Love Lock

Chapter 297 What virtue or ability do I, Zhao Zun, possess?
"Ah~!"

"princess!"

Everyone was startled by Han Lei's sudden fainting, their pupils contracting sharply.

"Girl!" Zhao Zun's exclamation rang out at the same time as the sound of porcelain shattering.

Before anyone could react, the figure in black had already shot to the center of the hall like an arrow and caught Han Lei, who had fainted on the ground, in his arms.

Zhao Zun's arm muscles were taut and stiff, but his fingertips gently brushed away the stray hairs that had fallen across Han Lei's forehead.

The person in his arms was as pale as paper, and even the rouge on her lips seemed glaring.

"Quickly, get a doctor!" His voice trembled in a way no one had ever heard before. "Hurry!"

The old lady gripped the prayer beads in her hand and stood up.

"Xiao Zhengfei!" the old man called out to Xiao Zhengfei in his aged voice, "Hurry up and ride your tricycle! You need to find the best doctor at Cangzhou Hospital!"

Han Lei fainted, causing a slight chaos at the New Year's Eve banquet. However, with Duke Heng and others present, Zhao Zun could not be impolite. He turned to Hua Tianyou and instructed, "Tianyou, Ling'er, you two continue to dine with everyone."

After saying that, Zhao Zun disregarded all other formalities, picked up Han Lei in his arms, and strode towards the backyard.

As he walked through the corridor, a cold wind swept over him. He instinctively pulled the person in his arms closer to his chest. When he looked down, he smelled the faint scent of jasmine in her hair and realized that his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Inside the bedroom, Zhao Zun carefully placed Han Lei on the bed, and the soft gold-threaded pillow immediately sank into a gentle curve.

He ordered Jinju to bring warm water and sat by the bed, constantly wiping Han Lei's forehead, which was covered in cold sweat, with a damp cloth.

"Why hasn't the doctor arrived yet?" he asked Zitan, his brows furrowed.

Zitan was taken aback, thinking that less than half a cup of tea's time had passed, how could it be so fast?
Seeing Zhao Zun's anxiety, Zi Tan quickly replied, "Your Highness, General Xiao has already gone to invite him. He went by three-wheeled vehicle."

Zhao Zun sighed urgently, then turned to look at Han Lei's pale face.

"Little girl?" he called softly, his thumb stroking the back of her cold hand. "Can you hear me?"

Han Lei lay on the bed with her eyes closed, showing no reaction.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Xiao Zhengfei dragged an elderly man with white hair into the room. The old doctor's medicine box slammed against the door, making a dull thud.

Zhao Zun immediately stood up and made way, but still held Han Lei's hand tightly, his thumb unconsciously rubbing her Hegu acupoint.

When the old doctor took the pulse with three fingers, the room was so quiet that you could hear the ticking of an alarm clock.

Zhao Zun stared at the doctor's white eyebrows twitching with each movement and couldn't help but ask, "Doctor, how is it?"

The old doctor didn't answer but continued taking the pulse. His gray eyebrows sometimes relaxed and sometimes furrowed, and he even hissed softly, as if he had encountered some difficult or complicated disease.

Zhao Zun's heart sank to the bottom. Was this old doctor any good? If not, he shouldn't be wasting time here.

Zhao Zun didn't voice his doubts, but his gaze was already fixed on Xiao Zhengfei. "Zhengfei, go and invite a few more doctors."

“Your Highness, there’s no need!” the old doctor suddenly said, then stood up and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting. “Congratulations, Your Highness! The Princess Consort is pregnant, and it has been more than a month.”

"Ah, the princess is pregnant."

"This is really great."

Upon hearing this, Zitan and Jinju were overjoyed.

"What...what did you say?" Zhao Zun stood there, stunned, his ears ringing.

Did he hear that right? The old doctor's expression was so frightening. He thought Han Lei had some incurable disease, but it turned out to be pregnancy.
Zhao Zun showed no joy. He slowly turned his head to look at Han Lei, who was unconscious on the bed, and only uttered an uncertain question: "Doctor, is it true?"

"Indeed!" the old doctor stroked his beard and laughed. "I would never be wrong."

“If she is pregnant, then…” Zhao Zun’s voice was hoarse and he tightened his grip on Han Lei’s hand, “then why did she faint?”

"Hehe! Your Highness need not worry." The old doctor seemed to understand Zhao Zun's concerns and explained, "The princess is just tired. She will be fine after some rest."

The old doctor opened his medicine box and took out some moxa wool. "I'll prescribe some medicine to help the princess prevent miscarriage. She's been working too hard; I heard she even danced just now, which may have caused her blood to rush to her head..."

"Hehe! Hehe!"

Upon hearing that Han Lei was alright, Zhao Zun's face lit up with a joyful smile even before the old doctor had finished speaking.

He abruptly turned to the two maids, "Zitan! Quickly go and inform the old lady. Tell her..."

The usually decisive and ruthless King of Cangzhou was so excited that he was speechless for a moment, his eyes slightly red. "Just tell her that the Queen is pregnant, and she's going to have a grandson."

"Yes! This servant will go right away." Zitan responded and ran out with a smile.

After the old doctor finished prescribing the medicine to prevent miscarriage, Zhao Zun personally escorted the man to the corridor: "If you don't mind, sir, how about you stay at my residence from now on?"

The moonlight shone on his brows, which had finally relaxed after being tense for so long. "I... am really worried and would like to ask you to stay in the manor to take care of me at any time."

The old doctor looked at the man who was rumored to be feared on the battlefield, now looking at him with almost pleading eyes, and couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile: "It is my great honor to be invited by Your Highness."

After seeing the doctor off, Zhao Zun stood outside the door and took a deep breath. The night wind carried a chill, but it couldn't dispel the mix of joy and worry in his heart.

He looked up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, where a few wisps of clouds slowly gathered, just like his chaotic thoughts at that moment.

Zhao Zun raised his hand and rubbed his throbbing temples, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.

The thought that Han Lei was pregnant kept echoing in his mind, bringing him waves of dizzying joy.

But then the doctor's words, "The princess is weak and needs to rest and recuperate," were like a bucket of cold water poured over her.

He gently pushed open the carved wooden door, afraid of disturbing the people inside.

Han Lei lay quietly on the bed, her pale face making her appear as fragile as paper.

Zhao Zun's heart clenched. He tiptoed to the bedside, sat down on the brocade stool, and greedily traced his beloved wife's face with his eyes.

"Girl..." he called softly, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

Moonlight streamed through the gauze curtains, casting dappled shadows on Han Lei's face. Zhao Zun reached out and carefully brushed away a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

His fingers trembled slightly, afraid that even the slightest bit of force would hurt her. The woman he remembered, always so vibrant and radiant with a bright smile, was now so quiet that it made his heart race.

"Why don't you know how to take care of yourself?" Zhao Zun murmured softly, his thumb gently stroking Han Lei's brow, where there was a shallow wrinkle, perhaps a mark left by long-term hard work.

He recalled that rainy night a few months ago when Han Lei returned from outside the city, soaked to the bone, clutching the disaster reports she had collected from the farmers.

He should have been firmer then, instead of letting her run around everywhere. But every time he met her determined yet charming eyes, all his advice turned into a sigh of indulgence and helplessness.

“I know you’re doing this to help me…” Zhao Zun grasped Han Lei’s cold hand and pressed it against his cheek. “But in all of Cangzhou, can’t we find another capable person? You’re always like this, wanting to do everything yourself. I want to develop the business, but that has to take time! It can’t be rushed…”

His voice gradually choked up, and images of everything Han Lei had done for him over the past year flashed before his eyes—

Han Lei used her unheard-of modern knowledge to improve farming tools and teach people new farming methods; she wore sportswear and traveled to pig farms and coal mines... she even disregarded her status to personally treat the poor...

In just one year, her hands, which should have been used only for holding paintbrushes, are now covered with tiny scars.

"Look at you..." Zhao Zun gently stroked the calluses on Han Lei's knuckles, his heart aching. "A princess, yet your hands are so rough. What have I, Zhao Zun, done to deserve this..."

A warm drop of liquid landed on Han Lei's hand, and Zhao Zun realized with a start that he had shed a tear. He quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, afraid of soiling his beloved wife's hand.

A few birds chirped outside the window. Zhao Zun looked up and saw a pair of swallows building a nest under the eaves.

His gaze softened again, and he leaned down to whisper in Han Lei's ear, "Girl, we're having a baby, can you hear me?"

He imagined Han Lei's reaction when she heard the news—her almond-shaped eyes would widen in surprise, and then she would break into a smile more radiant than spring flowers.

Perhaps, she would touch her still-flat stomach and ramble on about how to raise this child, how to give the child the best of everything...

Thinking of this, Zhao Zun's lips unconsciously curled up, but he quickly pursed them into a straight line.

“So you have to get better quickly,” his voice was low and firm. “Our child needs its mother, and I… need you too.”

Zhao Zun gently placed Han Lei's hand back under the quilt and carefully tucked it in. His movements were as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure, as if afraid of disturbing her peaceful sleep.

Then, he leaned down and placed a light, butterfly-wing-like kiss on Han Lei's pale lips.

"It's all my fault..." His forehead pressed against Han Lei's, their breaths mingling. "If I were stronger, you wouldn't have to work so hard. I should have let you live a carefree life, spending your days admiring flowers, painting, and chatting with your best friends..."

Zhao Zun closed his eyes, and the picture of his ideal life appeared in his mind—

In the early morning, he left home to attend to his affairs, watched by Han Lei; when he returned in the evening, he could see Han Lei standing in front of the mansion gate waiting for him from afar, with the children chattering and playing around his knees.

At night, they would sleep in each other's arms, talking about their child's future... instead of like now, where Han Lei is always busy until late at night, sometimes even all night long.

“From today onwards, you are not allowed to overwork yourself anymore.” Zhao Zun sat up straight, her tone resolute and unquestionable. “Leave everything to me. You just focus on your pregnancy and be a leisurely princess. If you wake up and blame me for being domineering…”

He gave a wry smile. "Then blame me. It's better than seeing you ruin your health."

He gazed at Han Lei's peaceful sleeping face, his hand reaching for the love lock hanging by her neck, and suddenly remembered the scene when they first met.

“Do you know?” Zhao Zun said softly, tracing Han Lei’s features with his fingers, “The first time I saw you, I felt that you were a fairy bestowed upon me by heaven, who could ride the wind and return at any moment. So I’m always uneasy, afraid that I won’t be able to hold onto you…”

Inside the room, Zhao Zun quietly watched over the unconscious Han Lei, muttering to herself.

In the front hall, the New Year's Eve banquet was still going on, but the atmosphere had been ruined by Princess Han Lei's sudden fainting.

The once lively scene of clinking glasses and exchanging toasts became much quieter, with only the solar-powered lights reflecting on the solemn faces of the crowd.

The performance stopped, and the music from the karaoke machine also stopped. The elderly lady accompanying them sat in the main seat, oblivious to the fact that her teacup had gone cold.

She would occasionally glance outside the hall, her wrinkled eyes filled with worry.

"Why is there still no news..." the old lady murmured softly, her voice filled with barely concealed anxiety.

The Duke and Duchess Heng sat at the lower end of the table. Duchess Lin held a handkerchief and occasionally wiped non-existent beads of sweat from her forehead.

"The princess seems lively and healthy, how could she suddenly..." She hesitated, exchanging a worried look with her husband.

Big Fat Head sighed and groaned, his thick fingers squeezing the wine glass so hard it creaked, but he couldn't bring himself to drink a drop.

The Duchess was right; the Han Lei he remembered was indeed lively and energetic, as if she had inexhaustible energy. What's wrong with her today?
Seeing this, Hua Tianyou got up and walked to the Duke and his wife's side, gently comforting them, "Father, Mother, you don't need to worry. Zhao Zun is personally watching over you, and the doctor will be here soon. There won't be any problems."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps broke the dull atmosphere. Zitan, lifting her skirt, ran in, her round face flushed with excitement.

"Madam! Madam!" Her clear voice echoed in the hall, "There's good news!"

The old lady was already anxious, and when she heard the sound, she looked up abruptly, causing her teacup to clatter onto the table.

"You little brat, what kind of behavior is this, making such a racket?" the old lady scolded unhappily.

Zitan, disregarding her apology, quickly walked to the center of the hall and knelt down, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.

"Please forgive me, Madam, this is truly a joyous occasion!" She took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, "The doctor has just examined her pulse, and the Princess is indeed pregnant!"

"what?"

The old lady stood frozen in place, unable to connect her fainting spell with pregnancy.

The guests were all stunned, and even the maids standing to the side forgot their manners and began to whisper among themselves with delight.

"This...this is a joyous occasion!" Duke Heng's eyes lit up immediately.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Zitan quickly explained, "The doctor said that the princess fainted because of overwork and the surge of blood and qi during the dance. As long as she takes good care of herself, she will be fine."

"Really?" The old lady finally came to her senses, her face filled with undisguised excitement.

"Amitabha! Amitabha!" She clasped her hands together, tears welling in her eyes. "May the Bodhisattva bless us, our Zhao family will have a new addition!"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became lively. Madam Lin, the wife of the Duke of Heng, was the first to rise and offer her congratulations: "Congratulations, Mother-in-law! This is truly a joyous occasion!"

She turned to Duke Heng and smiled, "Ling'er and Tianyou have just gotten engaged, and now Zhao Zun's wife is pregnant. Isn't that double happiness?"

"Yes, yes, yes, it's double happiness." Duke Heng nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, Zun'er and Ling'er both have happy news." The old lady was very happy and quickly looked at the steward. "Steward, today is a day of double happiness in the manor. Give everyone red envelopes, big red envelopes, so that everyone can share in the joy."

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered.

The hall became lively again, and amidst the clinking of glasses, the gloom of the previous night was swept away.

Outside the window, a bright moon quietly climbed onto the eaves, casting its gentle light on every corner of the Prince's mansion, as if it too was rejoicing over this unexpected good news.

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