Love Lock

Chapter 239 It's time to take action.

As dusk deepened, the stone lions in front of the Cangzhou Prince's Mansion cast long shadows in the afterglow of the setting sun.

A gentle evening breeze brought a touch of autumn chill. Inside the main hall of the mansion, the Zhao family was having their dinner, the crisp sound of silver chopsticks touching porcelain plates echoing throughout the hall.

"Zhao Zun, try this fish, it's very fresh and tastes great." Han Lei placed a piece of fish into Zhao Zun's bowl, a smile playing on her lips.

Just as Zhao Zun was about to pick up his chopsticks, the steward of the Prince's mansion came running in.

"Your Highness, Your Highness! Please go and see!"

"What's going on?" Zhao Zun frowned slightly and put down his chopsticks.

The steward, panting, bowed and said, "Your Highness, it is Young Master Hua and Young Master Zhang who have returned, as well as... General Song from the Xuzhou military camp. They... were brought back by cart."

Zhao Zun and Han Lei exchanged a glance, a strange light flashing in both of their eyes.

Zhao Zun stood up, straightened his robes, and said in a deep voice, "Let's go! Let's go take a look."

In front of the Prince's Mansion, four guards were struggling to lift two unconscious figures off a carriage.

Song Yuanqing's luxurious brocade robe clung to his body in wrinkles, his face flushed, and his eyes tightly closed. Hua Tianyou was even more limp, like a lump of mud, carried on the shoulder of a personal guard, his head drooping listlessly.

"Ouch, my back!" Next to the wooden cart behind, two guards were struggling to move the fat man's body, which weighed more than 200 pounds.

Big Fat Head lay on his back, snoring loudly, his round belly rising and falling with each breath.

The guards at the door were helping them when Zhao Zun strode over, followed by Han Lei and a group of servants.

Before even getting close, a strong smell of alcohol hit me, mixed with the sour stench of vomit, making me want to vomit.

"What's going on?" Zhao Zun demanded sharply, his face ashen.

One of Song Yuanqing's personal guards knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, Young Master Hua and this fat young master took General Song to a tavern in the south of the city for drinks at noon today. The three of them got really into it, and we couldn't stop them, so..."

"What a bunch of bastards!" Zhao Zun knew perfectly well why they were so drunk. He pretended to be angry and kicked the fat man next to him.

Big Fat Head's enormous belly swayed from side to side, letting out a muffled groan, but he did not wake up.

"Didn't you drink enough at yesterday's wedding banquet? You're making a fool of yourself again today!"

One of Song Yuanqing's personal guards stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, please calm down. My general is also drunk. Scolding them now will not help."

Zhao Zun took a deep breath and forced a smile at the guard.

"Please forgive me, brother. It was my two dear friends who were not very considerate. You must be tired and haven't had your meal yet." He turned to the steward and instructed, "Quickly arrange guest rooms so that General Song can rest well. Also, prepare the finest wine and dishes to entertain you brothers."

The steward responded and left. Zhao Zun then ordered his men to carry Hua Tianyou and the fat man back to their respective rooms.

After arranging everything, he whispered to Han Lei, "Girl, go and see them."

Han Lei nodded slightly and led Zitan and Jinju towards the side room.

Zhao Zun followed behind her, the anger on his face gradually fading, replaced by a smile.

Since being kidnapped by Princess Chang Le and Wei Chengchao, Han Lei has spent her free time reading many books on poisons from this era.

While she can't be considered a master of poisons, she can still handle simple toxins.

Inside the room, Han Lei first examined Hua Tianyou, her brows gradually furrowing.

"Strange..." she muttered to herself, then quickly went to check the room next door where the fat man was sitting.

Seeing that his expression was strange, Zhao Zun quickly followed.

After she finished examining the large, fat head, Zhao Zun stepped forward and asked, "How is it?"

Han Lei said softly, "They're not just drunk; they're also showing symptoms of being drugged."

"A sleeping potion?" Zhao Zun's pupils contracted slightly; this was something he hadn't expected.

“And the dose is quite heavy; it will probably take two or three days for him to wake up.” Han Lei looked at Zhao Zun, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. “Didn’t you say you only wanted them to stall Song Yuanqing? You didn’t say you were going to drug him.”

Zhao Zun's face was grim: "Of course I didn't! Although Hua Tianyou is reckless, he would never take it upon himself to administer the drug. Besides, Song Yuanqing's personal guards were right there..."

As the two were talking, footsteps sounded outside. Zhang Kui, the commander of Song Yuanqing's personal guards, strode in, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness, I am still worried about General Song and would like to ask the physician in your household to take a look."

Zhao Zun remained calm: "Commander Zhang need not worry. My queen has some medical knowledge and has already examined him. General Song simply drank too much and will be fine after a day or two of rest. Besides, I just heard him snoring."

A hint of doubt flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes: "But my general has an excellent alcohol tolerance and has never been this drunk before..."

"Commander Zhang, do you suspect that I have done something underhanded?" Zhao Zun's voice suddenly turned cold.

Zhang Kui quickly bowed: "This humble general dares not. It's just... I'm far too drunk..."

The atmosphere in the hall froze for a moment.

Han Lei spoke up at the opportune moment: "Commander Zhang, I just checked, and they are indeed quite drunk and sleeping soundly. I wonder where they went to drink?"

“Your Highness,” Zhang Kui bowed, “it’s in a tavern in the south of the city, called Zuixianlou.”

"That's right." Han Lei nodded in a serious manner. "The wine at Zuixianlou is known for its strength, and given that the three of them were having a drinking contest, it's normal for them to be quite drunk. How about this, I'll have someone make some hangover soup and send it over, okay?"

Zhang Kui glanced at Han Lei, then at Zhao Zun, and finally clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness. I'll have to trouble you then."

After Zhang Kui left, Zhao Zun's face darkened completely.

He beckoned Pingchuan over and whispered, "Investigate immediately who went to Zuixianlou today, especially those who came into contact with their drinks."

"Yes! I'll go right away." Pingchuan's eyes also showed a hint of seriousness as he accepted the order and left.

Han Lei said softly, "Zhao Zun, this matter is suspicious. Cangzhou is almost entirely under our control now. If someone deliberately drugged us, what would their purpose be?"

Zhao Zun stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the darkening sky, and slowly said, "No matter who it is, anyone who dares to interfere in my game..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "will pay the price."

As night deepened, the Prince of Cangzhou's palace was brightly lit.

In the guest room, Zhang Kui and three bodyguards took turns watching over the unconscious Song Yuanqing.

In the side room, Hua Tianyou and Big Fatty were snoring loudly.

Inside the main hall, Zhao Zun sat alone at his desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface, awaiting the results of Pingchuan's investigation.

There seems to be an undercurrent surging beneath this seemingly calm night...

Song Yuanqing awoke three days later, and those three days felt exceptionally long. There were still no leads in Pingchuan, and even the usually aloof and composed Zhao Zun was starting to feel restless.

That day, Song Yuanqing slowly opened his heavy eyelids, and what he saw was a hazy light and shadow.

His throat was as dry as if it were stuffed with sand, and his temples still throbbed—signs of a lingering hangover.

As the view gradually cleared, the familiar guest room came into view again.

The bed frame was carved from sandalwood, the curtains hung down in shades of blue gauze, and the bronze goose-fish lamp on the table still held the wick that had burned out last night.

"Uh, someone come here..."

He clutched his somewhat heavy head and called out in a hoarse voice. Only after the words left his mouth did he realize that his lips were already cracked.

Upon hearing the sound, the guards outside the door immediately pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Song Yuanqing trying to get up, they rushed forward to help him: "General, you're finally awake! If you hadn't woken up, we wouldn't have known what to do." "How long have I been asleep?" Song Yuanqing rubbed his temples, his knuckles touching a shallow scar, a battle wound left on the battlefield.

The guard handed over a warm handkerchief: "General, you are very drunk and have been sleeping for three whole days."

"Three days?!" Song Yanqing suddenly sat up, but his vision went black because he moved too fast.

He held onto the edge of the bed, feeling the hard texture of the mahogany in his palm.

The sunlight streaming in through the window made him squint, and he realized that it was already bright outside, and he had no idea what time it was.

He shook his groggy head, and fragmented memories flooded back like a tide.

The flickering lights in the tavern, the graceful dance of the courtesan, Hua Tianyou drinking heartily from a wine jug, and the raspy voice of the fat man slapping the table and singing a ditty...

He looked at his personal guards questioningly: "What about Hua Tianyou and Fatty?"

The guard replied knowingly, "Like you, they are both completely drunk and asleep in the side room."

Song Yanqing frowned. On the day of Zhao Zun's wedding, he should have offered his congratulations and returned to camp immediately, but instead, he stayed at the mansion, drunk and asleep for three days.

The thought of the mountain of military reports piled up in the barracks made him feel as if a stone was pressing on his chest: "Prepare the horses, we must get back to the barracks immediately!"

While his personal guards hurriedly packed their belongings, Song Yanqing was already dressed. His face, which looked slightly haggard, was reflected in the bronze mirror, with dark stubble on his chin.

He paused, his hand holding the razor, before finally putting it down—this wasn't the time for such formalities.

"After you have finished packing, wait outside the mansion. I will go and bid farewell to the King of Cangzhou and then come to meet you as soon as possible."

As Song Yuanqing spoke, he picked up the horsewhip from the table and walked out of the guest room. He passed through the winding corridor, and the early winter wind, carrying a slight chill, crept into his collar.

As I passed through the garden, a woman's laughter drifted on the breeze.

The voice was soft, sweet, and clear, like the first spring water melting in spring, flowing gently through the heart.

"Oh! Just a little higher, please!"

Upon first hearing that soft, sweet voice, Song Yuanqing immediately recognized it as the voice he had buried deep in his heart.

He couldn't help but stop and look, and what he saw in the distance made his eyes widen.

Not far away, under a pomegranate tree, Han Lei, dressed in a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), was sitting on Zhao Zun's shoulders.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on her skirt.

She reached out to touch the bright red pomegranate on the branch, and something on her wrist swayed gently with her movement, reflecting tiny glimmers of light in the sunlight.

The dignified King of Cangzhou was now like a young boy, his hands steadily supporting Han Lei's legs, his upturned face full of doting affection: "You'd better hold on tight."

As he spoke, Zhao Zun deliberately swayed his body, causing Han Lei to gasp and grab his hair ornament.

"Zhao Zun! You're so annoying! Take it easy." She playfully punched his shoulder, but when she saw his triumphant smile, she couldn't help but laugh out loud herself.

The laughter was like a fine comb, gently smoothing the softest part of Song Yuanqing's heart.

The little maid carrying the bamboo basket beside her stamped her feet anxiously, saying, "Your Highness, be careful!"

"I know," Han Lei replied, then tugged at Zhao Zun's hair. "A little higher, there's another one over there."

"Alright!" Zhao Zun stood on tiptoe.

Both of them were martial artists. Zhao Zun could have easily picked the pomegranate from the tree with a single leap, but he insisted on having Han Lei sit on his shoulders to pick it, which shows Han Lei's position in Zhao Zun's heart.

Song Yuanqing stood there, suddenly feeling the horsewhip in his hand become incredibly heavy.

Then, he saw Zhao Zun carefully put Han Lei down and naturally brush the fallen leaves off her shoulders.

Then Han Lei took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and stood on tiptoe to wipe the fine sweat from Zhao Zun's forehead.

The warmth flowing between them seemed even more comforting than the sunshine in the sky.

As soon as Zhao Zun turned around, he saw Song Yuanqing standing in the distance.

"Brother Song!" Zhao Zun called out loudly.

Zhao Zun's call pulled Song Yuanqing back to reality. He took a deep breath, letting the slightly cool air fill his lungs.

He strode forward, a perfectly curved smile playing on his lips: "Zhao Zun, Miss Han." His voice was so steady that even he was somewhat surprised.

Han Lei gave a slight curtsy. "General Song is awake? Is he alright?"

The smile from just moments ago still lingered in the corners of Han Lei's eyes, like two crescent moons.

"I am truly ashamed." Song Yanqing nodded slightly. Han Lei's bright eyes made his heart flutter. He quickly shifted his gaze to Zhao Zun and clasped his hands in a salute. "I never imagined that I would be drunk and asleep at your residence for three days, delaying my return to camp..."

Zhao Zunlang interrupted him with a smile: "Brother Song, you're being too polite. Blame Tianyou for being such a scoundrel who doesn't know his own limitations."

Han Lei covered her mouth and chuckled, "Tianyou and Fatty are still snoring in the side room."

"Hmph! When they wake up, I will make them pay." Zhao Zun said with a stern face, then turned to the maid and instructed, "Jinju, quickly tell the kitchen to prepare food. General Song has not eaten for three days."

"No need for that." Song Yanqing quickly waved his hand, "There are many military affairs in the camp, I'll get right back..."

“Even if it’s urgent, you have to eat.” Zhao Zun pressed down on his shoulder, and the warmth from his palm reminded Song Yanqing of the old days of training ground competitions. “It takes two days to get from here to the military camp by fast horse, so we can’t go on the road on an empty stomach.”

Han Lei had already skillfully peeled open the pomegranate, and the glistening seeds gleamed like agate on her fingertips.

"General, would you like to try some? This should be the last batch of autumn pomegranates."

As Song Yanqing gazed at the fruit offered to him, he vaguely recalled the Lantern Festival years ago, when, amidst the dim lights, a young girl had offered him a cup of osmanthus wine. He respectfully accepted it, and the sweet and astringent taste of the pomegranate seeds bursting in his mouth wonderfully overlapped with the aroma of the wine from his memory.

"Thank you, Your Highness." He lowered his eyelashes, the shadows concealing the emotions in his eyes.

In the end, Zhao Zun was unable to keep him. When he escorted him to the gate of the mansion, his personal guards waited quietly with their warhorses.

Jinju trotted over to deliver the food box, the steaming heat carrying the aroma of dried meat and steamed buns.

"I apologize for the poor hospitality at this wedding," Zhao Zun said solemnly, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "I look forward to the next opportunity to share a drink with Brother Song."

Han Lei stood beside Zhao Zun, the warm sunlight shining on her delicate and sweet face.

She gave a slight curtsy: "Take care, General."

Song Yanqing mounted his horse, his black cloak fluttering in the wind.

He took one last look at the beautiful couple standing before the Prince's mansion, and suddenly recalled what Hua Tianyou had drunkenly said at the tavern that day: "That Zhao Zun fellow has practically plucked the moon from the sky..."

"drive!"

Song Yuanqing rode away with his personal guards, the horses' hooves kicking up a cloud of dust.

Zhao Zun watched the departing figure and gently grasped Han Lei's hand: "He's been here for four days, it should be about time for him to go back."

Han Lei gazed at the flock of geese flying across the sky, a meaningful smile curving her lips: "The important matter is settled, it's time for us to take action."

The two exchanged a smile, then turned and walked into the Prince's mansion.