Love Lock

Chapter 63 A Warning Gaze

Upon seeing this, Princess Chang Le's lips curled into a barely perceptible cold smile, seemingly quite satisfied with Han Lei's astonished reaction.

Such a reaction only shows that Han Lei, a lowly woman from a small place, has never seen anything like it and has no talent whatsoever.

At this moment, a maid beside her, not understanding the situation, stepped forward and whispered, "Princess, Miss Han is entering the palace for the first time and may not be prepared. Isn't this suggestion a bit abrupt?"

Princess Chang Le wanted to glare at the talkative maid, but Zhao Zun was sitting right next to Han Lei, so she could only maintain her composure and gently wave her hand to signal the maid to leave, while her gaze remained fixed on Han Lei.

"I heard Miss Han is from Qingshui County?"

"Yes! That's right. What advice does the Princess have for you?"

Han Lei nodded generously, but alarm bells were ringing in her mind. This princess was up to no good!

Princess Chang Le continued after Han Lei agreed, "It's remarkable that such a poor and remote place as Qingshui County could produce a woman as beautiful and refined as Miss Han. Miss Han must have something extraordinary about her. Today's palace banquet is a gathering of talents, a perfect opportunity to showcase one's abilities. Since Miss Han is here, why not perform on stage? Is it perhaps that Miss Han has some concerns and doesn't want everyone to witness her talent?"

Han Lei's expression turned slightly cold. What kind of princess is this? As expected, she's so high and mighty, immediately belittling Qingshui County as a poor and remote place.

I don't think I did anything to provoke her, so why is she suddenly coming at me?

Han Lei finally realized where that unfriendly gaze had come from.

However, Han Lei ignored her and turned to Zhao Zun, asking, "Zhao Zun, is it mandatory for every woman to perform a talent at a palace banquet?"

Han Lei's blank, innocent expression made Zhao Zun chuckle.

"No, if you don't want to, you don't have to perform."

"Oh, that's how it is!"

Upon hearing this, Han Lei looked up and grinned at Princess Chang Le, her face conveying the message: Did you hear that? It's a voluntary performance, but I didn't want to, so what can you do about it?

Hearing Han Lei address Zhao Zun by his name, Princess Chang Le felt even more resentful, and her tone carried an unquestionable air of royal authority.

"Miss Han, since this is your first time entering the palace, I, the princess, must remind you. In such a noble place as the capital, you must know the rules. Who gave you the audacity to address the prince by his name?"

Princess Chang Le's tone clearly indicated that she was reprimanding Han Lei.

Before Han Lei could say anything, Zhao Zun became displeased. He grabbed Han Lei's small hand and held it in his palm, then turned his head to look at Princess Chang Le. His face darkened, and he said unhappily, "It was I who gave her the courage, so what?"

"you……"

Princess Chang Le was so angry that she couldn't speak because she didn't expect Zhao Zun, whom she admired, to say such a thing.

She had only said a few words to Han Lei, yet Zhao Zun disregarded her status as a princess and defended Han Lei in this way.

It seems that Han Lei holds a truly extraordinary place in Zhao Zun's heart!

Princess Chang Le was practically consumed by jealousy. In a fit of anger, she wanted to storm off, but she hadn't achieved her goal yet, and she felt resentful.

Just as she was caught in a dilemma, the Empress, who was in a high position in the distance, saw that Princess Chang Le had not made a decision after so long, so she deliberately called out to urge her.

"Chang Le, what are you and Miss Han talking about? Does Miss Han also want to go on stage and perform her talent?"

I want to perform my talent on stage!

Princess Chang Le, being a woman who grew up immersed in palace intrigue and domestic power struggles, immediately understood and smiled in agreement with the Empress.

"Your Majesty, you guessed correctly. Miss Han said that she is new to the palace and wants to join in the fun with the other ladies, and also wants to perform her talents on stage."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zun's handsome face instantly turned cold.

He was sitting right in front of him, and he hadn't heard Han Lei say anything like that.

It seems that Princess Chang Le is deliberately targeting Han Lei. If Han Lei doesn't have any talent, she will be embarrassed in public.

Han Lei had only entered the palace for the first time today, and he couldn't immediately figure out what Han Lei had done to offend Princess Chang Le. But being as clever as he was, he immediately realized that if it wasn't Han Lei, then it must be him?
Han Lei, of course, also noticed Princess Chang Le's hostility. As a woman, she quickly realized where Princess Chang Le's hostility came from. It turned out to be that scoundrel Zhao Zun who had attracted all sorts of unwanted romantic attention!
She turned to look at Zhao Zun, a playful smile playing on her lips, but a warning glint flashed in her pretty eyes.

Receiving that intimidating, lingering gaze, Zhao Zun couldn't help but shudder.

He innocently shrugged, indicating he knew nothing. He'd only just realized that Princess Chang Le might like him, you know?

At that moment, the Empress's voice came from the high position.

"In that case, Miss Han, please don't stand on ceremony and come up on stage to perform! Miss Han is entering the palace for the first time, so you may be a little shy. Let's give Miss Han some applause to welcome her!"

Since the Empress had spoken, the crowd below naturally gave her a round of applause without reservation.

That's it, I had no choice but to go on stage.

Although Han Lei felt displeased, she had to suppress her anger and force a smile due to the occasion and her status.

She stood up, curtsied, and replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. Han Lei is just a country girl with no remarkable talents. It is the Princess who is exceptionally talented; her dance just now amazed everyone present."

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le's face broke into a smug smile.

"Miss Han is too modest. I am but a novice with only a superficial understanding. How could I possibly be worthy of such outstanding talent? Besides, today's palace banquet aims to foster friendship between the royal family and the court officials. If Miss Han could showcase her talents, it would surely make this banquet even more lively and extraordinary. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Seeing this, Zhao Zun's expression grew even colder. Just as he was about to speak up to help Han Lei out of the predicament, Han Lei slowly stood up and looked at Princess Chang Le with a firm gaze.

"Since the princess is so kind to me, I will take the liberty of giving it a try. However, I enjoy painting, so I hope the princess and all the officials will not laugh at me if I use painting as a performance."

She can draw?

A hint of surprise flashed in Princess Chang Le's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled generously, saying, "Of the four arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, painting is also a skill. If Miss Han can make friends through painting, it will surely broaden my horizons. Everyone will be eager to see what happens."

After speaking, Princess Chang Le personally led Han Lei to the center of the stage and ordered someone to bring over a desk with writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone.

Han Lei picked up the calligraphy brush, turned it around and looked at it from all angles, and made sure she didn't know how to use it.

Han Lei pursed her lips and looked at Princess Chang Le.

"Could you please get me a piece of charcoal and a small knife? I don't use a brush when I paint."

Princess Chang Le rolled her eyes reluctantly, but in order to embarrass Han Lei in public, she still tried her best to cooperate.

Since no one except the guards on duty was allowed to carry weapons in the palace, Princess Chang Le could only ask the Empress for permission.

The Empress had a eunuch bring charcoal and a dagger, which she then gave to Han Lei. Han Lei quickly used the dagger to shave the charcoal into a pencil shape.

Seeing that Han Lei was ready, Princess Chang Le gestured for her to proceed, her face showing an expression of anticipation for a good show.

"Miss Han, please!"

"Then... this humble woman will humbly paint a picture for the carefree prince!" Han Lei looked at Zhao Zun, her voice clear and soft like the tinkling of a spring, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Upon hearing Han Lei say she would paint a picture of him, Zhao Zun's previously gloomy face broke into a smile. He immediately sat up straight and straightened his clothes.

Han Lei gently picked up the charcoal pencil, gazed at Zhao Zun who had already set up the pen, and began to write.

Her movements were fluid and natural, as if she were already used to painting under the gaze of others.

The pen tip glides lightly across the paper, outlining delicate lines, and then begins to fill in the shadows.

She captured Zhao Zun's charm, posture, and even the light in his eyes, and presented them on paper.

Everyone held their breath and watched intently. Some couldn't even wait for the painting to be finished and went directly to the desk to watch Han Lei paint.

For a moment, the hall was completely silent, except for the soft scratching of Han Lei's pen on the paper, like heavenly music.

I've danced for you all, please give me some votes!
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(End of this chapter)