34 An Overflowing Fortune

"Miss Han, about that matter you mentioned..."

"Uncle Luo, rest assured. As soon as the paperwork on your end is finalized, I will begin my work immediately." Han Lei let go of Zhao Zun's arm and gave Luo Hai a sweet smile, sealing the deal on the spot.

Upon hearing this, Luo Hai’s face beamed with delight. "Good! Excellent! The procedures here are quite simple; I can have them processed for you right away."

"However..." Han Lei furrowed her delicate brows slightly.

"However, what?" Luo Hai’s heart, which had just settled, leaped back into his throat. He stared at Han Lei with a nervous expression.

"Uncle Luo, I don't just intend to reclaim wasteland here; I also plan to open a restaurant and a pig farm. Once these projects are up and running, they will solve the problem of feeding many people. But could you please keep this confidential for now? Please don't rush to report it to the Imperial Court," Han Lei asked earnestly.

"Why is that? These are all benevolent deeds that benefit both the country and the people," Luo Hai asked, puzzled.

Zhao Zun was equally confused.

Han Lei glanced at Zhao Zun and said seriously, "Uncle Luo, it is precisely because these are beneficial deeds that I must ask you to hide them from the Court for the time being. If possible, it would be best if word didn't spread beyond Qingshui County at all. You are aware that Zhao Zun’s military authority has been seized. At such a sensitive time, I do not want the Emperor to claim he is currying favor with the people for ulterior motives. Furthermore, we must guard against the aristocratic families; they would never want to see the common people living well."

"I see!"

Luo Hai finally understood, and his respect for Zhao Zun’s Princess grew even deeper.

Hearing Han Lei consider his situation so far in advance, Zhao Zun was deeply moved. He reached out and pulled her soft hand into his palm.

"Miss Han, don't worry. My situation is indeed delicate right now. I will do my utmost to keep this matter under wraps for the time being."

Luo Hai fully agreed with Han Lei’s approach, and the thoughts of personal political gain he had been harboring instantly vanished. Zhao Zun was the only remaining heir of his old friend; even if it meant sacrificing his career and serving as the Magistrate of Qingshui for the rest of his life, he would protect Zhao Zun.

"Thank you, Uncle Luo." Han Lei stood up and bowed gracefully to him.

"But Qingshui County is a thoroughfare between Cangzhou and Jingzhou, and merchants pass through frequently. I fear we cannot hide this for long," Zhao Zun reminded her.

"That doesn't matter," Han Lei said, giving Zhao Zun a reassuring look. "I only need five days to organize everything here, and then I will leave Qingshui County with you. For the later stages of these projects, I will have to rely on your care, Uncle Luo. In one year, or two at most, Qingshui County will flourish. By then, these will be the accomplishments you have achieved leading the people. Even if the Court finds out, they will only commend you, and it will have nothing to do with Zhao Zun. We only need to keep it hidden until the county develops."

"Miss Han, this... this..." Luo Hai was so moved he didn't know what to say. Han Lei had effortlessly bestowed upon him such immense fortune. Her arrangements were reasonable and logical; they protected Zhao Zun while simultaneously securing him a monumental political achievement.

"Uncle Luo, the girl is right. We cannot stay here too long, so I will have to rely on you to handle the subsequent matters," Zhao Zun said, clearly satisfied. He stroked the back of Han Lei’s head as one might pet a favorite creature, his eyes filled with indulgence.

Since she was only playing for five days, he would let her have her fun. After all, five days would not prevent her from returning to be his obedient bride.

At this moment, Zhao Zun had no idea that Han Lei had begun laying out a grand strategy for his future. He still believed she had simply grown restless after leaving the military camp and was acting on a whim. After all, she was just a young woman; how could she possibly manage land reclamation, a restaurant, and a pig farm?

Once Luo Hai was settled, Han Lei had Zhao Zun accompany him to handle the land permits while she returned to her room to plan the work for the next few days and make preparations.

Early the next morning, as Han Lei was freshening up, Zhao Zun arrived. She had changed into athletic attire, draped a heavy cloak over her shoulders, and tied her hair into a low ponytail. Even without makeup, her face looked charming.

Zhao Zun’s face darkened, and he thrust a bundle into her arms.

"Put this on," he commanded.

"What is this?" Han Lei asked, bewildered.

"I had Pingchuan find these men's clothes to fit your stature. How can my Princess be seen in public reclaiming wasteland and running a restaurant?" Zhao Zun said, clearly displeased.

"Huh?"

Han Lei’s mouth twitched. She understood his mindset immediately. In the ancient world, men managed the exterior and women the interior; it was socially unacceptable for a woman to appear in public. Women from prominent families were expected to be demure. If she were seen out and about as a woman, both she and Zhao Zun would be subject to gossip.

Oh, the wretched feudal society!

"I dressed like this in the military camp, didn't I?" Han Lei couldn't help but complain.

"In the camp, you were a military doctor treating the soldiers, and with me present, who would dare speak out of turn?" Zhao Zun insisted.

"So, you are just as pedantic," Han Lei pouted, her face clearly showing her displeasure.

"I am not being pedantic! I don't think there is anything wrong with women working," Zhao Zun said, his voice lowering as he awkwardly turned his head away. "I just don't want other men coveting your beauty."

His final words were soft, but Han Lei heard them clearly.

"Alright, I understand." Han Lei blushed and began to open the bundle. She understood his little insecurity. When it comes to matters of the heart, men are selfish; they want their wife's beauty to be for their eyes only.

Regardless of whether it was due to Zhao Zun’s jealousy or the constraints of the feudal society, Han Lei realized that if she wanted to move about freely, she would indeed need to disguise herself; otherwise, it would truly be inconvenient.

The men's clothing Zhao Zun had prepared fit her perfectly, and she couldn't help but give him credit. In the attire, she looked like a handsome, dashing young gentleman. Only her delicate, fair skin betrayed her gender.

That was no trouble for Han Lei. She took out cosmetics from her system, applied a darker foundation, and thickened her eyebrows. Before long, a true, handsome young scholar looked back at her from the bronze mirror. To better suit the persona of a wealthy young dandy in the dead of winter, she had a sudden inspiration and pulled a folding fan from her space, waving it about with practiced ease.

"How is it? Will this do?" Han Lei turned in front of Zhao Zun, quite confident in her new look.

"Hmm! Not bad. From now on, whenever you go out, dress like this." Naturally, Zhao Zun was satisfied.

"Then call Pingchuan in to help carry these, and let's go!"

"So much? What is all this?" Zhao Zun asked, looking at the two large bundles wrapped in bedsheets on the floor.

"Just bring them along, and you'll see. We've been delayed too long; Uncle Luo and the others must be waiting." With that, she strode out, leaving Zhao Zun to call Pingchuan to help with the heavy lifting.

Outside the government office, the injured soldiers from the large and small squads were already lined up, waiting for her arrival. Magistrate Luo Hai paced back and forth, rubbing his hands in anxious anticipation.

Han Lei walked out, folding fan in hand, accompanied by Zhao Zun and Pingchuan. She stopped at the steps, ready to speak, when her gaze caught the guard at the gate. She walked over, staring at his face.

"You... aren't you the young man who stopped me yesterday?" She reached out with her fan and tilted his chin up, asking curiously, "What happened to you? Why are you so bruised and battered?"