognition. Eight years later, the pain had long been buried deep in his heart, and was becoming less distinct day by day. Then the brother he thought he could only see in his dreams appeared in front of him again.

But he was still…..a corpse. Nothing could have hurt him more than this.

Facing Cheng Xi’s nearly insane accusations, Bai Su felt his mind go blank. He was in too much pain to react.

But Cheng Xi wanted to tell Bai Yu’s family member how difficult it was for him.

“Back then, Bai Yu was obsessed with helping to exonerate Liu Zhenqing, so he was imprisoned and tortured. If not for me, he would have died long ago. Do you know that your brother was tortured half-crazy? I didn’t reject him, and brought him home for meticulous treatment and healing. He probably knew he was wrong and feared causing trouble for you, so he was willing to hide, and relied on me very much. He loved me wholeheartedly. Although I wanted to marry a wife, I didn’t want to let down his deep love, so I kept him outside.”

“Impossible!” Bai Su suddenly shouted: “No matter how terrible an ordeal my brother encountered, as long as he still had his mind, there is no way he would willingly be a mistress!”

Cheng Xi’s originally handsome face became horribly distorted when he heard Bai Su’s denial. “I’m not lying. He knew he was half-crazy and knew that he was not worthy of me, but I was still willing to accept his feelings. He was very happy. How could he not be willing?”

Bai Su immediately gave a desolate laugh. “Cheng Xi, you didn’t know my brother at all, did you? If everything was what he wanted, then where did the self-inflicted wounds on his neck come from? Didn’t he regain his mind?”

“That was because…..because he learned that the exonerating evidence he found back then turned into evidence to incriminate Liu Zhenqing, and he couldn’t accept it.”

“Then my brother would have found a way to get out and collect the evidence again! He would never give up his life. Liu Zhenqing had faith in him, and as long as he had one breath left, he would never give up on exonerating Liu Zhenqing unless something else happened!” Bai Su couldn’t explain it clearly, but he didn’t believe it was that simple.

Cheng Xi was stunned by his words, and it was as if he was suffering a tribulation. Two years ago, Bai Yu had gradually recovered under his meticulous care. Reading and painting, he lived a contented life. Cheng Xi also faced his own heart, left his wife, stayed with Bai Yu wholeheartedly, and became the good official that Bai Yu expected.

But Bai Yu was too clever. As he regained his sanity, information from the outside world could no longer be prevented. He gathered it bit by bit, and finally figured out what had happened back then. He collapsed and went crazy, trying to escape, but how could Cheng Xi let him go? However, he never expected that when he returned home from handling government affairs that day, he would only see half-dried blood next to the bed and a cold body.

Cheng Xi hid this person in an ice cellar and kept him company night after night. Eventually, he developed a cough and did not have long to live, but he still hadn’t avenged him. He would not let anyone who hurt Bai Yu back then escape.

And now, his great revenge was complete.

Cheng Xi returned to his senses with a start. Turning to look at Bai Yu in his arms, he gently stroked his cold face.

“Wangshu, I have avenged you. I know that you still had one wish, which was to marry me. I actually know that when I went to marry someone else that day, you didn’t hold me back, but you were sad and envious, and hid to cry secretly. In fact, I hesitated at that time. If you were willing to ask me to stay, I might not have married her, and then you would have been my only wife. Today, I’ve invited your brother to come as a witness. We will formally marry. From now on, you will be a member of my Cheng family. Sharing the same bed in life and the same grave in death.”

Cheng Xi spoke with great affection. He lowered his head and kissed Bai Yu’s forehead gently, then covered him with the red veil again.

Then he held Bai Yu and faced the sky outside, and slowly knelt on the cushion placed on the ground.

“Cheng Xi, I don’t agree, I don’t agree! Let my brother go!” Bai Su struggled desperately. The rope had already caused his exposed skin to bleed, but there was no sign of loosening.

One bow, two bows. The last bow was between husband and wife.

Just when Cheng Xi half-embraced Bai Yu and knelt face-to-face, a figure suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

Cheng Xi’s originally happy expression froze, and he turned around to see Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing standing outside the door of the hall.

But Cheng Xi didn’t panic at all, and only said calmly: “I didn’t invite you.”

Liu Zhenqing didn’t answer. He just stared blankly at the lifeless figure.

He had thought that Bai Yu would be free after death, but didn’t expect…..that he was never free.

Liu Zhenqing’s face was covered with frost, and murderous intent slowly accumulated in his eyes.

“Cheng Xi, you have done so much harm to Bai Yu. Do you think you are still worthy of marrying him?”

“I’ve harmed him? As a member of the Liu family, you are truly shameless. I originally wanted your blood to apologize to Wangshu on Liu Zhenqing’s behalf, but I thought Wangshu wouldn’t want to involve innocent people, so I let you go. You have the nerve to question me? Don’t you know what your cousin did?”

“I don’t know, but I heard Magistrate Yao explain the truth. What? Are you not a real man who can take responsibility for his actions?”

Liu Zhenqing smiled at the absurdity, his anger already rising to the top of his head.

Because of Liu Zhenqing’s words, Cheng Xi glared furiously and was so agitated that he began to violently cough.

At this moment, Huo Fenglie rushed toward Cheng Xi.

And at the same time, two people fell from the roof and entered the main hall to rescue Bai Su.

But just when Huo Fenglie drew near, something fell from Cheng Xi’s hand, and in an instant, a fierce wall of fire burst up from the ground to stop him.

Huo Fenglie retreated at once, and the flames quickly spread.

Then there were loud explosions everywhere.

Qin Yu and He Lan were near the explosion. They had no time to untie the rope, and were instantly surrounded by flames.

A rope flew out of the wall of flames in a timely manner. Huo Fenglie caught it in an instant, and with a sudden pull, Qin Yu and He Lan flew out together with the chair.

However, they had still been injured by the impact of the explosion, and the three of them fell heavily into the courtyard.

Liu Zhenqing hastened forward to help Bai Su up. Although he was seriously injured, he continued to stare at the flames in a daze.

“Fuck, is he crazy? He buried gun powder at home?” He Lan cursed.

“He intended to die today.” Qin Yu held his injured arm and sat up. He didn’t expect that they would encounter misfortune like this. A madman truly couldn’t be reasoned with.

Everyone looked up. Within the flames, only the place where they were kneeling in worship was not affected by the explosions.

“Gege…..” Bai Su watched with wide eyes as the man supporting Bai Yu knelt down face to face with him again, as if he intended to continue worshiping in this place of death.

Bai Su stood up at once and tried to rush over, but was held back by Qin Yu and He Lan.

“You’re fucking crazy, that place could collapse at any time! The fire is too big. Your brother is already dead!”

“There could be gunpowder left, Yuzhou, don’t be stupid!”

But none of them noticed that Liu Zhenqing, who had been supporting Bai Su just now, had disappeared.

He entered through a side window and walked into the main hall along the place where the explosions had occurred.

Just as Cheng Xi was crazily holding Bai Su and about to bow down, a force pulled Bai Yu back.

Bai Yu was held straight like this, unable to bend down to kowtow.

Cheng Xi immediately looked up and saw a figure standing behind Bai Yu against a backdrop of flames, like an evil god controlling his follower.

“What are you doing? Do you not fear death? Get out of here!” Cheng Xi angrily remonstrated Liu Zhenqing, who had suddenly appeared.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Liu Zhenqing kicked him in the chest. He was already a seriously ill person, and even this kick from someone who didn’t know martial arts caused Cheng Xi to fall to the ground in disarray.

However, one of his hands continued to hold tightly to Bai Yu’s wrist.

In the next second, a cold light flashed, and Cheng Xi’s wrist was pierced by a sharp blade that could cut iron like clay. It severed his tendons, and he could no longer hold on.

Cheng Xi screamed as Bai Yu was taken away from him, and his entire person became ferocious and crazy.

When he looked up, he saw Liu Zhenqing pull off Bai Yu’s veil and gently take him into his arms.

He said softly: “Wangshu, I’m sorry I’m late. I’ll take you home now.”

What they said was inaudible to the people outside amid the noises of collapse and explosions. 

“You…..what did you say?” Cheng Xi stared at Liu Zhenqing in disbelief.

Liu Zhenqing’s gentle eyes turned bitterly cold the moment he looked at Cheng Xi.

“Do you know what Wangshu means? It is the noble and beautiful moon. These were the first characters that came to my mind when he asked me to give him a courtesy name, because in my opinion, such a beautiful boy was like the moon. So I called him Wangshu.”

“W-who are you?” Cheng Xi’s entire being felt unwell as he looked at Liu Zhenqing in shock.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t answer, and only taunted: “Don’t think that just because the beautiful moonlight inadvertently swept over a smelly thing like you, you can keep the moon forever. You don’t deserve it.”

“You’re speaking nonsense. It is me Wangshu loved, how could I not keep him!” Cheng Xi retorted frantically, as if remembering Bai Yu’s suicide, and tried to reach out.

However, Liu Zhenqing pulled Bai Yu up and moved farther and farther from Cheng Xi. This was something that Cheng Xi could not accept. He couldn’t suppress his coughing as tears ran down his face, and he tried to pull Bai Yu back.

“I’ll say it again, you are not worthy.” Liu Zhenqing glanced at Cheng Xi as if regarding a dead person. Supporting Bai Yu, he turned around and left.

“Lay in the same grave? That will always be impossible!”

“No! Wangshu, give Wangshu back to me, don’t take him away! Wangshu, Wangshu!” As if he had received a sudden surge of strength before death, Cheng Xi stood up to give chase, but was kicked away by another person.

This time, it was with force. Cheng Xi directly hit the wall, rolled down several pieces of calligraphy paintings, and fell to the ground, vomiting blood.

“Wangshu!” He gave a final unwilling roar, and a heavy object fell.

Huo Fenglie had already protected Liu Zhenqing and Bai Yu and taken them from the main hall.

Even though he was in a state of disarray, Liu Zhenqing still brought Bai Yu out to Bai Su.

Bai Su hugged Bai Yu and wept bitterly.

Liu Zhenqing silently peeled off the eye-catching red and tossed it into the fire, then removed his outer layer and covered Bai Yu with it, watching silently.

In fact, he had selfish motives in letting Bai Yu go south. He had everything planned out. The Three Kings were about to fall, and his body had reached its limit. He didn’t know what accidents would occur at the critical moment, and only hoped that nothing would happen to the people he cared about.

Those who followed him had bad reputations, and staying away from the capital meant staying away from the chaos.

Therefore, the two people he trusted most at the time, one civil and one military, were arranged by him on the pretext of work.

If he himself survived and safely went into seclusion, they would naturally have a good home. If he died, they would still have room to maneuver.

But Liu Zhenqing never could have imagined that the road he chose would become the road to hell.

Liu Zhenqing felt so cold. Truly cold. Suddenly, his vision went dark and he fell.

As always since his rebirth, he never seemed to fall anywhere cold, but was always enveloped in a solid embrace. 

In the past, there was no one behind Prime Minister Liu. But now, there was.

When Liu Zhenqing woke up again, all the burns on his body had been treated, but he still felt very hot.

He didn’t need to check  his pulse to know that this was the first time since his rebirth that his mood had fluctuated so much, and when he was holding Bai Yu, the freezing coldness on his body was too much for him. It caused him to catch a cold, and his fever hadn’t gone away.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t sit up, only opening his eyes in a daze.

He heard movement after a while, and the bed curtain opened.

Liu Zhenqing turned to look over. Sure enough, it was Huo Fenglie.

“Qing-ge, take the medicine.”

Liu Zhenqing was helped up, and he drank the medicine obediently. He vaguely remembered Huo Fenglie feeding him medicine and food several times. “How are your injuries?”

“I’m fine.”

Liu Zhenqing knew that Huo Fenglie must have suffered more injuries. Because of his willfulness, Huo Fenglie had to accompany him to venture somewhere dangerous.

“Thank you,” Liu Zhenqing said suddenly.

“I understand, you had to do it.” Huo Fenglie said calmly: “You were unconscious for two days. Brother Bai was placed in a coffin, and Yuzhou also heard the truth. Although he was grieved, he got through it. He won’t go with us next, but will send his brother home. They’ll board a ship in one day.”

“I want to go see them off,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Huo Fenglie nodded and said: “Okay.” Then he raised his hand and touched Liu Zhenqing’s forehead.

Liu Zhenqing hurriedly said: “The fever should be gone soon.”

Huo Fenglie paused, and the gentleness in his tone could not be hidden. “If it isn’t gone, I’ll still take you there. Don’t worry.”

Liu Zhenqing stared blankly at Huo Fenglie and suddenly said, “Thank you.”

“En?”

“I originally complained about not being able to leave. But now…..I’m glad I stayed. At least I could bring Wangshu back.”

Huo Fenglie froze when he heard this, and didn’t speak.

Likely because he heard that Liu Zhenqing had woken up, Bai Su came over specially.

Looking at Bai Su, who had lost a lot of weight in two days, Liu Zhenqing said worriedly: “Don’t make yourself sick.”

Bai Su gave a faint smile. “You still have the nerve to lecture me.” Then his eyes dimmed and he took Liu Zhenqing’s hand, saying, “Thank you very much, Brother Liu. Thank you.”

Liu Zhenqing patted Bai Su and said: “I also did it for that person. If he were here, he would definitely do the same.”

Bai Su’s eyes flashed, and he suddenly said: “Brother Liu, not only do I want to report the matter of my brother when I go back, but I also want to help clear Liu Zhenqing’s name. That is my brother’s last unfulfilled wish, and I want to do it for him.”

Liu Zhenqing opened his mouth and was about to say something, but was stopped by Bai Su: “I know you’re going to say it’s difficult, and that it’s unnecessary. You want to say that there is no evidence, and it might be futile. We don’t know the emperor’s intentions and may offend him and the common people of the world. But if I do nothing, I fear my brother will blame me.”

Bai Su said firmly: “The world should know what Liu Zhenqing has done for everyone.”

Liu Zhenqing frowned when he heard this. “You just believe it that easily? No one dares to say they know everything about the truth back then.”

“I believe in my brother,” Bai Su said.

“Why are you so like your brother…..” He didn’t know what to say.

Bai Su gave a brilliant smile, just as pure as Bai Yu’s smile back then.

“In any case, I’ll do my best. Whatever I can do. I’ll wait until I feel it’s enough, and then draw a map of the entire territory!”

When Bai Su finished speaking, he told Liu Zhenqing to have a good rest. As soon as he went out, Huo Fenglie came in.

“Did you hear that?” Liu Zhenqing asked helplessly.

Huo Fenglie nodded.

“You’d better have your people take care of him. This kid is as willful as his brother.”

Huo Fenglie said abruptly: “Do you not think the emperor will believe you and help clear your name?”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. He looked at Huo Fenglie in thought, then said seriously: “In fact, strictly speaking, I was a traitor, ah. Because back then, I could no longer look at gains and losses on a personal level, and could only look at the country as a whole. I indeed ignored the suffering of the common people. It was as if I was no longer me. I can’t make excuses for myself, and I’m not perfect. It was painful at the time, but I gradually became numb. So does anyone need to understand when I didn’t care back then? It’s even less possible now, and Yuan Jue won’t care either.”

“He is your disciple, and he respects you. How could he not care?” Huo Fenglie thought of Yuan Jue’s demeanor every time he talked about Liu Zhenqing these years, and couldn’t believe that Yuan Jue didn’t care.

Liu Zhenqing said abruptly: “He is a good emperor. He knows how to do things that are beneficial to the country.”

Huo Fenglie froze at once, remembering Magistrate Yao’s words.

“Cheng Xi is a good official, but he is not a good person.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression changed. There were things he didn’t understand, and he wanted to ask more questions, but Liu Zhenqing looked very tired and seemed unwilling to talk anymore.

“Qing-ge…..” Huo Fenglie said, lost for words.

Liu Zhenqing raised his head. It was uncertain whether he was confused from the fever or still stunned as he said: “Actually, I didn’t do enough. If I had done better, the situation might have been better back then, and fewer people would hate me. Wangshu and…..many, many people would not have been in danger. It’s me…..I didn’t do enough, I didn’t…..”

Before Liu Zhenqing could finish speaking, he was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace. The almost suffocating hug made Liu Zhenqing feel like he was a turtle hiding in its shell, and he calmed down in an instant.

Liu Zhenqing looked up and met a pair of deep black eyes. Those eyes had a mesmerizing dark red in them, and his heavy emotions turned into the wisp of a spring breeze against his face.

“Qing-ge, you did very well, extremely well. No one could have done it better than you.”

Liu Zhenqing suddenly went silly.

His mind was blank.

No one seemed to have said such a thing to him.

And now, he heard Er-gou say this.

The tip of his heart began to tremble.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but hug Huo Fenglie tightly, burying his head in the other’s chest with a smile.

“You foolish dog, what do you know?”

Huo Fenglie patted Liu Zhenqing gently. His eyes were full of heartache that could only turn into a silent kiss that fell on the top of Liu Zhenqing’s head without him knowing.

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Chapter Fifty-Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Four