Pei Yuanjun looked up in surprise at Zhao Hanzhang, the hand holding her tea bowl trembling slightly, causing ripples in the sugar water.
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang watching her, she quickly set down the tea bowl and placed both hands over her abdomen. Though her face had regained its composure, waves surged in her heart. She had never imagined that Zhao Hanzhang would actually invite her out… to become an official.
Though Pei Yuanjun tried her utmost to maintain control, her eyes still quickly filled with tears, unable to hide the turbulence within. “Commander… you wish to appoint me as Director of Books?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded. “I currently have Fan Ying, Wang Huifeng, Wang Yifeng, and Zhao Yunxin among other female officials around me, but this is far from enough. Previously, Wang Yifeng recommended you to me, and I’ve long heard that Miss Pei possesses worthy talent, so I’ve come to request your assistance. I ask that Miss Pei help me.”
Pei Yuanjun’s two hands nervously twisted together as she said with difficulty, “The Commander is young and may not know that I was once betrothed to Wang Rong’s son Wang Sui. After his death, I was ordered not to go out, so…”
Zhao Hanzhang said unconcernedly, “Wang Rong is already dead. Moreover, even if he weren’t dead, what would I have to fear?”
Pei Yuanjun nervously swallowed, looking at her with some anticipation and excitement.
Ting He, standing to one side, said, “Miss Pei, the former Crown Princess is now our Commander’s assistant. Though Wang Rong once held high position and great power, how does he compare to the former Crown Princess?”
But among the aristocratic families, they would acknowledge Wang Rong’s prestige more, wouldn’t they?
However, given Zhao Hanzhang’s actions over these past two years, she didn’t seem to give much credence to the aristocratic families either. Pei Yuanjun clenched her hands—this might be her only chance.
Beside her, Wangu also looked eagerly at Pei Yuanjun, her eyes full of hope.
Pei Yuanjun raised her head to gaze seriously at Zhao Hanzhang, straightened her back, and bowed deeply forward, her forehead touching the back of her hands as she said solemnly, “I am grateful the Commander does not reject me. Yuanjun will exert every effort until death.”
Zhao Hanzhang quickly helped her up, revealing a delighted smile. “Good, then I shall await Director of Books Pei at the Zhao residence tomorrow.”
Pei Yuanjun’s eyes brightened as she nodded, seeing Zhao Hanzhang off to the main gate before stopping.
Watching Zhao Hanzhang and her servant leave, Pei Lai and Pei Lun immediately turned to ask Pei Yuanjun, “Yuanniang, what did the Commander say to you?”
Zhao Hanzhang had left Pei Yuanjun’s courtyard to bid farewell, not giving Pei Lai and Pei Lun, who wanted to keep her a while longer, time to speak.
Pei Yuanjun curtsied slightly to her two clan brothers before saying, “The Commander came to invite me to be her Director of Books. I’ve already agreed and will take up the position tomorrow.”
Pei Lai and Pei Lun both widened their eyes. “What?”
Pei Lai asked, “Why would Commander Zhao invite you?”
Pei Lun said, “Won’t this offend the Wang family?”
The two brothers were right here—if she wanted to use someone from the Pei clan, she could have used them. Why invite Pei Yuanjun?
Regarding these two questions, Pei Yuanjun didn’t know how to answer, so she said, “Perhaps the two elder brothers can inquire of Commander Zhao themselves.”
After saying this, she curtsied and returned to her own courtyard with Wangu.
Pei Lai and Pei Lun were speechless. They didn’t dare go find her to ask.
Watching Pei Yuanjun’s departing figure, Pei Lun frowned deeply. “If we let her go out, won’t the Wang family and their marriage allies and old friends resent us?”
Pei Lai said, “Would you dare to stop her from going out?”
He continued, “Now, letting her go out might offend the Wang family faction, but not letting her go out will definitely offend Zhao Hanzhang.”
Between the two, they would rather offend the Wang family than offend Zhao Hanzhang.
The county magistrate was less important than the local authority, and right now, both the county magistrate and the local authority were Zhao Hanzhang.
Pei Lun and Pei Lai looked at each other, silently suppressing all the worry, envy, and jealousy in their hearts.
Zhao Hanzhang looked up at the sun’s position and decided to conveniently buy some good food to take back for lunch.
Ting He followed behind paying, somewhat puzzled. “My lady, haven’t you always lacked people? I saw that several of the young masters from the Pei family showed willingness to serve. Why didn’t you conveniently invite them to come out and help?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “They’re not yet worthy of a personal invitation from me.”
She continued, “I’ve invited many people, but that would make those with true talent seem mediocre, so not just anyone is worth my invitation.”
“If the Pei brothers wish to take office, first, they can go through the recruitment examination; second, they can come recommend themselves to me; third, they can have someone recommend them. They’ve used none of these three methods, which shows their desire for office hasn’t yet overcome the pride in their hearts.”
Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t afraid of ambitious people now; she feared those whose reputation exceeded their ability and those who relied on their fame without doing actual work.
Ting He asked, “My lady has only met Miss Pei once—how do you know she’s a person of great talent?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Setting aside the fact that her calligraphy is indeed excellent, her identity and current circumstances alone are worth my invitation.”
Ting He was her chief maid. Many of Zhao Hanzhang’s affairs were handled by her, and there would be even more matters requiring her attention in the future, so Zhao Hanzhang was happy to teach her.
She explained carefully, “Everyone fears the Wang family’s power. Pei Yuanjun is clearly virtuous and intelligent, yet because of one word from Wang Rong, no one dares to come propose marriage. Even the Pei family fears the Wang family’s power and hasn’t sought justice for her. If I step forward to break this situation now, what will happen?”
“Pei Yuanjun will certainly be loyal to my lady and follow my lady’s lead.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly. “This is only one reason, and still a minor matter.”
She said, “I don’t lack loyalty. There are so many people in this world who want to be loyal to me—I can have it at my fingertips. Why would I specifically want Pei Yuanjun’s loyalty?”
Ting He couldn’t answer for a moment.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Because Pei Yuanjun’s identity carries great significance. Once I employ Pei Yuanjun and let her hold power by my side, people throughout the realm will know that I, Zhao Hanzhang, fear neither the Wang family’s power nor any faction’s power. As long as they are talented people, they can all find a reasonable path forward with me.”
Then those who were previously suppressed by the Wang family would choose to rely on her, and even those who were close to the Wang family might come serve her after seeing her strength.
This was the most important reason she was using Pei Yuanjun.
So even if Pei Yuanjun truly had no ability, Zhao Hanzhang would still bring her out of the Pei household, let her become active, and give her a brighter future.
Seeing Ting He still somewhat confused, Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, “Do you know the saying ‘The two Wangs hold court, Duke Yang has no virtue’?”
Ting He shook her head.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “The two Wangs are Wang Yan and Wang Rong. Duke Yang was the former Marquis of Juping, Yang Hu. Duke Yang was upright and loyal, hating evil like an enemy. He didn’t get along with Xun Xu and others who held power at the time, so he was constantly slandered. Wang Yan once tried to persuade Duke Yang about this matter. Oh, by the way, Wang Yan was Duke Yang’s maternal nephew.”
“Duke Yang didn’t care, and once evaluated Wang Yan, saying that if he held a high position with a great reputation, he would inevitably corrupt customs and damage culture. Looking back today, his evaluation was not wrong at all.” Zhao Hanzhang said leisurely, “As for Wang Rong, he participated in the Battle of Xiling and committed an offense. Duke Yang wanted to execute him according to military law, but unfortunately he was protected. So both Wang Yan and Wang Rong bore grudges against Duke Yang.”
“Don’t think that just because Duke Yang had a good reputation on the border, his reputation in court was extremely poor. Even now, many people still spread hearsay, believing Duke Yang had no virtue. This was all because Wang Yan and Wang Rong slandered him in court, which is why there’s this saying: ‘The two Wangs hold court, Duke Yang has no virtue.'”
Ting He, having heard this whole story, quickly grasped the key point. “My lady, our old master also didn’t get along with Xun Xu.”
Zhao Hanzhang burst out laughing, so amused that tears almost came to her eyes. “You’re absolutely right. That’s why we’re on Duke Yang’s side, hahaha…”
After laughing, Zhao Hanzhang became serious again, saying solemnly, “As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Those who gather around Wang Yan and Wang Rong naturally have great similarities with them. Those on the outer periphery are forced by circumstances and have no choice but to depend on them.”
“Now I’m going against Wang Rong’s wishes by employing Pei Yuanjun and championing Duke Yang. With my grandfather’s reputation also present, those throughout the realm who share similar aspirations will naturally gravitate toward me.”
Though Zhao Changyu had a reputation for being stingy and petty, this only damaged minor virtues. His greater reputation was for being clean and upright!
As someone who could be called a pillar of the Western Jin, Zhao Changyu’s prestige was no less than that of Wang Yan and Wang Rong combined.
Returning to the Zhao residence, Zhao Hanzhang had Fan Ying prepare Pei Yuanjun’s appointment letter, then told Ting He to go to the storeroom to find some writing implements and fabric. “Give them to Pei Yuanjun as my congratulatory gift for her taking office, and send them to the Pei household together with the appointment letter.”
Ting He acknowledged this.
Not only that, Zhao Hanzhang also submitted a memorial to the Emperor, requesting a posthumous honor for Yang Hu and asking that Yang Hu’s heir Yang Pian be granted additional honors.
When the memorial reached Yuncheng, the court officials didn’t immediately understand why Zhao Hanzhang wanted to posthumously honor Yang Hu. If anyone should be honored, shouldn’t it be her grandfather or her father?
Everyone couldn’t help but turn their gazes toward Zhao Zhongyu.
Zhao Zhongyu sat silently, pretending not to see everyone’s looks.
He knew Zhao Hanzhang’s purpose, because he had received her letter in advance. But he knew he couldn’t reveal her purpose from his own mouth.
What Zhao Zhongyu could provide was just some information; more would have to be guessed by others.
So after court adjourned, it wasn’t long before the court officials heard about Zhao Hanzhang personally going to invite Pei Yuanjun to take office.
Almost everyone was puzzled. “Who is Pei Yuanjun?”
“The daughter of Pei Dun.”
With this explanation, everyone understood the relationships. Someone recalled an old matter. “Pei Dun’s daughter—counting the years, she’s not young anymore, right? She has no husband’s surname, so she hasn’t married yet? Could she be the Pei daughter who was originally betrothed to Wang Sui?”
“That’s her.”
“I’ve heard she has worthy talent. I didn’t expect she’d have such great talent that Zhao Hanzhang would risk offending the Wang family to invite her.”
“Hmph, when has Zhao Hanzhang ever cared about the Wang family?” Someone said, “When Duke Zhao was alive, he had many complaints about Grand Commandant Wang. From this, it’s clear that Zhao Hanzhang doesn’t revere Grand Commandant Wang and the others. Since she doesn’t revere them, with her current abilities, why would she need to care?”
“But isn’t the former Crown Princess also under her command? I’ve heard that Wang Siniang is even her close friend from her boudoir days, which is why the aristocratic families remaining in Luoyang mostly submit to her. If she uses Pei Yuanjun now, isn’t she crossing the river and demolishing the bridge, grinding the donkey after using it?”
Wang Siniang, who was being treated as a donkey, and Pei Yuanjun were both about to cross the same bridge. Though both worked under Zhao Hanzhang, they hadn’t run into each other once these past few days.
Now they were on opposite ends of the bridge. When they looked up and saw each other, both were slightly startled, then simultaneously stepped onto the bridge.
Meeting in the middle of the bridge, Pei Yuanjun curtsied first. “Siniang, I heard from the Commander that you recommended me. I haven’t yet properly thanked you.”
Wang Siniang clasped her hands and bowed. “Sister Pei, you’re too kind. Though I recommended you to the Commander, I was also guided by Second Sister. If Sister Pei wants to give thanks, thank my Second Sister.”
Pei Yuanjun paused in surprise, then nodded, her confusion resolved. “I was wondering—you and I differ considerably in age and aren’t very familiar. So it was Erniang.”
Pei Yuanjun was several years older even than Wang Huifeng, but their ages were close. When they were young, they often played together.
Wang Huifeng wasn’t very beautiful but was very talented. Pei Yuanjun had an introverted personality and didn’t like to show off. When they were young and attended gatherings, they often huddled together reading and painting, quite different from others.
Later, Pei Yuanjun was forced to “keep widow” for Wang Sui. Wang Huifeng had argued with her father and uncle about this matter, though to no avail.
Even after she became Crown Princess, she couldn’t stop this affair.
However, Pei Yuanjun didn’t resent Wang Huifeng because of Wang Rong. She had always maintained correspondence with her. When she became Crown Princess, their contact cooled for a while. Later, when the Crown Prince was falsely accused and she was brought back to the Wang household by Wang Yan and forced to divorce the Crown Prince, Pei Yuanjun couldn’t help but write to comfort her. The two women in similar predicaments became close again.
Over these years, one of them was locked in the Pei family’s rear courtyard unable to go out, while the other shut herself in the Wang family’s rear courtyard refusing to go out. But their correspondence remained frequent, and their feelings hadn’t faded.
Wang Huifeng had seen that Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t stingy about employing female officials and didn’t mind talented people’s backgrounds, so she wanted to recommend Pei Yuanjun.
But though she was Zhao Hanzhang’s assistant and seemed to spend more time with her, in terms of friendship, she still couldn’t compare to Wang Siniang, who had been close to her since childhood.
So Wang Huifeng had Wang Siniang make the recommendation.
Pei Yuanjun’s eyes grew moist. She no longer curtsied but clasped her hands to return the bow, revealing a smile. “When I have time, I must visit Erniang to express my thanks.”
Wang Siniang said cheerfully, “Why specially choose a day? Isn’t today perfect?”
She had Pei Yuanjun look at the courtyard full of sunshine. “Today is clear and pleasant, and the Commander doesn’t have much business there, so she can definitely leave early. I think choosing a day is not as good as happening upon one. After we leave office, Sister Pei, wait for me. I’ll come receive you to visit our home.”
Pei Yuanjun’s heart pounded. She had just come out a few days ago and went only between the office and home, never lingering outside.
Over ten years of suppression and confinement had made her habitually stay in one place without moving. To suddenly visit someone else’s home, and in the evening after leaving office…
Pei Yuanjun gripped her hands tightly. But she was a resilient person. Though uneasy, after thinking it over, she still nodded and agreed with pressed lips. “Alright.”
Wang Siniang smiled. She had always heard Second Sister praise Pei Yuanjun’s calligraphy. Today would be a good opportunity to discuss it with her.
The two passed each other. Pei Yuanjun went to find Zhao Hanzhang, while Wang Siniang took the newly discussed documents back to the county office.
In a pavilion across half the lake, Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze and returned to sit properly on the mat. “Master, you saw it, didn’t you? They want to see my subordinates fight each other, but they don’t know how harmonious they are.”
Ji Yuan nodded. “I’m glad my lady knows this in her heart.”
He also withdrew his gaze, thought for a moment, and couldn’t help shaking his head with a smile. “Who could have guessed that Wang Yan’s two daughters would be the complete opposite of him in both character and political views?”