Love Lock

Chapter 129 Because You're Ugly
A dilapidated wooden house, seemingly forgotten by time in the deep mountains and forests.

On the rammed earth walls, the mottled cracks resemble the wrinkles on an old man's face, telling tales of endless vicissitudes.

The wooden planks of the roof had long since rotted away, and a few rays of sunlight shone through the cracks, but could not dispel the cold and dampness inside.

Spiderwebs were everywhere, as if draping the room in a grayish-white veil. Thick layers of dry grass covered the floor, making a rustling sound when stepped on.

On the open ground nearby, several earthenware bowls and jars were casually placed, with two half-eaten coarse steamed buns in the bowls.

In the corner of the room, a wooden toilet with peeling red paint emanated a strong, nauseating stench of mold and feces.

In this suffocating environment, a woman with matted long hair, unkempt appearance, and clothes so filthy that their original color was unrecognizable was standing on tiptoe, peering out of the small wooden window, and shouting.

"Let me out! Let me out quickly!"

Hearing her shout, a dark-skinned, scarred face appeared outside the window, impatiently scolding her.

"Go on, behave yourself, what are you yelling for?"

Scarface's voice was rough and hoarse, like wood being rubbed with sandpaper.

The woman flinched in fright, but she mustered her courage and pleaded, "Brother, brother. Could you please go and see how many women are left in the village?"

Scarface sneered, "There's more to come! Just wait and see!"

"There are still many?" A hint of disappointment flashed in the woman's eyes. "Brother, could you please let me out secretly? I promise I won't tell anyone."

"Don't even think about it! Do you think this is your backyard, where you can come and go as you please?"

Scarface glared at her and turned his face away from the window.

"Hey, brother! Don't go!" the woman pleaded, unwilling to give up. "Brother, since the chieftain has so many women, how about... how about you take me? Take me and let me out. Okay?"

The scarred man did not show his face again; the woman could only hear his disdainful voice.

"You're dreaming! My standards are high, how could you possibly covet what I have?"

"Hahaha."

Just then, a lewd laugh came from outside the window: "Scarface, why don't you do her a favor and take her in? Oh dear, she looks so pitiful."

Hearing the man's voice, the woman quickly nodded in agreement.

"Yes, brother. You won't lose out by taking me in. I'm a princess of noble birth, my father is the Marquis of Champion, and the Empress is my aunt!"

It turned out that this disheveled woman was none other than the once high and mighty Princess Chang Le, Su Wanlan.

The reason why Princess Chang Le is now in such a lowly and humble state, looking like a beggar woman, is all because Zhao Zun was too busy and forgot about her.

Zhao Zun instructed Xiao Zhengfei to send men to capture her and keep her here, intending to use her to exchange for Han Lei if necessary.

Later, Han Lei sent a letter, and Zhao Zun finally felt relieved. He then followed Han Lei's instructions and busied himself with setting up a cement plant in Fufeng County.

Immediately following was the task of launching a surprise attack on the battlefield. In this busyness, he completely forgot about the utterly unimportant Princess Chang Le.

This forgetfulness caused great distress to Princess Chang Le.

Zhao Zun did not issue any further orders, and the guards dared not let her go on their own.

But since the other party was a princess, the guards responsible for watching over her could only rack their brains to stall for time so as not to bring trouble to Zhao Zun in the future.

But no matter how much they delayed, Princess Chang Le was never allowed to leave the wooden house. She ate, drank, and relieved herself all in the wooden house.

Every morning, the guards on duty would bring Princess Chang Le a day's worth of clean water and food, and then take the chamber pot out to clean it.

Princess Chang Le spent her days in this wooden house in a state of utter boredom.

For two whole months, she had no idea where her maids and attendants were being held, nor how much time had passed. All she knew was that the sky outside the small window would darken and then brighten, brighten and then darken again.

All she knew was that she had been kidnapped by a group of bandits and taken to their stronghold. The stronghold's leader was a greedy and lustful man, so the bandits kidnapped women from all over the place to offer to him in order to please him.

But what puzzled her was that if the chieftain was so lustful, why had she never been offered to him after being kidnapped for so long, and why hadn't the chieftain even shown his face once?

She knew the chieftain was no good person, but she still longed to see him. Because if she could leave this house, she could find a way to escape.

But the guards outside always said that the chieftain had many women around him and that she should wait in line.

At first, she maintained her arrogant and domineering demeanor, resorting to threats, inducements, intimidation, and insults towards her guards. But the guards completely ignored her.

Moreover, her personal guards were now bandits. Therefore, they disregarded her noble status and often made sarcastic, mocking, and attacking remarks towards her.

As time went by, her arrogance dissipated. In order to escape from here, she begged, cried, and seduced, using every trick in the book.

Once a person's will is worn down, they will become pessimistic about everything.

Gradually, Princess Chang Le became as humble as she is now, and began to fawn over others.

Upon hearing Princess Chang Le mention her noble status again, Scarface sneered disdainfully.

"Pshaw! You keep bragging about being a princess, but who would believe you? Do you know why our chieftain has always been unwilling to accept you?"

A hint of doubt and anticipation flashed in Princess Chang Le's eyes: "Why? Brother, tell me, why?"

Scarface reappeared outside the window. He looked Princess Chang Le up and down, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Because you're ugly. I don't care who you are. The chieftain said he likes beautiful women. Unless there are really no women left in the village, it won't be your turn, you ugly freak."

Princess Chang Le was struck dumb upon hearing this, her last shred of pride shattered.

Am I really that ugly? Can't even my noble status as a princess be concealed?

Princess Chang Le, who had always considered herself a favored daughter of heaven, was utterly devastated. She wanted to rush out and beat up the two bandits at the gate, but she couldn't get out at all.

She looked down at her dirty clothes and disheveled hair, and an indescribable sense of humiliation welled up inside her, as if a dull knife was repeatedly cutting into her heart.

She was once a high-ranking princess, someone countless people looked up to, but now she has fallen to the point where even mountain bandits despise her.

She reluctantly raised her head, wanting to say something more, but saw that Scarface had already left the small window, leaving only a cold "Stay put" echoing in the air.

Princess Chang Le slumped to the ground, tears streaming down her face.

She glanced around at the cobwebs, toilet, ceramic bowls, and hay, remembering her former glory and prestige. She remembered those who had fawned over her and fawned over her.

But now, all of that is gone. She is trapped in this dilapidated wooden house, living a life worse than death.

She didn't know how much longer she could hold on, or whether she would ever see the light of day again.

Princess Chang Le sat slumped on the haystack, staring blankly at the somewhat hardened steamed bun in the earthenware bowl in front of her.

While Princess Chang Le was still in a daze, she was unaware that the Deputy Commander Ping, whom she had met before, had already appeared outside the wooden house.

"what's the situation?"

Pingchuan walked over and asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with caution.

Scarface tilted his head. "He's inside."

"Ok!"

Pingchuan nodded, then leaned close to Scarface's ear and whispered a few words. A wicked smile gradually appeared on Scarface's face.

Suddenly, the sound of chains rattling echoed from the wooden door.

Blah blah blah!

Princess Chang Le turned her head blankly, and there it was—the wooden door, which was only opened once every morning, was open. Scarface and the lewd-speaking bandit appeared together at the door.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Princess Chang Le's eyes.

"Brother, does the chieftain want me?"

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with joy and anticipation.

She quickly stood up and haphazardly combed her hair with her fingers, trying to make herself look prettier.

She was about to have her chance to leave the cabin, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

Two bandits slowly approached her. The scarred man smirked as he glanced at her before revealing a mocking smile.

"You're overthinking it. The chieftain said that seeing ugly women will affect your appetite, so you're of no value to us. Come on, we'll take you down the mountain now."

As soon as Scarface finished speaking, Princess Chang Le felt everything go black. A large sack suddenly descended from above, completely enveloping her.

"Hey, hey! What are you doing? Didn't you say you'd let me down the mountain?"

Princess Chang Le screamed in panic and struggled desperately. Then, she felt herself being lifted up, her bones aching from the pressure.

"Hahaha, although the chieftain may not be interested in you, the men in the brothel might be. We've been serving you good food and drink for so long, you have to let us earn something back."

Scarface's voice came from outside the sack, tinged with smugness.

They're going to sell her to a brothel?
Just out of the fire pit, into the hell pit?
Princess Chang Le's heart sank suddenly, as if she had fallen into a bottomless abyss.

Her mind went blank, filled only with endless fear and despair. She felt herself being carried down the mountain, the bumpy road making her stomach churn and almost vomit.

Then, she was thrown onto a carriage. After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally stopped, and she was carried on someone's shoulders like cargo.

At this moment, a majestic voice rang in Princess Chang Le's ears.

"Halt! Who are you? What are you carrying on your shoulders? Why are you moving?"

"Sir, we're carrying sheep, intending to take them to the market to sell." Scarface's voice carried a hint of panic.

"Open it and take a look," the official insisted without backing down.

"No, sir. It's hard to catch a sheep once it's run away," the bandit with the lewd voice tried to argue.

"Open it when I tell you to," the officer's voice grew even harsher.

Princess Chang Le realized she had encountered government officials and immediately struggled and shouted.

"Help! Sir, help me!"

"What? It's filled with people? Open it quickly!" The officer's voice was filled with shock and anger.

"Run!"

Scarface growled, abandoned Princess Chang Le, and turned to run.

boom!
Ah!
Princess Chang Le was thrown heavily to the ground. Dizzy and disoriented, she screamed in pain, grimacing.

"Hmph! Still trying to run. Brothers, after them!"

Princess Chang Le heard the official shout, followed by a cacophony of footsteps fading into the distance. Then, the whole world fell silent.

A golden opportunity has fallen from the sky!

Princess Chang Le's first thought was to take this opportunity to escape.

The bottom of the sack didn't seem to be tied tightly, and Princess Chang Le struggled for a while before she managed to break free from it.

She used her teeth to bite open the rope binding her wrists, struggled to get up from the ground, and looked around.

She found herself standing on a winding mountain road, surrounded by dense trees and weeds.

This appears to be a checkpoint along the official road, but at this moment, there isn't a single official at the checkpoint.

She knew those officials must have gone after Scarface and his gang. She licked her dry, cracked lips, forcing herself to calm down.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. Princess Chang Le's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly hid behind a large tree.

She held her breath and cautiously peeked out, seeing a man riding a horse galloping towards her.

Princess Chang Le held her breath, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

The surrounding woods were quiet and secluded, with only the rustling sound of the breeze through the treetops.

She cautiously peeked out, her gaze piercing through the layers of branches and leaves, landing on the man in the distance.

Although the man was dressed plainly, even in simple coarse linen clothes, he had a rather handsome appearance, with a heroic air about him.

He was tall and straight, and his riding posture was steady and composed, so he didn't look like a bad person.

Princess Chang Le breathed a slight sigh of relief.

There was no one else on this official road except this man, and she couldn't miss the chance to ask for help.

Since being kidnapped by bandits, she had suffered terribly in the mountains. Those bandits were rude and disrespectful, ordering her around all day long and even threatening to kill her.

She begged them countless times to let her go, but each time she was met with ridicule and sarcasm.

Now, although she has escaped the clutches of the bandits, she has no idea how to get back to the capital in this desolate wilderness.

As the man drew closer, Princess Chang Le didn't have time to think. She quickly ran out from behind the tree, spread her arms, and stood directly in the middle of the road, blocking the man's path.

"Stop! Stop! Please, save me!"

She kept her eyes tightly shut, unable to bear looking at the galloping horse hurtling towards her at high speed.

Her voice trembled slightly, as if afraid that the man hadn't seen her and would have charged at her directly.

"Yu!"

The man pulled hard on the reins a few steps away, the horse neighed, reared up, and came to a steady stop.

The man sat on horseback, looking down at her with a mixture of anger and scrutiny in his eyes, as if he were looking at a wild beast that had suddenly emerged from the woods.

Princess Chang Le slowly opened her eyes.

"Young master, I am Princess Chang Le from the capital. I have encountered bandits. Please, save me."

She said urgently, her voice clearly pleading.

The man did not respond immediately. Instead, he dismounted, led the horse to her, and carefully examined her.

His gaze swept from her face to her clothes, as if assessing the credibility of her words.

Princess Chang Le felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, but she knew she had to seize this opportunity.

"You said you were a princess?"

The man finally spoke, his voice low and cold, a hint of barely perceptible disdain flashing in his eyes.

"It's true, I really am Princess Chang Le!"

Princess Chang Le anxiously watched the man. Once she missed him, she didn't know when anyone else would pass by.

Without anyone's help, she had no idea how she would get back to the capital, let alone what she would experience along the way.

The man remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing something.

After a moment, he shook his head, his tone indifferent: "But I have urgent business to attend to."

Princess Chang Le's heart sank.

She hadn't expected that even after revealing her identity as a princess, the other party still had no intention of helping her. Her eyes reddened slightly, but she forced back the tears.

"Then...can you tell me how to get to the capital?"

The man impatiently pointed behind him.

“If you follow this road, it will take about two days to reach the capital.”

The tears in Princess Chang Le's eyes finally rolled down; they were tears of joy.

"Thank you, thank you."

Her voice was very soft, as if it were squeezed out of her throat.

She walked towards the man's back, and as she passed by him, she surprisingly curtsied to this ordinary man of lowly status.

She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly heard a man's voice behind her.

"and many more."

Princess Chang Le stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at the man timidly.

The man untied the water bag from his waist, took out two flatbreads from his bundle, walked up to her, and handed them to her.

"Here, take these flatbreads and eat them on the way. This is all I have."

The man's tone remained indifferent, but to Princess Chang Le at that moment, it sounded like heavenly music.

pancake?

Princess Chang Le was stunned. She looked down at the pancake the man handed her, and her nose couldn't help but sting with tears.

This was the first time in two months that she had seen food other than coarse flour steamed buns.

Her dirty fingers trembled slightly as she accepted the bread and water pouch, thanking them repeatedly.

"Thank you, thank you benefactor!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, and she almost knelt down to kowtow to the man.

The man nodded, said nothing more, turned around, mounted his horse with clean and swift movements.

He rode away, the sound of his hooves gradually fading into the distance, eventually disappearing at the end of the official road.

Princess Chang Le took a bite of her pancake and bowed deeply to her benefactor's retreating figure. Then, she stood there gratefully, watching her benefactor's figure gradually disappear into the distance.

But she didn't see that the moment her benefactor turned to mount his horse, a triumphant smile appeared on his originally indifferent face.