Love Lock

Chapter 156 The Fat Pig is for Slaughter

After having lunch at a hot pot restaurant, Big Fatty accompanied Han Lei and her group on the way to the Mandarin Duck Hairpin.

Han Lei decided to gather information while also taking the time to understand the situation of her various businesses in the capital, in order to make the necessary arrangements for the future.

The afternoon sun shines on the cobblestone streets, casting dappled light and shadow.

Street vendors hawked their wares, and pedestrians thronged the area, creating a lively scene.

Suddenly, a rapid sound of horses' hooves came from ahead, accompanied by the rumble of wheels rolling over stone slabs.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a magnificently decorated carriage speeding towards them. The curtains were embroidered with gold thread and bells hung from the four corners, jingling softly.

The coachman brandished his whip and shouted, "Make way! Make way! Princess Chang Le's carriage!"

Pedestrians on the roadside quickly made way for them, and even Han Lei grabbed Da Pangtou's sleeve and hurriedly moved to the side of the road.

A horse-drawn carriage came speeding by, and a vegetable farmer carrying a load on a shoulder pole, slowed down a bit due to his age and difficulty walking. The carriage knocked over his load, scattering vegetable leaves all over the ground.

"Ouch!"

The vegetable farmer screamed and collapsed to the ground. A chorus of screams erupted from the scene.

As the wheels rolled over the vegetable farmer's carrying pole, the carriage lurched violently. Princess Chang Le inside was jolted into the air and then fell back down, her head hitting the carriage wall, making her see stars.

Before Princess Chang Le could recover from the shock of seeing stars, she heard the whispers and curses of passersby outside the carriage.

"Oops! I bumped into someone."

"Why is this car driving so recklessly?"

"Didn't you see how many people were on the street?"

Princess Chang Le lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out with a furious expression.

"Bold."

She was dressed in a magnificent brocade gown and adorned with a gold hairpin. Her features were exquisite, yet sharp. Her angry shout silenced the passersby.

She adjusted the hair ornament on her head that had been knocked askew, her gaze sweeping coldly over the vegetable farmer lying on the ground, her voice sharp and grating.

"You lowly commoner, how dare you block this princess's carriage! Are you courting death?"

The vegetable farmer trembled with fear, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Please spare my life, sir! I didn't mean to, I just have a leg injury and couldn't get there in time..."

Princess Chang Le snorted coldly, about to curse again, when a ragged beggar next to her suddenly spoke up.

“Princess, this vegetable farmer is old and frail and has difficulty moving around. Why bother arguing with him? Besides, there are people coming and going on the street, your carriage should slow down.”

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le's expression changed drastically, and her gaze shot towards the beggar like a knife.

"How dare you! You lowly commoner, how dare you lecture this princess?" She flicked her sleeve and shouted at the servants behind her, "Slap him! Let him know what he should and shouldn't say!"

Princess Chang Le's attendant immediately stepped forward, grabbed the beggar by the collar, and slapped him several times across the face.

The beggar's mouth was bleeding from the beating. He glared at the servant but dared not fight back.

Han Lei frowned as she watched, about to reprimand Princess Chang Le.

At this moment, the fat man turned his head and whispered to her, "See? This is the law of the Su family."

Upon hearing this, Han Lei's face, made up with special effects makeup, couldn't hide her anger.

Having experienced the palace banquet and being drugged and kidnapped, she knew very well how arrogant and disdainful Princess Chang Le was. But witnessing Princess Chang Le's domineering nature again today still infuriated her.

Seeing this, the brothers in the Big Character Team were all furious.

The brothers have fought on the battlefield for many years. They believe in black and white, and they fight with their fists. They can't stand this kind of bullying behavior.

Da San strode forward, gave the carriage harness a push, then helped the vegetable farmer up, glaring angrily at Princess Chang Le.

“Princess, you have gone too far! Your carriage was going too fast and hit someone. That beggar only spoke a word of justice, why must you humiliate him like this?”

Princess Chang Le's already unpleasant expression darkened further when she saw that Da San dared to talk back to her.

"Where did you come from? How dare you push my carriage and be so rude to me!"

She pointed at the third-year student and yelled at the servants, "What are you all standing there for? Cut off this lowly commoner's hand, and that will be enough to compensate for the loss of the princess's carriage."

Upon hearing this, the servants immediately drew their swords and approached Da San.

Da San clenched his fist, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. He was about to make a move when Han Lei grabbed him.

Just as Princess Chang Le and Da San were talking, Han Lei turned her head and whispered for Da Pangtou to leave first.

"You go back to the hot pot restaurant first, I'll come find you later."

"What are you going to do?" Big Fatty looked at Han Lei nervously. "You absolutely mustn't mess with her!"

Han Lei wanted to say, "I've already provoked them."

But to avoid worrying the fat man, she said calmly, "I still need to keep my life to marry Zhao Zun! Don't worry, you go back first."

Hearing her say that, Big Fatty felt relieved and went back to the hot pot restaurant first.

After sending the fat man away, Han Lei was just about to hear Princess Chang Le order that Da San's hand be chopped off. Da San clenched his fist and was about to step forward when Han Lei quickly pulled him back.

Han Lei's eyes were blazing with anger, but in an instant, a bright smile appeared on her face.

She snapped open her folding fan with a whoosh, took two steps forward, and raised her voice playfully.

"Oh! Isn't this Princess Chang Le? Why are you getting angry with a few lowly people here? This is not in keeping with your noble status."

Princess Chang Le was surprised to see that Han Lei was a chubby boy she didn't recognize. However, seeing that Han Lei was dressed in fine clothes and acted with composure, her tone softened a bit.

"Who are you?"

Han Lei smiled and said, "Your Highness must have a bad memory. I am Prime Minister Wei's nephew. Last time I accompanied my uncle to the palace banquet, I had the honor of seeing Your Highness's dance. That dance... tsk tsk tsk, it was simply like a celestial maiden descending to earth, unforgettable!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le raised her eyebrows slightly, a smug look appearing on her face.

"Oh? You are Prime Minister Wei's nephew? I do have some recollection of you."

Seeing that Princess Chang Le's attitude had softened, Han Lei continued, "I came to the capital this time because I heard that my cousin Wei Chengchao opened a shop selling mandarin duck hairpins, and that his business was booming. I came here specifically to learn more about it. I never expected to meet the Princess here. What a coincidence!"

Princess Chang Le was in a great mood after being flattered by Han Lei, and the anger on her face had long since disappeared.

She smiled slightly, her tone softening: "I see. I happen to be going to buy some jewelry for the Mandarin Duck Hairpins too, why don't we go together?"

Han Lei nodded quickly: "It is my honor to travel with the princess."

Princess Chang Le nodded in satisfaction, then turned and waved to her attendants: "Alright, for Young Master Wei's sake, I'll spare these lowly people today. Let's go!"

The servants sheathed their swords and stepped aside. Da San and the vegetable farmer breathed a sigh of relief, watching Princess Chang Le board her carriage and head towards the direction of the Mandarin Duck Hairpin.

Han Lei winked at her brothers, signaling them to return to the inn first. Then she quickly caught up with Princess Chang Le's carriage and walked beside it. "Princess," she said, "I once heard a wise man from the mountains say that women who are easily angered age quickly. A young and beautiful woman like you should avoid getting angry with those unrelated lowly people!"

Han Lei earnestly advised, but the flattery just kept pouring out like it was free.

Inside the carriage, Princess Chang Le leaned back on the cushions, her expression languid and arrogant.

Hearing Han Lei say that she was young and beautiful made her feel even better.

She lifted the curtain and glanced at Han Lei, her eyes alluring as she smiled faintly, "Young Master Wei, I have given you face today. You should remember that."

Han Lei turned her head and happened to see Princess Chang Le's seductive eyes, and couldn't help but shudder.

She thought to herself: I look like a rich, plump young master right now, so why is Princess Chang Le giving me this look? Could it be that Princess Chang Le is getting anxious because she's about to turn twenty-four?

However, Han Lei still respectfully said, "Your Highness is very generous, and I will remember it. If there is any need in the future, I will certainly serve you with utmost loyalty."

Princess Chang Le nodded in satisfaction, a smug smile playing on her lips: "You're smart to know what's good for you."

The carriage slowly drove through the street, the arrogance of Princess Chang Le and the worldly sophistication of Han Lei intertwining inside and outside the carriage, as if it were a silent game.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Mandarin Duck Hairpin. As soon as Princess Chang Le entered, she waved her hand and instructed the maid beside her.

"Go and fetch Yang Xiaomei quickly, and have her help me choose some of the newly arrived goods."

The maidservant responded and left. A short while later, Yang Xiaomei came to greet her with a smile.

"Your Highness looks radiant today. We've just received a new batch of excellent eyeliners and several newly developed skin creams. Would you like to try them?"

As Yang Xiaomei spoke, she led Princess Chang Le up to the third floor.

Princess Chang Le smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Alright, I happen to have some free time today, so please help me pick out a few suitable items."

Han Lei stood to the side, her eyes wandering around the store, clearly showing great interest in the layout and merchandise.

Princess Chang Le glanced at him and smiled, "Young Master Wei, didn't you say you came to observe and learn? Why don't you take a look around? I'll go upstairs first."

Upon hearing this, Han Lei quickly cupped her hands and said, "Thank you, Princess. I will not keep you company any longer."

After saying that, Han Lei turned around and started strolling around on the first floor.

Yang Haibo was busy greeting other guests, but he kept an eye on Han Lei out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing him looking around and occasionally picking up items to examine them closely, but showing no intention of buying anything, I couldn't help but become suspicious.

"Could this chubby guy be someone sent by a colleague to spy on us?" Thinking this, Yang Haibo became more wary of Han Lei.

Han Lei was completely unaware of Yang Haibo's thoughts and continued strolling around with great interest. Of course, Yang Haibo was paying attention to her, and she was also secretly observing Yang Haibo's work.

When Han Lei finished her walk around and came to the third floor, she happened to see Princess Chang Le sitting in front of the mirror, with Yang Xiaomei applying eyeliner to her.

Han Lei looked closely and couldn't help but be surprised.

Princess Chang Le's originally unremarkable appearance was now transformed into a radiant beauty under Yang Xiaomei's touch. Her eyes and brows became more charming, and her skin appeared delicate and smooth, as if she had used a beauty filter.

"Hmm...this is way too beautiful!" Han Lei exclaimed in admiration.

Princess Chang Le heard the voice and knew it was a compliment. She turned around and asked with a smile, "Young Master Wei, what do you think?"

Han Lei quickly stepped forward and showered him with exaggerated compliments.

"The princess was already naturally beautiful, and now, after being dressed up by this young lady, she is even more beautiful than a fairy! Especially after the eyes were painted, the princess's eyes are big and lively, tsk tsk tsk... This mandarin duck hairpin is indeed extraordinary, even a layman like me is tempted."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaomei covered her mouth and chuckled, "Young master, you flatter me. It's mainly because the princess has a good foundation; I'm just adding icing on the cake."

Princess Chang Le was overjoyed by their compliments, and looked at herself in the mirror from left to right, becoming more and more satisfied.

She waved her hand and immediately showed off in front of Han Lei, saying generously, "Little sister, pack one of each of these for me, and bring me those new pieces of jewelry to take a look as well."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Yang Xiaomei's eyes, and she quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, please wait a moment, I will go and prepare right away."

Seeing this, Han Lei seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire.

"Princess, I think only someone of your noble status deserves to own this mandarin duck hairpin. Not only is it of superior quality, but it can also enhance your beauty to another level. It is truly a great value for money."

Princess Chang Le smiled broadly upon hearing this: "Young Master Wei is so eloquent. Since I'm in such a good mood today, I might as well buy some more so I can share them with my sisters when I get back."

Before long, Yang Xiaomei packed a large pile of exquisite goods and respectfully presented them to Princess Chang Le.

Princess Chang Le glanced at the bill and casually waved her hand: "Put it in the account, and I'll have someone send you the silver notes later."

Yang Xiaomei nodded respectfully: "Yes, Princess, please take care. Welcome to visit again next time."

Princess Chang Le nodded in satisfaction and asked Han Lei, "Do you want to come along?"

Han Lei nodded: "Then please take care, Princess. I would like to stay a little longer to learn more."

Princess Chang Le did not insist and left the Mandarin Duck Hairpin with her maids, satisfied.

Even after Princess Chang Le's figure had disappeared from sight, Han Lei patted Yang Xiaomei on the shoulder and praised her in her own voice:

"Yang Xiaomei, you did a good job. When you encounter a fat pig like this, it's meant to be slaughtered."

"Pfft, young master..."

Yang Xiaomei chuckled and was about to say, "Young master, you flatter me," but upon hearing that familiar voice, she suddenly froze.

She looked Han Lei up and down carefully, confirming that she did not recognize the fat young man in front of her.

After a long pause, she said in surprise, "Young master, why does your voice sound different from before?"

Han Lei glanced around and, seeing that there were no other guests on the third floor, giggled.

"Hehehe, Yang Xiaomei. How come you don't recognize me? I'm Han Lei."

Yang Xiaomei's mouth dropped open, and she called out uncertainly, "Miss Han... Miss Han?"

Han Lei nodded playfully, her bright and lively eyes blinking rapidly.

Upon confirming that the chubby young man standing in front of her was indeed Han Lei, Yang Xiaomei's lips twitched involuntarily.

"Miss Han, why are you dressed like this?"

"Shh!" Han Lei put her index finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.

"Keep your voice down, don't let anyone know I'm back in the capital. Go and call your brother and mother here, I have something to say to you."

Yang Xiaomei nodded repeatedly, overjoyed by Han Lei's appearance.

"Alright, alright, young lady, you wait here. I'll go get them right away."

Thank you all for your support, love you all!