She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Emperor Jing exchanged a glance with Mr. Wei, and both couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Cao Ge wanted to lash out, but the one teasing him was merely a bird, and now it belonged to His Majesty. Helpless, he could only glare at the myna and awkwardly step aside.

Emperor Jing’s slight worry was completely dissipated by this ridiculous myna.

He then signaled with his eyes to the chief eunuch Li Zhongxin beside him and said with a smile, ”Mr. Zhao, this bird of yours is indeed amusing. I quite like it, so I will keep it.”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!” Zhao Zun nodded respectfully.

To eliminate any resentment Zhao Zun might feel, Emperor Jing decided to reward him as a gesture of good faith, giving both a slap and a sweet date.

”Mr. Zhao, you’ve once again achieved great success in repelling the Turkic forces. Besides granting you the title of a king of a different surname and rewarding you with gold, silver, and jewels, I wish to give you another reward. But... what should I bestow?”

Emperor Jing found it truly troublesome because, for Zhao Zun, apart from gold, silver, and a bestowed title, there was nothing left to reward.

A minister suddenly stepped forward, ”Your Majesty, Prince Xiaoyao has long been busy defending the borders and has devoted himself to the court, yet he is still unmarried!”

”Oh, is that so?” Emperor Jing was overjoyed upon hearing this.

When retrieving something as significant as the Commander’s Seal, granting a marriage would be both respectable and inconsequential. Why not do it?

Hence, Emperor Jing followed the minister’s suggestion.

”Prince Xiaoyao has missed his marriage due to serving the country, and since the old Duke of State has sacrificed his life, it behooves me to make the decision for my loyal subject. There are many noble women in the Capital City. Do you have a lady you admire? I will decree a marriage for you. By then, I will have all the civil and military officials present a large gift.”

The emperor had spoken, and the civil and military officials exchanged glances, speculating which family would receive the marriage decree.

Everyone mingling in the court was clever, aware that the emperor was suspicious, and Zhao Zun was a significant concern for him. The title of a king of a different surname and a granted marriage were merely appeasements after retrieving military power.

If anyone had the misfortune to have such a well-titled yet powerless son-in-law, they would not only fail to gain prestige but might also become a thorn in the emperor’s side, ruining their future.

Zhao Zun sneered internally and, with a quick glance, discreetly noted everyone’s reactions. For him, the emperor granting a marriage was a tremendously good thing, akin to someone offering a pillow right when he wanted to sleep.

Zhao Zun knelt once again, ”Since Your Majesty mentioned my marriage, I will shamelessly ask for a favor.”

”Oh?” Emperor Jing spoke with great interest, ”Do tell without hesitation, my dear subject.”

”While at Beiguan, I and Miss Han Lei, niece of the County Magistrate of Qingshui County, fell in love. If Your Majesty wishes to reward, I dare to ask for a decree of marriage between me and Miss Han.” Zhao Zun prostrated himself and bowed.

Zhao Zun thought since Han Lei was from another world, if he could obtain the emperor’s marriage decree, even if he was no longer around in the future, with the emperor’s edict to protect her, no one in the Da Jing Dynasty except the royal family would dare to bully Han Lei.

”This... the niece of the County Magistrate of Qingshui County?”

Emperor Jing’s heart sank suddenly as he quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Given that they were from Qingshui County near Beiguan, the fact that Zhao Zun and his father had been operating in Beiguan for years raised concerns about whether the County Magistrate might have been entwined with Zhao Zun in any factional alliance.

Emperor Jing looked towards Mr. Wei, who also wore a serious expression.

Without being able to fully grasp the implications, Emperor Jing resorted to delaying tactics: ”You are a noble Prince Xiaoyao and an outstanding talent; I wonder if that Miss Han... is worthy of you?”

”Your Majesty, in terms of status, Miss Han is but a country girl, naturally unworthy. But Miss Han is as beautiful as a fairy and kind-hearted, sharing the same passion for music as I do, which endears her to me greatly.”

”As beautiful as a fairy?”

Emperor Jing pondered these words repeatedly. Could it be that Zhao Zun was simply attracted to the lady’s appearance without any ulterior motives?

Zhao Zun slightly raised his head to glance at Emperor Jing, then quickly lowered his gaze, ”Indeed, Miss Han is truly as beautiful as a flower. She wishes to learn from the renowned masters of music in the Capital City, thus accompanying me back here. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, you can summon Miss Han to the palace to verify my words.”

Emperor Jing intended to drag things out as he could not just summon Han Lei to the palace immediately, and so he probed further. ”But Miss Han’s status...”

Zhao Zun promptly replied, ”Your Majesty, for a military man like myself, beauty and shared interests are enough. The rest... is unimportant.”

The rest is unimportant? Haha, truly just a warrior.

”Hahaha...” Emperor Jing finally relaxed, ”In that case, on New Year’s Eve, there will be a banquet in the palace. My dear subject, bring Miss Han to attend. If she is indeed as beautiful as a fairy and truly cherished by you, I shall not oppose it and will decree the marriage at the banquet.”

”I thank Your Majesty for this great favor.”

Zhao Zun was so excited that his heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

Not only was Zhao Zun thrilled, but all the civil and military officials were also elated. They all felt like they had escaped a calamity, silently praying in their hearts that Miss Han indeed must be as beautiful as a fairy!

As long as their daughters wouldn’t have to marry the fallen yet charming Zhao Zun. Without the emperor’s declaration, they would still present generous gifts, wishing Zhao Zun and his fairy-like bride a blissful marriage.

While Zhao Zun conversed with the emperor in the palace, Ping Chuan and the trusted aides accompanied Han Lei back to the gate of Prince Xiaoyao’s Mansion.

With only two days until the New Year, the streets were adorned with high-hanging lanterns and bustling traffic, already imbued with a festive atmosphere.

In front of every household, couplets were joyously displayed with the word ”Fu” pasted upside down. The sweet scents of candied haws and popcorn intermingled, children sporadically lighting firecrackers, then running off with laughter.

Ping Chuan dismounted and stepped forward to knock on the door. His travel-worn appearance almost made the gatekeeper unable to recognize him. Once recognized, the gatekeeper entered with great joy to report.

The matron had informed them that Zhao Zun was returning with his future Princess Consort, yet they didn’t know the exact day of arrival in the Capital City.

Han Lei wore a dress gifted by Zhao Zun, still tied in a simple low ponytail, devoid of any adornment. She nimbly jumped off the carriage, stretched greatly, and surveyed the surroundings on the street.

The Capital City was truly the Capital City. Its splendor surpassed Jingzhou Taoyuan County by far. Whether in the attire of the pedestrians or the buildings by the streetsides, everything was more refined than what she had encountered before.

Very soon, the main gate of Prince Xiaoyao’s Mansion swung open.

Zhao Ling’er, supporting the matron, came out in haste, filled with joy on her face, with several servants trailing far behind them.

Seeing the matron come out, the trusted aides uniformly knelt in salute.

”Greetings to the matron.”

”Get up, get up.” The matron gestured to help them rise, her joy barely contained as she scanned everyone, asking, ”Where is my son Zhao Zun?”

”Back to the matron, His Highness is eager to see the emperor first.” Ping Chuan respectfully replied.

”Good! Good!” The matron’s gaze settled on Han Lei. ”And who might this young lady be...”

Han Lei elegantly curtsied, her soft and sweet-sounding voice instantly gracing the matron’s ears. ”Greetings, matron. I am Han Lei, the...”

As Han Lei spoke, her face turned crimson and she hesitated to declare herself as Zhao Zun’s future Princess Consort. The matron instantly understood.

”Oh my! So you are the Miss Han mentioned in Zun’s letters.” The matron stepped forward, satisfied, and took Han Lei’s hands, ”What a clever and pretty young lady you are.”

The stories in her son’s letters painted Han Lei as one who saved him from enemies and possessed remarkable medical skills. The matron expected a strong, rugged woman, not anticipating such a delicate and lovely appearance. From her graceful curtsy just now, she seemed to be a lady from a distinguished family.

Zhao Ling’er was momentarily stunned by Han Lei’s stunning face, taking a while to react.

”Miss Han Lei, you’re the Princess Consort my brother mentioned in the letter, right?” Zhao Ling’er asked uncertainly.

Han Lei looked at her and nodded, blushing. ”And you must be Zhao Zun’s sister, Ling’er?”

”Yes, yes, yes, my brother and you...”

Zhao Ling’er’s words were cut short by a woman’s mocking voice from within the gate.

”Oh! Which Princess Consort dresses so poorly?”