She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Over by the wasteland in Qingshui County, the work for the craftsmen was nearing completion. These craftsmen were brought over by Zhao Zun from Qingshui County.

While working in Qingshui County, these craftsmen were required to maintain strict confidentiality. So they knew what to do.

After agreeing, the craftsmen went off to tend to their own tasks. Zhao Zun removed the Love Lock from around his neck, holding it in his palm and gently caressing it.

”Girl, the cement factory has begun construction according to your designs. When will you come back?” Zhao Zun murmured softly as he looked at the Love Lock.

Today was March 15th. A full moon hung high, casting down its cold silver light, enveloping Fufeng County in a serene and long-lasting atmosphere.

On the hillside, King of Cangzhou Zhao Zun tightly held the emerald green Love Lock, his compassionate gaze piercing through the layers of night, seemingly wishing to see Han Lei far away in Jingzhou.

At this moment, the emerald green Love Lock emitted a gentle glow in Zhao Zun’s hand, a warmth welled up in his heart, only to be overshadowed by deep longing.

Zhao Zun sighed softly, his eyes turning to the bright full moon.

Just then, the Love Lock’s glow suddenly became brighter, and Zhao Zun felt a stir in his heart, as if sensing something.

Until now, he had not understood why the Love Lock would emit a faint glow at irregular intervals. Before giving it to that girl, this had never happened. Could it be that the girl was in some sort of danger?

With this thought, an inexplicable panic rose within Zhao Zun.

He decided to return and ask his mother, who knew more about the Love Lock.

After all, he had specifically brought his mother and sister Zhao Ling’er to Fufeng County with him for care, and they were staying at the inn now.

Moreover, to divert Mr Sun’s attention, Zhao Zun had proactively given opinions regarding the construction of the Prince Mansion, temporarily keeping Mr Sun in Qingshui County to oversee the construction.

Upon returning to the inn, Zhao Zun gently pushed open the door, seeing the old lady sitting by the table, holding an ancient book, engrossed in reading under a solar lamp. Zhao Ling’er sat nearby, holding a needle and thread, stitching a handkerchief.

Seeing Zhao Zun return, the old lady looked up and smiled kindly, ”Zun, you’re back. How come you’ve been busy so late?”

Zhao Zun walked beside the old lady, handing her the faintly glowing Love Lock.

”Mother, take a look at this. Why does it glow?”

The old lady took the Love Lock, chuckled softly, and said, ”Silly child, Lei’er must be missing you. Only when you both miss each other will the Love Lock emit a faint glow.”

”Really?”

Hearing that Han Lei was also thinking of him, Zhao Zun felt like his heart was melting, as though all his worries and exhaustion vanished at this moment.

The feeling of being missed and cherished by someone is wonderful!

The old lady looked at Zhao Zun, her eyes full of love and relief.

Her son had been guarding the frontier for many years, and she always worried about his marriage. Now seeing the deep affection between Zhao Zun and Han Lei, feeling each other’s thoughts and care no matter the distance, she felt at ease.

After returning to his room, Zhao Zun lay on his bed, tightly clutching the Love Lock in his hand.

Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, blanketing him in a layer of silver gauze. Zhao Zun closed his eyes, and Han Lei’s sweet and lovely face appeared in his mind, lulling him into sleep...

Just as the old lady said, Han Lei, far away in Taoyuan County, Jingzhou, was also sleepless this night, holding the letter Zhao Zun had given her, gazing at the full moon in the sky and thinking of Zhao Zun.

She had read the letter several times, yet whenever she missed Zhao Zun these days, she would take it out to read again.

In the letter, Zhao Zun expressed his longing for her and mentioned the wedding date on the second day of February, also sincerely apologizing.

But Han Lei thought she was the one who should be apologizing. Caught up in business matters, she had completely forgotten the wedding date, while Zhao Zun still kept it on his mind.

Fortunately, after over a month of hard work and traveling around, the distillery in Taoyuan County was expanded, Youjia Inn and the Escort Bureau were also opened.

The brothers at the distillery could each handle matters independently, and with many newcomers recruited, Tao Qing was free to oversee the business across Jingzhou.

These days, she had indeed been tired. She would rest for a day tomorrow, then set off to meet Zhao Zun in Cangzhou.

Thinking of soon seeing Zhao Zun, Han Lei blushed and smiled. She placed the letter beside her pillow and fell deeply asleep...

On the third day, Han Lei took a carriage on her journey to Cangzhou. Tao Qing had dispatched eleven and fifteen of the Jingzhou Big Character Team for protection.

After several days of travel, on March 25th, they finally arrived at Mianning County in Jingzhou. Just ahead was Qingshui County in Cangzhou, their destination almost within reach.

After days of traveling, Han Lei decided to rest half a day at the post station here, letting her exhausted and sore body relax, and set off again early tomorrow.

At dusk, in a small restaurant in Mianning County, Han Lei and her companions sat around a wooden table, ordering several of the restaurant’s specialty dishes.

Han Lei habitually glanced around, observing the restaurant’s layout, the flow of customers, and the diners’ reactions.

Now, her eyes held an added sharpness and insight of a businessperson compared to when she was a military doctor.

”Miss, are you planning to open a restaurant here too?” Eleven couldn’t help but ask.

Throughout their journey, Eleven noticed that their lady always had a keen interest in business. Everywhere they went, she loved to survey the surroundings, hoping to discover potential business opportunities.

Han Lei smiled gently and nodded.

”Although this place belongs to Jingzhou’s jurisdiction, it is right between Taoyuan County and Qingshui County. Qingshui County’s pork is excellent, and the distance to here isn’t far, whereas Taoyuan County’s Drunken Immortal Brew would also pass through here on its way to Tongfu Building. If a restaurant were opened here, it would indeed be a prime location.”

Upon hearing this, Fifteen knew his lady’s business penchant was acting up again.

He raised his eyebrows and reminded, ”Miss, I think it would be better to meet up with the Prince in Cangzhou first to avoid him worrying.”

”Uh... alright! I was just saying casually. We should focus on the main task first, traveling early tomorrow morning,” Han Lei said, her lips twitching slightly. Indeed, with several business ventures launching smoothly, she had immersed herself in them excessively.

Although she had sent a letter to Zhao Zun, her prolonged absence from Cangzhou wasn’t a good thing. Considering Zhao Zun’s meticulous nature, who knew how worried he might be.

As the three talked, the waiter served the dishes onto the table. Feeling slightly hungry, Han Lei picked up her chopsticks and was about to start eating.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, a broken bowl was thrust over, interrupting Han Lei’s action.