"Don’t be fooled by Yang Gong’s good reputation at the border; in the court, his reputation is extrely poor. To this day, many people still spread rumors, thinking Yang Gong lacks virtue. This is all due to Wang Yan and Wang Rong’s slander in the court, which is why there’s this saying: ’The two Wangs rule the country, but Yang Gong lacks virtue.’
Ting He listened to the story, quickly grasped the main point, and said, "My lady, our old master is also not on good terms with Xun Xu."
Zhao Hanzhang burst into laughter upon hearing this, almost to the point of tears, "You’re right, that’s why we are aligned with Yang Gong’s faction, hahaha..."
After laughing, Zhao Hanzhang beca serious and solemnly said, "As the saying goes, ’Birds of a feather flock together.’ Those gathered around Wang Yan and Wang Rong naturally have great similarities with them. Those slightly further out are forced by circumstances to depend on them."
"I am now going against Wang Rong’s wishes by using Pei Yuanjun to promote Yang Gong. Moreover, with my grandfather’s reputation, those who share our ideals will naturally co to ."
Although Zhao Changyu has a reputation for being stingy and petty, that only harms minor virtues. His greater reputation is for being honest and upright!
Being touted as the pillar of the Western Jin Dynasty, Zhao Changyu’s prestige is not inferior to that of Wang Yan and Wang Rong.
Returning to Zhao Mansion, Zhao Hanzhang instructed Fan Ying to prepare Pei Yuanjun’s letter of appointnt and then asked Ting He to find so stationery and cloth in the storeroom, "To reward Pei Yuanjun and say it’s a gift to celebrate her taking office, send it to the Pei Family along with the appointnt letter."
Ting He agreed.
Not only that, but Zhao Hanzhang also wrote to the emperor, requesting the posthumous ennoblent of Yang Hu and additionally ennobling Yang Hu’s heir, Yang Pian.
The morial was delivered to Yun City, and the courtiers were montarily at a loss, not understanding why Zhao Hanzhang wanted to posthumously honor Yang Hu. If anyone were to be honored, it should be her grandfather or father, shouldn’t it?
The officials couldn’t help but turn their gaze towards Zhao Zhongyu.
Zhao Zhongyu sat quietly, pretending not to notice the gazes from others.
He knew Zhao Hanzhang’s purpose because he had received her letter in advance. However, knowing it, he could not reveal her intentions from his mouth.
Zhao Zhongyu provided only so information, leaving more for others to guess.
Thus, not long after the court session ended, the ministers heard about Zhao Hanzhang personally visiting to ask Pei Yuanjun to take office.
Almost everyone was puzzled, "Who is Pei Yuanjun?"
"The daughter of Pei Dun."
With that explanation, everyone understood the relationships. Soone rembered an old incident, "Pei Dun’s daughter, considering her age, is isn’t she overdue for marriage? Wasn’t she originally promised to Wang Sui?"
"That’s her."
"I’ve always heard she was talented. I didn’t expect her to be such an extraordinary talent, to the point where Zhao Hanzhang would risk offending Mrs. Wang to invite her."
"Hmph, when has Zhao Hanzhang ever cared about Mrs. Wang?" soone said, "When Mr. Zhao was alive, he had nurous grievances against Grand Commandant Wang, indicating that Zhao Hanzhang does not hold Grand Commandant Wang and his peers in high regard. Without esteem, with her capabilities today, why should she care?"
"But wasn’t the late Crown Princess Consort under her command? It’s rumored that Wang Si Niang is still her close confidant. Therefore, many noble families who remained in Luoyang are submissive to her. By employing Pei Yuanjun now, isn’t she burning bridges and betraying those who helped her?"
Considered to be the bridges and donkeys in the taphor, Wang Si Niang and Pei Yuanjun were about to cross the sa bridge. Although they worked under Zhao Hanzhang, they hadn’t encountered each other in recent days.
At this mont, one was on one side of the bridge and the other on the opposite side. When they looked up and saw each other, they were both slightly stunned and then simultaneously stepped onto the bridge.
eting in the middle of the bridge, Pei Yuanjun first curtsied, "Si Niang, I heard from the magistrate that you recomnded ; I have yet to properly thank you."
Wang Si Niang clasped her hands, bowed, and said, "Sister Pei, you’re too kind. Although it was the magistrate and I who recomnded you, I was prompted by my second sister. If you want to thank anyone, it should be my second sister."
Pei Yuanjun responded with a slight start, then nodded, clearing her doubts, "I see. We have quite an age gap and aren’t familiar, so it was Second Sister."
Pei Yuanjun was even a few years older than Wang Hufeng, but the age difference wasn’t significant. They often played together when they were young.
Wang Hufeng was not particularly beautiful but was talented. Pei Yuanjun was introverted and not fond of showing off. When attending gatherings in their youth, they often stayed together reading and drawing, unlike others.
Later, Pei Yuanjun was forced to "keep widowhood" for Wang Sui. Wang Hufeng once quarreled with her father and uncle over this matter, but to no avail.
Even after she beca Crown Princess Consort, she couldn’t stop the matter from happening.
However, Pei Yuanjun did not resent Wang Hufeng for Wang Rong. They continued exchanging letters, even though it cooled during her ti as Crown Princess Consort. After the Crown Prince was falsely accused, and she was brought back ho by Wang Yan and forced to divorce the Crown Prince, Pei Yuanjun couldn’t help but write to comfort her, resulting in a renewed closeness between the two won who shared similar fates.
Over the years, one was confined to the Pei Family’s inner quarters, unable to go outside, while the other confined herself to the Wang Family’s courtyard and didn’t go out. Despite this, their correspondence remained frequent, and their relationship did not fade.
Wang Hufeng, upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s willingness to employ female officials and not minding their origins, thought to recomnd Pei Yuanjun.
But although she was Zhao Hanzhang’s secretary, having spent more ti with her, in terms of friendship, it couldn’t compare to Wang Si Niang, whom Zhao Hanzhang had been close with since childhood.
Thus, Wang Hufeng asked Wang Si Niang to recomnd her.
Pei Yuanjun had slightly damp eyes, no longer curtsying formally but clasped her hands in return, smiling, "When I have ti, I must visit Second Sister to express my gratitude."
Wang Si Niang cheerfully replied, "Why pick a special day? Isn’t today just perfect?"
She pointed to the sunlit courtyard, "The weather today is clear and pleasant. There isn’t much work at the magistrate’s office; she surely can leave early. As they say, seize the day; why not after the court adjourns, Sister Pei, you wait for , and I’ll accompany you ho to chat."
Pei Yuanjun’s heart pounded heavily. She had only been out of the house for a few days, always commuting directly between the office and ho, never lingering outside.
A dozen years of oppression and confinent left her habitually staying in one place. Suddenly, she was to visit soone else’s ho, and at dusk when the court adjourns...
Pei Yuanjun clenched her hands, but she was resilient. Though anxious, after considering, she still nodded and pursed her lips, "Alright."
Wang Si Niang laughed. She had often heard from her second sister about Pei Yuanjun’s excellent calligraphy and thought today would be perfect for discussing it.
The two passed each other, Pei Yuanjun going to see Zhao Hanzhang, while Wang Si Niang took the newly discussed docunts back to the county governnt.
Across half the lake, in the pavilion, Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze and returned to her seat, "Teacher, did you see? They expect infighting among my subordinates, yet they get along harmoniously."
Ji Yuan nodded, "As long as you know your intentions, my lady."
He also withdrew his gaze and couldn’t help but shake his head, laughing silently, "Who would’ve thought Wang Yan’s two daughters, in both their character and political views, are entirely contrary to him?"
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