Love Lock

Chapter 142 Oh well! Forget it!
Day two.

At midday, the sun shines on the streets of Beijing, and crowds gather in front of the Lao Yi Lao hot pot restaurant, with diners queuing up one after another.

The shop was steaming hot and filled with delicious aromas; business was booming.

Big-headed Zhang Hanlin stood at the door, smiling and welcoming guests, busy as a bee.

At this moment, Yang Haibo accompanied Pingchuan and his group over. Upon seeing them, Zhang Hanlin immediately swayed his round body forward to greet them with a broad smile.

"Haibo, Pingchuan. You've finally arrived! We've already reserved a private room for you."

Since Liu Bo was in the shadows and it wasn't convenient for him to show himself, he sent Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong to lead Pingchuan and the others to investigate Han Lei's other businesses in Beijing.

Pingchuan nodded slightly, a respectful smile on his face: "Mr. Zhang, you're too kind."

The group entered the private room, where fresh ingredients and a piping hot pot were already laid out on the table.

Zhang Hanlin personally poured Pingchuan a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Pingchuan, you and your brother should try our shop's specialty tea to quench your thirst."

Pingchuan took the teacup, took a small sip, and nodded in praise: "Good tea."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Pingchuan took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Hanlin: "This is a letter that the Princess asked me to deliver to you."

Zhang Hanlin took the letter and eagerly opened it to read.

As his gaze moved across the letter, his expression gradually became excited, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

After reading the letter, he looked up at Pingchuan, his tone tinged with urgency.

"In her letter, the princess mentioned that I should hand over the management of the hot pot restaurant to the manager and then head to Cangzhou, saying that she had more important things to do for me."

Pingchuan nodded, his tone calm.

"Indeed, the Princess said that Boss Zhang likes all sorts of strange and ingenious things, and that he will be able to put his skills to good use in Cangzhou. I hope you can settle things here as soon as possible and set off soon."

"Good! Good!" Zhang Hanlin gripped the letter tightly and nodded repeatedly.

At this point, a hint of smugness appeared on Zhang Hanlin's face again.

"The princess is indeed capable. Her hot pot restaurant has been thriving since it opened! Although my grandfather, Grand Secretary Zhang, has always felt that merchants are of lowly status, he is happy to see that I have made something of myself. However, he still believes that only by pursuing an official career can one bring honor to the family."

Pingchuan laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"The princess said that there are seventy-two professions, and every profession can produce an expert. All professions complement each other. No profession is lowly, nor is there a distinction between high and low; they are simply different divisions of labor."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hanlin's eyes flashed with agreement, and he nodded repeatedly: "Your Highness is absolutely right! I've always thought so too. It's just that my grandfather is old-fashioned and it's hard to change his mind in a short time."

Pingchuan gently put down his teacup and said with a gentle gaze, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang. His Highness and His Highness have made all the arrangements. Once you arrive in Cangzhou and achieve even greater success, Grand Secretary Zhang will definitely look at you with new respect."

Zhang Hanlin's face showed anticipation as he solemnly said, "I've been looking forward to that day."

"Hahaha……"

Seeing that Zhang Hanlin, this big fat man, was quite cute, the guards were all amused by him and started laughing...

After Pingchuan and his group finished lunch at Lao Yi Lao Hot Pot Restaurant, Yang Haibo led them into Zui Xian Niang Tavern.

The tavern was filled with the aroma of wine. Although it wasn't full, many customers were already chatting quietly, and the clinking of glasses was a pleasant sound.

Yang Haibo smiled and said to Pingchuan, "Brother Ping, you see, although the Drunken Immortal Wine is not as lively during the day as it is in the evening, it is still full of guests. In the evening, small wine tables are set up on the road outside, and people come to taste the wine in an endless stream."

Pingchuan nodded, looked around, and sighed, "Although I have never tasted the wine brewed by the princess, its aroma is indeed irresistible."

Yang Haibo chuckled and said, "To be honest, even His Majesty has come incognito several times, drawn by the fragrance. Each time His Majesty comes, he only drinks a few cups before leaving, since the palace has a curfew at night and the gates are closed, so he can't stay long. Later, His Majesty simply had someone purchase Drunken Immortal Wine and send it into the palace."

As he spoke, Yang Haibo pointed to the small wine pot on the guest's table.

"Now, this wine sells for fifty taels of silver a jar, and even a small pot like this costs ten taels of silver."

"hiss!"

Pingchuan and his guards couldn't help but gasp. They all secretly marveled at how skilled the princess was at making money!
Little did people know that the reason why Zuixian Wine has been hyped up to its current price is entirely due to Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong.

After leaving Zuixianniang, Yang Haibo led them to Yuanyangzhai.

The afternoon sun made people feel a little lazy. The entrance to the mandarin duck hairpin shop was bustling with people.

As Yang Haibo walked, he explained, "These mandarin duck hairpins were initially only a gathering place for noblewomen and young ladies in the capital, but because our goods are novel, they have gradually attracted ordinary women and men as well."

Hirakawa asked curiously, "Men come here too? Isn't this a place that sells women's products?"

Yang Haibo laughed and said, "That's right. Some men buy them to give to their wives or daughters. Look, that young man over there is holding a hairpin, which he must be giving to his sweetheart."

Pingchuan followed Yang Haibo's gaze and indeed saw a young gentleman carefully selecting an exquisite hairpin, with a gentle smile on his face.

Just then, a simply dressed woman walked past them, holding a small piece of jewelry in her hand, her face full of joy.

Yang Haibo whispered to Pingchuan, "This young lady looks like an ordinary person. The prices of the goods on the first floor are affordable, and they can accept them. As word of mouth spreads, the business on the first floor is getting better and better."

Pingchuan nodded and exclaimed, "Brother Yang, your business is really booming! Even ordinary people can find what they like here. No wonder your business is so popular."

Yang Haibo smiled modestly: "Not at all, it's just that the Princess's goods are in line with market demand. If you're interested, Brother Ping, you might as well pick out a few items to take back to your family."

Pingchuan laughed and said, "No need, no need. We're right here with the Princess. If you like anything, just ask the Princess to buy it for you."

The two exchanged a smile and continued to stroll through the shop, their ears filled with the exclamations and laughter of other customers, creating a lively and warm atmosphere throughout the store.

There was a lounge in a corner on the first floor. It was more of a lounge than a lounge, with a few sets of tables and chairs, tea, snacks and flowers on the tables, so that guests could sit down and rest when they got tired of shopping.

After walking around from the first floor to the third floor, Pingchuan and the others sat in a corner of the lounge, their veils hanging low, trying not to attract attention.

Pingchuan and Yang Haibo spoke in hushed tones, discussing Han Lei's business plans to expand in Beijing.

Han Lei plans to have Yang Haibo use the money he's earned from his current business to open a large clothing store in Beijing, also selling modern underwear and fabrics, in order to seize a share of the Beijing clothing market.

After the shop opened, Han Lei's business already accounted for three of the four categories: clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

Just then, Princess Chang Le, dressed in gorgeous clothes, strode arrogantly into Yuanyangzhai, followed by a long line of maids and servants.

As soon as Princess Chang Le entered, she raised her chin and loudly ordered, "Shopkeeper, bring out all your most beautiful and valuable jewelry. I want to take a good look at them!"

Her voice was clear and resonant, drawing the attention of everyone in the shop. The shop was elegantly decorated, adorned with jewels, and filled with a dazzling array of women's products, including rouge, powder, gold and silver jewelry, and embroidered sachets, all exquisitely beautiful.

Princess Chang Le glanced at it, secretly pleased. She had already heard the servants talk about this "Mandarin Duck Hairpin," and seeing it today, it truly lived up to its reputation.

Especially those rouge and face powders; after using them, her face became white and tender, like a peeled egg. Her mother, the Marquis of Champion's wife, kept several boxes of them in her room.

After her mother used it, even she couldn't help but take a few more glances at her, as if she had become more beautiful and several years younger.

I heard from the servants that the nobles in the capital were frequent customers there. Now, the "Mandarin Duck Hairpin" has become a symbol of status. Anyone who hasn't used a Mandarin Duck Hairpin is embarrassed to go out on the street.

Back on the mountain, those bandits dared to despise her for being ugly, so today she absolutely had to use items like the "Mandarin Duck Hairpin." She wanted everything, from rouge and face powder to various head ornaments.

She had to become the most beautiful and most prestigious woman in the capital.

As soon as Princess Chang Le finished speaking, her gaze suddenly fell upon a plainly dressed commoner woman beside her, who was carefully selecting a silver hairpin.

The woman had delicate features and gentle manners, but in Princess Chang Le's eyes, she appeared particularly glaring.

She frowned, her lips curled slightly, and her voice carried a hint of disdain and disgust: "How can a lowly person like me buy things here? What bad luck!"

Upon hearing this, the commoner woman trembled slightly, glanced up at Princess Chang Le, and a hint of panic and embarrassment flashed in her eyes.

Immediately, the woman lowered her head, hurriedly put the silver hairpin back in its place, turned around, and quickly left the shop.

Princess Chang Le snorted coldly upon seeing this, but felt even more smug inside.

The shopkeeper stopped serving the customers and hurriedly came forward with a big smile: "Your Highness's presence is an honor to our humble establishment! As Your Highness is here, please go up to the third floor to make your selection."

Princess Chang Le was quite pleased with this statement, given her status as a princess. She gave the shopkeeper an appreciative look and was about to follow him to the third floor.

Just then, Wei Chengchao, who routinely comes to the store every day to show his face, also walked in.

Upon seeing Princess Chang Le, Wei Chengchao exclaimed in surprise, "Chang Le?"

Princess Chang Le turned around and saw Wei Chengchao, also showing surprise: "Young Master Wei, what are you doing here?"

"This mandarin duck hairpin was made by me!"

Wei Chengchao smiled smugly, his small eyes scanning Princess Chang Le up and down.

Princess Chang Le raised an eyebrow: "Oh? So it's owned by your Wei family. That's perfect, I'll be picking out some jewelry today."

Wei Chengchao smiled and said, "The presence of the Princess is naturally the greatest honor."

In the corner, Pingchuan's face darkened when he saw Wei Chengchao appear. He whispered to Scarface and the others, "This is the person who kidnapped the princess with Princess Changle."

Upon hearing this, Scarface and the others were instantly enraged. They clenched their fists and were about to stand up when Pingchuan quickly held them down.

"Don't cause trouble for the Prince here. This man is Prime Minister Wei's son, and he's still useful to the Princess. But once he's no longer useful, hmph."

Scarface gritted his teeth: "But..."

Pingchuan frowned and shook his head: "Bear with it, now is not the time."

Yang Haibo had met Wei Chengchao back in Songyang town, but he was unaware of the despicable things he had done. Now, hearing that these two had conspired to kidnap Han Lei, he was furious.

Han Lei has shown them great kindness by giving them a stable life, which is why they are where they are today.

He won't cause trouble for Han Lei, but he has ways to deal with these two.

He whispered a few words to Tang Xiaotong, who grinned and turned to go up to the third floor.

Then, the voices of Princess Chang Le and Wei Chengchao could be heard from over there.

Wei Chengchao asked, "Didn't you go to Cangzhou to find Zhao Zun? How did things go between you two? Why are you back?"

Wei Chengchao's three consecutive questions left Princess Chang Le speechless, and a gloomy look quickly flashed across her face.

“Zhao Zun is now the King of Cangzhou, and he’s very busy. I searched for him for a long time, and when I finally met him, we only exchanged a few words before I came back.”

Princess Chang Le spoke calmly, as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

But only she knows how much pain she is in.

She didn't want to mention Zhao Zun's cold attitude towards her or the unbearable memory of being kidnapped by bandits to anyone.

Princess Chang Le then retorted, "And you? Where is that bitch Han Lei now?"

"Uh……"

Upon hearing Han Lei's name mentioned, Wei Chengchao was speechless again. He couldn't very well say that he had been outmaneuvered by that bitch Han Lei and was now relying on her antidote to stay alive, could he?

He's the son of the Prime Minister, a celebrity in the capital's elite circles—he can't afford to lose face like this!
If this gets back to His Majesty and his father, he will not only have to take the antidote, but also medicine for bruises and sprains.

"What? You couldn't win her over?" Princess Chang Le's face darkened.

"Uh..." Wei Chengchao hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "On...the road to the capital, she accidentally slipped away."

"Hmph! Fool! I really regret cooperating with such an idiot like you."

Princess Chang Le glared at him angrily, as if she were looking down on an ant.

When he was called an idiot, Wei Chengchao didn't dare to utter a sound, only offering a helpless explanation.

"I just didn't mean to... that..."

"Humph!"

Princess Chang Le was too lazy to say anything more to him. She impatiently pulled her long, trailing robes over her shoulders, raised her neck, and followed the shopkeeper up to the third floor like a proud peacock.

"Hey! Stop..."

Wei Chengchao raised his hand to stop her and tell her not to buy anything here. This was Han Lei's shop; he was just a nominal owner.

If Chang Le County spends a lot of money buying things here, it's like giving money to that bitch Han Lei!

But when he thought about how Princess Chang Le had just called him an idiot, he swallowed his words and slowly lowered his raised hand.

"Oh well! Forget it."