Love Lock

Chapter 299: There is no distinction between education and discrimination
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the Cangzhou Prince's Mansion was shrouded in a peaceful atmosphere.

The New Year's red candles had not yet burned out, and the paper-cut window decorations pasted on the window frames glowed with a festive red in the morning light.

Magpies hopped and chirped on the branches, as if playing a symphony of the New Year.

Han Lei gently stroked her flat belly, feeling the pulse of the new life inside her.

She wore a lake-blue fleece-lined tracksuit, casually draped with a silver fox fur-trimmed cape, which made her skin appear as smooth as porcelain.

After learning she was pregnant, a gentle glow naturally appeared in her eyes.

"Walk slowly." Zhao Zun carefully helped Han Lei, afraid that she would step on the dew that had not yet dried in the courtyard.

The King of Cangzhou, who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies on the battlefield of Beiguan, now looked at Han Lei with tenderness and care.

Han Lei smiled and said, "You're being too nervous. You're only a little over a month pregnant. Why do you need to be supported like this?"

Zhao Zun, however, disagreed. His sharp eyes, beneath his thick, dark eyebrows, were now filled with tenderness: "The doctor said yesterday that the first three months of pregnancy are the most crucial. Besides..."

He leaned close to Han Lei's ear and whispered, "This is our first child, so we naturally have to be extra careful."

Han Lei's ears burned, and she gave him a reproachful glare, but couldn't hide the smile on her lips. The two walked towards the main hall, chatting and laughing all the way.

The front hall was already bustling with activity. The charcoal fire inside was burning brightly, dispelling the chill of early spring.

The table was laden with various breakfast items: steaming hot meat buns, golden and crispy fried dough sticks, crystal-clear shrimp dumplings, and Han Lei's favorite red date and yam porridge.

The old lady and the Duke of Hengguo were having breakfast when they saw Han Lei. She immediately stood up from her armchair, and the wrinkles on her face smoothed out.

"Oh, Lei'er, you're finally awake! Come and sit down. I specially asked the kitchen to make your favorite porridge, and I added goji berries and longan, which are great for replenishing qi and blood."

Big Fatty was stuffing his third meat bun into his mouth when he saw this, so he quickly swallowed it, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and strode over to pat Zhao Zun on the shoulder.

"Zhao Zun, you're amazing! Congratulations on finally becoming a father! Hahaha." His round face was full of smiles, and his eyes narrowed into slits.

Zhao Zun straightened his back proudly, chin slightly raised, and bowed to the fat man with an air of triumph. "Thank you, thank you! This 'victory' of mine is more exciting than conquering ten cities!"

"Zhao Zun! You're so annoying!" Han Lei blushed deeply and gently kicked Zhao Zun's ankle.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Zun exaggeratedly exclaimed "Ouch!" and jumped up on one foot, making everyone laugh.

Big Fatty laughed the loudest, but as he laughed, his eyes gradually dimmed.

He turned back to his seat, picked up his teacup, and took a big gulp, but found the tea unusually bitter today.

Hua Tianyou keenly noticed the change in Big Fatty's emotions.

He put down his chopsticks and said softly, "Fatty, do you miss your sister-in-law?"

Big Fat Head forced a smile: "It's nothing, it's nothing. It's the New Year, why talk about these things?"

But his gaze unconsciously drifted to the window, as if trying to cross mountains and rivers to see his wife and children back home in the capital.

Lady Lin, the wife of the Duke of Heng, sighed and pushed a plate of freshly cooked spring rolls in front of the fat man: "Eat more, it's your favorite chive and egg filling."

The atmosphere in the hall became somewhat tense for a moment.

Seeing this, Zhao Ling'er quickly got up to pour tea for everyone, deliberately changing the subject: "Brother Tianyou, didn't you say you were going to take Uncle and Aunt out for a stroll today?"

Hua Tianyou understood and replied with a smile, "Yes, let's go now. Zhao Zun, would you like to come along? It'll be a good way to relax."

He paused, then turned his gaze to his parents, his voice softening slightly, "I'd like to accompany you two to stroll around town and see if there's a suitable house there."

As he spoke, he looked at Han Lei beside him, his eyes filled with happiness, "Han Lei is pregnant now, I have to hurry up and marry Ling'er as soon as possible, so that my parents can hold their grandson soon."

His words, spoken with a mix of teasing and sincerity, made everyone burst into laughter, instantly enlivening the atmosphere at the table.

Zhao Zun pulled Han Lei to sit down, then looked at Hua Tianyou and said with a smile, "After you've finished eating, why don't you go for a stroll? We plan to visit Uncle Luo's house to offer our New Year's greetings and also to share the good news that his daughter is pregnant, so that Uncle Luo's family can be happy too."

As he spoke, he gently patted Han Lei's hand. The two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes filled with understanding and joy.

Upon hearing this, Duke Hengguo put down his chopsticks, smiled, and turned to look at Zhao Ling'er, who was sitting to the side.

He asked affectionately, "Ling'er, you've been in Cangzhou for a long time and are more familiar with this place than we are. If you were to choose, which house would you like to pick? Wherever you like, we'll look at it there."

His words were full of respect and affection, clearly indicating that he regarded Zhao Ling'er as family.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling'er's cheeks flushed red. She lowered her head in embarrassment and nervously twisted the hem of her clothes.

She replied in a soft but obedient voice, "Uncle and Aunt, you can decide. Ling'er... Ling'er will listen to you."

As she spoke, she glanced at Hua Tianyou out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze was shy and timid, yet full of happiness, which made everyone smile knowingly.

After agreeing on the terms, Hua Tianyou took Zhao Ling'er's hand and accompanied the Duke and Duchess of Hengguo to go shopping.

The old lady personally served Han Lei a bowl of thick red date and yam porridge, and placed a crystal shrimp dumpling on the small plate in front of her.

"Eat more, Lei'er. You're carrying two babies now." The old lady patted Han Lei's hand affectionately, her eyes and brows full of undisguised joy.

Zhao Zun also hurriedly added food to Han Lei's bowl, first picking up a piece of steamed sea bass, then adding some seasonal greens, and finally specially choosing the tenderest piece of chicken breast.

His movements were gentle and meticulous, as if he were afraid of disturbing the people around him.

"That's enough, that's enough." Han Lei looked at the mountain of bowls in front of her, and stopped Zhao Zun's hand, which was about to pick up more food, with a wry smile. "If this keeps up, I'll turn into a pig."

Zhao Zun, however, refused to listen. He took her soft hand in his own and said gently, "Now that you're eating for two, you should naturally eat more."

As he spoke, he added another piece of red date cake to her bowl, saying, "This nourishes the blood and qi, and is good for your health."

He noticed a grain of rice stuck to the corner of Han Lei's mouth, and naturally reached out to wipe it away for her, his movements as gentle as if he were handling some rare treasure.

The old lady watched the young couple's loving relationship, and the smile of satisfaction on her face never faded.

Zhao Zun had been watching Han Lei the whole time, barely eating anything himself. Seeing that Han Lei was enjoying her food, he picked up a piece of pickled cucumber and put it in her bowl, saying softly, "This is delicious. I heard that pregnant women crave sour things." Han Lei frowned and put the cucumber back in his bowl, saying, "When did I say I craved sour things?"

"Huh?" Zhao Zun looked at the old lady with a puzzled expression. "Didn't they say that pregnant women..."

The old lady couldn't help but chuckle: "It's only been a little over a month, perhaps it's not the time for morning sickness yet. Don't force Lei'er to eat if she doesn't like it."

Zhao Zun nodded thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over the silent Fatty, and asked with concern, "Fatty, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

The fat man glanced at the old lady and stammered, "N-nothing...it's nothing."

Zhao Zun and Han Lei exchanged a knowing glance.

Han Lei understood and said to the old lady, "It's getting late, Mother, let's go to Uncle Luo's house to pay our New Year's respects!"

"You shouldn't go. Just stay home and rest," the old lady quickly advised. "She suddenly fainted on New Year's Eve the other day, which terrified us all."

When the matter was brought up, Han Lei smiled sheepishly and said, "It was my carelessness. As a doctor, I neglected my own health."

As she spoke, she gently stroked her still flat stomach, her eyes filled with maternal tenderness, "From now on, I will definitely pay more attention."

Zhao Zun, still concerned, pressed further, "Are you feeling unwell today? Are you dizzy?"

"I'm fine." Han Lei smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling. "I had a long sleep and I feel great now."

Zhao Zun was slightly relieved, but still reminded him, "Don't overwork yourself. If you want to pay New Year's visits, go ahead. It'll be good to relax at Uncle Luo's house."

Zhao Zun stood up and straightened his robes, then leaned down and whispered in Han Lei's ear, "You two go and wait for me in the carriage first, I'll be there shortly. Remember to walk slowly."

"Okay!" Han Lei nodded obediently, took the old lady's arm, and walked out.

After they left, Zhao Zun specifically instructed Zi Tan: "Go and make the cushions in the carriage thicker, and prepare some candied fruits for the journey. Also, remember to bring a cloak; it's windy today."

His meticulous thoughtfulness made the servants around him chuckle softly, covering their mouths.

Zhao Zun, however, was completely unaware, his heart and mind filled with the person he longed for.

The sunlight slanted in, casting a patch of light and shadow on Zhao Zun's resolute face.

He turned to look at Big Fat Head and found that his usually cheerful best friend was now looking down, his fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of his teacup, looking preoccupied.

"Fatty. You seem to be in a bad mood. What's wrong?" Zhao Zun's voice was gentler than usual, filled with genuine concern.

Upon hearing this, the fat man raised his head, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes.

He let out a long sigh, a sigh that seemed to carry a thousand-pound burden.

"It's nothing, I just...missed my family."

His voice was deep, and every word seemed to come from the bottom of his heart.

“Ever since I decided to follow you…on this path, after the servants who came to fetch me went back to report, I’m afraid my grandfather and parents…” His voice choked, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down a few times.

Zhao Zun did not urge him, but waited quietly.

He knew that the reason why Big Fatty and Hua Tianyou had insisted on staying in Cangzhou to support him was because of the loyalty between close friends and the changes in Cangzhou, which gave them courage and made them impulsive.

But after some time had passed and they had calmed down, he believed that Hua Tianyou and Da Pangtou must have felt some regret.

After all, they are family!
Even though Fatty and Hua Tianyou told the servants who came to pick them up that their families should pretend they were never born, that was still family affection!
Just by looking at how happy Hua Tianyou was to see the Duke and his wife, he knew that blood ties couldn't be severed so easily.
The cheerful chirping of magpies drifted in from outside the window, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet hall. But Zhao Zun felt no joy; instead, his heart grew heavier.

The fat man finally continued, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "They'll probably be furious. My wife, Wang... she's the most gentle of women, and now... she's probably crying every night!"

The fat man gripped the teacup tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Today, seeing Tianyou's family all in Cangzhou, looking so happy and harmonious, I..."

His voice grew softer and softer until it finally turned into a barely audible sigh.

Zhao Zun's gaze deepened.

He got up and walked to the fat man's side, patting him heavily on the shoulder with his broad hand, feeling a slight tremor from the other man's body.

"I'm sorry, Fatty. I've made you worry." Zhao Zun's eyes were full of apology. "Your family... I've been thinking about this issue too."

Zhao Zun's voice was steady and powerful, "Grand Secretary Zhang is not only your family member, but also my mentor. Now we are at odds with the imperial court. If the court finds out that you have been in Cangzhou all along..."

Big Fat Head suddenly looked up, a flash of fear in his eyes. Zhao Zun didn't finish his sentence, but both of them understood the weight of his unspoken words.

"I originally intended to have Da Jiu and the others secretly escort the Grand Secretary's family to Cangzhou." Zhao Zun paced to the window, gazing in the direction of the capital. "But... I wonder if the Grand Secretary and his family would be willing?"

Big Fat Head shook his head with a wry smile, his round face jiggling with fat: "This method won't work. Grandpa is very stubborn, just like he thinks I'm a failure because I don't study. They..."

He paused, as if searching for the right words, "Their minds, like those ancient books, have long been nailed to the four words 'loyalty to the emperor and love for the country.' Even if the court has a thousand faults, in their eyes, treason is a heinous crime."

Silence fell over the hall, with only the sounds of servants tidying up and cleaning audible.

This is indeed a difficult problem!
Zhao Zun lowered his eyes and pondered.

A moment later, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said in a very fast voice: "I remember when I was a child at the Imperial Academy, Grand Secretary Zhang once said after drinking... He said that education in the Great Jing Dynasty was monopolized by the powerful and wealthy, and he hoped that one day there would be 'education for all'. Whether they were powerful or commoners, they could become his students."

Big Fatty looked up in confusion, not understanding why Zhao Zun had suddenly brought this up.

“After the spring,” Zhao Zun tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes gleaming, “schools will be opened in all counties of Cangzhou. All children, regardless of wealth or social status, will be able to enroll, and tuition will be waived for the first three terms.”

He looked directly into the fat man's eyes. "Isn't this exactly what the Grand Secretary has always wanted? This is a great opportunity."

The fat man froze, the gloom in his eyes fading slightly, but worry quickly returned: "Grandpa resigned from his official post a long time ago. Even if Grandpa were willing, my father and uncles are still in the court...they..."

Zhao Zun raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile: "As long as we can persuade the Grand Secretary, as for the others..." He paused meaningfully, "I have my own way. When the time comes, I will personally go and invite him."

Upon hearing this, Big Fatty finally grinned, but tears welled up in his eyes.