Wei Zhao was seeing Zhao Hanzhang for the second time. The first time was in Luoyang, when he had only felt that this female provincial governor was extremely fierce. When she stormed the palace to rescue the Emperor, she was filled with a murderous aura, putting all the aristocratic families accompanying the Emperor completely beneath her notice, exceptionally arrogant and aloof.

But over this past year, he had maintained frequent contact with his younger brother, and through him, he learned of a Zhao Hanzhang completely different from his impression. Combined with folk rumors, his impression of Zhao Hanzhang had improved considerably.

Wei Zhao stepped forward to pay his respects.

As Wei Jie’s elder brother, even if he wasn’t as handsome, he couldn’t be far off. Although they had some familial relationship, Zhao Hanzhang still addressed him by his official title, “General Wei.”

Wei Zhao saw her expression was mild and she didn’t seem to be looking for trouble, so his gaze swept over the convoy behind her and he reminded her, “Provincial Governor Zhao has traveled a long and arduous journey. Why not go to the courier station first to wash up and rest before entering the palace for an audience?”

Having reached this point, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mention the city gate incident at all, and smiled at Wei Zhao, “I haven’t seen His Majesty in so long that I truly miss him and cannot wait even a moment longer. So please, General Wei, announce my arrival.”

The Ministry of Rites Vice Minister standing to the side had a strange expression and couldn’t help glancing at her several times. He really couldn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang’s temper had suddenly improved.

Shouldn’t she strike while the iron is hot and make a scene now to show she had suffered a great injustice?

Why, upon reaching the palace gates, did she not mention it at all?

Although the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister couldn’t figure out the key point, his heart settled down. With Zhao Hanzhang’s emotions stable, his own emotions were soothed and also settled down.

The group stood at the palace gates having a friendly exchange. Wei Zhao also knew Zhao Hanzhang’s status was special, and this location was special too, so he didn’t dare chat much, only asking about his younger brother Wei Jie’s situation.

Wei Jie and Zhao Xin had long since returned from Qingzhou and were now in Luoyang.

Zhao Hanzhang indicated he was doing well, just missing his family. The subtext was: So, General Wei, are you interested in switching allegiances and reuniting with family?

But there were too many people here, and Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t be too obvious. She genuinely wanted to recruit Wei Zhao, not specifically to cause him trouble.

After waiting about two quarters of an hour, Zhou Neijian from the Emperor’s side brought several guards and palace attendants jogging out from inside the palace. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang standing before the palace gates, he couldn’t spare time to wipe the sweat from his face, only secretly taking two deep breaths, trying not to pant before running forward with a face full of smiles, “This old servant pays respects to Provincial Governor Zhao.”

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t wait for him to bow, extending her hand to support him and smiling, “Chief Eunuch Zhou is too polite. I just entered the city and haven’t come to pay respects to His Majesty in so long that I miss him, so I came straight here. His Majesty isn’t blaming me for my disheveled appearance, is he?”

“When His Majesty heard Provincial Governor Zhao had arrived, he was overjoyed—how could he blame you?” Zhou Neijian stepped aside with a smile and said, “Provincial Governor Zhao, please come inside quickly. His Majesty is already waiting in the great hall.”

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang casually point behind her, “I also brought some gifts for His Majesty.”

Zhou Neijian smiled and agreed, having people unload the gifts to send into the palace. Then he saw Zhao Family Army soldiers unload twelve carts of boxes, momentarily stunned. “These… are all gifts for His Majesty?”

“Yes, all are Yuzhou specialties. They’re nothing valuable. Chief Eunuch Zhou, please put in a good word for me later, and I hope His Majesty won’t find them beneath him.”

Although Zhou Neijian didn’t know what was in the boxes, given the Emperor’s temperament and character, even if Zhao Hanzhang sent a blade of grass, he wouldn’t be angry. Besides, seeing how the soldiers strained with all their might lifting the boxes, they clearly weren’t just grass.

So he readily agreed and led Zhao Hanzhang to see the Emperor first.

Zeng Yue and Ting He followed them in. At the palace gates, they removed their weapons, and Zhao Hanzhang also handed over the spear in her hand.

The Emperor led his ministers to welcome her at the entrance to the great hall. By coincidence, Zhao Zhongyu was among them. Clearly, before Zhao Hanzhang’s arrival, the sovereign and ministers had been in session.

The Emperor warmly welcomed Zhao Hanzhang’s arrival. Everyone briefly caught up, then the Emperor brought Zhao Hanzhang into the great hall for a private conversation.

He thought Zhao Hanzhang had something private to tell him. After all, she had headed straight to him upon entering the city. According to protocol, she should have stayed under the Ministry of Rites officials’ hospitality, washing up and changing clothes before entering the palace for an audience.

So he dismissed all the ministers, leaving only the two of them and Zhou Neijian and other attending servants—all trusted confidants who could speak freely and boldly.

But Zhao Hanzhang directly handed the Emperor the gift list and discussed the presents she had brought this time.

Besides the new currency, Zhao Hanzhang also sent the Emperor two other boxes of gifts, including glassware originally planned as a gift for Gou Xi, as well as some silk and porcelain.

Setting aside the silk and porcelain, the glassware had been specially made as a gift for Gou Xi—exquisitely beautiful. Outside, their value would be no less than gold.

Unfortunately, Uncle Ming didn’t appreciate them, feeling glassware was unworthy of Gou Xi.

Hmph, since he felt Gou Xi would look down on this glassware, she might as well give it to the Emperor.

The Emperor handed the list to Zhou Neijian, expressing his happiness at receiving her gifts, then looked at her, indicating she could now speak privately.

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, truly having nothing else to say. Should she discuss briefly the impact of the drought in Youzhou and Jizhou on Jin and Han?

Just as she was about to speak, urgent footsteps sounded outside. A palace attendant ran in, trembling as he said, “Your Majesty, the Grand General requests an audience…”

Before he finished speaking, Gou Xi strode in with Gou Chun, “Your Majesty, I’ve brought my younger brother to apologize to Provincial Governor Zhao.”

The Emperor started in alarm, instinctively leaning back against the dragon throne behind him. Only after leaning back did he realize that with Zhao Hanzhang here, Gou Xi wouldn’t dare do anything to him, and he immediately sat up straight again.

Zhao Hanzhang narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression darkening.

Gou Xi led Gou Chun to the center of the great hall. After clasping his hands and bowing to the Emperor, he turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang, “Provincial Governor Zhao, it’s been a while.”

Zhao Hanzhang sat without moving, only nodding slightly with a faint smile, “Grand General, we’ve only been apart just over a year, yet you look much more haggard than before. Is this from being busy with state affairs?”

Even three-year-olds in Yuncheng knew Gou Xi disliked leaving the Grand General’s residence and didn’t much like handling court affairs. Zhao Hanzhang’s words were clearly mocking him.

Since becoming Grand General, few dared speak to Gou Xi this way. The last person to speak to him with such sarcasm was Zhao Zhongyu. Besides him, the others had either died or been exiled from Yuncheng by him, never to be seen again.

But he couldn’t even touch Zhao Zhongyu who was protected by Zhao Hanzhang, let alone Zhao Hanzhang herself.

She was just a woman. Gou Xi wouldn’t engage in a war of words with her. Winning wouldn’t be glorious, and losing would be even more frustrating. So he lifted his robe and knelt down on the right side of the great hall, directly stating his purpose, “Provincial Governor Zhao, I’ve brought my younger brother to apologize to you. The incident at the city gate was a misunderstanding. Erlang, quickly come forward to pay respects and apologize.”

Gou Chun’s face darkened as he came forward, performing a perfunctory bow to Zhao Hanzhang—his back barely bent, only his head lowered slightly. Before Zhao Hanzhang could speak, he had already dropped his hands and raised his head.

Zhao Hanzhang carefully observed him, noticing spray-pattern bloodstains on his sleeves and waistband, her expression turning rather unpleasant.