Love Lock

Chapter 70 Chang Le Finds Trouble
Emperor Jing's lips twitched violently. He was about to scold Li Zhongxin for being immoral when he heard a loud shout coming from the garden—

Come on! It's Chinese New Year! Everyone, let's drink and dance!

Emperor Jing turned around, his eyes widening instantly.

In the distance, Xiao Zhengfei stood on a chair, raised his wine glass, and shouted. Zhao Zun and Han Lei then held hands and started dancing to the beat of the drums.

The dance was strange, with head shaking and swaying, looking like dancing, but more like a sorcerer performing a ritual.

Immediately afterwards, the guards also stood up one after another, swaying as they joined their ranks. Some held a skewer in their hands, while others held a glass of wine.

Gradually, they formed a long snake, with the people behind putting their hands on the shoulders of those in front, dancing energetically around the barbecue grill amidst the aroma of the skewers.

Finally, they even brought the old lady and Zhao Ling'er into the dance.

In that instant, Emperor Jing seemed to finally understand.

It turns out that what Zhao Zun and Han Lei meant by "playing music" was disregarding worldly conventions, social class, and being oblivious to others, as long as they were happy.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Emperor Jing nodded with a smile.

Today's trip was truly worthwhile.

It seems that his imperial decree decision was correct.

As he had expected, Zhao Zun was talented, but also a pleasure-seeker.

He not only coveted Han Lei's beauty, but also shared her depraved nature, even mingling with those lowly servants. He couldn't understand it last night, but today he's indulging in pleasure.

Such a person has neither the inclination nor the time to indulge in ambition, and is not a cause for concern. As for his dedication to leading troops in battle and his strategic planning, it is probably nothing more than a sense of duty to the court for his salary.

Thinking of this, Emperor Jing felt there was no need to continue his New Year's greetings and probe, so he turned and strode out.

"Hey, Your Majesty. Aren't we going in?" Li Zhongxin looked bewildered and quickly jogged to catch up.

"No need. Hand the things to the gatekeeper and return to the palace." Emperor Jing smiled, feeling much lighter with each step.

……

After the barbecue, the doorman handed the gift to Zhao Zun. Looking at the expensively wrapped gift, Zhao Zun immediately asked what the person looked like.

They heard that two people had come and gone to the back garden, one of whom was fair-skinned and beardless. Zhao Zun and Han Lei immediately understood who the visitors were, and they couldn't help but exchange a smile...

Because the imperial decree was urgent, Zhao Zun began arranging his trip to Cangzhou the very next day. Han Lei, accompanied by the old lady and Zhao Ling'er, went out shopping, also wanting to settle her own affairs.

Because it was the second day of the Lunar New Year, the streets were bustling with activity. Han Lei and her mother, the elderly woman, strolled around the streets and took a liking to two shops that were for sale.

One is more prominent and suitable for opening a restaurant. The other is located in a slightly out-of-the-way area and is more suitable for opening a guesthouse.

With so many people and eyes on the street, Han Lei didn't want to show up herself. Without saying a word, she sent her maid, Zitan, back to find the steward, Uncle Liu, and told him to contact the master later and buy both shops directly.

The day before yesterday, Han Lei mentioned to Zhang Hanlin at Tengyunlou that she wanted to open a restaurant in Beijing that was unique in every aspect.

Zhang Hanlin was very interested at the time and wanted to invest. Since they were going to Cangzhou anyway, Han Lei planned to hand over the management of the restaurant in the capital to Zhang Hanlin.

Zhang Hanlin was uneducated and incompetent, but he had a talent for unusual skills and business acumen.

Although Grand Secretary Zhang had retired to his hometown, Zhang Hanlin's father and uncle were still officials in the court. It was perfect that Zhang Hanlin was nominally in charge of the restaurant. Zhang Hanlin himself said that his grandfather always scolded him for being useless, but once the restaurant was up and running, he would definitely make a name for himself and show his grandfather.

Restaurants are the open business, while inns are the clandestine one. In the future, they will also serve as a link between Cangzhou and the capital.

After strolling around for a while, they arrived at the entrance of Liufutang, the largest jewelry store in the capital. Seeing Liufutang's magnificent golden signboard gleaming in the sunlight, the old lady stopped in her tracks.

The old lady's smile was kind and gentle, and her eyes sparkled with affection for Han Lei.

"Leier, you are about to become the daughter-in-law of the Zhao family. I don't have much to give you, so I'll just pick out a set of jewelry as a wedding gift for you! It's not included in the betrothal gifts!"

Han Lei bowed slightly and softly declined, "Auntie, I appreciate your kindness, but this jewelry is too precious for me."

As a lieutenant medic in a modern special forces unit, she spends her days either in the hospital or on the training field. Her life is very simple; she rarely even wears makeup, so she has no need for such things.

Besides, she couldn't understand the feeling of ancient women with their heads full of hairpins and ornaments, and she didn't want to walk outside every day with heavy gold and silver jewelry on her head.

The old lady gently patted Han Lei's hand and smiled, "Silly child, you are the daughter-in-law of our Zhao family, so naturally you should use the best. If you want to buy something again after you go to Cangzhou, you won't be able to buy such fine things as in the capital. Come on, let's go inside and take a look."

“Yes, sister-in-law, this is a token of my mother’s love as a mother-in-law. Please accept it!” Zhao Ling’er chimed in from the side.

"Uh... okay! Thank you, Auntie."

The old lady's hospitality was too much to refuse; it was a token of her goodwill, after all. Han Lei couldn't very well decline any longer and could only accept it with a smile. Incidentally, she also wanted to see the craftsmanship and quality of jewelry from this era.

The three entered Liufutang, and the shopkeeper, seeing that it was the old lady herself, hurriedly came forward to greet her with a warm smile.

The store is filled with a dazzling array of jewelry, which gleams alluringly in the sunlight.

Han Lei's gaze was drawn to a set of exquisite jewelry. It was a set of jewelry with rubies as the main stones and pearls as the accent stones. Each gemstone was crystal clear and contained endless brilliance.

Just as Han Lei was about to reach for it, another hand was faster and snatched the set of jewelry first.

Han Lei looked up and saw Princess Chang Le looking at her arrogantly.

"Oh, isn't this Miss Han? What, you've also taken a fancy to this set of jewelry?" Princess Chang Le's words carried a hint of sarcasm.

Han Lei frowned slightly. Not wanting to clash with this willful and capricious princess, she said calmly, "If the princess likes it, then it is naturally hers."

Princess Chang Le, however, was unwilling to give up easily. She looked at Han Lei provocatively and sneered, "Of course I like it, but I've never failed to get what I set my sights on. If you know what's good for you, you'll obediently give it to me."

Princess Chang Le said this aloud, but in her heart she thought: "What do I care? I have countless pieces like this in my household. Since you dare to compete with me for Zhao Zun, then I'll make things difficult for you and see what you can use to take it from me."

Seeing Princess Chang Le's overbearing attitude, the old lady frowned slightly and was about to speak when Han Lei gently tugged at her sleeve. Han Lei gently shook her head at the old lady, signaling her not to interfere.

Han Lei looked at Princess Chang Le, a faint smile playing on her lips, and said meaningfully, "Princess, you are mistaken. Everything in this world has its destiny; how can it be decided by the Princess alone?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le's face darkened, and she angrily said, "You country bumpkin are so rude! I'm going to take this set of jewelry today, so if you know what's good for you, get out of here!"

Han Lei ignored her and turned directly to the shopkeeper, saying, "Shopkeeper, how much is this set of jewelry? I'll buy it."

Come on! Come on! Tease me!

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(End of this chapter)