Love Lock

Chapter 127 A Lifetime of Honor Ruined
Zhao Zun's movements were gentle yet firm, as if he were declaring something.

Han Lei's heart began to race involuntarily, and her cheeks flushed even more. She gave up her futile struggle and simply rested her head on his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.

Zhao Zun's room was large, exuding a scholarly atmosphere, and was decorated in a warm and tidy manner.

Several landscape paintings hung on the wall, the bookshelves were filled with various books, and several potted green plants were placed on the windowsill, making it look vibrant.

But Han Lei was in no mood to appreciate any of this. The moment the door closed, the atmosphere in the room instantly became ambiguous.

Zhao Zun put Han Lei down. Han Lei was about to turn around and run away, but Zhao Zun raised his hands and pinned her against the wall behind the door.

Because they were so close, Zhao Zun's warm breath sprayed onto Han Lei's face. Han Lei nervously turned her face away, instinctively clutching her collar.

Zhao Zun didn't say a word, just looked down at her intently.

However, the fragrance emanating from Han Lei made his breathing quicken.

"If...if you really want it, I can...but..."

Han Lei lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly, carrying a hint of unease and shyness.

Ma Cheng and his guards were barely cold in death. In her memory, even if Zhao Zun was impatient, he shouldn't be the kind of person who acted without restraint. But why...?

Han Lei's mind was racing with random thoughts, while Zhao Zun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He lowered his head and moved intimately close to Han Lei's earlobe.

"I really want it."

Zhao Zun's words made no attempt to conceal his emotions; his deep voice was magnetic and possessed a certain allure.

Zhao Zun's hot breath tickled Han Lei's earlobe, and hearing his words made her heart beat even faster. She could even feel her cheeks burning hot, as if they were about to burst into flames.

She dared not look up and meet Zhao Zun's burning gaze, and could only clutch her collar tightly, trying to hide her inner turmoil.

Although she did not condone premarital sex, she was the princess whom Emperor Jing had personally betrothed to Zhao Zun, which was equivalent to having a marriage certificate and being protected by the laws of the Great Jing Dynasty.

Seeing Zhao Zun's impatient look, she tried to persuade her flustered heart to accept Zhao Zun and take that step forward.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Zun changed his tune completely.

“But not now.” Zhao Zun sighed, his voice suddenly softening. He lightly kissed her cheek with his soft lips, his eyes filled with tenderness. “I will wait until after I give you a grand ceremony.”

Han Lei was taken aback, raised her head, her long eyelashes fluttering, her eyes filled with doubt and surprise.

"But...but you weren't just..."

Didn't you say in front of so many people that you couldn't wait?

"hehe."

Zhao Zun chuckled softly in her ear, deciding to stop teasing her.

Standing up straight, Zhao Zun put away his smile and stared intently into Han Lei's bright eyes.

“I just want them all to see that I’m forcing you, and I want them to know that you are now my queen. If we’re going to discuss ‘doing it’ in private, we need to be alone in a room often. That way, no one will dare to gossip about you behind your back.”

Han Lei then realized what was happening, and she couldn't tell whether she was happy or touched.

Zhao Zun is very thoughtful. From the moment she came into this world and met him, whenever something was bad for her, Zhao Zun would always take the blame upon herself.

Zhao Zun is right. Before Zhao Zun's power grows stronger, they all have to do this in secret.

With her abilities, she could easily storm the palace with modern weapons, but what would happen after she took it?
Even with powerful modern weapons, they cannot act rashly; they still have many people who care about them and want to help them.

Therefore, many things need to be planned carefully, and they also need to discuss and cooperate in secret. Being husband and wife will always make things more convenient.

Thinking about how nervous and flustered she had been because of Zhao Zun's words "can't wait," Han Lei couldn't help but punch Zhao Zun's firm chest twice in embarrassment and annoyance, her soft and sweet voice full of reproach.

"Hmph! Why didn't you tell me beforehand? You scared me half to death. How annoying!"

That cute-fierce feeling is back! It's back again!
"Hehehe."

Zhao Zun was in a great mood. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her fair hand to his lips to kiss it.

Han Lei blushed, deliberately lowered her face, and changed the subject.

"Didn't you say you wanted to discuss something? Then hurry up and get started."

Zhao Zun reluctantly let go of her hand and turned to walk towards the square table in the center of the room.

"Come, sit down and let's talk." Zhao Zun pointed to the chair opposite him, gesturing for Han Lei to sit down.

Han Lei nodded and walked to the table to sit down. Zhao Zun poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.

Han Lei took the teacup, took a small sip, and the aroma of the tea filled her mouth, calming her nerves a little.

"What should we do next? Do you have any plans? And are you sure you've thought this through?"

Han Lei put down her teacup, looked up at Zhao Zun, and her eyes showed a hint of worry.

"Taking him down" sounds easy, but in reality, it involves far too many aspects.

"I've made up my mind. Ma Cheng and the others can't have died in vain, and the future of Dajing can't be controlled by a bunch of people who only know how to talk about merit and profit. I plan to..."

Zhao Zun, with a somber expression, began to explain his next plan, and then discussed it in detail with Han Lei.

The two of them were discussing important matters behind closed doors, unaware that a lively scene was unfolding outside Zhao Zun's courtyard.

After having breakfast, the old lady had already returned to her own courtyard. She sat on a sandalwood chair in the main room, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, chanting sutras and praying for blessings.

Zhao Zun and his son went to the border to fight the enemy. Ever since Zhao Zun's father died on the battlefield, this has become a habit she has developed over the years.

Unlike other noblewomen, the old lady did not like to gather in groups of three or five to drink tea, eat, or chat and show off.

Aside from some formal social engagements, she rarely went out. She spent most of her time each day chanting sutras and praying for Zhao Zun. Secondly, she read and wrote calligraphy.

Just now, before she had even finished reciting the scripture, Jinju rushed over, panting, to report.

"Madam, the Prince... the Prince couldn't wait any longer. He carried Miss Han into the house and... he even closed the door!"

After Jinju finished speaking, her face turned bright red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at the old lady.

Upon hearing this, the old lady stopped holding her prayer beads and her heart skipped a beat.

Han Lei is undoubtedly her daughter-in-law, that's true, but they haven't officially gotten married yet, so her son's actions seem a bit too hasty.

She felt uneasy, thinking that her son had done something wrong, but for some reason, a faint, indescribable excitement welled up inside her.

She sighed softly, shook her head, and muttered to herself, "Why is this child so impatient?" Just then, Zhao Ling'er skipped in from outside. Seeing that the old lady's expression was a little strange, she went up to her and asked, "Mother, what's wrong? Why does your face look so strange?"

The old lady glanced at Zhao Ling'er, and seeing her innocent and naive face, she felt even more embarrassed. She waved her hand and said, "It's alright, it's alright."

Zhao Ling'er, however, persisted, clinging to the old lady's arm and pleading, "Mother, you're definitely hiding something from me! Tell me quickly, did I make you angry again?"

Unable to resist her persistent questioning, the old lady could only vaguely say, "Your brother... he did some things inappropriately."

"What is it?" Zhao Ling'er blinked her big eyes, asking with a face full of curiosity.

The old lady was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer, when suddenly a commotion came from outside.

The old lady frowned and said to Zhao Ling'er, "Let's go out and take a look."

Zhao Ling'er obediently helped the old lady out of the house. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw the servants and guards gathered in twos and threes, talking and laughing in hushed tones.

Upon seeing the old lady emerge, everyone immediately fell silent, lowered their heads, and pretended to be nonchalant.

But the old lady had sharp eyes and immediately noticed that they kept glancing towards Zhao Zun's courtyard, their eyes sparkling with gossip.

It seemed everyone in the manor knew. The old lady's heart sank, and she knew something was wrong.

Oh no, her son's reputation is completely ruined now.

In the Great Jing Dynasty, men usually married at the age of eighteen or nineteen. My son had been staying in the Beiguan military camp for many years, which delayed his marriage.

Moreover, the military camp was entirely populated by men. It is said that even when civilians herded a flock of sheep past the camp gate, upon closer inspection, they found that they were all male.

In this situation, is the son really going crazy from holding it in?
Zhao Ling'er, oblivious to the old lady's thoughts, excitedly grabbed her hand and whispered, "Mother, why are they all looking at my brother's courtyard? What is my brother doing in his room?"

"Uh……"

The old lady glared at her and whispered a reprimand: "Don't talk nonsense!"

At this moment, Lao Meng, who had been sent to Qingshui County by Han Lei that day, returned.

Old Meng, travel-worn, greeted his guards with a smile as he walked.

Perhaps it was because Old Meng had inquired about Zhao Zun's whereabouts that the old lady noticed the guards covering their lips and chuckling with amusement, before pointing to Zhao Zun's courtyard.

Old Meng nodded and walked towards Zhao Zun's courtyard, while his guards laughed loudly behind him.

The old lady was an experienced woman, and she could tell at a glance that those guards wanted to prank the unsuspecting old Meng and make him witness his son's good deed.

The old lady rubbed her forehead, her face full of exasperation.

She sighed, took a few quick steps, and stood guard by the path outside Zhao Zun's courtyard. As Old Meng passed by, she whispered something.

"stop."

When Lao Meng saw the old lady and Zhao Ling'er, he immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, old lady, greetings, young lady."

The old lady frowned and asked, "Old Meng, why are you back? Didn't Miss Han send you to Qingshui County on business?"

Old Meng respectfully replied, "Reporting to Madam, I have finished my business. I heard that the Prince and the others have returned safely, so I came to report back to the Prince and also to see if the Prince is alright after returning from the battlefield."

"Did things go smoothly?"

"Everything went smoothly, but there are some details that need to be reported to His Highness."

The old lady pondered for a moment, then asked, "Is it something urgent?"

Old Meng shook his head: "It's not urgent."

The old lady breathed a sigh of relief and waved her hand, saying, "If there's no rush, then let's wait for now. The Prince is... a little inconvenient right now."

Upon hearing this, Old Meng showed a hint of doubt on his face, but seeing the old lady's serious expression, he dared not ask any further questions and respectfully stepped aside.

Zhao Ling'er couldn't help herself and leaned close to Old Meng, whispering, "Uncle Meng, do you know what my brother is doing? Why is everyone being so secretive?"

Old Meng was taken aback, then shook his head: "This subordinate does not know."

Zhao Ling'er pouted and muttered, "How come even you don't know..."

Seeing that Zhao Ling'er was still asking questions, the old lady felt helpless and could only take her hand and say in a low voice, "Ling'er, don't ask anymore. Let's not get involved in your brother's affairs."

Zhao Ling'er blinked, then suddenly revealed a sly smile. She leaned close to the old lady's ear and whispered, "Mother, are you going to have a grandson? Hehe, don't worry, I won't say anything!"

The old lady blushed at her words, quickly straightened her face, and scolded in a low voice, "You little rascal, you're getting more and more rude!"

Zhao Ling'er stuck out her tongue, grinned, and hid to the side, saying no more.

The old lady looked at the servants and guards peeking around in the courtyard and felt a sense of helplessness.

She sighed softly and muttered to herself, "Forget it, go back and wait! Don't come any closer."

"Yes!"

Old Meng responded, scratched his head in confusion, and turned to leave.

The old lady ordered a maid to bring a chair, fearing that her daughter, who was still inexperienced, might say something nonsensical. She then sent Zhao Ling'er back to her room to study and write.

She sat in the courtyard, continuing to chant sutras and pray for blessings...

Meanwhile, in the central command tent of the Ling'an City military camp, Cao Xiong, the newly appointed garrison commander of Beiguan, was staring blankly at the scout in front of him.

Cao Xiong dropped the brush in his hand onto the desk with a "thud." He stood up, walked around the desk, and strode quickly to the scout.

"What did you say? The cavalry and main army of Ala and Meng have all retreated? How is that possible?"

Cao Xiong's voice was low and urgent. He stared incredulously at the scout kneeling in front of him, as if trying to find some flaw in the other's face.

The scout held his head high, his tone respectful yet firm.

"Reporting to the Marshal, that is indeed the case. I personally led men to investigate, and even after tracking them for over a hundred miles, we found no trace of the cavalry from either country. Their former camp was also completely deserted, with only some abandoned supplies remaining."

Upon hearing this, Cao Xiong was even more confused.

He had just received a battle report from Li Gang via carrier pigeon the day before yesterday, saying that the Turks attacked Yong'an City, but Zhao Zun led the vanguard to burn their supplies. Hua Tianyou had also accidentally killed the enemy's commander with some mysterious weapon, and the Turks had been forced to retreat.

He sent a message by carrier pigeon to inquire about the details of Zhao Zun's sneak attack, especially the situation of the mysterious weapon. However, before he could receive Li Gang's reply, Ala and Mengguo inexplicably and suddenly withdrew.

What exactly happened?

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