Love Lock

Chapter 231 A Small Gift
A traitor?

These words struck the pavilion like a thunderbolt, startling even Shen Maoyuan and Madam Lin.

Especially Lin, she was only thinking about the impending war and whether Hua Tianyou would be safe. She hadn't considered this possibility at all. If she were mistaken for a traitor, that would be a capital offense.

Hua Tianyou was the apple of the eye of the Duke of Heng's family. If he were to harm even a hair on their head, it would probably cost the old couple their lives.

Duke Heng suddenly stood up, overturning the chessboard and scattering the chess pieces all over the ground.

He was frantic with worry: "Tianyou...didn't Tianyou say in his last letter that he had already earned military merit? And even the top merit? Why hasn't he come back yet?"

"Master is confused!" Madam Lin was so anxious that tears were about to fall. "Beiguan is under the jurisdiction of Cangzhou. Now that Cangzhou has rebelled, could it be that Tianyou has been trapped?"

Before Lin could finish speaking, she choked up and could no longer speak.

Shen Maoyuan's expression also changed. However, he was unaware that his daughter and son-in-law were already in Cangzhou, and instead patted the Duke of Heng on the shoulder to comfort him.

"My lord, you don't need to worry too much. Hasn't Tianyou always been on good terms with Zhao Zun? Even if he's trapped in Cangzhou, I believe Zhao Zun won't make things difficult for Tianyou. Why don't I go back and find out what's going on?"

Duke Heng nodded haphazardly. After Shen Maoyuan left, he paced back and forth, saying, "Madam, don't worry. There are 100,000 troops stationed at the North Pass, guarded by Marshal Cao. Tianyou should be fine..."

"But sir, swords have no eyes!" Madam Lin cried. "If a fight really breaks out, who cares that he's the son of a duke? Besides..."

She glanced around and lowered her voice, "If it's related to treason, that's a crime punishable by the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan! We must get Tianyou back immediately to clear his name!"

Cold sweat beaded on the Duke of Heng's forehead: "Yes, yes, quickly write a letter..." As he spoke, he turned and shouted towards the door: "Steward! Steward!"

The tall, thin butler trotted in, and before he could even stand still, Madam Lin had already given him a barrage of orders.

"Immediately send a message by carrier pigeon to Beiguan! Also send... send Instructor Zhang with twenty guards to fetch the young master at top speed! They must travel day and night! They must get there before the imperial court sends troops."

Just as Butler Liu was about to respond, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the outer courtyard.

A servant rushed in, panting: "Master! Madam! The young master has sent a letter!"

A letter finally arrived?
The Duke and Duchess of Heng exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with joy. Madam Lin snatched the letter, her fingers trembling as she tore open the sealing wax.

Duke Heng leaned closer, and the two read the letter together. After reading just a few lines, Duke Heng's face turned from white to green, and finally to ashen.

“This unfilial son…this unfilial son!” Duke Heng trembled all over, staggered and slumped into the grand chair, the letter slipping from his fingers.

Madam Lin hurriedly picked up the letter and continued reading, her face growing increasingly grim with each word: "Tianyou... he actually..."

Before she could finish speaking, Madam Lin's eyes rolled back and she collapsed limply to the ground.

"Madam!" Duke Heng hurriedly caught her, and at the same time shouted to the maid who was stunned beside him, "What are you standing there for? Go and fetch a doctor!"

The butler picked up the letter that had fallen to the ground, and saw that it was written in a flamboyant, elegant style:

"My dearest father: I am currently in Cangzhou and all is well. The new policies in Cangzhou benefit the people, and the city is even more prosperous than the capital. Zhao Zun is a man of great talent and ambition, and he treats me very well. His younger sister, Zhao Ling'er, is intelligent and charming, and I have vowed to marry no one but her. I beg you, Father, to send a matchmaker to the Prince's Mansion in Cangzhou to propose marriage and fulfill my heartfelt wish. Yours truly, Tianyou."

Looking at his unconscious wife, and then at the deadly letter in the steward's hand, the Duke of Heng felt dizzy.

His eyes rolled upwards repeatedly: "That unfilial son! He doesn't want to get married... he's pushing the entire Duke's mansion into a fire pit... Steward, quick... quick, go and bring the young master back to me!"

The steward acknowledged the message, placed the letter on the stone table, and hurriedly left.

Meanwhile, a somber atmosphere pervaded Zhang's residence.

Inside the study, the candles had long since burned out, and sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor and illuminating four weary faces.

"Father, please rest for a while," said Zhang Peng, the eldest son of Grand Secretary Zhang, rubbing his red eyes and speaking in a hoarse voice.

He hadn't changed out of his court robes from yesterday, and the collar was already wrinkled.

Grand Secretary Zhang sighed heavily, his white beard trembling slightly: "Rest? In this situation, how can I sleep peacefully?"

The second son, Zhang Kun, suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the study: "Brother, are you sure His Majesty said the Prince of Cangzhou rebelled? Could he have misheard? Zhao Zun... how could he..."

“It’s absolutely true.” Zhang Peng closed his eyes in anguish. “Yesterday, all the court officials heard it. The imperial edict has been issued, and the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue are probably busy mobilizing troops and procuring provisions.”

The third son, Zhang Hong, suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "What about Hanlin? That silly boy can't even finish his homework, let alone play with his fancy gadgets! And now look at him, he's got no brains. He's following the rebel prince to Cangzhou to do some kind of water diversion project, isn't that just walking into a trap?"

A deathly silence fell over the study. Grand Secretary Zhang's face grew even more ashen, his withered fingers gripping the armrests of the armchair tightly.

Zhang Ge Lao's second son, Zhang Kun, and third son, Zhang Hong, were both compilers in the Hanlin Academy, sixth-rank officials who were not required to attend court.

However, Zhang Peng, the eldest son of Grand Secretary Zhang, was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and attended court every day.

Yesterday in the imperial court, when Zhang Peng heard that earth-shattering news, he staggered and almost fell over.

After returning home, he locked himself in his study and pondered for a long time, but couldn't come up with a good solution. In desperation, he had no choice but to call his father and two brothers to the study to discuss the matter.

This discussion lasted all night.

“My father has been teaching Zhao Zun for many years,” Zhang Peng said in a low voice, “Do you really think he would rebel?”

Grand Secretary Zhang slowly shook his head, his eyes flashing with a complex light: "Zhao Zun has been loyal and righteous since childhood. Like his father, he is most loyal to the emperor and loves his country. He guarded the border for many years to protect the peace of the Great Jing. He sacrificed his life and shed his blood, and made many great achievements."

The old man's voice choked with emotion, "How could such a child..."

Grand Secretary Zhang was heartbroken. Zhao Zun had studied at the Imperial Academy since childhood and was one of Grand Secretary Zhang's students from a young age.

Zhao Zun and his son made great contributions to the defense of the border and are heroes in the hearts of the people of Dajing. As Zhao Zun's teacher, he has always felt that Zhao Zun is his pride.

Last year, some people in the court slandered Zhao Zun, saying that Zhao Zun held military power and was too powerful to be trusted by the emperor. He even said a few words in defense of Zhao Zun, and was then ordered by Emperor Jing to retire to his hometown and live in seclusion.

Now, he doesn't know why Zhao Zun would take the step of rebellion. But he believes in Zhao Zun's character; in his mind, Zhao Zun is a good son who protects the country with his life and youth.

But if this is true, then Zhao Zun's step would put him on the opposite side of the Great Jing Dynasty. This time, he didn't know how to defend Zhao Zun or how to protect him.

Upon hearing Zhang Ge Lao's words, the third son, Zhang Hong, was so anxious that he stamped his feet.

"Father! But the facts are right in front of us! That fool Hanlin trusts his friends the most, which is why he got dragged into this mess without even realizing it! Think about it, he abandoned his hotpot restaurant business in the capital and insisted on going to Cangzhou at Zhao Zun's invitation. Now he's become an accomplice in the rebellion! Oh dear!"

Zhang Kun pondered for a moment, then interjected, "Wait, I don't think Zhao Zun is that kind of person, and Hanlin is definitely not that kind of person either. Could it be... that this so-called rebellion is actually a frame-up?"

"Foolish!" Zhang Peng shouted sternly. "Whether it's a false accusation or not, the imperial court has already decided to send troops to punish them. In this dire situation, what we need to think about is how to protect our families and how to bring that arrogant brat back! Otherwise, we will be treated as accomplices and our entire family will be executed."

Zhang Kun pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the father and sons, and said, "Father, could it be that Zhao Zun sent Hanlin to Cangzhou to use Hanlin as leverage to force us all to support him..."

Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary Zhang suddenly coughed violently, and his three sons rushed forward to support him.

The old man waved his hand, took a breath, and then stood up shakily.

“No, Zhao Zun isn’t that kind of person. Hanlin has been in Cangzhou for over two months. If he wanted to blackmail someone, Zhao Zun would have sent someone to contact him privately long ago. Peng’er is right; protecting the family is the priority now. I will set off for my hometown in Jingzhou tomorrow.”

"Father!" the three brothers exclaimed in unison.

"Let me finish." Grand Secretary Zhang's eyes were bright. "I have been retired to my hometown for a long time, and my departure now will not attract attention. The three of you remember, from today onwards, never mention to outsiders that Hanlin went to Cangzhou. Peng'er, continue to attend court and do what you are supposed to do; Kun'er and Hong'er, if you are here, also act as usual. If anyone asks about Hanlin, say that he personally escorted me back to Jingzhou."

Zhang Hong said anxiously, "Father, what about Hanlin...?"

"I will send someone with a letter from home to Cangzhou right away." Grand Secretary Zhang walked behind his desk and slowly picked up his brush. "I think Zhao Zun will still read my handwritten letter. If... if he really has his reasons, perhaps he can pull back from the brink."

Zhang Peng looked at his father with great concern: "But what if..."

"Nothing unexpected."

Grand Secretary Zhang suddenly straightened his somewhat hunched back, as if he had returned to his former glory as a powerful figure in the imperial court.

“My Zhang family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, but Hanlin is, after all, just a child obsessed with the art of craftsmanship. Even if… even if something unforeseen happens, His Majesty will investigate thoroughly. By the way, after you bring Hanlin back, don’t bring him back to the capital. Let him stay directly at the old residence in Jingzhou.”

Outside the window, the sun gradually became dazzling, illuminating the study.

The four looked at each other, each seeing deep worry in the other's eyes.

That chubby guy who never liked studying and spent all his time tinkering with strange and unusual gadgets has now become a sword hanging over the whole family.

The King of Cangzhou rebelled, and the entire capital was thrown into a state of panic and fear because of an imperial edict to punish Cangzhou.

On Zhuque Street, the clanging of armor replaced the usual hustle and bustle of the city. The Imperial Guards, clad in armor and armed with weapons, marched swiftly in formation, their black boots clattering over the bluestone slabs, causing the shops along the street to slam their doors shut.

In front of the Ministry of War, urgent orders to mobilize troops were delivered one after another by messengers on horseback.

The horn-shaped lamps that burned all night in the Ministry of Revenue's office cast a ghastly white light on the window paper, and the abacus beads rattled like a sudden downpour.

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue carried mostly empty account books and hurried along the corridor. The various red-inked annotations on the pages, scattered by the night wind, were particularly glaring.

Outside the western granary, torches cast long shadows of laborers carrying grain through the night...

The atmosphere in the capital was tense, while the counties of Cangzhou were peaceful and joyful.

As Zhao Zun sent out his bright red invitations one by one, the news that King Zhao Zun of Cangzhou and his queen Han Lei would hold their wedding ceremony at the Prince's Mansion in Qingshui County on the first day of the ninth lunar month spread like a spring breeze across the plains, reaching every county in Cangzhou in just a few days.

The jubilation surrounding this marriage in Cangzhou was even greater than the triumphant celebrations of every time Zhao Zun led his army to repel the Turkic cavalry.

As soon as the royal carriage stepped out of the gates of Qingshui County, the teahouses and taverns along the way erupted in excitement.

An old man selling steamed buns set up his stall in front of the City God Temple, kneading dough while shouting in the loud.

"Have you heard? The Prince specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare three hundred loads of wedding cakes to distribute to the villagers who come to offer their congratulations!"

This remark drew a group of women who had come to the early market, and they all chattered about what gifts to prepare.

Manager Zhou of the silk shop was quite adept at capitalizing on the news. As soon as he heard the news, he immediately put up a red paper sign that read, "Celebrating the Prince's Wedding, Our Shop Offers Half-Price Brocade." Several brides-to-be who were selecting light red satin fabrics chuckled when they saw it.

In the reed marshes along the Qingshui River, fisherwomen hummed tunes as they mended their nets.

No one knows who started it, but the folk song "The prince develops the land to save the common people, and the princess distributes medicine to relieve the poor and sick" drifted far away along the shimmering waves.

Hearing this, the women washing clothes on the opposite bank joined in, and the sounds of washing and singing startled a flock of egrets, which fluttered past the colorful tents that were being built.

The chief steward of the Prince's mansion has been receiving so many invitations these past two days that his hands are sore. In addition to formal greeting cards from officials of various prefectures and counties, there are even more congratulatory messages written on rough paper by village elders through literate teachers.

A family sent over a pair of live geese, saying that their youngest son had spent three days in the rain guarding the reeds to catch them, and insisted on using them to add to the princess's dowry according to ancient customs.

These days, not only is Qingshui County unusually lively and filled with joy, but the official road leading to Qingshui County is also several times busier than usual.

There were farmers carrying sacks filled with newly harvested walnuts and dates; there were peddlers carrying shoulder poles with baskets full of red candles and wedding couplets; and there were even elderly people with white hair who insisted on going to kowtow to the prince and princess, supported by their children and grandchildren.

The post station clerk was so busy he barely had time to breathe, but then he saw a group of scholars in blue robes taking shelter from the rain under the eaves.

The leading scholar recited aloud: "Before the beacon tower, she draws her bow; in the red candlelight tent, she paints her eyebrows—what a tender-hearted prince with iron will!"

The people of Cangzhou have witnessed the contributions that the King and Queen have made to Cangzhou, and therefore, Zhao Zun and Han Lei are deeply loved by the people of Cangzhou.

Invited guests from various counties in Cangzhou and local residents who came to offer their congratulations are all counting down the days to set off for Qingshui County.

These people who came spontaneously were not only there to ask for a drink of celebratory wine and to join in the fun of the Cangzhou King's wedding ceremony, but also to take this opportunity to offer their small tokens of appreciation to the prince and princess whom they admired and respected.

These people, filled with joy, had no idea what awaited them...

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