Beigong Chun and Mi Ce were punished in the Zhao Residence and were ultimately carried back by soldiers.

Many people witnessed this. At the same time, Zhao Hanzhang’s letter of self-reproach was also posted.

Many people stood beneath the public notice wall to read it. They thought it would be a proclamation condemning Beigong Chun and Mi Ce, but unexpectedly it was Zhao Hanzhang’s letter of self-reproach.

Everyone fell silent, quietly reading the somewhat sharp handwriting on the paper.

Among the crowd, an old man shed tears, his teardrops falling one by one into the earth. He gripped his grandson’s hand tightly and turned to leave.

“Great-grandfather, aren’t we going to seek an audience with Administrator Zhao anymore?”

The old man coaxed his grandson: “No more. We won’t leave.”

“Then what about Father, Mother, and Little Sister? Aren’t we going to find them?”

“They’ve already grown up and can surely take care of themselves and your little sister. They each have their own fate. We’ll stay in Luoyang and protect Luoyang.” He added: “They must have gone south. As long as we defend Luoyang and prevent the barbarians from moving south, they’ll be safe.”

“Oh, then when I grow up, Great-grandfather, I want to be a great general.”

“Good. First learn your martial arts and military strategy well. When you’re a bit older, Great-grandfather will send you to serve under Administrator Zhao.”

The child became excited, pulling his grandfather’s hand and bouncing along: “Actually, I didn’t want to leave Luoyang either. Outside Luoyang isn’t good at all.”

Just one trip outside Luoyang and he’d lost his parents and sister. Everywhere were refugees just like them, and there were rogue soldiers too. All their belongings had been stolen.

The old man and child’s words were heard by everyone. Some people looked deeply at the letter of self-reproach and also turned to leave.

The public notice wall stood not far from the Zhao Residence’s main gate. Fourth Lady Wang and Wang Huifeng stood before the wall for a long time.

Though both wore gray cloth garments without a single accessory, when people saw them, they tacitly moved aside, making room for them while also stepping back a pace to show respect.

Everyone recognized the two sisters.

Some people respected them for their family background, while others simply admired Fourth Lady Wang and Wang Huifeng.

Wang Huifeng had been the Crown Prince’s consort—great loyalty and righteousness. During this journey when they encountered hardship, she and Fourth Lady Wang had constantly worked to mediate the conflicts between them and the Zhao Family Army. Although they were ultimately brought back to Luoyang, everyone had preserved their lives and suffered no injuries.

It must be said that the sisters deserved much credit for this.

Zhao Kuan was also telling Zhao Hanzhang about this matter. He and Zhao Erlang had been called over together to meet with Wang Huifeng and her sister.

“Because General Beigong and General Mi plundered their property, many people were furious and nearly started a riot. In the end, it was the Wang ladies who came forward to persuade everyone and mediate in the middle. Only then could we bring everyone back.” Zhao Kuan said: “The Administrator should properly thank them.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “Fourth Lady has both talent and virtue. Sister Huifeng surpasses her even more. I want to invite them to stay and work in the Luoyang office. What position do you think would be suitable?”

A question had been stuck in Zhao Kuan’s heart since last night that he wanted to ask but dared not. Now with only the two of them—oh, Erlang could be disregarded.

So Zhao Kuan boldly asked: “Administrator, am I to be the county magistrate of Luoyang County or the governor of Henan Commandery?”

Because over these past two days, the documents he’d been handling included not only Luoyang’s but also those submitted from other counties.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him: “You only have the title of county magistrate, but the capable must do more—from now on, matters throughout Henan Commandery will also be entrusted to you.”

Zhao Kuan couldn’t help muttering complaints.

Zhao Hanzhang then asked: “Didn’t you accompany Tinghan to inspect the Luo River this morning?”

“Yes.” Zhao Kuan paused before replying: “I wasn’t needed there, so I came back first.”

Mainly because he still had much work to handle—he really was terribly busy.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him: “Look, Tinghan doesn’t even have a title yet, but doesn’t he also have to do so much work? What he’s doing now is all work that should be yours, isn’t it? So there’s no need to be too concerned about empty titles—just do the work first.”

However, Zhao Hanzhang still gave her promise: “If you can manage Henan Commandery well, when the time is right, I’ll petition His Majesty to appoint you as Governor of Henan Commandery.”

Zhao Kuan didn’t doubt Zhao Hanzhang, but he doubted the Emperor: “Right now His Majesty is in Gou Xi’s hands. Will he still listen to you?”

He added: “It’s not that I absolutely must be that governor. I just have this question purely out of curiosity.”

“That’s a good question, because I don’t know either.”

Zhao Kuan: …

Zhao Erlang sat to one side fidgeting, unable to resist repeatedly looking outside: “Elder Sister, why hasn’t Sister Wang arrived yet?”

This Sister Wang referred to Fourth Lady Wang. Zhao Hezhen and Fourth Lady Wang were close friends. As the youngest child in her family who always seemed to never grow up, Fourth Lady Wang doted on Zhao Erlang very much when she saw him.

Even more than his own sister, Zhao Hanzhang.

If Elder Sister hadn’t said Sister Wang would come, Zhao Erlang wouldn’t have wanted to return home for the evening meal at all. The army was dividing up camp areas, and he wanted to claim a camp location he liked.

Fourth Lady Wang was still looking at the public notice wall, gazing at the familiar yet strange handwriting. She sighed leisurely: “This was written by Hanzhang’s own hand. The characters are sharper than before and more composed. These characters are like hooks and swords—not to be underestimated.”

Wang Huifeng said: “She’s no longer that little miss who could only endure grievances and委屈. Naturally her calligraphy has changed as well.”

Ting He stood at the main gate looking left and right. Seeing the two at the public notice wall, she quickly ran over, curtsying: “So Second Lady Wang and Fourth Lady Wang are here. Please come inside quickly. Our Miss has been waiting for some time.”

Fourth Lady Wang nodded and pulled Wang Huifeng along with Ting He.

Ting He led the way, her face full of smiles: “When our Miss heard Fourth Lady Wang was coming, she was overjoyed and specially ordered the kitchen to make your favorite dishes. Unfortunately, Luoyang currently lacks many things, so we could only barely manage two dishes. Please don’t mind, Fourth Lady.”

Fourth Lady Wang said: “She’s very thoughtful.”

Luoyang currently lacked everything. Just having food to eat was quite good—where could she expect so much?

Ting He led them directly to Qingyi Pavilion. Fourth Lady Wang stopped in her tracks, looking in shock at the charred buildings on the other side: “This… even the Zhao Residence was burned?”

Ting He smiled: “Only half was burned.”

Half was still burned, wasn’t it? Fourth Lady Wang didn’t know what expression to make: “She’s just living here like this? Neither moving residences nor repairing?”

Her words barely finished when Zhao Hanzhang emerged with a smile, cupping her hands in greeting: “Those buildings over there are uninhabitable. For now, I won’t worry about that. Second Sister Wang, it’s been so long since we’ve met. How have you been?”

Wang Huifeng curtsied in return, smiling faintly: “Thanks to the Zhao Family Army’s care throughout this journey, we haven’t suffered any hardship.”

Fourth Lady Wang said: “Why do you only ask Second Sister and not me?”

Zhao Hanzhang extended her hand toward her: “I could hear your voice from far away—such robust vitality, you must be fine.”

Fourth Lady Wang grasped her hand, but tears suddenly fell despite herself. She threw herself into Zhao Hanzhang’s embrace, crying and holding her as the two sisters embraced together: “I have problems, and big ones at that!”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes grew slightly moist. She hugged her back, patting her back in comfort.