Love Lock

Chapter 196 A Person with Impeccable Roots and Red Lineage
There was no sound outside, but the two maids inside were so frightened that they kept backing away.

There was no response from outside. Sun Wenyuan realized something was wrong and suddenly rushed to the window, but Xiao Zhengfei grabbed his shoulder in one swift motion.

During their struggle, the two knocked over a screen, and the porcelain vase on the cabinet shattered on the floor with a crash.

"Help! Help!" Sun Wenyuan shouted hoarsely, but only the noise of the street outside the window answered him.

"Lord Sun, save your energy!" Zhao Zun slowly sipped his wine. "Your dozen or so guards downstairs should be drinking tea by now!"

"Zhao Zun! You traitorous scoundrel, you will die a horrible death..." Sun Wenyuan struggled fiercely, cursing incessantly.

Zhao Zun leaned back lazily in his chair, then leisurely raised his hand to straighten the jade crown binding his hair before solemnly saying, "Take it down!"

Upon receiving the order, Xiao Zhengfei skillfully pinned Sun Wenyuan to the ground. Immediately afterwards, a pair of metallic handcuffs were placed behind his back.

Upon seeing the scene before him, Luo Hai gasped in shock.

It was so sudden; even he was unaware of Zhao Zun's actions today.

Han Lei gracefully picked up a slice of bamboo shoot and whispered to Luo Hai, "Uncle Luo, please try this, it's very fresh."

"Okay! Okay!" Luo Hai agreed repeatedly, holding the bowl with both hands to take the bamboo shoots that Han Lei had picked up.

“Zhao Zun. You are committing treason! I must report this to His Majesty…”

Sun Wenyuan continued to hurl insults, while Zhao Zun looked down at him with disdain.

"It seems Lord Sun's information is not up-to-date! His Majesty may have already been buried, and all the vassal kings of the various states have come to the capital. A new emperor brings a new court; how long can your Sun family survive? Tsk tsk tsk... hard to say."

“Stop talking nonsense! How dare you curse His Majesty, Zhao Zun! You are a traitor and a villain! His Majesty will surely exterminate your entire family…” Sun Wenyuan did not believe his words at all and shouted loudly.

"Shut his mouth." Zhao Zun picked at his ear, annoyed by his chatter.

Xiao Zhengfei immediately tore off the tassels of the curtain and used them to cover Sun Wenyuan's mouth.

The surroundings suddenly quieted down, and Zhao Zun stood up, saying solemnly, "Luo Hai, the magistrate of Qingshui County in Cangzhou, listen to my command."

"Your...your humble servant is here." Luo Hai was taken aback, hurriedly rose from his seat to bow, his official hat tilting slightly.

"Effective immediately, you will assume the position of Prefect of Cangzhou, overseeing all government affairs in Cangzhou. Immediately lead troops to Fufeng County to raid the Sun residence and seize the official seal. If you encounter resistance..."

He paused, then lightly traced his fingertips across his neck. "Kill without mercy."

"Your Highness, rest assured, this humble official... this humble official will do anything for you!" Luo Hai's palms were covered in cold sweat; he couldn't tell whether it was from excitement or fear.

Zhao Zun's move was unexpected and skillful. He used Sun Wenyuan's banquet to counter Sun Wenyuan without firing a single shot and took over the administration of Cangzhou.

He was completely unaware of this beforehand.

The sunlight streaming in through the window made Zhao Zun's profile appear as sharp as if it had been carved by a knife.

Han Lei gazed at Zhao Zun's profile, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

Zhao Zun waved his hand, and Xiao Zhengfei led Sun Wenyuan out.

Upon leaving the private room, Sun Wenyuan discovered that the six armed guards who had been standing watch outside had all vanished without a trace.

The first floor of Tongfulou had been cleared out, with not a single customer in sight. Instead, there were dozens of men standing tall and with grim expressions.

Although these men were not wearing armor, Sun Wenyuan knew from the murderous aura they exuded that they were all Zhao Zun's personal guards.

Upon seeing Xiao Zhengfei emerge, two guards immediately came forward, took Sun Wenyuan from Xiao Zhengfei's hands, and escorted him onto a carriage and away.

Inside the private room, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

The sound of Sun Wenyuan being led away gradually faded into the distance, and the room became so quiet that one could hear the sound of sycamore leaves falling outside the window.

With everything settled, Luo Hai stood beside the carved wooden chair, his hands unconsciously stroking the hem of his official robe.

He stared at the young man he had watched grow up, his Adam's apple bobbing several times before he managed to squeeze out a few words: "Your Highness... uh..."

For a moment, he didn't know how to address this young man who was usually as close as a son or nephew.

Zhao Zun's gaze remained fixed on the door of the private room, but he turned around upon hearing this.

The sunlight streaming in through the window gradually dissolved the stern look in his eyes, and a familiar, gentle smile appeared on his lips.

“Uncle Luo, there are no outsiders here.” He walked a few steps to Luo Hai and gently took the old man’s arm. “You can still call me Zun’er as before.”

When Luo Hai was helped to sit down, his knees still felt a little stiff. The cool touch of the wooden chair seeped through his official robes, but it couldn't suppress the surging emotions in his heart.

"This is the appointment letter for the Prefect of Cangzhou." Zhao Zun took out a scroll bearing a large vermilion seal from his bosom and handed it to Luo Hai with both hands.

"Tomorrow, my maid and I will be setting off back to Fufeng County. From now on, I'll have to trouble Uncle Luo to take care of the affairs of Cangzhou. As for the property confiscated from the Sun and Wei families... Uncle Luo, please make your own arrangements and use it all for the development of Cangzhou!"

"Alright! Your Highness, rest assured!" Luo Hai, who had already sat down, suddenly stood up again, his hands trembling slightly as he took the document. "This humble official will certainly do his best."

"Pfft!" Han Lei suddenly burst out laughing, her pretty almond-shaped eyes sparkling with mischief. "Uncle Luo, I just said that when there are no outsiders, you call me Zun'er. Why are you calling me 'official' now?"

Luo Hai was taken aback, then a smile bloomed on his wrinkled face, and even the beard on his chin trembled.

"Hehe. Yes, yes, call him Zun'er." He stroked his beard and sat down, suddenly feeling that the chair wasn't so cold anymore.

"Let's eat first." Zhao Zun placed a piece of braised pork into Luo Hai's bowl. "I heard this is Uncle Luo's favorite dish."

The three sat down to eat. Zhao Zun talked about the construction of the Prince's Mansion, saying that it must be completed before the golden autumn of September so that he could get married soon.

Han Lei was drinking soup when she heard this and almost choked. Her ear tips immediately turned as red as the braised pork on the table.

Luo Hai, with an "I understand" expression, stroked his beard and smiled, "I understand, I understand. Autumn is the perfect time for harvest and weddings!"

"Uncle Luo!" Han Lei put down her spoon and quickly changed the subject.

"I'd like to convert the Wei family mansion into a clinic. After you take office, could you recruit some folk doctors first? The money confiscated from the Wei family can be used to purchase a large quantity of herbs, medicine pots, and so on, to get traditional Chinese medicine up and running. We can deal with the rest next time I come..."

After lunch, Zhao Zun and Han Lei took their leave to check on the resettlement of the disaster victims.

Luo Hai returned to the county magistrate's mansion alone. As he walked through the familiar corridors, he felt his feet were floating.

He didn't burst into laughter until the study door creaked shut, the sound so loud it made his shoulders tremble slightly.

"Prefect... I am now the Prefect! Hahaha..."

He opened the appointment document Zhao Zun had given him, looked at the large red seal of the King of Cangzhou on it, and felt as if he were dreaming.

In just half a day, he was promoted from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fifth-rank prefect. Zhao Zun's patronage brought tears to his eyes. He was very glad that his initial choice was right. In the past few days, he had witnessed the decisiveness and strategic thinking of Zhao Zun and Han Lei. He believed that they would definitely achieve great things in the future.

After a moment of joy, he spread out the Xuan paper, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, paused for a moment with his wrist suspended in the air, and suddenly burst out laughing like a child.

From now on, all the ink, paper, and inkstones must be replaced with those of the prefect.

With this in mind, Luo Hai officially began to take on the work of the prefect. He wrote several appointment notices, picked up the walkie-talkie on his desk, and happily walked out of the study.

"Someone come here!" he called out to the door.

Before long, the clerk came running in.

Luo Hai issued several orders in succession: "Immediately send people to check on the progress of the wasteland project, recruit more people, and have them speed up the process."

"Yes! Master."

Just as the clerk was about to leave after receiving his orders, Luo Hai called him back.

"Wait, send someone to supervise the construction of the Prince's Mansion. Report the progress daily and make sure it is completed before September." Luo Hai said, handing the written appointment document to his clerk.

"Furthermore, this is my appointment document for the promotion of me to Prefect of Cangzhou. Immediately send someone by fast horse to deliver it to the government offices of all counties in Cangzhou."

"Master, you've been promoted to prefect!" the advisor asked with delight.

Luo Hai puffed out his chest smugly, "That's right! Go and get it done!"

"Oh! That's wonderful. Congratulations, sir. I'll get on it right away." The clerk cupped his hands in congratulations, then turned and strode away happily.

Luo Hai felt the sun was shining particularly brightly today. He took a deep breath before standing tall and gathering his constables and soldiers to prepare for the raid on Fufeng County...

...This is the dividing line for ticket grabbing...

Capital City, Imperial Palace.

Inside the Golden Palace, the coiled dragons on the nine golden pillars gleamed with a cold light in the morning glow.

The morning breeze outside the palace swirled fallen leaves against the vermilion palace gates, making a rustling sound, as if mocking the farce that had been going on for days inside.

Several princes who had been summoned to the capital were arguing fiercely in the main hall.

Several days have passed, and they still haven't reached a conclusion. Every day, the civil and military officials attend court on time as usual, not to discuss matters, but simply to silently watch the vassal kings argue.

A few days ago, Emperor Jing and Empress were drinking together in Weiyang Palace when they were inexplicably blown to bits.

The princes of various states were summoned to the capital to attend the funeral, and this presented an opportunity.

When Emperor Jing died, the country could not be without a ruler for even a day.

Instead of being overly saddened, they all felt that they were the rightful heir to the throne and that the Imperial Noble Consort and the civil and military officials should elect them as emperor.

They argued about it. They didn't reach a conclusion in one day, so they started arguing again the next.

Since they were all princes, they couldn't argue standing up. So, the Imperial Noble Consort and Prime Minister Wei sat high on either side of the dragon throne, while the chief eunuch, Li Zhongxin, stood with his head bowed on the steps.

Two rows of seats were set up at the bottom of the steps, where people sat facing each other, drinking tea and arguing.

Below the princes were the civil and military officials. Of course, they had to work harder, standing in neat rows to serve, just like when they went to court in the past.

"I am the late emperor's younger brother from the same mother. No matter what, I am of impeccable lineage, and the throne should rightfully be inherited by me!"

King Liangzhou slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, making the teacups on the table clink and rattle.

He was handsome with a face like jade, and a moon-white python robe accentuated his refined and scholarly demeanor. Only his thin lips revealed a hint of meanness when he pursed them.

He always spoke with a hint of a smile, yet it sent chills down your spine.

On the opposite seat, the King of Xuzhou sneered and slowly smoothed out non-existent wrinkles on his sleeves.

“Third brother, you are mistaken.” The King of Xuzhou’s voice was not loud but his words were clear. “If we are talking about bloodline, my mother is from the Wei family, the head of the aristocratic families. When the late emperor was on the throne, he often said that ‘governing a country requires relying on aristocratic families.’ How can we now go against the late emperor’s last words?”

He was tall and imposing, and his features bore a striking resemblance to the late emperor, though his narrow eyes gleamed with an even sharper light.

His robust body was wrapped in a crimson python robe, and the python-patterned jade pendant hanging from the jade belt at his waist swayed violently with his movements.

"Bullshit!" The King of Liangzhou's eyes widened in anger, veins bulging on his forehead. "Your mother is nothing but a concubine, yet she dares to compare herself to the Empress Dowager? I am the Empress Dowager's eldest son, and the late Emperor was my own elder brother. This empire should be mine to rule!"

Inside the hall, civil and military officials held their breath, keeping their eyes downcast, afraid of being drawn into the conflict. Only a few senior ministers occasionally exchanged glances, secretly considering their own positions.

"Ha, Third Brother, what a show of power! Speaking of legitimate sons, I am the eldest." The King of Xuzhou, unhurried, took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve. "This is the 'Strategies for Governing the Country' that Father bestowed upon me before. It is personally inscribed on it: 'Huan'er is intelligent and will surely achieve great things in the future.' Would Third Brother like to take a look?"

The King of Liangzhou's face turned ashen. He snatched the bamboo slip and threw it to the ground. "You dare to flaunt a mere inscription? My father secretly summoned me to the palace before his death and personally promised me..."

"Enough!" King Qizhou suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "You two imperial brothers have been arguing about the same few things all along. Don't forget, I am also Father's son, and my mother also comes from a noble family."

The Prince of Qingzhou seized the opportunity to interject: "If you ask me, it would be better to follow the ancestral tradition and have the Imperial Clan Court preside over the decision by drawing lots in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple!"

"Absurd!" the King of Liangzhou and the King of Xuzhou exclaimed in unison.

The King of Jizhou shrank back and muttered under his breath, "Actually...actually, I think what my sixth brother said makes sense..."

"Shut up!" King Liangzhou glared angrily. "Who gave you the right to speak here? Your mother is just the daughter of a third-rank official. Does she even deserve to participate in the struggle for the throne?"

The King of Jizhou turned pale and lowered his head, remaining silent. The atmosphere in the hall became tense for a moment, with only the ticking of the water clock breaking the silence.

The Prince of Qingzhou looked up at the Imperial Noble Consort sitting beside the throne and suggested again, "This arguing won't solve anything. Imperial Noble Consort, you are the Emperor's sister-in-law, so perhaps... we should ask the Imperial Noble Consort to make the decision."

A soft sigh came from above.

The Imperial Noble Consort turned to look at Prime Minister Wei, who was sitting on the other side of the throne, her voice tinged with weariness.

"All the princes are close relatives of the late emperor. As a mere woman, I find it truly difficult to make a decision..."

Just then, the King of Jingzhou, who had been sitting in his seat observing coldly for the past few days, suddenly chuckled.

He was tall and slender, dressed in a simple indigo robe, which contrasted sharply with his brothers who were adorned in python robes.

And in those phoenix eyes that were so similar to the late emperor, there gleamed a clear understanding of the ways of the world.

"Seventh Brother, what are you laughing at?" The King of Xuzhou narrowed his eyes slightly.

Happy holidays everyone, have fun!