Love Lock

Chapter 49 A Beauty Like an Angel
Emperor Jing and Prime Minister Wei exchanged a glance, and both of them couldn't help but laugh.

Cao Ge wanted to get angry, but all that was teasing him was a bird, and now it was His Majesty's bird. He had nowhere to vent his anger, so he could only glare at the myna bird and awkwardly retreat to the side.

Emperor Jing's little worries were completely dispelled by this ridiculous myna bird.

He then winked at the chief eunuch Li Zhongxin beside him and said with a smile, "Minister Zhao's bird is indeed interesting. I like it very much, so I will accept it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Zun nodded respectfully.

In order to dispel Zhao Zun's resentment, Emperor Jing decided to reward him with a sweet treat for every slap he received.

"Minister Zhao has once again rendered great service in repelling the Turks. In addition to being granted the title of a king of a different surname and being rewarded with gold and silver, I also want to bestow upon him a great reward. But... what should I reward him with?"

Emperor Jing was truly troubled, because he had nothing left to reward Zhao Zun with except gold, silver, and the title of king.

A minister suddenly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiaoyao has been busy defending the border against foreign enemies for many years, devoting himself to the court. I heard that he is still not married!"

"Oh, really?" Emperor Jing was overjoyed upon hearing this.

When something as significant as reclaiming a military tally is presented, simply rewarding someone with a marriage would be both respectable and insignificant. Why not?

So Emperor Jing followed the minister's lead and continued speaking.

"The Prince of Xiaoyao has delayed his marriage for the sake of the country, and the old Duke of Zhenguo has died for his country. It is only right that I, the Emperor, should decide this matter for you. There are many noble ladies in the capital. Do you have a girl you admire? I will bestow a marriage upon you. At that time, I will order all the civil and military officials to present a generous gift."

As soon as the emperor spoke, the civil and military officials felt a jolt of anxiety, exchanging glances and wondering which family would be chosen for the bestowed marriage.

Those who can navigate the imperial court are all shrewd and calculating. Everyone knows that the emperor is suspicious, and Zhao Zun is a major concern for him. Granting him the title of a prince of a different surname and arranging a marriage is merely a way for the emperor to appease him after stripping him of his military power.

If any family were to have a son-in-law who has a name but no real power, not only would they not gain any prestige, but they might also become a thorn in the emperor's side, ruining their future.

Zhao Zun chuckled inwardly, glancing around to secretly take in the reactions of the people present. However, the emperor's bestowal of a marriage was an incredible stroke of luck for him; it was like a pillow being delivered to him just when he was about to fall asleep.

Zhao Zun knelt down again. "Since Your Majesty has brought up my marriage, I will shamelessly ask Your Majesty for a favor."

"Oh?" Emperor Jing said with interest, "Please speak freely, my dear minister."

"When I was in Beiguan, I fell in love with Miss Han Lei, the niece of the magistrate of Qingshui County. If Your Majesty is willing to bestow a reward, then I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree to grant my marriage to Miss Han." Zhao Zun knelt on the ground and bowed.

Zhao Zun thought that Han Lei came from another world. If he could get the emperor to grant him a marriage, even if he was no longer alive, with the emperor's decree backing him up, no one in the Great Jing Dynasty except the royal family would dare to bully Han Lei.

"This... the niece of the magistrate of Qingshui County?"

Emperor Jing's heart sank, and he quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. After all, Zhao Zun and his son were from Qingshui County in Beiguan. They had been operating in Beiguan for many years. Could it be that the magistrate of Qingshui County had some kind of power entanglement with Zhao Zun and had secretly formed a faction?
Emperor Jing looked at Prime Minister Wei, who also had a solemn expression.

Before he could weigh the options clearly, Emperor Jing resorted to stalling tactics: "My dear minister, you are the Prince of Xiaoyao and a man of great talent. I wonder if that Miss Han... is worthy of you?"

“Your Majesty, in terms of status, Miss Han is merely a country girl and is naturally unworthy of you. However, Miss Han is as beautiful as an angel and has a kind nature. She also shares my passion for music and has won my heart.”

"As beautiful as a fairy?"

Emperor Jing pondered these words repeatedly. Could it be that Zhao Zun merely liked the girl's appearance and didn't have any other intentions?
Zhao Zun glanced up at Emperor Jing, then quickly lowered his eyes. "Miss Han is indeed beautiful. She wants to study music with the great masters in the capital and has already returned to the capital with me. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can summon Miss Han to the palace now and see for yourself that what I say is true."

Emperor Jing had already intended to delay, so he couldn't summon Han Lei to the palace now. Therefore, he probed further, "But what about Miss Han's identity..."

Zhao Zun quickly replied, "Your Majesty, for a mere military man like myself, beauty and shared interests are enough; everything else... is unimportant."

The rest is unimportant? Heh, as expected of a mere warrior.

"Hahaha..." Emperor Jing finally felt relieved. "Since that's the case, a banquet will be held in the palace on New Year's Eve. My dear minister, please bring Miss Han to the banquet! If Miss Han is truly as beautiful as a fairy and has won your heart, I will not force you. I will bestow a marriage upon you at the banquet." "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Zhao Zun was so excited his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

Not only was Zhao Zun excited, but the entire court was also thrilled, feeling as if they had escaped a calamity. They all silently prayed that the young lady Han would be as beautiful as a fairy!
As long as they don't let their daughter marry Zhao Zun, who is now fallen from grace, they will surely send lavish gifts to wish Zhao Zun and that beautiful woman a happy marriage, even without the emperor's permission.

While Zhao Zun was talking to the emperor in the palace, Pingchuan and his guards accompanied Han Lei back to the gate of the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion.

With the Lunar New Year just two days away, lanterns are hanging high on the streets, and traffic is bustling, creating a festive atmosphere.

Every household has festive couplets and upside-down "Fu" (good fortune) characters pasted on their doors. The sweet aroma of candied hawthorns and popcorn mingles in the air, and children occasionally light a firecracker before running away laughing.

Pingchuan dismounted, stepped forward, and knocked on the door. He looked so travel-worn that the gatekeeper almost didn't recognize him. After recognizing him, the gatekeeper went in with a look of delight to report.

The old lady had told them that Zhao Zun had returned with his future princess, but they didn't know the exact date of their arrival in the capital.

Han Lei was wearing the dress Zhao Zun had given her, her hair still tied in a simple low ponytail, without any hair ornaments. She nimbly jumped off the carriage, stretched lazily, and looked around at the scenery of the streets.

The capital city is indeed the capital. Its prosperity far surpasses that of Taoyuan County in Jingzhou. Whether it's the clothing of the pedestrians or the buildings along the streets, everything is much more refined compared to what she had seen before.

Soon, the main gate of the Prince of Xiaoyao's mansion was opened wide.

Zhao Ling'er, supporting the old lady, rushed out first with a joyful expression, followed by several servants at a distance.

Upon seeing the old lady emerge, the guards all knelt down in unison to pay their respects.

"I've met the old lady."

"Get up, all of you." The old lady gave a slight helping hand, beaming from ear to ear. Her gaze swept over everyone as she asked, "Where is my son, Zhao Zun?"

"Reporting to the old lady, the prince is in a hurry to go to the palace to meet the emperor," Pingchuan replied respectfully.

"Good! Good!" The old lady's gaze fell on Han Lei. "And this young lady is..."

Han Lei curtsied gracefully, her soft, gentle voice immediately reaching the old lady's ears. "Greetings, Madam. My name is Han Lei, and I am..."

Han Lei blushed as she spoke, too embarrassed to reveal that she was Zhao Zun's future princess. The old lady, however, immediately understood.

"Oh my! So you are the Miss Han that Zun'er mentioned in his letter." The old lady stepped forward and took Han Lei's hand with satisfaction. "Tsk tsk tsk, what a clever and beautiful girl."

Her son's letter was full of fantastical tales, mentioning how the girl had saved him from the enemy and possessed superb medical skills. She had assumed she must be a rough-looking woman who roamed the martial world, but instead she was so delicate and sweet. Judging from the way she curtsied just now, she was probably a lady from a respectable family.

Zhao Ling'er stared blankly at Han Lei's beautiful face for a long time before she came to her senses.

"Sister Han Lei, are you the princess my brother mentioned in his letter?" Zhao Ling'er asked uncertainly.

Han Lei looked at her, blushed, and nodded. "You must be Zhao Zun's sister, Ling'er?"

"Yes, yes, my brother and you..."

Before Zhao Ling'er could finish speaking, a woman's mocking voice came from inside the gate.

"Oh! Your Highness? Which princess is dressed so shabbily?"

(End of this chapter)