She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

The jade pendant traced a perfect parabola in the air, and Zhao Zun quickly reacted and grabbed it. In that instant, his heart sank sharply, as though there was a hole in it.

Fortunately, the Love Lock landed steadily in his palm.

Zhao Zun let out a huge sigh of relief.

Of course he knew this thing wasn’t a token of affection; it was merely a ruse he concocted to trick Han Lei into wearing it around her neck.

But he couldn’t reveal that!

As long as they weren’t married, not a single day passed where he dared to tell Han Lei what it really was.

Han Lei was different from any woman he had ever known. Han Lei came from another world, and although she was charming and gentle, her thoughts were too independent, not the kind of woman who could live merely by her husband’s will. He feared their month-long relationship was too fragile and feared even more that Han Lei might leave him at any moment. So, he had to use the Love Lock to strengthen their relationship.

”Girl, what happened?” Zhao Zun asked.

”Hmph! You still dare mention it!” Han Lei glared at him, ”The guard stopped us when we came back earlier. I showed him your token, but it was completely useless.”

”Oh! I thought it was something serious!” Finding out the reason, Zhao Zun was at ease. ”Come, wear it.”

Zhao Zun walked over and tried to put the Love Lock back on Han Lei’s neck, but Han Lei turned her head to dodge directly.

”I won’t wear it!” Han Lei pouted, her face full of grievances.

”Girl, are you muddled? We are at Mr. Luo’s home, how can my token be useful here?” Zhao Zun had no choice but to continue with sweet talk. ”My token of course can only be used at my Prince Mansion, when we go back you can use it at will.”

”Really?” Han Lei was dubious.

”Of course it’s truer than pure gold; how could I lie to you?”

While speaking, Zhao Zun quickly slipped the Love Lock back around Han Lei’s neck. In his mind, he decided he must find an opportunity to beat that clueless guard.

Luo Hai knew of the Love Lock and had seen it before. The former Duke of State, who was Zhao Zun’s father, had told him about the origin and purpose of the Love Lock. Seeing Zhao Zun insist on Han Lei wearing the Love Lock made Luo Hai realize how much Zhao Zun cared for Han Lei.

It was awkward to continue watching Zhao Zun coax his wife here. Luo Hai, along with Ms Luo and Luo Yuanyuan, stood up to leave.

”Since Miss Han is back, we can be relieved now. Madam, Yuanyuan, let’s head home!”

Seeing Luo Hai’s family about to leave, Han Lei suddenly remembered the project matter, and quickly stood up to retain them.

”Mr. Luo, please wait.”

”Hmm?” Luo Hai turned his head to look at Han Lei.

”Mr. Luo, I have something to discuss with you.”

”Alright! Go ahead.”

Luo Hai nodded and sat back down, allowing only his wife and Luo Yuanyuan to leave first.

Han Lei wiped her mouth, ”Mr. Luo, I heard that in Qingshui County, the wasteland belongs to whoever cultivates it?”

Upon hearing Han Lei mention the land issue, a tinge of sorrow appeared on Luo Hai’s face. ”Alas! That’s right! Canzhou is vast and sparsely populated, and the land is infertile. Every county magistrate has rallied the people to clear the land and cultivate it. I’ve spent much effort, but no food grows from the land, and the populace sees no return, unwilling to waste time and take risks. The aristocratic families monopolize the good land, and those wastelands don’t catch their eyes at all.”

”Yes, I’ve heard about this,” Han Lei nodded. ”So, Mr. Luo, I want to cultivate those lands. Do we need to process some paperwork?”

”You want to cultivate wasteland?”

”You want to cultivate wasteland?”

Both Zhao Zun and Luo Hai exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.

”Yes! I’ve already recruited a large number of farmers, and when they are in place, the cultivation can start,” Han Lei said lightly, completely unconcerned about the expressions on the two faces in front of her.

”Large number of farmers, since when?” Luo Hai’s face cleared of its sorrow, replaced by full delight.

”Just this morning! I’m providing seeds and silver, recruiting those farmers to clear and cultivate the land. This way, not only do they bear no risks, but they also have a stable income.”

Han Lei didn’t think this was a big deal but didn’t realize how profound the impact she had on Luo Hai.

”And you’re providing both seeds and silver? Is there such a good deal?”

Luo Hai was so surprised he didn’t know what to say. He looked at Han Lei then turned his head to glance at Zhao Zun, showing Zhao Zun a thumbs-up, mouthing.

”Isn’t your Princess Consort absolutely amazing?”

To him, this was undoubtedly the equivalent of attracting investment for Qingshui County! He had been an official in Qingshui County for many years and dreamed of attracting major households to develop Qingshui County, lighting a fire under his career achievements. But it had merely been a dream.

Canzhou was remote, far from the imperial city. The Qingshui County under his jurisdiction was nothing more than a small outpost. Any small branch of aristocracy here was considered a major household, but those major households were all stingy, and hoping they’d spend lavishly to support Qingshui County’s development was simply impossible.

In such a backwater, making some political achievements was exceedingly difficult!

While Luo Hai secretly rejoiced at gaining a major benefactor, Zhao Zun was completely bewildered. ”Girl, why didn’t I know about this? How did you suddenly want to...”

”Weren’t you sleeping all morning?” Han Lei gave him a sidelong glance.

”Uh...” Indeed, ”But we were supposed to go back tomorrow! We have to return to the capital to hand over the Commander’s Seal to the Emperor, and we need to go back to get married!”

According to Da Jing’s military regulation, Zhao Zun had simply transferred the marshal’s position to Cao Xiong. The Commander’s Seal needed to be personally handed back to the Emperor upon their return to the capital, who would then dispatch a trusted envoy on horseback to deliver it to the border to Cao Xiong.

Which meant that until the Commander’s Seal reached Cao Xiong, he could manage and train troops but lacked authority to mobilize them.

Hearing Zhao Zun speak, Luo Hai suddenly became anxious, fearing that Zhao Zun wouldn’t agree. If he took Han Lei with him tomorrow, he’d merely have another fruitless dream.

”I know,” Han Lei understood that Zhao Zun’s audience with the Emperor was of utmost importance, so leaving him behind was impossible. Thus, she immediately put on a sweet smile, clinging to Zhao Zun’s arm, coquettishly shaking him: ”Prince! Just stay a few days longer! Five days, five days, is it okay? When we go back you can just tell the Emperor that the heavy snowfall blocked the roads and caused the delay! Is it okay?”

Oh dear!

Here it comes! Yet again it’s that sugary, dripping feeling.

Too enticing!

Zhao Zun rubbed his forehead, instantly surrendering.

”Alright! As you say, just five days.” Saying this, Zhao Zun’s expression suddenly darkened as he asked unhappily: ”What did you just call me?”

”Uh...” Han Lei suddenly realized, chuckled awkwardly: ”I called wrong, it’s Zhao Zun, Zhao Zun.”

Facing the flirtatious banter between the two, Luo Hai was very embarrassed, his gaze wandered, unsure of where to look.

Luo Hai wanted to escape, but the investment issue hadn’t been finalized! He had no choice but to muster courage, disregarding his elder’s dignity, and earnestness reminded Han Lei.

”Miss Han, what about that matter you mentioned...”