Love Lock

Chapter 169 Such a revealing outfit

Inside the inn of the Honglu Temple, the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the carved window lattices, bathing the entire hall in a dark gold hue.

Princess Yujia sat upright before the table, her slender fingers gently stroking the bright yellow imperial edict, the silk feeling cool and heavy.

This is the imperial edict issued by Emperor Jing after the date for the marriage ceremony was set in the court today.

Chief Heshu will send someone ahead to deliver this imperial edict back to the Turkic steppe and into the hands of Bolu Khan.

They wanted the Khan to know as soon as possible that their mission to the Great Jing had been successful and that they were just waiting for the marriage ceremony.

“Princess, you’ve already watched it three times.”

Alan, the maid standing to the side, couldn't help but whisper a reminder that her Dajing dialect was not as standard and fluent as Princess Yujia's, and had a distinct grassland accent.

Yu Jia did not look up, but simply nodded slightly.

Her fingertips hovered over the words "June 15th," the day her fate took a turn.

Outside the window came the unique hustle and bustle of the capital city: the hawkers' cries, the rumble of cartwheels, and the laughter of children. These sounds were both something she longed for and something that jarred her ears.

"Princess, Chief He Shu has arrived," a guard at the door announced in a low voice.

Yu Jia then raised her head and gently placed the imperial edict on the table.

Today she wore a lake-blue, double-breasted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), a garment bestowed upon her by the Great Jing Palace. Although it was magnificent, it was so restrictive that she could hardly breathe.

She subconsciously touched the wolf fang necklace around her neck, a gift from her younger brother, Boru Khan, before she left.

The head of the delegation, He Shu, strode into the hall. This eagle of the grasslands looked at Princess Yujia with the same reluctance one would show when looking at his daughter who was about to be married.

He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly: "Princess, the messenger sent by the Khan has arrived outside the city. Tomorrow, we will be able to send the imperial edict of the Great Jing Emperor back to the grasslands."

Princess Yujia's gaze fell on the imperial edict, and she said softly, "A year's worth of grain, twenty looms, five hundred bolts of silk, and the protection of the Great Jing Dynasty... all of these have been achieved."

At this point, Princess Yujia raised her amber eyes and looked out the window. Outside, locust blossoms were falling, much like the milk residue her tribe had scattered on the day of her wedding.

Suddenly, she laughed, a bitter laugh. "Uncle He Shu, do you think I'm worth that much?"

He Shu frowned deeply: "Princess!"

"Just kidding." Yu Jia waved her hand casually, signaling Alan to prepare tea and snacks.

Only after the maid left did her expression truly relax, and exhaustion showed in her eyes.

She muttered to herself, "I just... miss the wind on the grasslands. The freedom I once longed for has been blown away by the wind, and now, even the nuptial wine has to become a ritual between ruler and subject."

Just then, the sounds of laughter and conversation from officials of the Court of State Ceremonial came from the courtyard outside.

A rough voice was saying, "Hmph! Barbarian women are nothing but playthings."

Another voice complained, "But this toy is too expensive! Two million dan of grain! Our own people can't even get enough to eat."

Upon hearing this, Chief He Shu, who was inside the house, was filled with rage. He understood the princess's sacrifices and could not tolerate these people of Da Jing speaking ill of their princess.

He gripped the curved sword at his waist tightly, ready to rush out, but was stopped by Princess Yujia's icy hand.

Let them talk!

Yu Jia slowly rolled up the imperial edict, and the sound of the silk rubbing together was like a dull knife cutting flesh, each cut piercing Princess Yu Jia's heart.

"If the Emperor of Dajing thinks it's worth it to exchange two million dan of grain for a canary, then so be it."

Chief He Shu suppressed his anger, took a few steps closer, and lowered his voice: "Princess, you have been wronged. Once the Turks have recovered their strength, they will surely..."

"Shh!" Yu Jia put a finger to her lips to silence someone, glancing warily at the door. "This isn't the place to talk."

She stood up, walked to the back of the room, and stared at the wall as if gazing at the distant, unseen north.

Yu Jia whispered, “Uncle He Shu, you saw it when we entered Yong’an City. The Great Jing has 'peanuts' and such a strong fortress, it’s not what it used to be. Even if the Turks were on horseback, they would have a hard time catching up.”

He Shu's pupils contracted, and the image of the bluish-gray fortress of Yong'an City instantly flashed into his mind.

The thought of that strangely shaped, sturdy fortress made his heart sink.

Yu Jia smiled knowingly: "Yu Jia understands her responsibility. Trading a free-spirited grassland bird for the peace of the entire Turkic Khaganate is a worthwhile exchange."

He Shu clenched and unclenched his fist: "But you are the most precious pearl of the grassland, you can..."

“That’s all in the past.” Yu Jia interrupted him, her voice soft but firm. “Now I am the future concubine of the Great Jing Emperor. This is the arrangement of the Eternal Heaven.”

When Alan brought in the tea tray, the two had already finished their conversation and returned to calm.

"Princess, your favorite mare's milk tea."

Ulan placed the teacup on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Lord Li from the Court of State Ceremonial said that tomorrow a palace matron will come to teach the princess the etiquette of the Great Jing Dynasty."

Yu Jia paused for a moment, then casually took a sip: "Understood."

After He Shu took his leave, Alan finally couldn't help but kneel down in front of Princess Yujia.

"Princess, are you really sure you want to marry the Emperor of Dajing? The day I entered the palace, I noticed the Emperor's eyes kept lingering on you; he wasn't..."

Yu Jia waved her hand, stopping her from continuing, and Alan had no choice but to shut up.

Princess Yujia put down her teacup, her fingertips gently tracing the rim: "The fledgling eagles of the grasslands must learn to perch under the eaves. Alan, do you still remember the children on the grasslands the day we left?"

Alan nodded, his eyes already red.

"They were so thin you could see their ribs, yet they were still helping the adults herd sheep."

Yu Jia's voice was calm, "Last year, the White Disaster froze most of the livestock to death. If it weren't for the grain from the Great Jing Dynasty, how many people would starve to death this winter?"

"But Your Highness..."

"My happiness is exchanged for so many lives, it's a worthwhile trade."

Yu Jia suddenly laughed, this time with the carefree spirit unique to the people of the grasslands.

"Besides, who says that birds in gilded cages are necessarily unhappy?"

Alan could no longer hold back, and tears welled up in his eyes: "But the eagles of the grasslands should not be kept in cages!"

Yu Jia reached out and pulled her up, wiping away her tears.

"Who said I'm an eagle? I'm just a little sparrow on the grassland, I can survive wherever I fly. Alan, after you finish learning etiquette, come with me for a walk outside. After you enter the palace as a concubine, I'm afraid you'll hardly have the chance to leave the palace again."

"Ok!"

Alan nodded heavily, his eyes filled with helplessness.

She also understood that the princesses sent for political marriages were not only the emperor's concubines, but also hostages.

As night deepened, the inn finally quieted down.

Yu Jia sat alone under the candlelight, and once again unfolded the imperial edict.

There was no one else in the room, and she no longer concealed the emotions in her eyes.

There was anger and resentment in those amber eyes, but even more so, a deep sense of helplessness.

The candlelight flickered inside, casting Princess Yujia's shadow on the wall, a shape that looked remarkably like a caged bird. ...I'm a lazy dividing line...

The midday sun scorched the earth, the leaves of the trees on both sides of the official road drooped limply, and the cicadas chirped incessantly.

Han Lei wiped the sweat from her forehead, her fingertips touching the oily, waxy texture of the skin.

This carefully crafted disguise had remained on her face for two days and two nights.

"Your Highness, there is a stream ahead."

The senior student in charge of driving pointed to the shimmering water in the distance and said.

Han Lei squinted and looked through the carriage curtain. The stream meandered through the mountains, with reeds growing on both banks; it was indeed a secluded and pleasant place.

She had to find a place to wash up and change back into women's clothing before entering the city.

Han Lei, who was born into a military medical family, does have some counter-surveillance skills.

In Liangzhou, she stayed at the inn for two nights in her "chubby" appearance, swaggering around.

But the clues about "Little Fatty" ended in Liangzhou.

Upon arriving in Jingzhou, she had to change her appearance before appearing in public to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble.

She touched her chubby cheeks and decided, "I'll rest here. I'll go wash up and change in the front."

Xiao Zhengfei frowned upon hearing this: "Your Highness, this is in the middle of nowhere..."

"It's nothing." Han Lei interrupted him, bought boxed lunches from the system and handed them to everyone: "Let everyone eat first, I'll be right back."

Han Lei thought for a moment and then said, "Zhengfei, after lunch and a rest, you should take your guards and go back to Beiguan first. Tell the Prince that I will stay at the Jingzhou Winery for a few days to check on the business before returning, so that the Prince will not have to wait and worry."

This time, she finally remembered to send the letter first.

They had been out for almost a month, and Zhao Zun was worried that the Marquis of Champion's assassins might harm her.

If he didn't send a message back soon, he feared that Zhao Zun, out of worry, would leave Beiguan to go to the capital to find her.

In that case, not only would they miss out, but Zhao Zun would also likely encounter trouble once he arrived in the capital.

Xiao Zhengfei's face showed worry. "But, Your Highness. If we leave..."

Han Lei knew what he was going to say, chuckled, and interrupted him. Then, using the carriage floor as leverage, she lightly leaped off the carriage, her chubby attire making her movements slightly clumsy.

Her disguise was indeed ingenious, with thickened shoulders, padded waist and abdomen, and even thickened fingers.

Han Lei secretly rejoiced that the special effects makeup materials provided by the system were of excellent quality; otherwise, they would have melted and fallen off long ago in this sweltering summer heat.

She pointed to herself and said, "Look at how richly dressed I am now, who would dare to harm me? Besides, you know my abilities, and having the four brothers from the Big Character Squad with me is more than enough. You can go back without worry!"

"Hehe, the princess is indeed very capable."

Xiao Zhenfei had to admit this. "Alright, then we'll rest and head back to Beiguan first. Take care, Your Highness."

"Please be careful on your journey."

Han Lei nodded and said nothing more, turning to walk towards the stream. She bought a cake from the system and ate it as she walked.

Since Xiao Zhengfei and the others were all men, Han Lei decided to go a little further away.

After rounding a mountain bend and confirming that they were out of sight of the main road, Han Lei breathed a sigh of relief.

The stream was crystal clear, and a few small fish swam leisurely over the pebbles. She looked around, but apart from a few startled wild ducks that took flight, there was nothing else alive.

"It should be safe here," Han Lei murmured to herself, and began to untie her hair.

His long, black hair cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall, creating an eerie contrast with his plump, chubby face.

Han Lei's special effects makeup wasn't just on her face; she also meticulously altered her neck, shoulders, and arms.

So she had to wash all of these as well.

Han Lei looked around behind the mountain bay, and only after making sure no one was around did she take off her clothes and shake out the stuffing.

She took out a sundress from her storage space, put it on, and then went into the stream to wash herself.

She carefully lifted the skin wax from the edge of her elbow, peeling off pieces of fake skin to reveal her original fair and delicate skin.

She casually tossed the peeled-off skin wax into the stream and picked up a towel to start washing her arms.

As the cool stream water splashed on her face, Han Lei sighed contentedly.

Skin wax used in special effects makeup can remain unsoftened and dissolved for one to two hours when exposed to cold water below 40 degrees Celsius.

The pieces of skin wax that Han Lei discarded remained in their original shape and were carried downstream by the stream.

Unbeknownst to Han Lei, the stream meandered and twisted. At the next bend, because of the heat, a man was bathing in the stream downstream.

The man was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, extremely tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

He was shirtless, immersed in the stream, water droplets sliding down his muscular chest, highlighting an old scar on his chest and adding to his menacing aura.

He was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly felt something brush against his arm. When he opened his eyes, he saw a strange, flesh-colored substance in his palm.

"What is this?"

The man scooped up the fleshy substance, curiously pinched and kneaded it; it was soft yet elastic.

The texture was somewhat like a certain part of a woman's body, with a slightly oily feel.

Just as he was puzzled, several more similar substances flowed downstream.

The man's brows furrowed slightly. Despite his extensive experience and exposure to countless rare treasures, he had never seen anything like this before.

Driven by curiosity, he got up and walked upstream along the stream. He wanted to see what it was and where it came from.

The man walked forward for a while, rounded a bend in a path overgrown with reeds, and the sight before him made his breath catch in his throat—

A woman in red stood with her back to him in the stream, her black hair falling to her shoulders, her bare skin as white as jade in the sunlight.

Most shockingly, her clothing consisted of only two thin straps hanging from her shoulders, exposing a large expanse of her snowy back. The hem of her skirt only reached her knees, revealing her slender and shapely calves.

The red dress shone brightly and vividly in the sunlight.

People in this era are all conservative and feudal in their thinking; no woman would dress so revealingly.

Moreover, this is the middle of nowhere, how could there be such a beautiful woman here?
Could it be that a fairy from heaven has fallen to earth?
"Fairy..."

Thinking of the celestial fairy, the man unconsciously murmured it out.

Han Lei was bending over to wash her face with water when she suddenly felt something strange behind her.

Han Lei's pupils contracted, and she turned around abruptly, her wet hair whipping through the air in an arc, her right hand already reaching for the dagger in the space.

"Who?!"

Han Lei turned around and met the man's eyes. Time seemed to stand still at that moment.