Chapter 156 - 127: A Lifetime of Honor Ruined (Part 2)

Han Lei blushed and deliberately put on a serious face, trying to change the subject.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to discuss something? Then hurry up."

Reluctantly, Zhao Zun released her hand, turned around, and walked towards the square table in the center of the room.

"Come, let’s sit down and talk." Zhao Zun pointed to the chair opposite, gesturing for Han Lei to sit down.

Han Lei nodded, walked to the table, and sat down. Zhao Zun poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.

Han Lei took the teacup, took a gentle sip, and the aroma of the tea spread through her mouth, calming her tense mood a bit.

"What should we do next? Do you have any plans? And, are you sure you’ve thought it through?"

Han Lei put down the teacup, looked up at Zhao Zun, with a trace of worry in her eyes.

"Doing it" sounds easy, but actually implementing it involves too many aspects.

"I’m sure I’ve thought it through. Ma Cheng and the others can’t die in vain, and the future of the Da Jing can’t be left to be manipulated by a bunch of people who only know how to talk about achievements and benefits. I plan..."

With a heavy expression, Zhao Zun began to state his upcoming plan, then discussed it carefully with Han Lei.

They were in the room with the door closed discussing important matters, yet outside Zhao Zun’s courtyard, there was quite a lively scene.

After the old lady had breakfast, she returned to her own courtyard and sat on the sandalwood chair in the main room, holding a string of Buddha Beads and chanting prayers for blessings.

Since Zhao Zun’s father died in battle, it had become her habit for many years to pray for Zhao Zun.

The old lady, unlike other noble women, didn’t like to gather in threes and fives to drink tea, eat, or idle away bragging.

Except for some formal social occasions, she rarely went out. Daily, she spent the most time praying for Zhao Zun; secondly, reading and writing.

Just now, she hadn’t finished a round of scripture when Jin Ju hurriedly ran over, panting heavily to report.

"Old Madam, the Prince... the Prince couldn’t wait any longer, took Miss Han inside, and... even closed the door!"

After saying this, Jin Ju’s face turned crimson, lowering her head, not daring to look at the old lady.

As soon as the old lady heard this, the Buddha Beads in her hand abruptly stopped, and a "thud" sounded in her heart.

Han Lei as her daughter-in-law was a done deal, that’s for sure, but since they hadn’t officially wed, her son’s behavior seemed much too rash.

Feeling uneasy, she sensed her son had acted improperly, yet inexplicably her heart stirred with a subtle, indescribable excitement.

She sighed lightly, shook her head, muttering under her breath: "This child, why is he so impatient?"

Just then, Zhao Ling’er bounced in from outside. Seeing the old lady’s unusual expression, she moved closer and asked, "Mom, what’s wrong with you? Why does your face look so strange?"

The old lady glanced at Zhao Ling’er, seeing her innocent, naive face, felt even more embarrassed, then waved her hand saying, "Nothing, nothing."

But Zhao Ling’er wasn’t convinced, wrapping her arm around the old lady’s, coaxing her: "Mom, you’re definitely hiding something from me! Tell me, did I make you angry again?"

The old lady, unable to handle her insistence, could only vaguely say: "Your brother... he did something not quite right."

"What thing?" Zhao Ling’er blinked her big eyes, full of curiosity, pressing for answers.

The old lady was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond, when suddenly a noise came from outside.

The old lady frowned and said to Zhao Ling’er, "Come, let’s go outside and have a look."

Zhao Ling’er obediently supported the old lady as they walked out of the room, and as soon as they reached the courtyard, they saw the servants and trusted aides outside gathered in groups, whispering and laughing about something.

Seeing the old lady come out, everyone immediately fell silent, lowering their heads, pretending nothing was amiss.

But the old lady was sharp-eyed, instantly noticing that now and then they glanced towards Zhao Zun’s courtyard with eyes flickering with gossip.

It seemed everyone in the estate knew. The old lady’s heart sank, silently crying trouble.

Now her son’s lifelong reputation was completely ruined.

Men in the Da Jing Dynasty were married at eighteen or nineteen, and her son delayed his marriage because he’d been stationed at Beiguan Camp for years.

Moreover, the camp was entirely composed of men. It’s said that even when civilians led a flock of sheep past the camp entrance, upon close inspection, all of them were males.

In such circumstances, could her son really have been driven mad?

Yet Zhao Ling’er, unaware of the old lady’s thoughts, instead pulled the old lady’s hand enthusiastically, whispering: "Mom, why are they all looking towards my brother’s courtyard? What is my brother doing in the room?"