20 Devoid of any sentiment.

"A side job?" Zhao Zun frowned, looking at the smile she had forced onto her face. "What do you mean?"

"Hehe!" Han Lei’s smile grew even more mischievous. "Your Highness, the five taels of silver a month I get as a military doctor isn't enough to cover my expenses! So, I was thinking, in addition to my medical duties, I could also serve as your military advisor. I’m quite clever, you know, and I have plenty of ideas. Would you consider it?"

Hearing this, the man dressed as a common soldier beside them nearly burst out laughing. He caught Zhao Zun’s gaze directed at him and immediately clamped a hand over his mouth, biting his lip to hold back the laughter.

Zhao Zun’s eyes swept over the man before landing back on Han Lei. After a moment of contemplation, he uttered words that were enough to stun everyone present:

"Why bother being a military advisor? Wouldn't it be much better to be my Princess?"

What?

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three looks of utter shock were shot toward Zhao Zun simultaneously.

Pingchuan handled it best; after a brief moment of shock, he let out an understanding "oh" and returned to his calm composure.

The man dressed as a soldier, however, stared at Zhao Zun with wide eyes, then lifted his sleeve to rub them, looking again. Was this really the iron-willed brother he had known since childhood? Was the twenty-six-year-old "old iron tree" finally about to bloom? This was the young hero admired by countless noble ladies in the capital! Was he really going to leave all those ladies weeping until dawn?

After the initial shock, a blush crept across Han Lei’s pretty face. She felt as though Zhao Zun was teasing her, and she felt a sudden surge of shyness and indignation.

"Hey! Your Highness! I’m being serious here. I treat you like a brother, and you’re trying to take advantage of me?"

"I am being serious as well!" Zhao Zun stared into Han Lei’s eyes, speaking slowly and with absolute sincerity.

"Whoo... hahahaha!"

The man dressed as a soldier let out a loud, mocking whistle, finally unable to contain his laughter. It seemed his stoic friend had truly fallen in love! But he was being far too direct and aggressive. He shouldn't scare the little beauty away.

"Hmph! How annoying!"

Han Lei’s face fell. She gave her waist a little twist and stomped her foot. The coquettish pout made Zhao Zun feel as though a feather had just brushed against his heart, leaving it ticklish and restless.

Oh my! This was intoxicating!

Han Lei glared at the man dressed as a soldier and complained to Zhao Zun. "Your Highness, isn't your subordinate a bit too rude?"

Who was this guy anyway? To dare whistle at her—he acted just like a little hooligan.

"Hehe, don't mind him, girl."

Zhao Zun automatically interpreted Han Lei’s pout as her flirting with him, a doting smile appearing on his face. "His name is Hua Tianyou, son of the Duke of Heng. He’s only here to fish for some military merit from me."

"Oh, so you're here to get some gold-plating," Han Lei said, finally understanding, completely oblivious to the change in how Zhao Zun addressed her. She shook her fist at Hua Tianyou in a cute, fierce manner. "You’d better behave yourself. Otherwise, don't blame me if I knock your teeth out."

Don't underestimate her. She worked in a combat unit and participated in training every day. Though she was from the south and possessed the sweet appearance and voice of a Jiangnan woman, her personality was lively and forthright, much like the women of the Northeast. If you provoked her, she was more than capable of baring her fangs.

"Yo! Looking so delicate, yet you're quite the little firecracker! Hahaha..." Hua Tianyou was unimpressed by her display of "unsheathing her sword."

"Pfft..."

Zhao Zun was also amused, covering his mouth with a light laugh, the doting look in his eyes nearly overflowing.

Han Lei rolled her eyes at Tianyou, ignored him, and turned to look at Zhao Zun with a stern expression. Since flattery hadn't worked, she decided to submit a formal application and resume.

"Your Highness." Han Lei stood at attention and gave a military salute. "I, Han Lei, female, 22 years old, a top student who skipped grades at the Military Medical University, having studied and participated in modern warfare. My mind is filled with famous historical war cases. With my abilities, I am perfectly capable of fulfilling the role of a military advisor. Therefore, I am now applying to you with the utmost seriousness: I want to be your military advisor."

As Han Lei stood straight and saluted, her entire demeanor shifted. Zhao Zun and Hua Tianyou exchanged a look, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.

Zhao Zun stared at the ramrod-straight Han Lei for a moment before the corners of his mouth lifted. His usually cold face suddenly took on a playful, roguish expression much like Hua Tianyou’s.

"I’ve already told you, I don't need a military advisor. I want you to be my Princess."

Han Lei instantly deflated.

"Your Highness, I’m being serious. If you keep making jokes like this, it’s no wonder there are rumors outside saying I’m seducing you. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River."

"Who said that? Tianyou, go and drag that person to me." Zhao Zun’s face darkened in anger.

"It’s just those soldiers outside!"

Han Lei thought he was angry and wanted to punish the soldiers gossiping in the camp. To her surprise, his next words made her nearly fall over backward.

"They’re right! I’m actually hoping you’ll seduce me! Tianyou, hurry and bring them here; I want to reward them properly."

Han Lei looked at the suddenly transformed Zhao Zun and was frozen in place, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.

Was this really the cold, aloof Prince she knew? What on earth was he trying to do?

"Hahahaha..."

Hua Tianyou couldn't help but roar with laughter at their bizarre conversation. He turned and actually went outside to "catch" someone.

He couldn't stand to watch anymore. His friend was just too intense—no romantic build-up at all. Even if he was a warrior hardened by the battlefield, there was no need to be so blunt! Look how he’d scared the poor girl!

"Hahahaha..."

Hua Tianyou’s exaggerated laughter faded into the distance, and Han Lei finally regained her senses.

"Your Highness, please stop joking with me, okay? You know where I come from; I have to go back someday."

Han Lei truly believed Zhao Zun was just teasing her. They had gotten along well over the past few days, and he had indeed taken good care of her, but she didn't think he was in love with her. Furthermore, she had never considered having a relationship with a man from ancient times. At least, not until today.

"You can't go back!"

"What?" How did he know?

"You said so yourself the other day." Zhao Zun stood up, walked around his desk, and slowly approached Han Lei.

Seeing him move toward her, Pingchuan blinked and consciously turned his back.

Zhao Zun leaned in close, staring at her with deep affection, making Han Lei’s heart race faster and faster.

"It is precisely because I know you cannot go back that I am so happy. Only today did I dare to boldly express the love in my heart."

"But... but..."

Having been busy with studies and work, Han Lei had never experienced romance. Her heart was in complete chaos, and a deep blush spread across her cheeks.

To be honest, after spending more than ten days together, she didn't find him repulsive. It was just that Zhao Zun was usually so cold, holding such a high position with such an imposing military aura, that apart from work, she hadn't been overly close to him. Now that she thought about it, he was actually a very decent man.

"But... I am neither a lady of noble birth nor do I have a powerful family background. We are not a match in social status; how could I ever be your Princess?"

Being confessed to so directly by an ancient Prince caught her off guard. For some reason, despite her usual excellence, a strange sense of inferiority began to rise within her.