In her heart, she felt somewhat envious. Is this what books describe as harmony in marriage? This was a love she could never obtain in her lifetime.

Ting He appeared silently, blocking the half-open doorway.

Wang Huifeng snapped back to reality, smiled at Ting He, and turned to leave. Romantic love occupies only a tiny portion of one’s life. If obtained, one is fortunate; if not, there is only slight regret—not worth dwelling upon.

She had married the former Crown Prince for her paternal clan. Protecting the Crown Prince was for the country and justice, and also a wife’s duty. None of it was related to romantic love.

And now, she lived for herself. As Zhao Hanzhang had said, she should live for what she believed was right and just, no longer simply for her father’s clan or the dignity of the Dajin imperial family.

Madam Wang and the others finished touring everyone’s dowry gifts and were very satisfied. Just as they were feeling proud and pleased, they saw the Zhao family’s young men holding wine vessels and toasting the guests. They stood watching with smiles.

Looking at Zhao Erlang, who stood half a head taller than all the other young men with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a brave, powerful bearing, several matrons’ gazes flickered. They squeezed over to Madam Wang’s side and asked, “Madam Wang, has your son discussed marriage yet?”

Madam Wang replied, “Not yet. This child insists on waiting until his older sister marries before discussing his own marriage.”

Could she say that Zhao Erlang hadn’t yet awakened to such matters? Of course not. Madam Wang said, “This child is close to his older sister, closer than he is to me, his own mother. If she doesn’t marry for a day, he won’t feel at ease for a day and refuses to discuss marriage.”

So everyone come take a look—her son is so filial and fraternal!

The matrons’ gazes on Zhao Erlang became more fervent. Close to his sister? This is a good thing! They must get closer and closer.

Even Aunt Dong couldn’t resist. After thinking it over, she reluctantly asked, “Sister-in-law, what do you think about the woman being a bit older? As they say, ‘a woman three years older holds gold bricks’—it’s better for the young lady to be somewhat older.”

Madam Wang asked curiously, “A child from your maternal family?”

“No, a relative of ours. Lady Gu’s daughter Linghui…”

Madam Wang: “…Didn’t your family and hers intend to form a marriage alliance?”

“Alas, what use is it if only we adults have the intention? The two of them must have the intention themselves. It’s been so many years, and they’re getting older day by day, but they still won’t settle on a betrothal.” Aunt Dong said, “Perhaps they’re not suitable for each other. If they change partners, it might work out.”

In truth, Aunt Dong preferred Fan Ying and still couldn’t forget about her. So she couldn’t help but ask Madam Wang, “That Lady Fan by Sanniang’s side—has the inspector not returned yet?”

“She’s back. She returned a few days ago. I heard she’s very busy lately, submitting some memorial and arguing with those high officials. She was supposed to come today, but perhaps she was too busy with work and couldn’t make it in time.”

Just as she finished speaking, Fan Ying arrived hurriedly carrying a gift box. Seeing so many people in the courtyard, she felt extremely regretful. She had left early, but when she reached the main gate, her subordinates stopped her, saying two case files couldn’t be found, and the Department of State Affairs needed to cross-check the files with the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice.

This matter was important. Although official seals had been applied for the new year, because Zhao Hanzhang herself was diligent and didn’t rest, the court hadn’t completely shut down. Busy officials were still busy.

Fan Ying could only follow her subordinates to search for the case files first.

Over the past half year, she had inspected Bingzhou, Jizhou, and southern Youzhou. She had executed three county magistrates, one prefect, arrested eight officials both large and small, and organized local troops together with her personal guard to eliminate thirteen bandit groups of various sizes, of which eight were fortified estates that had used the name of bandits to conduct raids.

Along this journey, Fan Ying had narrowly escaped death nine times. Each case was extremely important, so naturally she wouldn’t allow any mistakes.

The search took over an hour. After she inspected the case files and added some supplementary materials, when she finally carried her gift out of the Imperial City, she happened to run into all the officials sending dowry gifts to the Zhao residence, with the common people throughout the city celebrating along with them in jubilation.

She hurried over immediately.

Unexpectedly, she was still late. Fan Ying felt extremely ashamed. Seeing Madam Wang, she quickly stepped forward to bow. “Madam Wang, this official has arrived late.”

Madam Wang also liked Fan Ying very much and smiled, saying, “Not late, not late. We’ve just begun. Sanniang is in the back courtyard, and Lady Wang is also there.”

The scholarly families still showed respect toward Wang Huifeng for the most part. Although she was no longer the Crown Princess, no one dared to slight her. In this somewhat entangled confusion, a new form of address emerged—Lady Wang.

Exclusively for Wang Huifeng.

Of course, people in official circles still addressed her by her current official position, but Madam Wang and the others had no official positions. So it spread from ten to a hundred, and the madams and young ladies of Luoyang all liked to call her Lady Wang. When it spread outside, even common people and children liked to address her this way.

Just as Madam Wang finished speaking, Wang Huifeng emerged from the back courtyard and smiled at Fan Ying, who was about to go to the back courtyard. “The General has no time at present. Since you’ve come, why not first drink two cups of celebratory wine before going?”

Fan Ying glanced at the back courtyard, agreed, and was just about to take wine when her gaze swept over the nearby guests. With her sharp eyes, she spotted Fu’an hiding in a corner, sneakily presenting his gift. She was stunned. “Young Master Fu also came?”

Madam Wang looked closely and actually saw Fu’an. She thought of something and quickly said to everyone, “They’re drinking wine, and we should also take our seats soon. After eating today, we have to come eat tomorrow as well. Let’s all share in the good fortune.”

Aunt Dong also smiled and said, “We must share in Sanniang’s good fortune.”

After arranging everyone, Madam Wang immediately slipped away quietly, lifting her skirt and rushing quickly toward the back courtyard.

Seeing this, Fan Ying felt sympathetic and turned to ask Wang Huifeng, “Did I cause trouble?”

Wang Huifeng smiled and said, “These are all small matters. The General and Minister Fu should be able to handle them. Don’t take it to heart.”

Ting He stood guard at the courtyard gate. Seeing Madam Wang and Qinggu hurrying over from afar, she immediately ran back into the courtyard. Standing in the corridor, she wanted to push open the door but didn’t dare. She could only turn her back and cough heavily, reporting inside, “Young, young lady, Madam is coming.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s rationality returned. She reached out and gently pushed him away, lowered her head, and laughed softly twice. Her voice slightly hoarse, she said, “You should leave first. Go through the window.”

Fu Tinghan hugged her tightly once, then got up from the couch and headed toward the window. He pushed open the window and stepped up with one foot, unable to resist turning back for a glance.

Zhao Hanzhang was also looking at him. Seeing his clothes were somewhat disheveled, from the corner of her eye she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She smiled helplessly and stepped forward to pull him down. “Forget it. Even if you leave, you can’t conceal anything.”

When Madam Wang entered the door supporting Qinggu’s hand, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were already sitting opposite each other, each holding a cup of tea.

After all, Madam Wang was someone who had been through it all. With one glance at their slightly flushed faces and the affection between their brows, she knew what had happened.

But seeing their clothes were still relatively neat, she didn’t point it out. She just put on a stern face and said, “You two! The wedding rites have rules—two days before the ceremony, the groom and bride must not meet. You already broke this rule yesterday, and today you especially should not have met.”

Fu Tinghan stood up and obediently accepted the scolding.

Seeing him standing with hands lowered and head bowed, Madam Wang’s anger lessened somewhat. But looking at Zhao Hanzhang, she couldn’t help getting angry again. “I’m talking to you! How can you show no awareness of wrongdoing?”

—