21 Replacing One by One

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Faced with such a direct confession from an ancient prince, Han Lei was at a loss. Despite her usual excellence, she inexplicably felt a surge of self-doubt in her heart.

"I myself am a warrior who has clawed and crawled through the sands and dust," Zhao Zun said, his gaze growing deeper as he spoke, placing a hand over his chest—where he wore the lock of affection. "So my princess need not be a noble lady, as long as I like her."

Yesterday, Han Lei had asked him to accompany her in search of a way back. He could not refuse, though his heart felt heavy. Knowing she could never return, he spent the entire night elated, as if the whole world was bathed in sunlight.

Just last night, he had been planning to find the perfect moment to confess his feelings. Today, Han Lei had come to him of her own accord.

Could there be a better opportunity than this?

Thus, he launched a bold advance without hesitation.

In his twenty-six years of youth, he had never once openly cherished a girl. Now that his heart was stirred, he was determined to seize his happiness.

His heartbeat raced. He feared his hard-won courage might crumble from a moment’s hesitation, and he feared the pain of a disappointing answer.

After all, in his eyes, Han Lei was simply too extraordinary.

Han Lei remained silent, blinking her long lashes as she fixed her steady gaze upon his enlarged face.

This cold and aloof prince’s confession was overwhelmingly forceful and domineering, even shutting down any chance of a polite refusal. She had not expected Zhao Zun’s feelings to be so fervent, so intense as to feel almost oppressive. Should she... consider it?

“I...” Han Lei began, then shyly bit her red lips, her face flushing nearly to her ears.

Though she was a modern woman well-versed in idol dramas and romantic tales, now that she faced such a passionate onslaught in person, her maidenly reserve rendered her unable to utter those embarrassing words.

“What did you say?” Zhao Zun’s ardent gaze locked onto her gently bitten lips, eager to coax out her answer. “You agree?”

“Well... I...” Han Lei lowered her eyes, unable to meet his dark, whirlpool-like, deeply affectionate ones. Twisting her fingers nervously, she could not bring herself to finish: “Then let’s try dating!”

Though she was straightforward by nature, saying such words to a man like him was still too embarrassing.

In the end, after stammering “I” for a while, she gave Zhao Zun’s ankle a swift kick.

“Ouch! You little devil!” Zhao Zun cried out.

Han Lei coquettishly scolded him, swaying her slender waist and fleeing with a flushed face.

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“Ow... ah...” Zhao Zun howled, hopping on one foot and clutching his ankle.

Watching Han Lei’s retreating figure, recalling her shy, coquettish manner that seemed to want to disappear into a hole, the pain in his foot was forgotten as a bright springlike smile spread across his lips.

Her meaning was clear—she agreed!

This girl was still bashful!

He chuckled quietly, lost in a foolish laughter by the tent’s entrance.

Even normally stern Ping Chuan turned around with a smile and gave Zhao Zun a thumbs-up.

“Your Highness, you’re impressive!”

“Heh heh... Quickly prepare some offerings. I’m going to pay respects to the gods now. Hurry, hurry.”

Zhao Zun said, still smiling foolishly as he hopped on one foot toward the shrine. From around his neck, he took off the warm lock of affection and reverently placed it on the altar.

Then he began lighting incense...

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace of the capital, the court was in session.

Emperor Jing and his civil and military ministers were discussing state affairs when suddenly a loud shout came from outside.

“Urgent news from Northern Pass!”

“Pass it in!”

The emperor’s eyes brightened.

Finally, news from Northern Pass. After the autumn harvest and the great victory against the Turks, he had been eagerly awaiting Zhao Zun’s acceptance of the title “Prince of Freedom,” and his voluntary surrender of military command to return to the capital and receive his reward. But after sending the imperial edict to Northern Pass, no news had arrived, leaving him anxious and sleepless.

A messenger bearing a small yellow flag on his back hurried into the hall, knelt at its center, and drew a wax-sealed letter from his bosom, holding it high above his head.

“Your Majesty, urgent news from Northern Pass!”

Chief eunuch Li Zhongxin hurried forward with small steps, took the dispatch from the messenger, and respectfully handed it to Emperor Jing.

The emperor opened it and quickly scanned its contents, his brows knitting tighter and tighter, a glimmer of anger gathering in his eyes.

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“I knew it. He only wanted to deceive me for more provisions,” Emperor Jing suddenly slammed the table, flinging the letter to the ground in fury. “All of you, take a look at this.”

Seeing the emperor’s anger, the ministers below were equally frightened.

It had been four years since Emperor Jing ascended the throne. The entire court had been purged and rebuilt with officials secretly cultivated by the emperor during his time as crown prince, gradually replacing the old guard.

The saying “new emperor, new ministers” held true; every civil and military official was a loyal confidant of Emperor Jing.

The old ministers from the previous reign had either been granted retirement or noble titles excusing them from court duties, allowed to live out their days in peace.

Therefore, everyone in the court knew well what troubled Emperor Jing most.

Among the three great passes of the Great Jing Dynasty, the generals at East and South Pass had been successfully replaced. Only Zhao Zun, the marshal of the Zhao family army stationed at Northern Pass, remained battling the Turks. The military power there was still firmly in the hands of the highly accomplished and potentially threatening Zhao Zun.

Li Zhongxin bent to retrieve the letter from the floor and passed it among the civil and military officials for inspection.

“What? The Turks have actually retreated?” Chancellor Wei exclaimed in surprise after reading it. “If the Turks came with such force, why the sudden withdrawal?”

“What could this mean? Is the war really over so soon?” Minister of War Cao Ge handed the letter to the next official. “The report says the Turks withdrew of their own accord. This is strange.”

“Could something have happened back in the Turk homeland?”

“Should we still prepare provisions?”

“The Ministry of War has already sent supplies on schedule this month. If the conflict is over, the supplies will suffice until next month without issue.”

...

The ministers began to murmur and debate, yet none addressed the emperor’s true concerns, which only fueled his anger.

“Why continue preparing provisions? Can’t you see? The Turks’ second winter offensive was a sham. Zhao Zun used it as an excuse to delay returning to the capital, unwilling to be a mere idle prince. He even shamelessly demanded large military supplies from me. His intentions are malicious.”

Since the ministers were all his loyalists, Emperor Jing did not hide his emotions.

Seeing the emperor’s wrath, a leering-looking general stepped forward eagerly to flatter.

“Your Majesty is wise! Marshal Zhao Zun is deceiving the court to obtain supplies under false pretenses. This cannot be allowed to continue. I beg Your Majesty to order Zhao Zun’s arrest and have him brought to the capital for trial at the Court of Judicature.”

[End of excerpt]