Love Lock

Chapter 93 Can't wait until tomorrow

The night was as dark as ink, and the streets of Qingshui County were dimly lit. Occasionally, the sound of a night watchman's drum would ring out in the distance, breaking the silence of the night.

Zhao Zun leaned back in his chair, his face stern, his eyes revealing a resolute determination. After drinking the sobering tea that Zi Tan had brought him, his slight intoxication had dissipated considerably.

"Girl, I'll know about you soon," Zhao Zun muttered to himself, his knuckles white from gripping the teacup so tightly.

The appearance of Princess Chang Le in Qing Shui County was too coincidental. He had already made up his mind and decided to remain calm and first sound out Princess Chang Le's opinion.

As night deepened, a quiet inn in Qingshui County was filled with the faint glow of a few lanterns swaying in the wind.

Princess Chang Le was sitting in her guest room, holding a book of poems, but she had no interest in reading it.

Her heart was filled with longing for Zhao Zun. Ever since she first saw Zhao Zun as a child, she had fallen deeply in love with this handsome and domineering prince.

In the morning, Zhao Zun treated her coldly and even drew his sword at her, leading her to believe that Zhao Zun disliked her.

Unexpectedly, during dinner, Zhao Zun's bodyguard surnamed Xiao came to the inn and said that Zhao Zun would be hosting a banquet for her the next day.

Good heavens! Only a genius knows how happy she was when she heard the news.

Boom!Boom!Boom!
A knock on the door suddenly interrupted Princess Chang Le's thoughts. She put down her poetry collection, got up, walked to the door, and softly asked, "Who is it?"

"Your Highness, it's Guard Xiao from the side of the King of Cangzhou." The voice of the gatekeeper came from outside the door.

Princess Chang Le opened the door and, sure enough, saw the guard surnamed Xiao standing behind the maid.

"Commander Xiao, is there something you need so late?"

Princess Chang Le was somewhat surprised. This guard had only left less than half an hour ago, so why had he returned? But because Xiao Zhengfei was Zhao Zun's closest guard, her attitude was exceptionally good.

"Your Highness, I have come on the orders of the Prince to invite you to the banquet." Xiao Zhengfei clasped his hands in a salute.

"Now?"

Princess Chang Le looked on in astonishment. She turned to look out the window, where it was already pitch black.

Xiao Zhengfei nodded slightly, his expression respectful: "Yes, Princess, the Prince said he can't wait until tomorrow and wants to host a banquet for you now."

Can't wait until tomorrow?
Princess Chang Le was thrilled upon hearing this, thinking that Zhao Zun had finally noticed her and was eager to see her.

"Guard Xiao, does His Highness really want to see me now?" Princess Chang Le's eyes immediately lit up with joy.

Xiao Zhengfei nodded very firmly, "Yes, the prince is currently waiting for the princess inside the house."

"Alright! Then... wait a moment." Seeing this, Princess Chang Le was overjoyed.

Without thinking of anything else, she hurriedly returned to her room and carefully dressed herself. She changed into her favorite gorgeous clothes, put on her most precious jewelry, and carefully looked in the mirror to make sure she looked radiant before she was satisfied and, with her maids and guards, got into the carriage and followed Xiao Zhengfei to the magistrate's mansion.

Throughout the journey, Princess Chang Le was in an extremely pleasant mood, imagining the wonderful scene of drinking fine wine and enjoying the moonlight with Zhao Zun.

Soon, Princess Chang Le arrived at the magistrate's residence. By then, Luo Hai and his family had already rested.

Princess Chang Le was led by Xiao Zhengfei to Zhao Zun's room, where she saw the man she had long admired leaning lazily against a chair, dressed in a brocade robe and wearing a jade crown, exuding a languid yet handsome air.

Princess Chang Le felt a flutter in her heart. She stepped forward gracefully and gave a very elegant bow: "Chang Le greets Your Highness." Zhao Zun raised his hand slightly, indicating that she could dispense with the formalities: "Princess, please sit down."

Princess Chang Le sat down as instructed, her gaze never leaving Zhao Zun. Zhao Zun, in turn, observed her discreetly, trying to glean some clues from her expression.

"Does the princess know why I am in such a hurry to host a banquet for her at this time?" Zhao Zun spoke slowly, his voice deep and magnetic.

Princess Chang Le blushed and said coquettishly, "How could I possibly know?"

This coquettish rebuke sent chills down Zhao Zun's spine.

it's wired!
The same tone, the same expression—when Han Lei spoke such coquettishness, he would find it very appealing, but when Princess Chang Le spoke it, he only felt a chill run down his spine.

Zhao Zun shivered, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Does the princess still remember Han Lei?"

Princess Chang Le was startled upon hearing this, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes as she looked at Zhao Zun.

She thought she had done this perfectly, but she didn't expect Zhao Zun to find out so quickly.

Princess Chang Le forced herself to remain calm and tried to make her voice sound more composed: "Of course I remember Miss Han. She...she is the prince's beloved. Why did the prince suddenly ask about Miss Han?"

The fleeting panic in Princess Chang Le's eyes did not escape Zhao Zun's notice. He nodded lazily, his gaze sharp.

“That’s right, Han Lei is my beloved. However, she has now disappeared. I have sent people to search for her everywhere, but we have not been able to find any trace of her.”

After all that, it turned out that when Zhao Zun said he couldn't wait until tomorrow, he meant he couldn't wait to find out where that bitch was. She had thought Zhao Zun had feelings for her, which made her happy for nothing.

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le felt not only panic but also anger, but she still tried her best to hide it. She feigned surprise and said, "Miss Han has disappeared? This...when did this happen?"

"When did this happen? Don't you know, Princess?" Zhao Zun's tone was indifferent, but it sounded like a thunderclap to Princess Chang Le.

Her panic was no longer concealed.

"How...how would I know?"

Zhao Zun sat up straight and looked at her coldly, his tone carrying a hint of threat: "Princess, you'd better think carefully before you answer. I don't want to hear any lies."

Princess Chang Le was stunned by Zhao Zun's sudden change in demeanor. She involuntarily lowered her head, secretly considering how to respond.

Just then, Zhao Zun suddenly changed the subject: "However, I believe that the princess is a smart person and should know what is in her best interest."

What is in my best interest?

What do you mean?
Princess Chang Le was conflicted. She bit her lip, trying to steer the conversation towards herself.

She raised her head, her eyes pleading: "Your Highness, Chang Le truly does not know Miss Han's whereabouts. However, Chang Le is willing to do her best to help Your Highness find Miss Han. Chang Le has come today only to ask... Your Highness to look at Chang Le just once more."

Princess Chang Le wanted Zhao Zun to look at her more, but Zhao Zun simply lowered his eyes and looked at the teacup in his hand. He could certainly see Princess Chang Le's feelings for him, but apart from Han Lei, he had no mood to look at any other woman. He even felt disgusted by Princess Chang Le's ruthless methods for pursuing love.

“I appreciate the princess’s kindness,” Zhao Zun said calmly. “However, I have my own arrangements for finding Han Lei. The princess only needs to remember not to do anything she will regret.”

Happy Lunar New Year's Eve, fellow book lovers! Please leave some comments in the book club circle, longer than ten characters; those will be featured. Thank you!

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