Love Lock

Chapter 280 Only One Macho Man to See

The night is as dark as ink and the cold wind is howling.

Zhao Zun, the Prince of Cangzhou, returned to his palace as the midnight watchman sang, his cloak still covered in dust from the construction site in Qingshui County.

He stood under the eaves, shaking off the frost on his cloak, the dark brocade gleaming softly under the solar-powered lights.

Zhao Zun pushed open the door. At this hour of midnight, the faint creaking of the sandalwood door hinges mingled with Han Lei's happy, soft laughter, creating a somewhat eerie sound.

"Hehehe... Hahaha... That's wonderful!"

Han Lei was seen nestled on a soft beanbag chair, hugging a Xiong Er (Bear Two) plush pillow. Her light purple skirt was scattered like flower petals, and she was laughing so hard she was doubled over.

Since they got married, Han Lei has placed modern furniture such as a Simmons mattress and sofa in their bedroom, making the antique-style house look somewhat out of place.

The sofa seemed out of place with the rosewood furniture in the room, yet her bright smile strangely made it blend into the antique-style space.

"Girl, what funny thing made you laugh like that?" Zhao Zun took off his cloak and hung it on the gilded clothes rack. His cold and stern eyes softened when he saw her.

Han Lei looked up at the sound, her almond-shaped eyes still glistening with tears of laughter.

She jumped off the sofa barefoot, not even bothering to put on her cute fluffy slippers, and flew into his arms like a joyful butterfly.

"The chosen one has returned?" She tiptoed, her jasmine-scented hair brushing against Zhao Zun's chin.

Zhao Zun's cool fingertips gently brushed her nose, pausing slightly when they touched her warm skin: "Why did you bring this up again?"

His voice was hoarse from exhaustion, but it couldn't hide his doting affection.

"I have some incredibly good news today." Han Lei pulled him to sit on the sofa and casually stuffed a hand warmer into his lap. "Tang Xiaotong and the others came from the capital. They said Emperor Jing suddenly sent the Imperial Guards to confiscate all of the Wei family's assets in the capital."

Han Lei lowered her voice, but her eyes shone with an astonishing light. "More than three hundred people were imprisoned overnight, not even infants in swaddling clothes were spared."

Zhao Zun frowned slightly, his knuckles tracing the gilded patterns on the brazier. The candlelight cast shadows of varying depths on his sharply defined face.

"The Wei family was so powerful and deeply rooted, yet they were so easily..." Zhao Zun said thoughtfully, "With the new emperor's ascension, the Sun and Su families became mere shells in an instant, and now the Wei family has been wiped out as well, leaving only the Song family."

Han Lei counted on her fingers, a wisp of hair playfully bobbing across her forehead. "Although the Song family is one of the four great families, their adherence to etiquette sets them apart from the others, making them a prime candidate for us to win over."

She suddenly turned around and straddled Zhao Zun's lap, cupping his face in her hands and saying earnestly, "Look, the stones blocking the way have all rolled away by themselves. What else could you be but the chosen one? You always seem to have divine assistance in your actions, and everything happens so naturally."

“Yes!” Zhao Zun nodded in deep agreement, his voice low: “I used to think that even if we gained the world, the four great families would still have deep roots, and it would take a lot of effort to deal with them. I never expected that they would collapse so easily on their own.”

Outside the window, the north wind whipped up snowflakes that lashed against the glass. Zhao Zun looked into Han Lei's clear eyes, where he saw the shimmering tears and his own reflection.

He suddenly tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him: "If it really is fate..."

Before he could finish speaking, Han Lei leaned in and gave him a light peck on the lips.

“It’s not just ‘if,’ it’s exactly what it is.” Han Lei’s fingertips traced the curve of his brow bone, her voice as soft and sweet as honey. “The chosen ones always get what they want, hehehe…”

After saying that, she laughed and rolled into his arms, causing the cushions on the sofa to fall to the floor.

Zhao Zun shook his head and chuckled as he looked at the mess on the floor. Then he saw her peeking half her head out from the pile of cushions, her disheveled hair making her look like a cat that had just stolen some fish.

He bent down and scooped her up, his fingertips brushing against the corners of her eyes, which were streaked with tears of laughter. Suddenly, he felt that the absurd mix of furnishings in the room was more reassuring than any meticulously crafted layout.

Zhao Zun's slender fingers gently stroked Han Lei's hair, the long, black hair flowing through his palm.

He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead. His lips touched her cool skin, carrying her unique, faint jasmine fragrance.

“Actually…” His voice was low and clear in the quiet room, “I have no desire to be a chosen one, nor do I have any interest in the entirety of the Great Jing.”

"what?"

Han Lei's laughter stopped abruptly. She looked up, the light shining brightly in her clear eyes.

She saw an unyielding weariness hidden beneath Zhao Zun's deep-set eyes, and his sharply defined face was bathed in a soft glow from the lamplight.

Zhao Zun's fingers gently caressed her shoulder, his wide sleeves slipping down to reveal his strong forearms. "I have fought on the battlefield for many years, and I am already exhausted, both physically and mentally."

Han Lei suddenly reached out and lightly touched the wrinkles between his brows with her fingertips, as if trying to smooth out those unseen scars.

Her actions startled Zhao Zun slightly. He then grabbed her wrist and pressed her soft hand against his cheek.

"I ask for nothing more," his voice lowered, almost a whisper, "I only wish to marry that girl, and then properly develop our Cangzhou, making this barren and impoverished land prosperous and thriving. I want the people of Cangzhou to live in peace and contentment. That would be enough for me."

Han Lei's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She recalled the scene she saw when she first arrived in Cangzhou—cracked fields, hunched old people, and emaciated children.

The man before them could have enjoyed a life of luxury in the capital based on his military achievements, yet he chose to remain in this barren land.

"But now I'm here!" Han Lei deliberately raised her voice, trying to dispel the heaviness in the air.

"I was living a good life in my original world. All I wanted was to work hard, earn more money, enough to support myself looking at hunks every day. Like hunks with bulging muscles like you, you know?"

As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed Zhao Zun's wide sleeve and pinched his muscular arm with her fingers.

"But fate inexplicably sent me to your side. I think it must be so that I can help you accomplish something great. It seems that all my dreams of being a tough guy have been dashed in order to help you here. You'd better be on your best and not let my efforts go to waste."

Han Lei pouted as she spoke, as if she had suffered a great loss.

Zhao Zun chuckled, his eyebrows raised high, and his eyes suddenly darkened.

He had never seen a woman express her desire to see a man so boldly. And her target was clear—it had to be a muscular hunk.

Zhao Zun's laughter was initially low, then became hearty, echoing throughout the bedchamber. He hadn't laughed so freely in a long time.

"I had no idea that the Queen Consort had such a... peculiar hobby." He deliberately dragged out his words, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Han Lei was about to retort when she saw Zhao Zun suddenly release her, stand up, and begin to undo his belt.

She stared wide-eyed as the brocade ribbon embroidered with dark patterns fell to the ground, followed by the outer robe, the inner garment... one piece of clothing after another fluttered to the ground like flower petals.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

She stammered, unconsciously climbing up from the beanbag chair and taking a few steps back until her back pressed against the cold screen. Zhao Zun's lips curled into an evil smile, the light illuminating the crisscrossing scars on his muscular chest, each one telling a story of life and death on the battlefield.

His abdominal muscles were clearly defined, rising and falling slightly with his breathing, resembling a meticulously carved piece of jade under the light.

"Didn't you just say you wanted to see a hunky guy?" He darted forward and scooped her up in his arms before Han Lei could scream. "I'll show you whether I qualify as a hunky guy or not."

Han Lei screamed, feeling dizzy, and when she came to her senses, she was already in Zhao Zun's arms.

faint!
Doesn't this mean she shot herself in the foot?

The heat emanating from Zhao Zun's body seeped through her clothes, mixed with a faint scent of sandalwood, making her cheeks flush.

"Put me down!" she pounded on his chest, but her hands only touched muscles as hard as iron. "You've had a long day, you deserve a good rest. I'll go get you some hot water to wash up..."

Her voice grew softer and softer as Zhao Zun reached the bedside and bit the silver hook hanging from the bed curtains with his teeth.

With each movement, his incredibly arousing muscles slid smoothly beneath his skin.

The gauze curtain slowly fell, enveloping the two in a hazy mist.

Han Lei was gently placed on the brocade quilt, with Zhao Zun's arms supporting her on either side, his black hair falling down and brushing against her cheeks, bringing a slight tickle.

"Now you know how to be shy?" He chuckled, his breath hot against her ear. "Where did your earlier 'muscular' aura go?"

Han Lei turned her face away, but he grabbed her chin and turned her back. His thumb traced her lips, his eyes as dark as night.

“Girl,” his voice was hoarse, “you can only ever see one real man in this world, and that’s your husband.”

Before he could finish speaking, he lowered his head and sealed her lips with his, swallowing her gasp.

The temperature inside the tent rose sharply, creating an atmosphere of erotic intimacy. Their breaths mingled, indistinguishable from one another…

I was up most of the night last night, and the next day, the sun was high in the sky, and the golden sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, filling the room with a beautiful, almost excessive, sunshine.

The cheerful chirping of birds outside the window woke Han Lei. She whimpered and opened her eyes like a lazy cat in spring. As she moved slightly, the soreness left by last night's pleasure returned faintly.

Zhao Zun had already finished washing up and was standing in front of the bright full-length mirror, fastening his dark cloak. He stood upright, looking as if he was about to leave on official business.

Han Lei propped her head up with her hand, her voice still soft and sweet from the early morning: "You went out so early?"

Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Zun took a few steps to the bedside, half-squatted down, and gently stroked her head with his well-defined knuckles as if petting a kitten, his eyes full of doting affection.

"I'm staying home today because I want to sort out some plans for next spring."

Han Lei frowned slightly, full of confusion, "If you're not going out, why are you dressed so neatly?"

Looking at her sleepy yet charming appearance, Zhao Zun couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Even though we're not going out, we still have to have breakfast with Mother! Besides, Tang Xiaotong and Yang Haibo are here, so we should meet up today to arrange the work ahead."

Han Lei thought about it and realized it made sense. She reluctantly got out of the warm bed, her reluctance to get up written all over her slightly pouting lips.

Zhao Zun handed her the clothes at the right moment, his gaze sweeping over the scattered hickeys on her fair chest. He pursed his lips, but his eyes were full of undisguised smugness.

Han Lei noticed his strange gaze, looked down, and her ear tips instantly turned a light red. She quickly covered them with her clothes.

Han Lei glared at her playfully: "It's all your fault, you weren't careful last night..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Zun gently grasped his fingertips. His warm breath brushed against his ear as he teased in a low voice, "With a girl this delicate, how can a strong man resist? In the future... it will probably be even harder."

As he spoke, Zhao Zun deliberately rubbed his fingertips against her palm, making Han Lei both shy and annoyed. She lightly slapped him, and the couple's intimate banter filled the room with a warm and romantic atmosphere.

When the two arrived at the front hall, Tang Xiaotong and Yang Haibo's family had already come to pay their respects to the old lady.

The old woman slowly twirled the prayer beads in her hand, chatting with them casually while waiting for her son and daughter-in-law.

These days, she had long since gotten used to the young couple's routine. But so what if they woke up a little later? She was happy to see it. The prayer beads in her hand twirled with anticipation for the arrival of a new member to the royal family.

The hall was warm and inviting.

Upon seeing Zhao Zun and Han Lei enter, Tang Xiaotong and the others quickly stood up and bowed.

"I have met the prince and the princess."

"We're at home, no need for formalities," Zhao Zun waved his hand dismissively. "Have you all had breakfast? Let's eat together."

Everyone said they had already used it, and Zhao Zun didn't stand on ceremony. He took Han Lei's hand and walked directly to the table. When they sat down, he carefully supported Han Lei's waist.

Zhao Zun gestured for Tang Xiaotong and the others to sit back down, and while having breakfast, he asked them about the situation in the capital.

Several delicate side dishes were laid out on the mahogany round table, while steaming porridge and steamed buns rose gently from the table.

When Zhao Zun reached for the pickled cucumbers in the distance with his chopsticks, his large cloak dragged on and became quite an obstacle.

Seeing this, the old lady said kindly, "The underfloor heating in this room is very strong and it's very warm. Zun'er, why don't you take off your cloak before you eat, and put it back on when you go out, so you don't catch a cold."

“Mother, there’s no need to worry. It’s fine for me to eat like this.” Zhao Zun smiled and shook his head, continuing to serve the old lady food without stopping.

Han Lei smiled slightly and said, "It's very hot in here. You're all wrapped up so tightly. If you go out in the wind later, you might catch a cold."

As she spoke, she reached out and touched Zhao Zun's forehead, "Look, you're all sweating."

Zhao Zun remained unmoved, instead pulling his cloak even tighter: "Girl, you're overthinking it. I'm perfectly fine."

"You're such a stubborn mule!" Han Lei laughed and scolded, giving him a playful glare before ignoring him.

The old lady couldn't stand it anymore and personally reached out to untie her son's cloak: "How old are you? Still so willful."

Although the old lady's movements were slow, they were resolute. Before Zhao Zun could react, half of his cloak was undone.

The moment the cloak slipped off, the room fell silent.

Thank you so much, Bronze Man Formation, for the bag! Thank you, Star Lotus, for the donation! My love for you both is bigger than my face!