Love Lock

Chapter 33 is too addictive.
The jade ring drew a perfect parabola in the air. When Zhao Zun realized what it was, he quickly grabbed it. In that instant, his heart sank, as if a hole had been punched in it.

Fortunately, the love lock landed steadily in his palm.

Zhao Zun breathed a huge sigh of relief.

He knew, of course, that this thing wasn't a token; it was just a lie he made up to trick Han Lei into wearing it around her neck.

But he can't say it outright!

As long as they weren't married, he wouldn't dare tell Han Lei what this thing was.

Han Lei was unlike any woman he knew. She came from another world; though charming and gentle, she was too independent-minded and not the type to revolve solely around her husband. He feared their relationship, which had only lasted a little over a month, was too fragile, and even more so, he feared Han Lei might leave him at any moment. Therefore, he needed to use the Love Lock to strengthen their bond.

"Girl, what happened?" Zhao Zun asked.

"Hmph! You still have the nerve to say that!" Han Lei rolled her eyes at him. "When we came back just now, the guards stopped us. I showed them your token, but it was useless."

"Oh! I thought something was wrong!" Zhao Zun was relieved after finding the reason. "Here, take this."

Zun walked over to put the love lock back around Han Lei's neck, but Han Lei turned her head away to avoid it.

"I'm not bringing it!" Han Lei pouted, her face full of grievance.

"Girl, are you confused? This is Uncle Luo's house. How can my token be used here?" Zhao Zun had no choice but to continue talking nonsense to coax her. "My token can only be used in my palace. You can use it as you please when we get back."

"Really?" Han Lei didn't believe it.

"Of course it's more real than real gold, why would I lie to you?"

As Zhao Zun spoke, he quickly put the lock on Han Lei's neck. He thought to himself that he must find an opportunity to beat up the blind guard.

Luo Hai knew about the Love Lock and had even seen it before. The former Duke of Zhenguo, Zhao Zun's father, had told him about its origin and use. Seeing that Zhao Zun insisted that Han Lei wear the Love Lock, he knew that Zhao Zun cared a lot about Han Lei.

It wasn't good to stay and watch Zhao Zun coax his wife. Luo Hai, along with Madam Luo and Luo Yuanyuan, got up and prepared to leave.

"Now that Miss Han is back, we can rest assured. Madam, Yuanyuan, let's go back!"

Seeing that Luo Hai's family was about to leave, Han Lei suddenly remembered the project and quickly got up to try to persuade them to stay.

"Uncle Luo, please wait a moment."

"Hmm?" Luo Hai turned his head to look at Han Lei.

"Uncle Luo, I have something I'd like to tell you."

"Okay! Go ahead."

Luo Hai nodded and sat back down, letting his wife and Luo Yuanyuan leave first.

Han Lei wiped her mouth. "Uncle Luo, I heard that in Qingshui County, whoever clears the wasteland owns it?"

Hearing Han Lei mention the land, Luo Hai's face showed a worried expression. "Alas! Yes! Cangzhou is vast but sparsely populated, and the land is barren. Every county magistrate has mobilized the people to reclaim wasteland for farming, and I have also put in a lot of effort, but the land cannot grow much grain. The people see no return and are unwilling to waste their time and take risks. The powerful families have seized the good land, and they don't even look at the wasteland."

"Yes, I've heard about that too." Han Lei nodded. "So, Uncle Luo, I'd like to come and cultivate those lands. Do you think I need to go through any procedures?"

"You want to cultivate wasteland?"

"You want to reclaim wasteland?" Zhao Zun and Luo Hai asked in unison, both surprised.

"Yes! I've already recruited a large number of farmers. Once they arrive, we can start cultivating the land," Han Lei said casually, completely ignoring the expressions of the two people in front of her.

"A large number of farmers, when did this happen?" Luo Hai's worried expression vanished, replaced by a look of delight.

"It was this morning! I provided seeds and money to recruit farmers to clear land and cultivate it. This way, they not only don't have to bear any risks, but they can also have a stable income."

Han Lei didn't think it was a big deal at all, but she didn't expect it to have such a huge impact on Luo Hai.

"You're providing both the seeds and the money? Is there really such a good deal?"

Luo Hai was so shocked that he didn't know what to say. He looked at Han Lei, then turned to look at Zhao Zun, gave Zhao Zun a thumbs up, and mouthed the words.

"Your princess is too amazing!"

For him, this was undoubtedly a way to attract investment to Qingshui County! He had served as an official in Qingshui County for many years, and dreamed of bringing in big investors to help the county develop and boost his political achievements. But that was just a dream.

Cangzhou is remote, far from the capital. Qingshui County, which he governs, is nothing more than a tiny county. Even a small branch of a powerful family would be considered a wealthy family here, but those wealthy families are all extremely stingy. Getting them to spend their purse strings to support the development of Qingshui County is simply impossible.

In this remote and impoverished place, it is extremely difficult to achieve any political success!
Luo Hai was secretly rejoicing at the arrival of a great fortune, while Zhao Zun looked completely bewildered. "Girl, how come I didn't know about this? Why did you suddenly want to..."

"Weren't you sleeping all morning?" Han Lei glanced at him sideways.

"Uh..." That's true. "But we're going back tomorrow! We have to go back to the capital to see His Majesty, return the military tally, and get married!"

According to the military law of the Great Jing Dynasty, Zhao Zun only transferred the title of Marshal to Cao Xiong. The military tally was to be returned to His Majesty personally after they returned to the capital, and then His Majesty would send a trusted confidant by express horse to deliver it to Cao Xiong at the border.

In other words, before the military tally reached Cao Xiong, Cao Xiong could manage and train the army, but he had no right to mobilize the army.

Hearing Zhao Zun say this, Luo Hai immediately tensed up, fearing that Zhao Zun would disagree. If he were to leave with Han Lei tomorrow, then he would have wasted his dream again.

"I know." Han Lei knew that Zhao Zun's meeting with the emperor was a major event, and it wouldn't work to keep him there. So she immediately put on a sweet smile, took Zhao Zun's arm, and swayed it coquettishly: "Your Highness! Just stay a few more days! Five days, okay? When you get back, you can just tell His Majesty that the roads were blocked by heavy snow and that's why you were delayed! Okay?"

Damn!

Here it comes again! It's that cloyingly sweet feeling that's almost dripping with sugar.

Too high!

Zhao Zun sighed and instantly surrendered.

"Alright then! You said five days, right?" As he spoke, Zhao Zun's face suddenly darkened, and he asked unhappily, "What did you just call me?"

"Uh..." Han Lei suddenly realized and said with an embarrassed smile, "I called you by the wrong name, it's Zhao Zun, Zhao Zun."

Faced with the two flirting, Luo Hai felt very awkward. His eyes darted around, unsure of where to look.

Luo Hai really wanted to escape, but the investment promotion deal hadn't been finalized yet! He had no choice but to bite the bullet, disregard his elders' feelings, and shamelessly remind Han Lei.

"Miss Han, what about that matter you mentioned..."

Thank you all for your continued support. Thank you!
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(End of this chapter)