Chapter 48: Hidden Feelings

  Everyone's eyes were on Hu Zhongren, waiting for his response. Hu Zhongren looked at Liu Qingqing, hoping to see her jealous expression, but Liu Qingqing's gaze was fixed on Jing Wangzi, as if Hu Zhongren's affairs had nothing to do with her, and she only liked Jing Wangzi's handsome and elegant demeanor.

  His heart ached secretly because of Qingqing. He mobilized so many people to get news about Liu Qingqing in Hanhai, he spent so much effort to persuade Yue Qianshan to give up his attention to Qingqing, and then he quickly settled the Kyoto matter and handed it over to Chen Guanjia to clean up, rushing overnight, fearing that he would not make it to the Flower Queen's grand meeting at Huahua Building. He begged Ren Zhonghu to arrive at Huahua Building first to take charge, determined to win the title of Qingqing's honored guest. These hardships and bitterness were known only to heaven, earth, and himself.

  These things, Liu Qingqing naturally didn't know, she even didn't understand, how could Hu Zhongren think like this, what a pity.

  Hu Zhongren didn't want to say it, but as a man, he should take responsibility. As a man, he should have a way to chase after the woman he likes. Liu Qingqing, his ex-wife whom he had once abandoned, how could he recapture her heart? Everyone else could see Hu Zhongren's intentions towards Liu Qingqing, except for Liu Qingqing herself. What a pity! Beautiful but doesn't understand romance.

  Duan Mulan understood. She just wanted to compete with Hua Kui, not for love, but because Hu Zhongren was the man Hua Kui liked. She had the ability to charm people and attract men. She could take advantage of Liu Qingqing's infatuation with her brother to get this richest man in the world into her hands.

  She even ignored her mother's frequent hints, and the smile on her father's face was gone. She knew what her parents meant.

  The thoughts of the King of Hanhai are well-known to everyone. The wish of Hanhai is to kill towards Tianchao, complete the ancestors' wishes, and in their hearts, they all think so, why must the emperor be the crown prince? Just because he was born? As the saying goes, the capable rise to the top, while the mediocre fall to the bottom. Our ancestor, the young prince, is the most talented person and should be the one to inherit the imperial throne. Therefore, as descendants of the young prince of Hanhai, everything we do is centered around reviving our great cause, and any actions that go against it will be criticized or even punished.

  Duan Mulan knew her responsibility, she wouldn't have her own love, as the descendant of Xiao Huangzi, she would definitely be married off by her father for the purpose of reviving the family. If that's the case, she'd rather give herself to someone not too detestable, Hu Zhongren counted as one.

  What a sorrow it is.

  Hu Zhongren's silence lasted too long, his thinking time was too long, until everyone thought he would reject Princess Duanmu Lan's good intentions. Until the princess was almost furious, Hu Zhongren raised his handsome face, and we could see his sly smile. Such a smile is magical to women. Princess Duanmu Lan's heart seemed to have been swept by a storm, her calm lake was stirred up with ripples. She originally didn't have much interest in this crippled man, only looking at his wealth that could rival a country, his stunning appearance, and his cold and decisive personality. Now, in his sly smile, she understood that her provocation had a reason - she liked this man, not because she wanted to compete with Hua Kui, but because she had some feelings for him. Princess Duanmu Lan even suspected that she had a tendency to be abused, otherwise why would she like his cold and sly expression?

  It's all over.

  "He said with a tone that was completely opposite of his inner voice, 'I'm honored.'"

  Duan Mulan's joy was written all over her face. She took Hu Zhongren's hand and walked back to her own seat, inviting him to sit down beside her, and personally poured a cup of fine wine for him. Hu Zhongren expressed his gratitude with a smile, seeming to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

  The two of them came and went, with affectionate feelings, seemingly unaware of the expression on King Hahn's face. King Hahn got up from his seat and left for the restroom.

  The queen picked up a grape and put it in her mouth, not letting everyone see her expression. The various officials all looked at each other in dismay, unsure of what to do, because based on past experience, they knew the king was angry.

  The prince also saw his father's gloomy face and left. As a prince, he had the responsibility to solve the trouble caused by his sister. He pulled Liu Qingqing to sit in her seat, asking Liu Qingqing to drink wine, as if nothing was wrong, chatting and laughing, everyone saw that Prince Jing was calm and composed, and finally put down the heart that was hanging in their throat, Prince Jing had always been wise and resourceful, it seemed he would help King Hanhai resolve his worries.

  Liu Qingqing felt that the delicious food had lost its flavor. She belatedly discovered that Hu Zhongren and Duanmulan were very close, very intimate, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable in her heart.

  "Hua Kui, what's wrong? Why don't you want to eat and are frowning?" Jing Wangzi carefully picked out a few dishes for her, and Liu Qingqing swallowed hard, finishing them in just a few mouthfuls.

  "What's my concern? Some people said they came to the vast sea for me, but it only took one day to make a fuss in front of another woman. It's really hateful!" Liu Qingqing gritted her teeth in hatred.

  "I think Enke really likes you, he's probably trying to provoke you, make you jealous, and see your intentions. If you really like him, you shouldn't let him suffer, you should let him know your feelings. We men are just that way, we clearly like someone but are clumsy at expressing it." Jing Wangzi advised, essentially wanting the two to get married and have a happy ending, as the great achievements of the Hanhai country still needed Hu Zhongren's wealth as backing. So, although he sincerely liked Liu Qingqing, he restrained his own desires, reminding himself that in order to take over his father's business and expand the family's legacy, he must stay away from women and focus on his career.

  Liu Qingqing glanced at Hu Zhongren and Duanmulan, "How could I have any feelings for him? Does he think that I would pay attention to a crippled leg man like him when I have an excellent man like King Jing?"

  "Wow, am I that great? It's my honor to have caught the attention of the Flower Queen!" Prince Jing seemed to be enjoying Liu Qingqing's flattery, and her skills in fawning were so natural that she would unconsciously bring them out.

  Liu Qingqing didn't realize she was flattering Jing Wangzi, but just to annoy Hu Zhongren. You can be intimate with beauties, and I can of course entwine with handsome guys. He raised his wine glass towards Jing Wangzi: "Come on, let's toast to our friendship, we won't leave until we're drunk!"

  Jing Wangzi was like a dream come true, ah, it turned out to be friendship, and he almost misunderstood it as love? Suddenly waking up from his infatuation, he had an idea, just in time to spark the emotions of Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing. With one hand supporting Liu Qingqing's waist and the other hand on her shoulder, from Hu Zhongren's perspective, it looked like they were about to kiss. Hu Zhongren was furious, pushing Duan Mulan aside and rushing to Liu Qingqing's side like a whirlwind, stretching out his hand to stop them, only to see that they were just clinking cups together. Hu Zhongren's raised hand awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "That, that I thought..."

  "You think I'm after your loved one, don't you? I, Duanmu Jing, would never take someone else's love, nor would I snatch a friend's loved one. And to you, I, Duanmu Jing, consider you a friend! So, Brother Hu, please, take your beloved Huakui back to the residence we've provided for you and wait patiently. We will throw a grand wedding that will astonish the world for the two of you! Or, if you'd like to take Huakui back to Tianchao, we're willing to send someone to Kyoto to bless you both!"

  Hu Zhongren looked at Jing Wangzi with gratitude: "Those who gave birth to me are my parents, and those who know me are Jing Wangzi! Thank you! Since that's the case, I'll take Huakui back to Tianchao tomorrow. After arriving in Kyoto, I will ask the Emperor of Tianchao for instructions and request that they lift the ban, allowing you to enter the pass to congratulate us."

  "The most important thing is not whether we go or not, but that you two are happy!"

  The King of Hanhai returned at this time, clearing his throat: "Wang Er said it well. As long as my Princess Huakui is happy, I am relieved. As for going to the Heavenly Dynasty, it's not that important. However, since our esteemed guest has recommended Huakui and contributed to our country of Hanhai, we should express our gratitude! On your grand wedding day, I will have my son Duanmu Jing serve as the matchmaker for the two of you, and my daughter Duanmu Lan serve as a bridesmaid for Huakui. How does that sound?"

  "Hu Zhongren smiled and said: 'That's natural, I'll prepare for my marriage with Qingqing as soon as I return to Kyoto. At that time, I hope the prince and princess will arrive early at my humble abode to add to Hu's prestige.'"

  "Then it would be a great honor for Lord Huon to speak well of him before the Holy Father, and perhaps obtain for his son the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage to Rome." The King of Hungary thanked him a thousand times.

  Since it was so, Hu Mou and Hua Kui bid farewell. Hu Zhongren took Liu Qingqing's hand and bade farewell to everyone.

  "We have already arranged accommodations for the two of you in Kangshou Palace, so please go and rest." Prince Jing said with a smile. The others also followed suit to invite them.

  Liu Qingqing said: "I understand the king's kindness, but when I came, Blue Sister had something to say and asked me to return to the Smoke Flower Building, so I won't stay in the palace."

  Huzhongren also said: "I have my own residence outside the palace, I don't need to stay in the palace, let's go back to my own place and write again about the king's good intentions."

  The King of Hanhai hesitated for a moment, "Alright, since you all have arrangements, I won't detain you. You may take your leave. Jing Wangzi, you're in charge of sending Hu Enke and Hua Kui back. As for me, I'm tired from traveling, so I won't see off the two noble guests."

  "The king may do as he pleases. Hu Zhong bids you farewell."

  Having said that, Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing got back on the carriage, Jing Wangzi mounted his horse, and together with everyone else, they bid farewell to the Hanhai King's Palace, heading towards the Smoke Flower House.

  Liu Qingqing asked: "Do you really have a mansion in Hanhai Country?"

  "That's natural, the wealthy merchants and nobles of Tianchao, as well as high-ranking officials, all have properties in Huanhai. The conditions here are excellent, so everyone comes to invest. Caishen Inn and Jinxiu Brocade Workshop are both owned by my family, the Hus."

  Liu Qingqing said: "So good? Then, does our Liu family also have a place to settle?"

  Hu Zhongren said: "The Welcome Pavilion is your Liu family's property, don't you know that? Ah, I forgot, you've been suffering from a mental illness."

  Liu Qingqing opened her mouth, almost telling Hu Zhongren about how she had met Zhenzhen and that the infatuated illness had been cured, but after a moment's thought, she decided not to say anything. She knew too little herself, it would be better to wait until she understood more before speaking.

  The horse carriage returned smoothly to the Smoke Flower House. Jing Wangzi, seeing that the task was completed, waved his hand in farewell and said: "You two rest well, I'll take my leave first and come visit again another day."

  Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing replied, "Thank you, Prince Jing. Please take care." As they watched Prince Jing's carriage leave, Hu Zhongren bid farewell to Liu Qingqing, saying, "I'll head back to the Caishen Inn first. Shall we return to Kyoto together tomorrow?"

  Liu Qingqing said, "Let's talk about it later, I want to stay here for a while longer, maybe." Hu Zhongren frowned and said, "I came all the way from afar to Haibei just to pick you up, but you don't want to go back. What is it that's keeping you here?"

  Liu Qingqing said: "You don't come to rescue me, I also have a way to go back. Who wants you to spend that unjust money?"

  "You, you're really beyond reason!" Hu Zhongren's face turned red with anger. "What kind of place is this? You're actually so carefree and unaware of the danger, if you had come later, you would have become someone's something! Do you understand or not?"

  Liu Qingqing snorted, unimpressed. Who was it that was flirting with Princess Lan at the banquet earlier? Now you're saying it's because of your own bravery? You can be even more shameless!

  Two people stood at the gate of Huajie Building, arguing endlessly, when a servant rushed out and said: "Huajie, you're back! Something big has happened!"