Love Lock

Chapter 272 Intimate Moments
"Stop eating it!"

Zhao Zun easily dodged the attack.

"Give it back to me." Han Lei reached for the small medicine bottle again, her slender fingertips drawing a graceful arc in the air.

The brocade quilt slipped down, revealing her arms, as white as jade, which shimmered slightly in the morning light filtering through the gauze curtains.

Zhao Zun held the medicine bottle even higher and leaned down to whisper in his wife's ear.

"The imperial army is now like a frightened bird, nothing to worry about. The Turks have sent three thousand fat sheep as a gesture of goodwill, and the trade negotiations are going smoothly."

His warm breath brushed against Han Lei's earlobe. "We can focus on managing Cangzhou these days, and you should take a break. How about..." His voice took on a hint of ambiguity, "...we'll have a son?"

Han Lei bit her lower lip lightly, a thoughtful look flashing in her watery eyes.

Seeing her hesitation, Zhao Zun's slender fingers suddenly reached for her waist. "To have the baby or not? To have the baby or not?"

"Ah!" Han Lei exclaimed in surprise, then laughed and hid under the covers.

Taking the opportunity, Zhao Zun pulled her into his arms, and the two frolicked in the benzoin-scented quilt, the soft pillow embroidered with twin lotus flowers being crumpled up.

"Girl, give me a son." Zhao Zun's lips touched her smooth forehead, his voice carrying an unusual hint of coquetry. "Just one, okay?"

Zhao Zun kept mentioning his son, and Han Lei suddenly thought of the issue of male chauvinism. This was ancient times, and although she already had the idea of ​​having children for Zhao Zun, she didn't want her own child to become a victim of feudal ideology.

Han Lei said seriously, twirling a strand of Zhao Zun's black hair between her fingers: "What if I only give birth to a daughter?"

She looked up into her husband's deep eyes and asked, "Do you think, like those old-fashioned people, that daughters are not as precious as sons?"

"Ah? Hehe!" Zhao Zun chuckled upon hearing this, cupped his wife's small face in his hands, and solemnly said, "As long as it's our flesh and blood, whether it's a son or a daughter, it's a treasure."

He gently stroked her rosy cheek with his thumb, "If she is a daughter, I will surely spoil her and make her the proudest pearl of Cangzhou."

"That's more like it." Han Lei's eyes and brows were filled with laughter as she poked his muscular chest with her fingertip. "If you dare to favor boys over girls, you can forget about being a father for the rest of your life."

Zhao Zun's eyes lit up, and he was about to bend down.

Han Lei, however, pressed against his shoulder and looked reproachfully at the bright sunlight outside the carved window: "In broad daylight, don't you feel ashamed?"

"It's only natural for me and my queen to consummate our marriage," Zhao Zun declared confidently, flipping himself over. "Let's see who dares to do that..."

With Han Lei's tacit approval, Zhao Zun was about to happily consummate their marriage when, as expected, someone was oblivious to the danger—

"Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort." Zitan's voice came from outside the door at that moment, accompanied by a careful knock. "Commander Xiao has urgent military information and wants Your Highness to make a decision immediately."

Zhao Zun's movements came to an abrupt halt.

Startled by the sudden stop, Zhao Zun turned to look at the door, his anger rising, wishing he could give the person who came in a good beating.

Finally, he sighed helplessly and slammed his fist on the bedpost, causing the bed curtain hooks to hit the bedpost with a slight thud.

Han Lei covered her mouth and chuckled, then straightened his disheveled collar: "Hehe! Good things come to those who wait. You should go and attend to your business first!"

To appease the unsatisfied Zhao Zun, Han Lei's eyes shimmered, and she added softly, "Tonight... I'll make it up to you, hehehe..."

"You said it yourself." Zhao Zun gently kissed her lips. "Get up and wash up! Perhaps something important has happened."

Zhao Zun stood in front of the dressing mirror, letting Han Lei tie the last jade belt for him.

"Even in a rush, you have to pay attention to your appearance," Han Lei said softly, her fingertips brushing against the almost invisible wrinkles on his collar.

She simply tied her hair into a ponytail, without even wearing a white jade hairpin. Her plain appearance made her look less like a princess and more like an ordinary family's daughter-in-law.

Zhao Zun held her hand and gently pressed his thumb into her palm: "Thank you for your trouble, girl."

The two walked hand in hand to the front yard, where servants were still clearing the snow.

In the front hall, Xiao Zhengfei was pacing back and forth, the metal armor making a soft rustling sound as it rubbed against each other. He kept rubbing his right hand against the back of his left hand, until a red mark appeared.

In the main seat, the old lady wore a crimson brocade robe, her silver hair was neatly combed, and the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand spun rapidly.

This man came early in the morning to disturb his son and daughter-in-law's sleep, and the old lady glared at him unhappily.

"Zhengfei, what happened?" Zhao Zun's voice came before he arrived.

Upon seeing her son and daughter-in-law, the old lady's face immediately lit up with a smile: "Zun'er, Lei'er, why are you up so early? The kitchen just steamed..."

Before the old lady could finish speaking, Xiao Zhengfei rushed forward. "Your Highness, the Jingzhou communications station has received a message by carrier pigeon from Uncle Liu in the capital!"

Zhao Zun now has a good relationship with the King of Jingzhou, so the furthest communication station has been built into Jingzhou territory. However, they are all in hidden places and are not easily discovered under normal circumstances.

Anyway, Han Lei has enough corrugated steel sheets, so the staff at the communications station can build it themselves, saving time and effort.

Previously, it would take at least three or four days to send a message by carrier pigeon from the capital to Cangzhou.

Nowadays, carrier pigeons from Beijing only need to fly to the communication station in Jingzhou, and the remaining information is relayed segment by segment by the communication station using walkie-talkies. This saves at least half the time.

Hearing that the message was sent by Uncle Liu from the capital, Zhao Zun, not wanting the old lady to worry because she was present, gestured to Xiao Zhengfei to go outside and talk.

“Mother,” Zhao Zun turned and bowed, his voice lower than usual, “I have some military affairs to attend to, breakfast will be served later…”

"What military affairs could be more important than a meal?" The old lady paused in her prayer beads, her voice rising several decibels as she scolded, "When your father was alive, no matter how important the matter was, he would always make sure the whole family could finish breakfast in peace first! It's alright if you don't want to eat, but let Lei'er stay and eat."

"Uh...hehe!" Han Lei looked at the old lady, then at Zhao Zun, and chuckled dryly. "Mother, the mission is important, let's deal with military affairs first! We'll be back for breakfast in a bit."

Han Lei has no appetite for breakfast right now.
Unless there is an important matter, Liu Bo would not usually send messages to Zhao Zun by carrier pigeon.

Moreover, judging from the timeline, this carrier pigeon must have flown to Jingzhou overnight, indicating that the message it was carrying was very important and could not be delayed.

Xiao Zhengfei clenched his fist slightly, extremely anxious.

Han Lei coughed lightly and said softly, "Mother, Zhao Zun is also concerned about the safety of Cangzhou. Why don't I have dinner with you first, and let him go and come back soon?"

The old lady snorted coldly, her eyelids drooping, and her prayer beads began to spin again: "You young people always lack manners. Back when your father was alive..."

“Mother’s reprimand is correct.” Zhao Zun suddenly interrupted, while giving Xiao Zhengfei a wink, “Son will go change his clothes first, and will come to have dinner with Mother in a moment.”

Han Lei understood, released her husband's hand, and turned to support the old lady: "Mother, I smell osmanthus fragrance, there must be some pastries with osmanthus added..."

Taking advantage of the moment when the old lady was distracted by Han Lei, Zhao Zun strode outside. Xiao Zhengfei followed closely behind, closing the carved wooden door behind him.

"What did Uncle Liu say?" Zhao Zun asked in a very low voice. "Your Highness, should we wait for the Princess Consort..." Xiao Zhengfei asked tentatively.

Just as Zhao Zun was about to answer, Han Lei's clear voice suddenly came from behind the door: "Zhao Zun, my mother asked me to ask if you would like almond tea or lotus seed soup?"

Zhao Zun and Xiao Zhengfei couldn't help but chuckle at the same time; they knew Han Lei would find a way to escape.

The door behind them was gently pushed open a crack, revealing half of Han Lei's face in the light and shadow. Zhao Zun exchanged a glance with her and nodded almost imperceptibly.

"I want them all." Han Lei said loudly to herself, slipped out through the crack in the door, and closed it behind her.

Sunlight streamed through the clouds into the snow-covered courtyard, making the snow appear crystal clear.

Zhao Zun stood under the eaves, wearing a snow-white mink coat, his breath condensing into frost in the cold air.

Han Lei smoothed the stray hairs by her temples; her small nose was slightly red from the cold.

"Your Highness, Your Highness," Xiao Zhengfei bowed again, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. "I just received an urgent letter from Uncle Liu in the capital."

Zhao Zun frowned slightly: "What did the letter say?"

"Uncle Liu said that His Majesty suspected something was amiss at Jinxiufang and sent more than ten secret guards to search the Jinxiufang warehouse." Xiao Zhengfei paused, lowering his voice even further, "As a result, at the crucial moment, they were all quietly taken care of by Da Jiu and his men with M16s."

Han Lei raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, "Why would His Majesty suddenly suspect Jinxiufang?"

Xiao Zhengfei shook his head. "It wasn't mentioned in the letter."

What Han Lei and the others didn't know was that it was just a coincidence.

When Emperor Jing went out of the palace for a stroll, he happened to see Wei Chengchao and the workers from Jinxiufang unloading goods. And those goods were none other than the uniquely shaped M16s.

Su Ce's deputy general, Lu Heming, entered the palace to report on the military situation. He described the divine weapon used by Zhao Zun, which perfectly matched the image that Emperor Jing had seen in his mind.

Therefore... Emperor Jing directly suspected Jinxiufang.

“There’s an even more coincidence,” Xiao Zhengfei continued. “When Da Jiu and the others were burying the bodies in the suburbs, they accidentally discovered a secret passage.”

He looked around to make sure the servants clearing the snow were far apart before continuing, "The secret passage leads directly from the outskirts of the capital to a dry well in the palace, and even the new emperor himself doesn't know about it."

Zhao Zun gently ran his long fingers across his forehead, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

Dry well... secret passage... these words quickly combined into various possibilities in his mind.

He was about to say that Heaven was on his side when he heard a soft laugh beside him.

Han Lei covered her mouth and laughed, a sly glint in her almond-shaped eyes.

Seeing that Zhao Zun and Xiao Zhengfei were both looking at her, she explained, "This is really... like someone bringing you a pillow when you're sleepy."

She turned to Zhao Zun, sunlight casting dappled shadows on her delicate profile. "It seems that His Majesty in the palace has not ascended to the throne righteously. You are the true chosen one."

Zhao Zun raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? What do you mean?"

Han Lei gazed into Zhao Zun's deep eyes, "You've always been unwilling to let the people suffer because of that position, and unwilling to see war break out within the Great Jing?"

Zhao Zun nodded, "Yes, if that's the case, I'd rather not have that position. Isn't it good to live a simple and peaceful life like this?"

Han Lei smiled slightly, a barely perceptible hint of relief flashing in her eyes.

It is said that the success of one general is built on the bones of ten thousand!

She herself was born in a peaceful and prosperous era, and naturally did not want Zhao Zun to walk such a bloody path.

If we can subdue the enemy without fighting, that would naturally be the best outcome.

“That’s why I say you are the chosen one.” Han Lei stopped beside a snow-covered plum tree in the courtyard, her fingertips lightly touching the glistening icicles on the branches. “Now, isn’t this secret passage a golden opportunity bestowed by heaven? With this secret passage that even the emperor himself doesn’t know about, we can infiltrate the palace at any time and take down the emperor without harming any innocent people.”

Xiao Zhengfei suddenly realized and couldn't help but clap his hands, saying, "Your Highness is brilliant! With this secret passage, we can go unnoticed..."

“But now…” Zhao Zun paused, “there are many miscellaneous tasks. We still need the new emperor to continue governing Dajing for the time being, until the people have a good harvest next year…”

"Then let him keep jumping around!" Han Lei giggled. "Anyway, this secret passage can be used by us at any time, and there's no rush. Let Da Jiu and the others get some palace guard uniforms in preparation..."

Zhao Zun gazed into Han Lei's bright eyes, his cold and stern face gradually softening.

He reached out and brushed the snow that had fallen from the branches from her hair, and said gently, "What kind of wonderful ideas are you thinking about?"

Seeing this, Xiao Zhengfei wisely took two steps back and pretended to examine the icicles hanging under the eaves.

After a moment, he turned around as if he remembered something and said, "By the way, Your Highness, Liu Boxin also mentioned that people from the Eastern Ming Empire appeared in the capital and stayed at a certain inn."

Zhao Zun's expression hardened, his gaze sharpening like a knife: "How many people? How long have they stayed?"

“About seven or eight, they’ve been loitering here for more than half a month,” Xiao Zhengfei replied. “Judging from their attire, they seem to be a merchant caravan, but Uncle Liu said they’re acting suspiciously.”

Han Lei pondered: "The Eastern Ming Empire... they didn't come as an envoy, but instead disguised themselves as a merchant caravan and infiltrated Da Jing. What is their intention?"

She and Zhao Zun exchanged a glance, both understanding each other implicitly.

Zhao Zun pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "We don't need to alert the people of Dongming for now. Just have Uncle Liu keep a close eye on them."

He looked up at the sky where clouds were rolling and exhaled a puff of white breath.

"Therefore, the new emperor cannot be touched for the time being. The strength of the Eastern Ming Empire should not be underestimated; let the court worry about it for now! We don't need to worry too much. The most urgent task right now is to focus on development. Only when the people of Cangzhou can live a good life next year will we have more energy to deal with other things..."

A gust of wind blew by, and the snow on the plum tree fell in a soft rustling sound.

Han Lei suddenly shivered, and Zhao Zun immediately took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled sweetly, her eyes full of trust and expectation.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhengfei couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

The sunlight shone on the three people and reflected on the white snow, like a carefully drawn ink painting.

"Hahaha... all that sweet talk, did I disturb you two?"

Just then, a hearty laugh broke in at an inopportune moment.

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