116 Order of Honoring the Marquis of Tai'an
◎Huo Yan: If you really don't mean it...◎
The heavy palace gate slowly closed behind him, making a dull sound. Huo Yan walked alone on the long corridor between the towering walls of Weiyang Palace.
The wind from late winter to early spring, carrying with it the remaining chill, scraped across his exposed snow-white neck and earlobes like a knife.
As dusk fell, the light from the sky was squeezed into a bleak grayish-white stripe at the top of the palace wall.
Every word Liu Che spoke was like a red-hot iron, burning his heart. It was painful yet also carried a strange, terrifying temptation.
He thought about Liu Che's words.
"You will be in charge of this case. Zhongqing, I will summon him to accompany me in two days to Hedong for the spring hunting tour and to inspect the newly built canal. He does not need to know the details of this matter."
The emperor paused, then suddenly touched his head and said, "I will keep this gift in my possession and will not distribute it to you brothers. You brothers can do whatever you want with it."
These words kept echoing in Huo Yan's mind, and the temptation was still there.
Not only did Liu Che hand over the power of disposal to him, he also considerately removed his uncle, a potentially hindrance to his actions! This meant he could go all out and thoroughly cleanse and reshape the Wei family!
A chill mixed with burning ambition and a subtle feeling of relief rushed from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.
Huo Yan subconsciously clenched the file in his sleeve.
Ambition roared. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Perhaps from now on, it would be his turn to clean up and steer the ship of the Wei family!
But the face of my aunt Wei Junru, who always wore a gentle smile, appeared before my eyes uncontrollably, tinged with sadness...
No matter how much Gongsun Jingsheng deserves to die, he is still her own son!
I want both.
Huo Yan felt that he was greedy.
The barrage of comments has been flooding the screen since the beginning.
[Co-management + Tour + Staying in China! Liu Yezhu has become a man and paved the way! Go ahead, kid!]
[My uncle was sent away. Liu Che really had nothing to say to him!]
[Alas, the pig's conscience has ten dou, Zizi and Bingbing each have three dou, and my uncle alone has six dou. The world owes two dou.]
…
Huo Yan's fingertips unconsciously stroked the cold cracks in the palace bricks. He admitted that he was greedy, but he didn't think he was wrong.
He wanted to seize power! He wanted to eliminate the parasites! But he had to protect his aunt's life...
At least, make her look respectable.
At least, her dignity should be preserved, so that she can continue to have food and clothing without worries, and she can wear gorgeous hats and fine clothes and continue to live in Chang'an.
When he does it, he will clean it thoroughly and completely.
When he finally returned to the Huo Mansion in the thick night, the huge goose and fish-shaped copper lamps hanging in front of the gate had already been lit one after another. The orange-yellow flames illuminated the vermilion lacquered gate and the two stone evil-repelling statues in front of the gate as if it were daylight, dispelling the surrounding darkness and being so brilliant that it was almost luxurious.
Huo Yan walked back home along the zigzagging path paved with bluestone, his footsteps making a slight sound. Beside the path, a giant goose-and-fish-tail lantern, its light emitting orange flames from the finest oil, danced within its lamp.
The servants were busy holding a small lamp to lead the way for him. He took the lamp and the housekeeper immediately handed him a note, which was a letter from his aunt.
Huo Yan raised an eyebrow, "Where is the Lord?"
The housekeeper shook his head. "It arrived in the afternoon, and by then the Lord had taken his medicine and gone to sleep. Furthermore, the Lord had instructed that all letters regarding the Wei family's visitor be kept away from the Lord."
Huo Yan was satisfied, waved his hand, and walked towards the inner palace alone.
The light illuminated the path, its shadows dancing among the meticulously trimmed orchids and newly blooming peonies. The air was filled with the slightly scorched scent of burning lamp oil, mingled with the distinctly cool, damp air of nighttime vegetation. This brilliant, almost extravagant "daylight" transported him back to the banquets of the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion.
That year, he and his brother Huo Qubing huddled in the shadow of the pillars in the backyard, looking cautiously towards the brightly lit area.
There, their aunt's singing was beautiful.
The lights were bright, the banquet lasted until dawn, the wine glasses were clinking, and the people were well-dressed.
My uncle was in the dim light, with his hair tied up in a high ponytail. There was sweat on his forehead because he had come in in a hurry, but when he saw them, he just picked them up gently, his almond-shaped eyes slightly curved.
He paused imperceptibly, his figure casting a long shadow under the lamplight. His gaze swept across the courtyard, finally settling on a cluster of newly blossoming peonies. The Huo Mansion's courtyard, meticulously tended by Huo Yan, remained beautiful in every season. Under the lamplight, the large peony blossoms seemed drenched in flowing sunlight. Layers of petals formed, plump and full, their edges tinged with an intoxicating crimson, their core a vibrant, rosy red, emitting a delicate fragrance.
Huo Yan suddenly reached out, his hand swift and precise, his fingertips avoiding the sharp thorns. With a soft "click," he plucked one of the most magnificent and impeccably adorned flowers. The petals were soft and delicate to the touch, carrying the unique resilience and fragrance of life. They rested quietly in his porcelain-white palm, where calluses had formed on the knuckles of his index finger from years of writing.
As the lights flickered, it was hard to tell whether the flowers were more dazzling or the young man holding the flowers and smiling more charmingly.
The comments were no longer filled with melancholy, and the whole mood was instantly boiling.
[Ahhh! The baby is more beautiful than the flowers!]
[This hand! This flower! This composition! A divine scene!]
[What are you doing taking screenshots? Just staring! Hands-on treat!]
[What great taste, babe! This flower hairpin is perfect for your dark blue hair! A perfect match!]
[Nighttime stroll with flowers in hairpins!!!]
Huo Yan lowered his raven-feathered lashes, his expression focused with a strange, almost ritualistic intensity. He plucked several more petals, then, with undeniable grace and precision, used his slender fingers to slowly and meticulously peel off those petals that seemed to him to be slightly curled, or uneven in color, or slightly worn from the night dew. His movements were so smooth that not even a trace of the irritating flower juice stained his clean fingers.
Finally, the few peonies remaining on the top of the verdant branches were plump, flawless, and a breathtakingly red perfection. He held this bouquet, which he had "carved" with his own hands, up to his eyes, examining it carefully against the flickering lights, the light and shadow dancing in his smiling eyes.
After a moment, he finally raised the corners of his lips in satisfaction. His smile was clear and pure, with the unique pride of a young man. "This way, it looks better. It's better to give it to someone else."
Bright and a little childish, as if waiting for someone to praise.
If he wished to protect others, he would hold power. This brightly lit mansion, this power to take whatever he wanted, the Wei Huo he had carefully "trimmed" would surely present a more satisfactory appearance to him.
He was very satisfied.
He would be more satisfied when those damned people... disappeared completely.
[Yes, yes! If my son says it looks good, then it’s the best!]
[Yanbao's aesthetic ceiling! This flower has been elevated to new heights by your touch!]
[I'll protect this smile! Ahhh, Yanyan is so sweet!]
[As long as the baby is satisfied, the mother is satisfied!]
[Bao, who are you giving it to?]
Huo Yan handed the bouquet of flowers and the letter to the attendant, chuckling.
"Send it to my aunt, and tell her... the spring flowers are in full bloom, and I trimmed them a bit, so I'll give them to her as a gift."
After saying this, he delicately pulled out one of the most fully blossomed and proud rose-red buds and sent the attendant away. The attendant bowed in acceptance and hurriedly withdrew with the bouquet in his arms.
Huo Yan held the flower intact in his palm, feeling the flexible vitality of the petals and the fate that was about to be dominated by him with his fingertips.
Then, without stopping, he walked towards Huo Qubing's room with the flowers and steady steps.
In the main room of the east wing where Huo Qubing lived, the candles were still burning. Fine pine candles burned quietly on delicate bronze goose-foot lamp trays, emitting a warm, bright glow that illuminated the interior furnishings clearly: a hanging ring-handled sword, a half-open lacquered wooden armor box, and a few scattered military books and maps. The room was simple, unbelievably the residence of a champion marquis.
Huo Qubing lay sprawled on a low couch covered in thick felt, boredly flipping through a storybook. The air was filled with the cool, crisp fragrance of plum blossoms, Huo Yan's favorite scent.
Huo Qubing had just yawned, with a little water in the corner of his eyes, when he keenly caught the sound of very light footsteps coming from the corridor outside the door, as well as a very light orchid fragrance.
Without even thinking, without even raising his head, Huo Qubing said loudly towards the door with a lazy, nasal voice, as if he had just woken up, "Ayan, come in."
The door was pushed open silently, bringing in a cool night breeze that made the lamp flame sway slightly.
Huo Yan stood at the door in court robes, his tall and slender figure outlined by the candlelight, and he was holding a blooming rose-red peony in his hand.
Huo Qubing looked up and was not surprised at all, without even getting up.
"Find a place to do it yourself."
Huo Yan walked calmly into the warm and bright room. He glanced at the scroll in his brother's hand, which was obviously a vulgar storybook circulated in the market. Without saying much, he only said to the several maids and servants standing by, "All of you go out. Do not enter unless you are called."
Everyone silently retreated, filed out, and gently closed the door.
Huo Qubing put down the storybook, remaining silent. His sharp eyes caught sight of the flower in Huo Yan's palm, and his eyebrows raised slightly. He was about to tease his younger brother about when he had developed such a penchant for flirting, when the even stronger orchid fragrance reached his nose again, too distinct to ignore. He unconsciously rubbed the tip of his nose.
Huo Yan walked over to the bronze charcoal brazier in the center of the room and casually placed the solitary peony in his hand into an unused plain ceramic vase on the nearby table. The fine silver charcoal in the brazier burned brightly, emitting subtle crackling sounds and a warm atmosphere.
"Your Majesty gave me a golden elixir a while ago," Huo Qubing was the first to break the silence, his voice a bit casual, "He said that the young master had recently refined it, and if you eat it, you will ascend to heaven and achieve immortality. I don't like the young master's mysterious tricks, so I naturally declined it."
He said lightly, "But His Majesty said, and you've seen it too, that it's a good thing. He also said that if I'm worried, I can bring it back for you to see."
After saying that, he shook the brocade box in his hand, a smile appeared on his face, and his almond eyes curved slightly.
"I don't want it, but this pill is really beautiful. Come here and I'll give it to you."
Huo Yan, his back to him, paused slightly, almost imperceptibly, when he heard this. He didn't turn around, only humming indifferently, his voice calm and emotionless. "It's indeed good stuff, edible."
After saying that, he didn't even stop, but walked straight to the door, as if he just came in to put a flower.
Huo Qubing was startled, sat up straight, and was confused. "Ayan, why are you leaving right after you arrived?"
His younger brother's behavior today was really abnormal.
"You don't want to look at the pills anymore? What if I take them?"
Huo Yan didn't stop, his hand was already on the door bolt, and he said this without turning his head, with a barely perceptible hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Wait until I'm done washing up. You're wearing a body of agarwood, it stinks."
Before he finished speaking, he pushed the door open and walked out, disappearing into the darkening night outside. Only the orchid fragrance lingered at the door for a moment before being blown away by the night wind.
Huo Qubing stared at the empty doorway for a long moment before he uttered a "tsk" sound, his brows knitted in a strange, unsatisfied expression. "Where does it stink? He smells so good it's overwhelming... He never had this problem before."
He subconsciously lowered his head and sniffed the cuff of his sleeve, and a clear and familiar scent of plum blossoms entered his nostrils - this was exactly the incense that Huo Yan loved to inhale, and it was also the incense that the two brothers usually used.
A Yan is becoming more and more picky.
Huh?
Although the aristocrats nowadays love to smoke pepper and orchid incense, hasn't Ah Yan always disliked the strong smell and only smokes those that smell cool and fragrant?
When did he start to inhale this rich orchid fragrance?
Moreover… before, when burning incense, we would put the clothes of both of us in the same fumigation basket and burn them together. It was convenient and unified. But today, the orchid fragrance on my younger brother was clearly fumigated alone! I did it on purpose!
Years of habit, change it at any time! And spend more money!
He muttered, feeling a sense of loss at being excluded.
"My younger brother has changed. He doesn't give me anything anymore."
Why are we suddenly burning incense separately? Why not burn them together? Wouldn't it be easier?
Didn't they use to burn incense? It's just a matter of saying a word.
Once this thought arises, it entangles like a vine.
Huo Qubing sat up straight, his sharp eyes falling back on the open book on the couch.
The storybook told the now-popular melodramatic tales of true and false doubles and sibling rivalry. The more he read, the more he felt that the protagonist in the storybook, who left early and returned late, acted in a manner remarkably similar to Huo Yan today!
No explanation at all!
That's too much.
Could it be that Ayan found another brother outside?
There were already many people who wanted to be Ayan’s father, so it’s not surprising that he now has multiple brothers.
hateful!
no!
He straightened up and flipped through the book carefully. The more he read, the more he felt that it was almost certain.
He was so obsessed with leaving the golden elixir that was said to be so dazzling and beautiful that it seemed extraordinary to his younger brother to play with!
That golden elixir is really beautiful! It's golden and has a red glow!
Someone actually stole his younger brother!
No, he has to go find his uncle!
Huo Yan returned to his own clean room in the west wing. Warm water and clean clothes were already prepared. He dismissed his attendants and quickly removed his outer robe, long gown, and inner garments. The pile of clothing lay on the cold floor, and the orchid scented sachet he had worn for the occasion was particularly striking.
He stepped barefoot into the large lacquered wooden bathtub. The warm water wrapped around his body. He scooped up a handful of water and scrubbed his neck and wrists vigorously.
After bathing, he sniffed his whole body carefully until the orchid scent was gone, then he changed into soft white underwear and wrung out his long black hair with a cloth towel.
Then, expressionlessly, he dumped all his changed clothes, along with the orchid scent sachet, into the charcoal-burning incense burner outside the purification room. The orange-red flames instantly licked up, and the scent of burnt silk, mixed with the fragrance of orchid and agarwood, twisted and rose in the air, eventually reducing it to ash.
After doing all this, he changed into a casual moon-white deep-set robe, leaving no trace of stain on his body. Then he walked under the moonlight again towards his brother's east wing.
As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a snort!
The ending tone was dragged out very long, as if afraid that Huo Yan couldn't hear it.
Huo Yan paused, looked up, and wondered who had made his brother angry again.
Huo Qubing was still leaning on the low couch, no longer reading the book in his hand, but staring at him. When he saw him looking at him, he immediately turned his head away and snorted loudly and even more forcefully.
Huo Yan was very perceptive and understood immediately.
Oh, this annoyed him.
He glanced at Huo Qubing's expression, walked to another small couch covered with a brocade cushion opposite the low couch, and prepared to sit down.
Before my butt touched the brocade cushion, I heard another louder "Hmph!"
Huo Yan: ...
Huo Yan stood up subconsciously.
Stop sitting and stop humming.
The two brothers get along well. Huo Yan has been sensitive and thoughtful since childhood, so he tends to be a little naughty but easy to coax. If he gets into a fight, his brother can usually comfort him with a few words.
Huo Qubing, on the other hand, was a completely different person. He was generous and open-minded, never rambling when it came to action. His occasional chatter was often sarcastic and taunting, but he rarely got truly angry. In Huo Yan's mind, his brother was a younger brother, a filter eight hundred meters thick. Everything he did seemed perfectly acceptable to him. Therefore, even though Huo Yan knew his brother was angry, he had little recourse.
Because his brother wasn't angry with him at all.
They are twins, so they should be easy to please.
The reality was quite the opposite. His brother, while outwardly a cool, taciturn, and decisive figure, was actually a spoiled little prince. From a young age, he needed coaxing when taking medicine, praise for his martial arts skills, and even the sight of a curious dog on the street would have him drag his younger brother along to watch it for a long time. After all, he was a young noble, had illustrious military exploits, and was a favorite of the emperor. His uncle, mother, and even Huo Yan doted on him. According to the comments, he was "generous from a young age, but could be quite spoiled at times, a demanding sweetheart."
So he usually doesn't get angry, but when he gets angry he can be deadly.
As expected, seeing that Huo Yan not only didn't immediately offer comfort, but also had an air of bewildered innocence, as if to say, "I know you're angry, but I don't know why," Huo Qubing was displeased and snorted again, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on and its fur had stood up. His muscular body was flowing, his joints well-proportioned and powerful, giving him a slender, unweakened appearance. He sat there, unlike the slouched, bloated generals around him. At this moment, slightly tense with irritation, he exuded a sense of power poised for action, like an elegant yet dangerous cheetah or a large bird of prey.
He didn't say anything, but just stared at Huo Yan accusingly with his beautiful almond-shaped eyes.
Huo Yan didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at his angry look, and couldn't help but curl up the corners of his lips, and silently praised him in his heart.
Liu Che really knows how to name a child, "Piao Yao", which means agile, brave, and incredibly beautiful. Doesn't his brother look like a pissed-off little hawk with ruffled feathers and a fuming temper?
Huo Qubing pursed his lips. He was known for his patience, remaining steady as a rock even in ambushes on the battlefield for days and nights. But when it came to Huo Yan, his prideful composure vanished, and he always wanted to speak first. He knew that if he didn't, his ever-thinking younger brother would probably think of something.
"Huo Ayan!" Huo Qubing finally couldn't hold it in any longer, his voice filled with grievance and questioning of being ignored, "Do you have another brother outside?"
???
These words were like thunderclaps from a clear sky, instantly freezing the faint smile on Huo Yan's face. His entire face was filled with disbelief and bewilderment. He blinked, as if he hadn't heard clearly.
"What?"
"No," he answered subconsciously in shock, then felt it was ridiculous. "There are a few who recognize their father, but no one who recognizes their brother... really."
His body tensed up, and he paused, remembering those who had tried to adopt him as their adopted son. His tone took on a touch of his usual gentleness, "I have no father, but my brother is the best brother in the world, one of a kind."
"Are you tired, brother?"
He smiled gently, "Do you want to get some sleep first?"
[Ayan: Stop saying these hurtful things that hurt me!]
[Ah Yan: Oh my god, my brother doesn’t want me anymore?!]
[Hahaha, this one sentence broke Ah Yan's defense.]
[My baby is about to break! His smile is so creepy.]
Sweet words! Flattering words!
Huo Qubing hummed in his heart, but his younger brother's words "the best brother in the world" made his heart feel itchy as if it was scratched by a feather.
But the tip of his nose seemed to still linger with that abominable orchid scent, reminding him of his younger brother's abnormality! If it weren't for his sharp nose, who knows how long he would have been kept in the dark!
"Don't hide it." Huo Qubing raised his chin and pointed at the scroll. "It's all written in the scroll! You just want to find a fake brother!"
The more he spoke, the more he felt like he had uncovered the truth. He was completely out of his mind, and he wanted to use all of Huo Yan's abnormal behavior today as ironclad evidence that he disliked him. "You're going too far! We used to burn incense together! We even gave our clothes the same smell! You said you were frugal, but now you're secretly changing the incense yourself! And you're hiding it from me! Do you dislike me?"
He said the last sentence anxiously and angrily, and it was obvious that he could not accept it.
"You won't kiss me anymore, you bastard!"
At this moment, the barrage of comments also flew along with Huo Qubing's imagination.
[Pfft! Your train of thought is so wrong! I'm dying of laughter!]
[It must be His Majesty's incense, ah, idiot brother! Zizi just went to see Liu Yezhu!]
[He just dislikes Liu Yezhu!]
[Why are you feeling wronged? When he was a kid, he even rolled in mud puddles with you.]
Wild thoughts! Wild actions!
But... this is his brother.
Huo Yan looked at Huo Qubing's almond-shaped eyes that seemed particularly bright due to excitement, and his cheeks that were slightly puffed up with dissatisfaction. The haze in his heart brought by Liu Che was strangely dispelled a little.
At least, his brother still had the energy to quarrel with him and was still lively and talking nonsense, which was a thousand times better than being bedridden and dying.
Huo Yan felt that they were just performing those popular operas in the market.
He had originally planned to discuss with his brother how to deal with the list and how to respond to possible counterattacks when he returned, but now he had more important things to do, which was to coax his brother.
Huo Yan patiently praised him, from "My brother is wise and brave, unparalleled in the world" to "My love for you is evident to all", and from "I often accompany Your Majesty to meals" to "I will definitely go back early to pick you up next time". His words became hoarse, and after pouring a glass of warm water and sipping it in small sips, Huo Qubing reluctantly hummed from his nose, which showed that he was temporarily satisfied, but there was still a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
"Don't let your imagination run wild." Huo Yan put down the cup and walked to Huo Qu's bedside. He reached out and gently patted his strong arm, his gesture soothing. "I won't smoke anymore. From now on, I won't smoke anymore."
Huo Qubing narrowed his almond-shaped eyes slightly.
"But I think you must be hiding something from me."
Huo Yan paused, his tone unusually serious. "I don't dislike you, brother," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I think the word dislike, when used in connection with you, brother, is inappropriate."
Huo Qubing was so delighted by the coaxing that the corners of his lips couldn't help but rise.
"I've always been slow to express myself," Huo Yan laughed, and then added, "I probably have many fathers, but a brother is always a brother."
He curved his eyebrows, just as Huo Qubing often said when he was little, "Bingbing and I are the best friends in the world."
Little Qubing, so cute.
The boy is cured of his illness and is adorable.
Young people are free from diseases and are lovely.
The best brother who protected him the most was Qubing!
Huo Qubing was so delighted by his younger brother's straightforward and serious words that the grievance and bitterness he felt disappeared in an instant. The corners of his lips could not help but curl up, and he couldn't suppress it anymore. His cheeks, which were puffed up just now, softened, like a big cat that felt comfortable after its fur was stroked.
"Ah Yan," Huo Qubing's voice softened, carrying a hint of anticipation. "You should say this more often. I like to hear it. Because when you say this," he paused, looking back at Huo Yan seriously, "I'm very happy. I always say that Ah Yan is the best younger brother in the world."
He raised his chin, "Everyone in the world knows!"
Huo Yan looked at his brother's expression which suddenly changed from gloomy to cheerful and couldn't help laughing for a moment.
But I felt inexplicably happy.
"How about," he coughed, trying to change the subject, pointing to the melodramatic storybook, "try another one? This one is really... inappropriate."
Huo Qubing refused to give in. He moved his seat excitedly and patted the empty seat beside him. "I don't want to read anything new! Ah Yan, come and read this paragraph. It's very interesting! Come quickly!"
He pushed the storybook towards Huo Yan as if he was presenting a treasure.
Huo Yan looked at his brother's bright eyes full of desire to share, sighed, and walked over reluctantly as he was told. He also imitated him and lay down on the other side of the couch in an unruly manner, and got closer to read the storybook.
Under the light, the two brothers stood head to head, but the golden elixir on Huo Qubing's desk flew away easily.
Unlike the Huo Mansion, the residence of Grand Coachman Gongsun He was now shrouded in dead silence and despair.
Ever since Tian Ru was forcibly dragged away from his mansion by the ferocious embroidered messenger and thrown into the Supreme Court Prison, and Gongsun Jingsheng was imprisoned at home by His Majesty, Gongsun He had no idea how many sleepless nights he had endured.
The study was brightly lit, but the bone-chilling cold couldn't be dispelled. He looked haggard, his eyes a dark shadow, and he was lost in thought, staring at several unfolded scrolls of bamboo slips, a single word of which he couldn't decipher.
The Empress had sent a cryptic message, suggesting he quickly seek help from General Wei Qing. But His Majesty, as if seeing through everything, imprisoned him at home with a single order.
But now, apart from the general, who else can save his ignorant son?
Wei Junru sat at a small table nearby, mechanically grinding ink for her husband. The inkstone scraped across the delicate inkstone, making a monotonous rustling sound. A thick layer of anxiety and fear hung between her brows, her face pale as paper. She hesitated several times to speak. Finally, unable to resist, she paused, her voice trembling uncontrollably as she whispered, "My dear..."
Gongsun He snapped back to his senses, as if stung by the call. He grasped his wife's cold, trembling hand with such force that he nearly crushed her finger bones. In the suffocating silence, the couple huddled together, like two birds trembling before a storm, clinging to each other.
At this moment, the servant of the Huo Mansion quietly arrived with the bouquet of flawless peonies that had been carefully "corrected".
The attendant respectfully presented the bouquet and relayed Huo Yan's words verbatim, "My lord, Madam, I have read the letter from Marquis Tai'an. This is for Madam. He said that spring flowers are in full bloom, and these are quite good. I'll trim them a little and they'll add some elegance to Madam's desk to relieve her boredom."
A pot of bright, dazzling red peonies was placed in a jade vase. Under the dim light, the edges of the petals were meticulously trimmed into smooth curves, and the plump posture was flawless.
This flower has no broken petals.
The Wei family doesn't need a beast.
Huo Yan’s meaning was clear.
Wei Junru stared at the pot of flowers in a daze, tears welling up in her eyes without warning, falling heavily on the back of her tightly clenched, ink-stained hands.
"Ayan..." Wei Junru's voice was broken and filled with endless sadness, "He... he said 'kill'..."
This flower, this posture, all indicate Huo Yan's cold determination.
Gongsun Jingsheng was already a withered flower that he had to get rid of as soon as possible.
"Don't cry, Madam!" Gongsun He had never seen his wife cry so bitterly before. His heart was broken. He quickly took his wife's trembling body into his arms, patted her back clumsily, and comforted her in a hoarse voice, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow morning I will find a way to ask Qubing for help! Qubing is a man of deep affection, he will definitely not sit idly by! You are not in good health, don't be sad anymore, take care of yourself..."
His words were so weak that he couldn't even convince himself.
Asking Huo Qubing for help? Isn't Huo Yan's intention the same as what they brothers wanted?
Besides, he couldn't get out. If he did, the general would know.
This bouquet of flowers is not a graceful gesture, but Huo Yan's final respectful announcement to the couple.
Gongsun Jingsheng, he took over.
And he will kill.
Despair, like an icy tide, completely flooded Gongsun He's heart. He hugged his wife tightly, tears welling in his eyes.
Liu Che said to take Wei Qing away, so he took Wei Qing away.
Five days later, the emperor went on a tour and the general rode on it.
Banners and banners obscured the sky, and the ceremonial procession was imposing. The resplendent carriage, brimming with gold and jade, gleamed in the chill of early spring morning light. The procession stretched for several hundred meters, and the entire court, civil and military officials, prostrated themselves on the ground. Liu Che, lacking the proper dignity expected of an emperor, practically half-leaned against Wei Qing beside him. Wei Qing's expression was calm, and his slender fingers were picking up a warm, pitted candied date from a jade tray held by a waiter. He casually offered it to Liu Che's lips.
Huo Yan looked at the Emperor, practically clinging to Wei Qing on the palanquin, and the general calmly feeding him as if he were feeding a pig. A vein in his forehead throbbed imperceptibly. He silently averted his gaze, scanning the people kneeling around him, afraid to look directly at the Emperor.
Once again, a thought came to his mind with great clarity: he and this group of people were redundant at this moment.
What a tyrant!
She actually forced her virtuous uncle to become a concubine!
Huo Yan engraved this outrageous comment in his heart with an expressionless face.
Huo Qubing, standing by, was clearly accustomed to this scene, even numb to it. Only after the magnificent procession, stretching for hundreds of miles, finally disappeared into the dust outside Zhangcheng Gate did he withdraw his gaze. Turning his head, he whispered to Huo Yan, his tone tinged with understanding, "Ah Yan, now you understand why your uncle always compared our writings to His Majesty's, and always managed to praise His Majesty to such an extent, right?"
My uncle just has no temper with Your Majesty.
Huo Yan's mouth twitched imperceptibly, memories of his uncle Wei Qing forcing him to believe that his majesty was a genius and a brilliant writer flooding back. He cleared his throat, only to let out a short, suppressed cough.
The "hatred" towards Liu Che in my heart increased even more.
Annoying dead thing.
Seeing his expression, Huo Qubing couldn't help but laugh and continued, "Then do you know why, after I gave up literature and practiced martial arts to focus on military strategy, my uncle could no longer praise Your Majesty in good conscience."
Huo Yan didn't even raise his eyelids. His voice was calm, but every word was sharp as a knife. "That would require...his Majesty to truly praise him."
Did Liu Che have any military talent? He could barely match this half-baked "paper strategist" against him. Without the two peerless weapons of his uncle Wei Qing and brother Huo Qubing, Liu Che would probably have been no match for him on the battlefield.
Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing could no longer hold back, and his hearty laughter instantly broke the solemn silence in front of the palace gate, attracting the attention of the soldiers on duty in the distance.
"Hahaha! Exactly!" He patted his younger brother's shoulder vigorously, his eyes flashing with mischief and pride. "I told you to learn the art of war. At least on this path, your uncle really can't lie with his eyes open anymore!"
Huo Yan: ...
I remember the class we took together, and then you rode away so fast that I couldn't tell east from west.
Damn it, it’s all Liu Che’s fault!
The emperor and the general left the capital, and Huo Qubing, as the Grand Marshal and General of Cavalry, the third in command of the country, rightfully took on the responsibility of regent.
At the court meeting in the Xuanshi Hall, he sat high on a seat temporarily set up beside the imperial throne, dressed in crimson court robes and with a stern expression. Facing the ministers below who were either harboring ulterior motives or trembling with fear, he spoke concisely and handled government affairs like cutting through the Gordian knot with astonishing efficiency.
There was no extra expression on that handsome face, as if it was a precision-operated machine, and he once again acted as the "donkey" supporting the court with an expressionless face.
Huo Yan also made his move. He knew full well that the longer the night, the more dreams there are. The opportunity was fleeting. On the afternoon of the day when Liu Che's procession left the capital, Gongsun Jingsheng, who had been imprisoned deep in the Imperial Household and had been isolated from the outside world for many days, saw this uninvited guest.
A deathly silence fell within the Imperial Household's residence. The embroidered messengers brought by Huo Yan, like ghosts, took over the residence, both inside and outside. All the servants were hushed, even their breathing was carefully restrained. The side courtyard where Gongsun Jingsheng was imprisoned was heavily guarded, and not even a bird could sneak in silently.
Huo Yan pushed the door open and walked in, his steps calm, as if he was just visiting an ordinary cousin. The room was dimly lit and filled with a damp and musty smell.
Gongsun Jingsheng had already been frightened to the point of being emaciated, curled up in bed. When he heard the door open, he suddenly looked up. After seeing who was coming, his cloudy eyes instantly burst into deep hatred and a hint of dying madness.
Huo Yan didn't exchange pleasantries, nor did he even sit down. He walked straight up to Gongsun Jingsheng, looking down at his once arrogant cousin, now a helpless and helpless one. A shadow loomed, bringing with it a tremendous, invisible pressure.
"Who ordered this?" He spoke, his voice not loud but cutting straight to the point.
He was asking about the deeper forces behind the military rations case, those who took advantage of Gongsun Jingsheng's greed and tried to shake Wei Huo's foundation.
Gongsun Jingsheng was stunned at first, then he let out a hoarse, piercing laugh. The sound was like the straining of an old bellows, filled with mockery and despair. "Ordering? Hahahaha! Huo Yan! Are you here to send me off?"
Huo Yan nodded, "I'm here to kill you."
Gongsun Jingsheng struggled to stand, but stumbled due to weakness and could only hold on to the cold wall. He laughed so hard at the words, as if he had heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. "That's right! Only you! Only a heartless, cold-blooded monster like you could do such a cruel thing to your own cousin!"
His laughter suddenly rose to a pitch of hysterical madness, as if he was going to laugh his lungs out.
Huo Yan stood quietly, letting the laughter filled with malicious curses echo through the room. It wasn't until Gongsun Jingsheng's laughter wore him out and he began coughing violently that he expressionlessly pulled a scroll of written silk petition from his wide sleeves and, with a thud, tossed it onto the table in front of Gongsun Jingsheng.
"Sign it! You've done this alone, bringing disaster to your entire clan." His voice remained calm. "Give me the culprit, and I'll kill you alone."
This was the last condition he gave, and also the last bit of dignity he could gain for his aunt Wei Junru.
Gongsun Jingsheng's laughter abruptly stopped. He stared at the scroll, as if it were his own death warrant. He suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Huo Yan, his face twisted into a sinister grin, as if he had grasped at a lifeline.
"Are you scared? Huo Yan! You're scared! You're also afraid that after I die, my mother will hate you to the core! Hate you, the executioner who killed her son with her own hands! Right?"
At this moment, he seemed to be driven by the fear of death to become more intelligent than ever before.
"As long as you don't kill me! Find someone to take my place, my mother will actually be grateful to you!"
Huo Yan's pupils shrank slightly, and a hint of disgust flashed across his face, but his face remained calm.
"I don't want to, and I don't need to." He took a step forward. "You are not qualified to negotiate with me. If you tell me, I will ensure your mother and father are rich and prosperous. If you don't, I will kill them too."
Seeing this, Gongsun Jingsheng became even more proud, his voice shrill with excitement. "So whether I say it or not, you're going to kill me! Why should I let you off easy? Why should I let you kill just me? I'm going to drag a few more people down with me! Let them also have a taste of the underworld! Hahahaha!"
The wild laughter sounded again, filled with resentment and a twisted sense of revenge, and there was naked jealousy in his eyes.
"Bang!"
A muffled sound!
Before Gongsun Jingsheng could finish his words, Huo Yan had already stepped forward, and with one of his bony hands, he tightly grasped Gongsun Jingsheng's throat like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue!
The enormous force threw him hard against the cold wall behind him!
"Well--!"
Gongsun Jingsheng's laughter was strangled in his throat, leaving only the painful sound of suffocation, and his eyeballs bulged due to lack of oxygen.
Huo Yan's handsome, gentle face, renowned throughout Chang'an, now stood only inches from Gongsun Jingsheng's. Within those eyes, always gentle and smiling, now swirled an uncontrollable fury and murderous intent, like a volcano about to erupt, threatening to incinerate the person before him!
"Speak! No! Speak!"
Huo Yan squeezed out three words from between his teeth, each one tinged with the smell of blood. The knuckles of the fingers gripping his throat turned white from the force.
Cover the lower half of his face and you'll notice he's not smiling.
Gongsun Jingsheng's face quickly turned from red to purple, the fear of death finally gripping him completely. Yet, amidst the extreme suffocation, he grinned, revealing an extremely strange and resentful smile, and hissed intermittently, "As expected, you are a monster! Heartless, ruthless... Who in this world is more suitable to be a powerful official than you!"
Huo Yan's eyes were filled with even more violence. He suddenly grabbed Gongsun Jingsheng's head and slammed it hard against the earth wall behind him!
"Bang!"
There was another muffled sound, and dust fell.
"Even if you don't tell me, I will check it out!"
Huo Yan's voice was icy cold and his posture was calm.
“Haha…cough…hahaha!”
Gongsun Jingsheng's head was covered in blood, with a large gash on his forehead. Blood trickled down his cheek, but he continued to laugh wildly, as if he couldn't feel the pain. "You know better than me, cousin."
He suddenly stretched out his blood-stained and dusty hand, trembling, and with an eerie tenderness, he tried to touch Huo Yan's cheek, which was so close to him. "That... gambling house... is... yours! Right?! The gambling house that scared me is yours. You treat me like a toy."
Huo Yan flung his hand away as if touched by a venomous snake, the force so great that Gongsun Jingsheng slammed into the wall again. He quickly stepped back, wiping his cheek with the sleeve of his other hand in disgust, as if trying to wipe away something extremely filthy.
"Why are you touching me?"
Gongsun Jingsheng seemed to be immersed in his own world, tears mixed with blood flowed down his face, but he still maintained that crazy smile.
"Admit it, Huo Yan! You've wanted to kill me for a long time! The way you look at me is always like looking at a disgusting bug! I hate you so much! I wish I could eat your flesh and drink your blood!"
Huo Yan stopped wiping and looked at him coldly. An indescribable complexity flashed through the depths of his violent eyes, ultimately fading into a frozen indifference. He parted his thin lips and uttered a single word.
"Um."
There was nothing to hide, so he admitted his disgust.
Gongsun Jingsheng was pinned to the spot by that "hmm." The wild laughter on his face finally froze, leaving only boundless sadness and despair. He leaned against the wall, his head bleeding, his breath barely surviving, yet he still struggled.
"You're so heartless! Do you think everyone in this world is just a bug, except Huo Qubing? Hahaha!" His laughter was as shrill as an owl's at night, and he couldn't help but touch Huo Yan, as if touching his own image. "When I was young, I really admired you and him, like looking up at the sun in the sky. But later I hated you."
"Why?! Why do you two enjoy the emperor's favor? Why are you so talented and brilliant? Why did your river management move Chang'an, and everyone praised your name, Lord Huo? Why did my cousin Qubing become a marquis at a young age, intimidating the Xiongnu and reaching the highest position in the government at a young age?! Why have I accomplished nothing and can only live in your shadow, becoming an annoying playboy?!"
"Why? Why? Are you annoying!" Huo Yan's patience was finally exhausted by this endless resentment. He suddenly interrupted Gongsun Jingsheng's accusation, his voice full of annoyance, "Hurry up and speak! I don't want to hear this useless nonsense!"
He took a step forward with a murderous look in his eyes.
Perhaps it was a last burst of energy, or perhaps it was a dying struggle, but a fierce light flashed in Gongsun Jingsheng's eyes, and he took out a hidden, rusty dagger from somewhere, and with all the remaining strength in his body, he stabbed it fiercely at Huo Yan's heart!
“Go to hell!”
Huo Yan's eyes glared, and his reaction was as fast as lightning! He didn't even step back, but raised his foot with incredible swiftness and kicked Gongsun Jingsheng's wrist with incredible precision!
“Crack!”
A teeth-grinding sound of bones cracking was heard!
"ah--!"
Gongsun Jingsheng howled miserably, and the dagger flew out of his hand, landing on the ground with a clang.
Huo Yan's eyes were filled with anger. He flexed his wrist, making a slight cracking sound. He took a step forward, and as Gongsun Jingsheng flinched in pain, he raised his fist, whistling in the wind, and struck him in the face.
"It's your blessing that I'm still willing to look at you!"
"Why? What's the reason? If you're jealous, then come over and compete with us. While you're strolling around the garden and listening to music, I'm studying. What makes you think you can be better than me?"
"If you have the guts to do something so unscrupulous that it harms the country and its people, then don't implicate others! And don't let me clean up your mess!"
Huo Yan's voice was deep and furious, his long-suppressed rage finally erupting. He cursed fiercely as he delivered another vicious uppercut to Gongsun Jingsheng's abdomen.
"Do you know that if I hadn't wanted to save your mother and preserve her last bit of dignity, I would have chopped you to pieces long ago!" Huo Yan grabbed Gongsun Jingsheng by the collar, half-lifted him up, and stared at his face twisted in pain, his eyes filled with anger and disgust. "What have you done!"
Gongsun Jingsheng was beaten so hard that blood gushed from his mouth and nose, and his consciousness was hazy. But when he heard the word "mother," tears suddenly rolled down his cloudy eyes, mixing with blood and making him look miserable. He sobbed, his voice intermittent. "Whether I tell you or not, you will protect her, and you will protect me too, right? You are Huo Yan, you can do anything..."
He was spoiled, but he knew that as long as Huo Yan was in charge of the matter, he would have a way to deal with it.
His cousin Ayan can not only save his mother, but also save him.
He has been omnipotent since he was young.
"I won't save your life!" Huo Yan slapped Gongsun Jingsheng again, knocking his head to the side. "Do you know what you've done? You embezzled the life-saving rations of the soldiers at the border! The wages of the civilians who died of starvation and freezing in the cold winter! You colluded with profiteers to resell military equipment, causing countless men who should have returned victorious to die under the arrows of the Huns because of their broken swords and armor! If your deeds were to spread, your mother! The eldest daughter of the Wei family! Would be drowned in the spit of the world! Would she be stabbed in the back for the rest of her life! Do you understand?"
Huo Yan's voice was hoarse with heartache. He slammed Gongsun Jingsheng to the ground, gasping for air himself. He looked at his cousin, twitching like a pile of mud, his eyes closed in agony. When he opened them again, only fatigue and a deep sense of powerlessness remained. He bent down and picked up the blood-stained complaint from the ground, smiling bitterly, his voice so low it seemed like he was talking to himself.
"If I continue to suppress this, covering it up for you, and saving your reputation, I'm actually... already feeling guilty towards the civilians who died because of you, and their heartbroken mothers. Everyone says that one person is responsible for their own actions, but you've done such evil, aren't you guilty of favoritism and connivance? Today, out of my own selfish interests, for my aunt, I'm suppressing this matter to preserve her reputation. This isn't fair to the mothers who lost their sons. But this is all I can do."
Gongsun Jingsheng lay on the ground, gasping for breath. When he heard Huo Yan's words, instead of regret, his eyes flashed with a last shred of twisted pride and resentment. He struggled to raise his head, spitting blood and gritting his teeth, "Hypocrisy! Hypocrisy!"
"You've forgotten that you and I are royal descendants, relatives of the emperor! They are just lowly people whose lives are worthless! It's their honor to die for us. How can they be compared with me and my noble mother!"
This sentence was like the last straw that completely crushed the hesitation in Huo Yan's heart caused by family affection.
In just a few years, I have forgotten the way I came and forgotten my humble heart.
The Wei family must be cured!
Huo Yan's eyes instantly hardened. He slowly stood up and looked down at Gongsun Jingsheng, the way he looked at a corpse.
"There's no point in saying more. I'll investigate on my own." His voice was eerily calm, with a sense of finality. "You, go to hell."
After saying this, he didn't even glance at Gongsun Jingsheng, but turned and walked out the door with a resolute look. The leader of the embroidered envoys standing at the door immediately bowed, holding a small, unassuming black pottery bottle in his hand.
Huo Yan didn't stop, but just said coldly, "Kill."
"Yes!" The leader of the embroidered-robed envoys took the order and walked into the cell with an expressionless face, accompanied by two of his wolf-like and ferocious subordinates.
"No! Cousin! Cousin! Wait! I'll tell you! I'll tell you!" Gongsun Jingsheng stared at the approaching black pottery bottle. The fear of death finally overwhelmed everything. He let out a shrill wail and struggled to crawl forward, trying to grab the corner of Huo Yan's departing clothes. "It was Li Cai! It was Prime Minister Li Cai! He hinted to me! It was his people who pulled the strings! Cousin! Protect me! Cousin!"
At the last moment, he finally called out a name.
Huo Yan's footsteps paused imperceptibly at the door. With his back to the house, no one could see the expression on his face. He didn't turn around, nor did he respond. He simply crossed the threshold indifferently and without hesitation.
"Pour it in!" The cold voice of the leader of the embroidered envoys and Gongsun Jingsheng's heart-wrenching cries and struggles were blocked by the heavy wooden door behind them.
Huo Yan stood in the courtyard, the cold spring breeze ruffling his dark robes. He tilted his head back slightly, closed his eyes, and a smile played on his lips.
He really seemed to feel nothing, and even felt happy.
He deserves it.
At that moment, a stumbling, hurried sound of footsteps approached from afar. Huo Yan opened his eyes to see his great aunt, Wei Junru, her hairpins and jewelry scattered, her shoes untouched. Barefoot and with her hair disheveled, she rushed towards him. Her thin silk stockings had been worn through the gravel and dust, oozing with blood. She rushed to Huo Yan, her face as pale as gold paper, her lips trembling violently. Her eyes, once filled with tenderness and love, were now filled with boundless despair.
She looked at Huo Yan, the child she had watched grow up, the child she had held in her arms and teased him, as if she were truly getting to know him for the first time. Silent tears welled up in her eyes.
"Your heart is so cruel, so cruel," her voice was broken and out of tune, each word was filled with tearful accusations, her body swaying as if she would collapse at any moment. "Ayan, no, you are not, you are not the little Ayan who would pull at my sleeve to ask for candy. You are, you are here to take my son's life, a monster."
Huo Yan looked at the blood on his aunt's bare feet and the despair in her eyes. His heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, the pain so intense that he could barely breathe. But his expression remained stern. He offered no explanation or comfort, simply whispering to the maid beside him, "Help the lady go back and rest. Take good care of her. If you disturb her again, you will be killed."
The voice was unmistakable.
After saying this, he no longer looked at Wei Junru's heartbroken eyes, turned around, and walked towards the front hall of the Taifu Mansion with steady steps but with a barely perceptible heaviness.
There, the distraught Gongsun He was waiting for him like a frightened bird.
Huo Yan placed a draft of a memorial he had already prepared in front of Gongsun He. His voice was cold and emotionless. "Write it. Submit a memorial of apology, confessing my poor parenting, detailing Gongsun Jingsheng's crimes, and implore Your Majesty to severely punish this rebellious son and uphold the laws of the land. I also request to be stripped of my title and dismissed from office, to reflect on my mistakes in seclusion, to protect the safety of the Imperial Household."
Every word was like a cold nail hammering into Gongsun He's heart.
Gongsun He looked at the draft, then at the young man before him, and his last shred of hope vanished. He picked up the pen with trembling hands, dipped it in ink, and with tears streaming down his face, he obediently signed his name on the memorial and affixed the seal of the Imperial Household.
"Your Honor... Your Honor..."
His voice was hoarse and dry, full of humiliation and resignation.
A few days later, news broke: Gongsun Jingsheng, son of Grand Coachman Gongsun He, had contracted a serious illness. Despite countless imperial prescriptions, he tragically passed away in his residence. His death was honorable, yet silent, like a stone dropped into a deep pond, stirring only a tiny ripple before quickly sinking.
【Author’s words】
Gongsun Jingsheng: I hate Huo Yan, but I know he is powerful.
A Yan: I’m actually quite happy when I think about killing him.
Qubing: My younger brother masturbated and died right under my nose. I blocked the news and covered it up. He didn't do anything bad, and he didn't recognize any brothers outside. My younger brother is the most well-behaved.
Uncle: Lost contact...
Liu Che: Manually disconnect Zhongqing...
Zifu: Ah Yan, please save me! Qubing, please save me!
Qubing: Busy. (By the way, I covered my brother’s ears.)
In Qubing's mind, it was acceptable to bypass judicial procedures and kill a few insignificant bad guys. After all, he believed in Gongyang School.
He has a very high filter for A Yan, and probably the only thing he can't accept is that A Yan has a different brother.
Ah Yan would never change his brother, so Qu Bing was not angry at all and completely protected him. Ah Zheng was most angry when he hit Xiu Ying with a sword, and then he was in great pain. Qu Bing was reluctant to hit him and immediately found a way out for his brother, covering up what he needed to cover up and taking his brother away when he needed to.
But I don’t know if you have noticed that Qubing is also a little crazy. Although he is very cute usually, he is actually very fierce and cruel.
Cough cough cough.
Ayan is a fake tiger and a real fox, and Qubing is the real tiger.
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