After crying, Zhao Song wiped his tears and turned to see Fu Tinghan. His gaze fixed, and surprise flashed in his eyes.
This young man stood tall and straight like jade, clearly a youth of outstanding appearance and noble family background.
Zhao Hanzhang raised her reddened eyes, suppressing her tears as she introduced them. “Fifth Grand-Uncle, this is the eldest young master of the Fu family.”
“So you’re the son-in-law.” Zhao Song was even more satisfied, his eyes showing undisguised appreciation. “My son-in-law’s filial devotion and kindness—the Zhao family keeps them engraved in our hearts and will never dare forget.”
Fu Tinghan quickly said this was his proper duty.
Zhao Song reluctantly moved with Zhao Hanzhang to the main hall to speak. “Your marriage to Fu the eldest young master should have proceeded after the first seven days of mourning, but you happened to encounter the great chaos in Luoyang. Now three months of heavy mourning haven’t passed—the wedding can still be held.”
She had originally been so keen on this marriage because it gave her a legitimate reason to keep Professor Fu at her side. Now that he was already with her, the wedding ceremony wasn’t so urgent anymore.
Zhao Hanzhang politely declined. “Fifth Grand-Uncle, the urgent matter is laying grandfather to rest.”
She continued, “Though we have ice to lower the temperature, over time there will inevitably be odors. I don’t want grandfather to be in such a state of disarray, so we should prioritize grandfather.”
She added, “Moreover, our luggage was robbed and our family assets entirely lost. We also don’t know Grandfather Fu’s fate. We really have no heart for a wedding. Why not wait until we’ve completed grandfather’s mourning before discussing marriage?”
Zhao Song thought this made sense too. Sanniang and Fu Tinghan only lacked the wedding ceremony—the marriage contract was already settled. They were essentially husband and wife already, just missing one step. But during the mourning period, even if they married they couldn’t do anything and would still sleep in separate rooms. So the wedding ceremony wasn’t very necessary at this time.
Besides, this was Runan—Fu Tinghan couldn’t very well take advantage of her.
“Then tomorrow morning we’ll escort the coffin back to Xiping. I’ll have people set up a mourning hall for your grandfather in the clan compound and invite high monks from Runan to chant sutras for forty-nine days…”
Zhao Hanzhang quickly interrupted. “Fifth Grand-Uncle, that’s too extravagant. Grandfather was frugal by nature and didn’t enjoy luxury. Before he passed, he also said not to hold an elaborate funeral. Sanniang doesn’t want to violate grandfather’s dying wishes.”
She said, “Moreover, the time would be too long. I’d like to hold the wake in Shangcai, then after selecting an auspicious day, proceed from Shangcai to the burial site with high monks accompanying us along the way chanting sutras. What does Fifth Grand-Uncle think?”
Zhao Song felt this was too simple.
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice. “Fifth Grand-Uncle, if we send the coffin back to Xiping for an elaborate funeral, not only will all the Zhao family’s in-laws come to pay respects, but friends, acquaintances, and magistrates from throughout Runan will also come upon hearing the news. When they see that neither eldest uncle nor eldest brother are present, they’ll certainly ask questions. Even if we’re willing to cover it up, we can’t guarantee they won’t become suspicious.”
Zhao Hanzhang rubbed her eyes. The ginger juice on her fingers made tears fall drop by drop. Choking up, she said, “Before he died, grandfather repeatedly instructed me to be accommodating toward eldest uncle and his family, to discipline mother and second brother, not to quarrel with eldest uncle’s family, and to maintain good relations. In these chaotic times, clan members must rely on the clan for protection. For the clan to prosper long-term requires unity. If this matter becomes public, not only would the second branch suffer greatly—it would also severely damage our Zhao family’s prestige.”
Zhao Song saw her being so understanding and couldn’t help sighing. He nodded. “Very well, we’ll do as you say.”
Zhao Hanzhang withdrew with tears still in her eyes. Once outside, she fanned her hand near her eyes—it was really too spicy.
She caught sight of Fu Tinghan leaning against a pillar and lowered her hand.
Fu Tinghan suppressed a smile and stepped forward, handing her a handkerchief. “I soaked it in water—wipe your eyes.”
Zhao Hanzhang took it. It was indeed a damp cloth.
She carefully wiped her eyes and went with Fu Tinghan to the back courtyard. “With so many relatives coming to pay respects, we need to arrange their food and lodging. Mother is crying inconsolably and can’t manage it. Can you help me?”
Fu Tinghan immediately agreed. “Of course.”
He was somewhat curious. “I thought you’d take this opportunity to get revenge for this little girl. Why are you instead protecting Zhao Ji’s family?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Even if I wanted revenge, I wouldn’t need to use such methods. What I told Zhao Song is true—we’re all in the same boat now. We rise and fall together. If I want revenge, I can settle it internally. I don’t need to bring in outside forces against him.”
Fu Tinghan thought about it and agreed. He followed along to arrange accommodations for the visiting relatives.
Zhao Hanzhang displayed her poverty thoroughly. She had people clean out all the guest quarters and rooms in the villa.
Being a rural area, if nothing else, there was plenty of space. The villa was built quite large, so there were enough guest quarters and rooms. It was just that the furnishings inside were rather sparse.
Even the meals were simple—only plain rice and wheat flour to eat, with just two vegetable dishes: stewed greens and stewed winter melon. Completely natural, organic green food, very healthy.
It just left people’s faces looking rather green too.
Fortunately, this was a mourning period, and the servants were properly attentive—hot water was available when needed, and rice could be refilled as desired. Everyone was treated equally without exception, so it couldn’t be considered discourteous.
It was just pitifully meager.
Several clan elders of advanced age and higher seniority walked around the villa, then sat together with Zhao Song. “Wulang, Wang Shi isn’t having an easy time now leading orphaned children. Though there’s the Fu family’s eldest young master, their family’s foundation is in Luoyang and Jingzhao Commandery—too far to be of help. On their journey fleeing disaster, they lost all their luggage. I hear even the ice they’re using now is on credit.”
Zhao Song understood and immediately said, “Uncles, don’t worry. I’ll make proper arrangements.”
Only then were the clan elders satisfied as they departed. Though they were one generation senior to Zhao Changyu, coming to offer incense was sufficient. The actual mourning was the responsibility of peers and juniors.
Zhao Song deliberated, feeling Zhao Hanzhang’s words earlier had seemed somewhat pointed. He decided to seek her out and ask directly, “After your grandfather is laid to rest, you should bring your mother and brother back to live in the clan compound. I’ll have people clean out your family’s house.”
Zhao Hanzhang declined, bringing up her dowry. “Grandfather’s intention was for me to manage these properties and estates well. When second brother grows up, half of these things will be divided to him. As you know, the Central Plains are in great chaos now. Fu the eldest young master has promised to observe mourning for grandfather for one year. I was thinking of observing mourning at the Shangcai villa—he’ll be more comfortable there too.”
She paused before continuing, “Moreover, father once studied here. I want him and second brother to also remain here immersed in their studies.”
Mentioning studies, Zhao Song had nothing to say. But second brother…
Zhao Song asked, “Second brother still can’t focus on his studies?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Though he doesn’t take to books easily, he’s not stupid and is very obedient. Fifth Grand-Uncle can rest assured—I’ll teach him well.”
Zhao Song sighed deeply and agreed.
That evening when returning to his room to rest, he summoned his son. “Have someone return to fetch some money, and also prepare some plain fabric. Sugar, frost, and tea leaves too. Sanniang and her family are now penniless. Since they’ve returned to Runan, we can’t continue watching them suffer such hardship.”
“Yes.”
“Draw up a gift list and send it to each household. We’ve selected the day for burial—the day after tomorrow will do. When they return to the clan compound, have all the gifts brought along. And the money… put extra in the trunks.”
Zhao Ming acknowledged this and asked, “Father, are we just letting Zhao Ji off like this?”
—