She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Hua Tianyou snatched it away in an instant.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Zun got anxious, glaring angrily at Hua Tianyou, and stood up to retrieve it.

Han Lei got flustered too and blurted out, "Hey! Give it back to me quickly, this is the love token I gave to the Prince."

As soon as these words were spoken, both Hua Tianyou and Zhao Zun seemed to be immobilized, suddenly freezing in place. Two pairs of eyes simultaneously shot towards Han Lei.

Han Lei didn’t pay attention to their reactions. This was the Omega wristwatch she bought at a high price. Snatching her watch would be like snatching her money.

How could this be?

Han Lei couldn’t be bothered to act ladylike, forgetting all about gender propriety as she angrily circled the table and snatched the watch back.

After glaring at Hua Tianyou, she went straight to Zhao Zun, took his hand, and slipped the watch onto his wrist. She held Zhao Zun’s hand, admiring it, feeling that Zhao Zun’s large hand suited the watch very well.

The entire set of actions was as smooth as flowing water.

Han Lei did not feel that her behavior was inappropriate, but the two ancient men in front of her were once again stunned.

"So fierce indeed?" Hua Tianyou murmured.

Suddenly, he felt that the advice he had just given Zhao Zun was all nonsense.

"Did you say it’s a love token for me?"

Zhao Zun allowed Han Lei to hold his hand, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and uncertainly asked.

"Yes! I picked it out after a long time!"

"It’s so beautiful." Zhao Zun bubbled over with pride, couldn’t help but flaunt to Hua Tianyou.

He also felt that Hua Tianyou’s so-called advice was all nonsense.

See, didn’t I tell you? She’s different from other noble ladies.

"Hmph! What’s so great about it?" Hua Tianyou was struck. He rolled his eyes and walked away.

Zhao Zun received a definite response. He discarded Hua Tianyou’s worthless advice, deciding to adopt his own strategy, directly using a more intimate address for further advancement.

"Girl, what is this for?" Zhao Zun reversed his grip on Han Lei’s small hand, pulling her to sit down.

The situation was quite miraculous; when Han Lei arrived, she was still building various psychological defenses at the door, all sorts of nervousness and shyness. But thanks to Hua Tianyou’s antics, all those strange and awkward feelings were miraculously chased away. She just naturally followed Zhao Zun’s lead and sat beside him.

"Prince, this is called a wristwatch."

"Don’t call me Prince anymore, use my name." Zhao Zun continued with his strong advance.

"Hmm?" Han Lei’s reaction seemed a bit slow.

"It sounds more intimate." Zhao Zun’s hand was unwilling to let go, with a growing doting look in his eyes.

"Uh... okay!" Han Lei finally caught on, but she too was unwilling to let go of this happiness, blushed slightly, allowing Zhao Zun to hold her hand, and continued explaining. "This is called a wristwatch, worn on the hand to see the time. It has a compass and can show direction..."

The charcoal in the brazier crackled, as the affection between Zhao Zun and Han Lei gradually heated up.

...... I’m the lazy dividing line ......

On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, the affairs in Yong’an City were all settled. Zhao Zun and his group were preparing to return to Ling’an City when Cao Xiong arrived with a squad of the Imperial Army and the royal decree.

As soon as the decree was read, Zhao Zun got up from kneeling and almost started a fight with Cao Xiong, luckily Hua Tianyou was next to him and grabbed him just in time.

Han Lei was tidying up luggage inside the tent when she saw Hua Tianyou pushing Zhao Zun inside.

"Get in, why are you acting crazy?"

Frowning, Hua Tianyou forcefully pushed Zhao Zun into the tent, Zhao Zun still looking back while muttering curses under his breath.

"Damn it, look at him gloating like that, all of them are a bunch of ungrateful bastards."

Han Lei was shocked, put down the clothes she was holding, and hurried inside to meet them.

"What happened?" Han Lei asked while helping Hua Tianyou guide Zhao Zun inside.

Zhao Zun’s eyes were blood-red, his chest moving violently, evidently quite furious; she had never seen Zhao Zun like this. Even when ambushed, Zhao Zun maintained a calm and cold demeanor, never angry like this! Who exactly provoked him?

"Sit down and talk."

Hua Tianyou pushed Zhao Zun onto a stool, pressing his shoulder to keep him seated. Han Lei hurriedly poured two bowls of water and handed them over.

Looking at Han Lei standing in front of him, Zhao Zun accepted the water she offered, and his furious emotions slightly calmed.

"You look like you’re ready for a fight, what exactly happened?" Han Lei asked softly.

Zhao Zun was still breathing heavily, not answering.

"The court has sent a new Marshal to garrison the troops, taking over Zhao Zun’s position." Since Han Lei was Zhao Zun’s determined Princess Consort, Hua Tianyou felt it unnecessary to hide from her, and continued: "This means Zhao Zun’s military command has been revoked, to be handed over to the newly arrived Cao Xiong."

"Why is this happening?"

Han Lei was stunned, Zhao Zun had triumphed twice over the Turkic invasion, hadn’t he? Winning such great battles only to have his command revoked, no wonder Zhao Zun was furious.

"Ah!"

Hua Tianyou, suddenly shedding his usual frivolous manner, frowned and sighed, feeling it was unjust for his close friend. "Because Zhao Zun has been guarding Beiguan for many years, his prestige reigning. The court has been spreading rumors that Zhao Zun is full of merits, supposedly proud of his achievements and suspected of amassing troops for personal power."

"Rumors? The Emperor believed them? But Zhao Zun hasn’t done such a thing! Isn’t this a trumped-up charge? This Emperor is too foolish!"

As Han Lei cursed the Emperor, not holding back, Zhao Zun quickly tugged her clothes.

Han Lei turned, looking at him, tenderly taking his hand perhaps wanting to transmit her strength to him, to comfort him.

"Actually, the court has intended this for a while."

Zhao Zun’s anger gradually dissipated, he gently patted Han Lei’s hand, indicating he was fine. "The Emperor is suspicious, having done nothing in the four years since ascending the throne but gradually replace the loyal ministers from the previous Emperor’s era with his own confidantes. The East Gate and South Pass Marshals had already been replaced. Here at Beiguan, due to ongoing wars, I’ve been busy fighting and defending without an appropriate opportunity for replacement, but the decree to appoint Prince Xiaoyao arrived months ago, taking over was inevitable."

"Since you expected this day, why are you so upset?"

"I’m upset because the Emperor is too hasty and has too little trust in me. Immediately revoking command right after repelling the Turkic invaders, isn’t this ungratefulness?" Zhao Zun laughed self-deprecatingly, "Beiguan is the court’s Beiguan, I’m just here to temporarily guard it. Whether they revoke the command or not is irrelevant, but they still slapped me with the accusation of amassing troops for personal power, how could I tolerate that? This is equivalent to claiming I’m committing treason."

"Exactly!" Hua Tianyou expressed angrily, "You didn’t see Cao Xiong’s smug face just now, it’s so infuriating. Treating a hero with such distinguished service this way, how could they bear it?"

Zhao Zun has fought and risked his life at the border, born in critical situations, yet the Emperor and a bunch of useless ministers behind the scenes plot with backstabbing, how could this not make one lose heart?

Han Lei, being a soldier, naturally deeply empathized with Zhao Zun’s plight.