But the news was still too scant, all coming from the mouths of refugees, inevitably one-sided. If only they could obtain information from the governor’s side.

Unfortunately, their lord had passed away. Previously, the Zhao family’s intelligence network had all been handed over to Second Elder Uncle. They were starting from scratch again—not only were they short-handed, but most critically, they lacked a helmsman like their lord. Even if they wanted to gather intelligence, they had no channels.

Advisor Ji was troubled. He heard a coquettish voice from outside, “My lord hasn’t come to see this humble servant these past few days. This humble servant is heartbroken.”

A bland male voice responded: “Business has been busy.”

Advisor Ji raised his eyebrows and lifted his eyes to survey the room. Finally, his gaze fell on Squad Leader Four, Qiu Wu. Meeting his gaze, Qiu Wu shivered involuntarily. He hesitated, “Advisor?”

Advisor Ji stroked his beard and said, “If Miss had a Chuguan, gathering information would be much more convenient.”

Qiu Wu looked at him blankly.

Advisor Ji sighed, “Forget it. Sanniang is a young lady after all. If word got out, it wouldn’t sound good. When the lord was alive, he rejected my suggestion. Even less so now that Sanniang is in charge.”

He waved his hand. “First find Miss and the others. Send someone to Shangcai overnight.”

Qiu Wu acknowledged and withdrew first.

Advisor Ji had brought many people, especially such a large dowry—it was too conspicuous. To avoid causing trouble, he had disguised the convoy as a large merchant caravan on the road. Most of the women had been transformed into accompanying servant women, while the remaining old, weak, and young had become people and goods the caravan was transporting.

He had taken considerable care in choosing to stop at Quyang, because he felt that whether Zhao Hanzhang returned to her old home in Xiping or went to Shangcai, she would pass through Quyang.

With so many valuables, he didn’t dare go to Xiping alone.

Wealth moves people’s hearts—who knew if the Zhao clan would be tempted upon seeing so much money and goods?

Wouldn’t that just add unnecessary conflict?

So he disguised himself as a large merchant and stopped in Quyang, even scattering people to hide throughout Quyang.

Due to the military chaos in Luoyang, quite a few refugees had flooded into Quyang these past two days. With their several hundred people, they weren’t very conspicuous. Otherwise, he would have had to put in even more effort.

The food at the separate estate was still simple, but at least the staple food was sufficient. The clan relatives all expressed understanding—after all, they had lost their wealth and were in mourning, so they should indeed be frugal.

Under such circumstances, they could still arrange everything in an orderly manner and properly settle everyone, showing Zhao Sanniang’s dedication and capability.

Anyway, the ladies who had come along were quite satisfied and their attitudes toward Wang Shi softened considerably.

Ladies who felt they had good relations with Wang Shi even sought her out to say, “You’ve raised Sanniang well. I see that although Erlang is a bit simple, he’s healthy and filial. When he grows another two years, you can arrange a marriage for him. Once you have grandchildren, things will be good.”

“I see the clan elders are very satisfied with Fu Tinghan. When the funeral is over, move back to the clan with Sanniang and the others. Let her curry favor before the elders more often. Love me, love my dog—your good days will come.”

Wang Shi smiled politely at them, gently expressing, “Before father-in-law passed, he said that from now on, all matters of the main branch should follow Sanniang’s decisions. This child can already handle things independently, and my son-in-law is here too. Naturally, I listen to them.”

She wasn’t stupid—why would she move back to Xiping for no reason to be mistreated?

She absolutely didn’t want to move back. As long as Sanniang didn’t order her to return, she definitely wouldn’t go back!

The person giving advice didn’t notice her little scheme and sighed, bringing up idle gossip. “You’re blessed. Before he passed, your father-in-law even arranged such a good match for Sanniang. That Fu Tinghan—such character and appearance, you really couldn’t find him even with a lantern.”

“Yes, the second branch inherited the title but hasn’t even returned. Sigh, it would have been better to adopt a child from the clan back then.”

“Exactly, letting the second branch benefit for nothing.”

Wang Shi secretly pursed her lips. She was unhappy that Zhao Ji inherited the title, but why should they adopt a child from the clan?

Didn’t she have a son? Wouldn’t she have grandchildren in the future?

Zhao Ji was at least her husband’s cousin—their bloodlines were close. If he coveted the title, so be it. But what right did these clan members have to covet it too?

They were separated by several layers already!

Wang Shi grumbled internally while maintaining a smile on her face, listening quietly.

Qinggu entered with small steps. Seeing her, Wang Shi quietly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked, “Is there something from the front?”

Qinggu was stunned, then seeing Wang Shi wink at her, she bowed and said, “Yes, we’re holding the funeral procession tomorrow. Sanniang sent me to ask Madam to come discuss matters.”

Wang Shi immediately stood and apologetically took her leave from everyone.

Everyone expressed understanding and saw her off.

“Zhizhi’s wife doesn’t want to return to the clan, does she?”

“At such a lean time, without a penny to her name, what would she return for?” someone said. “Living in the same fort then, surrounded by relatives on all sides, even exchanging gifts would be difficult. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to go back either.”

“Sigh, the main branch used to be so wealthy. Not to mention in our clan, but even in all of Dajin they were among the very best. I heard even the imperial family wasn’t as rich as them. Who would have thought a single war would leave them with nothing.”

“Do you really believe they have nothing left? Gold, silver, and fine goods can be lost, but can estates and shops be lost? I think those things are in the second branch’s hands.”

“Isn’t that bullying orphans and widows?”

“There’s nothing to be done. Who told the second branch to be in charge of the clan now?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Father-in-law established Sanniang’s dowry early on. I heard it’s quite substantial. Fifth Uncle has a copy of the dowry list. Later, half of these will go to Erlang. Father-in-law was such a shrewd person—could he not calculate all this?”

“But those estates and shops can’t be converted to cash immediately. They need money to get by, don’t they?”

Hearing this, someone’s heart stirred. They quietly sought out Wang Shi, indicating they could help her out by buying some land or shops at high prices.

Especially shops—Zhao Changyu had storefronts in both Xiping and Shangcai, and the locations were quite good too.

Wang Shi absolutely wouldn’t sell. Although she was currently so poor she couldn’t even produce a silver hairpin, as long as she didn’t starve to death, no one could expect to buy those lands and shops from her.

Those were Sanniang’s and Erlang’s future dowry and betrothal gifts!

Moreover, Sanniang had said not to worry about money.

Wang Shi flatly refused. The other person felt regret inwardly but smiled on the surface, “It’s good you have this figured out. I’m just afraid that after you return, you’ll be strapped for cash. If you want to sell in the future, you can find me. Oh, and don’t tell anyone else about this. If people knew I was willing to pay such a high price for land, those in the clan who want to sell land would come find me, which wouldn’t be good.”

Wang Shi agreed, then turned around and sold her out. She told Zhao Hanzhang, “Your aunt loves to scheme. Hmph, does she think I don’t know? If she really wanted to help me, she’d give me a red envelope, or at the very least lend me some money. But her first words are about buying land and shops—is that really for my benefit?”

She told Zhao Hanzhang, “Be careful around her in the future. I don’t like her.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, staring at Wang Shi who kept chattering on.

Wang Shi stopped, touched her face and asked, “Why are you looking at me?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I just suddenly understand why Mother doesn’t want to return to the clan.”

Wang Shi fell silent. After a long while, she said, “Don’t learn from me to only see these small benefits. If something big happens, you still need the clan’s support. I’m not well-regarded by them because I gave birth to your brother. But you’re a daughter of the Zhao family, and clever too. They like you. If you have difficulties, they’ll help you.”