Love Lock

Chapter 170 Bathers in the Mountain Bay

The man gasped.

In the brief moment their eyes met, he finally saw Han Lei's face clearly.

The fairy before me was about twenty-one or twenty-two years old. She had almond-shaped eyes beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows, full cherry lips, snow-white skin, and black hair that reached her shoulders.

Her charming and lively appearance, like a pink peach blossom just beginning to bloom on a spring branch, or a fairy descended to earth, instantly stirred his heartstrings.

Han Lei was also watching the man warily.

He was tall and slender, wearing a long indigo robe casually draped over his shoulders, revealing a large expanse of his chest and a shallow scar beneath. His wet, black hair hung haphazardly down his back.

He stood ramrod straight, clearly indicating he had martial arts training.

Han Lei is a modern person, and she is used to seeing people wearing sundresses or swimsuits at the beach, showing their arms and legs. She is not as conservative as people in ancient times.

But she always felt that the man's blank stare made him seem like a stern person.

The sky suddenly darkened.

The once clear sky had been swallowed up by thick, dark clouds. The wind blew the clouds closer to them, casting a shadow over their heads.

Han Lei's pretty and sweet face was shrouded in darkness, which made her already somber expression even more gloomy.

The wind suddenly picked up, whipping up a few stray strands of hair that had fallen across her forehead.

Han Lei didn't brush it away, letting the strands of hair brush against her slightly narrowed eyes. The vigilance and murderous intent within them were growing exponentially.

Although this place is in the middle of nowhere, it is still near the official road.

If she wasn't taking a shower, it would be perfectly normal for a man to be here or pass by.

As luck would have it, the man appeared while she was taking a shower.

This struck Han Lei as extremely abnormal.

She had just looked around, and there was clearly no one nearby. Could this man have been hiding in the shadows, spying on her?
Han Lei's posture appeared relaxed, but in reality, all the muscles in her body were tense, like a fully drawn bow.

If he really is a voyeur, Han Lei wouldn't mind letting him leave his eyes behind.

"who are you?"

Han Lei's voice was three degrees deeper than before, and the last syllable sounded like a blade chilled by ice.

Her right hand, hidden in the wide sleeves of her robe, tightened silently, the cold touch of the dagger coming from her palm.

Upon hearing Han Lei's question, the man snapped out of his reverie. Because he was holding onto his coat draped over his shoulders, he couldn't perform the traditional cupped-hand salute, so he quickly bowed in greeting.

"I had no intention of offending you."

As he spoke, he swallowed hard, quickly turned his face away, and handed the skin wax block to Han Lei.

"I was just taking a bath when I noticed something strange floating in the stream, so I came to investigate."

Is there a foreign object floating by?
Han Lei's gaze fell on the hand the man was offering, and she suddenly realized what was going on.

No wonder the man was shirtless and his hair was wet. It turned out he was a bather hiding in this mountain valley, just like me.

He was simply curious about the skin wax he had thrown away, so he followed the current to check it out.

Han Lei breathed a sigh of relief and casually said, "That was just a powder block I used when I applied makeup. I don't need it anymore."

"Oh I got it."

The man tossed aside the skin wax in his hand and introduced himself: "I am Su Qi, the general stationed in Jingzhou. I was unaware that the fairy was bathing here. I apologize for any offense."

He spoke politely, but his eyes couldn't help lingering on her exposed fair legs.

Han Lei frowned; she disliked the way the man's eyes were lingering on her.

"General, you jest. I am no fairy, but merely passing through. The weather is hot, and seeing this clear stream, I wished to wash away the dust of my journey."

At this point, Han Lei suddenly paused.

The man said his name was Su Qi, and that he was a general stationed in Jingzhou. Could he be the General Su that Xiao Zhengfei mentioned, the one who led troops to support Ling'an City last time?

"You said... you are General Su, then you are a member of the Su family?" Han Lei asked uncertainly.

"Indeed, indeed. Does the fairy know me?"

Su Qi was delighted to hear that the beautiful fairy in front of him knew him.

Han Lei smiled, but her smile was somewhat eerie.

"I have never met General Su, but I know that the Su family is one of the four great families."

Han Lei's soft and sweet voice made Su Qi's heart flutter, and she nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, I have been stationed in Jingzhou with my father. The military camp is not far ahead. It's just too hot today, so I thought of taking a soak here."

No wonder there were men here; it turns out the Jingzhou garrison's camp was nearby.

Han Lei, wearing the "Little Fatty" robe, curtsied and said apologetically, "I didn't know you were General Su just now. If I was impolite, I hope General Su will forgive me."

As Han Lei curtsied and stood up, a white mutton-fat jade pendant "fell" out of her outer robe and landed on the muddy ground with a thud.

"Huh? This jade pendant..."

Su Qi saw the pattern on the jade pendant clearly, his gaze sharpened, his eyebrows twitched slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He looked up at Han Lei, his eyes now filled with inquiry: "Isn't this the Wei family's jade pendant? Miss, you are..."

snort!
Han Lei scoffed inwardly. "You're from the Su family? Then I'll give you the Wei family."

Han Lei calmly picked up the jade pendant, her fingertips lightly tracing the intricately carved patterns on its surface.

She raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing a perfectly timed, gentle smile.

"General Su has a good eye. This is indeed the jade pendant of my Wei family. Prime Minister Wei is my uncle."

As soon as she finished speaking, Han Lei hooked her finger on the hanging cord of the jade pendant and pulled her bare arm back into her robe. Su Qi could see the jade pendant's shimmering white color swaying back and forth through the gaps in her dark green clothes.

"I see!"

Upon hearing that Han Lei was from the Wei family, Su Qi instantly felt a closer connection with the incredibly beautiful fairy before her.

He smiled with delight, and the fine lines at the corners of his eyes furrowed.

He was just thinking about how to bring this beautiful woman back to be his concubine.

Since they are from the Wei family, it seems that this idea must be abandoned.

After all, the Wei family is the head of the four great families, and it is impossible for a woman from the Wei family to condescend to be a concubine.

However, it's always possible for everyone to find opportunities to sit down together and talk more.

Thinking this, Su Qi took a half step back without making a sound, and her previously frivolous and distracted gaze became more cautious.

"It seems I've been away from the capital for too long. I didn't even know the Wei family had produced such a beautiful young lady, as lovely as a fairy." Su Qi praised her subtly.

"General Su is too kind."

Han Lei chuckled lightly, speaking politely, but inwardly she was cursing—

Hmph! As if I didn't see your malicious eyes! Since you're a fish that slipped through the net of the Su family, it would be a disservice to the jade pendant I tricked you into giving me a taste of my own medicine.

Just then, a muffled rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, and the leaden-gray clouds pressed down even lower.

Han Lei looked up at the sky, and a raindrop wet her eyelashes.

"Oh dear! It's raining. I was planning to visit my cousin in Jingzhou today, but it looks like I'll have to be delayed."

"Miss Wei, there's no need to worry."

Su Qi's eyes lit up, and she immediately pointed to the bend in the mountain road.

“My military camp is just ahead. It’s raining and the mountain path is difficult to travel. If Miss Wei doesn’t mind, you can come with me to the camp to take shelter from the rain, and we can continue on our way when the weather clears up.”

He paused, then added deliberately, "The newly built council hall in the camp is quite spacious, and will certainly not be a disservice to the young lady."

Han Lei twisted her cuffs lightly with her fingertips, a hesitant look on her face: "This... the military has strict rules, and I am a woman, I'm afraid..."

"Hahaha!"

Su Qihao laughed heartily and patted his chest. "More than half of the troops stationed in Jingzhou are former members of my Su family. Let alone people from aristocratic families seeking shelter from the rain, even..." He suddenly stopped talking and changed the subject, "Where is the young lady's carriage? I will send my personal guards to meet her."

"The servants are waiting on the official road." Han Lei looked towards the road where the rain was getting thicker, and a drop of rain just happened to land on the tip of her nose, making her skin look even whiter.

Seeing this, Su Qi looked down at her loose robes.

He had intended to take off his robe and give it to Han Lei to shield her from the rain, but he had nothing underneath except his wet underpants.

He could only say, "Alright, I'll go back to camp to make arrangements first, and then have my deputy lead men to meet you at the mountain bend. Once your carriage arrives, you can go straight into the camp, and no one will complain."

Han Lei finally nodded slightly: "Then I'll have to trouble General Su."

"Of course, of course." Su Qi turned and walked downstream, but after a few steps she turned back to give him some more instructions.

"The roads are slippery in the rain, young lady, please be careful. My tent is easily recognizable by the red lanterns hanging in front of it."

After saying that, he raised his hand to shield himself from the rain, and his figure quickly disappeared into the increasingly dense rain curtain.

Didn't we say we were going to the council chamber? Why did he deliberately bring up his own camp? Haha!

Han Lei stood still, her fingertips gently caressing the jade pendant inside her robe, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

Han Lei took out some dry clothes from her spatial storage, quickly changed into them, and then walked towards the carriage on the official road.

Xiao Zhengfei and his guards had indeed left first, leaving only the four brothers from the Big Character Squad waiting for her by the carriage.

Han Lei called all the brothers from the Big Character Team onto the carriage, and under the cover of the pattering rain, she asked them some questions about Su Qi.

Then, he quickly explained his plan.

Upon hearing Han Lei's plan, the brothers in the Big Character Team secretly clicked their tongues in astonishment. This was far more difficult than the task of investigating the Su family's assets and then burning them all down.

After all, reconnaissance and arson are carried out in the dark, but Han Lei's next task is to be carried out in a large military camp.

Furthermore, most of the soldiers in the Jingzhou military camp were former subordinates of the Su family, which added even more difficulty.

"Your Highness, will this work?" Da Er frowned.

The freshman captain was also worried when he saw Han Lei, who had returned to her original attire.

“Your Highness, we can infiltrate and carry out this mission. You can’t risk your life. We’ve all died once before, but you’re different.”

Although the third-year student didn't say anything, he kept nodding beside him.

Only the senior students who had personally accompanied Han Lei on a mission to the Marquis of Champion's Mansion were filled with excitement after a brief moment of surprise.

"That's wonderful, I trust your Highness. Don't worry! There won't be any problems."

Seeing the freshman captain's fearless expression, Han Lei chuckled.

"Alright! Don't overcomplicate things. Just follow my instructions carefully, stay calm, and there won't be any problems. As for Su Qi, leave her to me and Da Si."

Han Lei didn't allow them to say anything more and made the decision directly. Seeing that they couldn't persuade Han Lei, the freshman captain and the others had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

The brothers disembarked from the carriage, stood guard on both sides, and headed towards the Jingzhou military camp.

After rounding the bend in the mountain, through the misty rain, a large military camp built against the mountain came into view in the distance.

Under the gray sky, the outline of the military camp resembled a watercolor painting blurred by rain, with banners drooping limply in the drizzle.

Han Lei lifted the car curtain, and rainwater immediately soaked her fingertips. She looked at the group of brothers behind her, her voice extremely low.

"Remember, your tasks are just incidental." Her gaze swept across each person's face. "You must act according to the circumstances. If you can succeed, great; if not, get out of there as soon as possible."

At this point, a cold smile appeared on her lips. "I'll use the same trick again. Su Qi is definitely not going to get away."

The brothers from the large group exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

The captain of the first-year team patted the sword at his waist: "Your Highness, rest assured, we know what's important."

"Hey! Once inside, you can't call her 'Princess,' you have to call her 'Miss.'" The senior quickly reminded him, and this time he finally snapped out of it.

The carriage continued on its way, its wheels, wet with rain, making a squelching sound.

Just as Han Lei had predicted, Su Qi had already sent her personal guards to wait at the entrance of the military camp.

The guard, wearing a straw raincoat, stepped forward as soon as he saw the carriage approaching, rain dripping from the edge of his straw hat.

"Is Miss Wei sitting in the carriage?" The soldier's voice was not very clear in the sound of rain.

"Exactly."

Han Lei deliberately softened her voice, making it as gentle as a spring breeze in March, sounding harmless.

She slowly lifted the carriage curtain, revealing half of her delicate face, and nodded politely to the guards, her eyes subtly revealing a hint of timidity befitting a lady of high birth. "Thank you for your trouble."

The guard was startled by the sweet voice, then quickly came to his senses: "Miss Wei, please come with me."

After confirming his identity, the guard turned and waved to the gatekeepers. The heavy chevaux-de-frise were slowly moved aside, making a dull creaking sound.

With her personal guards leading the way, Han Lei's carriage followed closely behind as it slowly entered the military camp.

A light drizzle fell, and Han Lei, through the gap in the carriage curtain, discreetly observed the layout of the military camp.

The tents were neatly arranged, and soldiers occasionally marched by in formation, their armor gleaming coldly in the rain.

The Su family are imperial relatives, so it's no wonder they are stationed in Jingzhou, which is considered the heartland of the Great Jing Dynasty. The conditions in the military camp, from the tents to the soldiers' clothing, all seem to be much better than those in the Beiguan military camp.

"Miss Wei, the council hall is just ahead," a guard whispered from outside the carriage.

Han Lei withdrew her gaze and straightened her clothes. When the carriage came to a stop, she saw Su Qi already approaching quickly, holding an oil-paper umbrella.

Today he was dressed in a gorgeous silk robe, clearly having dressed up carefully.

"Miss Wei, this way please." Su Qi's voice was filled with undisguised joy. "The rain is getting heavier, watch your step."

Han Lei gracefully stepped down from the carriage, her pale yellow gauze dress fluttering gently in the wind.

Just as she was about to raise her hand to shield herself from the rain, she noticed that Su Qi had already moved the oil-paper umbrella in her hand to her head. The distance between the two instantly closed, and she could even smell the incense on Su Qi's body.

With her perfumed makeup and attentive manner, Han Lei understood the situation even better.

She had already inquired about Su Qi from her brothers while in the carriage.

The brothers said that the Su family was powerful and influential, and that the armies of the family's military sons were all located in the vicinity of the capital, protecting the imperial city.

Su Qi was nearly forty years old and lived in Jingzhou. He already had a large family with many wives and concubines, yet he still frequently frequented the city's brothels. It seems Su Qi was quite interested in women!

In her spare time, Han Lei would at least binge-watch countless palace intrigue and domestic dramas. She knew which remedy to choose for curing her lustful tendencies.

"Thank you, General Su."

Han Lei thanked her softly, taking a slight step back to maintain a perfectly respectful distance.

Su Qi smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits: "Hey! We're all from prominent families, Miss Wei, there's no need for you to be so polite." As he spoke, he reached out to help Han Lei's arm.

Han Lei cleverly covered her mouth with a handkerchief from her sleeve and coughed lightly, avoiding the other person's touch.

“General Su is right.” Han Lei’s gaze shifted, looking towards the council chamber not far away. “This is what the general was talking about…”

“Yes, yes, this is the council hall.” Su Qi quickly replied, leading her forward. “Although it’s a bit simple, it’s newly built and is spacious and clean. Please, Miss Wei.”

As Han Lei walked, she secretly observed the magnificent building.

The council hall, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, features upturned eaves and copper bells hanging from the corners, which chime crisply in the rain when the wind blows.

Han Lei's lips twitched involuntarily, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. The council hall of a military commander was built so luxuriously, it was comparable to the county government office in Qingshui County.

She remembered that Zhao Zun, as a marshal, only held meetings in the central command tent.

The raindrops gradually became denser, making a crackling sound as they hit the oiled paper umbrella.

Han Lei followed Su Qi up the steps, their blurry reflections shimmering on the wet, slippery flagstones.

As she stepped across the threshold, she gave a barely perceptible nod to the brothers in the big-character team following behind her.

Upon entering the council hall, Han Lei glanced back casually, as if she had just noticed several guards following her in.

Her expression suddenly changed, and she adopted the airs of the Wei family's master, loudly berating the brothers in the big group.

"Hey? How did you all get in here? Who let you in? You servants have no manners at all. Get out of here right now. Look at the mud on your feet, you've dirtied the General's newly built council hall."

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