Fourth Lady Wang wiped away her tears and straightened her wrinkled collar. Looking in the mirror, she tidied her hair before walking out of the inner room to sit beside Zhao Hanzhang. “I won’t be polite with you. Second Sister and I came to see you today for our father’s sake.”
As Fourth Lady Wang spoke, her eyes reddened again. “As soon as we entered the city, we heard you led troops to rescue those captured by Shi Lei, but last night you seemed to enter the city alone…”
Fourth Lady Wang looked like she wanted to ask but dared not.
Zhao Hanzhang thought of Wang Yan, whom she had buried in the wilderness, and lowered her eyes: “Before I could arrive, Shi Lei had already killed everyone. Grand Tutor Wang did not escape either.”
Fourth Lady Wang had anticipated this, yet still couldn’t help the pain in her heart. She threw herself into Zhao Hanzhang’s embrace again, weeping bitterly.
Zhao Hanzhang expertly held her, expertly patting her back in comfort.
Wang Huifeng showed little change. Though sorrow could be seen in her eyes, she didn’t display it outwardly. She even looked at Zhao Hanzhang with some surprise, then joined in comforting Fourth Lady Wang: “We had anticipated this early and prepared ourselves. Why must you weep so bitterly?”
Wang Huifeng asked: “I wonder if Father died painfully?”
Zhao Hanzhang’s face filled with conflict. Wang Yan had been crushed to death by an earthen wall, while the others had been dispatched with a single blade. In terms of quick deaths, she felt the latter might have been more fortunate, but her thoughts always differed somewhat from this world’s.
She said: “He and Prince Xiangyang saw no weapons—they were crushed to death by an earthen wall.”
As expected, Wang Huifeng breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as his body remained intact, that’s good.”
Fourth Lady Wang also felt better in her heart. She grasped Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and asked: “How did you handle my father’s body?”
Zhao Hanzhang said with regret: “At the time I was urgently pursuing Shi Lei, so I could only have people bury them where they fell. I didn’t bring them back.”
Fourth Lady Wang expressed understanding, then said: “I must go retrieve Father.”
Wang Huifeng also nodded: “We should bring Father back.”
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, advising: “That place is very far from Luoyang—even from Gucheng it’s quite distant. Xiongnu frequently appear there. It’s too dangerous. Why not wait and discuss this later?”
She added: “When I had people bury them, I left wooden markers. We made markers for all those we could identify, so we’ll definitely be able to find them.”
Wang Huifeng shook her head, her face resolute: “Since we already know Father’s burial place, how can we leave him abandoned outside? Even if it means risking death, we must bring him back.”
Fourth Lady Wang nodded.
Seeing the determination on both their faces, Zhao Hanzhang found herself unable to speak the many words of persuasion she had prepared.
During the meal, everyone was very quiet. Zhao Kuan wanted to speak several times but couldn’t find an opening. He couldn’t help looking toward Zhao Hanzhang. Was that it?
He had really just come for a meal?
Wasn’t he supposed to be a persuader to help keep the two sisters here?
Zhao Erlang was much more natural. After eating, he invited Fourth Lady Wang: “Sister Wang, I’m a general now. Come visit me at the camp when you have time, and I’ll take you horseback riding.”
Fourth Lady Wang managed a smile and nodded: “Alright.”
Zhao Hanzhang asked: “Where are you staying now?”
The Wang family’s residence was very close to the imperial palace, so their home was among the first to be burned, very thoroughly at that. A separate estate had also been burned.
Fourth Lady Wang said: “At Rufeng Residence in the eastern city—that’s our family’s garden estate.”
Rufeng Residence was considered a famous garden where literati loved to hold banquets. Though Zhao Hanzhang had never been there, Scholar Ji had mentioned it. When he used to gather intelligence, much of it came from Rufeng Residence.
Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t expected Rufeng Residence to be Wang family property. “How many people do you still have with you?”
Fourth Lady Wang sighed: “Besides three maids, just two servants following us. Everyone else has scattered.”
Moreover, everything their family owned had been plundered by Shi Lei. The cloth garments they wore had been exchanged for their earrings.
Zhao Hanzhang had Ting He prepare some money, silk, and jewelry for the two. Escorting them to the main gate, she instructed: “Tell me before you go, and I’ll arrange an escort for you.”
Both Wang Huifeng and Fourth Lady Wang understood the gravity and breathed a slight sigh of relief, responding: “Alright.”
Zhao Hanzhang had the carriage driver take them back. She stood at the main gate for a long time without speaking.
Zhao Kuan looked at her curiously: “What’s wrong?”
Zhao Hanzhang hesitated before shaking her head and asking: “Where has Xun Xiu gotten to now?”
Xun Xiu had gone to delay Shi Lei. His return journey was earlier than theirs, yet he’d been delayed on the road—who knows where he’d detoured to.
This was military business—Zhao Kuan didn’t know.
Zhao Hanzhang also knew she couldn’t ask him. Turning around, she called Zhao Erlang over and had him ask Zeng Yue.
Zeng Yue quickly replied: “No news received. He shouldn’t have reached Gucheng yet.”
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes: “Send people out to search. Three routes. Tell him that as long as he hasn’t passed Gucheng, he should return and dig up all of Wang Yan and the others’ corpses to bring back.”
“Ah?”
Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyes to look at him: “Is there a problem?”
Zeng Yue immediately lowered his head: “No, this subordinate will go at once.”
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, dismissing him.
Throughout the day, the public notice wall in front of the Zhao Residence never lacked for people. One group would leave and another would come—all to read her letter of self-reproach.
Of course, the letter wasn’t merely posted. Literate clerks also had to stand at major intersections and read it aloud once to inform all under heaven that these were Zhao Hanzhang’s faults.
Some had already heard it read at intersections but still came to the notice wall to see Zhao Hanzhang’s personally written letter.
Many departed in tears. From the letter they saw Zhao Hanzhang’s remorse and also saw her determination. They couldn’t leave Luoyang—at least not for three years.
Their hearts were both joyful and sorrowful—joyful that Luoyang had finally welcomed someone who could truly protect it; sorrowful that their families were scattered and for three years they couldn’t leave Luoyang.
Some simply sat down by the roadside, backs against the Zhao Residence’s surrounding wall, and wept bitterly. After crying enough, they stood up, grinning while crying and laughing as they left.
After dark, people still stubbornly refused to leave.
Lights were lit inside, and Zhao Hanzhang looked up from her desk. She could still faintly hear crying from outside. She asked: “Are there still many people outside?”
Ting He said: “Quite a few. People are still coming from the western and eastern city.”
After brief consideration, Zhao Hanzhang said: “Have people light lanterns to illuminate the notice wall for them. Notify the patrolling soldiers that tonight’s curfew is delayed until midnight.”
“Yes.”
The order was passed down, and immediately two soldiers lit two large lanterns to stand by the notice wall, illuminating it for those who came to read the letter of self-reproach.
At the same time, soldiers patrolling outside the Zhao Residence increased. Zhao Erlang personally brought a team of personal guards back and stationed them throughout the compound.
Hearing the commotion, Zhao Hanzhang came out to look. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but smile: “Erlang has grown up.”
Zhao Erlang, hearing his sister’s praise, grew proud: “Teacher Xie said that now many people want to kill Elder Sister, so we must protect you well and not let them take advantage of the chaos.”
Zhao Hanzhang: …
She reached out to pat his head: “Good. Tonight the Zhao Residence’s safety is entrusted to you.”