Although the old family estate wasn’t divided, each courtyard was occupied separately. The servants who stayed in the old estate had tidied up one side early on and, per Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions, opened a door on the other side for convenient access.
With the Wang family in Chen County, even though she wanted to return to Xiping to see the second branch’s predicant, her interest waned upon hearing that Zhao Ji and his wife hadn’t returned.
She disliked the people of the second branch and was not fond of their children, but she wasn’t about to overtly bully the kids. Her main targets were Zhao Ji and Mrs. Wu.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t returned.
For this reason, Mrs. Wang complained, "If they ca back, I could get my revenge."
Qing Gu understood clearly, while massaging her shoulders, she whispered, "It’s better they didn’t co back. Madam, if you think that Yun City is a good place, I heard outsiders say the second master took the elder master there to serve as hostages. They might not return."
Mrs. Wang was startled, "Really?"
"It was said by soone in the front courtyard, I guess it must be true."
Mrs. Wang clutched her chest, then gritted her teeth, "Damn, even in death, they’re making Third Lady owe them a favor."
Qing Gu glanced outside and then leaned in to whisper softly in Mrs. Wang’s ear.
Mrs. Wang’s eyes widened, and she beca excited, "Really? He really said that the clan leader position will be passed to our Second Son?"
Qing Gu corrected, "It’s for Second Son’s child."
She whispered, "This was leaked from Mr. Ming’s side, it’s still a secret, but several elders in the clan have discussed it and all agree with this."
Qing Gu gently pressed her shoulders, moving closer to her ear, "Madam, Mr. Ming is known for keeping his mouth shut, why would he let us know about this on purpose?"
Mrs. Wang asked, "Why?"
"Naturally, it’s to prevent us from creating more problems. The second branch has only returned the children now; we don’t need to go back and contend with them," she said, "You’re the elder, they’re the juniors, no matter what they do, they must endure. But after all, it’s in Wu Castle, surrounded by relatives, and their minds are full of gossip. If they misunderstand and think Madam is bullying them, it wouldn’t look good."
Mrs. Wang agreed, but there was still so anger in her heart, "In the past, they bullied Third Lady and Second Son quite a bit."
She continued, "Second Son is a fool, who only cries when bullied; Third Lady tends to tolerate it, and sotis, we don’t even know she’s been bullied or how much grievance she’s suffered in private. Hmph, they’re taking advantage."
Qing Gu massaged her arm with a smile, "Yes, they’re taking advantage. This shows Madam and the Lady’s magnanimity; there aren’t many kind and broad-minded people like Madam in this world."
Mrs. Wang, pleased by her flattery, quickly put Zhao Yi and his siblings out of mind. She asked, "Has Third Lady ntioned when she’ll return or should I go to Luoyang instead?"
Having not seen the two children for a long ti, she missed them.
Qing Gu comforted, "Luoyang is in chaos now, with many bandits along the way. Once the Lady has settled Luoyang, even if she doesn’t return, she will co to bring you to Luoyang."
Mrs. Wang sighed, "I was thinking she’s about to co out of mourning, and the marriage with Ting Han should be prepared. Also, since the clan has decided to return the clan leader position, we should talk about marriage for Second Son, so he can have a child early."
Mrs. Wang beca excited, "We need to find soone fertile, preferably soone older, so they can have a son quickly."
She said, "If Zhao Jizhen is indeed that, then our Second Son can take over the Shangcai Marquis position."
Qing Gu sighed, "...The clan is interested in Second Son’s child, not Second Son."
"The clan leader can be Second Son’s son, but what use is passing the title to a child? It should still go to Second Son, as the title requires no work, Second Son can handle it."
Qing Gu couldn’t help but laugh, "Madam, our Lady is now Duke Ru Nan; does it really matter if Second Son becos Shangcai Marquis?"
But the title and the clan leader position had always troubled Mrs. Wang; it had been impossible before, and now that it’s possible, she had to strive for her son no matter what.
The main concern was, "Everything goes to Second Son’s son. If the child grows ambitious and bullies Second Son or doesn’t listen to him when he grows up, what then?"
"That’s his father. How could Mr. Sun not listen to him?"
Mrs. Wang whispered, "When Lord was around, he often disagreed with Father-in-law, isn’t that possible?"
Qing Gu was forced to say, "Madam, we don’t even know who the master’s wife is, let alone Mr. Sun. You should wait until there’s a sign before speaking further."
Mrs. Wang began to ponder.
Therefore, when Zhao Hanzhang received the letter about Zhao Hewan’s successful marriage, she also received Mrs. Wang’s letter urging marriage, but this ti it wasn’t about her and Fu Tinghan; it was about Zhao Erlang.
Zhao Hanzhang read the letter back and forth twice before looking up at Zhao Erlang.
Zhao Erlang was sitting quietly, eagerly waiting for food. Seeing his sister look over, he imdiately asked, "Sister, should I go and hurry the kitchen? I’ll go then."
With that, he jumped up and ran outside, heading to the kitchen to hurry the al.
Zhao Hanzhang calmly put the letter away, thinking how can they talk about marriage with him behaving so immaturely.
Fu Tinghan looked at her, "What’s wrong? What does the letter say?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "My mother is urging to find a match for Erlang, or to inquire about my and Erlang’s requirents for a future sister-in-law. She thinks she can choose one in Yu State as well."
Fu Tinghan said, "... Is Erlang going to get married?"
"Seeing how he behaves, it’s better not to harm young girls," Zhao Hanzhang paused, "Take your ti in finding soone suitable."
Otherwise, given Zhao Erlang’s situation, not only would a young girl be wronged, but he would also be aggrieved.
Fu Tinghan nodded and said, "Now that the people sent to the Northern Land have arrived, I plan to let them depart in a couple of days."
Along with this letter ca the people trained for Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan in the academy, as well as loyal soldiers chosen from Xiping.
They would head to the Northern Land with Gao Hui.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Find so ti to et Gao Hui again, head to Shangdang first."
Fu Tinghan imdiately asked, "Has Liu Cong and Shi Le settled their conflict?"
"Recently received news; it’s not entirely settled," Zhao Hanzhang explained, "Neither fully engaged, as Shi Le, being Liu Yuan’s subject, dares not oppose Liu Cong too much. Likewise, Liu Cong fears pushing Shi Le too far. So they’ve just engaged in minor skirmishes."
"Liu Yuan probably got tired of it and couldn’t keep ignoring the issue, so he eventually had Liu Cong withdraw from Shangdang, ceding the territory to Shi Le."
Shi Le first invaded Shangdang, with Liu Cong lagging behind, recreating the Luoyang situation. However, with Wang Mi’s previous failure as a lesson, Liu Cong dared not act too aggressively, fearing Shi Le might betray the Han Kingdom like Wang Mi did.
"Shi Le will need so ti in Shangdang. He has many treasures; let Gao Hui try building connections with him if he can."
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