Chapter 184: Chapter 179 Changes
Zhao Hanzhang had just come down from the battlefield a few days ago. Although she felt fine, there was an air of sternness about her. The women were not very familiar with her, and with the rumors about her circulating in Wu Castle, everyone instinctively avoided meeting her gaze.
Thus, everyone turned their attention to the innocent and lively Zhao Erlang. Looking at the dark-skinned Zhao Erlang, the aunts were distressed and pulled him aside to ask, "Why have you gotten so dark?"
Zhao Erlang had already been told several times today that his face was dark. Even though he was young, he cared about his appearance, and it bothered him a bit. So, he stood in the crowd, pouting unhappily.
Mrs. Wang glanced around and suddenly realized that Third Lady was no longer the same as them, naturally unable to have anything in common to talk about.
So she said, "Third Lady, go to the kitchen and see if dinner is ready. Tonight, I will have your aunt and the others stay here for dinner."
Zhao Erlang was left behind to talk with everyone.
Zhao Hanzhang agreed with a smile, turning what was supposed to be a reception for her into a family temporarily settling down.
The relatives were not bashful; after dining at the old residence, they chatted a bit before they left.
It was quite safe within Wu Castle; each household wasn’t too far apart, within walking distance. Those who lived a bit farther had someone sent to fetch them when they were delayed.
At home, the women quietly told their husbands, "I see that Third Lady is even more formidable than before."
Sixth Room’s eldest gentleman said, "She just won a battle a couple of days ago. Inspector He personally agreed for her to be the master of Xiping County. Although due to her gender, she can’t officially be appointed County Magistrate by the court, Xiping County won’t have a Magistrate anymore. Don’t you think she’s impressive?"
Sixth Room’s first lady said, "Our Zhao Family isn’t without a County Magistrate, even having a Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and a Chief of Staff, but seeing her feels like seeing the Clan Leader."
"After all, she’s raised by the uncle; isn’t it normal for her to resemble him?" The eldest gentleman paused, then advised, "You should restrain the family from always talking about Mrs. Wang’s fate, and remind mother not to keep giving her the cold shoulder."
"Before, the uncle didn’t manage the inner residence, and Mrs. Wang was just a daughter-in-law, so you had your way. But now the eldest house is led by Third Lady," said the eldest gentleman. "That’s her mother; how could she stand by and watch her be bullied?"
"Now both Erlang and she are in Xiping County, while Mrs. Wang stays in Shangcai, saying it’s to manage the estates there, but doesn’t everyone know it’s because she dislikes Wu Castle?" He said, "Although Third Lady can’t yet master Wu Castle, she can already represent the eldest house, and with Fifth Uncle’s support, if she gets angry, I can’t protect you."
"I know," said the Sixth Room’s first lady. "That’s why we went to the old residence today, and flattered her."
She lowered her voice, saying, "It’s said that Third Lady has recently gathered refugees and, using the conscription order from Inspector Mansion, recruited over five thousand people, and is still enlisting more?"
The Zhao’s Fortress didn’t have that many soldiers; was Zhao Hanzhang defying the heavens?
The eldest gentleman also lowered his voice, "That’s why I asked you to get along with Mrs. Wang and avoid provoking her."
He said, "These times are unstable, her actions are unlike our noble families who only seek stability, but like those outside refugee armies."
Even Zhao Ming sometimes felt Zhao Hanzhang would raise an army in rebellion.
She had recruited too many troops.
Not even a county, a whole region might not have six thousand soldiers, but Zhao Hanzhang, managing a small county, dared to use the conscription order over and over again.
Mrs. Wang, sitting by the bed after her wash, also spoke with Qing Gu, "Today you saw, didn’t you? They were all flattering me."
Qing Gu lifted the quilt, assisting Mrs. Wang as she lay down, and smiled, "Mistress, you’ve mentioned it eight times. I saw it, I saw it, they were all celebrating you."
Mrs. Wang lay on the pillow, folded her hands over the quilt, and stared at the canopy above her, saying, "It’s truly amazing. When my father-in-law was clan leader and Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, no one dared to offend his reputation, yet they still dared to despise me, not sure how many times they cursed me in private."
"And now, after Third Lady dispatched her troops twice, they suddenly forgot I bring misfortune to husbands and sons," said Mrs. Wang, her eyes reddening, wiping the corners with her hand.
Qing Gu knelt on the footrest, gently holding her hand, and comforted, "Mistress, don’t listen to their nonsense about misfortune for husbands and sons; they’re only jealous of you and spread such rumors."
"You and Master are harmonious, Third Lady is intelligent, and Erlang is healthy. How many in the whole clan could match your fortune?" Qing Gu said, "Master’s illness wasn’t related to you, do you not remember his words when he passed?"
"Forget those words of misfortune for husbands and sons. If you ask me, they only bully the weak and fear the strong. Before, Master didn’t manage these things, so they were fearless. Now that Third Lady has succeeded, they have some concerns."
Mrs. Wang nodded, dried her tears, and softly asked, "Do you think I should move back to help Third Lady?"
She said, "I can’t do anything in Shangcai, but back here I could watch over things for Third Lady, and if there’s any news within the clan, I could inform her promptly."
Qing Gu laughed, "It’s good for the Mistress to have this thought, but Mistress, Third Lady also cares for you; how could she bear to let you suffer in Wu Castle?"
Mrs. Wang said, "I hadn’t intended to return, but seeing their attitude today, I shouldn’t suffer unjustly in the future."
Qing Gu understood, realizing that with Third Lady’s success and the change in the clan’s attitude, Mrs. Wang’s return was akin to "wearing brocade at night." How could she not return to savor it?
The mistress and maid exchanged glances and immediately decided, "I’ll stay to help Third Lady!"
Qing Gu was naturally happy and tucked Mrs. Wang in again, "Mistress, have a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow morning, share this good news with Third Lady."
She said, "If Mistress decided to stay in Xiping with them, both Third Lady and Erlang would surely be delighted."
Mrs. Wang agreed, closed her eyes to sleep, but soon opened them again, turned over, and looked at Qing Gu, "I can’t sleep, how about you come up and sleep with me?"
Qing Gu did not refuse; having grown up together, they often shared a bed.
So Qing Gu took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed.
Mrs. Wang made space for her, sighing, "If others change their attitudes towards me, that’s fine, but why is Fifth Uncle treating me better than before?"
Qing Gu laughed, "Perhaps he doesn’t want to make things difficult for Third Lady."
Zhao Song indeed thought this way.
Zhao Ming thought of how eager Zhao Hanzhang seemed when she hurried back to pick up Mrs. Wang. During the meeting in the study, he couldn’t help but mention, "Father, shouldn’t we restrain the clan a bit, making sure they don’t speak about superstitions from monks and Taoists in the future to avoid causing division among the members?"