A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 88

"She's just a bit mischievous, but she's not a bad person at heart. Don't take it to heart, Brother Ding," Zhan Zhao said with a smile.

Ding Zhaohui laughed and laughed, and after a while, she looked at Zhan Zhao and teased, "I really didn't expect that you would actually fall for such a reckless little girl? If you see my sister one day, you'll regret it to the core."

Zhan Zhao smiled apologetically, "Your sister is exceptionally talented and beautiful; I am unworthy of her."

"Alright, alright, we're brothers, why are you saying this? Just tell me you have someone you like. We're grown men, no need to be all over the place with those girls." Ding Zhaohui laughed heartily. "But I really don't expect you to have your eye on that girl..."

Zhan Zhao lowered his eyes for a long while, then chuckled softly, "I didn't expect that either." With just that one simple sentence, he suddenly understood Mo Yan's thoughts…

She looked up at him and said, "Brother Zhan, no matter what he says, don't agree, okay?"

—With red eyes, she said, “He only treats me like a younger sister. Even if he gave me the title of Grand Scholar of the Dragon Pavilion, it wouldn’t be anything special.”

—She said blankly, “It’s very easy for one person to like another, but it’s extremely difficult for that person to like you back.”

He felt her sadness, her grievances, and her sorrow in that instant.

Ding Zhaohui smiled and sighed, "Alright, I won't say anything more. I'd better think about how to explain this to my mother when I get back."

"Brother Ding..." Zhan Zhao knew he had offended him and didn't know what to say.

Ding Zhaohui could tell what he was thinking from his expression. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "You're my brother, so let's not talk like strangers. It's not easy for you to be alone, and you're doing such a thankless job. If you could have a home and someone you like, I would be happy for you as your older brother."

Zhan Zhao felt a warmth in his heart, poured wine for the two of them, and said with a smile, "Consider this wine my apology to Brother Ding."

Ding Zhaohui smiled and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "I do hope to drink your wedding wine soon."

The two men smiled at each other, holding their glasses. Snow fell outside the window, but the room was warm and cozy.

After bidding farewell to Ding Zhaohui, Zhan Zhao had just returned to Kaifeng Prefecture when a servant informed him that the princess urgently summoned him. He was startled and hurriedly rushed to the princess's temporary residence.

Upon arriving at his residence, before even entering, he heard someone plucking the strings of a zither. There was no melody or tune; it was just casual strumming, presumably played by Zhao Yu out of boredom. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, putting his mind at ease, and went inside to bow and greet the princess: "Zhan Zhao greets the princess."

Zhao Yuying raised her head and smiled gently, "Guard Zhan, you've arrived. Madam Nangong just left."

Zhan Zhao stood aside, waiting for her to continue.

“I heard her talk about things in the martial arts world, and about how she met her husband. It sounded ordinary, but I knew it wasn’t easy. She told it much better than you did the other day.”

"Zhan Zhao is clumsy with words, please forgive me, Princess."

"Such good people, how could it be that... Guard Zhan, have you ever heard of the Seven-Leaf Locust Flower?" Zhao Yu suddenly changed the subject, her beautiful eyes looking at Zhan Zhao.

Zhan Zhao truthfully replied, "I've heard that it's a tribute from Dali, with the effect of relieving serious illnesses and curing terminal diseases; it's a holy product for healing injuries."

"Do you know that the Nangong couple have been searching for this item?"

Zhan Zhao paused slightly, then said calmly, "Zhan Zhao knows."

"So, you hope I can help them?"

"If the princess is willing to lend a helping hand, Zhan Zhao will be grateful to the princess on their behalf... If the princess is unwilling, Zhan Zhao will not dare to force her."

Zhao Yu stared at him intently for a while, her face expressionless, but he remained calm and unmoved. Having no other choice, she finally said bluntly, "Then tell me, did you deliberately bring me to the music room, and also invite the Nangong couple there?"

With no way to avoid it, Zhan Zhao could only nod and kneel down on one knee: "The Nangong couple acted entirely according to Zhan Zhao's instructions. If the princess is to punish someone, please punish Zhan Zhao alone."

“You…” Zhao Yu didn’t expect him to admit it so readily, and stamped her foot, saying, “Get up quickly, when did I say I was going to punish you?”

"Zhan Zhao deceived the princess, and it is only right that the princess punishes him."

"Get up, get up," Zhao Yu said urgently. "I know you're worried about Young Master Nangong's health. He has done his best for the court. Even if you tell me clearly, I will still help him."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Zhao was overjoyed and stood up: "Does the princess truly wish to save Young Master Nangong's life?"

"Don't be too happy yet. I will ask my father for it when I return to the palace, but I don't know if he will give it to me or not."

"I am already deeply grateful for the princess's kindness."

Zhao Yu smiled slyly, looking at him mischievously: "Then, how will you thank me?"

"If the princess needs anything, Zhan Zhao will do his best to help without hesitation."

"What if I ask you to come with me to Khitan?" Zhao Yu asked quickly, staring intently at him.

Zhan Zhao was slightly taken aback. Going to the Khitan with the princess meant he might never return in this lifetime. Mo Yan's smiling face flashed through his mind...

Seeing that he didn't answer, Zhao Yu asked, "Are you regretting it?"

"If I can protect the princess for the rest of my life, Zhan Zhao will never regret it." He said in a deep voice, his low voice like a dull knife slowly being pushed into his heart. The teachings he received since childhood were deeply ingrained in his bones. He knew which way to choose without having to weigh matters of state and family.

"But this matter should be consulted with Lord Bao. With the Emperor's permission, it is not something that Zhan Zhao can decide alone."

Hearing him say this, Zhao Yu clapped her hands happily and laughed, "I don't need to worry about my father. As long as I ask, he won't refuse. With you by my side in Khitan, I'm not so afraid, and I don't think life will be too difficult."

Seeing Zhao Yu's happy expression, Zhan Zhao remained silent, feeling deeply saddened. If he really had to go to the Khitan, he could only blame the cruel twist of fate, which was utterly ridiculous.

"Just now, my father sent someone to announce that the Khitan envoys are coming soon, and I must return to the palace today. My good days are coming to an end." Zhao Yu sighed with a hint of helplessness. "When I return to the palace, I will tell my father... Or, you can come to the palace with me now and tell my father that you are willing to serve as a bodyguard for the princess and accompany her to marry the Khitan, okay?"

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I think it would be better to inform Lord Bao about this matter first."

Zhao Yu tilted his head and thought for a moment: "That's right. After all, you work for Kaifeng Prefecture, so you should inform Lord Bao first."

"Your Highness is wise."

“Then I’ll ask my father for the seven-leaf locust flowers first, since it’s a matter of life and death. I’ll send an imperial physician then, and you can take him to give them to Young Master Nangong.”

"Thank you, Princess."