Love Lock

Chapter 195 What do you think I want to do?
Luo Hai looked down at him: "I am merely following orders. As for them..."

He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Steward, out of consideration for your many years as a servant, I must remind you. Wei Dabao has committed a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family. If you don't want to be implicated, you'd better think of a way to avoid it as soon as possible."

The butler shuddered, a complex look of despair and hope flashing in his eyes.

A commotion arose in the backyard. It turned out that a guard had tried to escape by climbing over the wall, but was caught red-handed by the soldiers waiting outside.

Luo Hai snorted coldly: "Can't see the situation clearly? They're all courting death! Take them all back to the county jail!"

Zhao Zun and Han Lei had by this time roughly figured out the layout of the Wei residence.

Han Lei pretended to search Luo Hai's side and whispered, "Sir, there's something strange about the east wing, but it's not convenient to investigate in detail right now."

Luo Hai nodded slightly: "Understood. You may go back first, I will be there shortly."

Two full hours later, the Wei residence was completely emptied. Luo Hai ordered the seals to be affixed and, in full view of everyone, loudly announced: "From this day forward, all property of the Wei residence is confiscated by the government. No one is allowed to enter without authorization; those who violate this rule will be treated as accomplices!"

On the way back to the county government office, Zhao Zun and Han Lei deliberately lagged behind the group.

After all the servants of the Wei family were taken away by the government officials, Zhao Zun and Han Lei returned to search the secret room.

The secret room was opened. It wasn't very big, only a few dozen square meters, but the moment the heavy wooden door was pushed open, the golden and silver light that rushed in almost dazzled the eyes.

The torch in Zhao Zun's hand illuminated the secret room, where boxes of gold ingots were neatly stacked, silver ingots were piled up like small mountains, and various jewels and ornaments shone brightly in the sandalwood boxes.

Jade bracelets and pearl necklaces overflowed from the boxes piled up to the roof, shimmering with a dazzling halo in the firelight.

The valuables that were just confiscated are nothing compared to what's here.

"Mommy! Is this a treasure?"

Han Lei unconsciously took half a step forward, her shoe tip kicking a rolling gold ingot, the crisp sound echoing in the secret room.

She bent down to pick it up, and the heavy touch made her palm sink. "Over the years, Wei Dabao has probably plundered half of the people's wealth in Cangzhou, hasn't he?"

Zhao Zun frowned and said, "The foundation of a powerful family should not be underestimated. Wei Dabao is just a branch of the Wei family. It is no exaggeration to say that the entire Wei family is as rich as a country."

Han Lei chuckled: "So, does what we're doing count as robbing a rich person?"

"Hmph! This is a rare opportunity, of course we should fight if we can!" Zhao Zun sneered, his black robes standing out even more menacingly against the backdrop of gold and silver.

He picked up the walkie-talkie and began calling: "Zhengfei, bring a few more horse-drawn carriages to Wei Dabao's house." He paused and added, "The carriages must have thick planks."

Han Lei and Zhao Zun sat on the floor of the secret room to rest and wait. Before long, the sound of orderly footsteps came from the courtyard.

Xiao Zhengfei led twenty guards in, and when they saw the scene in the secret room, they all gasped in shock.

A young guard stared wide-eyed as his torch fell to the ground with a thud, only to be hurriedly picked up after being glared at by Xiao Zhengfei.

"What are you all standing there for?" Zhao Zun tapped the lacquered wooden box full of jewelry with his finger. "After sending it back to the magistrate's mansion, remember to sprinkle incense ash in the interlayer of each box to prevent moisture when packing the gold and silver, and separate the jewelry with velvet cloth."

Everyone then came to their senses and began to move the items out in an orderly manner.

Han Lei noticed that a thin guard's arms were trembling as he carried the silver ingots, so she quickly went over to help him support the bottom of the box: "Everyone be careful, these boxes probably weigh at least a hundred pounds."

The guard blushed and stammered, "Thank you, Your Highness."

As the last box of valuables was carried out of the secret room, the moonlight slanted into the courtyard. Zhao Zun took the silk cloth handed to him by Xiao Zhengfei to wipe his hands, when he suddenly heard Han Lei exclaim "Eh!"

She was standing in front of the west wing, her fingertips brushing against the carved window frames: "Look at these rooms, they're well-lit, and there are corridors in the front and back..."

Zhao Zun strode over and asked with a smile, "You want this house?"

“It’s not what I want.” Han Lei stroked her chin thoughtfully and said, “I just think such a nice house would be suitable for opening a large clinic, with low fees. For poor families, it could even provide free treatment.”

Zhao Zun looked around and nodded, saying, "Your idea is good. With this clinic, the people of Cangzhou won't have any problems with headaches or fevers. Plus, with Wei Dabao's wealth, we have enough to run the clinic."

“It’s not just a clinic.” Han Lei’s eyes sparkled as she pushed open a mahogany door, letting moonlight stream into the room. “Look at this room, it’s perfect for an operating room. Those three rooms over there can be combined to fit twenty nursing beds.”

She then turned and pointed to the old plum tree in the yard, "People who have recovered can also take walks and do rehabilitation in the yard."

"Hmm! That's more thorough." Zhao Zun's lips curled up slightly, and he suddenly reached out to brush away a leaf that had somehow gotten stuck in her hair.

“However…” He deliberately dragged out his words, watching Han Lei’s anxiously wide-eyed eyes, before slowly saying, “We need to get the Ministry of Works to reinforce the roof beams first, all those strange and unusual machines of yours…”

Before he could finish speaking, Han Lei smiled and took his arm, saying, "I knew you understood me best!"

As they were talking, Han Lei suddenly froze. Zhao Zun keenly noticed her fingertips tremble: "What's wrong?"

"The system gave me another reward." She blinked, as if confirming something; it was some medical equipment—stethoscopes, operating tables, medical gowns, and the like.

Zhao Zun looked at her pretty face and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Now we can save money on buying equipment?"

"It's more than just saving gold!" Han Lei tugged at his sleeve and walked towards the archway, as excited as a little girl. "These things may look insignificant, but if there are many of them, they would be worth at least several hundred taels of gold in the system shop."

Zhao Zun smiled at her happy expression and couldn't help but reach out and stroke her head again. The two strolled around Wei Dabao's residence, making some plans, before returning to the magistrate's mansion.

The next day, exhausted, Han Lei slept until late morning.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice onto the bed. She stretched lazily, only then realizing that it was almost noon.

In front of the dressing table, Han Lei was combing her long hair, which had already passed her shoulders, when she suddenly heard familiar footsteps coming from the courtyard outside.

Zhao Zun, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt swaying at his waist, leaned against the door frame with a smile: "My beloved concubine has finally woken up. If we delay any longer, the banquet at Tongfu Restaurant will get cold."

"I'm sorry, I was really too tired yesterday," Han Lei said, glancing at the maid standing beside her with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Zhao Zun chuckled and beckoned to the two hairdressers behind him: "Give the princess a beautiful updo, something simple, she doesn't like complicated things. Pair it with the gilded kingfisher feather hairpins brought back from the capital."

After a stick of incense had burned, Han Lei changed into the pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) that Zhao Zun had bought for her in the capital and gracefully stepped out.

The hair ornament swayed gently with each step, shimmering with tiny golden light in the sunlight, giving her an air of both nobility and sweetness.

A hint of amazement flashed in Zhao Zun's eyes as he reached out to straighten the slightly crooked pearl hairpin at her temple: "My taste is indeed excellent."

"How annoying!" Han Lei rolled her eyes at him.

Outside the mansion gate, Luo Hai had been waiting by the carriage for a long time.

Seeing the two of them come out, his gaze lingered for a moment on Han Lei's gorgeous dress, and he stroked his beard, praising her kindly and generously: "Miss Han, your clothes are really beautiful today."

Han Lei stepped forward and gave a graceful bow: "I'm sorry to have kept Uncle Luo waiting." "Not at all. You must be tired from your journey. You should rest more. Let's go!" Luo Hai smiled, turned around and got into his carriage.

The three rode in two carriages, with Xiao Zhengfei and four guards on horseback protecting them on either side, the crisp sound of hooves striking the bluestone pavement.

In front of Tongfu Restaurant, Zhao Zun and Han Lei had just alighted from their carriage when Sun Wenyuan, dressed in a crimson official robe, jogged up to greet them from afar, his round face full of fawning smiles.

"It is an honor for this humble official to have Your Highness and Princess grace us with their presence!"

When he bent over, the black gauze wings on his official hat trembled incessantly, somewhat like a fluttering quail.

The prefect's entourage was indeed impressive; even when he went out for a meal, more than a dozen guards surrounded the entrance of Tongfu Restaurant.

Anyone who didn't know better would think something had happened at Tongfu Restaurant, with government officials standing guard at the entrance.

Zhao Zun glanced at the guards of the prefectural government surrounding Tongfu Restaurant, casually stroked the jade pendant at his waist, and wore a standard polite smile on his face.

"Lord Sun, you're too kind. Did the game I sent you yesterday suit your taste?"

"Oh dear! Your Highness, you flatter me!" Sun Wenyuan rubbed his hands together, his eyes darting around.

"How could I dare to enjoy such delicacies alone? Today, I specially asked the chef of Tongfu Restaurant to select the tenderest pork loin, paired with their signature Drunken Immortal Wine, to share with Your Highness."

Upon entering Tongfu Restaurant, the local diners on the first floor, seeing a group of distinguished guests arrive, all stood up and bowed respectfully.

Sun Wenyuan, however, was only focused on talking and bowing as he led the crowd upstairs, without even glancing at the common people. The fish bag hanging from his waist swayed back and forth with his hurried steps.

Luo Hai followed behind, secretly sneering at Sun Wenyuan's smirk. Last night, he had personally intercepted the man's impeachment memorial, yet now he was being so obsequious.

This guy is indeed a master of feigning compliance in officialdom!
Han Lei took it all in, her slender fingers pinching the embroidered handkerchief to cover the mocking curve of her lips.

Six armed guards stood outside the private room on the second floor. Upon seeing the group arrive, they all clasped their hands in a salute.

Zhao Zun's eyes flickered slightly, and he turned to give Xiao Zhengfei a wink.

Xiao Zhengfei understood and ordered his guards in a deep voice, "You few stay here and guard this place."

Zhao Zun's four personal guards immediately stood on either side, forming a delicate standoff with the Sun family's guards.

The carved wooden door creaked shut, and the room was immediately filled with the aroma of food and wine.

Sun Wenyuan personally poured tea, the tea leaves unfurling like orchids in the celadon teacup: "Your Highness, please try this. It's a newly harvested pre-Qingming tea from this year."

He maintained a polite smile as he continued his incessant introduction.

"Your Highness, you haven't tried Tongfulou's dishes yet! Tongfulou's food and wine are unparalleled in Qingshui County, and the most amazing thing is their braised offal, which is said to be made with eighteen kinds of spices..."

“Indeed quite good.” Zhao Zunman replied casually, tapping the table lightly with his fingertips: “Not only is business good, but I just saw that there are also many distinguished guests drinking here.”

Two young maids with their hair in double buns served the dishes with trepidation, making the sound of their chopsticks touching the bowls and plates extremely soft.

The octagonal table was laden with delicacies: the shredded pork with garlic sauce was glistening and tempting, the twice-cooked pork slices were as thin as cicada wings, and the venison in the wild game platter was steaming hot.

After the maid had set out the dishes, Sun Wenyuan stood up to offer a toast, his official sleeve sweeping across the bowls and cups on the table.

"Congratulations on Your Highness's enfeoffment in Cangzhou! I would like to offer you a toast! Your Highness left in a hurry when you went to Fufeng County last time, and I did not have time to host a welcome banquet for you. This meal will serve as my welcome banquet for Your Highness."

"Lord Sun, you're too kind. Come, everyone, drink together." Zhao Zun raised his cup from afar, gesturing for everyone to share the cup.

Han Lei and Luo Hai readily agreed, raising their glasses together, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Zhao Zun picked up a piece of shredded pork with garlic sauce, chewed it slowly and deliberately, and praised it highly.

Sun Wenyuan stood up again and put a piece of bear paw into Zhao Zun's bowl.

"Your Highness, please try this. This is the wild game you sent to me. I am truly grateful for your kindness in remembering me!"

"Oh? You're very grateful?"

Zhao Zun looked at Sun Wenyuan, his tone rising but his expression suddenly changed. With a gloomy face, he pulled out a memorial from his pocket and slammed it on the table.

"Is this how Lord Sun expresses his gratitude to me?"

Upon seeing the familiar cover of the memorial, Sun Wenyuan was stunned, and the silver chopsticks in his hand clattered to the ground.

He trembled as he opened the memorial, and upon seeing the handwriting and contents, his face turned deathly pale.

Wasn't this his secret memorial to Zhao Zun last night, about winning over the people? How did it end up in Zhao Zun's hands?

He suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Your Highness, this...this is..." Caught red-handed, Sun Wenyuan was still trying to figure out how to get out of it.

"Lord Sun, what is your explanation for this impeachment memorial?" Zhao Zun remained slow and deliberate, but his tone now carried a noticeable air of pressure.

"Your Highness, please see the truth!" Sun Wenyuan suddenly stood up, knocking over his armchair. "This must be a frame-up by a villain..."

"Framed?" Zhao Zun sneered, raising an eyebrow. "Lord Sun, why don't you guess why this memorial failed to leave Cangzhou? And where is the messenger now?"

Sun Wenyuan thought that Zhao Zun only wanted to verbally reprimand him. He wasn't afraid, after all, the Sun family was the Empress Dowager's maternal family, and a mere vassal king couldn't do anything to him.

So, he mustered his courage and asked, "May I ask, Your Highness, how... how did this end up in Your Highness's hands?"

"What do you think?" Zhao Zun glanced at him coldly, his previous amiable expression gone. "This is what I intercepted last night."

Intercepted?

Sun Wenyuan was shocked: "You... what do you want to do?"

"What do you think?" Zhao Zun scoffed. "Not only am I openly winning over the hearts of the people, but I'm also intercepting memorials from court officials. What do you think I'm planning?"

Sun Wenyuan's pupils contracted, as if he had finally figured something out.

"You...you want to rebel? I knew you had ulterior motives! You really are...no, I will send a message to His Majesty by carrier pigeon right away."

Sun Wenyuan couldn't believe it was true, but Zhao Zun's expression did make him feel the danger.

He turned and shouted towards the door, "Someone come quick! Someone come quick!"

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