The estate, still deep in slumber, came alive shortly after Zhao Zhongyu’s command.

Servants urgently rose from bed, extinguishing the lanterns in the corridors and courtyards one by one. They dared not light lamps inside the rooms either. Only队 after队 of people carrying white lanterns gathered outside the spirit hall.

Once everyone assembled, they extinguished the lanterns in their hands as well.

Only the candles in the spirit hall continued burning. Inside and outside the courtyard, all was silent. No one dared speak, but hearts were filled with anxiety, and occasionally the soft sobbing of women and children could be heard.

After Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Hanzhang finished deploying the guards at the gates and patrols, they arrived together. Wang Shi, who had been staying close to Zhao Erlang, saw her and felt the heavy weight in her heart finally settle. Tears immediately streamed down her face. “Sanniang…”

She stepped forward and pressed close to her.

Zhao Hanzhang consolingly patted her hand and pulled her back beside Zhao Erlang, leaving the main stage to Zhao Zhongyu.

Looking at the assembled household—old and young—Zhao Zhongyu felt for the first time the heavy burden of the family head’s position pressing on his shoulders.

He had to ensure all these people survived.

After pondering for a moment, he said: “We don’t know who is causing this disturbance outside, but His Majesty is here, and Prince Donghai is here. Surely these rebel troops won’t be able to maintain their position for long.”

“What we must do is preserve ourselves during this period and wait for Prince Donghai to quell the rebellion. From this moment on, seal all gates tightly. No noise, no fires. Everyone stays here and awaits orders. If anyone deliberately creates noise or disorder, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

Everyone responded in unison.

Zhao Ji stepped forward and said in a low voice: “Father, should we extinguish the candles in the spirit hall?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhongyu’s anger flared instantly. He slapped Zhao Ji across the face. “Unfilial son!”

Zhao Ji lowered his head.

Zhao Zhongyu’s face turned iron-blue. After looking at the spirit hall for a while, he said: “Go fetch some thick cloth. Hang one layer inside, cover the outside with oiled cloth, and wrap the entire spirit hall. Be careful in your movements. If you extinguish even one lamp, I’ll break your legs.”

Zhao Ji acknowledged in a low voice and led a group of servants to fetch cloth and coverings.

Wang Shi couldn’t help but cover her face with her handkerchief and weep bitterly. She pulled Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlang to kneel before the spirit, saying in a low, resentful voice: “Sanniang, you were right. This uncle of yours cannot be relied upon. He would actually sever your grandfather’s soul just to survive. I have never seen such a vicious person.”

Wang Shi trembled with anger all over. If Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t been gripping her tightly just now, she would have rushed forward to tear into Zhao Ji.

Zhao Zhongyu was already so angry his hands shook. He forcibly suppressed the rage in his heart, walked to the spirit hall with a stern face, first offered three sticks of incense to Zhao Changyu, then addressed the mother and two children kneeling before the spirit: “Ji was frightened and became confused. Niece-in-law, please don’t be angry. Once this matter passes, I will surely punish him severely.”

Wang Shi wiped her tears and could only acknowledge.

Zhao Zhongyu sighed and said to Zhao Hanzhang: “Sanniang, comfort your mother.”

Zhao Hanzhang was not an ancient person and didn’t feel as deeply, but seeing that even Zhao Zhongyu could turn pale with anger, she understood this era placed great importance on the matter of extinguishing spirit lamps.

She embraced Wang Shi’s shoulders and patted her back consolingly.

With all the household servants gathered here, once they found the cloth, their movements were quite swift. The spirit hall was quickly covered, the candlelight concealed inside the room. With poor air circulation, staying inside became somewhat unbearable.

Zhao Hanzhang feared that before the rebel troops even arrived, they would suffocate inside.

So she persuaded Wang Shi to go out and had them remain in the courtyard.

She then had people open the doors and windows, prop up the oiled cloth, and use wooden boards to block the leaking light, allowing air to enter the room.

The entire household remained in the courtyard listening to the increasingly loud battle cries drawing nearer.

Servants pressed against servants. The first branch’s people all gathered around Zhao Hanzhang. Wang Shi, being the most timid, clung tightly to Zhao Hanzhang while also gripping Zhao Erlang’s hand, her face somewhat pale.

Zhao Erlang was innocently ignorant but also sensed the adults’ panic. He felt a bit frightened as well, leaning against his mother and sister, but before long his eyelids grew heavy and he fell asleep leaning on Wang Shi.

In the entire courtyard, aside from those young children who knew no better, only he could still sleep.

The neighboring households near the Zhao residence moved more slowly, but after discovering the Zhao household next door had gone completely dark, their homes also became lively. In less than two quarters of an hour, all their lights were extinguished and they gradually quieted down as well.

In the pitch darkness, everyone prayed the rebel troops wouldn’t discover their area.

The rebel troops that had broken into the city either encountered the Imperial Guards or deliberately avoided them, but were quickly scattered and dispersed into the city’s various lanes and alleys.

They headed straight for places with lights.

Only the wealthy had lights burning at night.

Soon screams and battle cries rang out throughout the city. Some sounds were very close to the Zhao residence, seeming just beyond a wall.

Zhao Hanzhang clenched her fists, her gaze calm as water as she listened. She looked toward Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression was also quite grim. He closed his eyes to rest. Only when the sky began to lighten did he open them and summon the household guards. “Send a few people to fetch Zhao Qianli and have him bring all our retainers to the estate.”

He then called Zhao Ji over: “I must go to the palace. I’m leaving the household in your hands.”

He looked at Zhao Ji imperceptibly and warned in a low voice: “Today is your eldest uncle’s seventh day. The candles must not be extinguished. If you cannot decide something, consult with Sanniang.”

Last night she had been the first to react, and her deployment of manpower was no worse than his. Plus, during this period of funeral arrangements, the two had dealt with each other frequently. Zhao Zhongyu vaguely understood why Zhao Changyu had given Zhao Erlang’s share of the family property to her as dowry.

He said in a low voice: “In these chaotic circumstances, only through unity can we preserve the family. Do you understand?”

Zhao Ji acknowledged.

Zhao Zhongyu then changed into plain clothes, took several guards, and quietly departed.

He held an official position. Now with rebel troops entering the city, he needed to know who the enemy was and how those above planned to respond. Otherwise, wandering around like a headless fly with a large household behind him would be disastrous.

Zhao Zhongyu avoided areas where fires blazed and quickly approached the Imperial City.

The Zhao residence wasn’t far from the Imperial City to begin with. Although he took a roundabout route, he arrived quickly. From afar, he saw rebel troops battling Jin forces, fighting in the streets.

Seeing the military uniforms the rebel troops wore, he was slightly stunned. “These are also… our Jin troops?”

A sharp-eyed guard said in a low voice: “Master, they appear to be Prince Heijian’s men.”

“Didn’t Prince Heijian die?” Zhao Zhongyu said, then paused, immediately understanding. Someone was directing the forces Prince Heijian had left behind. The reason was ready-made: to avenge Prince Heijian!

Zhao Zhongyu looked deeply at the battlefield, turned, and retreated into the alley. “We’ll enter through another palace gate. Let’s go.”

At the same time, Zhao Hanzhang was also deploying her own people. “Chengbo, quietly send two people to the west side of the city. That area is mostly inhabited by the poor; rebel troops won’t go there immediately. Have a squad leader take everyone to the Fu residence to fetch Fu Dalang and bring him here.”

“Remember, you must ensure Fu Dalang’s safety.”

Chengbo acknowledged and quietly withdrew.

Zhao Ji was irritably looking for someone. “Where’s Chengbo? How did he disappear again in the blink of an eye?”

Zhao Hanzhang emerged from the shadows, pretending not to see him. A servant naturally responded: “Chengbo went to find food for the young masters and ladies. We can’t light fires, so the kitchen can’t prepare many things.”

Only then did Zhao Ji suppress his anger.

—