Love Lock

Chapter 228 Leaving Family Members as Hostages

On the way from the warehouse to the entrance of Jinxiufang, Da Jiu played with the brand-new black walkie-talkie in his hand with great affection.

The sunlight from the corridor refracted into tiny dappled patterns on the metal antenna. He couldn't help but breathe on the machine and wipe its smooth surface with his sleeve.

“The princess has so many strange gadgets.” Da Jiu grinned, revealing two tiger teeth. “It’s so nice to be by the princess’s side. I heard that the brothers in Cangzhou have been using this walkie-talkie for a long time.”

Tang Xiaotong glanced at his childish behavior and smiled slightly: "Be careful when you use it, there's no way to fix it if you break it. Also, be sure to use the walkie-talkie discreetly, so as not to cause any trouble!"

"Hehe! I get it, I get it." Da Jiu laughed so hard his eyes disappeared.

As soon as the two arrived at the carved gate of Jinxiufang, they saw Lin Yuanshan of Linji Cloth Shop pacing back and forth at the entrance.

This usually meticulous young businessman seemed somewhat anxious at this moment. There were some mud spots stuck to the hem of his dark blue long robe. Despite the crisp autumn weather, there were beads of sweat on his forehead, and his hands were constantly rubbing together.

"Oh, Manager Tang!" Lin Yuanshan looked up and saw Tang Xiaotong. He immediately rushed over, his face full of smiles. "It's great to see you!"

Seeing this, Da Jiu tactfully clasped his hands in farewell and said, "Manager Tang, you're busy. I'll go try out this new gadget first." After saying that, he happily pocketed the walkie-talkie and quickly left.

Tang Xiaotong straightened his sleeves and feigned confusion, asking, "Master Lin, what's this...? I heard you've been coming to see me every day these past few days?"

Lin Yuanshan wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a forced smile, "That's right, that's right. Ever since I parted ways with Manager Tang last time, I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly."

As he spoke, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards the bustling customers inside Jinxiufang, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

Tang Xiaotong followed his gaze and saw that more than a dozen shop assistants were busy with their feet barely touching the ground, and the silk on the shelves was decreasing at a visible rate.

He deliberately asked slowly, "May I ask what business Master Lin has with me?"

"Well..." Lin Yuanshan rubbed his hands together, then said shamelessly, "Regarding what Manager Tang mentioned last time, I immediately began investigating after I returned. Just as you said, that vile woman did indeed commit a heinous act!"

He sighed, a look of deep sorrow on his face. "Our Lin family has a long history of integrity. How could we tolerate such a wicked woman? We have already divorced her. I wonder if Manager Tang's previous promise still stands?"

Tang Xiaotong raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Are you sure you really want to divorce him?"

"Absolutely true!" Lin Yuanshan hurriedly pulled out a document from his pocket. "Manager Tang, please take a look. This is a letter of divorce. It has the signature of the clan elder and the official seal on it. That wicked woman has been sent back to her parents' home."

He paused, then added, "To my shame, if Manager Tang hadn't pointed it out, I would still be completely in the dark. Although our Lin family isn't a prestigious clan, we still value integrity above all else..."

Tang Xiaotong then showed a satisfied expression and gestured for them to come inside: "Master Lin, please come inside and talk."

Lin Yuanshan was overjoyed upon hearing this. He quickly straightened his clothes and followed Tang Xiaotong into Jinxiufang.

As he walked through the bustling lobby, he was drawn to the lively scene before him. Various silk fabrics shimmered under the lights, noblewomen discussed the styles of the new fabrics, and the coins at the cashier jingled.

The rest area on the second floor was much quieter. Tang Xiaotong led Lin Yuanshan to sit on a carved mahogany chair and had a maid serve him fragrant tea.

The tea in the blue and white porcelain cup was clear and bright, with a faint orchid fragrance wafting in the rising steam.

Lin Yuanshan had no interest in sipping tea; he held the teacup in both hands and stared longingly at Tang Xiaotong.

Tang Xiaotong slowly sipped his tea before speaking, "Don't worry, Mr. Lin, I, Tang, keep my word. However..."

He put down his teacup and said meaningfully, "This is actually what our boss meant. Our boss has always respected the integrity of the Lin family's business for generations."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanshan finally felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders and quickly said, "Manager Tang, you are wise! Our Lin family has always valued integrity above all else. That wicked woman's actions are truly..."

He shook his head, his heartbroken expression even more pronounced. "To be honest, on the day the ancestral hall was opened, the elders were so angry they slammed their fists on the table. Even if such a venomous woman can't cooperate with Jinxiufang, our Lin family absolutely cannot let her live!"

“In that case…” Tang Xiaotong asked the waiter to bring a document and spread it on the table, “Let’s discuss the details of the cooperation.”

Over the next hour, the two discussed in detail matters such as supply prices and settlement methods.

Tang Xiaotong not only promised to supply the latest styles of silk at wholesale prices, but also offered to send someone to guide the Lin family in improving their shop layout and marketing methods.

"...In addition," Tang Xiaotong added, tapping her fingers lightly on the table, "our boss values ​​Lin's customer base and channels that have been established in the capital for many years. If this cooperation goes well, we can give priority to cooperating with Lin's family in future businesses such as tea and porcelain."

Lin Yuanshan's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

He was so excited he almost dropped his teacup. He quickly steadied himself, his voice trembling slightly, "Manager Tang, is that really true? To be honest, our Lin's shop has several branches in other prefectures and counties. If we could..."

Tang Xiaotong smiled and nodded: "The boss often says that doing business is about mutual benefit. As long as we treat each other with sincerity, the doors of Jinxiufang will always be open to the Lin family."

"That's wonderful! That's wonderful!" Lin Yuanshan rubbed his hands together, the wrinkles on his face from worry these past few days smoothing out. "Don't worry, Manager Tang, our Lin family will never let you down!"

"Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!" Tang Xiaotong stood up and bowed.

"Alright! It's a pleasure to do business with you! Then I won't disturb Manager Tang any longer, I'll take my leave now." Lin Yuanshan also smiled, bowed, and took his leave.

The weather outside was getting increasingly gloomy, and it looked like it was about to rain.

Lin Yuanshan walked downstairs happily, holding the newly signed documents. The customers downstairs were gradually leaving, and the lobby was filled with the shouts of the waiters seeing off customers.

The newly pasted window paper trembled gently in the autumn breeze, and he seemed to smell the unique fragrance of new silk wafting in the air...

...This is a dividing line for those who want to read further...

The scorching August sun beat down on the unfinished construction site of the Prince's Mansion, dust flew everywhere, and the mixed smell of wood and stone filled the air.

Han Lei stood in front of the main gate of the Prince's Mansion, arm in arm with Zhao Zun. Today she was wearing a light pink gauze dress, with only a white magnolia hairpin in her hair, which shimmered with a warm luster in the sunlight.

"It's been half a year! Why isn't it fixed yet?" Zhao Zun tugged at his collar in frustration; sweat had already soaked his back.

"Uncle Luo, I'm still waiting to get married!" He pointed to the project that was still in its final stages, his voice full of anxiety.

Luo Hai wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a wry smile, "Your Highness, I've been sending people to urge them every day, and the craftsmen have been working day and night. The main structure is complete, and the gardeners only started transplanting the flowers this morning..."

"Then let's get the bridal chamber and wedding hall ready first!" Zhao Zun interrupted impatiently, gesturing with his fingers in the air. "The rest can wait, I can't wait!"

Upon hearing this, Han Lei's cheeks flushed red, and she secretly pinched Zhao Zun's arm: "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Ouch!" Zhao Zun exclaimed dramatically, rubbing the spot where he had been pinched, but then grinned and whispered in Han Lei's ear, "How can I not be anxious? My beauty is right beside me, yet I can't get close to her. Besides, if I can't win her heart, doesn't that make me look incompetent?"

Luo Hai coughed awkwardly and tactfully stepped aside. He found the foreman who was directing the work and lowered his voice, saying, "Do you understand what the prince means? Get the place needed for the wedding ready first."

The foreman, a burly man in his forties, smiled knowingly upon hearing this.
He glanced at Zhao Zun and said, "Don't worry, Lord Luo, we understand!"

Several craftsmen who were moving timber nearby chuckled, and one of the young craftsmen even winked mischievously.

The construction site was a mess, with gravel and wood chips scattered everywhere.

Luo Hai led the two through the newly paved bluestone path and into the interior of the Prince's Mansion.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the floor, while the air was filled with the fresh scent of new paint and wood.

"The painted decorations in the main hall will be completed tomorrow, and the rockery in the back garden still needs a few final touches..." Luo Hai explained as he led the way.

Han Lei looked around the mansion that would soon become her new home with curiosity, her fingers gently tracing the exquisite reliefs on the corridor.

Zhao Zun had no interest in appreciating any of this. He strode to the main courtyard and pushed open the door to the new house.

"This place must be finished first!" The furnishings inside the room were not yet complete, but the carved bed had already been placed in place, making Han Lei's ears burn.

"The first day of the ninth month!" Zhao Zun suddenly turned around and announced, "We'll get married on that day!" He added proudly, "I've already had someone look it up, and it's an auspicious day."

Luo Hai did some quick calculations and realized that there were only ten days left until the first day of the ninth month. He looked troubled and said, "Your Highness, today is already the twentieth of the eighth month. There are still many things to prepare. Isn't this... a bit too rushed?"

"What's the rush?" Zhao Zun waved his hand dismissively. "You don't know, my mother was even more anxious than I was. When I left home, she even asked if the date had been set yet." As he spoke, he winked at Han Lei.

Han Lei lowered her head, smiled, and said softly, "You can decide these things."

Looking at Zhao Zun's impatient appearance, she recalled the imperial edict that had already been issued, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the unfinished palace, bathing everything in a warm golden hue.

The shouts of the craftsmen and the clatter of their mallets mingled together, as if playing a prelude to happiness for the perfect couple.

As dusk settled, the upturned eaves of the prefectural government office cast long shadows in the last rays of the setting sun.

As Zhao Zun and his entourage returned to the mansion under the last rays of dawn, they saw Liu Yan, the King of Jingzhou, standing with his hands behind his back under the ginkgo tree in the front courtyard, his indigo brocade robe billowing slightly in the evening breeze.

"Brother Liu, I've kept you waiting." Zhao Zun strode forward, his boots crunching over a few golden ginkgo leaves on the ground.

Upon hearing the sound, Liu Yan turned around, and the usual gloom between his brows eased slightly.

"Brother Zhao is very busy with official duties, I apologize for bothering you."

His gaze swept over the travel-worn guards behind Zhao Zun, finally settling on that face that always wore a sweet smile. "Miss Han."

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Han Lei and Luo Hai nodded and greeted him.

Zhao Zun and Liu Yan walked side by side through the corridor, Liu Yan's wooden clogs making a crisp sound on the bluestone slabs. Han Lei and Luo Hai followed at a distance behind them.

Since Liu Yan and his family fled to Cangzhou, the former King of Jingzhou has addressed Zhao Zun as brothers, and their relationship has become much closer in just a few days.

"Brother Zhao, I have a favor to ask of you today." As Liu Yan walked into the flower hall, he suddenly stopped. The candlelight in the hall was just beginning to illuminate half of his face, casting it in intermittent light.

Zhao Zun raised his hand to signal the servants to leave, and personally picked up the gilded teapot on the table to pour a cup of Junshan Silver Needle tea: "Brother Liu, please speak freely."

Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, Liu Yan's fingertips gently caressed the rim of the celadon cup.

"I've been thinking this over the past few days. Since I'm going to settle down in Cangzhou, I should familiarize myself with the local customs and traditions of each county. Tomorrow I'd like to set off to see the sights. But Brother Zhao is busy arranging his wedding. I wonder if I could borrow two guides familiar with Cangzhou to accompany me?"

"That's great!" A glint of light flashed in Zhao Zun's eyes.

He had originally intended for the King of Jingzhou to visit Fufeng County and Beiguan to see the changes in Cangzhou and the strength of his army, so that he could follow him with peace of mind.

However, after arriving in Qingshui County, he wanted to take the opportunity to marry Han Lei and didn't want to delay any further.

Now that the King of Jingzhou has proposed to visit the counties of Cangzhou, it's exactly what he wanted. Moreover, he doesn't even need to accompany him personally.

He took a sip of tea, his smile undiminished: "What a coincidence, a few of my personal guards happen to be free these days, so let them be the guides for Brother Liu's family."

As he spoke, he called out from outside, "Pockmarked guy."

Ma Zi entered in response, cupping his fists and saying, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Take two clever men with you and accompany the Prince's family on a trip tomorrow," Zhao Zun said, turning to Liu Yan. "The cement factory in Fufeng County and the military farms in Beiguan are worth seeing, as are the five hundred newly trained soldiers..."

“Brother Zhao,” Liu Yan suddenly interrupted, his voice low, “I will go alone.”

Ok?
The flower hall fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear the candle flames popping. Ma San glanced at his master and saw that Zhao Zun's smile had deepened.

He understood that the King of Jingzhou wanted to keep his family members as hostages to demonstrate his loyalty.

Liu Yan put down the teacup he hadn't touched: "The two children are young and frail, and my wife is not used to long journeys. She would like to stay at home and ask Miss Han and Lord Luo to help take care of them for a while. I'll go check on them and then come back."

He spoke casually, but his clenched knuckles had already turned white.

The tea rippled in the cup. Zhao Zun suddenly burst into laughter, startling the birds perched under the eaves into flight.

“Brother Liu, you don’t need to do this.” He stood up and patted Liu Yan’s stiff shoulder. “Go and see the five hundred soldiers in Fufeng County. When you come back, you’ll know whether I have the ability to protect your whole family.”

While Liu Yan was still in a daze, Zhao Zun had already given a smile and ordered: "Ma Zi, send word to the North Pass camp that wherever the King of Jingzhou goes, all the armories can be visited."

When he looked at the King of Jingzhou again, his eyes shone brightly in the night. “But Brother Liu must return before the first day of the ninth month to drink my wedding wine.”

"The first day of the ninth month?" The King of Jingzhou's surprised gaze swept back and forth between Zhao Zun and Han Lei: "You've already set a date?"

"Yes! September 1st, no more changes! Brother Liu, you must arrive early! Hahaha..."

Zhao Zun's hearty laughter echoed in the night sky.

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