Mrs. Wang, upon hearing this, was overwheld with sorrow.
However, she could not find the words to ask her son to stay. Their current escape south was not stable, as they were fleeing with dozens of families, encountering refugee armies and bandits along the way, and even the Wei Family lost many mbers.
Wei Jie had always been a protected figure; the family had sacrificed so much for them, so naturally, Wei Jie also felt obligated to protect the family. Now that there was another path that could lead the family back to their holand, how could she stop him?
Tears fell from Mrs. Wang’s eyes. Being in a foreign land made one even more hosick, especially since the aristocrats in Yangzhou did not accept them. The lifestyle, food, clothing, and even the language here were different. Mrs. Wang also longed to return ho.
She quickly restrained her emotions, wiped her tears, and said, "Very well, since you plan to return north, I will write you a letter. You should first go to Yu State to find your cousin. I have heard she ntioned that Zhao Hanzhang is a filial child. With her recomndation, it will be easier for you at Zhao Hanzhang’s place."
Wei Jie thought of having multiple plans, placing bets on both sides. Other families weren’t foolish either. Even the local gentry of Jiangnan, after seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s strategy, began selecting suitable disciples to send to the Northern Land;
Or they encouraged within their clans, urging those with ambition to go to the Northern Land. Ideally, they wanted people in both Luoyang and Yun City so that regardless of which side eventually triumphed, they could advance their family further, at least not falling behind others.
Zhao Hanzhang remained in Chen County and within two months t several scholars who ca to pledge allegiance. Zhao Hanzhang accepted so and put them to use;
For others, Zhao Hanzhang engaged in light conversation and persuaded them to stay in Yu State to enjoy themselves, suggesting they could also visit Luoyang if they had the ti.
This was because they didn’t see any value in them.
Even in late autumn, with the weather turning cold, Zhao Hanzhang still wore a cold garnt and wielded a spear like a long serpent, brandishing it with fierce vigor.
Mrs. Wang stood by with a maid watching and, as soon as Hanzhang finished a set of spear techniques, she imdiately soaked a cloth, wrung it dry, and handed it to her, "Quick, wipe yourself. It’s cold, and you’ve sweated so much, be careful not to catch a chill."
Zhao Hanzhang took the cloth, wiped her face and neck, and began to wipe her hands, curiously asking, "Mother, what do you need for?"
Mrs. Wang teased, "Can’t I co looking for you without a reason?"
"Not at all, just that at this ti, you usually go to the Yushan Hall. Today, not only are you ho, but you also personally handed the cloth. I feel a bit flattered."
Even though Mrs. Wang dearly loved her daughter, seeing her every day dulled the charm. After all, with mothers and daughters, true beauty is found at a distance.
When Zhao Hanzhang first returned, Mrs. Wang wished she could sleep in the sa place as her at night, worrying about her every need.
Watching Zhao Hanzhang practice sword and spear, Mrs. Wang would sit by, help wipe her sweat afterward, and routinely feel sorry for her;
A week after Zhao Hanzhang’s return, Mrs. Wang had enough of doting on her, starting to think about her son far away in Luoyang. After two more days, Mrs. Wang began to mumble.
She mumbled about Zhao Erlang, she mumbled about Zhao Hanzhang not being considerate enough towards Fu Tinghan, she mumbled about her clothes always getting worn out, coming back every day looking shabby and dirty...
Later, she wouldn’t miss Zhao Hanzhang even if they didn’t see each other for a day, and whenever they t again, she could always find so fault in her.
She even mumbled about her eating two more eggs in the morning, saying that eating too many eggs was not good for her health.
Clearly, when Zhao Hanzhang first ca back and Mrs. Wang saw how much she liked eggs, she had a bowlful cooked for her, prepared in various ways, showing utmost care.
"So, what does mother need for?"
Only then did Mrs. Wang say, "Your great-aunt has sent a letter."
Zhao Hanzhang paused her drinking, dumbfounded, and asked, "Who is my great-aunt?"
Mrs. Wang gave her a reproachful look and said, "Your great-aunt is naturally my aunt. But our two families are rely related, and it’s the fifth degree for us, so it’s a bit distant."
"However, she is not only your great-aunt but also your grandaunt, which is a bit closer."
This relationship spun her head a little, so she humbly asked, "So?"
"So your cousin-uncle who is also your second uncle is coming to seek refuge with you. Do you have a good position for him?" Mrs. Wang said, "Even though he has co through my connections, he is quite talented. Do not underestimate him."
She continued, "Accompanying him is another of your second uncles, but you need not worry too much about him. I’ve never heard he had any talents, and our two families do not have a good relationship."
Zhao Hanzhang drank the rest of her water and casually asked, "What are their nas?"
Mrs. Wang smiled broadly, even with a hint of bashfulness on her face, "He is called Wei Jie!"
Zhao Hanzhang was imdiately choked by her own saliva, coughing violently, her face blushing red, and her eyes turning red from coughing. After a while, she stopped and looked at her mother in astonishnt, "Who did you say?"
Mrs. Wang beca proud, smilingly saying, "Wei Jie, isn’t the person I introduced quite good?"
Who in the world doesn’t recognize Wei Jie’s na?
She had deliberately withheld ntioning his na to give her daughter a surprise.
It was uncertain if Zhao Hanzhang was pleased, but she was certainly shocked. She widened her eyes and asked, "Wei Jie is my...second uncle?"
Mrs. Wang gave her a reproachful glance, "He’s also your cousin-uncle!"
She said, "I shared the sa surna Wang with his mother. He has to call your grandfather uncle. I am his cousin."
Mrs. Wang paused and sighed, "However, the relations between our two families have beco distant, but your father and he are closer."
Zhao Hanzhang even more humbly sought the answer, "My father and he..."
Mrs. Wang tapped her forehead and said, "I think you’ve been fighting and training so much you’ve misplaced your mind. You could recite the family tree by heart at eight, how can you have forgotten now?"
Zhao Hanzhang: ... Family trees are such boring things. Without consciously thinking about it, how could the mory resurface?
Mrs. Wang continued, "Your grandmother also ca from the Wang Family, and she is a sister of Wei Jie’s mother, making her your father’s direct aunt. Do you say this relationship is close or not?"
Zhao Hanzhang was so shocked she couldn’t speak, this was quite close indeed.
After a while, Zhao Hanzhang regained her composure, rembered sothing, and cautiously asked, "Mother, what about my maternal grandfather’s family..."
Mrs. Wang sighed, "Ever since your maternal grandfather and eldest uncle passed away, I haven’t inquired about matters over there, nor have they cared about . I do not know whether they are alive or dead now."
Zhao Hanzhang searched her mory, and only then did the situation regarding her maternal grandfather’s family erge from the corners of her mory.
Mrs. Wang was a legitimate daughter, with only one legitimate elder brother and another brother born of a concubine. Unfortunately, both her brothers died young, both due to the Rebellion of the Eight Kings.
After losing both sons, her maternal grandfather’s health deteriorated further, and he casually adopted a successor from the clan. Not long after, he also passed away.
This was one of the reasons for Mrs. Wang’s exceptionally rich dowry. A significant portion of the wealth was given to her by Father Wang before adopting a successor, and at that ti, Zhao Hanzhang was already eight or nine years old, and both she and Zhao Erlang received many precious gifts from their grandfather.
Perhaps because Father Wang privately gave Mrs. Wang too many assets, the successor adopted had a very average relationship with Mrs. Wang, and both sides rarely interacted, making it difficult for Zhao Hanzhang to rember she even had an uncle.
As for Zhao Family and her grandmother’s Wang Family, their relationships beca even more complicated.
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