The tenth record, having seen all the romantic affairs

However, compared to personal reputation and integrity, there are still more important things worth preserving

Why? "Yunyi suddenly spoke up.

Huo Zhongheng was momentarily stunned and speechless with anger. In the past, he had always seen her with a charming smile and witty remarks, never had he witnessed such a fierce demeanor from her. He furrowed his brows as he looked at her, this familiar yet unfamiliar face, with mysteries hidden in her brows and eyes. Even he could not discern how much sorrow, joy, goodness, and evil this alluring figure truly harbored.

All visitors are benefactors, and how one treats them is no different; this statement is indeed well said

Yun Yi widened her eyes and looked him up and down, "You can give it a try when you turn sixty."

Yun Yi lay languidly in the lounge chair, her face expressing weariness, not wanting to move at all

Yun Yi was carefully tidying up the cups and plates on the table, her back turned to the doorway, her posture proud and upright. She leisurely picked up the stacked cups and saucers, her movements slow and focused, not resembling household chores, but rather as if she were playing with herself. Her lonely silhouette appeared particularly slender. He quietly watched her for a while, just as he was about to speak, he heard her softly humming to herself, singing a few lines from "Green Pearl": "In the past, we played the bamboo flute and struck the sandalwood board together, moved by the lord's tender feelings and deep vows for the rivers and mountains, this is also the fate of a lowly maid, laboring like a fleeting swallow..." He quietly watched her for a while, just as he was about to speak, he heard her softly humming to herself, singing a few lines from "Green Pearl": "In the past, we played the bamboo flute and struck the sandalwood board together, moved by the lord's tender feelings and deep vows for the rivers and mountains, this is also the fate of a lowly maid, laboring like a fleeting swallow..."

He is no one else but the man who gently wiped the blood from her hand with a handkerchief

In the face of rumors, how can he not feel helpless as well

She possesses the thing that Yun Yi envies the most—freedom

This statement startled Chen Tai greatly, but fortunately, Yun Yi immediately interjected, saying: "It's all the same content, I can recite it all, what's there to see?"

Huo Zhongheng smiled while listening attentively as he had his breakfast

Beiping has already issued an appointment, and Master Xue Si has taken on the role of Director of the Police Department, while also serving as the Director of the Inspection Office. This is indeed a double delight for him in both spring and flowers. Chen Tai deliberately used words to provoke her, satisfying his own private sense of pleasure.

It turned out he had gone for a walk. Yunyi smiled in realization. She had heard him going downstairs in the morning and, thinking he had already left, felt too lazy to get out of bed. A sense of inexplicable emptiness filled her heart, and after tossing and turning for a long time, she could no longer fall asleep. She picked up the newspaper from the tray and casually flipped through it, skillfully locating the political commentary section, where there were indeed lengthy articles... Yunyi pulled out the political sections from each newspaper and handed them to Chen Tai, personally taking the tray with the books and saying, "Throw these away and bring up another breakfast."

"Heavens!" Yunyi exclaimed, "They have painted you so ugly!"

"Smoke less, it can damage your throat and cause trouble," Chen Tai waved his hand to fan away the smoke, expressing his distaste for the smell, yet still smiling as he said, "Haven't you been cooped up for several days? Why not go out for a stroll?"

Huo Zhongheng leaned back in his chair and quietly observed her, not missing a single reaction from her.

Chen Tai smiled and said, "Recently, there has been quite a bit of excitement to observe."

Seeing Huo Zhongheng's expressionless face, Yun Yi put down the small silver spoon and blurted out: "Are you just going to let them slander you like this, tarnishing your reputation everywhere? Clearly, you could defend yourself, so why do you deliberately cater to the rumors, fearing that they won't tarnish you enough?"

At first, upon reading the articles of those vulgar literati, Yun Yi felt anger; gradually, as she read more, she transitioned from helplessness to numbness

Perhaps Yunyi also possesses the thing she envies the most—Xue Jinming's infatuation

As he reached the stairway, Huo Zhongheng suddenly remembered that he had left the cigar box in the study, so he turned back to retrieve it. Perhaps out of subconscious concern, he couldn't help but lighten his footsteps and slowly approached the door.

Whenever she could not tolerate those foul words, he would always laugh and say, "Scholars have fallen from grace, and thieves are not even comparable."

When Yun Yi smiled, she was sulking with Huo Zhongheng, and to outsiders, it seemed to be because of Xue Jinming... If one were to consider a lover, Xue Jinming would indeed be the best choice, so considerate and charming, yet lacking a bit of the manly strength that would befit a straightforward woman like Fang Luoli. Yun Yi felt it was a pity and couldn't help but sigh.

That outburst of anger seemed to have caused her to lose the favor of Huo Zhongheng

As she pushed open the door to the small study, Huo Zhongheng was engrossed in an old newspaper from an unknown date, likely discarded carelessly by her. "While others read the news, you read old stories," Yun Yi said with a smile as she set down the tray and leaned to take a look at the newspaper. There, prominently displayed, was a satirical cartoon: a general with a fierce expression and a handlebar mustache, wearing a white ceremonial hat, dramatically holding a gun, from the muzzle of which a red rose was inserted, creating an exaggerated and comical appearance.

The commander returned from his morning walk and is currently in the small study. I am just taking breakfast and the newspaper up to him, said Chen Tai with a smile

He has not come to the small mansion for a whole week. Lord Qin has not spoken, and Mrs. Chen has begun to openly and subtly mock and hint at Yunyi—do not truly consider yourself as a young lady from a theatrical play, genuinely learning to love and be affectionate like a pair of mandarin ducks. Who is he, and who are you!

Yun Yi picked up the now cold coffee and sipped it slowly, the slight tremor in her wrist ultimately betraying her emotions

There are winds and moons in the distance, and he naturally has the means to go with the flow.

He indignantly decided to ignore the nagging woman and picked up a newspaper to shield his face

I am considering whether having a mustache styled in the shape of the number eight would look good

Huo Zhongheng smiled and said, "Recite a passage for me to hear, what are you talking about today?"

Recently, the newspapers have been filled with scathing reports targeting him, accusing him of amassing military power, indulging in sensual pleasures, and neglecting the larger picture. The Beiping government has repeatedly urged him to march south to quell the unrest, but he has consistently delayed this under the pretext of military supply shortages and severe casualties among his troops. The ostensible grandeur cannot suppress the underlying rumors. Most of the newspapers attacking him are instigated by political rivals, employing extremely venomous language and containing content that is hard to bear. The ostensible grandeur cannot suppress the underlying rumors. Most of the newspapers attacking him are instigated by political rivals, employing extremely venomous language and containing content that is hard to bear.

Sparks, indeed, are sparks; within her long-cold heart, faint sparks unexpectedly emerge... It must be the warm and cheerful scene before her that has deceived her, mistaking illusion for reality, becoming intoxicated in the play she has orchestrated herself, becoming so immersed in the role that she forgets who she is

In front of the window of the bedroom on the second floor, Yun Yi sat in a rocking chair, lighting a cigar that he had forgotten. He listened absentmindedly to the faint sounds coming from downstairs... The ancients once used the crape myrtle to symbolize fickleness, and nothing is more solitary than this crape myrtle flower in relation to the crape myrtle gentleman.

This seemingly unremarkable sentence instantly forced her back into a corner, like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, extinguishing the flames of her reckless abandon

Huo Zhongheng fixed his gaze upon her, and suddenly felt inexplicably troubled. He turned and walked out the door without even a word of farewell

"When dining at my home, you must follow my rules" Yun Yi remained indifferent

Her demeanor increasingly caused him to frown, "You need not be this way; things should proceed as they ought to."

Yun Yi raised her gaze, her eyes cold and piercing, causing Chen Tai to momentarily forget what he was supposed to say

Listening to his footsteps fade away, Yun Yi remained silent and still, her gaze lowered for a long time

In the realm of romance and intrigue, having seen all manner of charm and allure, I ultimately encountered such a person.

"Is the military supervisor still here?" Yun Yi glanced at the tray and asked in surprise.

The two of them were so engrossed in their mutual banter that they paid no attention to the satirical cartoons. While Yun Yi joked and prepared breakfast, Huo Zhongheng frowned as he looked at the buttered toast, bacon, cereal, milk, fried eggs, and fruit on the table. Finally, he could not help but ask, "Can I just have a bowl of plain rice porridge?"

Yun Yi quietly set down the cup, lowered her gaze, and furrowed her brows, allowing him to witness the silence he desired

I understand your intentions, but Yunyi, you have your own responsibilities. Since you have followed me, you must learn to remain silent. Huo Zhongheng spoke in a calm tone, devoid of any hint of joy or anger, yet each word fell like the harsh frost of midwinter.

On that day, due to a twist of fate, she missed a point, leading her to encounter him

Chen Tai knocked on the door, delivering another breakfast. As Yun Yi just received the tray, she heard Huo Zhongheng shouting, "You stole the newspaper again!"

In the early morning, Mrs. Chen carefully carried a silver tray, tiptoeing up the stairs. The tray held an English breakfast and three different newspapers of the day. Just as she reached the corner of the stairs, she saw Yunyi coming down in a light velvet robe, her long hair tousled. Mrs. Chen was quite surprised and quickly smiled, saying, "You are up quite early today"

Huo Zhongheng raised his eyebrows in surprise and said: "Is it ugly? I still..."

She understands better than anyone that Huo Zhongheng is no different from others; the only mistake is that she likes him

Now that she is with Huo Zhongheng, her outings are no longer as they were in the past. Medusa cannot go, and Master Qin is also not in a position to meet her. All communications in between are conveyed by Chen Tai. Just as she was thinking this, she saw her bringing over the almond snow fungus, smiling as she placed it by her side

However, Huo Zhongheng remained calm and composed throughout, as if the matter had nothing to do with him, treating it merely as a light-hearted conversation

Chen Tai believed she had struck a nerve, and became increasingly pleased with herself as she began to lecture others. "After all, this head is the proper one; there should be a limit to one's anger. As for men, they ultimately cannot save face. It is not that I am being meddlesome, but in the past, the way you treated Xue Shao was such that he was completely submissive to you. Now, having merely changed the person, you are not even as good as a newcomer! You have always treated your patrons the same way, haven't you?" It is not that I am being meddlesome, but in the past, the way you treated Xue Shao was such that he was completely submissive to you. Now, having merely changed the person, you are not even as good as a newcomer! You have always treated your patrons the same way, haven't you?

As long as one resides near the small mansion, breakfast is invariably an English breakfast personally arranged by Yunyi. Initially, it seemed novel and interesting, but over time, the interest waned, and ultimately, the Chinese congee with side dishes proved to be more palatable. However, she remains unwavering, asserting that a traditional English breakfast is the most perfectly balanced meal in terms of nutrition.

Yun Yi fell silent, gradually losing her smile. Huo Zhongheng also said little, bowing his head and focusing on his meal, and for a moment, both were quiet. Yun Yi stirred her coffee, her mind elsewhere, and for a long time, she did not take a sip.

Is this yet another emotionally charged performance, or is it a genuine expression of her feelings

She did not originally love opera, but because he liked it, she recently learned to hum a few lines. At this moment, her delicate and intermittent humming sounded almost like a sigh, and to his ears, it felt like the wind passing over the water's surface. As the last echoes of "Lao Feiyan San" lingered, she picked up a coffee cup, twirled it on her fingertip, and suddenly threw it to the ground

As soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately regretted it

She turned around, a smile still lingering at the corners of her lips, her chest rising and falling rapidly, yet she cast him a cold glance and said, "Benefactor, what is your command?"

Yun Yi laughed silently, the exhilaration of her emotions wildly growing in her heart. The table had been thoroughly smashed, leaving only the tablecloth behind, which she reached out to lift... Suddenly, her wrist was tightened as he firmly grasped her from behind.

Yun Yi cast him a glance, truly turning her back to him, "You speak of being a hero yet are short of spirit, entangled in the emotions of love and affection, disregarding the heavy expectations of family and country, indulging in the warmth of beauty, hesitating before the confines of the boudoir, lingering in indecision, your spirit waning..."

Yun Yi!" Huo Zhongheng furrowed his thick brows and sternly admonished her

She had not anticipated that the wager, which seemed to have helped her win over Xue Jinming, also fulfilled Yun Yi's scheme

Xue Jinming's admiration for beauty does not necessarily imply that he truly hopes to ensnare him with a woman. It is more likely that beneath the allure of beauty lies a scheme of discord, aimed at undermining the already fragile trust within the Beiping cabinet and diminishing his prestige. Such tricks from the Xue family are, in his eyes, utterly unremarkable.

However, this is ultimately related to the reputation and honor of a dignified commander; no matter how carefree one may be, no one would make a joke of their own integrity

Seeing her frozen smile, Huo Zhongheng felt a sense of discomfort in his heart, ultimately finding it hard to bear

The bone china cup, adorned with gold, fell onto the thick carpet and surprisingly did not break. This only served to further infuriate Yunyi, who seized a plate and hurled it heavily against the windowsill. This time, it shattered into countless pieces, as if releasing a pent-up frustration. In a fit of rage, she grabbed all the cups and plates on the table and smashed them in one go, the sound of breaking porcelain echoing as shards flew everywhere, leaving a scene of utter chaos, utterly satisfying

Xue Jinming and Fang Luoli are engaged ... Yun Yi was momentarily taken aback, recalling the eloquent Miss Fang from that evening, and couldn't help but smile knowingly

Indeed, he did not raise his eyebrows at all, took off the napkin and threw it on the table, and said淡淡道: "You have too many questions"

In front of General Huo, she possesses exquisite means; however, in front of him, she is unable to employ even a single method.

Do not impose your foreign customs on an old-fashioned man!" Huozhongheng complained loudly

Seeing that Yunyi still had no reaction, she sighed again, "In any case, you will find out sooner or later, so it is better to tell you now. Young Master Xue Si has indeed become engaged to the governor's daughter, so you might as well give up on that thought!"

No! Yunyi poured herself a steaming cup of mixed black tea, ignoring his gloominess

It is uncertain how Fang Luoli will feel when she recalls Yun Yi afterwards; at the very least, when Yun Yi thinks of her, it is with admiration and envy

Yes. She revealed a slight smile, perfectly understated, akin to a masterpiece sculpted countless times to achieve perfection

That bright and youthful woman would laugh loudly, scold loudly, and openly admit her affection for that person; although she was provoked by Yun Yi into agreeing to a bet to help hide her, it is evident that Fang Luoli was not solely doing it for Xue Jinming. What she fiercely defended was half love and half pride

Huo Zhongheng's protest was in vain; he gloomily picked up the strong tea and took a big sip. Before he could swallow, he heard Yun Yi admonish him, "Drink tea after the meal!"

Huo Zhongheng stood up, and she also stood up obediently, her brows and eyes calm, concealing her emotions of joy and anger very well

Indeed, this is the demeanor she ought to possess, and it is also the attitude that satisfies him

On a gloomy, rainy day, the empty house lit up early, illuminating the loneliness that had nowhere to hide. Downstairs, Chen Tai played the record loudly, and a song had reached its conclusion: "It would be better to marry a dandy, spending time in joy from morning till night, the crepe myrtle flower facing the crepe myrtle man."