Love Lock

Chapter 311 No martial ethics
Han Lei's heart skipped a beat when she saw this.

broken!

Zhao Zun must have found out about how he had been rushing to the workshop these past few days, disregarding his own health.

The bustling trade market in Yinshan was a sight to behold, but after traveling a great distance to return, he found himself in this state...

She could almost picture his prepared reprimands, about safety, about the children, about her constant lack of consideration.

Various, various...

She gripped the carved door frame, instinctively wanting to explain, but tripped over the high threshold, her body lurching forward—

"what!"

Before she could even utter a cry of alarm, a dark figure had already swept up to her with the speed of the wind.

Zhao Zun's arms were strong and steady, supporting her as she almost fell, and pulling her into his embrace.

At that moment, Zhao Zun's heart pounded like a drum in his chest, pounding heavily against her ears, and the arm holding her even trembled slightly.

"you……"

Zhao Zun's deep voice sounded above him, hoarse with suppressed anger and a hint of lingering fear, "I've only been gone a short time, and you've already ruined yourself like this?"

His gaze swept over Han Lei's oil-stained cheeks and slightly disheveled hair, finally settling on her swollen belly. Deep in his eyes surged complex emotions—worry, anger, and, more importantly, the agonizing longing that had gnawed at his heart during these days of wind and sand in Beiguan.

Zhao Zun really wanted to scold her severely. But all those well-prepared, stern words vanished the moment he actually held her in his arms; all his thoughts turned into a heavy sigh.

Zhao Zun raised his hand and gently wiped away the stains on her cheek with his fingertips, his movements careful, as if he were handling a lost treasure that had been found again.

"Look at you, your face is as dirty as a little kitten," he said, his tone still harsh, but his wiping motion was so gentle it could melt your heart. "You're carrying a heavy load, don't you know how to take care of yourself, hmm?"

Han Lei's lips twitched.

She keenly sensed the tenderness beneath Zhao Zun's cold exterior and immediately yielded, leaning softly into his arms.

Han Lei looked up, her soft voice making Zhao Zun surrender: "Don't be angry... I was just hungry and had no strength, that's why I almost tripped."

This tactic, used repeatedly, has always been effective against him.

Sure enough, although Zhao Zun's brows were still furrowed, he immediately turned his head and ordered the servants in a deep voice: "What are you all standing there for? Quickly serve dinner!"

The meal was quickly prepared and served.

After a quick wash, Han Lei sat down at the table and only realized how hungry she was when she smelled the aroma of food.

She picked up her chopsticks and, without caring about manners, ate quickly and heartily.

Zhao Zun sat down next to her. He had originally wanted to say a few more words to her, but seeing how satisfied she was with her meal, her cheeks puffing out, he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

He silently moved the hot pot she loved to her in front of her, and then ladled a bowl of hot soup and placed it beside her, his gaze never leaving her.

In his deep eyes, reproach had long been replaced by the pampering and indulgence that had been regained.

Tripe and offal tumbled in the spicy hot pot, while bright red crayfish piled on a white jade plate. She ate until her nose was sweating and her lips were as red as pomegranates from the spiciness.

Han Lei vomited after eating the various nourishing soups prepared in the Prince's mansion, but the spicy delicacies in the system suited her taste perfectly.

"Eat slowly." Zhao Zun sat beside her, his dark casual clothes making his features appear even more refined.

He placed a slice of tender bamboo shoot into her bowl, but his gaze lingered on her protruding belly. "The imperial physician said that while spicy food is appetizing, it should be consumed in moderation."

Han Lei bit into half a shrimp tail and mumbled, "You don't know, this child loves spicy food."

As she spoke, she reached for the beef in the pot, but Zhao Zun gently pressed her wrist down.

He took a warm, damp handkerchief and wiped the red oil from her fingertips, a slight frown forming between his brows.

After she finally put down her chopsticks, Zhao Zun helped her take a walk in the corridor. Crabapple petals fell all over her clothes, and he carefully brushed them away, his hand always protecting her lower back.

She suddenly stopped and tugged at his sleeve, pointing to the kitchen: "I want to eat boiled beef tomorrow, and I want extra chili."

Zhao Zun chuckled helplessly and pinched her slightly rounder cheek.

Her words were overheard by the old lady who was admiring the flowers. The old lady looked at her oily lips, shook her head and smiled, "When I was pregnant with Zun'er, I couldn't resist sour plums. With your love for spicy food, you must be a delicate girl."

A breeze blew through the corridor, causing Zhao Zun's sleeves to sway slightly. He tucked a strand of Han Lei's wind-blown hair behind her ear, his gaze sweeping over her softly glowing face.

"My daughter is beautiful. Her eyebrows and eyes are like Lei'er's, and she should have two dimples when she smiles."

He laughed first, "I'll teach her horseback riding and archery, and build her a swing even taller than the Shuyu Pavilion. Then our whole family..."

A breeze blew through the corridor, causing Zhao Zun's sleeves to sway slightly. He tucked a strand of Han Lei's wind-blown hair behind her ear, his gaze sweeping over her softly glowing face.

"My daughter is beautiful. Her eyebrows and eyes are like Lei'er's, and she should have two dimples when she smiles."

He laughed first, "I'll teach her horseback riding and archery, and build her a swing even taller than the Shuyu Pavilion. Then our whole family..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Zun seemed to remember something, and his expression suddenly froze. Han Lei keenly sensed that the temperature of his palm stiffened slightly.

"Girl, I may not be able to stay in the manor for more than two days." His voice lowered a few decibels. "You must be obedient while you are in the manor and take good care of yourself."

Han Lei looked up, the smile still lingering in her eyes: "Where are you going again?"

“You know, Big Fatty is all alone in Cangzhou.” Zhao Zun unconsciously stroked the fabric of her lower back with his thumb. “I promised to bring his family together. Tomorrow I will set off for the Zhang family’s old residence in Jingzhou to persuade Grand Secretary Zhang to move to Cangzhou.”

"Then I'll go too!" Han Lei immediately grabbed his sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'll also go and see the King of Jingzhou..."

"Nonsense." Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Zun interrupted her with a stern face, his palm tightening slightly. "You're over three months pregnant and can't withstand a bumpy ride. The mountain roads of Jingzhou are rugged; if anything happens..."

"Isn't it you I have?" She tiptoed closer to his ear and whispered, "You're more effective than ten doctors. Besides..."

She suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it against her lower abdomen. "The baby in your belly also says he wants to go with his dad. You can ask him if you don't believe me."

"No way!" Zhao Zun firmly objected.

"Take me with you!" Han Lei shook his arm, speaking softly in her Wu dialect.

"I said no!" Zhao Zun insisted on his principles with a stern face.

"Oh! Please take me with you!" Han Lei's voice became even softer, and she raised two fingers to swear, "I promise I'll be good the whole way, I won't go anywhere, and I won't cause you any trouble."

Zhao Zun was amused by this clumsy attempt at coquetry, and the softness of the voice made him surrender.

He remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, defeated by the starry sky in her eyes.

"Alright! Fine! I give up. But..." He flicked her nose lightly with his finger, "You must get at least four hours of sleep every day, you can't eat too much chili, and the carriage speed must not exceed twenty miles per hour..."

"I know! You're so long-winded." Before he could finish speaking, Han Lei had already turned and walked into the yard, crabapple petals fluttering down onto her tracksuit. "Zitan! Jinju! Hurry up and pack your things, and remember to find that newly made fox fur cushion!" Zhao Zun stared at his empty arm and suddenly called out, "Wait!"

Han Lei stopped and turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"

Zhao Zun took the warm medicine cup from the servant's hand, the rising steam blurring the helplessness between his brows: "Drink the medicine to prevent miscarriage first. If you vomit once on the way, we'll turn back immediately."

"Ugh! More medicine." Han Lei rolled her eyes and drank it down in one sip from his hand. Before she could even put the candied fruit in her mouth, he suddenly hugged her gently.

A warm kiss landed on the top of her head, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear: "Actually, I'm reluctant to part with her either."

Han Lei covered her mouth and giggled, then whispered, "Then let's do it together."

After saying that, she went back into the house to pack her things.

Seeing Han Lei so happy, like a child about to travel far from home for the first time, the old woman couldn't help but laugh out loud, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothed out.

“That girl Lei’er, she’s never had a moment of peace since she came into the family.” The old lady shook her head, her tone full of affection. “Now that she’s pregnant, she’s still so energetic and doesn’t know how to tone it down.”

Zhao Zun's gaze followed Han Lei's graceful figure, a gentle ripple spreading across his eyes.

“Mother doesn’t know, this girl was born to be a white spirit bird soaring high in the heavens.” His voice was deep, filled with unyielding affection. “Since she yearns for the outside world, I will let her be. If I were to forcibly clip her wings and confine her to this small space…”

He paused, "Not to mention how sad she is, even her son... how could he bear to see her like this?"

The old lady sighed softly, "Never mind, I understand less and less about the thoughts of you young people."

She looked up at her son, her gaze kind but tinged with worry, "But the journey is long, you must take good care of her at all times. A pregnant woman can't afford the slightest mishap."

"Mother, rest assured. Your son will be careful at all times." Zhao Zun nodded, and as he turned around, his robes brushed against the pillars of the corridor, stirring up a gentle breeze.

He beckoned to the servants standing in the corridor and ordered in a deep voice, "Go tell Big Fatty to make preparations. Tomorrow afternoon, we will set off on time to Jingzhou to see his grandfather."

The servants obeyed and left. Zhao Zun bowed to the old lady before turning back to his own room.

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At Dajing East Pass, the flames of war have already risen.

It was late spring, and beyond the Great Wall, the grass stretched to the horizon, dotted with wildflowers, and where the wind passed, green waves surged gently.

Beneath the vast sky, the Eastern Ming Empire's 300,000-strong army pressed in, their dark tents stretching like clouds, the soldiers' armor gleaming coldly, and a chilling aura permeating the land.

The Eastern Ming Empire, if it doesn't send troops, it's fine; but if it does, it sends 300,000 troops, determined to win.

The two armies faced off, with the long ranks of the Eastern Ming Empire stretching far into the distance. War drums thundered and horns blared, startling a few crows that fluttered their wings and hurriedly flew over the high walls.

At the front of the Eastern Ming army, Commander-in-Chief Murong Tai rode his horse forward to the center of the two armies, then reined in his horse and stood still.

He was clad in heavy black iron armor, his eyes gleaming like lightning beneath his red-tasseled helmet, and a twelve-foot-long spear gleaming coldly in his hand.

Suddenly, he spurred his horse forward more than ten paces, his voice booming like thunder: "Where is Marshal Da Jing? Come out and answer me!"

On the opposite side of the army formation, Lu Chengyun, the garrison commander of Dongguan, rode out on his horse.

He was over forty years old, and although his silver armor was shiny, it couldn't hide his slightly overweight belly.

His face was fair and clean, showing that he had been living a life of luxury for a long time, but his eyes were bloodshot from days of anxiety.

Lu Chengyun was originally stationed in the heart of Liangzhou. He was promoted to the position of garrison commander in Dongguan because his elders were trusted confidants of Emperor Qianlong.

Liangzhou was located in the heart of the Great Jing region, and there was usually no war; it was a peaceful and prosperous place.

Aside from regular drills, the soldiers in the Liangzhou military camp were actually quite relaxed. Especially generals like Lu Chengyun, who rarely even participated in drills. However, he was a frequent figure at various banquets and parties, indulging in lavish entertainment.

The two cities of Ling'an and Yong'an in the North Gate only had a total of 100,000 troops stationed there. However, because the East Gate was adjacent to the powerful Eastern Ming Empire, it alone had 100,000 troops stationed there.

This time, the Eastern Ming Empire has amassed 300,000 troops outside the East Gate, their advance imposing. Meanwhile, reinforcements from the Great Jing Dynasty are still en route.

Although Dongguan was guarded by 100,000 troops, Lu Chengyun still felt immense pressure fighting against three opponents at once, and he couldn't sleep at night.

At this moment, he tried to remain calm, but his palms, which were holding the knife, were already sweating.

"I am here!" Lu Chengyun straightened his back with difficulty. "You barbarians, how dare you invade my Great Jing!"

Murong Tai laughed loudly, pointing his spear tip at the enemy: "Enough with the nonsense! Do you dare to fight me?"

Lu Chengyun, who had lived a life of ease and comfort in Liangzhou, did not have much experience in commanding major battles.

But if his opponent wanted a one-on-one fight, he still had some courage.

He snorted and immediately spurred his horse forward.

As the two horses passed each other, he swung his sword down with all his might, only to hear a deafening clang.

With just one move, a nick appeared on the blade in Lu Chengyun's hand! His tiger's mouth went numb from the impact.

He was shocked: Dongming's iron smelting technology was indeed as good as its reputation!
The Eastern Ming Empire was rich in iron ore, and its smelting technology was superior to that of the Great Jing Empire. The swords forged by the Eastern Ming Empire were also harder and sharper than those of any other country on this continent.

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

Weapons clashed and clanged repeatedly.

The two fought back and forth for another ten rounds, with Lu Chengyun using all his skills to create a dazzling display of swordplay.

The two were locked in fierce combat, and as Lu Chengyun was engrossed in his battle, Murong Tai suddenly feinted with his spear, spurred his horse several feet away, and raised his spear high.
"Charge! Flatten Dongguan!" Murong Tai shouted.

"kill!"

"kill!"

In an instant, the war drums thundered, and the Eastern Ming army surged forward like a flood bursting its banks. The clang of armor, the pounding of hooves, and the deafening roar of battle filled the air!
Lu Chengyun was so frightened he almost fell off his horse. Wasn't this supposed to be a one-on-one duel? Why did he suddenly charge into the enemy lines?
He hurriedly turned his horse around and galloped back to his own lines like a madman. Behind him, the Dongming cavalry pursued relentlessly.

He whipped the horse so hard that it bled profusely, and as the pursuers drew ever closer, he was terrified.

The Great Jing cavalry charged towards him, galloping past him. Immediately afterward, he heard the sounds of close combat; the two armies were engaged in battle.

"Ping ping pong pong!"

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The sounds of various weapons clashing and shouts of battle instantly drowned out the sky.

Lu Chengyun rushed into his own army's ranks in a panic. He reined in his horse and looked back to see that the two armies were already locked in a chaotic battle.

He gasped for breath, still shaken, and cursed, "You shameless bastard! You have no sportsmanship!"

Thank you so much to Li Murong, Banzi Qianmei, and others for the generous donations! I love you all!