Love Lock

Chapter 45 My brother is really funny

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Emperor Jing gently stroked the heavy memorial on his desk, his brows furrowing slightly, as if the paper carried not only words, but also the frost and lingering warmth of the northern frontier and the flames of war.

He slowly handed the memorial from Beiguan to Prime Minister Wei, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"Look, this is a memorial that Cao Xiong just sent urgently from Beiguan. According to him, he has successfully taken over the garrison at Beiguan, and Zhao Zun has already set off for the capital with his military tally. Cao Xiong also said that the Turks invaded the border twice after winter, and then inexplicably withdrew their troops. This is indeed true."

Prime Minister Wei took the memorial and studied it carefully. After reading it, he sighed softly, his eyes flickering slightly, as if he was looking for a suitable answer to Emperor Jing's worries.

"Your Majesty need not think too much. Since Zhao Zun has already handed over the power of the Northern Pass to Cao Xiong and set off for the capital, the outcome of this game is already decided. Now we only need to devise a plan to retrieve that crucial military tally. Once the tally is back in Your Majesty's hands, all the important positions will be held by Your Majesty's confidants, and those old officials who have not yet been replaced will naturally be insignificant."

Despite Prime Minister Wei's words of comfort, Emperor Jing's brows did not unfurrow; instead, they furrowed even more.

"Although it has been confirmed that Zhao Zun did not use the war as an excuse to return to the capital, nor did he use a trick to demand supplies from the court, I, as the emperor, must guard against the change of hearts. Zhao Zun is a man of outstanding achievements and high prestige. I fear that he may harbor resentment and delay handing over the military seal. What should I do then?"

Prime Minister Wei smiled slightly and said confidently, "Your Majesty, do not worry. Zhao Zun is just a subject. Even if he harbors resentment, so what? This old minister will continue to secretly send people to spread rumors in the streets, saying that his achievements are too great and that his refusal to hand over the military seal means he has ulterior motives. Tell me, can Zhao Zun bear such a crime? The gossip of the world will be enough to make him fearful and have no choice but to comply."

At this point, Prime Minister Wei paused, seemingly giving the Emperor some time to think.

Then he continued, "If all else fails, Your Majesty can secretly contact Zhao Zun's family and friends, using both kindness and threats to make him understand that handing over the military tally is the only way to protect his family. Even if he is unwilling, he will have no choice but to obediently comply."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again.

"Using power against family and friends? Wouldn't that be... After all, Zhao Zun is a meritorious official of Da Jing."

“Your Majesty, what this old minister means is that as a last resort, if all else fails, even if Your Majesty only mentions family and friends, I believe Zhao Zun will understand Your Majesty’s unspoken meaning, and he will naturally know what to do.”

As he spoke, Prime Minister Wei gave Emperor Jing a knowing look.

After hearing what Chancellor Wei said, Emperor Jing's worries seemed to dissipate considerably.

He nodded slightly, his eyes revealing determination and resolve: "Very well, as the Prime Minister says. I want to see if Zhao Zun is truly heartless and disregards the safety of his family."

Meanwhile, Emperor Jing was deeply worried about whether he could successfully retrieve the military tally.

On the other side, in the former Zhenguo Duke's Mansion in the capital.

The plaque above the gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has been changed to the Prince of Xiaoyao's mansion. This was done immediately after the imperial edict conferring the title of Prince of Xiaoyao upon Zhao Zun was sent out, and Emperor Jing personally dispatched people from the Ministry of Works to replace it.

At this moment, Zhao Zun's younger sister, Zhao Ling'er, carrying a letter, entered the gate of the Prince's Mansion and quickly ran towards the old lady's room after lifting her long skirt.

Zhao Ling'er is seventeen years old this year and has a quiet and gentle appearance. Although she is the daughter of a military family, she does not like martial arts. Instead, she prefers poetry, books, and needlework. Her hobbies may be influenced by the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, but her personality is somewhat simple.

"Mother, Mother! Good news!" Zhao Ling'er shouted as she ran.

When she ran to the door, she almost tripped over the threshold. The old lady, who was sitting inside enjoying tea, gave her a reproachful glare.

"This girl is so impulsive and energetic; she doesn't look like a proper lady at all."

The old lady is almost fifty years old this year. Because the Duke of Zhenguo died on the battlefield, the old lady, who had a very good relationship with the Duke, has been depressed and has no interest in taking care of herself. She looks like a sixty-year-old woman.

Ignoring the old lady's scolding, Zhao Ling'er happily waved the letter in her hand. "Mother! My brother sent someone with a letter, look!"

"Your brother's letter? Bring it here for Mother to see."

Upon hearing that it was a letter from Zhao Zun, the old lady quickly put down her teacup and snatched the letter away.

She opened the letter with trembling hands, and her eyes instantly reddened as she read it.

“It’s Zun’er, it’s Zun’er’s courtesy name.”

God knows how she got through those two months.

Zhao Zun's last letter was in the autumn, saying that the Turks had invaded the border and he was going to fight. She was constantly worried, fearing that Zhao Zun would suffer some accident like her deceased husband. Later, news of a victory came from the north, saying that Zhao Zun had defeated the Turks. The Emperor was pleased and even issued an edict to grant Zhao Zun the title of a king of a different surname. Only then did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

However, not long after, rumors began circulating in the capital that Zhao Zun's achievements were so great that they threatened the emperor's power, and that he was amassing an army in the north. In a fit of anger, the emperor ordered Zhao Zun to reclaim his military power and return to the capital to report on his duties.

Rumors were flying everywhere. As the wife of a military general, she knew that returning to the capital to report on his duties was a pretense, and that her real intention was to send Zhao Zun back to the capital to live a leisurely life as a prince.

None of that matters. What matters is whether the emperor will treat Zhao Zun well after he relinquishes his military power and returns to the capital. After all, for a military general, the accusation of "holding too much power and acting arrogantly" can be a serious matter or a minor one, depending on the emperor's final decision.

"Mother, what did my brother say in his letter?"

The old lady sniffed, composed herself, and then began to look at it seriously. Soon, a look of joy appeared on her face.

“Your brother said he has already set off for the capital, and he has brought back a future princess.”

"Princess? What princess?" Zhao Ling'er didn't react for a moment.

The old lady was truly exasperated with her daughter. "Have you forgotten that your brother is now the Carefree Prince?"

"Oh, right, right!" Zhao Ling'er suddenly realized, "My brother has a girl he likes? Whose daughter is she? Why is she also in Beiguan?"

"Where do you get so many questions?"

"Hehehe..."

"Your brother said he was ambushed by the Turks, but that girl saved him. The girl's medical skills are superb, and she also saved many wounded soldiers in the camp who were about to die."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Zhao Ling'er exclaimed with admiration.

“Your brother also said that he likes that girl, that she is the princess he has chosen, and that he will marry her when he comes back. The girl has agreed, and we should start preparing for the wedding now.”

"I'm about to have such an amazing sister-in-law, how wonderful!" Zhao Ling'er was so innocent and cute, all her emotions were written on her face.

"Ok?"

The old lady raised an eyebrow slightly when she saw a certain spot. Then, she covered her lips and laughed.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

Do you still remember your father's love lock?

"I remember, that was a gift from Dad to Mom."

"I gave the Love Lock to your brother, so he could give it to his future wife." The old lady smiled gently, a look of satisfaction in her eyes. "Your brother has already given the Love Lock to that girl. But... hehehe..."

The old lady's sudden pause piqued Zhao Ling'er's curiosity. She asked eagerly, "Mother, what is this? Tell me quickly!"

"It's just that the way he gave it to her was a bit unusual; I'm afraid he was just trying to coax her into giving it to her."

"Mother, are you saying that the girl doesn't know the purpose of the Love Lock? Why doesn't Brother just tell her?"

The old lady shook her head; she didn't know either.

"Your brother told the girl that the Love Lock was his token. With the Love Lock, the girl could command all the servants in the Prince's mansion and come and go as she pleased. He told us to play along with his story and not to give ourselves away."

"Hehehe..." Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling'er also laughed. "My brother is so funny!"

After reading it, the old lady folded the letter carefully and tucked it into her bosom before letting out a soft sigh.

"Sigh! Once your brother comes back, Aunt Qin won't be able to stir up any more trouble."

(End of this chapter)