She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Being directly confessed to by an ancient prince, Han Lei was at a loss. Despite her usual excellence, she inexplicably felt some panic arise in her heart.

"I myself am a warrior who crawled and fought through the sandy soil, so my princess consort doesn’t need to be a noble lady; as long as she is who I like, that’s enough."

Zhao Zun’s gaze grew deeper and deeper. As he spoke, he lifted his hand to press against his chest, because that was where he kept his Love Lock.

Yesterday, when Han Lei asked him to accompany her in finding a way back, he couldn’t refuse, but felt very lost at heart. Knowing Han Lei could never return, he was excited the whole night, feeling as if the entire world was filled with sunshine.

Last night he planned to find a suitable opportunity to confess to Han Lei. Today, Han Lei unexpectedly came to him.

Could there be a better opportunity than this?

So, he unhesitatingly took the initiative.

In his twenty-six years of youth, he had never actively admired any girl. Now that he had fallen for someone, he had to strive for his own happiness.

His heart was beating fast! He feared that the courage he had finally mustered would collapse due to a moment of timidity. He was even more afraid of not receiving a satisfactory response and feeling heartbroken.

After all, in his eyes, Han Lei was truly outstanding.

Han Lei didn’t speak; she just blinked her long eyelashes and steadily looked at the enlarged face in front of her.

This cold prince’s confession was too overwhelming and dominant, blocking all her paths of retreat. She didn’t expect Zhao Zun’s feelings to be so intense—so intense it felt oppressive. Should she consider it?

"I..."

Han Lei just uttered a word and then bit her red lips shyly, her face turning red up to her ears.

Though she was a modern person and had seen countless idol dramas and romance shows, facing this fiery and passionate emotional onslaught in person, the maidenly modesty still prevented her from saying those shy words.

"What about you?" Zhao Zun’s affectionate gaze was intently capturing her gently biting lips, eager to lead her to give an answer. "Do you agree?"

"Then... I..."

Han Lei lowered her eyes, not daring to look into Zhao Zun’s deep eyes filled with affection like a vortex. She wrung her fingers, unable to say the rest: Then, let’s try dating!

Though she had a frank personality, saying such words to a big man was still too embarrassing!

Eventually, she hesitated for a long time and then kicked Zhao Zun on the ankle.

"Ouch! Annoying!"

She came today to find a part-time job for herself, so why did it suddenly turn into this? Han Lei felt speechless, her pretty face flushed, and she turned and ran out in embarrassment.

"Ouch... hiss..."

Zhao Zun cried out, standing on one leg, holding his ankle and hopping on the spot.

Watching Han Lei’s fleeing figure, recalling her shy, bashful expression that almost made her want to dig a hole to hide in, Zhao Zun’s foot hurt, but a bright smile like spring appeared on his lips.

This means she agreed!

This girl is shy, indeed!

Hehe, hehe hehe...

The always cold and steady Zhao Zun silly smiled toward the door of the tent.

Meanwhile, Ping Chuan, who rarely smiled, turned with a grin, giving Zhao Zun a thumbs up.

"Prince, you are mighty!"

"Hehe... Quickly prepare some tributes, Prince I need to make offerings to the gods right now. Go, quickly."

Zhao Zun spoke while silly smiling, hopping on one leg to the altar, taking the Love Lock, still warm from his neck, and respectfully placing it on the shrine.

Then he started lighting incense...

In the Imperial Palace of the Capital City, inside the court hall.

Emperor Jing was discussing matters with all the civil and military officials in attendance when suddenly a loud shout came from outside.

"Report... Urgent report from Beiguan!"

"Deliver it!"

Emperor Jing’s eyes lit up.

There was finally news from Beiguan. After a great victory against the Turkic retreat post-harvest season, what he most awaited was Zhao Zun accepting the title of Prince Xiaoyao and voluntarily relinquishing his military power to return to the capital for commendation. Yet, after the royal decree was sent to Beiguan, there had been no news from Zhao Zun, causing him worries sleepless nights.

A messenger with a small yellow flag on his back rushed in, knelt in the middle of the grand hall, pulled a wax-sealed envelope from his chest, and raised it above his head.

"Your Majesty, urgent report from Beiguan!"

The chief eunuch, Li Zhongxin, took small quick steps, took the urgent message from the messenger’s hand, and respectfully handed it to Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing opened it and quickly browsed through it, frowning more and more tightly as he read, as if anger was gathering in his eyes.

"I knew it, he just wanted to deceive me for provisions." Emperor Jing suddenly slammed the table, viciously throwing the letter on the ground, his face full of rage. "You all take a look at it."

Seeing the Emperor’s anger, the ministers below were all frightened.

In Emperor Jing’s four years of ascension, the civil and military ministers of the court had been completely revamped, made up entirely of forces that Emperor Jing quietly cultivated when he was still the Crown Prince, who had been gradually promoted to replace others.

As the saying goes, with a new emperor comes a new entourage, the entire court now, whether civil or military, could be said to be all Emperor Jing’s confidants, loyally devoted to him.

As for the old ministers from the previous emperor’s time, they were either approved to retire or given various dukedom titles, special permissions not to attend court sessions, and directly sent to enjoy their retirement.

Therefore, everyone in the court was very clear about what Emperor Jing was currently most anxious about. Of the three major fortresses of Da Jing Dynasty, the East Gate and South Pass had already smoothly completed the marshal replacements; only Beiguan’s garrison marshal, Zhao Zun, was still fighting the Turkic, with the military power still in the hands of Zhao Zun, who had earned illustrious war achievements, powerful enough to overshadow the Emperor.

Li Zhongxin bent down to pick up the letter from the ground, presented it before the civil and military ministers for them to read one by one.

"What? The Turkic actually retreated?" The first to read the letter was Prime Minister Wei, who looked surprised after reading it. "Since the Turkic came with such momentum, why did they retreat suddenly?"

"Why is this? Has the war ended?" Minister of War Cao Ge handed the letter to the next official. "The report says the Turkic retreated on their own. This is strange."

"Is there something happening internally in the Turkic country?"

"Should we continue to gather provisions?"

"The Ministry of War has timely sent out the provisions for this month. Since the war has ended, the provisions will absolutely last until next month."

...

The civil and military officials below started discussing loudly, but no one spoke to the point, which irritated Emperor Jing greatly.

"Still gathering provisions? Can’t you see? The Turkic’s second offensive after winter is entirely fake, just an excuse for Zhao Zun to delay returning to the capital, not wanting to remain a reclusive prince. He audaciously demanded major military provisions from me, simply with ill intentions."

Since they were all confidants, Emperor Jing did not hide his emotions at all.

Seeing Emperor Jing’s anger, a sleazy-looking military officer quickly stepped forward to flatter him.

"Your Majesty is wise! Marshal Zhao Zun deceived the court for provisions through false war reports, such conduct should not be tolerated. Please issue a decree to have Marshal Zhao Zun escorted back to the capital to be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for trial."