Chapter 54: Princess Changle’s Thoughts
Zhao Zun really felt like slapping himself twice.
The trusted aides are specifically responsible for his safety on the battlefield and are exclusively his to command. No one else can order them, except for him.
Yet, he hadn’t expected Han Lei to treat the Love Lock as a universal token, using it on his trusted aides.
That little girl really doesn’t play by the rules!
If he had known earlier, he would have simply said it was a token of love for Han Lei instead of foolishly declaring it can command servants. His mind just doesn’t work well whenever he encounters this girl.
Ah!
His genuine love for Han Lei is one thing, but using external forces to keep Han Lei by his side is quite another.
After all, they’ve only known each other for one or two months; their feelings are still too fragile and too thin. Han Lei hasn’t reached the point where she insists on marrying him alone.
If Han Lei discovered that he wanted to use improper means to gain her lifelong commitment, with her independent nature, she’d definitely think he had ulterior motives, was deceiving her, and would resolutely leave him.
Zhao Zun had no confidence in the two months of relationship; he kept warning himself in his mind.
Just wait! Just wait!
In two more days, it will be New Year’s Eve. Once Emperor Jing’s royal decree for marriage comes down, even if they haven’t formally married, Han Lei will be his imperial-granted wife.
At that time, other than returning to Huaxia, Han Lei would have nowhere to escape within their relationship. Only then, when he tells her, the risk of Han Lei leaving him would be much smaller.
Han Lei, however, did not notice Zhao Zun’s odd behavior. Her pretty face flushed, and she looked at Zhao Zun shyly.
"Is this... really a token of love you gave me?"
"Hmm..."
Zhao Zun extended the ’hmm’ quite long. His expression appeared somewhat stiff, his gaze flickered uncertainly; clearly, he didn’t know how to reply, so he ambiguously said, "Remember... to always have it with you, don’t take it off. It... has special significance."
Han Lei, observing Zhao Zun’s slightly awkward demeanor, felt a warm current filling her heart instantly. She thought Zhao Zun was embarrassed to admit his feelings in front of his two trusted aides.
Han Lei’s lips unconsciously curved upward, feeling delighted inside. She hung the exquisite Love Lock back around her neck as if she could feel the warmth and deep affection it conveyed. At that moment, her heart was filled with happiness.
Seeing this, Zhao Zun finally breathed a sigh of relief.
A crisis narrowly avoided.
To prevent Han Lei from overthinking once she left, Zhao Zun personally instructed Ping Chuan and Xiao Zhengfei to lead their trusted aides and temporarily follow Han Lei’s orders.
Moreover, he decided to set aside his tasks and accompany Han Lei for some street shopping to select a site, completely diverting her attention from the Love Lock.
The two trusted aides followed Han Lei and Zhao Zun out of the Prince Mansion and headed toward the street.
What they didn’t know was that just as they stepped out, Aunt Qin Yanran stealthily left the Prince Mansion as well.
...I am the lazy dividing line...
Tengyun Building is the largest restaurant in the Capital City, renowned far and wide. It is located on the most commercial street in the Capital City—
Xuanwu Street
The late Emperor, when he was alive, was particularly fond of Tengyun Building and often visited discreetly in plain clothes to taste the exquisite cuisine there.
Tengyun Building is a four-story wooden structure, magnificently adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant colors; when night falls, it lights up like a fairyland.
It is constantly bustling with diners, having literati composing poetry and matching wits, high-ranking officials and nobility drinking merrily. Whenever the late Emperor visited, he was always warmly received by the shopkeeper and staff, who strove to please him.
The late Emperor tasted countless delicacies in Tengyun Building and praised its culinary skills highly, once remarking with a smile: "The cuisine of Tengyun Building is unrivaled in the world."
After this remark, Tengyun Building’s reputation soared, becoming an indispensable landmark in the Capital City. Nowadays, though the late Emperor has passed, the tales of Tengyun Building still circulate around the streets and alleys of the Capital City.
For this reason, Tengyun Building’s pricing is now prohibitively high. Those dining there are either royal kin and nobility, high officials and wealthy merchants, or literati. Ordinary people can only look on from afar.
At this moment, it’s midday, and Tengyun Building is lively and bustling. Sunlight filters through the carved window lattices, casting golden patterns on the rustic wooden floors.
In the private room on the second floor, the sunlight slants through the windows, illuminating the figures of several renowned playboys and noble ladies from the Capital City. They are dressed in lavish attire, enjoying exquisite food, chatting idly, and basking in the warm winter sun.
The private room is spacious, with two large round tables inside separated by a screen. The playboys at one table, the noble ladies at the other.
"Did you all know? The Marshal of the Beiguan Garrison, Zhao Zun, returned to the Capital City yesterday," Wei Chengchao, the son of Mr. Wei, said mysteriously.
Wei Chengchao resembles Mr. Wei about 70% in appearance, with a cunning face. Beneath his glossy hair are a pair of small shifty eyes, a frivolous smile on his lips, and despite his luxurious attire he exudes the air of a dissolute.
His gaze occasionally darted toward the silhouettes of the ladies cast on the screen, his eyes full of frivolity and amusement.
"When did you see him? Isn’t there a rumor about his commanding troops for personal gain? Why would he easily hand over his military power to return to the Capital City?" a young lord said while putting a pinch of food into his mouth. He spoke casually while chewing.
"Tch! My dad returned home yesterday and personally said it, how could it be false? I heard he handed the Commander’s Seal to His Majesty as soon as he entered the palace."
"I heard my dad mention this too," another young lord chimed in.
"Zhao Zun, by his own prowess, made the three northern states tremble with fear. I actually admire him quite a bit. Tsk tsk tsk, for such a brave and clever general to return to the Capital City and retire is a real pity," another young lord also joined the discussion.
The young lords were here discussing the hero of Beiguan, Zhao Zun. On the other side of the screen, Princess Changle, who was originally discussing poetry with her best friends, was struck by the news of Zhao Zun’s return to the Capital City.
Princess Changle, Su Wanlan, was the daughter of the Marquis of Champion and the Queen’s brother, and she should call Emperor Jing ’uncle.’
She was naturally spoiled, plain-looking yet of noble birth. Having studied poetry alongside the princes at the Imperial College, she earned a reputation as a talented lady in the Capital City through her intentional or accidental flaunting.
When Princess Changle was seven or eight years old, she first entered the Imperial College and happened to see twelve-year-old Zhao Zun practicing swordplay in the courtyard during recess.
Zhao Zun’s strong and heroic figure caught her eye, making her pause. At that time, the young Princess Changle fell in love at first sight, pledging to marry Zhao Zun when she grew up.
Every recess, she would hide behind the rockery, secretly watching Zhao Zun train. Sometimes, she even brought delicious snacks from home, having her maid send them to Zhao Zun post-training for some sustenance.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t spent many days together before twelve-year-old Zhao Zun was ordered by his father to go to Beiguan Camp for training. Until the former Duke returned to the Capital City after dying in battle, they only met twice more.
After Zhao Zun returned to camp and was promoted to Marshal of the Beiguan Garrison, border conflicts continued, leaving Zhao Zun no opportunity to return to the Capital City, thus they never met again.
Later, Zhao Zun became famous for his military achievements and became a hero among the people of Da Jing, and Princess Changle’s obsession with Zhao Zun became unstoppable.
She often sought news of Zhao Zun through various channels, knowing Zhao Zun was preoccupied with warfare and hadn’t married. Therefore, despite her family’s attempts at arrangements and urgings, she remained indifferent.
As of now, Princess Changle had become a 23-year-old spinster and was still waiting for Zhao Zun to return and marry her.
Now, hearing that Zhao Zun returned to the Capital City, she could no longer suppress her excitement, making an excuse to leave. She hurried onto a carriage with a large group of maids and guards, eagerly heading straight to the Imperial Palace.
She wanted to enter the palace immediately and ask her Emperor uncle for a marital decree for Zhao Zun and herself.
Right away! At once!