Zhao Hanzhang quietly reassured her: “Mother, I know what I’m doing. We won’t lose out.”
Wang Shi looked doubtful. “Really?”
“But your grand-uncle is also a clever man. If you’re not losing out, how could he possibly lose?”
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t tell her about the advantages of information disparity, so she could only say: “I’m cleverer than Grand-Uncle. Of course, in Grand-Uncle’s eyes, this isn’t losing—it’s mutually beneficial.”
Unless history took a major turn in its trajectory and Luoyang remained safe, Zhao Zhongyu would definitely lose.
What Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t expected was that history indeed took a turn—but it turned in another direction entirely.
Zhao Hanzhang placed the incense stick upright, turned to look at Wang Shi and the others with their weary faces, and said to them: “You all go back and rest. I’ll keep vigil tonight.”
Wang Shi hurried to say, “You go back. Mother will keep watch tonight—you’ve already kept vigil for three nights straight.”
Because wedding preparations needed to begin, although the hot mourning period meant everything would be simplified, some preparations were still necessary, especially on the Fu family’s side.
So after Fu Tinghan accompanied Zhao Hanzhang through two nights of vigil, he returned home.
“Mother, your health isn’t good—go back and rest. If you’re worried, have Erlang stay and keep me company.” After pacifying Wang Shi, Zhao Hanzhang looked toward the three Zhao family sisters nearby. “Elder and younger sisters should also go back and rest, then return tomorrow.”
They were only cousins, so they wore lighter mourning. Only Zhao Dalang, because he was the legitimate eldest grandson of the Zhao family and Zhao Ji had inherited Zhao Changyu’s title, followed suit in wearing heavy mourning.
The three sisters didn’t demur. After bowing, they were about to leave when suddenly loud banging sounds came from outside, startling them into shrinking back.
“How is that like the sound of battle?”
“Is someone attacking the palace gates again?”
Over the past three years, they’d heard such sounds frequently. Each time signaled a political upheaval. Thinking of how Great-Uncle was no longer here, their faces instantly turned deathly pale.
Zhao Hanzhang also pricked up her ears to listen. She clearly heard battle cries growing nearer from far away. Her expression changed as she walked out of the mourning hall and called for Chengbo: “Control the household servants properly, go fetch Grand-Uncle and Uncle, and have them come here to guard the mourning hall.”
Before her words were finished, Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji also hurried over. “Shut all doors tight—five people per gate. Report any abnormalities immediately.”
Zhao Zhongyu remained relatively calm as he gave orders: “Summon all the household guards. From now on, divide into three patrol teams throughout the residence. Watch over the servants and maids—no one is to wander about. Violators will be beaten to death on the spot.”
Zhao Hanzhang stopped and waited for him to finish giving instructions.
After he’d made all arrangements, she stepped forward. “Grand-Uncle, what’s happening outside?”
Zhao Zhongyu frowned. “I’ve already sent people out to investigate. All of you stay in the residence for now—don’t go out.”
Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, then said: “Mister Ji is well-informed—he might know. Grand-Uncle, why not send someone to bring Mister Ji here?”
“It’s chaotic outside, with swords and spears everywhere. Staying indoors is safest right now,” Zhao Zhongyu said. “We can discuss it after this wave of turmoil passes.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, also feeling that safety was most important at present.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling anxious. She reviewed the history she knew—during this period, although the area outside Luoyang was chaotic, the city itself should have remained relatively stable. At least during the first two years of the Prince of Donghai’s control over court affairs, Luoyang hadn’t experienced major battles.
But…
After all, this was history recorded by later generations about events over a thousand years ago. Historical records were always incomplete, so one couldn’t believe everything.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled bitterly. Even if the historical records were complete and detailed, she would still need to have read and memorized them all.
So gathering current information was still essential. Zhao Hanzhang turned to gaze at the gradually darkening sky, wondering whether the new emperor was safe at this moment. If something happened to him, Luoyang would likely descend into chaos immediately.
The entire Zhao household was anxious, gathering together in the mourning hall to listen to the commotion outside all night.
Zhao Hanzhang’s hearing was better than everyone else’s. Especially when she closed her eyes, she could clearly hear the sound of armor clashing as soldiers moved through the streets. Unfortunately, no one spoke, so the information she could extract was limited.
However, the passing soldiers didn’t knock on the doors of the Zhao or Jia residences, seemingly bypassing these several households.
Zhao Hanzhang opened her eyes slightly, lowering her gaze in thought. It seemed this chaos originated from within, and the Prince of Donghai had the situation under control. The other party seemed quite confident that these households weren’t involved.
She tapped her knee. Though she didn’t know the specifics, the problem didn’t seem too serious.
Sure enough, by the next day the turmoil had been quelled. The Zhao family’s servant sent out to gather information returned and reported: “…The soldiers guarding the intersections have all withdrawn. Only the main streets and the entrance to the Imperial City still have bloodstains that haven’t been cleaned. All four city gates are closed—people aren’t being allowed to leave for now.”
Zhao Ji quickly asked, “Did you find out what happened?”
“I couldn’t find out. Those soldiers are all fierce—this humble one didn’t dare linger.”
Zhao Zhongyu pondered briefly, then said: “Prepare the carriage. I’ll go out and inquire.”
The servant acknowledged and departed, but upon leaving immediately encountered Ji Yuan hurrying over.
Zhao Zhongyu’s eyes lit up as he stepped forward. “Mister Ji, your timing is perfect.”
Zhao Hanzhang also took two steps forward, her gaze fixed intently on Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, calming his breathing before saying: “Right Guard General Gao Tao attacked and attempted to assassinate the Prince of Donghai. The rebellion has been quelled.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s eyebrows jumped as she stepped forward to ask: “Did Gao Tao attack and assassinate the Prince of Donghai, or was the Prince of Donghai apprehending Gao Tao?”
Zhao Ji interjected: “Isn’t that the same thing?”
Of course it wasn’t the same—because in history, Gao Tao’s assassination plan was exposed before he could carry it out, and he was then captured and killed by the Prince of Donghai.
Ji Yuan said: “Yesterday evening, just as the Prince of Donghai’s carriage left the Imperial City, it was ambushed. Gao Tao led his subordinate soldiers to attack the Prince of Donghai. The plan failed, and he fled.”
He paused, then lowered his voice: “I heard the Prince of Donghai was seriously injured.”
Zhao Hanzhang swallowed and asked, “Is this information reliable?”
Ji Yuan replied: “Whether the Prince of Donghai was seriously injured cannot be confirmed, but the assassination attempt is true. He should have already escaped from the city.”
Zhao Hanzhang: …That’s truly thrilling.
History really had taken a sharp turn.
She suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis. She abruptly raised her head to look at Ji Yuan, her gaze intense.
Ji Yuan was also looking at her, and when their eyes met, he gave a slight nod.
Zhao Hanzhang turned to Zhao Zhongyu and said: “Grand-Uncle, I want to send the coffin to the temple early. Our family should also temporarily reside at the temple to conduct funeral rites for Grandfather.”
Zhao Zhongyu came back to his senses and shook his head. “If you want to hold rites, we can invite monks and Taoists to the residence. Why go to a temple? Wait until after the funeral to move the coffin.”
He continued: “I know what you’re worried about, but if even inside Luoyang isn’t safe, outside the city will only be more dangerous. Besides, the turmoil has already been quelled. The Prince of Donghai’s serious injury is likely a rumor he deliberately spread—he wants to catch all those with disloyal intentions in one net.”
“Since Grand-Uncle knows this, why not avoid this wave of trouble?”
“But this has nothing to do with us. We won’t rebel against the Prince of Donghai—we can just sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.”