Love Lock

Chapter 24 The imperial edict arrives

Hua Tianyou snatched it away.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Zun was anxious, glaring angrily at Hua Tianyou, and got up to snatch it back.

In her haste, Han Lei blurted out, "Hey! Give it back to me right now! This is the token of love I gave to the prince."

Upon hearing this, Hua Tianyou and Zhao Zun froze as if struck by a spell. Their gazes simultaneously turned towards Han Lei.

Han Lei didn't notice their reactions. This was an Omega watch she had bought at a high price. Stealing her watch was tantamount to stealing her money.

Is this still available?

Han Lei, disregarding her ladylike demeanor and forgetting the proper boundaries between men and women, stormed around the table and snatched the watch.

She glared at Hua Tianyou before going to Zhao Zun, taking his hand and slipping the watch onto his wrist. She then admired his hand, finding the watch a perfect match for his large hands.

This set of movements was executed with remarkable fluidity and ease.

Han Lei didn't think there was anything wrong with her behavior, but she once again stunned the two ancient men in front of her.

"Is it really that powerful?" Hua Tianyou murmured.

He suddenly realized that all the advice he had given Zhao Zun earlier was just nonsense.

"You said it was a token of love for me?"

Zhao Zun let Han Lei hold his hand, suppressing his excitement, and asked uncertainly.

"Hmm! I spent a long time choosing!"

"It's so beautiful!" Zhao Zun was bubbling with delight and couldn't help but show off to Hua Tianyou.

He also felt that Hua Tianyou's so-called experience was all nonsense.

See what I said? She's just different from other young ladies from prominent families.

"Hmph! What's so great about that?" Hua Tianyou was taken aback. He rolled his eyes and walked away.

Zhao Zun had finally received a clear answer. He disregarded Hua Tianyou's nonsensical advice and decided to stick to his own tactics, even going so far as to change the way he addressed Hua Tianyou to a more intimate form of address.

"Girl, what's this for?" Zhao Zun grasped Han Lei's small hand and pulled her to sit down.

Things are so strange. When Han Lei arrived, she was mentally preparing herself at the door, feeling incredibly nervous and shy. But after Hua Tianyou's antics, all those strange and awkward feelings were miraculously driven away. She naturally followed Zhao Zun's lead and sat down next to him.

"Your Highness, this is called a watch."

"From now on, you are not allowed to call me Your Highness. Call me by my name." Zhao Zun continued his relentless attack.

"Hmm?" Han Lei seemed a little slow to react.

"This is more intimate." Zhao Zun was reluctant to let go of his hand, and the light in his eyes gradually became doting.

"Uh... okay!" Han Lei finally understood, but she was unwilling to let go of this happiness. Her pretty face flushed, and she let Zhao Zun hold her hand and continue explaining. "This is called a watch. You can wear it on your wrist to tell the time. It has a compass, so you can also tell directions..."

The charcoal fire crackled in the brazier, and the feelings between Zhao Zun and Han Lei gradually warmed up.

………This is a lazy dividing line………

On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, all matters in Yong'an City were settled. Zhao Zun and his group were preparing to return to Ling'an City when Cao Xiong arrived with a troop of imperial guards and an imperial edict. As soon as the edict was read, Zhao Zun, who was kneeling to receive it, almost got into a fight with Cao Xiong, but fortunately Hua Tianyou was there to stop him in time.

Han Lei was packing her luggage in the tent when Hua Tianyou pushed Zhao Zun in.

"Go inside, what's wrong with you?"

Hua Tianyou frowned and forcefully pushed Zhao Zun into the tent. Zhao Zun was still looking back and cursing.

"Damn it, look at his smug look. They're all a bunch of bastards who will kill you after you've served your purpose."

Han Lei was startled, put down the clothes in her hand, and hurriedly went to meet them.

"What happened?" Han Lei asked as she helped Hua Tianyou lead Zhao Zun inside.

Zhao Zun's eyes were bloodshot, and his chest heaved violently; he was clearly furious. She had never seen Zhao Zun like this before. Even when he was ambushed, Zhao Zun remained calm and composed; she had never seen him this angry! Who on earth had offended him?

"Sit down first."

Hua Tianyou shoved Zhao Zun down onto the stool, pressing his shoulders to prevent him from standing up. Han Lei quickly poured two bowls of water and handed them to them.

After glancing at Han Lei standing in front of him and taking the water she offered, Zhao Zun's anger subsided slightly.

"You look like you're about to get into a fight. What happened?" Han Lei asked in a soft voice.

Zhao Zun was still panting heavily and did not answer.

"The imperial court has sent a new garrison commander to replace Zhao Zun." Since Han Lei was Zhao Zun's chosen princess, Hua Tianyou felt there was no need to hide it from her, and continued, "In other words, Zhao Zun's military power has been confiscated and will be transferred to the newly arrived Cao Xiong."

"Why is this happening?"

Han Lei was stunned. Hadn't Zhao Zun won both of the two Turkic invasions? He had won a great victory but was still stripped of his military power. No wonder Zhao Zun was furious.

"Hey!"

Hua Tianyou, abandoning his usual carefree and unruly demeanor, frowned and sighed, feeling sorry for his best friend. "Because Zhao Zun has guarded the North Pass for many years, his prestige is awe-inspiring. It is widely rumored in the court that Zhao Zun has made great military achievements and is suspected of abusing his power and becoming arrogant."

"It's widely rumored? His Majesty believed it? But Zhao Zun didn't! Isn't this a frame-up? This emperor is far too incompetent!"

Hearing Han Lei's unrestrained and indiscriminate criticism of the emperor, Zhao Zun quickly tugged at her clothes.

Han Lei turned to look at him, took his hand with heartache, as if she wanted to pass on her strength to him and comfort him in this way.

"In fact, the imperial court had long intended to do so."

Zhao Zun's anger gradually subsided. He gently patted Han Lei's hand, indicating that he was alright. "Your Majesty is suspicious. In the four years since you ascended the throne, you have done nothing but gradually replace the old ministers from the late emperor's time with your own confidants. The marshals of the East and South Passes have already been replaced. As for me, I have been busy fighting and preparing for battles every year, so I haven't had a suitable opportunity to replace them. However, the imperial edict to bestow the title of Prince Xiaoyao arrived a few months ago, so it's only a matter of time before I take over."

"Since you expected this day to come, why are you still so angry?"

“I’m angry because His Majesty is too hasty and doesn’t trust me enough. He’s in a hurry to take back military power right after we’ve just repelled the Turks. Isn’t that like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose?” Zhao Zun laughed self-deprecatingly. “The Northern Pass belongs to the court. I was just temporarily stationed there. Whether the military power is taken back or not is irrelevant, but they’ve also accused me of holding military power for myself. How can I tolerate that? It’s tantamount to treason.”

"Exactly!" Hua Tianyou retorted angrily, "Didn't you see Cao Xiong's despicable face just now? It was infuriating! How could they bear to treat a hero with such distinguished war achievements like this?"

Zhao Zun charged into battle on the frontier, risking his life, while the emperor and a bunch of incompetent ministers who only knew how to talk back betrayed him. How could this not be disheartening?

Han Lei is a soldier, so she can naturally empathize with Zhao Zun's experience.

(End of this chapter)