“Fried rice cakes,” Zhao Hanzhang walked in with Fu Tinghan and Zhao Kuan, Zhao Erlang, smiling as she spoke. “They’re made from glutinous rice strips that are deep-fried. How does General Chen find them?”

Chen Wu quickly stood up to bow, indicating they were very delicious.

“Even if they’re good, eat only a little. The evening banquet will begin shortly, so General Chen should save room for the meal.” Zhao Hanzhang turned to Ting He and said, “Go have the kitchen fry another basin of fried rice cakes and wrap them up for General Chen later.”

She told Chen Wu, “Take them back for the children at home to try. If they like them, ask the kitchen for the recipe later.”

Chen Wu savored the taste of the pastry he had just eaten – it had a slight sweetness, was oily and rich, and crispy. The children at home would surely love it, so he immediately nodded. “Thank you, Administrator.”

Zhao Hanzhang introduced Zhao Kuan to Chen Wu. Just as she finished speaking, Beigong Chun also arrived with his subordinates and family members.

Chen Wu immediately stood up. Toward this Western Liang general, he had long admired his reputation and even held some reverence.

Zhao Hanzhang also stood up to welcome them out. Today was the first time Old Madam Beigong had come.

Seeing that Zhao Hanzhang had personally come out to greet them, Beigong Chun quickly helped the old madam quicken her pace.

The two parties met in the courtyard. Zhao Hanzhang was quick-eyed and swift-handed, reaching out to support the old madam who was curtsying, her face full of smiles. “Old Madam, please rise quickly. It should be me paying respects to you.”

She glanced at Beigong Chun and smiled. “The old madam is virtuous, having raised General Beigong, such a great general loyal and righteous in equal measure. He has twice saved Luoyang from danger and has also saved our Yuzhou. We, the military and civilians of Yuzhou, should pay our respects to the old madam.”

Having said this, she truly and solemnly bowed to Old Madam Beigong.

Behind her, Zhao Kuan and the others also sincerely bowed. Old Madam Beigong’s eyes brimmed with tears as she repeatedly said she did not dare accept this.

She looked at her son with gratification and said to Zhao Hanzhang, “He is a minister of Jin and also a military general. Serving the sovereign loyally and repaying the country is his duty. How can he deserve such praise from Administrator Zhao?”

“He deserves it, he deserves it.” Zhao Hanzhang then looked at Madam Beigong. Seeing that she appeared only a few years older than herself, with a gentle temperament emanating from her entire being, she couldn’t help but praise to the old madam, “Old Madam not only has a good son but also a good daughter-in-law.”

Old Madam Beigong was even more pleased, nodding with continuous smiles. “The general praises my son – I dare not agree. But my daughter-in-law is truly good. While my eldest has campaigned abroad for many years, she has managed and cared for everything by my side. This child is extremely filial.”

Filial – regardless of the era, this was both the most basic and most precious virtue a person could possess. The saying “recommend the filial and incorrupt” placed filial piety before integrity.

So for Old Madam Beigong to say before everyone that Madam Beigong was extremely filial showed she was truly very satisfied with this daughter-in-law.

Since ancient times, there had been irreconcilable conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. It was rare that they had none between them.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she looked at Beigong Chun. “General Beigong is truly blessed.”

In this era, basically no one would say a husband was blessed because his wife was good. When Zhao Hanzhang said this, Old Madam Beigong was delightedly surprised. She warmly grasped Zhao Hanzhang’s hand, nodding repeatedly. “Exactly, exactly. For my eldest to have married Hui Niang is his blessing.”

Unfortunately, in history, Beigong Chun had not been able to repay this blessing. He ultimately died in Central Province, unable to return to Western Liang to reunite with his family.

The smile on Zhao Hanzhang’s face deepened, and then she stepped aside to invite them inside.

For the remaining guests, Zhao Hanzhang did not need to greet them. Fan Ying led the officials of the Provincial Governor’s Office to welcome people at the entrance.

Because of her special status, although Wang Huifeng was Fan Ying’s subordinate, she was still invited into the Zhao residence as an honored guest.

Wang Siniang, dressed in plain clothing, followed beside Wang Huifeng, saying in a low voice, “Elder Sister, I’m benefiting from your connection this time. Among the eighth-rank assistant magistrates attending the banquet, I’m the only one.”

Wang Huifeng said, “Don’t speak carelessly. You have a good relationship with the Administrator. Even without me, she would have invited you.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Wang Siniang said. “She now separates public from private matters very clearly. Previously, several families had sons who failed the recruitment examination. Because they had some relationship with Duke Zhao, they wanted to seek her favor, but she didn’t agree to any of them. Some people prepared for two months to establish a reputation for filial piety, wanting to go the route of being recommended as filial and incorrupt, but she didn’t agree to that either.”

Wang Siniang sighed. “She is so impartial and incorruptible. I thought she would only care for us in daily life out of past affection. I didn’t expect she would invite us to take office.”

Before this, Wang Siniang had never imagined she would take office as an official.

Wang Hui Niang stood at the entrance to the great hall, silent. Naturally, during these eight or nine years, she would not have thought about such things. But earlier, she had imagined she would participate in political affairs.

However, not in this status or method, but in the capacity of Crown Princess, participating through making suggestions.

Unlike now, where she directly took office as an official, directly participating in government affairs.

Looking at the officials sitting inside in small groups conversing, while the woman sitting in the highest position was just like them – she was composed and confident, her bearing no weaker than Father’s, and she possessed a vitality and liveliness that Father lacked.

Zhao Hanzhang, who was turning her head to speak with Ji Yuan, sensed the gaze and turned to look. Seeing the Wang sisters, she couldn’t help but reveal a brilliant smile, beckoning to them. “My secretary and assistant magistrate have arrived. Quickly, come over.”

Wang Huifeng revealed a smile and came forward with Wang Siniang, first bowing to Zhao Hanzhang. “We pay our respects to the Administrator.”

The people seated on both sides, including Beigong Chun, all quickly stood up. After she had finished her bow, they returned the courtesy, momentarily at a loss, not knowing how to address her.

Wang Huifeng’s virtue was known throughout the nation, and this included Wang Yan’s handiwork.

Although the better his daughter’s reputation, the worse his own became, he still tirelessly promoted his daughter’s reputation, even though every time his daughter was mentioned, he would be secretly reviled by some loyal and righteous scholars.

It was just that Wang Huifeng had been filled with resentment in her heart these past years and didn’t particularly appreciate her father’s efforts on her behalf.

At this moment, however, she felt both the convenience and inconvenience brought by this status, and her heart was complex for a time.

Back then, when the former Crown Prince was falsely accused by Empress Jia of rebellion, he immediately handed the evidence to his wife Wang Huifeng, hoping she could ask Wang Yan to clear his name.

As a result, Wang Yan, fearing to offend Empress Jia, directly tore up the evidence and entered the palace to beg the Emperor to grant the former Crown Prince and Wang Huifeng a divorce.

The Emperor agreed and even issued a divorce document.

However, Wang Huifeng did not recognize this divorce document and still worked tirelessly for the former Crown Prince.

Although she ultimately failed to save the former Crown Prince, her reputation for virtue spread far along with Wang Yan’s infamy. Because of this, even though in the imperial registry Wang Huifeng and the former Crown Prince were already divorced, in the eyes of the common people and even the noble families and officials of Great Jin, Wang Huifeng was still the Crown Princess.

They acknowledged it, but previously Wang Huifeng rarely went out, and these people had even less interaction with her, so they had no difficulties with how to address her.

Now that she was working under Zhao Hanzhang and was merely a minor secretary, how should they address her?

Zhao Hanzhang, however, was composed. She invited the two sisters to sit in the lower seat on the right side, with simple-minded Zhao Erlang occupying the seat below them.