Love Lock

Chapter 90 Your Majesty, Please Stay
Some people think of someone when they see an object, while others think of someone when they see a person.

Upon seeing that obnoxious guard, the scene from that day flashed back into Zhao Zun's mind—

Han Lei swallowed the food in her mouth, took off the jade ring from her neck, snorted, and threw it at him.

"Hmph! What a useless token you have, it's completely worthless."

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 ripped out inside him.

Fortunately, the love lock landed steadily in his palm.

At that moment, 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...

Zhao Zun snapped out of his thoughts, gave the guard a deep look, and then helped the old lady into the magistrate's mansion, leaving the others to carry the luggage behind.

What Zhao Zun didn't see was that just as he stepped into the magistrate's residence, a man dressed as a servant turned and left at the street corner.

The night is like ink, full of stars.

Inside the magistrate's residence, Zhao Zun's small courtyard was brightly lit.

Zhao Zun sat by the window, staring blankly into the distance, his hand tightly gripping the love lock, gently stroking its intricate yet beautiful patterns.

This was the only connection he had with Han Lei, but now it had become an endless source of pain in his heart.

Ever since Han Lei was kidnapped, his world seemed to have collapsed. In his twenty-six years, he had never been so moved by any woman, nor had he ever been so deeply attached to any woman.

For the past month, he has been running around searching for people to no avail. His spirits have gradually declined, and he seems to have lost his soul.

Seeing him in such a state, the old lady and Zhao Ling'er were extremely anxious, but they could only silently stay by his side and offer him some comfort.

"Zun'er, you haven't had a proper rest for many days. Your health will collapse if this continues," the old lady said softly as she brought in a bowl of hot soup.

Zhao Zun did not turn around, but shook his head slightly and said in a hoarse voice, "I will not be at ease until that girl returns."

The old lady sighed, placed the hot soup on the table, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Han Lei is a good girl, and good people will naturally be rewarded. She'll be alright. Maybe she's looking for you too. You need to cheer up so you'll have a chance to find her."

Zhao Zun remained silent for a moment, then finally turned his head, a resolute glint in his eyes.

“Mother, Han Lei is different from other girls. She is not familiar with this place and does not know how dangerous it is. I am worried that she will fall into someone's trap and be unable to save herself.”

The old lady thought Zhao Zun's words were different, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so she went along with his advice: "Yes, Lei'er is different from other girls. She is kind, generous, and loyal to others, and I like her very much. But you need to rest well, so that you can continue looking for her when you are in good spirits!"

Zhao Zun's eyes flickered slightly. He wanted to explain Han Lei's background to the old lady, but after biting his lip, he ultimately said nothing. He simply stood up and pushed the old lady towards the door.

"Mother, I understand. You should go and rest too! Tomorrow I want to go to the pig farm to look for her. That girl put a lot of effort into setting up the pig farm, and I haven't seen any trace of her along the way. If she escaped, she must have gone there."

"Alright!" The old lady turned around and patted his arm, her eyes full of heartache. "Then you should rest well tonight. Tomorrow, your mother will go with you."

Zhao Zun nodded, but after seeing the old lady off, he couldn't sleep at all. The love lock in his hand gleamed faintly again as he stroked its patterns and murmured to himself.

"Girl, where are you?" The moonlight outside the window illuminated Zhao Zun's lonely face until very, very late...

Early the next morning, Zhao Zun sent Xiao Zhengfei and the other guards out to search for Han Lei in the vicinity.

Without disturbing the old lady and Zhao Ling'er, Zhao Zun quickly washed and dressed, sporting dark circles under his eyes, and appeared in the front yard of the county magistrate's mansion with Pingchuan, munching on a pancake while waiting for Luo Hai.

Luo Hai returned from the wasteland very late yesterday. When he got back, everyone else in the mansion had already gone to bed. Only Madam Luo was still waiting for him. It was from Madam Luo that he learned that Zhao Zun and his party had arrived in Qingshui County and were temporarily staying at the magistrate's mansion.

When Luo Hai came out, he was startled to see Zhao Zun's emaciated appearance.

"Zun'er, why do you look like this? Haven't you heard from Miss Han yet?"

Zhao Zun shook his head. "Uncle Luo, I'd like to go to the pig farm with you today. Maybe that girl will come looking for me there too."

“Alright!” Luo Hai said gravely. “Then let’s go together! I’ll send some more people to search other places.”

He had just heard from Mrs. Luo last night that Han Lei had been drugged and kidnapped, and he felt a void in his heart.

On the other side of the wasteland, Han Lei has invested a lot of manpower and resources, and the project is now progressing smoothly and successfully. Not only has it provided a way out for the farmers and craftsmen in Qingshui County, but once the pigs from the pig farm enter the market, it will also improve the lives of many people.

Han Lei, that girl, gave so much, yet she bestowed upon him all this immense wealth as a political achievement. Han Lei was his benefactor in his career, but now that she has disappeared, he feels deeply uneasy.

"Uncle Luo, no need. I've already sent my personal guards to search." Zhao Zun forced a smile, as if to thank Luo Hai for his kindness.

Luo Hai sighed and didn't press the matter further, but he felt very heavy-hearted.

As they stepped out of the magistrate's residence, Luo Hai's carriage was already waiting outside. Pingchuan led over Zhao Zun's gleaming black warhorse—the Brocade-Eared Steed.

The golden-eared horse had been by Zhao Zun's side for many years, accompanying him on his battles in Beiguan, risking his life in the process. It was very intelligent.

The brocade-eared horse walked up to Zhao Zun, snorted, and nuzzled affectionately against his chest. A rare smile appeared on Zhao Zun's lips. He took the reins, patted its head, and then mounted the horse.

"drive!"

The whip lightly lashed the rump of the brocade-eared steed. Zhao Zun was about to spur his horse away when suddenly, a woman's voice called out from behind—

"Your Highness, Your Highness, please wait."

"Yu!"

Hearing the shout, Zhao Zun froze and turned around to see a figure in brocade robes approaching from the far end of the street.

Zhao Zun frowned and stared intently. When he saw who it was, a hint of displeasure flashed in his deep eyes.

Because the person who came was none other than Princess Chang Le, who had made things difficult for Han Lei at the palace banquet.

Princess Chang Le quickened her pace, her magnificent and extravagant dress trailing on the ground. Wherever she passed, the bluestone pavement seemed to be swept clean by her robes.

Several maids and servants followed behind her. If you look closely, you will find that one of the servants is the same one who hurriedly left around the corner after seeing Zhao Zun and his party arrive yesterday.

I'll be featured tomorrow, and I hope everyone will give me their full support. Thank you!

(End of this chapter)