Love Lock

Chapter 176 Suspicious Person
"hiss!"

Upon seeing Wei Dabao, Han Lei gasped sharply.

Sure enough, enemies are destined to meet!

Han Lei quickly turned around, covering her face with one hand, and used the candy vendor on the street to hide herself.

The students, including Da Yi, realized what was happening and quickly turned around to pretend to pick out items from the stall.

Han Lei peeked at Wei Dabao from under the vendor's armpit. She saw Wei Dabao wiping his sweat while loudly scolding his servants.

"Hurry up and prepare the room! I've been traveling all day, and my bones are about to fall apart!"

The butler nodded and bowed, replying, "Don't worry, sir, the manager has already made the arrangements."

Madam Wei stepped down from the carriage behind, glanced around, and complained, "Why is Jingzhou City suddenly under martial law? They checked so strictly when we entered the city, they even searched our luggage."

"Shut up!" Wei Dabao waved his hand impatiently. "Hurry up and go inside to eat something and rest. We have to travel early tomorrow morning."

Han Lei, hiding in the shadows, felt her heart pounding. Da Yi leaned close to her ear, his voice strained.

"Your Highness, this is a real problem. Wei Dabao's family has moved into our inn, and there are soldiers everywhere outside..."

The senior student also said anxiously, "Why don't we go back to the brewery?"

"No way." Han Lei shook her head decisively. "The brewery is full of our own people. If we're not careful, it could implicate Tao Qing and the others."

She bit her lower lip and thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "I have an idea."

The freshman looked at her with a puzzled expression: "What does the princess mean...?"

Han Lei's lips curled into a sly smile: "The most dangerous place is the safest place. Come on, I'll take you to the Jingzhou Prince's Mansion."

"what?"

"what?"

The group whispered in unison, as if they thought they had misheard.

Let alone the fact that they are now "suspicious persons" wanted by the government, even ordinary commoners would not dare to live in the King of Jingzhou's palace!

"Hehehe, don't worry!"

Han Lei chuckled and took out the agency agreement she had signed with the King of Jingzhou from her spatial storage.

"With this, we guarantee you'll be able to enter the Prince of Jingzhou's residence smoothly. Come here, I'll tell you, once you get to the residence, you must..."

The group quickly gathered around, and Han Lei whispered a few words to them.

The senior student listened attentively, nodding frequently, believing Han Lei's plan to be feasible. Having followed Han Lei on two missions, he now had unwavering faith in her.

The third-year student glanced at Han Lei's delicate and sweet face and couldn't help but lower his head and rub his forehead.

He always felt that this beautiful princess didn't just have the guts of a bear and the courage of a leopard, but rather the sheer audacity of a male leopard.

What kind of girl would go wherever there's danger like her? Isn't this like knowingly walking into a tiger's den?
The princess's charming and sweet face has deceived countless people.

He rarely expressed his opinions during his junior year, and would only nod when things happened. Now, he couldn't help but whisper a reminder.

"Your Highness, the Marquis of Champion and the King of Jingzhou are distant relatives! Perhaps... you could reconsider?"

Upon hearing this, Han Lei grinned and patted the third-year student on the shoulder with great confidence.

"Hehe, don't be afraid. Since they are relatives, that's why it's better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me!"

"The Way of Death...Friends, Immortality..."

Da San looked at Han Lei, his lips twitching violently. The sentence was a bit awkward; he didn't yet understand its meaning.

Han Lei patted his shoulder, interrupting him: "It's okay, just remember to relax, relax."

Before Da Yi could say anything, the shouts of the yamen runners suddenly came from afar.

Attention everyone! If you spot any suspicious individuals, remember to report them to the authorities immediately!

Time was of the essence, Han Lei shrugged and made a quick decision.

"There's no time to hesitate, come with me! Just do as I say."

Having said that, she straightened her clothes and walked headlong toward the Jingzhou Prince's Mansion. Da Yi and the others exchanged glances and had no choice but to hurry after her.

As dusk deepened, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the ancient city walls of Jingzhou a deep red.

As the streets thinned out, the vendors, their long shadows trailing behind them, began busily packing up their various goods.

The old man selling sugar slowly rolled up the oilcloth, and the gong jingled in the bamboo basket.

The proprietress of the rouge shop tiptoed down the signboard, her silk skirt swaying gently in the evening breeze, and began to close the shop.

Squads of yamen runners and armed soldiers were still patrolling the streets.

The vermilion gates of the Jingzhou Prince's Palace appeared particularly solemn and dignified in the twilight.

Using the cover of passersby and vendors, Han Lei and her group walked along the bluestone path to the gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Han Lei, who was in the lead, straightened her brocade dress and took out a white magnolia hairpin with gold trim from her spatial storage and put it in her hair, instantly adding a touch of nobility to her simple elegance.

"Please inform them that Han Lei of Drunken Immortal Brew has come to visit Your Highness."

Han Lei gave a graceful bow to the guards at the door, her voice clear and pleasant.

Upon hearing the words "Drunken Immortal's Brew," the guard immediately bowed respectfully.

"So it's Miss Han. His Highness has instructed that if Miss Han visits, she should be welcomed at any time. Please come with me."

Han Lei nodded slightly. She knew it! The Drunken Immortal Brew had earned the King of Jingzhou a considerable amount of money; he should surely remember this favor.

Following behind the guards, we passed through several courtyards, and from afar we could hear a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha, I've been waiting day and night, and finally Boss Han has arrived!"

A man dressed in a crimson python robe strode over. He was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old and his face bore a resemblance to Emperor Jing, but he lacked the majesty of an emperor and had a more reserved demeanor.

A jade pendant hung at his waist, swaying gently with his steps, gleaming with a warm luster in the setting sun.

"Your Highness is too kind to me." Han Lei curtsied, a perfectly timed smile on her lips. "I hope Your Highness will forgive my intrusion in coming here today."

"Oh, Miss Han, what are you saying!"

The King of Jingzhou waved his hand enthusiastically, "Thanks to your Drunken Immortal Wine, my income has doubled in the past few months! Men, quickly prepare a feast! I want to entertain my distinguished guest."

As he spoke, the King of Jingzhou led Han Lei and the others enthusiastically into the hall.

Taking the opportunity, Han Lei turned around and proudly raised her head at the third-year student. The implication was clear: "See? I wasn't wrong, was I? This place is the most reliable."

Before long, a sumptuous feast was laid out in the hall. The King of Jingzhou warmly invited them to sit down and enjoy the meal.

Han Lei exchanged a few polite words and then sat down gracefully. The seniors and the others, however, seemed somewhat reserved looking at the lavish spread before them. Serving Han Lei, their mistress, meant they ate much better than ordinary people.

I never expected to have the honor of dining with a prince of such high status today.

Han Lei gave them a wink, signaling them to sit down naturally and openly, instead of being so awkward.

Perhaps because he had been around Han Lei for so long, although he wasn't as good at acting as the ninth grader, he had at least learned some composure and calmness.

He coughed lightly, pulled out a chair and sat down, a polite smile on his face.

Even as a junior, I was still incredibly nervous, almost trembling all over.

Da Yi tugged at his sleeve and pulled him down to sit with her, but their fingers were clenched tightly, afraid that they might accidentally give themselves away.

After all, they are now "suspicious persons" that the government is looking for everywhere.

Having seen all sorts of telecom fraud before, Han Lei acted as if nothing had happened, chatting and laughing with the King of Jingzhou.

The candlelight flickered during the meal, illuminating the entire room.

Han Lei discussed the sales and profits of Zuixian Wine with the King of Jingzhou, as well as some business matters.

The freshmen and others buried themselves in eating and drinking, quietly enjoying a luxurious life they would never have dared to dream of in their daily lives.

The King of Jingzhou personally poured a cup of wine for Han Lei: "Come, Boss Han, don't blame me for using your wine to entertain you."

"How could that be? Your Highness is too kind. Drunken Immortal Brew is now the best wine on the market."

Han Lei took a small sip and praised, "As expected of the Drunken Immortal's Brew, it is indeed mellow and lingering. However..."

She put down her wine glass, a sly glint in her eyes. "This wine would be even better if paired with some special side dishes."

"Oh?" The King of Jingzhou became interested. "What new trinkets does Miss Han have this time?"

"I've been making some snacks to go with my drinks lately, but Your Highness, please don't underestimate these snacks. With these snacks, Your Highness might just drink an extra pot of wine."

As Han Lei spoke, she winked at the freshman sitting next to her.

Da Yi understood, immediately took a blue cloth bundle that he had prepared beforehand from his waist, and carefully placed it on the table.

As Han Lei unpacked the bundle, she said, "These days I've been thinking about what kind of snacks would be worthy of the taste of Drunken Immortal Wine."

The bundle was opened, revealing more than a dozen packets of packaged side dishes inside.

Han Lei asked the maid of the King of Jingzhou to bring several porcelain plates. After tearing open the packaging bags, she poured several side dishes onto the plates one by one.

Pickled chicken feet, spicy and sour bamboo shoots, crispy peanuts, spiced beef... every kind of snack can whet your appetite.

"Your Highness, please try this." Han Lei picked up a piece of pickled chicken feet with her silver chopsticks. "It's made with local wild chili peppers, spicy yet fresh. You'll definitely love the flavor after just one bite."

The King of Jingzhou took a bite with some skepticism. He chewed slowly, and after a moment, his eyes lit up.

The Drunken Immortal Winery in the capital has been open for over a month, but the dishes served there are only popular in the capital; they are not yet available in Jingzhou.

When the King of Jingzhou tasted the unique spicy and sour flavor of pickled peppers for the first time, he kept inhaling the spiciness while reluctant to part with it.

"Slurp, slurp... Wonderful! There is such a delicious thing in this world. Slurp, it will not overpower the aroma of the wine, and it can also arouse the craving for wine."

As the King of Jingzhou spoke, he eagerly tried several other dishes, praising them repeatedly.

"These spicy and sour bamboo shoots are crisp and refreshing, and the fragrant and crispy peanuts are crunchy but not greasy... Miss Han, these side dishes you have are all top-notch!"

Han Lei smiled and said, "Exactly. I plan to open several taverns in various counties of Jingzhou, specializing in selling Drunken Immortal Wine paired with these snacks. What does Your Highness think?"

"Excellent idea!" King Jingzhou exclaimed, slapping the table in approval. "These dishes would be very popular if sold individually. Miss Han, why don't you..."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes. "How about giving me the agency rights for these side dishes as well?"

"Your Highness, please don't be in such a hurry." Han Lei waved her hand. "Whether these side dishes are popular or not will only be known after the tavern opens, based on the feedback from the patrons. As for the agency rights..."

Just as Han Lei was about to continue speaking, the freshman next to her suddenly leaned over and lowered his voice just enough for the King of Jingzhou to hear.

“Miss, it’s getting late. Don’t you think we should head back to the inn?”

Han Lei turned around and looked outside. It was already dark outside.

"Oh dear, look at me. I was so engrossed in discussing business with Your Highness that I didn't realize how late it had gotten. Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness."

As she spoke, Han Lei made a gesture as if to stand up and say goodbye.

The King of Jingzhou, who was discussing making money, was unwilling to let them leave now.

"Oh, no, no, Miss Han, you're being too polite."

The King of Jingzhou waved his hand, "Now that you've arrived in Jingzhou, how can we let you stay in an inn? Men, prepare several fine guest rooms immediately!"

He stood up and instructed the steward, "Quickly clean up the rooms in the east wing, and prepare some hot water and clean bedding."

"Your Highness... this is not a good time to disturb you," Han Lei declined, feigning hesitation.

The King of Jingzhou's face darkened, his displeasure evident. "What's wrong with it? Although the royal palace isn't exactly luxurious, it's still more comfortable than an inn."

"Uh...this..." Han Lei still seemed hesitant.

"Hey!" The King of Jingzhou was anxious and slapped his thigh: "Miss Han, you can stay here at the manor. We will continue to discuss this business in detail tomorrow."

Han Lei still looked hesitant: "This... I'm afraid it's too much of a bother..."

“Oh, Miss Han, you’re being too polite.” The King of Jingzhou feigned displeasure. “We are business partners; saying such things would be too formal.”

Han Lei exchanged a glance with Da Yi, and the corners of her mouth turned up almost imperceptibly: "In that case, we shall respectfully comply."

"Ah! That's more like it." A smile appeared on the King of Jingzhou's face.

After the servants of the Prince's Mansion led Han Lei and her entourage to the guest rooms, Da Yi couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Hehe. The princess is indeed a brilliant strategist. The King of Jingzhou has really let us stay here. In any case, the royal residence is safer than anywhere else."

Han Lei chuckled: "The King of Jingzhou has already tasted success with the distribution rights for Drunken Immortal Brew. Now that I have a new product to offer, why would he let it go?"

Da San sighed in complete admiration, "Ah! The Princess Consort's strategy was flawless! The Prince was so focused on business that he didn't even notice us. If I had known, I wouldn't have been so nervous."

"Hehe!" The senior laughed the most easily: "Indeed, the most dangerous place is the safest. Even if the people in the government office turned Jingzhou City upside down, they would never expect that we would be guests at the Prince's mansion."

As they got excited talking, Han Lei stretched rather inelegantly.

"Alright, everyone, go and get some rest! Tomorrow we're going to go out and look around to see if there are any suitable shops to open a tavern."

After calming down, the students bowed respectfully to Han Lei and then returned to their rooms.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Jingzhou, several groups of yamen runners and soldiers, carrying torches, were blindly searching the streets and alleys.

Little did they know, the "suspicious person" they were looking for was already sound asleep in a warm and comfortable room in the Jingzhou Prince's Mansion...

I'll just let you enjoy it for free; it's all for your support anyway! Thank you!