Chapter 70: Changle Picks a Fight
Emperor Jing’s lip twitched fiercely as he was about to reprimand Li Zhongxin for being morally corrupt, when he heard a loud shout from the garden—
"Come on! It’s New Year, everyone drink up and dance!"
Emperor Jing turned around, his eyes widening instantly.
In the distance, Xiao Zhengfei was standing on a chair, raising his wine glass and shouting loudly. Zhao Zun and Han Lei were holding hands, dancing to the beat of the music.
Their dance was quite strange, with nodding and shaking heads. It looked like dancing, but resembled more a mage performing a ritual.
Soon after, the trusted aides gradually stood up as well, swaying and joining their ranks. Some held a skewer in their hands, while others had a glass of wine.
Gradually, they formed a long chain, with those at the back placing their hands on the shoulders of those in front, dancing energetically around the barbecue grill in the aroma of the skewers.
Eventually, they even dragged the matron and Zhao Ling’er into the dance.
At that moment, Emperor Jing seemed to truly understand.
It turned out that Zhao Zun and Han Lei’s idea of "playing music" was to disregard social norms and hierarchy, acting as if there was no one else around, only caring about their own happiness.
"Marvelous, marvelous!" Emperor Jing nodded with a smile.
Today’s trip has truly been worthwhile.
It seems his decision to issue the edict was correct.
Zhao Zun indeed had the talent he imagined, but he was also someone who indulged in pleasure.
He not only lusted after Han Lei’s beauty but also shared similar interests with her, even mingling with those lowly servants. Unable to comprehend it last night, but today he could immerse himself in leisure.
A person like this has neither the mood nor the time to harbor ambitions, not worth worrying about. As for him leading troops into battle, strategizing and planning, it was probably just a responsibility tied to the court’s salary.
Thinking of this, Emperor Jing felt there was no need to continue testing during the New Year visit, and he turned, walking away briskly.
"Hey, Your Majesty. Aren’t we going in?" Li Zhongxin asked, bewildered, quickly jogging to catch up.
"No need, leave the things with the gatekeeper and return to the palace." Emperor Jing, with a smile, felt his steps becoming much lighter.
...
After the barbecue ended, the gatekeeper delivered the gift to Zhao Zun. Zhao Zun, looking at the valuable packaging of the gift, hurriedly asked about the visitor’s appearance.
Hearing that two people had visited the back garden and then left, one of whom was fair-faced and beardless, Zhao Zun and Han Lei immediately understood who the visitor was. Both couldn’t help but exchange a knowing smile...
With the edict urging them, Zhao Zun began arranging affairs to go to Canzhou the next day. Han Lei, accompanied by the matron and Zhao Ling’er, went out shopping, wanting to sort out her own matters.
Since it was the second day of the year, the streets were bustling with excitement. Han Lei, along with the matron and her daughter, strolled around and noticed two shops up for transfer.
One was quite prominent, suitable for opening a restaurant. The other was slightly off the main path, suitable for a guesthouse.
With too many people around on the bustling street, Han Lei didn’t want to appear in person. She immediately instructed the maid Zitan to return and contact the butler, Mr. Liu, telling him to contact the owners later and purchase both shops directly.
A few days ago at Tengyun Building, Han Lei had mentioned to Zhang Hanlin her plan to open a uniquely distinctive restaurant in the Capital City.
At the time, Zhang Hanlin showed high interest, wanting to invest, and since they were all going to Canzhou, Han Lei planned to entrust Zhang Hanlin with managing the Capital City’s restaurant.
Zhang Hanlin might be unorthodox, but he had a knack for business and was quite talented in that regard.
Although Mr. Zhang, the elder, had already retired to his hometown, Zhang Hanlin’s father and uncle were still officials at the court, making Zhang Hanlin a fitting figure to support the restaurant openly.
Even Zhang Hanlin himself remarked how his grandfather frequently scolded him for being useless. Once the restaurant is up and running, he vowed to accomplish a great feat for his grandfather to see.
The restaurant would be an open business, while the guesthouse would operate discreetly. In the future, it would also serve as a liaison point between Canzhou and the Capital City.
After wandering around for a while, they reached the entrance of the Capital City’s largest jewelry store, Six Blessings Hall. The store’s dazzling sign glittered under the sunlight, causing the matron to stop in her tracks.
The matron’s face was adorned with a warm and gentle smile, her eyes reflecting a fondness for Han Lei.
"Lei’er, you’re about to become a daughter-in-law of the Zhao family. I don’t have much to offer, but let me choose a set of headwear as your wedding gift! It won’t be part of the bridal gifts!"
Han Lei slightly bowed, softly declining, "Auntie, I appreciate your kindness, but the headwear is too extravagant. I’m afraid I won’t be able to use it."
Being a modern special operations team’s lieutenant military physician, she was either in a hospital or on the training grounds in her daily life. Her routine was simple, rarely wearing makeup, so she hardly needed such items.
Besides, she couldn’t understand the ancient women’s custom of wearing lots of jewelry and definitely didn’t want to walk around with heavy gold and silver on her head every day.
The matron gently patted Han Lei’s hand, smiling, "Silly child, as our Zhao family’s daughter-in-law, you naturally should use the best. Once you go to Canzhou, you won’t be able to buy such fine items like you can in the Capital City. Come on, let’s go and take a look."
"Indeed! Sister-in-law, this is Mother’s gesture as a mother-in-law. You should accept it!" Zhao Ling’er chimed in to help persuade.
"Uh... okay! Thank you, Aunt."
The matron’s sincerity was hard to refuse; it was a heartfelt gesture, so Han Lei had no choice but to accept it with a smile. Besides, she was interested in seeing the craftsmanship and quality of the jewelry from this era.
The three of them entered Six Blessings Hall. Upon seeing the matron herself, the shopkeeper hurriedly approached, enthusiastically welcoming them.
The store was filled with dazzling jewelry, shining alluringly under the sunlight.
Han Lei’s gaze was attracted by a set of exquisite headwear, featuring rubies as the main stones and pearls for embellishment. Each gemstone was crystal clear, emitting endless brilliance.
Just as Han Lei was about to reach out and pick it up, a hand quicker than hers snatched the set of headwear away.
Looking up, Han Lei saw Princess Changle looking at her with an arrogant expression.
"Oh, isn’t this Miss Han? What, have you taken a liking to this headwear set too?" Princess Changle’s words had a tone of mockery.
Han Lei slightly furrowed her brows, not wanting to clash with the willful and arrogant princess, so she replied blandly, "If the princess likes it, it naturally belongs to the princess."
However, Princess Changle was unwilling to let it go, provocatively looking at Han Lei as she sneered, "This princess certainly likes it, but likewise, any items this princess takes a liking to have never been out of reach. If you’re sensible, obediently let it go to this princess."
Princess Changle, despite her words, internally thought: What a joke, this princess isn’t particularly fond of this headwear. My mansion contains countless similar items. Since you dare compete with me over Zhao Zun, I certainly want to make things difficult for you, to see how you can contend.
Seeing Princess Changle’s arrogance, the matron frowned, about to speak, but Han Lei lightly tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stay out of it.
Han Lei looked at Princess Changle, subtly smiling, and said, with implied meaning, "Princess, you’ve misspoken. Everything in the world has its own fate. It’s not something solely dictated by you."
Princess Changle’s face darkened at these words, angrily replying, "A wild girl from rural areas with no manners! This princess has decided on this set of headwear today. If you’re wise, quickly get out of my sight!"
Ignoring her, Han Lei turned directly to the shopkeeper, saying, "Shopkeeper, how much is this set of headwear? I’ll buy it."