Chapter 23: Pretending to Be a Lady
The central military tent.
The charcoal in the brazier was burning brightly. Hua Tianyou, dressed in casual clothes, was enjoying a drink with Zhao Zun.
"You have too few trusted aides around you, it’s unsafe. When are you planning to return to Ling’an City?" Hua Tianyou asked Zhao Zun after taking a small sip of wine.
Zhao Zun didn’t answer, lost in thought.
Hua Tianyou frowned and kicked him. "Hey! What are you spacing out for, I’m asking you a question!"
"Hmm?"
Zhao Zun glanced at him, came back to his senses, and let out a deep sigh.
"When are you returning to Ling’an City? It can’t be kept hidden for more than a few days over there."
Hua Tianyou rolled his eyes. This guy seemed absent-minded. Even though Zhao Zun had invited him for a drink, his wine glass hadn’t been touched much.
"I know. Ah!" Zhao Zun sighed again. "Let’s wait a few more days!"
These days, Han Lei’s attitude was unclear. Saying she hadn’t agreed, then what was the explanation for her shy, flushed appearance that day? Saying she agreed, yet she’s been avoiding him for days, running to the shed to refine alcohol every day, and just when she sees him coming from afar, she secretly dodges away, without even meeting him.
He felt very conflicted these days, neither food nor rest brought him any comfort. Han Lei’s sweet and charming figure kept appearing in his mind, impossible to dismiss.
He also knew Meng Country and Ala were eyeing him, and he couldn’t stay away from Lin’an City for too long, but he has never felt so anxious. The liquor would soon be finished refining, and he wanted to wait until Han Lei was free to seek a clear answer from her.
"Wait for what?" Hua Tianyou was puzzled.
"Wait for Miss Han," Zhao Zun murmured.
"Oh!" Hua Tianyou understood, "I wondered why you’ve been so absent-minded the whole time. It turns out you’ve been thinking about a woman!"
Zhao Zun nodded in dismay, his gaze fixed on the wine cup in front of him.
"So, you didn’t win her over?" Hua Tianyou had a gossipy expression on his face.
Zhao Zun nodded, not feeling embarrassed to admit it in front of this close friend.
"Ha, haha, hahaha..." Hua Tianyou began to laugh, displaying a trademark smile of a playboy. "You’re undoubtedly skilled at leading troops in battle, but when it comes to understanding women and pleasing them, you should consult young master me."
"Hmm?" A glimmer of light flickered in Zhao Zun’s otherwise blank eyes, and he turned to Hua Tianyou, "Tell me quickly!"
How had he forgotten? Hua Tianyou was a renowned figure in the circle of young masters in the Capital City, a bee among flowers, an elite in the world of playboys!
"Tsk!" Hua Tianyou scoffed, seeing how you’re usually calm and wise when facing a battalion, yet when encountering the woman you like, you seem like a different person. Come, fill my cup."
After speaking, Hua Tianyou proudly placed his wine glass in front of Zhao Zun, folded his arms, and leisurely leaned back in his chair.
Normally, Zhao Zun would have smacked him on the head long ago. But at this moment, Zhao Zun said nothing, picked up the wine pot, filled it, and quietly waited for Hua Tianyou’s guidance.
"I say, Miss Han isn’t your enemy nor one of your soldiers. The way you approached her that day must have scared her."
"Really?"
Zhao Zun thought he had spoken quite gently that day!
"Brother, have you grown dim-witted in the military camp? Don’t you know about proper courtship steps? At the very least find an intermediary. Who directly asks someone to be their princess consort without first gauging her willingness? You think you’re a mountain king capturing a lady to be the wife of your fortress?"
"But she’s different from those noble young ladies."
Zhao Zun felt chided and hung his head like a child who did something wrong.
All these twists and turns, it’s too complicated!
He thought Han Lei was different from those young noblewomen and that these steps wouldn’t be necessary, so...
"Even if there’s no intermediary, you should take it step by step, first invite her..." Hua Tianyou continued to impart his wisdom.
Zhao Zun rubbed his temples, suddenly remembering something, he abruptly stood up and headed towards the sacred altar.
His Love Lock had been enshrined on the altar these past few days!
Outside the tent, Han Lei stood several meters away from the door amidst the wind and snow, hesitating to proceed any further. Through the curtains, she looked into the tent and nibbled on her red lips, covering her rapidly beating heart, breathing deeply as if there was a ferocious beast inside the tent.
The guarding soldier glanced at Han Lei, who remained stationary. He thought to himself: You should go in!
The Marshal’s mood had been poor recently. Every day he’d go to the shed where Miss Han worked and return looking dejected. It caused trouble for those serving the Marshal nearby too.
He had figured it out; the problem lay with Miss Han!
After a while, Han Lei gathered her courage and, with the silent approval of the soldier, stepped into the tent.
Upon seeing Han Lei enter, Hua Tianyou suddenly clammed up, bearing a mischievous grin on his face.
"Whew～～"
He cheekily whistled.
Hearing the whistle, Zhao Zun turned his head. Seeing Han Lei suddenly appear in the tent, he was so shocked that he couldn’t speak, resembling a wooden post standing there, motionless.
"Hey! Why are you stunned there? Quickly invite her to sit." Hua Tianyou was really exasperated with him.
"Oh oh oh, please come and sit."
Zhao Zun snapped back to reality, thrilled in his heart. He hurriedly stuffed the Love Lock he had just taken from his hands into his bosom and stepped forward to help Han Lei with her chair, his gaze closely following her every move.
He had just taken the Love Lock from the altar, and the long-awaited Han Lei appeared right after, making him even more convinced that the Love Lock connected their fate.
Han Lei pursed her lips and smiled slightly at Zhao Zun, sitting elegantly to the side like a noble lady. Like all girls, she wanted to leave a good impression on the man she admired.
Yet in her heart, she thought: Pretending to be a lady feels so uncomfortable!
After Hua Tianyou’s advice, Zhao Zun didn’t know what to say. Afraid he might scare Han Lei again, he only tried to suppress his excitement and quietly observed her.
Han Lei had applied a delicate light makeup. Under the cloak, she wasn’t wearing her usual sportswear but had intentionally donned the ancient dress Zhao Zun had gifted her. The pale pink outfit paired with the snowy white fur-trimmed cloak made her already charming and sweet appearance even more lively.
For a moment, the tent was quiet.
One vivacious and cheerful woman striving to act ladylike. Another fearing that directness akin to charging into battle would frighten the other.
Both were silently pretending, neither initiating conversation. Hua Tianyou, unaware of his role as the third wheel, surveyed them with curious eyes.
Han Lei, feeling unnerved under Hua Tianyou’s gaze, finally shot him a sideways glare, then fished out a finely-crafted box from her space watch and pushed it towards Zhao Zun.
"This... this is for you." Han Lei whispered softly.
"For me?"
Zhao Zun was taken aback with joy, quickly took the box, and opened it, the doubts of past days evaporating.
Inside the box was a stylish men’s mechanical watch, an Omega luxury timepiece. The black face was adorned with a circle of small diamonds, sparkling in the firelight.
Han Lei actually gifted him such a precious and exquisite item?
Zhao Zun didn’t know what it was, but from the appearance alone, he thought it must be very valuable.
He carefully took the watch from the box and admired it. But before he could figure out what it was, a large hand suddenly snatched it away.
"Wow! What is this? It’s so beautiful!"
Hua Tianyou seized it immediately.