Chapter Fifty-Three: The Blue Lantern Decree

  Liu Qingqing was eager to know about Lan Ji's situation, and she had always been wary of Lan Ji. Firstly, Lan Ji was the junior sister of Feng Yun Er Gui, the Storm, and also the one who introduced Hu Shao's wife into the Smoke Flower House. Since Chun Lian Qiu Ju and Mu Dan were here, Liu Qingqing wondered if the other wives hadn't died but were being held captive somewhere else. She thought about how Lan Ji used to be the madam of a brothel in Tian Chao, and whether there might be someone there too. The three people from Han Hai were still okay, as the national situation here was favorable for beautiful women to develop their careers. But it was unknown what the situation was like in Tian Chao. Liu Qingqing wanted to ask about Hu Zhongren's other wives, but it would be better to wait and ask Xiao Lian later. For now, her priority was to see who Lan Ji would meet. Thinking of this, she stared intently at Hu Zhongren with a thoughtful expression. Hu Zhongren's face turned red with embarrassment, making him feel like a big man being teased by a woman. Only a seductive woman like Liu Qingqing could do this, using her fiery and passionate gaze to make the serious and stern Hu Shao look embarrassed.

  "Hu Shao's face was tense: "What are you looking at? You said there's no high-quality steel drill, don't take on the ceramic work. Your martial arts skills are so poor, yet you want to go with Yang Liuqing together, it's like a sheep entering a tiger's den, and they even call it 'being bait' - it's just nonsense!"

  Liu Qingqing couldn't help but burst out laughing at Hu Shao's over-the-top display, it seemed that Xiao Lian's observation was accurate, Hu Shao really didn't know how to express his emotions, and being so blunt with himself was already quite something. She said: "You're not also thinking of using the 'stimulate and unite' method to get them to join forces, are you? That would make things even more dangerous for us, wouldn't it?"

  "They appear to be united, but the unity of bad people is based on interests. If someone's interests are hurt, not only will they not help, but they will also hinder us. What we need to grasp is their discord and estrangement." Hu Zhongren sat down in his chair with great confidence.

  "We must also be careful, the means of bad people are often extreme, like Zhenzhen was unknowingly taken away by them." Liu Qingqing thought of these and asked: "How is Yingying now?" She was her personal maid, which made her more concerned.

  "She's with my mother, I'm sure there's no problem. I've replaced many new people in the Hu Manor, and changed a batch of suspicious people. Even the Hong Cuishan Manor has strengthened its management, and it would be difficult for bad people to get in." Hu Zhongren was shocked when he heard that Liu Qingqing and Xiaolian were lost on their own boat. Yue Qianshan also felt extremely ashamed, personally supervising, yet under his nose, someone had taken the person away, at this moment, he was overwhelmed with shame, Hu Zhongren still wanted Yue Qianshan to give up any action of searching for Liu Qingqing, he was filled with guilt and hatred, immediately brought his entourage back to Sai Bei.

  Liu Qingqing thought back to the events that had occurred since she crossed over to this place, and figured that no one knew she was a crosser, so there wouldn't be any enemies. That left two possibilities: either someone had a grudge against her substitute, Qingqing; or Hu Shao had a grudge against someone. As a member of the Liu family, she couldn't ask questions, but would the Hu family have a grudge against anyone?

  Liu Qingqing lay on the bed, beckoning to Hu Shao with her hand, indicating for him to sit down beside her. "Do you have a grudge against someone? Or does your family have a grudge against someone? Can't you tell me?"

  Hu Zhongren sat in the chair, as if rooted to the spot, and looked at Liu Qingqing with a puzzled expression. Liu Qingqing hinted: "For example, when you inherited the family business, did your uncle, Yang Liuqing's father, not reluctantly return the rights to you?"

  "No. My uncle is a man of noble character, with the style of King Wen, and he has been helping me to manage the family business with all his heart, without any ulterior motives. From when I was 13 years old, he taught me how to manage things step by step, with great dedication. There's no need to doubt this." Hu Zhongren remembered that his uncle was very strict with him, just like a father, and he couldn't repay the kindness he had shown him. This was also one of the reasons why he treated Yang Liuqing well and didn't fight with her.

  "Did he have any complaints about you not reusing Yang Liuqing? Your mother seems to be very fond of Tabao Young Master." Liu Qingqing thought that it should be related to Yang Liuqing, so she had more thoughts about Yang Liuqing.

  "I've been reusing Yang Liuqing, many things in Kyoto, many shops are taken care of by him. Although my uncle told me not to let my cousin interfere too much, I didn't distrust him. If it wasn't for this time when she almost lost your life, I was originally going to turn a blind eye." Hu Zhongren's sword-like eyebrows rose high, his eyes flashing with a dazzling light in the night.

  Liu Qingqing's heart was suddenly moved, and she felt a little bit of feeling. Hu Shao had really gone to great lengths for her sake, and it was all because of his anger for the sake of a beauty. Her heart felt warm, and a flush appeared on her face. Hu Zhongren was stunned.

  "You're really good-looking." He stared at Liu Qingqing dazedly, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her. Liu Qingqing said: "Of course, I'm born with a beautiful face and figure, stunning Chang'e to death, not allowing Zhinü to compare, who wouldn't like me? Unlike you, although you're considered a handsome guy, unfortunately, you're an iron club Li, born with a disability, which I don't want."

  Liu Qingqing's words were like a bucket of ice poured on Hu Zhongren's drunken and infatuated head, and he suddenly sobered up. The words Yang Liuqing said earlier came to mind again, and his heart felt uncomfortable for a moment. "So, you agreed to the divorce papers so readily, not because my mother forced you, but because you despise my leg disability? Ah, yes, Yang Liuqing is handsome and charming, and good at speaking eloquently of loyalty, you must like him? Jing Wangzi is elegant and refined, and will inherit the Hanhai Kingdom, he should be your ideal match?"

  Liu Qingqing saw Hu Zhongren eating vinegar and couldn't help but laugh: "Yang Liuqing is a devoted and sincere person, it's a pity to praise him, but I don't dare to compliment his brain, so he won't be my choice."

  Liu Qingqing said that he must keep up with my IQ, that's what it means to have a worthy opponent, "However, you mentioned Jing Wangzi, and I really had some heart palpitations. Not because he is the heir of Hanhai country, but because of his calm and steady demeanor, his sharp judgment. Tonight, he came too suddenly and unexpectedly, I think it must not be you or Lan Ji who called him, so why did he come?"

  "Of course it's because of you, Hua Kui," Hu Zhongren said indignantly. "You only know how to attract bees and butterflies, don't you even realize that yourself?"

  "But as a prince, he could have used his power to keep me in the palace. Why bother coming out? As the flower girl, I am nominally his sister, and he could use that reason to keep me here until we get married. Just like you said, if he has feelings for me, then he should want to keep me by his side. So why did he let me leave, and allow you to accompany me?"

  "What could make a man give up the woman he loves and willingly take on the responsibility of protecting her? Is it true, as the rumors say, that they plan to use our strength to attack Tianchao and reclaim their ancestral lands?" Hu Zhongren thought of this question and couldn't help but feel a shock.

  Liu Qingqing laughed and said: "A small country like Hanhai, how can it swallow a big country like Tianchao? It's simply absurd!" With Liu Qingqing's knowledge, Tianchao extends east to the sea, south to Miaojiang, north to Saiwai, and west to the desert. Hanhai is just a small vassal state located on the western border of Tianchao, lacking in manpower and resources, relying on women to earn taxes, and relying on foreign immigrants to increase military strength. It's a tiny country that wants to swallow Tianchao, its ambition is really too big.

  "A fortress is often breached from within, and what's feared most are traitors. From what I know, the Imperial Court has produced a traitor, who colludes with outsiders, making it hard to control. Moreover, Prince Jing is not a simple person, he has a deep mind and is not someone to be underestimated." Hu Zhongren also observed that Prince Jing was a broad-minded and courteous person, able to suppress his personal desires, and his ambition was not small.

  "So, his motive for protecting you is to ensure our relationship remains good, and that we get married. You must be grateful to him and obey him unconditionally. Because according to the laws of the Kingdom of Hanhai, the king has control over his children's marriages at all times, he can give her to you or take her away from you."

  "It should be like this, they knew we were originally husband and wife, and I have always been devoted to you. This time, in order to come to the vast ocean, I even used my blue lantern token..."

  "Hu Zhong said."

  "What is the Blue Lantern Decree?" Liu Qingqing had never heard of this term before and asked hastily.

  "This is an intelligence organization established by my uncle for the prosperity of our Hu family, scattered all over the country, which can gather a lot of information, even state secrets. However, I had never thought of using it before, thinking that I was doing legitimate business and treating my people well, so I wouldn't have any enemies. But unexpectedly, someone repeatedly tried to harm you, and after you disappeared on my own ship this time, I decided to restart this organization to investigate everything and protect all of mine."

  Liu Qingqing was too excited in her heart. "My god, I didn't cross over for nothing! It's exciting enough!" "So, can you find out about the situation of your previous wives?"

  "Hmm," replied Hu Zhongren, "How are your wives doing?"

  Liu Qing nodded, "Right, you see, we met Chunlan and Qiujie in Hanhai, and also Peony, who was escaping. I remember the seven ladies enshrined in Yancui An, except for Xiulian, does that mean they are still alive?"

  Hu Zhong's face sank: "Nonsense! How is that possible?"

  Liu Qingqing said, "Hu Shao, you must calm down. I'm not making wild guesses. Think about it, if they're still alive and someone finds out, won't we be at a disadvantage? As the saying goes, 'know yourself, know your enemy, win every battle.' We can only triumph if we grasp the situation!"

  Hu Zhongren thought of Chunlan's resentful eyes in the autumn, and thought of Zhenzhen's situation, his heart was in a mess. "Let's focus on the present for now, saving Zhenzhen is the priority!"

  Speaking of Zhenzhen, Liu Qingqing remembered, "You said Lanji met someone and knew about Zhenzhen's whereabouts?"

  Hu Zhongren nodded slightly. "Lan Ji has received the news that Zhenzhen has been taken away by your good father, Liu Fengchun."

  Willow encounter spring? My father? Willow Qingqing was stunned, and immediately understood that he was indeed his nominal father. What did he grab Zhenzhen for? "How did that person know I was my father?" Willow Qingqing's tongue was tied, and it took a long time to say the word "father".

  Hu Zhongren said, "Lan Ji didn't tell the truth. She knew that Zhenzhen was first captured by Fengyun and Ergui, but was then snatched away by Liu Fengchun halfway."

  "As I expected, Lan Ji and Feng Yun are in cahoots with each other, and they even took advantage of Zhen Zhen who was raised by me since she was a child. They said that they would wait for Zhen Zhen to grow old and then send her off, but I think that when Zhen Zhen comes out, she will definitely be the one to send them off, and it will be the end of their lives!"