Love Lock

Chapter 95 Seeking an Audience Late at Night
When Xiao Zhengfei returned to the county magistrate's residence, it was already late at night, but Zhao Zun was still not resting.

Zhao Zun sat in the dim candlelight, his heavy eyelids straining, anxiously awaiting news from Xiao Zhengfei.

"Your Majesty!"

Xiao Zhengfei's voice was tinged with urgency as he hurried in. Veins bulged on his forehead, his fists were clenched, and his eyes flashed with the same angry light as when Princess Chang Le left.

If it weren't for the difference in their social status, and if it weren't for the need to avoid alerting her, he would have liked to capture that poisonous Princess Chang Le on the spot.

"how?"

Zhao Zun immediately stood up and stared intently at Xiao Zhengfei, his voice low and powerful.

Xiao Zhengfei took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "This is too much! Your Highness. The abduction of the Princess Consort was indeed done by Princess Chang Le."

boom!
Zhao Zun slammed his fist on the table, causing the wooden table to collapse instantly, scattering fragments everywhere. His eyes were filled with anger and disbelief.

"hateful!"

Xiao Zhengfei continued, "Your Highness, it's not just Princess Chang Le, there's someone else."

"Who?"

Zhao Zun's voice was even lower, as if it were about to explode at any moment.

"Wei Chengchao, the son of Prime Minister Wei. He colluded with Princess Chang Le..." Xiao Zhengfei told Zhao Zun everything he had heard.

Zhao Zun quickly figured out the whole story after a moment's thought.

Princess Chang Le was infatuated with him, so she was always jealous of Han Lei. Meanwhile, that coward Wei Chengchao coveted Han Lei's beauty.

Driven by their own selfish desires and to achieve their own goals, these two scoundrels conspired together and resorted to despicable means to drug and kidnap Han Lei.

Zhao Zun was furious, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his deep eyes.

He wanted to rush back to the capital immediately and tear Princess Chang Le and Wei Chengchao to pieces. But his worry outweighed his anger. He was worried about Han Lei's safety, and even more worried that if he acted rashly, he would cause Han Lei even greater harm.

Moreover, Princess Chang Le is a member of the royal family, with a noble status, making it difficult to harm her. Although Wei Chengchao is only the son of a prime minister, the Wei family's influence in the court should not be underestimated.

He had to plan this carefully, but no matter the cost, he had to bring Han Lei back.

As for Princess Chang Le and Wei Chengchao, no matter their status, he will make them pay the price if they dare to harm his woman.

Calm down, must calm down!
Zhao Zun kept reminding himself, and gradually calmed down. He closed his eyes and thought about how to proceed, as if he had instantly returned to his wise and strategic demeanor when facing thousands of troops.

After a long while, Zhao Zun suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.

"Zhengfei." Zhao Zun looked at Xiao Zhengfei and decisively gave the order. "You immediately take a few brothers that Princess Chang Le has never met before and monitor her every move. As soon as Princess Chang Le leaves Cangzhou, you immediately pretend to be bandits and kidnap them all, and hide them temporarily. If necessary, exchange Princess Chang Le for Miss Han."

"As ordered!"

Xiao Zhengfei immediately accepted the order and left, his eyes unusually serious.

"Pingchuan." Zhao Zunyou looked at Pingchuan, "Leave a few brothers to protect the old lady and Ling'er. You immediately gather the rest of the brothers, take your weapons and come with me to the capital to rescue Miss Han."

"Yes!"

Pingchuan immediately accepted the order and left, his entire body surging with fighting spirit. Han Lei, his future master, had once saved his life, and now, even if it meant risking his own, he would follow the prince to rescue the kind-hearted Miss Han.

The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.

Zhao Zun didn't have much to pack; he was just waiting for Pingchuan to return so they could set off.

He slowly walked into the courtyard. The moonlight, like water, shone on his lonely figure, casting a long shadow.

He looked up at the half-hidden moon, a mixture of tenderness and sorrow in his eyes. Zhao Zun was consumed by anxiety, his mind filled with Han Lei's charming and sweet image. In such a vast city as the capital, where was she hiding? Was she safe and sound?

Every moment of waiting was like being cut by a knife. They had to be fast, very fast! Han Lei was imprisoned, and her safety rested entirely on his shoulders.

"Girl, you must wait for me."

Zhao Zun murmured softly, as if this would allow him to travel through time and space and convey his determination to Han Lei.

Pingchuan quickly returned with the remaining guards. The guards were clad in armor, fully armed, and all exuded a fierce fighting spirit, looking ready to go into battle.

The chaotic footsteps of the guards echoed through the magistrate's residence, startling Magistrate Luo Hai and his wife from their sleep.

The Luo couple quickly got up and followed the footsteps to Zhao Zun's courtyard.

As soon as the two entered the courtyard, they saw dozens of armored guards crowded in the courtyard, looking ready to go.

Is there another war?

The Luo couple were startled. After exchanging a glance, Luo Hai asked, "Zun'er, what's wrong? What are you trying to do?"

"Uncle Luo, Aunt Luo." Zhao Zun turned around and saw that it was Luo Hai and his wife, and quickly came over to greet them. "We have news about Miss Han. She has been kidnapped by the son of that old scoundrel Prime Minister Wei, and she is now in the capital. We are going to rescue her right away."

"What? Prime Minister Wei's son?" Luo Hai looked astonished, clearly not expecting such an answer.

"I've long heard that Young Master Wei is a scoundrel, bullying the weak and committing countless evils, but I never imagined he would be such a despicable person. I just... I wonder how Miss Han is doing now?" Madam Luo also looked worried.

"I don't know." Zhao Zun shook his head with a heavy expression. "We only just got the news from Princess Chang Le."

"Princess Chang Le?" Madam Luo covered her mouth in astonishment. "This... how could a princess be involved in this?"

These words touched a nerve with Zhao Zun. He didn't answer Madam Luo's question, but gritted his teeth and snorted softly.

"Zun'er," Luo Hai said, pointing to the menacing guard beside him, and asked Zhao Zun, "You intend to rescue Miss Han like this?"

"Ok!"

"You are now a prince, and you cannot enter the capital without an imperial edict, don't you know that?" Luo Hai frowned.

“I know.” Zhao Zun’s pupils contracted, but his determination remained unchanged. “But I can’t worry about that now. That girl’s life or death is uncertain. I have to go and save her.”

"Are you out of your mind?" Luo Hai exclaimed, his voice rising eight octaves. "A prince entering the capital without an imperial edict is tantamount to treason! You can't care about that now, but what about your mother? What about the others?"

Zhao Zun lowered his eyes, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

“Uncle Luo, you can trust me. We will all be disguised before we go to the capital, and no one will recognize us.”

He was well aware of the gravity of a prince's unauthorized entry into the capital. But he couldn't care less; only he knew that Han Lei had no relatives or friends in this world.

Now, perhaps this is the girl's most helpless moment, and he must rescue her. Without Han Lei, he doesn't know how he can go on living.

Seeing Zhao Zun's resolute attitude, Luo Hai sighed deeply. He also liked Han Lei very much and wasn't unwilling to save her, but he hoped Zhao Zun could consider the matter more carefully.

After all, Zhao Zun's trip to Beijing affected not only Han Lei, but countless people around her.

Just as Luo Hai was in a dilemma, the guards at the door hurriedly walked in.

"My lord, you're here! There's a travel-worn man outside who's come to see you."

Someone is requesting a meeting late at night?

Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
At the start of the new year, I received many generous donations from my readers; thank you all so much! I will continue to work hard, and I hope that wonderful stories will accompany you throughout the year. Wishing everyone a smooth and prosperous new year, with everything going well and bringing you great fortune!

(End of this chapter)