It was clear that the Eighth Princess wanted to torture Liu Zhenqing.

“I am unjustly accused, ah, Your Highness!” At once, Liu Zhenqing wailed melodiously, his voice of unjustness crying out like falling snow in summer. Those who didn’t know would think that someone was weeping blood and crying out against injustice in front of the magistrate’s office, which gave people goosebumps.

The Eighth Princess was offended by this sound, and shouted angrily, “What injustice?”

“Your Highness, you have really misunderstood. What this lowly one said was for you!”

Liu Zhenqing’s statement immediately confused everyone. The Eighth Princess was also confused. “What did you say? For me?”

Liu Zhenqing nodded with conviction. “Your Highness, after this lowly one lost his memory, he was quite confused about the fact that he liked General Huo. After hearing a lot of stories about General Huo’s heroic deeds and admiring him, this lowly one felt it strange. How could such a perfect man as General Huo not be married yet?”

These words immediately drew everyone’s attention, and even the Eighth Princess couldn’t help but ask herself, why is that?

“Later, I thought, how many outstanding people in the Great Zhou Dynasty could be worthy of him?”

The Eighth Princess’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“After thinking about it carefully, I felt that General Huo must be the only one suitable for Your Highness, ah! This lowly one asked around for a while, and heard many romantic rumors about the general and Your Highness. They’ve known each other since childhood, ah, they’ve exchanged gifts, ah, they’re a matched hero and beauty. Doesn’t this mean that they are connected by the red string of fate? How could it be anyone else?”

Hearing this, the Eighth Princess immediately raised her head with pride.

“My original intention was to say that if everyone in the world wants to choose the best partner, it must be General Huo, but General Huo must also choose the best. That must be Your Highness, so I was speaking for the princess. If the princess wishes to marry, she should not marry anyone else but General Huo. This is a match made in heaven between a talent and a beauty. If the two didn’t match each other perfectly, then how could there be a golden couple in this world who can spread their wings together, ah!”

This passage immediately coaxed the Eighth Princess to the point of trembling. She loved to hear people say that she and General Huo were a couple.

The others were also successfully deceived. Even the young man in white looked at Liu Zhenqing in astonishment.

Rong Shiming took in this scene and immediately became anxious: “Liu Xiaozhu, you are just deceiving the princess. Do you think this flattery will save you? Your Highness, please don’t be fooled by this wretch’s sweet words!”

Without giving the Eighth Princess time to react, Liu Zhenqing said: “Everyone knows that I dined with General Huo afterward on that day.”

The Eighth Princess grew angry at once. It was because she heard about this incident that she wanted to quickly eliminate this love rival. After all, she had never heard of Huo Fenglie getting close to any of his admirers.

Others could no longer wrap their minds around this. After all, Liu Zhenqing mentioning this matter had reversed his good situation, which was simply an incomprehensible move, and they feared that this might make the princess’s punishment more severe.

Liu Zhenqing continued with a smile: “And I finally discovered why the general hasn’t married yet.”

This sudden clap of thunder shocked everyone present, and they immediately pricked up their ears.

The Eighth Princess quickly asked: “You know?!”

Liu Zhenqing said: “Although nothing was said about it at the dinner table, the conversation caused this lowly one to have a guess. I think that General Huo should like the princess.”

“What!” The Eighth Princess stood and asked excitedly.

The others listening to this gossip were already holding their breath. Dare they say that these words were too fantastical? The young man in white was also stunned. Was this man talking about his good brother?

But at this time, Liu Zhenqing seemed to be a veteran gossiper, and said in a very certain tone: “I believe this is the case. Princess, please listen to my analysis.”

“Speak, speak quickly!”

“General Huo is now twenty-six years old. If he had a person he likes, he would have married long ago, unless the person he likes is not someone whom he can marry easily!”

The Eighth Princess couldn’t wait for him to say that she could very easily take General Huo home! “This…..who in this world is he unable to marry?”

“Of course, he is a person who is extremely noble at heart. General Huo is reticent and reserved, but he also has the important duty of defending the country. The border was not stable before, and General Huo feared that rushing to the battlefield from time to time would delay Your Highness. What’s more, Your Highness is still young, so how dare he promise a lifetime! Your Highness, think about it, you are the only princess of this generation in the whole Great Zhou Dynasty, ah! Other than you, who could make him think twice, cherishing and hesitating?”

The Eighth Princess was dazed. It was…..like this? That was why he treated her coldly? But didn’t something seem to be wrong?

The others were even more confused. They seemed to have heard that only the princess was interested in the general, not that the general was interested in her……could it be that they couldn’t see beyond the surface?

“And if Your Highness thinks about it again, there are still the elders in the Huo family. Can they allow him to remain single like this? Why has there never been any news about them finding the general a wife? Is it that they know the general has someone he wishes to marry? If it was an ordinary woman, even if the general wanted to marry her later, why would the elders not find concubines for the general early on to let them spread leaves and branches as soon as possible? As far as I know, there is no one, male or female, in the general’s harem.”

Everyone: How the hell do you know?!

The young master in white: He actually knows!!

“Isn’t this because they also know that the general will marry the princess? As your consort, no one else can taint the general before he marries you, so even the elders do not dare to find someone else for the general! This is irrefutable proof!”

After Liu Zhenqing finished speaking, he let out a long sigh and appeared slightly sad. “Other than the general wanting to marry the princess, this lowly one really can’t think of any reason why the general has remained single until the advanced age of twenty-six without ever getting engaged. Thus, after that meal, I told the general that I was willing to give up. I originally planned to leave the capital yesterday, but ended up staying due to the First Princess’s invitation.”

There were exclamation marks over everyone’s heads. Could this be the truth?! Some couldn’t help but look to the young man in white for answers. Even the First Princess and Rong Shiming had to admit that this young man’s analysis made sense! Looking at the Eighth Princess again, her eyes were moist.

“No wonder it was no use for talented and beautiful women to express their interest in General Huo!”

“Right, ah, there are ministers who wanted to propose marriages to him, but he never responded.”

“I’ve never heard of the general liking anyone.”

“With a sister-in-law who is a medical fairy taking care of the house, there will be no problem of hidden diseases.”

“This seems to be the most likely possibility.”

“Right, ah, he’s already twenty-six!”

Everyone was chattering about it. The Eighth Princess was stunned for a while, and said with a stuffy nose: “But the outside world has been stabilized now, and he can’t delay his life-long events because of this. Why……”

Liu Zhenqing shook his head regretfully and said: “Your Highness, you have forgotten that General Huo has just returned from hunting down foreign spies, and then there was the assassination at the spring plowing festival. He was too busy. When I looked at the general’s face that day…..I guessed that it would not be long until the general proposed marriage.”

Everyone: You can read faces! This boast is a bit exaggerated.

But the Eighth Princess just ate it up, and blushed after being told this by Liu Zhenqing.

“Is everything you’ve said true?” The Eighth Princess was no longer as arrogant and domineering as before, but was only a young girl in love.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “If he can even disregard Your Highness, who else can he look upon? Me? Impossible, ba. Therefore, General Huo must secretly like…..”

“Like who?”

Suddenly, a cold voice filled the air like invisible frost falling on everyone’s shoulders, stealing their breath for a moment.

Liu Zhenqing’s back stiffened, and the mood he had just brewed immediately dropped to the freezing point. He turned his head stiffly and looked at the person walking slowly from the entrance, his throat going dry.

Didn’t they say that he wouldn’t come?

---

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Chapter Seventeen << Table of Contents >> Chapter Nineteen

While His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was not doing his job properly as he accompanied his sweetheart to see villagers at the foot of the mountain, Gao Lin on the mountain opened Chi Teng’s mouth.

“Mu Zhe…..Mu Zhe is extremely cunning. He doesn’t trust anyone, including me.”

He confessed while only having a breath of life left.

Witchcraft was prevalent in the Southwest, and the Imperial court had always had an attitude of suppression toward it. The only difference was that their suppression was sometimes loose and sometimes tight, but even in the most relaxed moments, Gu masters still couldn’t walk openly in the streets. Mu Zhe was born in such a shady witchcraft village.

“That year, the Imperial court sent a massive military force to suppress it. The whole village was surrounded, and there were heavy casualties, but Mu Zhe escaped. He walked through the old forests of Cuili City, took a merchant ship in Beining City, and headed all the way to Nanyang, where he contacted Baifu cultists who were also in exile.”

He was good at making Gu, and good at using his words to manipulate people’s hearts. The speed of his congregation’s development was much faster than those of other disciples, and due to this, he was favored by the leader at the time and soon ascended to a high position.

“Mu Zhe hates the Imperial court deeply.”

But this kind of hatred was not shown like that of ordinary people, screaming and shouting about avenging their families and clansmen. Instead, it silently lingered inside the bones. He was like a venomous snake, slowly gnawing at Dayan’s foundation day after day in the border cities far away from the Emperor, or like a spot of mildew, infecting the originally blue sky inch by inch.

If Chi Ting’s confession was not exaggerated, the number of Baifu Sect disciples in the Southwest, and even in the whole of Dayan, was far more than the Imperial court had estimated. However, Chi Ting was also not clear about the specific extent. Over the years, his main tasks were to make money and train an “elite army”……he really worked hard, and considered the results to be excellent, believing that he could go North with the leader to capture the Empire at any time. Yet he was wiped out overnight by Liang Shu, which truly showed that there was indeed a lack of excellence.

The Baifu Sect’s forces were nothing compared to the Dayan army led by Liang Shu. Therefore, all cults throughout the ages were the same. They were not very strong, and their main repulsive method was to take control of innocent people through deceptive means.

Gao Lin asked: “Does Mu Zhe have a wife and children?”

Chi Teng shook his head: “No. Although he adopted the Wumeng brother and sister, he doesn’t treat them as his children. They are just two convenient tools.”

“That portrait, isn’t that his wife?”

“No.”

The woman in the portrait was named Ying Yuyan, and that was her appearance from thirty years ago. At that time, Mu Zhe was only eighteen years old, and had just returned from Nanyang to Dayan. Under the orders of the leader at that time, he went to the Qinling City area to develop the congregation there, but accidentally drew the notice of the Imperial court and was hunted down by officers and soldiers. Mu Zhu fled into a brothel in a panic, and was rescued by a prostitute. He hid for half a month in that Chunxiang Pavilion.

During this half month, perhaps something happened between them, but perhaps not. However, Mu Zhe fell in love with Ying Yuyan because of this. However, the atmosphere in the city was tense at that time, so he did not dare to stay longer. Ying Yuyan was also being sought after at that time, and the Madam said that she would not sell her even for a mountain of gold. Mu Zhe didn’t have enough money to redeem her, so he had to temporarily leave Qinling City, planning to return when he was able.

“But when he went back after a year, that prostitute was no longer in Qinling City. It was said that she redeemed herself.”

“Mu Zhe didn’t find her?”

“No, he searched for her, but didn’t find her up until thirteen years ago, when he brought back a fifteen-year-old boy with nearly the same appearance as the person in the painting. We all guessed that it must be Ying Yuyan’s son.”

“Feng Xiaojin?”

“It was him.”

Feng Xiaojin was very ill at the time, and all the doctors said that they should prepare for a funeral, but Mu Zhe insisted on using Gu to pull him back from the gates of Hell and saved his life, also keeping his fifteen or sixteen-year-old face. Over the years, his facial features never changed.

Chi Teng continued: “Mu Zhe also hired the best martial artists for him and gave him a unique and honorable status in the Baifu Sect, but Feng Xiaojin didn’t seem interested in any of it. Over the years, he became closer to the Wumeng brother and sister, and watched those two children grow up.”

Gao Lin asked again: “Is there any connection between the Baifu Sect and the case of the extermination of the Tan Manor family in Wangcheng?”

Chi Teng was unclear: “What Tan Manor? I don’t understand.”

“Never mind, let’s talk about the Ghost Boys.” Gao Lin held a long whip in his hand, knocking it against his palm again and again. “How many were raised in total?”

Chi Teng said: “Two thousand.”

Two thousand innocent children were frozen at the age that should have been the most worry-free. Thinking of such a thing, Ku You at the side wished that he could cut this group of people to pieces.

Chi Teng likely understood how appalling this atrocity was, so he hurriedly said: “I had nothing to do with these things, and I don’t know any Gu skills. It was all done by Mu Zhe.”

“Why were you in such a hurry to release the Ghost Boys?” Gao Lin continued to inquire. “You should have known that those children would not be the garrison’s opponents, and you actually picked a time when the prince was present.” If it was purely to nauseate Dayan, then the price was too high.

Panting heavily, Chi Teng replied: “Because…..Mu Zhe wanted to lure the garrison into the forest.”

. . . . . . .

On a mountain path full of stars and moon dew, Liang Shu held the reins with one hand and the Sleeping Immortal in his arms with the other, walking languidly toward the encampment with the sort of slowness that could trample ants. The next day, he would deal with many military affairs, but today was a rare day off for him, so he naturally wanted to extend this period of time.

“Wu…..” Shaken awake by him, Liu Xian’an twisted in dissatisfaction and almost knocked himself off the horse.

Liang Shu hugged him tightly: “Just rely on me behind you.”

“I won’t fall,” Liu Xian’an replied dazedly. “I can sleep without the prince.”

“But what will you do if you fall?”

“If I fall, then I fall.”

“…….”

The Sleeping Immortal always said “this is fine, that is fine” when facing various things. Even falling off a horse was fine, but only when faced with His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s self-promotion did he often feel apprehensive, and find it not exactly fine — although he actually wanted to, thinking about the wetness enveloping his body in the dreams and the time when his arm was so sore in bed, he felt that it was fine to not do it for the time being. It was really too tiring, and it was quite comfortable like it was now. Plus, his elder brother was still there.

“What does it have to do with your elder brother? He doesn’t stay in the same room as us.”

“Don’t speak of it.”

Liang Shu wanted to speak. Not only to speak, but also to tease him, which caused the Sleeping Immortal to sigh again and again. Finally, he kicked the horse’s belly and ran back to camp.

“Your Highness.” An adjutant was waiting by the side of the road. “Lieutenant General Gao has finished interrogating Chi Teng.”

“How did it go?”

“It was a bountiful harvest.”

Since it was so bountiful, Liu Xian’an also read along. Flipping through the thick confession in his hand, he said: “Although Chi Teng knows nothing about the extermination of the Tan family, I still feel that our previous speculation is correct, and it happens to correspond with these past events.”

After Mu Zhe left Qinling City, Ying Yuyan met Tan Xiaozhong. The two had a child, and Ying Yuyan redeemed herself, but for some reason was unable to go to Wangcheng and join her lover. With a child in tow, she couldn’t live, so she had to marry that temperamental tofu man.

After Ying Yuyan died of illness, the eight-year-old Feng Xiaojin first killed the tofu man and then wandered outside for two years. Considered the adoptive son of the Dacang Mountain bandit leader, he stayed in the Southeast for four or five years, and after robbing the disaster relief money and food escorted by Tan Xiaozhong, the case of the Tan family’s extermination occurred.

“Feng Xiaojin had always refused to admit that he killed everyone in the Tan family.” Liu Xian’an mused, “Could it be that Mu Zhe did it? According to the degree of his obsession over Ying Yuyan, he must have hated Tan-daren to the bone.”

Liang Shu nodded: “It is possible. I have been investigating this old case all these years, and can recite Tan Xiaozhong’s records backwards and forwards. Twenty-nine years ago, the children of the Tan family did go to Qinling City to study.”

Liu Xian’an continued to read the confession, and said in surprise: “There is another tribe living in the deep forest?”

Gao Lin said: “In any case, that is what Chi Ting confessed. He also said that Mu Zhe released the Ghost Boys at this time in order to lure our army into the forest.”

Due to the heavy miasma, this dense forest had always been a warehouse for Mu Zhe to store valuable treasures. Although the garrison was close at hand, he was certain that this was definitely the safest place—and he was right. For more than ten years, the forest had been dead calm.

But three years ago, the treasures had been emptied overnight! On the west side of the dense forest was the meandering Dayan army, the east entrance was safe and sound, and there was boundless miasma on both the north and south sides. Logically speaking, this sort of thing never should have happened. How could gold and silver evaporate like dew? Mu Zhe was infuriated by this, and personally led people into the dense forest to search, finally finding traces of tribal life in the woodlands on the south side.

“They even fought each other for a short time. The opponent’s martial arts were extremely high. Not only did Mu Zhe fail to recover the lost property, but his arm was broken.”

Liu Xian’an said: “That is why Mu Zhe chose to release the Ghost Boys when the prince was here.” It was impossible for the garrison to ignore this sort of strange child Gu, and no one knew how many more were still hiding in the woods. If they wanted to completely eliminate them, the army would have to drive forward inch by inch, and the tribe would have nowhere to hide.

“Whether it is our loss or the other party’s loss, it is a good deal for Mu Zhe,” Gao Lin said. “In the end, those children were just an insignificant move for him.”

However, this move seemed to be for nothing at present.

At dusk, under the escort of the garrison, Chi Teng stood deep in the forest and blew the special jade whistle.

The sound of the whistle spread long and continuously, like a slight wind blowing through the forest, causing everything to rustle.

Liu Xian’an stood at the edge of camp, attentively listening to this mellow music.

Liu Xianche asked: “Is this how they train the Ghost Boys?”

“En,” Liu Xian’an said.

There was a faint shout as military orders were given in the distance!

Countless Ghost Boys jumped out from all directions, rushing in the direction of the whistle like a black stream.

Chi Teng paled and he shook like chaff, blowing intermittently and out of tune.

Gao Lin closed his eyes slightly, gritted his teeth, and commanded: “Kill!”

Swish, swish. Fiery arrows cut through the sky.

Screams mixed with the smell of burnt flesh, and the empty forest crackled and burned.

The rolling fireball was a scene that could only be beheld in hell.

Finally, a heavy rain enveloped the entire mountain.

After the rain stopped, the villagers at the foot of the mountain spontaneously sewed many small, colorful pieces of clothing and hung them on tree branches. When the wind blew, it looked like a group of light and lively little children were dancing there.

Chang Xiaoqiu gazed at the charred woodland and asked: “This place will be full of flowers in the future, right?”

A-Ning nodded with absolute certainty: “It definitely will.”

Chang Xiaoqiu was leaning against a tree with his sword in his arms and his eyebrows lowered. He looked like Liang Shu.

“En, that’s good.”

---

Chapter Ninety-Seven << Table of Contents >> Chapter Ninety-Nine

Green pines and cypresses, rock gardens and strange rocks, flower beds and bonsai, were dotted amongst the glorious pavilions.

The grand venue where talented people and beauties gathered was the most beautiful and youthful scenery in the capital.

“Wow, so many people, ah,” Liu Zhenqing exclaimed. As the ‘protagonist’ of today’s spring outing party, Liu Zhenqing walked into the venue gracefully.

Second Cousin: “Right, ah, so many people waiting to watch your misfortune!”

The two of them had finally figured it out. This was indeed a Hongmen Banquet. Starting from the gate, they had been caught in a trap.

Liu Zhenqing, on the other hand, acted like a dead pig that was not afraid of boiling water. “No matter how many people there are, even if the First Princess favors her cousin, there is no reason to bully people in front of such distinguished children. She still wants to save face.”

Having said this, Liu Zenqing suddenly froze for a split second, then asked quickly: “How has the First Princess treated the Liu family these years?”

The Second Cousin scoffed coldly: “She is also a person of the Imperial family, so she naturally looks down on us merchants and has never communicated with us.”

Liu Zhenqing narrowed his eyes slightly. Since they were Imperial merchants, how could there be no contact between them and the Imperial family, whom they already did business with? They would have to dislike them to the point that they didn’t even care about their own interests.

It seemed that today, there were not only new grudges, but also old ones. The First Princess was not of a mind with General Huo.

Liu Zhenqing clicked his tongue twice. Was that girl still so petty just because he had offended her many years ago? Even the Liu family was collateral damage in this grudge?

The two people gave him instructions as soon as they sat down, as if they sensed that he would definitely cause trouble.

Liu Zhenqing was very innocent. Was he the type of person who took the initiative to cause trouble?

The gazes around him continued to come, and it was obvious that everyone had re-familiarized themselves with Liu Zhenqing again because of what had happened at the door, but also understood that he likely wouldn’t be able to leave here safely today.

After sitting for a while, everyone stood up one after another. Liu Zhenqing followed along and lowered his head toward the corner behind the main seat. Soon, a group of people came out in a grandiose manner.

Liu Zhenqing recognized the woman walking in the middle at a glance. She wore her hair in a bun with some of it loose like clouds, a large piece of gold with precious pearls holding it in place. Wearing a gold huadian and a woven silk dress, she was exceedingly luxurious. Although she was nearly forty years old, her face looked as if she were in her twenties, but in terms of temperament, she was dignified and graceful, not unrestrained.

This person was none other than the First Princess, Yuan Yuying. To be precise, she was the first person of his own generation that Liu Zhenqing had seen.

However, there was also a young woman among the retinue who was dressed as nicely as the First Princess. Judging from the clothes on her body…..she must be a princess who had not yet left the palace.

Liu Zhenqing did the mental calculations. There was only one princess of the new emperor’s generation who was still alive, and that was the Eighth Princess.

In his memory, she was the girl with two pigtails who fell flat on her face when there were no obstacles around, a silly little girl who shook when she looked at him. Now she was so beautiful and charming. Not bad, not bad…..

It seemed that no one had expected to see the new emperor’s sister. They couldn’t help being surprised, but after a moment, they repeatedly stole glances at Liu Zhenqing. Not only would he not be able to leave safely, but it was impossible to predict whether he would live or die.

“Liu Xiaozhu, you are truly unlucky! No one can save you now!”

Liu Zhenqing, who was lamenting the transformation of this woman, looked questioningly at the two people who were whispering harshly in his ears.

“This unruly princess has already threatened that she will marry no one other than General Huo.”

“The Eighth Princess hates it most when others compete with her for Huo Fenglie, regardless of their gender. She couldn’t leave the palace before, and could only summon some women outside the palace who were interested in Huo Fenglie to warn them, but she couldn’t deal with you. But now that you’ve encountered each other directly, it’s every man for himself. Don’t embarrass us.”

Liu Zhenqing: ? ? ?

The First Princess took the Eighth Princess to the main seat, had everyone sit down, and announced the start of the spring outing banquet. Between drinking tea and reciting poetry, the First Princess got straight to the point. “Young Master Liu Xiaozhu is here.”

Liu Zhenqing grinned and stepped forward to salute: “This one greets Her Royal Highness the First Princess and Her Royal Highness the Eighth Princess.”

After his salute, Liu Zhenqing was left kneeling, with no call for him to rise.

“Raise your head and let me have a look.”

Liu Zhenqing looked up and saw the First Princess squint her eyes for a long moment. She suddenly frowned as if she had seen something distasteful, then showed a familiar expression and rolled her eyes.

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. He recalled that back then, this girl hated him the most, for nothing else but that he was better-looking than the First Princess. Her marriage partner at that time refused to marry the First Princess, saying that he fell in love with Liu Zhenqing at first sight and would not marry anyone but him. He even pointed at the two of them and compared them to one another, saying: “It is difficult to tell whether beautiful people are male or female without braids, but you are ugly and can’t be distinguished between human and animal.” The furious First Princess fainted on the spot, and Liu Zhenqing’s reputation as being handsome and beautiful spread everywhere.

And the First Princess had a grudge against him. Even when the political marriage failed and she returned to Great Zhou, the First Princess would definitely roll her eyes upon seeing him, which almost made Liu Zhenqing worry that if she continued to roll her eyes, she wouldn’t be able to roll them back. But now…..why had she still rolled her eyes?

“Sure enough, he has an…..unpleasant face.” The First Princess scoffed coldly, and the people present immediately became excited to watch the show.

Liu Zhenqing gave an immediate and shameless apology: “It is this one’s fault for not having a better face. It is better to allow this one to resign, lest he be an eyesore and ruin Your Highness’s enjoyment.”

The First Princess inexplicably felt that this method of shutting her up was very familiar, but she did not accept the trick, and continued to mock: “You are so eloquent, no wonder my cousin also ran into you. His brain is broken, but you are quick-witted.”

“Not so, not so, Your Highness is too complimentary.” Liu Zhenqing continued to smile shamelessly.

“Am I praising you?” The First Princess said coldly.

“Is Your Highness scolding me?” Liu Zhenqing asked innocently.

“You……”

Everyone felt suffocated watching Liu Zhenqing feign stupidity. Rong Shiming to the side gave Liu Zhenqing a fierce look.

Then the Eighth Princess opened her mouth loftily, “He is truly shameless and brazen. Auntie, don’t talk nonsense to him. He spoke improperly and showed contempt for Imperial authority, just slap him! Someone give him thirty slaps!”

Everyone present sucked in a breath as soon as these words came out. Was this meant to break a person’s mouth?

Upon hearing this, Rong Shiming held his head up high. And the face of the First Princess on the side was also relaxed. She knew that as an elder, she couldn’t take direct action and would be easily criticized for shielding her cousin, but the Eighth Princess had no such restrictions.

Although Liu Zhenqing had already mentally prepared himself, that didn’t mean he would simply surrender. He looked at the Eighth Princess, whose look of arrogance was even worse than that of the First Princess. It made her whole person lose its air of nobility, leaving only a sense of foolish pride. And he had just thought that she hadn’t grown uglier as she grew up……

“Daring to ask Your Highness, when did this one speak improperly and show contempt for Imperial authority? If we’re speaking of contempt for Imperial authority, then what happened at the front gate…..”

“Liu Xiaozhu, whatever Her Highness says is what it is. If you dare to refute, you are showing contempt for Imperial authority!” Rong Shiming said anxiously.

“I may have lost my memory, but I am no fool. There is no such provision in the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I hope that Her Highness will also make herself clear, so that this one will remember the lesson and correct himself in the future,” Liu Zhenqing said.

The Eighth Princess said in a stern voice, “Then I ask you, did you tell people that if they want to get married, they should marry General Huo?!”

Liu Zhenqing had thought of a hundred excuses, but hadn’t expected the Eighth Princess to so straightforwardly expose the scheme in her heart. He was caught off guard for a moment.

“Uh…..yes.”

“Hmph! Who do you think you are, that you can arrange General Huo’s affairs at will? Word of this has spread through the streets and alleys for others to set their minds on General Huo. Is he someone who just anyone can dream of marrying? You, shameless man, pestered General Huo, showed your affection in public, provoked trouble, and dared to say such rude things. Is this not speaking improperly? Regarding General Huo’s marriage, even my Imperial Brother says that we should respect his thoughts. You showed contempt for Imperial authority by making General Huo the topic of everyone’s conversations! Being slapped can be regarded as me showing mercy. If you dare to quibble, I will have your tongue pulled out!”

At this time, a person had already approached with the board used for beatings.

Everyone around felt that the silenced Liu Zhenqing would not be able to escape this disaster.

Suddenly, a clear voice sounded, “Your Highness, I feel that these remarks are more praise than ridicule. It is said that General Huo was also on the scene that day and was not angry, so it cannot be considered a crime.”

How dare anyone speak for him?

Liu Zhenqing was somewhat taken aback. He glanced at the speaker and saw that he was a young man in white, and…..there was something familiar in his features.

Everyone looked at the man in surprise and immediately realized, wasn’t this Huo Fenglie’s good brother?

But the Eighth Princess did not give him face, and declared arbitrarily: “If I say it’s a crime, then it’s a crime! Beat him!”

---

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Chapter Sixteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighteen

Weiyi Games headquarters.

An assistant knocked on the door of the single-person office. After receiving permission, he pushed open the door and walked in, not forgetting to look around before closing the door so that nobody outside noticed the scene.

Gao Pingfeng, who was in his seat, saw his appearance and urged, “Come on, nobody would dare to eavesdrop at the door in broad daylight.”

The assistant approached and whispered, “Teacher Gao, I heard that Pei Yi’s second revision of the script has been approved, and filming officially starts next Monday.”

Gao Pingfeng frowned. “It really passed?”

He had originally thought that the other party was putting on a brave face, but unexpectedly, it only took ten and a half days to get it out? Was it possible that he had ghostwriters behind the scenes?

The assistant nodded affirmatively, feeling a little impressed. “Teacher Gao, how could he create a new script in half a month, ah? And I don’t think the production team has made any major changes to the setting.”

“Who knows?” Gao Pingfeng still refused to acknowledge Pei Yi’s ability, so he just said. “I suppose he just hired outside help.”

The assistant wasn’t sure what Gao Pingfeng was thinking. “Teacher Gao, then what about our, no, your script. Will the company executives still use it?”

They had initially thought that Pei Yi was just verbally showing off and would not be able to write a decent game structure script when the time came, so they secretly worked hard to hand over the project during this time.

But contrary to expectations—

Now senior management was continuing to cooperate with Pei Yi and YWY Studios, but what about the script in their own hands? Wouldn’t it be invalidated?

When Gao Pingfeng heard the assistant’s question, a hint of displeasure flashed deep in his eyes.

Originally, he had persuaded Guo Guanghong and took advantage of the other party’s instructions to leak the script before filming started, thinking that he would be able to take over Pei Yi’s project naturally.

But now, he had nothing and all his hard work had been in vain?

He had labored to prepare for so long, so how could his hard work be wasted?

Gao Pingfeng suppressed the unwillingness and anxiety in his heart, and pretended to be calm on the surface. “What are you anxious about? You must learn to wait patiently in everything you do. Did I obtain my position as chief planner overnight?”

The assistant knew how to behave in the workplace, and flattered him, “Of course not! Looking at the entire headquarters, who doesn’t know that you, Teacher Gao, are one of the most senior employees?”

Gao Pingfeng emphasized with feeling, “After this week, it will be the end of my fifteen years of calculations. Tell me, how many fifteen years can there be in life?”

“Yes, ah, Teacher Gao, Mr. Guo thinks so highly of you…..” The assistant continued to flatter him, and lowered his voice. “I think your position in the company will continue to rise.”

Gao Pingfeng listened happily and said, “Do your best, kid. You will be indispensable when the time comes.”

The assistant said with appropriate loudness, “Ai! Thank you, Teacher Gao!”

“All right, don’t pretend to be good here!” Gao Pingfeng stopped him. “Hurry up and contact the two ghostwriters again to make the changes to the script I proposed. I’ll discuss it with Mr. Guo later.”

Just because Qu Yi and Ning Jing looked down on his project and insisted on cooperating with Pei Yi, that didn’t mean he had no chance to get a share of this market!

The enemy of his enemy was his friend.

He was promoted by Guo Guanghong. As long as the other party didn’t fall, he still had a chance!

Gao Pingfeng thought some more and reopened his laptop to prepare for work.

Suddenly, a series of messages were sent to him: “Mr. Gao, please come to my office to discuss something.”

“Ning Jing?”

Gao Pingfeng frowned slightly, unable to guess what the other party wanted from him.

However, due to their different statuses, he had no choice but to temporarily set aside his work plans, get up, and walk out of the office.

. . . . . . . .

Three minutes later.

Gao Pingfeng sat across from Ning Jing’s desk and smiled calmly. “Boss Ning, you were looking for me?”

Ning Jing looked up at him and then continued to sign her documents.

Gao Pingfeng felt the other party’s deliberate neglect and frowned in displeasure.

Before he could get angry, Ning Jing said lightly, “Gao Pingfeng, as of now, you are fired from the company.”

“…….”

The word “fired” was like thunder inside of Gao Pingfeng’s head.

His eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you say?!”

Ning Jing closed a document and didn’t mind repeating, “You. Are fired.”

“Why? I’ve been with Weiyi for fifteen years! Do you understand this concept? Can you just fire me like this?”

The more Gao Pingfeng talked, the less he was able to maintain his “easygoing” mask, and continued to question in turn —

“I am the game director of ‘Seventeen Days.’ Now that you’ve fired me, what are your plans for the next season of the game?”

“Will the other senior shareholders agree? Ning Jing, how long have you been with Weiyi? Do you think you can be lawless just by sitting in the position of general manager?”

“If Weiyi dares to fire me in such an unclear manner, I will immediately file a complaint with the relevant departments!”

Facing Gao Pingfeng’s attack, Ning Jing completely lost the gentility she had deliberately reserved in the past.

“Gao Pingfeng, don’t talk about how many years you’ve worked. As for how you got through these fifteen years, don’t you already know?”

“…….”

Gao Pingfeng’s eyes shifted, and his breathing stagnated. “What do you mean?”

Ning Jing broke through his mask of being a senior employee. “In the past ten years, you’ve just dawdled about the game planning team, choosing only small and easy projects to participate in. You drift along when you can with no ambition.”

The so-called salary changes were nothing more than an upward adjustment by Weiyi based on the market.

“Five or six years ago, the company encountered its first major crisis since its establishment and had to make some layoffs. In order to stay and continue to earn a living, you hastily joined Sister Chen Min’s project team.”

In other words, with ten years of service, he obtained the position of deputy planner.

“Look at your own conscience and tell me, from the project’s establishment, to the copyright, to the translation, and to the second production revision of ‘Seventeen Days,’ which part did Sister Chen Min not personally watch over?”

Gao Pingfeng did some work, but that was only what he should do as the deputy project planner!

After the “Seventeen Days” game became popular, the status of the entire game project team rose with the tide, and the year-end dividends were even more generous. From then on—

Gao Pingfeng got a reputation as a “senior employee.”

After the original chief planner Chen Min fell ill, her position was temporarily vacant, and the shareholders’ board of directors considered the new candidate for a long time.

At that time, Guo Guanghong took the opportunity to rationally voice his appreciation of Gao Pingfeng as the “deputy planner.” Coupled with his status as executive director, the other party was lucky enough to become the current chief planner.

Ning Jing did not deny the time and youth that Gao Pingfeng had devoted to the company, but his abilities were simply not worthy of his current position!

“You know it yourself. Since you took over ‘Seventeen Days,’ there have been more and more plot controversies in the game. The overall rating has also declined, and the number of new player registrations has fallen again and again!”

Ning Jing sharply pointed out the facts, making Gao Pingfeng flush with anger.

“You think you are irreplaceable? To tell you the truth, Sister Chen Min is coming back, and Sun Chenglang from the planning team can also take charge of this role.”

How could Gao Pingfeng be willing to throw away his secure job and settle for the next best thing? “Even if the position of chief planner can be returned to Chen Min, why dismiss me like this? You have to give me a reason!”

“A reason?”

Ning Jing laughed out loud when she heard this. “Gao Pingfeng, are you actually stupid or are you playing the fool? I originally wanted to save you some face, but since you’re not willing to accept it, forget it.”

“You leaked the script for the collaboration with YWY Studios, right? Leaking the company’s partnership secrets is illegal, don’t you know that?”

“…….”

Gao Pingfeng was speechless.

His usually calm and sophisticated expression finally revealed the embarrassment of being “slapped in the face,” and he tried to shirk responsibility, “Don’t just casually frame me, how could I…..”

“The senior shareholders have unanimously decided to fire you, and you will also be prosecuted!”

“You can call and ask Mr. Guo to find out if I am talking nonsense or if this is indeed the case!”

Ning Jing picked up the signed documents on the table and unhurriedly left Gao Pingfeng. “Be my guest.”

The office door closed.

Gao Pingfeng was stunned for a long moment, then quickly found his cell phone and called Guo Guanghong.

One missed call, then another.

It wasn’t until the third call that Guo Guanghong’s impatient voice sounded, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?”

Gao Pingfeng gritted his teeth in anger. “Mr. Guo! Ning Jing says that the company fired me? She also wants to sue me! Was this decided unanimously by the entire senior management?”

Guo Guanghong was silent for a few seconds before replying, “Lao Gao, I have nothing to do with this matter.”

Gao Pingfeng’s face became increasingly humiliated. “What do you mean you have nothing to do with it? Have you completely wiped yourself clean?”

Guo Guanghong on the other end recalled the ridicule and threats he had received in public at the charity dinner two days ago, and all the frustration he had nowhere to vent burst out.

“You did something shameful, what do I have to clean up?”

“Let me tell you, you’re a short-sighted person who tried to benefit yourself by messing with people who shouldn’t be messed with. And you still want the company to wipe your ass? Get out of here immediately!”

Beep—beep—beep—

The phone hung up at once, declaring his superior’s ruthlessness.

Gao Pingfeng’s expression changed several times, but he still found it difficult to accept the sudden news of his dismissal.

His chest felt increasingly tight, and he was short of breath. When he stood up to leave the office, his feet suddenly became weak—

Bang! 

He fell to the ground along with the chair!

“…….”

Gao Pingfeng covered his burning knee, and it hurt so much that he instantly regretted everything!

From graduation to now, he had only worked at Weiyi, and had climbed to a position where he was praised by everyone.

But now he was fired by the company without notice, and he couldn’t find any reason to complain!

What was even more terrible was that if Weiyi found evidence that he leaked the script, not only would his reputation in the industry be discredited, but he may also be subject to legal sanctions!

He was ruined!

Everything was ruined!

What was he trying to accomplish by shooting himself in the foot, ah?

. . . . . . .

When Bo Yueming, Lin Zhong, and others arrived at the conference room with a heap of food, Pei Yi and the film crew ended the first half of their detailed discussion.

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Mr. Bo and Mr. Yi have prepared lunch and drinks in advance—”

Lin Zhong took the initiative to signal the takeaway staff to help place all the food on the empty table. “Please help yourselves.”

Bo Yueming never liked to deal with such situations, but for the sake of his lover, he still took the initiative to speak out.

“The previous emergency delayed the crew’s time. Thank you for your patience. Please take care of Pei Yi in the future.”

Kong Li was already aware of the relationship between Bo Yueming and Pei Yi, and responded with a smile. “Mr. Bo is so polite. Didn’t this cost you money?”

As soon as she finished speaking, other staff members also expressed their friendly opinions. “Yes, ah, thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Bo.”

“Let me tell you, ah, Mr. Yi is young and outstanding, a perfect match for Mr. Bo!”

When Pei Yi heard the continuous compliments, he could only smile and exchange a look of tacit understanding with Bo Yueming.

“Everyone eat first. We’ll continue to discuss the details of the script in the afternoon.”

Saying this, he walked out under the eyes of everyone.

. . . . . . . .

The two returned to Pei Yi’s exclusive lounge.

As soon as the door closed, Pei Yi hugged him coquettishly. “Why are you here? You didn’t even warn me in advance.”

Bo Yueming embraced him and said, “I wanted to support you again.”

Pei Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “En, you fully supported me. I saw several staff members’ eyes practically stuck to you.”

“Nonsense.”

Bo Yueming gently grasped the back of his neck and took his kitten to sit on the sofa. “I happen to have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I got a message from Qu Yi that Gao Pingfeng was fired this morning, and an announcement will be made in the afternoon. Evidence will also be collected for prosecution.”

Pei Yi raised his eyebrows. “As expected.”

Gao Pingfeng was a senior employee of Weiyi and had signed an entry agreement with the company.

If Weiyi ‘dismissed’ him without reason, it would lose a large amount of compensation in possible labor arbitration, and would also be questioned by netizens.

Dismissing and suing him now was Weiyi’s method of protecting itself, and also the fate Gao Pingfeng deserved!

“Qu Yi also said that Guo Guanghong is a shareholder of the company and cannot be disposed of at will. However, at the shareholders’ meeting at the end of the year, he will find a way to completely weaken his rights within Weiyi.”

Bo Yueming explained simply, and his meaning was clear enough.

After the one-sided show of strength at the charity dinner, Weiyi chose to favor Pei Yi and YWY and apologize to them in their own way.

Pei Yi nodded. “Guo Guanghong is indeed annoying, but as long as I don’t see him again, I can let the matter pass.”

Bo Yueming glanced at the closed lounge door and asked in a low voice, “In this situation with Weiyi, do you still plan to cooperate with them?”

Hearing this, Pei Yi understood his lover’s true thoughts. “Er-ge, I’ve thought about this carefully. This partnership must continue, but this is the only time.”

“Although it would be smoother to directly announce the termination of the contract, there is no need to pay liquidated damages in vain.”

In Pei Yi’s opinion, if he had to use his own money to compensate Weiyi, he might as well use it for charity or to continue his gaming career!

Pei Yi continued to share his thoughts and plans with Bo Yueming. “Teacher Kong Li helped me a lot some time ago, and there have been many staff members quietly doing practical things before and after.”

“I don’t want to disregard their hard work just for the pleasure of my own momentary counterattack.”

Pei Yi also wanted to use this opportunity to completely win over Kong Li’s connections in the film industry. Once this wave of testing was successful, their YWY Studios could also invest independently and start filming.

Bo Yueming nodded without refuting.

“Er-ge, I’m very happy and blessed that you would support me this time, but YWY Studios has its own path—”

“I don’t want to expand rapidly and spoil things due to excessive enthusiasm. Instead, I wanted to watch the studio grow up slowly with Pear Garden, Sister Yang, and the others.”

Bo Yueming responded, “I know you can do it.”

Pei Yi’s smile grew wider. “Although we alone can’t win Weiyi’s title of the top company in two years, there must be a place for our big-faced cat in the Chinese game industry.”

His voice went a little softer, as if he was discussing some kind of secret. “Besides, ah, by my conservative estimate, it should take us four or five years to replace Weiyi.”

Bo Yueming couldn’t help but laugh, and gently rubbed the back of his lover’s neck.

Pei Yi took the opportunity to get into the arms of the person in front of him. He raised his head to kiss his Adam’s apple, vowing solemnly, “Er-ge, please wait for me, okay?”

“One day, my career will also be a security and support you can indulge in.”

When Bo Yueming heard Pei Yi speak of the future, he couldn’t help but kiss his lips. “Okay. I believe you, and I’ll wait for you.”

---

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

When the troops in the camp heard that the prince had returned victorious, they rushed out in excitement, but were all driven back mercilessly by Gao Lin. He asked: “Where is Second Young Master Liu?”

“We don’t know, ah. He wasn’t around this morning. It seems that he never came back after going down the mountain to diagnose patients.”

Liang Shu had gone into battle this time and also brought Ku You with him, and Liu Xianche, as a doctor, naturally chose to follow him. Before he left, he made a special trip to tell his little brother not to be lazy with his medical skills, and also arranged a rule compelling him to go to the foot of the mountain for consultations every fifth and tenth day — in fact, he said every fifth and tenth day, but the people in the surrounding villages rushed over after hearing the news and it was not just every fifth and tenth day.

This lazy fellow was terribly exhausted.

And so was A-Ning.

Liu Xian’an even thought, I might as well live in the village. Anway, the prince and Da-ge aren’t at the camp, so I don’t have to travel back and forth. But the guards of Xiao Wang Palace and the Imperial Guards who were in charge of his protection disagreed. This was the Southwest, after all, the old nest of the Baifu Sect, and no one knew what dirty things were staring out from such a dark place. The prince had given orders that Second Young Master Liu must not stay outside.

In this way, Liu Xian’an had no choice but to carry on, measuring the length of the mountain road with horseshoes time and time again. Finally, two days before Liang Shu’s return to camp, he succeeded in becoming sick and exhausted, lying in bed and burning like a piece of red coal, his eyelids unable to be opened.

Liang Shu pressed his chest and walked back all the way. After walking for a long time, he still didn’t see his forty-eight thousand year old Sleeping Immortal. Instead, he met a few aunts carrying baskets of vegetables, who were asking around to see if Second Young Master Liu was recovering from his illness, and insisted that he keep the eggs they had brought.

Now, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang didn’t care about putting on a show for him anymore. He swung his horse whip and rumbled into the residence. The courtyard was quiet, and A-Ning sat on the steps, flipping through a thick medical book in his lap. The commotion in camp just now had not spread to this back courtyard, so he was very surprised to see the prince appear at this time, and hurriedly stood.

“Where is Xiao An?” Liang Shu got off his horse.

“Still sleeping.” A-Ning whispered, “The young master caught a cold, and he had a fever last night. It only subsided near dawn.”

After the fever was gone, it was time to relax and sleep peacefully. Liu Xian’an was usually a good sleeper, and couldn’t be shaken awake by thunder. Presently, he was so sleepy that he was dead to the world. To him, all the sounds and movements in the world were lighter than a feather, and the only thing heavier was the quilt covering his body—plus one of His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s arms.

Liang Shu leaned sideways at the head of the bed. He rubbed those chapped lips with his thumb, then bowed his head and kissed them gently.

A-Ning quickly brought hot water and asked: “Does the prince want something to eat?”

“No need.” Liang Shu moved his aching muscles and bones, and after a hasty wash, he also took off his clothes and went to bed. Hugging the man in his arms, they traveled to the Three Thousand Worlds together.

This time, the hot spring was much hotter than before. Second Young Master Liu was also soaking in it. His hair was wet and sticking uncomfortably to his back, so Liang Shu helped him tie it up.

His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was sleeping soundly in bed, and when he inadvertently turned over the touched the hair of the person next to his pillow, Second Young Master Liu in the hot spring called out, “Ah.”

Liang Shu didn’t let go. He tugged his hair and asked, “Why do you keep running to me lately?”

Liu Xian’an said, of course it’s because I miss the prince.

No matter how tired he was during the day, he thought he would try his best to have a dream at night and soak in the hot spring for a while.

Liang Shu suggested: “Since you think so, then you can stay here forever.”

But Liu Xian’an refused, because he felt that His Royal Highness Xiao Wang might be returning soon, so he must leave quickly.

Liang Shu said: “Don’t go!”

Liu Xian’an didn’t listen. He dragged his wet robes all the way, his body piercing through layers of fiery rain and clouds, and he fell all the way into the present world.

He just happened to be caught firmly by his sweetheart.

Liang Shu embraced the flailing man in his arms, and bowed his head to kiss him while he was half awake and half asleep. Thus, Second Young Master Liu fell asleep again, thinking that the dream was not bad, so he gave up on getting up and continued to lie down comfortably.

One of the two had been fighting for days, and the other had been seeing patients for days. Both of them were exhausted to the bone and needed a good rest, so they slept for half a day and a night. It was not until the next morning that Liu Xian’an stretched his waist and sat up, refreshed.

Someone behind him pulled his hair.

Liu Xian’an: “…….”

Liang Shu chuckled: “Are you silly? Turn around and let me see.”

Liu Xian’an could clearly distinguish the difference between the voices of the Liang Shu’s in the two worlds. Although they were the same, one was leisurely and relaxed, while the other was much more lively and amiable. He turned his head slowly and looked at the person leaning against the bed for a long time, his brain buzzing. Then he said with pleasant surprise: “Your Highness?”

As soon as he opened his mouth, he realized that his voice was unbearably hoarse. Liang Shu got out of bed and poured him a cup of warm tea. Liu Xian’an still had some difficulty swallowing, but he was extremely thirsty, so he drank most of the pot in one go, only then feeling more comfortable.

He asked: “When did the prince return?”

“Yesterday afternoon.” Liang Shu also rinsed his mouth before returning to the bed. He let Liu Xian’an lie in his arms, and reached up to test the warmth of his forehead. The fever had subsided. This person seemed weaker than before, so he touched twice more. “How did you get yourself sick?”

Liu Xian’an replied, because the prince did not let me stay at the foot of the mountain.

Facing this calamity from the sky, Liang Shu didn’t change his expression. He replied calmly, well, I am also sick. My heart hurt all the way back.

Liu Xian’an didn’t believe it. He said: “But the prince was fine when he poured tea, and Da-ge also went out with the army.”

“In any case, I’m in pain,” Liang Shu insisted. And the pain was strange. He would bear it during the march, and even healed for a short time when facing First Young Master Liu, but once he was back safe in bed with his sweetheart, he immediately felt uncomfortable here and there, and the pain was overwhelming.

“You take a look, I’m injured.”

The bandage on his chest was applied with Gao Lin’s help. It was surprisingly thick, but couldn’t scare Liu Xian’an, because he could tell at a glance that based on Liang Shu’s complexion and movements that the depth of the wound didn’t exceed one point. Sure enough, when he opened it up, some places had already scabbed over.

Liang Shu didn’t feel guilty at all. “One kiss. It will feel better after one kiss.”

Liu Xian’an lowered his head and brushed a kiss to his heart. Liang Shu felt a little ticklish, and pulled him to his chest, kissing him tenderly.

He really did have a heartache yesterday, presumably due to his old injury being induced during several days of travel. However, he was already in good shape after a good sleep, and the tenderness with his sweetheart threw the remaining dull pain to the wayside. Liu Xian’an pushed himself up on his stomach and said: “Good news spread frequently about the prince’s expedition this time. When I went to see patients at the foot of the mountain, all the common people were talking about it. Within two years, the Baifu Sect will be uprooted.”

“Less than two years.” Liang Shu promised, “When spring is warm and the flowers bloom next year, I will definitely take you back to Wangcheng.”

Wangcheng, when spring was warm and the flowers were blooming. Just by hearing this, he felt that the scenery would be beautiful to behold.

Lying beneath the warm quilt, Liu Xian’an followed Liang Shu’s descriptions and carefully outlined twenty-four streets in Wangcheng in his mind, then slowly filled it with restaurants, tea houses, and palaces filled with silk and music.

As a result, he set a trap for himself.

And got more sleep.

On the other side, the team led by Ku You also returned to camp. A-Ning greeted: “First Young Master!”

“Why are you alone, where is Xiao An?” Liu Xianche asked.

“He’s in the back courtyard with the prince.” A-Ning tactfully did not mention the matter of ‘sleeping for more than ten hours,’ but said righteously that they must be discussing military affairs!

Ku You heard this and said: “What military affairs?” From his posture, it could be seen that he wanted to go and discuss them too.

A-Ning: “……”

Fortunately, at the critical moment, First Young Master Liu spoke up in time and sent this disobedient patient back to rest. Gao Lin heard that Ku You was back, and searched for him all the way to his residence. When he looked inside, Ku You wasn’t resting, but sat at a table, tracing shapes on it and murmuring to himself.

Lieutenant General Gao leaned in the doorway and sighed, talking like that, someone will say that you’ve been recruited into the Baifu Sect and that you’re reciting mantras.

As soon as he spoke, a brush soaked in ink flew toward him. Gao Lin ducked away and then stepped forward with a smile to hug his shoulders: “Not resting just after you got back, what map are you drawing?”

Ku You leaned back in his chair and said quietly: “I have a headache.”

“It’s not that you never fought alongside the prince in the Northwest. Why do you have a headache now?”

“It’s not the same.”

When he was in the Northwest, the prince was the veritable first commander. As the lieutenant general, he only had to obey his commander and fight every battle that was handed over to him. But in the Southwest, he became the leader, and had to look at the overall situation independently.

Ku You let out a long sigh: “I thought I had done well enough.”

But the facts proved that what he thought was good was far from good enough.

The same soldiers and horses, the same enemy, the same terrain, but the prince was able to defeat the Baifu Sect with his divine soldiers, making them hide all over the Southwest. These were tactics he couldn’t think up even after racking his brains.

When Ku You finished speaking, he added another sentence, what the hell are you laughing at?

“Okay, okay, okay.” Gao Lin gave him face and only smiled. He analyzed, “It’s not just a matter of strategy. The prince put you in the Southwest because you’re diligent. Everyone has their own style, why are you so sentimental?”

Ku You said: “In short, I want to reflect on my life.”

“Okay, then continue to reflect.” Gao Lin poured him a glass of water. “When you’re done reflecting, come find me in the torture room.”

At this time, there were as many as three hundred members of the cult captive. If even one person confessed a word, it was enough to peel the skin off the Baifu Sect. The first thing to do now was to deal with the Ghost Boys.

Liu Xian’an was in healthy condition. After lying down for two days, he returned to the village at the foot of the mountain to see patients, and this time Liang Shu was also with him. He took off the heavy armor, which made his whole person a bit less murderous, and wore a brocade robe. With his hair tied up in a silver crown, he stood there straight and tall, and was a little more approachable.

Thus, the common people were not scared away, and still waited in line according to the original plan. The first patient wore an expression of distress and lowered his voice when he came up, speaking a long paragraph quickly and quietly.

Liu Xian’an’s hearing was good, but he was not familiar with the accent in this area, and didn’t understand: “What?”

The patient repeated it again.

Liu Xian’an still didn’t understand, and tried to make him slow down, but Liang Shu couldn’t bear it anymore, and explained: “He says that he has had nausea, retching, and loss of appetite lately and wants to ask for medicine to stimulate his appetite. I say, what is there to be shy about with these symptoms?”

The patient was trembling: “…..Answering the prince, it’s because I’m nervous.”

Liang Shu looked at him shaking like a sieve and wondered, why are you nervous, could it be that I am not approachable enough today?

Liu Xian’an simply comforted the patient with a few words, inspected him, and prescribed him some medicine to invigorate the spleen and whet the appetite. Then he said to A-Ning: “Next.”

This time, it was a young man in his early twenties who came in. Liang Shu had learned from experience just now, and after the other party sat down, he ordered: “Speak louder when describing your condition!”

The young man paled: “Ah?”

Liang Shu frowned: “What, did you not hear what this lord said?”

His tone was actually very mild, but even if His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was calm, he looked threatening, and few people in the world could bear it.

So the young man had no choice but to say loudly and a bit tragically: “I, I have a kidney deficiency!”^[1]

Liang Shu: “……”

Liang Shu’s eyes were quite sympathetic: “All right, all right, I’ll allow you to speak in a low voice.”

Liu Xian’an diagnosed him carefully, and Liang Shu tried not to smile, showing a calm and breezy expression on his face. It wasn’t until the young man left that he went: “Pfft.”

“If the prince makes trouble again, I’ll replace him with A-Ning.” Liu Xian’an put his brush back. “What’s so funny about a kidney deficiency?”

“I don’t know. In any case, I’ve done nothing wrong.” Liang Shu cleared his throat and moved his head closer. “Why don’t you give me a try?”

Liu Xian’an stared directly at the door. Won’t try!

---

[1] Having a kidney deficiency widely means that a man is bad in bed. ⮐

---

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

The next day, the two cousins were excited and got ready early. After all, the First Princess’s spring outing banquet usually focused on young officials’ children from the capital, and Imperial merchants were never invited. This was the first time they had ever received an invitation.

As a result, when they saw Liu Zhenqing who was still fuming in the carriage, the two cousins erupted in anger.

“When we get there later, don’t embarrass our Liu family!”

“If you cause trouble, we’ll be the ones who have to deal with it when you leave the capital. Understand?”

Liu Zhenqing disinterestedly played with the nine-link ring in his hand and said: “Didn’t you hear that I offended Rong Shiming a few days ago? Now they’re using their power to force us to be present. Is it a spring outing banquet or a Hongmen Banquet?^[1] You still haven’t figured it out yet?”

The two didn’t get angry, and Second Cousin said: “Then you can kowtow and admit your mistake later.”

Liu Zhenqing rolled his eyes. This one had a bright future.

“Are you still unwilling?” Third Cousin said sternly.

Liu Zhenqing said with sudden seriousness: “The ancestors of the Liu family were once the founding fathers of the country, and there were many great people after them. Why is your generation like this? You take your cues from others and act according to which way the wind blows. Even though you are Imperial merchants, you should have the Liu family backbone. Otherwise if something happens in the future, how will you be able to handle it?”

These words, with the aura of an elder’s scolding, immediately left the two speechless. Their faces reddened in embarrassment, and they could only stare blankly.

If a family wanted to continue from generation to generation, each generation of young people must undergo the appropriate training, but most families gradually became content with pleasure and slowly went downhill. The Huo family was in the opposite situation in this regard. The young people in their family had been on the battlefield for generations, so their loyalty would last forever.

As for the Liu family…..originally, outsiders were worried that the population of Liu Manor was withering, but his Grandpa boasted to the outside world, saying that with Liu Zhenqing around, the Liu family could persist for another hundred years. But not long after the old man passed away, the manor was brought to ruin by him.

Liu Zhenqing looked at the two fellows in front of him who couldn’t see the situation for what it was and bullied the weak while admiring the strong. He shook his head helplessly. These two were the ones behind the Liu family, so this lineage was probably not far from its demise.

The carriage soon arrived at the princess’s manor. When he got off the carriage, he saw a series of buildings encircled by red walls with yellow tiles. The four corners of each roof were raised high, like a phoenix spreading its wings.

The richly ornamented buildings were magnificent.

A plaque hung high on the red lacquered door, and the words “First Princess’s Palace” had been inscribed by the new emperor himself. The two stone lions beside the door were carved from white marble, and the animal head door knockers were inlaid with gold, a display of luxury.

Aside from the Empress Dowager and the Taifei in the harem, the First Princess could be regarded as the third most noble lady in the Zhou Dynasty. Even the Empress was behind her.

All of this was because the new emperor was able to successfully take back and inherit the throne. The first three women had made great contributions, and the new emperor was grateful for their work and would naturally give them generous rewards.

And no one dared to comment on how luxurious the First Princess’s Palace given by the emperor was.

Even though the two cousins were born into a family of Imperial merchants, they couldn’t help but marvel at such generosity.

“Hey! The ones in front are blocking the path!” A loud voice suddenly sounded.

The front doors of the First Princess’s Palace were opened wide, and other guests entered in an endless stream. They weren’t standing in the center, nor were they blocking the path at all.

When Liu Zhenqing turned around, he spied two familiar figures.

Liu Zhenqing’s heart was full of joy, and he greeted them warmly, exclaiming: “We meet again, ah. It will make others envious.”

As soon as he spoke these words, the invitees around looked at them curiously. After all, what happened a few days ago had already spread everywhere. Jiang Zi’er, who had come with the other person, immediately wore an ugly expression. Having learned her lesson, she just gave Liu Zhenqing a cold look and took the first step inside.

Rong Shiming’s face distorted for a moment, and he rushed to the door first. The steward and servants greeted the young master, but Rong Shiming didn’t leave right away. Instead, he stood at the door as if to help greet the guests. When the three young masters of the Liu family came forward and the steward checked the invitation, Rong Shiming shouted at once: “Who are you trying to fool by making a fake invitation? How could the First Princess possibly invite merchants? It turns out you are fishing in troubled waters, trying to sneak into the spring outing banquet and cling to the powerful. Such shamelessness.”

One declaration turned into countless slaps to the Liu family.

The two cousins immediately flushed red and stepped forward agitatedly to explain.

“Young Master Rong must have misunderstood. How could this be fake? Take a closer look.”

“That’s right, ah, ours is no different from the others!”

Rong Shiming scoffed coldly: “How could I be wrong? Steward, tell me! Is this a fake?”

The old steward glanced at Rong Shiming, then looked at the invitation in his hand and said, “It is indeed a fake.”

This situation immediately stirred up the people around them, and they began to discuss it.

The two cousins’ faces turned purple with anger. “It was delivered personally by the steward of the First Princess’s Palace. He still has the token of authority on him. This can’t be fake.”

“Right, ah, it was clearly you who came to deliver the invitation yesterday morning. We…..”

“Presumptuous! How can you be allowed to make noise in front of the First Princess’s door?” Rong Shiming promptly became valiant and authoritative.

The old steward coughed. “The invitation is indeed fake, and we never invited you. However, if the three young masters of the Liu family are willing to wait, if there is still room after serving the other guests, we will inform the First Princess, and perhaps she will invite you into the spring outing banquet.”

Asking the three of them to wait at the door…..saying that their invitation was fake and that they were trying to sneak in…..this…..this was too insulting. But if they left like this, the incident would definitely become the laughingstock of the whole city the next day.

The two cousins panicked. At this moment, Liu Zhenqing, who had been observing behind them, spoke.

“Second Cousin, Third Cousin……”

Rong Shiming raised his head the second Liu Zhenqing opened his mouth, not hiding his condescending contempt and ill-intentioned expression at all.

“Let’s go, ba,” Liu Zhenqing said with a dull expression.

The second and third cousins immediately stared at Liu Zhenqing. They also understood that someone was deliberately making things difficult for them, and felt that they had suffered today all because of him.

“What? This plan didn’t work out and you have to go back home. Why not wait, perhaps you can sneak in,” Rong Shiming mocked. There were even more sounds of snickering and disdain all around.

But Liu Zhenqing curled his lips and said: “How could this be? Since something like this has happened, we will naturally go to the magistrate’s office to file a complaint!”

When he said this, everyone in front of the First Princess’s Palace fell silent. Dozens of pairs of eyes looked at Liu Zhenqing, some bewildered, some puzzled, and some at a loss. One young man in white actually revealed a good-looking smile and looked at Liu Zhenqing with great interest.

Rong Shiming’s eyes widened in disbelief: “What…..what do you intend to do?!”

Liu Zenqing smiled without restraint and snatched the invitation from the steward. “On this bright, clear day, at the feet of the emperor, someone dared to act in the name of the First Princess. Falsely spreading a mandate shows contempt for the Imperial family. It is a heinous crime, and deserves to be punished! Since such an evil thing has happened to us, if…..if it is related to the assassination some time ago, how could we let it go! It must be investigated thoroughly!”

Liu Zhenqing spoke with fierce steadiness, and pulled the two cousins to leave.

Everyone around was frightened when they heard this, and suddenly felt that this was a serious matter! The person behind them panicked at once.

“Young Master Liu, please stay, let me take another look.” The old steward practically ran over, his robes in hand.

But Liu Zhenqing walked faster. “Steward, please tell the First Princess to rest assured. We will definitely cooperate with the magistrate’s investigation. The origin of this invitation and the person who sent it will not be let go.”

Liu Zhenqing was unbridled in his youth. He often caused trouble, and could argue three points on his own behalf even when he had no grounds to stand on, let alone when his reasoning was well-founded. Now that he was Liu Xiaozhu, he was even more emboldened because of his backing, and his nature erupted. Wasn’t this like delivering oneself to his door to be walked over and played with?

When the old steward ran too fast and fell directly at Liu Zhenqing’s feet, Liu Zhenqing stopped in surprise. And at this time, Rong Shiming also realized how high this matter could rise. He froze, looking at Liu Zhenqing in shock and anger.

“Steward, what are you doing?” Liu Zhenqing asked, suppressing a smile.

“Young Master Liu, please slow down and let me take a closer look to avoid making a mistake. I have been too tired recently and my eyesight is not working well, hehehe…..” The old steward wrinkled his chrysanthemum-like face and smiled with difficulty, then took the invitation from Liu Zhenqing’s hand and immediately said in a loud voice: “Aiya, very sorry, I apologize to the three young masters. I was blind and saw wrongly. This is a special invitation, and is slightly different from the usual one. It’s all my fault. Three young masters, please come in quickly.”

The two cousins were immediately overjoyed. They never expected that they could make a comeback and also have face, and couldn’t help but send Liu Zhenqing embarrassed looks.

But Liu Zhenqing said: “Steward, have you looked carefully? This is no joking matter. It is very serious.”

“Of course, of course, I looked carefully.” The old steward continued to apologize, but he was complaining inwardly. He didn’t think that the love-brained idiot whose scandal had spread all over the capital would have such a side. He was very difficult to deal with. Had he known this, he would not have cooperated with Young Master Rong.

Liu Zhenqing naturally knew that the invitation was genuine due to the behavior of the two of them just now, so he had come up with such a trick. Of course, if it was fake, that would be even more interesting.

“But Young Master Rong is the cousin of the First Princess. He was so sure. Which one should I trust? Is it better to believe in your dim eyesight, Steward, or to believe in Young Master Rong’s sharp eyes?”

These words burned like tongues of fire, making Rong Shiming’s face hurt.

There was no one around him who didn’t know the truth of the matter at this moment, and they were all watching this dramatic rendition of a person going for the kill but being killed himself with surprise and amazement.

It was previously rumored that Liu Zhenqing had angrily denounced Rong Shiming, but others couldn’t believe it. They thought that Huo Fenglie and He Lan, who appeared later, had won the match. They didn’t expect Liu Zhenqing, who had lost his memory, to be so capable and win the game with just a few words.

Now it was Rong Shiming who had to go down the stairs.

The old steward looked back at Rong Shiming and saw that he was unwilling to bow his head easily, so he could only apologize on his behalf: “Young Master Rong hasn’t seen many of them, so if there is a small difference, there will be a misunderstanding. I hope Young Master Liu will be willing to generously excuse him.”

“Steward, the question is not if we are willing or not. If he hasn’t seen many and doesn’t know clearly, then he can’t say for sure. This is slander, ah. Although we are merchants and common people of the Great Zhou Dynasty, we cannot bear infamy at will. Young Master Rong’s behavior has truly embarrassed us.”

This was said tactfully. It was clear that if Rong Shiming didn’t apologize, this matter would not be over.

Seeing this atmosphere, the two cousins couldn’t help but want to pull Liu Zhenqing away, but Liu Zhenqing gave them a rare cold look. The imposing manner of an elder brother shocked the two of them on the spot.

Likely because Liu Zhenqing was so provocative, Rong Shiming finally couldn’t stand it any longer. “What’s wrong with just embarrassing you?”

Liu Zhenging had expected early on that this child wouldn’t bow his head so easily, so he said with a cold face: “It turns out it was really intentional, ah. In other words, the First Princess really did invite us, and today Young Master Rong stood in the princess’s place and overstepped the royal authority, ignored the First Princess’s orders, and stopped us directly. Young Master Rong really dominates the capital, ah! This lowly one sees how it is. Since Young Master Rong won’t allow it, we naturally don’t dare to participate. Farewell!”

The people around couldn’t help but suck in a breath when they heard this, and Rong Shiming’s expression also distorted. 

The old steward quickly stopped Liu Zhenqing, who was about to get in the carriage. If word about today spread, not only Rong Shiming would be implicated, but him as well. After all, they were the ones in the wrong.

“Young Master Rong, you young people can just talk it over. Don’t hurt your friendship. After all, he is a guest invited by the First Princess, so you can’t have a bad temper. Young Master Rong!”

Rong Shiming nearly vomited blood in anger, but he could see the situation clearly. In the end, he said with his body trembling: “It was only a joke. Young Master Liu has such a big temper.”

“Defending one’s honor cannot be considered as having a temper!” Liu Zhenqing gave Rong Shiming a cold look, indicating that such a statement was not an apology.

Rong Shiming’s teeth nearly broke, and he was so angry that his eyes were bloodshot. In front of everyone, he at last said resentfully: “I made a mistake, and I apologize to the three members of the Liu family.” His eyes said once again: Just you wait.

After speaking, it seemed that he couldn’t bear it anymore, and he turned around and rushed into the First Princess’s Palace.

The old steward immediately apologized and said some good words, and finally, the three Liu family members smoothly entered the manor.

Apart from Liu Zhenqing, who leisurely admired the surrounding pagodas and buildings, waterside pavilions, and strange plants and fairy vines, the two other Liu family members’ backs were nearly soaked when they returned to their senses.

Second Cousin: “Liu Xiaozhu, are you crazy? What you just did really offended them.”

Third Cousin: “You were told not to cause trouble, why did you……”

Liu Zhenqing said speechlessly: “What they did was already shameless. If you keep on swallowing your anger, you’ll be bullied to death. Since they wanted to cause trouble for me, why not protect myself as much as possible?”

The two of them were rendered mute by Liu Zhenqing’s words, and watched as Liu Zhenqing enjoyed the garden scenery with great interest. As they went, he also tugged the old steward who was personally leading the way in front and asked: “Will General Huo and He-daren be here today?”

The two people were suddenly disgusted, but the old steward looked at Liu Zhenqing with strange eyes. 

“They all have official duties and do not attend such gatherings, but there will be other distinguished guests present.”

Liu Zhenqing thought the same thing. Their separation last time had not been pleasant, so there was no need to see the other person again before leaving. Moreover, he was doomed to lose face today and didn’t want to be seen by a little brother like Er-gou.

However, the steward’s reaction was quite interesting, as if he was trying hard to suppress his expression of “rejoicing in another’s misfortune.”

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[1] Hongmen Banquet (鸿门宴) = A trap like the GOT red wedding 🙂 ⮐

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Chapter Fifteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter Seventeen

This was truly a habit that had been developed over many years, and he was so accustomed to it that it had become like a backdrop without him even realizing it.

At that time, Liu Zhenqing basically spent time with Huo Feihan and Li Xingruo. Among their three families, Huo Feihan was the only one who had a younger brother, so he would naturally take the child with him when he had time to go out to eat.

But Er-gou didn’t talk much at that time, and because he was too young to participate in their conversations, the three of them would chat while eating and Er-gou would eat by himself in a well-behaved manner.

Liu Zhenqing got a fish bone stuck in his throat many times while eating fish, and spit out blood. Li Xingruo scolded him while helping him, and also used this mistake to teach Er-gou to be careful while eating fish and to pick out the bones carefully.

Perhaps this frightened Er-gou. After that, every time Er-gou ate fish, he would pick out the fish bones first. Not only was he extremely careful, but he was also extremely fast. After picking them, he would give some to the others to eat, which was equivalent to one person picking bones and four people eating fish.

Looking back now, he felt that the three of them were simply inhumane. They had enslaved him as child labor and created side effects for the kid.

Not only did he feel sorry for Er-gou, but he had even laid a trap for himself.

He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he felt as if Huo Fenglie’s usually cold black eyes seemed to be on fire. A layer of dark red appeared for an instant, then was quickly hidden in the black.

He probably didn’t expect that someone would still dare to enjoy the fish meat that he, the great general of the country, had picked the bones out of himself. Was he being used as a common laborer?

Overall, it was impossible for him to guess Liu Zhenqing’s identity because of a few pieces of fish, so he calmed down quickly.

Being stared at by three people, Liu Zhenqing showed the appropriate embarrassment and panic, and immediately stood to apologize: “I sincerely apologize. This…..this is because when I eat fish at the manor, there is always a small plate of prepared fish meat without bones. I was in a daze just now and didn’t realize, so I apologize to General Huo.”

The entire private room was silent. After an unknown amount of time, a low, hoarse voice was heard. “It’s fine. Young Master Liu, please sit down.”

Imperial merchants were naturally used to more luxury, so it was normal to have such a service.

When Liu Zhenqing raised his eyes again, Huo Fenglie was icy-faced once more, and the ominous dark red in his eyes seemed to have never appeared.

Liu Zhenqing sat down awkwardly. Looking across from him, he saw He Lan giving him a silent thumbs up, while Qin Yu was looking at Huo Fenglie with a slight frown.

In the end, no one dared to touch the plate containing fish. What surprised Liu Zhenqing was that Huo Fenglie ate very little himself, so what was that pile of fish doing there?

Sure enough, hadn’t he been enslaved into a bad habit by the three of them? They were guilty of sin.

The meal was not a pleasant one. After that, Liu Zhenqing was cautious and solemn, and Huo Fenglie stopped talking. The meal ended quickly, and the group left the private room.

As soon as he came out, he heard the sound of a child running happily in the corridor of the second floor. The sound came from behind, and Liu Zhenqing tried to get out of the way. Behind the child was an adult shouting anxiously for them not to hit anyone.

In the chaos, the child fell directly in front of the four people, and a small square thing rolled out of the child’s hand directly to Liu Zhenqing’s feet. Liu Zhenqing took a closer look, and his interest was piqued at once.

Wasn’t that a Rubik’s Cube? He hadn’t seen one since he was reborn, and thought they had long gone out of style. He used to like playing with them, and……

Liu Zhenqing was about to bend down and pick it up, when suddenly a middle-aged man rolled and crawled to kneel down in front of them. He lay down in a kowtow and covered the Rubik’s Cube. His entire body was trembling, as if he had made a big mistake, and he apologized to them continuously.

The child was also frightened and started to cry, but his father held his head and made him kneel down.

Liu Zhenqing was mystified by the situation in front of him. Jin Li on the side quickly stepped forward and tugged Liu Zhenqing, signaling for him to retreat.

Not only was Jin Li’s expression bad, but He Lan and Qin Yu also looked a little strange.

“Does he want to die? How dare he let his child play with that.”

“Isn’t that the work of the treacherous minister? He loved playing with it the most and carried it with him everywhere. I heard that he would kill someone every time he played with it.”

“After the treacherous minister died, no peddler dares to sell it, and people certainly don’t dare to play with it.”

“There’s nothing to be done about a child being curious. They usually just play with it in secret, and even if they get caught by the government, the most they can do is give a warning and confiscate the thing. But now he ran into……”

The Rubik’s Cube did not exist in this world. Liu Zhenqing, who had traveled through time, had created it by memory in order to relieve his boredom. At that time, there was a wave of enthusiasm in the capital. He really liked playing with it, and especially when mulling over a problem or relaxing, he had to have something to play with in his hands.

But it was just a small toy, so it shouldn’t be so taboo. After all, even his “Liu family” could be treated peacefully.

Liu Zhenqing looked to the side, and his heart sank.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes had darkened. He seemed to be staring the wooden Rubik’s Cube to death, which froze the surrounding atmosphere.

Although Huo Fenglie said nothing in the end and walked downstairs, which seemed to prove that it wasn’t as taboo as everyone thought, Liu Zhenqing’s mood became indescribable.

Even though they had a meal together calmly, talked, and even offered a few words of favor, this could not change the fact that Liu Zhenqing wanted to ignore.

One small object tore away all concealment.

Huo Fenglie hated him. He had dug up his grave and burned his corpse. How could he not hate him?

Liu Zhenqing followed the few people downstairs, soothing himself with calm magnanimity: Forget it, let him hate. Anyway, the “Liu Zhenqing” he hated was already dead.

What else could the kid do to him? It was only a couple of days until he was sent away.

He didn’t even care about the Rubik’s cube. There were so many things he liked to play with before that he could ban them all if he had the ability, ah.

Tsk…..clearly, Er-gou had given him a Rubik’s Cube before……

He had set out to comfort himself, but the more he did so, the more depressed he became. Liu Zhenqing refused to wrong himself, so he stared hard from behind to calm down.

When they arrived at the gate, the three people watched Liu Zhenqing get into a carriage. Huo Fenglie had arranged for his men to handle the matter of him leaving the city, so this should be the last time they met.

Liu Zhenqing was not sentimental. He just saluted, thanked them, and said, “See you later.” Then he boarded the carriage.

Huo Fenglie watched the carriage leave. He felt stuffy for some unknown reason, and raised a hand to pinch his brow.

Qin Yu on the other side said: “Shall we go to Doctor Li’s place?”

He Lan asked doubtfully: “What’s wrong?”

Qin Yu frowned. “He almost had a recurrence of his old injury just now.”

Shocked, He Lan quickly took a careful look at Huo Fenglie’s eyes and said, “When did it happen?”

“While eating fish.”

He Lan suddenly realized that Huo Fenglie’s reaction had been abnormal at that time.

“No way, Brother. Just because of the fish?” He Lan said in surprise. “Aren’t the conditions for your recurrence a little strange?”

Huo Fenglie’s eyes flickered for a moment, then he said with a wave of his hand: “I’m fine. My sister-in-law left some medicine for me. I’ll leave first.”

Before He Lan and Qin Yu could speak, Huo Fenglie had already taken the reins of a horse from the waiter, mounted it, and rode off.

When he returned to the General’s Manor, he met Huo Yunci and Huo Yunqian on the path. The two seemed to be practicing martial arts. The moves were a bit strange when he glanced over, but Huo Fenglie’s mind was absent and he didn’t look carefully. When the two children saw him passing by, they quickly turned to greet him in a well-behaved manner.

“Jie, didn’t you say you wanted Second Uncle to help you try that trick?” Huo Yunqian asked in confusion.

Huo Yunci waved the dagger in her hand. “I haven’t practiced it yet. When I get good at it, Second Uncle will be caught off guard, and he’ll definitely praise me for my talent.”

Huo Yunqian looked at Huo Yunci helplessly.

Huo Yunci smiled and said: “Unexpectedly, Liu Xiaozhu doesn’t have the strength to truss a chicken, but his mind is rather bright. His last killing move was really interesting. I suppose he did it out of panic. I want to practice it and use it as my ultimate winning move!”

Huo Fenglie returned to his study with a head full of thoughts, opened one of the hidden compartments, and took out an exquisite brocade box the size of his palm.

It was called a brocade box, but it was actually a mechanism box. The mechanisms inside were complicated, with ten turns and a chain. It was a gift from a foreigner six years ago. Huo Fenglie looked at it in silence for a moment, then tried and failed to unlock it.

He put the mechanism box back into the secret compartment. Huo Fenglie lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions, returning to his usual indifferent expression. He left the study and habitually went to meditate quietly under the tree in the courtyard.

At the same time, Lui Zhenqing had returned home and entreated the Old Master to let him leave as soon as possible. When the second and third branches were notified, there was naturally a huge quarrel. Since Liu Zhenqing’s accident, many of his behaviors had been very strange, making them extremely uneasy. It was better to keep him close and watch him. Who knew what the Old Master was doing behind their backs?

Any objections were dismissed, his injuries were healed, the engagement had been canceled, and General Huo had given him his promise to get him out of the city, so what valid reason was there to keep him here?

In the end, the Old Master made his decision. Although Liu Zhenqing felt that there was no need to put his affairs in order and that he could just leave tomorrow, that would be like running away from home, which wasn’t appropriate. So according to Liu Zhenqing’s estimation, he would indeed set off on the third day. Tomorrow would be used to pack up and say goodbye to his relatives and friends, the day after that was the first day of spring and not suitable for travel, and the day after that was just the right time to go.

But what Liu Zhenqing never foresaw was that after getting through the first two days, he would fail to get through the third one.

Liu Zhenqing arranged for someone to deliver a letter to the General’s Manor, but it turned out that someone sent an invitation very early in the morning, inviting the three young masters of the Liu family to attend the First Princess’s spring outing banquet the next day.

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Chapter Fourteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixteen

The charity auction dinner was scheduled to be held at the ethnic Chinese hotel in Haishi, and almost all the core personnel of well-known enterprises and companies in the city were invited to participate.

The hotel was built in a location where land was at a premium. Even if the venue fee was less, the cost of setting up the dinner would be in the hundreds of thousands.

It was said to be a charity auction event, but in fact, the organizers also drew part of the procedural benefits. Pei Yi didn’t agree with this kind of charity behavior of “doing something selfish in the name of donating,” but each industry had its own rules—

It would be a good thing to allow these profit-oriented businessmen to spend some money to support children who really needed the help, even if it only reached one in ten thousand.

“After I go back, I still have to discuss it with Pear Garden. If we can use all the players’ in-game money, even one-twentieth of a single item, the accumulated amount can help a lot of people.”

Plus, since the studio was relatively stable, such a small donation would not affect usual operations.

Of course, this was just Pei Yi’s personal idea. As for the specific way forward, he still had to wait and make a detailed decision later.

When Bo Yueming heard Pei Yi’s muttered thoughts, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. He had noticed it since the last time he mentioned the charity dinner—

His lover seemed to be particularly interested in donating money to the orphanages.

“Kitten.”

“En?”

“Actually, as early as forty or fifty years ago, Grandma set up a separate donation channel for the Bo family, which has always been targeted at children in impoverished mountainous areas.”

College students who eventually graduated could also work at Bo Group and its subsidiaries.

Bo Yueming straightened his lover’s collar. “If you have a specific person you want to support, we can discuss with Grandma to open a separate funding channel after we go back, without any profit.”

This was the first Pei Yi had known of such a thing. His eyes widened. “Grandma has been doing good deeds since that early?”

Bo Yueming also felt respect and admiration for her. “She says that those who do great things should do them not only for themselves, but for the people.”

Old Mrs. Bo’s good reputation was not only due to her strong temperament and leadership abilities, but also because of her absolute fairness and kindness.

“Er-ge.”

Pei Yi couldn’t help but give a thumbs up. “Grandma is awesome.”

Bo Yueming smiled and grasped his thumb. “Let’s go. We can’t be late to the charity dinner.”

Pei Yi remembered Bo Yueming’s purpose in accompanying him to the dinner party tonight, and held his hand back in a serious manner. “En, let’s not waste time that can be spent scaring those people!”

. . . . . . . .

The two stepped out of the car, confirmed their invitation status, and allowed the hotel’s shuttle bus to take them to a separate building hall where the auction dinner was being held.

As soon as the two got off the bus, they heard a greeting from the banquet hall, “Is this Mr. Bo? It’s nice to meet you.”

Bo Yueming raised his eyes and looked at the relatively unfamiliar middle-aged man walking up to him. “Hello.”

There was a sense of unfamiliarity in his tone.

The middle-aged man seemed not to notice at all, and introduced himself with a smile, “Hello, Mr. Bo. I’m Dong Yilei.”

“I’m the department head of the Haishi Business Registration branch, and the person in charge of this charity event. Thank you very much for your donation.”

Among the donations raised beforehand this time, although Bo Yueming donated the latest, he also donated the most.

After Dong Yilei got the donation list, he immediately confirmed and verified Bo Yueming’s identity, and also learned about the status and influence of the Bo Group behind him.

He had remained here today, waiting for this big Buddha to appear.

Dong Yilei’s tone was very friendly, “I heard that Mr. Bo has a chance to invest in our Haishi market?”

If this was the case, with Bo Group’s influence in the capital, it would inevitably inject new energy into Haishi.”

Bo Yueming remembered the random reason he had given for donating, and couldn’t help but exchange a cryptic look with Pei Yi beside him.

Pei Yi smiled and said nothing.

Was this what it was like to be rich? With money, you had a certain amount of status and respect.

Bo Yueming was backed by Bo Group back in Wencheng, but due to the rumors that he was “unfavored,” others were wary of Bo Group but didn’t really respect him.

But now, just putting the title of “Chairman of Bo Group” out there was enough to attract people.

Dong Yilei was a little unfamiliar with Pei Yi, and squinted. “Who is this?”

“Hello, Mr. Dong. I’m Pei Yi.” He didn’t reveal his identity, but instead gave them space for conversation. “You guys talk first, I’ll go in and walk around.”

A game company’s game registration and business license must be approved by the government. It was likely that Dong Yilei of Haishi’s business registration branch had some rights and status in the Haishi gaming circle.

Bo Yueming received the covert signal from his lover, and his lips curled slightly. “Hello, Mr. Dong. Thank you for taking care of me.”

“Ai, Mr. Bo is too polite.”

Dong Yilei noticed something unusual between the two of them, and felt that Pei Yi’s name was very familiar. “Who are you, Mr. Pei Yi?”

“I’m…..”

The word ‘lover’ was on the tip of his tongue, but his words became even deeper. “I’m his spouse.”

Dong Yilei was surprised.

He had only briefly investigated Bo Yueming’s identity and family background,  but didn’t know very many details.

Spouse?

Such a young-looking person was already married?

Bo Yueming didn’t mind giving Pei Yi an extra layer of protection. “Some time ago, my spouse participated in the original game design competition held in Haishi. Recently, he and his studio have been thinking about developing here. Please take care of him in the future, Mr. Dong.”

At this point, how could Dong Yilei not understand?

No wonder he felt that Pei Yi was so familiar. After so much thought, it turned out that he was also a well-known person.

Dong Yilei restrained himself and glanced twice at Bo Yueming, understanding deep down—

The person in front of him had a cold temperament just now, but when he mentioned his spouse, he became polite and talkative. It seemed that the relationship between the two was really good.

Dong Yilei was a clever old fox and responded very appropriately, “Don’t worry, Mr. Bo. Our relevant departments will support the development of good units, companies and enterprises.”

. . . . . . . .

Pei Yi entered the banquet hall alone, and after looking around for a moment, he caught a familiar gaze.

Gu Jianshen stopped talking to the people next to him and quickly approached. “Pei Yi.”

“Brother Gu,” Pei Yi greeted with a smile. “You’re here too, ah.”

“Boss Ning is temporarily unavailable, so she asked me to come here in her stead,” Gu Jianshen answered truthfully. “Each company has two or three representatives at this banquet.”

Pei Yi casually took a glass of champagne, and his eyes flickered. “Who else is coming from Weiyi? Qu Yi and Guo Guanghong?”

“……”

Gu Jianshen’s expression changed slightly upon hearing the names of two senior executives from Pei Yi’s mouth.

He made a slight guess and asked in a low voice, “Do you know everything about the internal situation of our company?”

Pei Yi answered with silence and a nod.

“Pei Yi, I’m sorry about the script.”

Gu Jianshen had cooperated with Pei Yi sincerely from the beginning. He didn’t expect that the intrigue within the top management would affect the innocent Pei Yi and YWY Studios.

Pei Yi understood Gu Jianshen’s character and was willing to retain trust in him. “Brother Gu, I know that the script leak issue had nothing to do with you.”

Whoever it was related to, Pei Yi would settle the score with them.

“Where are they?”

Pei Yi took a sip of champagne and asked slowly, “Since Weiyi and YWY Studios are in a cooperative relationship, I must meet the real senior leaders.”

Gu Jianshen pointed him in the right direction. “The one in the dark blue suit is Mr. Qu, and the one in the black suit is Mr. Guo.”

Just to the left of the front section of the banquet hall, Qu Yi and Guo Guanghong had each gathered two or three conversation partners.

“Shall I take you over?”

“Okay.”

Gu Jianshen had been promoted back to Weiyi headquarters by Qu Yi, so he naturally took Pei Yi to meet Qu Yi first.

“Mr. Qu, excuse me, let me introduce you—” Gu Jianshen gestured to Pei Yi beside him and said very politely, “This is Pei Yi, Mr. Yi from YWY Studios.”

Qu Yi was in his early thirties and had an outstanding temperament.

Facing this introduction from his subordinate, he stretched out his hand very simply and said, “I have long admired your name.”

Pei Yi calmly shook his hand and said, “Hello, Mr. Qu, nice to meet you.”

The people next to Qu Yi consciously left together, and Qu Yi took another step forward. “Mr. Yi, I often hear Jianshen and Ning Jing praise you for your excellence.”

“Especially in the emergency incident some time ago, Mr. Yi’s ability to handle things was really admirable.”

“I hope that in the future, our Weiyi can have deeper cooperation with Mr. Yi and YWY Studios.”

These words may have been sincere, but they were more of a polite gesture.

Pei Yi gently raised the wine glass in his hand and with a slight smile on his face. “Mr. Qu is too polite. Whether we can have deeper cooperation will have to wait until the end of this partnership.”

This simple response indicated that YWY Studio’s work would not be subject to Weiyi’s whims.

Qu Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, realizing that Pei Yi’s temperament was far sharper than his appearance would have people believe.

Pei Yi hid nothing. “Mr. Qu, I have been busy rewriting the script for the past half month and had no time for other things. Now that we’ve met, I want to ask clearly—”

“Has your company found the ‘mole’ who leaked the script? How do you plan to deal with them?”

Hearing this, Qu Yi couldn’t help but make eye contact with Gu Jianshen.

The mole?

Wasn’t the answer obvious?

It was just that in a big company, one small move could affect everything else. Before real interests could be touched, some things could only be overlooked in order not to not to harm the feelings and face of others.

Gu Jianshen understood his boss’s thoughts, but the balance in his heart still favored Pei Yi, who was innocently implicated and therefore had to put in more effort.

Just when the atmosphere was about to stagnate, another set of footsteps sounded.

Guo Guanghong nearby had already noticed the situation here and came over with somewhat prying eyes.

“Mr. Qu, what are you talking about?”

The question was for Qu Yi, but his eyes were fixed on Pei Yi.

As the intermediary, Gu Jianshen introduced Pei Yi to Guo Guanghong.

The look in Guo Guanghong’s eyes suddenly became subtle, with a hint of condescending disdain. “It turns out that this person is Mr. Yi, ah. You really can’t judge a person by their appearance.”

“I heard that YWY recently had a mobile game that did well? That’s not easy for a small studio.”

Every time this person’s mouth opened, his words carried subconscious prejudice and belittling.

Pei Yi held back his displeasure and said, “Everything is difficult in the beginning. A job in the game industry is not easy, as it requires ability, technology, and funds to be in place.”

“Yes, ah, but the current environment is still better than it was twenty or thirty years ago.”

Guo Guanghong continued to express his views, with something behind his words. “When our Weiyi first developed, where were there so many exposure channels? It would be great if there was a guarantee that it wouldn’t collapse at that time, unlike Mr. Qu now —”

“Cooperation is cooperation. You know how to progress and develop together with colleagues like Mr. Yi.”

This was said in an amused manner, and was clearly meant to ironically point out Pei Yi and YWY’s use of Weiyi’s momentum to climb up the ladder.

If it had been anyone else, he would probably have been able to laugh off, ignore, or endure the irony of such beautifully packaged words, but Pei Yi just didn’t have the temperament to tolerate it.

Pei Yi regarded Guo Guangheng with a half-smile. “The leak happened, but if Weiyi’s confidentiality measures can be improved, these colleagues can truly follow your development.”

“……”

The direction of this statement could not be more obvious.

Qu Yi was speechless, and the look in his eyes changed slightly.

Knowing Pei Yi’s character, Gu Jianshen was worried about him. Guo Guanghong’s reaction was particularly obvious. “Mr. Yi, do you think that Weiyi deliberately leaked the script?”

Pei Yi replied simply, “I didn’t say that, but Mr. Guo is quite well-informed.”

Guo Guanghong had never seen a young man more disrespectful than Pei Yi. His face reddened with anger, and when he glanced at the silent Qu Yi beside him, he was even more furious.

If you asked him, Qu Yi’s brain had been muddled!

As one of the top companies in the industry, Weiyi could even cooperate with cats and dogs on the roadside?

In a brand new field such as movie games, an outsider was actually brought in to share the profits. 40-60 was too much!

If he were to do this project, he would definitely choose someone from their own headquarters to take charge of it, and it would be best if they were related to a game series produced by the company.

Guo Guanhong didn’t deny that he had used some tricks to suppress Qu Yi, and at the same time, he also wanted to suspend this external cooperation in order to replace it with one of his own.

It was a pity that he failed to succeed by one move.

Unexpectedly, this partnership had just begun, and Pei Yi was already this bold?

Guo Guanghong chuckled, no longer hiding his true thoughts. “Mr. Yi, do you know that YWY is taking advantage of Weiyi in this partnership?”

Qu Yi stopped him. “Mr. Guo, have you had too much to drink? Shall I have someone take you to the side to sober up?”

“I didn’t drink too much.”

Guo Guanghong was unwilling to accept Qu Yi’s apparent kindness, and took the opportunity to whisper sarcastically, “I’m only afraid that some people can get drunk without drinking. Do you really think that your small, trashy company can become famous? You’re not looking at your own status.”

Pei Yi’s gaze sharpened at once, but before he could get angry, there was a familiar coolness on his wrist—

Bo Yueming had already stepped forward to guard him within his range of protection. With a height of 1.9 meters, he was extremely intimidating.

Facing this completely unfamiliar mixed-race person in front of him, Qu Yi and Guo Guanghong both felt hesitant.

Only Gu Jianshen understood something, and increased the distance between himself and Pei Yi unnoticeably.

Qu Yi looked at Dong Yilei, who was relatively familiar to him, and nodded with a hint of silent inquiry, “Mr. Dong.”

Dong Yilei understood his look and naturally introduced, “This is Mr. Bo Yueming, the current chairman of the Imperial Capital’s Bo Group.”

“……”

Qu Yi and Guo Guanghong were stunned.

Although the Imperial Capital and Haishi were far apart in the north and south, who among those with some family background and qualifications didn’t know about Bo Group?

In the entirety of China, this was a mountain that not many companies and enterprises could overcome!

If not for Bo Group choosing not to develop in the game industry, it was likely that the rankings of the Chinese game companies would have changed accordingly.

What’s more, the news of Bo Yueming taking over Bo Group had appeared in various financial media. Even separated by mountains, everyone had heard about it.

When Guo Guanghong saw Pei Yi and Bo Yueming so close together, a vague suspicion arose in his mind.

Soon, this answer was verified by Bo Yueming himself. “I just heard that Mr. Guo has objections to my spouse?”

“…….”

The seemingly calm words contained an irresistible pressure, explaining the relationship between the two on the spot.

Not a lover, but a spouse.

Guo Guanghong’s heart trembled slightly. He had never thought that Pei Yi and Bo Yueming were married!

If that was the case, why cooperate with their Weiyi? Wouldn’t it be better to just spend the money themselves?

Leaving the near and running far to Haishi, why bother to put in all this personal effort?

“…….”

Guo Guanghong had countless questions, but when he glanced into those frigid dark blue eyes, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

Guo Guanghong was not from a wealthy family, so he couldn’t always keep track of the private relationships in the capital’s wealthy circles.

All this time, he had only regarded Pei Yi as an arrogant kid who relied on minor ability and capital, and had never deliberately inquired about the other party’s history.

Now look, he had thrown himself in front of the muzzle of the gun!

Dong Yilei, whom Guo Guanghong had met, was extremely deferential to Bo Yueming and wanted to smooth things over. He said, “A misunderstanding, it’s just a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?”

Bo Yueming became even colder as he spoke, and Guo Guanghong’s face suddenly changed when meeting him for the first time.

“One of them exposed the script in order to have his subordinate take over! And the other one turned a blind eye to the evil inside the company, and also tried to squeeze out the profit share of my spouse’s studio!”

“Are you trying to sacrifice my spouse and his studio because of a dispute among Weiyi’s top management?”

In a few words, their mask of hypocrisy was publicly exposed.

As soon as these forcefully pressing words were spoken, the surrounding temperature dropped again. Not only did Guo Guanghong’s expression look ugly at this time, but Qu Yi also felt a little embarrassed.

Bo Yueming looked at Pei Yi throughout this, and made his attitude clear. “Troubling Weiyi to provide a solution and compensation within three days.”

“Otherwise, this cooperation will be void. We can afford the liquidated damages.”

Pei Yi looked at Qu Yi and Guo Guanghong, who were gradually falling into disadvantage, with a smile on his face.

He was used to supporting his career and being the helmsman in a business partnership. This was the first time he had experienced the sense of stability provided by having someone stand in front of him and support him.

Pei Yi cooperated with his lover and deliberately left the choice up to Qu Yi. “Whether the partnership should be continued or canceled, it is all up to Mr. Qu’s wishes.”

His words deliberately ignored Guo Guanghong, who no longer had any real power.

Guo Guanghong felt Pei Yi’s disregard for him, but couldn’t find a reason to vent. He could only feel increasingly aggrieved, his face turning red and blue.

More and more of the invited guests looked over, obviously curious about what was going on.

Bo Yueming held Pei Yi’s hand steadily in public view, then dealt the final blow. “The Bo family had no plans to enter the game industry before, and Pei Yi stopped me from helping, but as long as he is willing to give me the nod, I can guarantee—”

Bo Group had the resources, and YWY Studios had the capability.

“Within two years, your Weiyi’s title as the top game company will completely change hands.”

---

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

The people in the camp had also heard about the Ghost Boys, and all of them felt that they were extremely evil. Although witchcraft and spells were prevalent in the Southwest, it was really shocking that such filthy techniques existed. Gao Lin cooperated with Ku You to urgently dispatch soldiers and horses. They erected barriers at the junctions where each village met the dense forest, in order to prevent the Ghost Boys from entering the villages to kill, but this was not a long-term solution.

An adjutant said: “The battle line is more than a hundred li away. We can’t just keep defending it for eight to ten years.”

But if they didn’t defend it, this miasma-dense forest was really not a place that ordinary people could just enter. The adjutant also brought up a suggestion, wondering if it were possible to organize a group of local born and bred soldiers, and have a hunter lead them in to explore, but this was rejected by Ku You.

“It’s too dangerous, and the losses outweigh the gains,” he said.

Everyone had underestimated the Baifu Sect’s “ability” to raise such a large number of child Gu in the dense forest. As for where the children came from, the total number of women and children lost in the Southwest in the past ten years numbered more than a thousand. Ku You’s face was livid. Gao Lin patted him on the shoulder, comforting him: “You’ve been here a long time and done many practical things since taking office. Even now, the cultists are still offering a reward of ten thousand gold for your head, so don’t blame yourself too much.”

Ku You asked: “Where is the prince now?”

Gao Lin guessed that he was still with Young Head Escort Chang.

Apart from the frostbite on Chang Xiaoqiu’s hands, the Ghost Boys had scratched and bitten out bloody holes in his legs and feet. Fortunately, they were not poisoned, and only simple debridement and sutures were needed. Of course, the sutures had to be done by First Young Master Liu himself.

Liu Xian’an stood up from beside the bed and gave up the seat to his brother. Liu Xianche took the silver needles from A-Ning and ordered without raising his head: “You go and look at that child Gu again. Dissect the rest of it. I’ll come over in an hour.”

The surrounding servants were puzzled. Did the two immortal sons of the Liu family not need to sleep? No matter how busy they were all night, they didn’t feel tired. Liu Xian’an agreed, and under those admiring gazes, he stepped out the door without a change of expression, with fairy-like grace, and walked steadily toward a pond.

The maid in the courtyard turned pale: “Ai ai ai!”

At the critical moment, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang fortunately appeared in time, held him horizontally in his arms, and took him away with big strides.

Liu Xian’an was still dazedly talking in his sleep: “I’ll sleep on the way for a while.”

Liang Shu answered: “Okay.”

He then brought him to the bedroom, removed his clothes, shoes, and socks, and wrapped him up in a quilt. Then he lowered the window screens so that it was dark enough to sleep peacefully. After tidying up, Liang Shu went to leave, but before reaching the door, he turned around to kiss the slightly cool tip of this person’s nose. His head hurt in the face of this sudden chaos, and only when he looked at the sleeping face of his sweetheart could he find a moment of peace.

Liu Xian’an slept for a long time, and when he woke up, his mind was still muddled. In the remnants of his dreams, he asked A-Ning, “What evening is this?”

A-Ning replied, you haven’t been sleeping for three thousand years, it has only been five or six hours. It is not time to eat yet, the young master can sleep for a while.

No more sleep, Liu Xian’an said, yawning. I’m going to dissect the rest of the Ghost Boy.

“The First Young Master has finished the rest of the work,” A-Ning said. “He took out a lot of Gu from the child, and it looked frightening. Some of them had already taken root in its brain, and he said there was no no way to cure it but to kill it……besides, there was no need to cure it.”

After speaking, he couldn’t help but give a small sigh. Although the Ghost Boys were ferocious now, when they were alive, they were all innocent children. Without the villainous Baifu Sect, these children should have grown up carefree with the love of their families, instead of being monsters trapped in a miasma. A-Ning had always been kind, but at this time, he couldn’t help but think fiercely, the cult has done a lot of evil, and they really deserve to be hacked to pieces.

Sitting by the bed, Liu Xian’an asked: “Is the prince in the study?”

“No,” A-Ning said. “The prince only slept for two hours, and then led everyone to the foot of the mountain with Lieutenant General Gao and Commander Ku. They should be checking on the teams defending against the Ghost Boys.”

Liu Xian’an said: “Then let’s go down the mountain and have a look.”

His riding skills were already very good now, and even if it was a tall war horse, he could control it skillfully, holding tightly to a whip all the way and galloping like lightning. With a whoosh, he brushed past his elder brother, who was stretching, without leaving even a shadow.

First Young Master Liu: “…….”

Although there had been a disturbance just now, the village at the foot of the mountain was not as riotous as Liu Xian’an had thought it would be, but was on the contrary full of people. Everyone was gathered in the big field where the grain was dried. Black and white ropes and five-color ropes were hung all over the treetops, and a grandmother in colorful clothes was sitting on a high platform, singing a sad and melodious song. The singing seemed to have a fantastical magic power that penetrated into the hearts of all the listeners.

“It’s a requiem.” Liang Shu stood behind Liu Xian’an and placed a hand on his shoulder, saying softly, “Sung for those unfortunate children in the deep forest.”

The wind blew over everyone’s hair and cheeks, drifting into the deep mountains along with the singing. Like the loving hands of a grandmother, tremblingly caressing those tortured hearts.

. . . . . . .

Chang Xiaoqiu lay on the bed, struggling a little to get up: “Big Brother, Big Brother Song!”

“Hey, Xiao Chang!” An adjutant hurried into the room. “Quick, stop moving. Be careful that the wound doesn’t burst open again.”

“I won’t move, I just want to ask, can I get my sword back?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because a few brothers already went to help find it for you. There is a rushing river under the cliff, and after your sword fell, it washed away somewhere.”

“Ah?” Cheng Xiaoqiu grimaced. “Then I don’t have a weapon.”

“You child, why are you so honest?” The adjutant patted him on the forehead. “With Song-xiansheng here, why fear not having a sword in your hand? After the injury is healed, ask him to make a new one for you.”

That’s easy to say, Chang Xiaoqiu muttered in his heart. With my ability and reputation, how could Song-xiansheng agree to give me a sword?

Just as he was thinking, Song Changsheng walked through the door with a cloth bag on his back.

Chang Xiaoqiu instantly sat up straight and looked at him with gleaming eyes.

Song Changsheng smiled and said: “The prince asked me to deliver a sword to Young Head Escort Chang.”

. . . . . . .

The young man who received the new sword seemed to have grown a pair of wings. He couldn’t even walk stably, and he wanted to fly. He couldn’t wait for his legs and feet to be in working order, and laid down for a few days before slipping out the door right under Liu Xianche’s nose, limping around and asking what they would be fighting next.

An adjutant said: “The deep forest.”

Chang Xiaoqiu was puzzled. Wasn’t the deep forest full of miasma? It was big and unknown, so how could it be fought?

He asked again: “When will we fight?”

The adjutant said nothing, his expression meaningful.

Chang Xiaoqiu: “…….” Middle-aged people like you with knowing eyes are really sleazy.

When they fought depended on when His Royal Highness Xiao Wang returned.

With the appearance of the Ghost Boys, the entire Southwest grew tense at once.

A group of cultists who had already been targeted by the garrison were arrested one after another, and another group of believers who were imprisoned in a dungeon were also transported to the Valley of Ten Faces. This included Zhao Xiang, the head of the Dawn’s Gate Sect who had kidnapped Chang Xiaoqiu, and also the butcher later captured in Raven City. There was no proper and civilized interrogation, and they were tossed into the execution room as soon as they arrived. Some of them were still brainwashed and hard-headed, still counting on the Baifu Buddha Mother to save them, but they were whipped until their faces were covered in blood.

“I advise you to recite fewer mantras.” Gao Lin crouched in front of one of them. “You deserve to be down on your luck, my prince is in a bad mood just now.”

The teachings of the Baifu Sect preached karmic reincarnation. If you didn’t believe in the Baifu Buddha Mother, you would be tortured in the next life, but if you fell into the hands of Liang Shu, there was no need to worry about waiting for the afterlife. The torment that would be suffered in this life was not less than half, or even doubled. The cursing at the beginning gradually died down, and they began to spit things out. Confessions made their way one after another to the study, but Liang Shu still seemed to think it wasn’t enough, and a new round of arrest warrants were soon sent down, this time in even bigger quantity.

It was said throughout the country that His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was ruthless and violent, but the common people far in the Southwest had little experience when it came to the specific degree of “ruthlessness”—until now.

They saw with their own eyes as one city after another was blockaded, people being taken away one by one. A large number of troops washed over the mountains like the tide, still marching at night with torches. From a distance, they looked like a huge, entrenched python.

No matter how arrogant the Baifu Sect were, in the face of a crushing offensive on this scale, they still knew to quiet down for the time being and hide in the shadows. Many preachers wandering the streets seemed to disappear overnight. They tucked their tails one after another and stopped provoking the government, trying to show weakness in order to calm the prince’s fury.

In the cult’s old lair, Wumeng Yunle asked: “Just for those Ghost Boys, Liang Shu didn’t hesitate to mobilize tens of thousands of troops?”

“The Ghost Boys were just the fuse.” Feng Xiaojin looked into the distance. “His aim has always been the Baifu Sect.”

Holding a medicine tray, Liu Hengchang withdrew from Wumeng Yunyou’s room. Feng Xiaojin asked Wumeng Yunle to go back and rest first, and Liu Hengchang closed the door behind them. He said in a low voice: “The medicine has already been added.”

Feng Xiaojin nodded: “Good.”

“But……” Liu Hengchang couldn’t hold back, and asked, “Why did Young Master Feng use medicine to delay Young Master Yunyou’s recovery and keep him lying in bed?”

“Because Liang Shu has already begun his plan,” Feng Xiaojin said. “And in the Baifu Sect, no one is his opponent.”

Liu Hengchang probed: “I heard that the Southwest Garrison has arrested many people recently, and we have suffered heavy losses. The leader is also furious because of this.”

Feng Xiaojin said: “Perhaps we will have to wait for the next round soon.”

The next round of losses, and the next round of wrath.

Liang Shu personally led the army and marched south from Lu’e City. It seemed that he was going to the next city to patrol, but on the evening of a certain day, he appeared in a quarry like a divine soldier descending from heaven.

The owner of the quarry was named Chi Teng, and he was the number two figure in the Baifu Sect after the leader.

Having not been discovered for many years, he thought he had hidden well. Moreover, he had been paying close attention to the direction of the Southwest Garrison recently, and judged that there would be no heavy troops near the quarry. However, he didn’t expect that in the end, he would be stunned by Liang Shu’s seemingly chaotic deployment of troops.

Before Chi Teng had time to reflect, he donned his battle armor and shouted loudly: “Light the cannons!”

The whole quarry was full of cries. The craftsmen were all cult disciples, and they tore off their disguises, taking weapons from everywhere in a habitual manner, and soon formed a well-trained army. Accompanied by their belief in the Baifu Buddha Mother, they rushed forward like wild beasts!

The artillery roared, boulders rolled, and the quarry that had been calm moments before turned into a screaming pit of hell in an instant. Flesh and blood were crushed into the soil, and the sound of the charging horn did not stop for one moment. Chi Teng was in a hurry to escape, but was swept off his horse by Gao Lin’s sword.

And more than one battle like this was happening simultaneously. The scale of them ranged from small to large, but without exception, they ended with the victory of Dayan’s army. In one location after another, the old dens of the Baifu Sect were uprooted. In the sea of flames, the cult disciples finally understood in a panic that when facing Liang Shu, it was useless to tuck their tails for a short period of time. There were only two roads before them — surrender or death.

In the raging fire, Gao Lin raised Chi Teng’s chin with the tip of his sword: “What is his name?”

Chi Teng closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling violently. “Mu, Mu Zhe!”

The invisible dark hand hiding behind the scenes had finally become a well-known person.

The disciples of the Baifu Sect went as silent as cicadas. When passing the leader’s courtyard, none of them dared to speak, nor even to raise their heads.

Mu Zhe looked at the portrait on the wall, his face livid: “What did you say?”

The subordinate who had been at his side for many years plucked up his courage and repeated again: “Diancui City….was also….also….”

“Disgraceful thing!” Mu Zhe threw the teacup in his hand with force. “Where did they get so many soldiers?”

“The number of soldiers is still the same.” The subordinate was sweating profusely. “But under Liang Shu’s command, it seems like they can ride on clouds, flying everywhere.”

All over the mountains and plains, the cities and villages, Dayan’s soldiers were like leeks after the rain, to be harvested casually. It was not that the Baifu Sect had not fought against the Garrison before. Ku You and Ku You’s predecessor, and the one before him had caused the Baifu Sect to suffer defeats, but after this last loss, it collapsed like never before.

“Liang Shu is so terrifying,” the subordinate murmured.

Not only did he have terrifying power, but he had terrifying combat capabilities, which was enough to horrify any opponents who fought against him — even if someone was lucky enough to escape his dark sword, boundless nightmares would doubtlessly accompany them for the rest of their life.

“Master.” The subordinate knelt. “We—”

“We’ll make Liang Shu pay for this.” Mu Zhe’s expression had returned to normal. “Go and ask when the guests will be here.”

. . . . . . .

After winning a series of battles, Liang Shu led his army back to the Valley of Ten Faces day and night, rushing until Lieutenant General Gao’s face turned green and he felt he would vomit upon dismounting his horse. Suppressing his discomfort, he ran up to him and called: “Your Highness, take care of your injuries!”

When marching and fighting, how could he not get injured? A bloody gash had been cut into Liang Shu’s chest by blasted rubble. Although it looked frightening, it was not serious, just right to wheedle out a bit of concern from his sweetheart.

Seeing that the gate of the garrison camp was approaching, Gao Lin reined in his horse and heaved a sigh of relief: “Your Highness, you—”

Before he could finish speaking, he turned his head and saw his family’s prince running like a mad dog. He suddenly felt ill, and held his heart weakly like one of the four legendary beauties.

Gao Lin: “…..Second Young Master Liu hasn’t come yet, it’s indeed a bit early for such a show.”

Liang Shu: “Scram!”

“Okay!” Lieutenant General Gao led the troops and rolled back into camp via another path.

Leaving the vast stage for his family’s prince to continue to play.

---

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

Since Liu Zhenqing had been invited to dinner, it was natural to add dishes to the table. This time, Liu Zhenqing was a little more cautious and didn’t dare to act recklessly. He only said that he had forgotten what dishes he liked at this restaurant. Qin Yu was cold but attentive, and directly asked Jin Li to order the original owner’s favorite foods.

However, that food seemed to be very bland, and Liu Zhenqing didn’t like it. He preferred heavier food, and the only thing he could tolerate here was the bland fish. He loved to eat fish of all kinds, and had gotten a fish bone stuck in his throat many times. Despite being laughed at, he still loved eating it, even if his skill at picking out fish bones was not very good.

After taking a few difficult bites, Liu Zhenqing decided not to embarrass himself. He said awkwardly: “It seems that my tastes have also changed.”

The three of them didn’t hesitate. After all, injuring one’s brain could turn a person into a fool, let alone affect their sense of taste.

The waiter finally served their signature braised fish and also gave Huo Fenglie an extra plate.

He Lan and Qin Yu were not surprised by this, and at this time, Liu Zhenqing was curious about what they had to say about Rong Shiming.

“Him? It’s possible for such an uneducated person to run an academy? Qiming Academy? Is this…..allowed?” Liu Zhenqing was astonished.

After He Lan’s explanation, Liu Zhenqing’s outlook on things was completely refreshed.

In fact, it was not at all a normal academy for students to learn, but more of a cram school to prepare them for the Imperial Examinations. 

It specialized in serving those who were about to take the exams, and provided a one-stop shop for food, accommodations, and education. He had heard that there were several similar academies like this in the generations before the Zhou Dynasty, but they no longer existed after that.

Liu Zhenqing really felt that educated people, Imperial merchants like the Liu family, or even officials could make this sort of arrangement, but it was more normal for people like Rong Shiming to invest in gambling houses. It was strange for him to start an academy that only seeked fame and not profit. Could it be for the purpose of making connections? After all, if there were students who passed brilliantly, they would definitely be grateful to Rong Shiming. But he himself relied on the First Princess to show off his power, so did he still need to rely on this?

“Rong Shiming’s academy is very strict about the status of its students. Generally speaking, people from poor families cannot get in. The fees are probably very high. If he is seeking profit, he should also be seeking connections,” Qin Yu said.

Liu Zhenqing fell silent.

He Lan said: “So in the next few days, he should be very busy and won’t have time to trouble you. When he is free, you will have gone away and he will have no chance to return today’s humiliation, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not worried about this. Even if he wants to cause trouble for me, he won’t be able to come to my house, and I won’t go out,” Liu Zhenqing said.

“With that expression of yours, I thought you regretted it and might give in later,” He Lan said with a smile.

“I just think…..” Liu Zhenqing paused for a moment. The former Prime Minister Liu of the Great Zhou Dynasty was naturally very clever, but he was not comparable to the three young men in front of him. “I feel it is risky, and like it’s an easy channel for cheating in the Imperial Examinations.”

When Liu Zhenqing finished speaking, the three of them were stunned.

“But he has held this academy several times,” He Lan said. “There wasn’t…..”

“However, those who came out of his academy were at least second-level students…..and there were the so-called lucky ones.” Qin Yu said in a deep voice: “It has been like this several times. It is indeed suspicious.”

“How is it done? Hasn’t the emperor always been very strict in managing this aspect?” He Lan asked: “If there was any doubt, it would definitely be investigated. Perhaps we are overthinking it.”

Qin Yu shook his head. There were naturally many ways to cheat in the Imperial Examinations, but all of them were difficult. It was hard to say how it could be done without being discovered. Thus, it was indeed possible that they were overthinking it.

Regarding this topic, Huo Fenglie could only listen, as he hadn’t been in the capital and didn’t know much about the Imperial Examinations. He did not, however, stop eating the dishes in front of him.

He Lan and Qin Yu both stared blankly at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing definitely thought more than he spoke. He was unwilling to meddle in other people’s business, and after all, it was better to do less than more considering his current situation. But someone once told him that the Imperial Examinations were the most critical step in selecting talents for the country, and it was the place where mistakes were least allowed.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flashed, and he gave a silent sigh, saying: “I made a wild guess. I just feel that since they are all rich and powerful, why not just stay honestly in the Imperial Academy? It’s strange. Maybe I’m judging others by my own villainous nature, but…..”

When Liu Zhenqing said this, his eyes darkened. “I once saw my grandfather punish a shopkeeper in the chamber of commerce, and one thing was talked about at that time. There were exam questions when the chamber of commerce was about to select accountants, and the shopkeeper was greedy for money, so he gathered those people who came to seek employment in advance. He asked them for money to help them train, then secretly gave them answers to the different questions according to the amount of money they contributed. It was discovered at that time that the shopkeeper even quibbled that he only happened to guess similar questions. In fact, after finding out the test questions, he had changed the numbers slightly so that those people knew how to calculate them in advance. Don’t you think this is very similar?”

Liu Zhenqing told this as if it was a funny story, but everyone fell silent.

It had never been discovered, they only had second-level students at most, and they only accepted rich and powerful students. Based on these three points, one could basically guess the pattern of cheating.

And after Liu Zhenqing systematically listed his thoughts, it seemed that these matters were pretty much inseparable.

Liu Xiaozhu’s multiple near-death experiences, his engagement to Jiang Zi’er, her father being the Minister of Rites, and the Ministry of Rites being responsible for the Imperial Examinations…..Liu Zhenqing had never believed in coincidences.

But he still didn’t understand why he had to be targeted. Was it just because Rong Shiming was particularly vicious?

But Liu Zhenqing didn’t bother to think too hard about it. Anyway, that was basically it. The information that needed to be given was given, and the rest was left to them.

Liu Zhenqing’s few breezy words caused He Lan and Qin Yu to feel as if they had been struck by lightning, and the look in their eyes shifted. The two glanced at each other, probably already eyeing this Imperial Examination.

And for Liu Zhenqing, meddling in the affairs of others this time could be regarded as getting revenge on behalf of Liu Xiaozhu.

Because he was thinking about and interfering in a lot of things that he shouldn’t interfere in, Liu Zhenqing became a little absent-minded. When he finished eating the food in his bowl, he was about to pick up a piece of fish when he saw that there was a very flat fish on the plate in the upper righthand corner. The fish was very soft, without any bones supporting it.

In the past, when there was fish on the table, there would be a small plate like this and a steady stream of boneless fish meat would be spread on it.

When he, Huo Feihan, and Li Xingruo were chatting animatedly, they didn’t need to worry about fish bones at all. Everyone ate the fish happily.

This scene felt just like those days, and was so familiar that Liu Zhenqing fell into a trance. On instinct, he picked up the fish on the plate and casually stuffed it into his mouth.

En, it was delicious. As expected, there were no fish bones at all and it was very smooth. He needed it to replenish his brainpower.

This fish was done well.

One mouthful, two mouthfuls, three mouthfuls…..then two very obvious gasps woke Liu Zhenqing up.

Liu Zhenqing froze, choking on the fish meat in his mouth. He coughed violently for a moment, and then looked tremblingly to the right at the chopsticks in his frozen hand. Huo Fenglie’s gaze was heavy.

The plate of fish seemed to be closer to Huo Fenglie. Hadn’t he asked for an extra?

Had he removed the fish bones piece by piece?

This was Huo Fenglie’s habit when eating fish. Qin Yu and He Lan had long been accustomed to it. Every time, he would remove a whole plate of fish meat and then eat it slowly, so they always thought that Huo Fenglie must have obsessive tendencies in this area. Maybe he got a fish bone stuck in his throat as a child and got frightened, so he developed this habit.

They had sat at the same table with Huo Fenglie countless times, and had never seen anyone dare to snatch food from the tiger’s mouth.

He still wouldn’t admit that he wanted to eat swan meat, but he even stuck his chopsticks into the other person’s bowl. What were his intentions?

Liu Zhenqing: Will anyone believe me if I say I didn’t mean to? Can I spit it out?

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Chapter Thirteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifteen