Chapter 52: Implementing the Law of Extreme Severity

  Hu Zhongren furrowed his brow upon hearing Liu Qingqing's words, "You think I'd let you take risks again? I listened to your words and used you as bait to rescue Zhenzhen, what was the result? Not only did you not get any leads on Zhenzhen, but you almost got yourself killed. Furthermore, Yang Liuqing has ulterior motives and malicious intentions towards you, how can you still be with him? If you want to see Yanyan, we can bring her to my Caishen Inn, I won't allow you to go to his house again."

  Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Hu Shao, you're being too cautious. I can assure you that Yang Liuqing will not harm me. The fact that he risked his life to save me just now is proof of that. Besides, when we meet with Yan at the Wealth God Inn, don't you think Yang Liuqing will follow us? Moreover, as long as I have no intentions towards Yang Liuqing, what can he do to me? A forced marriage is not a happy one, and besides, he wouldn't dare to mess with this crooked melon, right?"

  "I'm worried that you won't be able to sleep at night, but you don't care about it at all. Not even for my sake, will you agree with me?" Hu Zhongren slowed down his pace, holding the reins of the horse, waiting for the people behind him to catch up slowly.

  Jing Wangzi was the first to catch up, and after listening to Hu Zhongren's words, he said: "If you want to talk about safety, the safest place is in the palace of the King of Hanhai. Why not let Hua Kui live in the capital of Hanhai?"

  Liu Qingqing said, "Thank you, young master Wang. I'm just used to being carefree and casual, and I also promised Lan Jie to help out at the Smoke Flower Building, so don't worry about me. Hu Shao is the same, you can rest assured that no one has been born yet who can knock down this big tree Liu Qingqing! I'll stay at the Smoke Flower Building and see who dares to come here and cause trouble!" Her words were bold and everyone was intimidated by Liu Qingqing's aura. In fact, Liu Qingqing had traveled with her grandmother since childhood and had a lot of experience. She had strong adaptability.

  Lan Ji caught up and also heard what Liu Qingqing said. "I agree with Huahua's statement, my Yanhua Building is a mixed bag of good and bad people, but it's also full of talented individuals. No need to mention petty thieves, even someone as capable as Jing Wangzi or Hu Shao would find it difficult to catch anyone in my Yanhua Building."

  Hu Shao listened, somewhat displeased, and said with a stern face: "Lady Lanji, don't be too proud. Isn't your granddaughter Zhenzhen the one who got lost in the Smoke Flower Building? Moreover, without my rescue, I'm afraid Huakui would have fallen from high above and turned into mush."

  Lan Ji's face showed embarrassment, "That's because the Huakui Shenghui has a large number of people, and although those who come in have verified their identities, it's hard to guard against someone with ulterior motives."

  "Indeed, it's not Lady Blue's fault either. Our Huakai Conference has never had such an incident from the beginning to now. This time is because of the expansion of the scale, so please bear with us!"

  When Hu Shao saw Jing Wangzi say this, he didn't dare to say anything. From a distance, he saw Yang Liuqing chasing after him, and with a strong dislike in his heart, he whipped the horse's buttocks fiercely, and the two horses quickly ran forward. Yang Liuqing looked at Hu Zhongren with great disgust, but her own horse was injured and couldn't run fast, plus, Liuqing chose to walk with Hu Shao together, these feelings made herself very angry. In his heart, he calculated how to persuade Qingqing to leave his brother's arms.

  Four people and three horses galloped along the official road, soon arriving at the back door of the Wealth God Inn. Hu Zhongren dismounted his horse and helped Liu Qingqing down, followed by the other three. It was already midnight. Liu Qingqing looked around at everyone - Lan Ji, Jing Wangzi, Hu Zhongren, Yang Liuying - and wondered why Jing Wangzi was here instead of in the Hanhai Palace. She asked: "Young Prince, what brings you here? Why have you come to our place so late at night?"

  "The Prince Jing said: 'I heard the news of Huakui selecting guests during the day, and I came to watch on purpose. Coincidentally, I met you, Huakui, going out with this Yang guest. Blue Sister was worried and followed behind to protect you. Who would have thought that we really encountered something.'"

  Liu Qingqing said: "Thank you, young master, for your kindness. I'm afraid we've troubled you for nothing. That person is no match for Yang Liuqing, so we have nothing to worry about. You can go back now!"

  Liu Qingqing thought it was so coincidental that you all came out, and it's really hard to judge who was the one who laid hands on the fake husband.

  "Alright, take care of yourself, Flower Queen. I'll head back now." He turned to face Blue Lady and said, "Mother, see if there's any trouble. If you need help, let the Flower Queen stay at Hanhai Palace. My father also likes her very much and is worried about her safety."

  Lan Ji said: "Qing Qing himself is in charge, if he is willing to enter the palace, I have nothing to say." Lan Ji retreated six two five, originally was a person hired by Hanhai country, of course, had to listen to the order. Today, Huakui has no danger, it's okay to say, but if she got hurt or even lost her life, it would be a blow to Hanhai country's great cause, how could she bear this responsibility.

  Liu Qingqing glanced at Hu Zhongren, "Today, I'll stay at the Wealth God Inn. Tomorrow night, we'll continue our activities at the Smoke Flower Building. You all go back and rest too."

  King Jing smiled slightly: "Little Wang is taking his leave." He was the first to leave.

  Lan Ji glanced at Liu Qingqing and smiled: "The whole screen flower charm is just a matter of safety, I believe that with Hu Shao's protection, there will be no problem." After finishing her craft, she bid farewell and left.

  Only Yang Liu's eyes widened in anger: "Brother, do you have to force me? In Tianchao, you squeezed me out of the five Li Zhongdi, and in Hanhai, you still want to oppose me. Qingqing was originally going to meet me at my mansion, but she was taken away by you. Don't you think you're being too overbearing?"

  "You should know that your influence in Hanhai is no match for mine, right? Your mansion and Golden Pavilion in Hanhai were also obtained through me, weren't they? If you compete with me for Qingqing, I will do something even more extreme than what I did in Tianchao. I hope you consider my words carefully, you know my temper. I spared your uncle's face and didn't annihilate you completely, but if you insist on opposing me, you should know the consequences!"

  Liu Qing's face turned cold: "Hey, do you guys think I'm dead or something? Have I ever said that I must marry someone? Now, as the flower leader, I can be with you guys or with others, don't you understand the laws of the Hanhai country?"

  Hu Zhongren and Yang Liuqing stopped arguing and looked at Liu Qingqing together, meaning "You're teasing us with your nonsense, aren't you?"

  Liu Qingqing immediately changed into her clothes with a flattering face: "I mean, as the flower queen, anyone has the right to pursue me, whoever offers more money, I'll be with whoever, it's not up to me!"

  "Hanhai's king has already agreed to our proposal, and the wedding will take place soon. Princess Lan and Prince Jing will also attend in person. This matter is already set in stone. Do you think there's anyone who would be foolish enough to oppose me?" The words were directed at Liu Qingqing, but his eyes were fixed on Yang Liuqing, implying that she should not be ignorant of her own good fortune.

  "As long as your heart is not with me, as long as you are not married to Qingqing, I have the right to pursue Qingqing. I will definitely find a way to stop your marriage!" Yang Liu was furious. When he got married to Xiulian, he was so complacent, and now he has this attitude again. He decided to go find the mysterious person and must bring down Hu Zhongren and prevent him from marrying Qingqing."

  "Hu Zhongren sneered coldly: 'A mantis trying to shake a tree, with your strength, you're not even my opponent. Qingqing doesn't like you either.'"

  "Who says I don't like Young Master Biao anymore? He's handsome and elegant, a jade tree in the wind, much better than you, lame Li!"

  "What did you say? Say it again!" Hu Shao's face turned red with anger.

  "What's so great about relying on coercion? If we compete fairly, I've never seen you surpass me!" Yang Liuqing said indignantly.

  "Alright, Qingqing will be with us for a month, and we'll have a fair competition to see who can win her heart. You can use any means you want, let's see who is more charming!" Hu Zhongren proudly waved his hand, thinking he was clever, but in reality, he was far from being my match.

  Yang Liuqing said: "It's settled then." He turned to Qingqing and said: "Qingqing, wait and see how I'll bring down his business and marry you..."

  "Come in." Liu Qingqing hastily said: "Don't fight for me, I don't want to hurt any of you, whoever gets hurt will make me heartache." Although she said so with her mouth, her heart was actually jumping with excitement. There are men fighting for her, how thrilling!

  Hu Zhongren and Yang Liuqing hummed in unison, Yang Liuqing mounted his horse and left. From a distance, Yang Liuqing was heard saying on the horseback: "Liuqing, wait for me, I will be back!"

  Watching Yang Liuqing walk away, Liu Qingqing said: "Do you think he will really find that mysterious person? Is Zhenzhen really in the hands of that mysterious person? Aren't you afraid of being ruined by Yang Liuqing and destroying the Hu family?"

  Hu Zhongren didn't say a word, led the horse inside and tied it to the stable, patted the horse's neck, "Rest well." Then he took Liu Qingqing's hand and walked towards the main house. The moon was full in the sky, the trees in the courtyard cast mottled flower shadows on the ground, and the two people's silhouettes were also stretched out on the ground.

  A huge candle burns indoors, but there is no one around. Liu Qingqing couldn't help asking: "Do you live here yourself?"

  Hu Zhongren didn't say a word, picked up the candle and with his other hand still holding her arm, walked further inside. They entered an inner room. This was a secret chamber.

  "Let's be honest with each other, I've heard some rumors that someone is planning to destroy our Hu family. But I don't know who it is, whether it's my cousin Yang Liuqing, the mysterious person, or someone else, I have no idea. I'm in the light, he's in the dark, this is not good. Moreover, when you were at my Hu family, you were repeatedly hurt, and I couldn't figure out who did it or what the reason was. So, I want to take a risk and fight him. Will you support me?"

  "I'm willing. I'm willing to help you. But did you really hear the conversation between Lan Ji and that person? Are you sure it's related to Yang Liuqing?"

  "I'm not sure about my nephew, but when I was at Hong Cuishan Villa, I followed him one night and found that he had dealings with an outsider, a mysterious person. He colluded with outsiders to steal from his own family, and even took away several of my wives." Hu Zhongren sighed, previously he didn't care, but now he wanted to create a good environment for Liu Qingqing. A man who can't protect his wife and children is not considered a real man?"