Chapter 365: Double-Dealing (Part 2)

An old man with white hair said tremblingly, “This old man is poor and has also suffered from this disaster. Thankfully, Canzhou has taken us in… the great kindness and virtue of the Prince and Princess Consort…”

Sun Wenyuan, the Zhizhou of Canzhou, stood in the shadows beneath the city gate, coldly observing this scene.

His slender eyes narrowed into slits, and he absentmindedly rubbed a jade ring between his fingers, seemingly sensing something amiss.

“Hmph! What a ‘citizen of Canzhou,’ are those really Canzhou’s citizens? They are clearly all citizens of Da Jing.” He sneered inwardly, “Zhao Zun is trying to win over people’s hearts!”

His gaze swept over the kneeling disaster victims and fell on Han Lei, who was busy helping distribute medicine pills.

Han Lei, with her sporty outfit and casually tied hair, seemed a bit disheveled, yet she patiently explained the usage to each disaster victim receiving the medicine.

Zhao Zun stood beside her, occasionally wiping sweat from her forehead. The two cooperated seamlessly, like a typical loving couple.

“Putting on a show,” Sun Wenyuan silently criticized, “This couple is not simple at all! Tonight, I must write to the court, mentioning that the King of Canzhou is generously dispensing favors with ulterior motives…”

With the help of doctors, Han Lei felt much more at ease. She looked up at the sky and gave Zhao Zun a tired yet satisfied smile.

Zhao Zun gently held her hand, their fingers interlocked, standing among the grateful disaster victims, completely oblivious to the sinister gaze watching them from the shadows.

Dusk fell, and the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by thick clouds.

Zhao Zun looked up at the darkening sky, then turned and spoke softly to Han Lei, “Girl, it’s late. You should come back to the County Magistrate’s office to rest. Let the people of the County Magistrate’s office handle the rest.”

Beside them, Luo Hai stroked his beard and smiled, “Miss Han, rest assured, I’ve instructed them on how to settle these disaster victims. You’ve worked hard and should rest.”

Zhao Zun forcefully took Han Lei’s hand, causing the girl’s ears to redden slightly. “Come, rest now.”

Han Lei then patted the dust off her clothes. Luo Hai ordered the servants to prepare the carriage, and the three headed back to the County Magistrate’s office as dusk settled.

Inside the County Magistrate’s office, lights were already shining brilliantly, and Ms. Luo had long asked people to prepare dinner.

Seeing them return, Luo Yuanyuan was the first to bounce out from the hall: “Miss Han! You’re finally back!” The little girl hugged Han Lei’s arm affectionately.

Ms. Luo came out with a teacup and scolded with a laugh, “Yuanyuan, Miss Han has been busy all day, let her catch her breath first.” She then turned to Han Lei, “I’ve had the kitchen stew some ginseng chicken soup to nourish you.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” Han Lei curtseyed, catching Zhao Zun’s warm, smiling gaze from the corner of her eye, causing her to quickly turn away.

During the meal, Luo Yuanyuan insisted on sitting next to Han Lei, causing Ms. Luo to shake her head: “You, little girl, insisting on sitting next to Miss Han, where do you want your brother Zun to sit?”

“I don’t care!” Luo Yuanyuan pouted, “Miss Han promised to teach me medicine.”

Upon hearing this, Han Lei blushed, lowered her head, and ate, not daring to look at Zhao Zun. Zhao Zun, however, sat across from Han Lei calmly, making it easier to face her directly.

Everyone was amused by Luo Yuanyuan’s innocence, making the atmosphere at the table harmonious. Han Lei stole a glance and met Zhao Zun’s smiling eyes, causing her heart to skip a beat.

Just as everyone laughed and chatted, a guard hurried in, knelt on one knee, and said, “My lord, this is a memorial intercepted on its way to the Capital City, and the messenger has already been detained.”

“Keep the messenger detained for now!” Luo Hai put down his chopsticks, took the memorial, and read it carefully. After a moment, he sneered, “Sun Wenyuan, indeed, saying one thing and doing another behind your back.”

With that, he handed the memorial to Zhao Zun, “Zun, it concerns you.”

Zhao Zun took the memorial, browsing through it by the solar lamp. Han Lei noticed a deep smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

“Mr. Sun seems dutiful,” Zhao Zun folded the memorial and put it away slowly, “But alas, his intel is lacking. He probably doesn’t know the Capital City has changed hands. Who would even see this memorial if it were submitted?”

Luo Hai suppressed a laugh, “He not only doesn’t know the Capital City has changed, but he also doesn’t know the memorial was intercepted halfway back! He really is double-dealing, flattering you to your face, while reporting behind your back.”

Zhao Zun snorted with laughter, looked at Han Lei, “Girl, you’re tired today, you should go back to your room to rest. Mr. Luo and I need to visit the Wei residence tonight.”

“The Wei residence?” Han Lei’s eyes lit up, her spirit coming back, “I want to go too!”

Zhao Zun didn’t stop her; he only pretended to put on a stern face, like he really couldn’t do anything about her…