Pei Lai walked out with a威stern expression. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang walking beside his son, he froze for a moment, then hurried forward to bow. “This commoner greets the Commander. Not knowing an honored guest was coming, I failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me, Commander.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “I was passing by and felt thirsty, so I came in to ask for water.”

Pei Lai quickly stepped aside to invite Zhao Hanzhang in, secretly giving his son an approving look—well done.

Pei Third Young Master proudly returned his father a knowing glance.

Many Pei family members had died in the chaos that spring. When the family members remaining in Luoyang split into two groups—some chose to stay in Luoyang and defend it with the Emperor, while others chose to flee with the Prince of Donghai.

After encountering Shi Lei, many clan members were scattered in the chaos. The most powerful and highest-ranking members, being closest to the Prince of Donghai’s and Wang Yan’s carriages, were all captured by Shi Lei.

In the end, except for some women and children whom Zhao Hanzhang ransomed, the rest all died by Shi Lei’s blade.

Pei Lai and Pei Lun were fortunate. Neither had held court office nor possessed great fame, so they were farther from the central carriages. When chaos erupted, they led their families toward the wilderness and narrowly escaped Shi Lei’s army’s massacre. They were guided out of the encirclement by Zhao family troops, then forcibly relocated back to Luoyang as refugees.

The half street they now occupied included one residence that was Pei Lai’s original property. The rest they’d purchased from the county office.

They still had some valuables, and after pawning some, they bought the remaining residences from the office and gathered all the Pei clan members who’d returned to Luoyang.

First, to strengthen the Pei family’s influence in Luoyang and prevent bullying by other families. Second, to prepare for potential future crises.

Luoyang currently appeared prosperous and thriving, but they all knew two swords hung over Luoyang’s head—no one knew when they’d fall. So they had to prepare to flee.

Though ready to flee at any moment, if they could get ahead with Zhao Hanzhang, Pei Lai was still very pleased.

Though he didn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang had come to the Pei family, this was indeed a huge opportunity for them.

Asking for water was surely just Zhao Hanzhang’s excuse, but Pei Lai still had someone bring good wine.

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow. Using wine to quench thirst after all?

She didn’t sit but walked around with her hands behind her back, looking at the calligraphy and paintings hanging in the hall, then stopped before one piece of calligraphy. She turned back with a smile. “I heard from Wang Siniang that Pei Dun’s daughter writes excellent calligraphy. In terms of calligraphic achievement, she’s not inferior to Wang Meizi. I wonder if I might have the honor of viewing some?”

Pei Lai froze for a moment, then said, “Naturally you may.”

He quickly turned to his son. “Go find your eldest aunt’s calligraphy practice sheets.”

Pei Third Young Master acknowledged and left the hall, running to the study to dig out the practice sheets Pei Yuanjun had previously written for him.

Zhao Hanzhang took the sheets and unfolded them. Her gaze immediately fixed.

This calligraphy was grand yet resilient, with restrained brushwork but strong fundamental structure—clearly the work of someone with an extremely strong inner character.

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes brightened. She closed the sheets at once and asked, “Where is Lady Pei currently?”

Pei Lai paused before saying, “She’s staying with my cousin. If the Commander wishes to see her, I’ll have my son go summon her.”

“No need,” Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “I’ll personally go invite her.”

Pei Lai quickly went with her.

Pei Lun was also at home. When he and his wife came out to greet her, he was still somewhat dazed. Fortunately, with Zhao Hanzhang present, he only managed to exchange a glance with Pei Lai without getting to say a word before leading them to a side courtyard.

It was a very small courtyard in an extremely remote location. Pei Lun felt uneasy and explained, “Yuanjun is the only one left in her family. She was unwilling to share a courtyard with others, so we found her this quiet place.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, showing no sign of blame.

On the way from Pei Lai’s house, she’d already learned that Pei Yuanjun’s father and eldest brother had both died in the chaos, while her other brothers’ whereabouts were unknown—they weren’t in Luoyang.

She now depended on clan members for survival. Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t sure if she’d brought money with her, but as a woman without force or manpower, she couldn’t protect wealth.

At such a time, depending on clan members was actually a better option.

All the courtyard gates they’d passed were open—only this small courtyard had its door closed. Zhao Hanzhang stood before the gate and knocked gently.

At first there was no response from inside. She knocked again, then heard someone call out loudly, “Who is it? Please wait a moment.”

Zhao Hanzhang stopped knocking. Before long the courtyard gate opened and a woman about Qinggu’s age poked her head out. She wore her hair in a married woman’s style like Qinggu, dressed in a gray-blue hemp robe with patches at the elbows. Her hands were rough with thick fingers. At a glance, Zhao Hanzhang knew she was a servant.

Indeed, upon seeing Pei Lai and Pei Lun standing behind her, the woman immediately opened the gate fully and curtsied. “This servant greets Master Lai and Master Lun.”

Pei Lun explained to Zhao Hanzhang, “This is the Commander. Where is Elder Sister? Have her come out to receive our guest.”

The woman was slightly surprised, her gaze quickly sweeping over Zhao Hanzhang. Seeing her standing there with a smile, she quickly lowered her head and responded “Yes,” then hurried inside.

She attended Pei Yuanjun and rarely went out. Regarding Zhao Hanzhang, she’d only seen her once from afar in a crowd. Being too far away, she’d long forgotten what she looked like.

But the feeling of her holding a long spear, her sharp gaze sweeping over their group—that she’d always remembered.

The woman left the courtyard gate wide open and hurried back to the corridor, saying to Pei Yuanjun who was mending clothes, “Elder Miss, the Commander has come.”

Pei Yuanjun’s needle paused. She then turned to look and saw Zhao Hanzhang walking in with the sunlight behind her, curiously surveying the courtyard.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze met hers, and she couldn’t help but smile.

A moment later, Pei Lai and Pei Lun retreated outside the courtyard. Zhao Hanzhang knelt on a hastily spread mat with Pei Yuanjun kneeling across from her.

Her maid Wangu brought up two bowls of sugar water, kneeling to serve them before bowing and withdrawing.

She stood beside Ting He, looking somewhat worried at the two sitting face-to-face under the tree.

Since Wang Rong had declared that Pei Yuanjun could not remarry, she’d been confined to the inner quarters with no possibility of going out. Several months ago, only because of Luoyang’s great chaos had she been able to flee with her family.

But after returning to Luoyang, the Pei family still feared the Wang family’s influence and dared not arrange a marriage for Pei Yuanjun or let her go out.

As Pei Yuanjun’s maid, Wangu had once approached the two madams, hoping the Pei family would send them back to Hedong, where in their hometown they might be able to arrange a marriage for Pei Yuanjun.

But she’d barely begun when she was refused. Even though Wang Yan was dead, the Wang family remained the foremost aristocratic family. His several brothers, cousins, and clan brothers all held high official positions in various places.

Moreover, the Wang family’s reputation was extremely illustrious. Who would dare offend the Wang family to seek Pei Yuanjun’s hand?

Wangu truly couldn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang had come to their door.

Pei Yuanjun didn’t understand either.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the yellowish sugar water in her bowl, then raised her eyes to look at Pei Yuanjun, smiling. “Hanzhang has come to invite Lady Pei to come out.”

Pei Yuanjun frowned. “Come out?”

“Yes,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Lady Pei has spent many years in the inner quarters—don’t you want to go to the front courtyard to work, see the scenery outside, and display your talents?”

She continued, “I wish to employ you as my Clerk of Documents. During this period I need to draft many documents, but my calligraphy is not quite presentable. However, I just saw Lady Pei’s calligraphy and was deeply impressed.”