After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 557 - 551: Clan Brothers Come to Luoyang

Fires were lit on both sides of Luoyang City gate, barely illuminating the entrance.

Zhao Hanzhang and her group approached on horseback. As soon as the people on and below the city gate heard the sound of hoofbeats, they immediately raised their spears and arrows in vigilance and shouted, "Who goes there!"

Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse, and her trusted aide shouted loudly from the darkness, "The Governor returns to the city, quickly make way!"

They did not move aside but said, "Dismount slowly and walk to the fire for inspection!"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and complied. When she walked to the area illuminated by the fire, the soldiers on and below the city gate tower immediately stowed their bows and spears. The leading City Gate Officer hurriedly jogged forward, kneeled on one knee, and said, "Your humble servant Wen Kang greets the General. I did not realize it was you and neglected my duties. Please grant me your forgiveness."

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, saying, "You are acting according to orders, what fault could there be?"

She said, "Continue to guard the city gate like this in the future."

Wen Kang rejoiced inwardly and responded loudly.

Luoyang does not close its city gates now, as it is unnecessary.

There are only about forty to fifty thousand people in the city now, and more people brought back by Fan Ying were arranged in villages under Luoyang to facilitate nearby farming.

And now Luoyang is quite poor; even the emperor is not here, so there won’t be any foreign enemies invading for the time being. Thus, Zhao Hanzhang wrote to Ji Yuan, advising not to close the city gates.

However, few people come and go late at night.

There are quite a few bandits outside; who would wander around at night for no reason?

Not closing the city gates at night also facilitates the soldiers in training and patrolling and the farmers heading out to work in the fields.

Entering the city, there was not a single person or lamp on the streets, with only some sounds faintly coming from the residential areas not far away.

The closer to Zhao Mansion, the more sounds there were, including children’s cries from some residences.

Listening to the sound of children wailing after being spanked, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but show a comforting smile, "This is what life is like."

Fu Tinghan: ...

He gently kicked the horse’s belly, urging it to speed up and overtake her, "Let’s hurry, Second Son is probably waiting for us to return and eat now."

Zhao Erlang and Zeng Yue had returned to Luoyang with the army earlier. Upon arrival, he was relentlessly questioned by Xie Shi and Ji Yuan. With too many questions, he could only answer the first few, such as, how is your sister doing, was the journey smooth...

More than that, he could only innocently stare at them with wide eyes.

Although he followed his Sister throughout the journey, he knew less than Ji Yuan and the others, as Zhao Hanzhang was constantly communicating with Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan and Xie Shi had no choice but to let him go.

Yet Zhao Erlang was not quite joyous because he was hungry, and his sister hadn’t returned yet.

Zhao Kuan and several clan brothers had arrived early to wait, even Zhao Cheng was there.

With elders present, despite the food being ready, no one dared to eat, all waiting for Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan.

When Zhao Hanzhang finally returned to Zhao Mansion, Zhao Erlang had already secretly eaten a plate of snacks, but didn’t feel full at all and instead felt uncomfortable from the snacks.

Seeing his sister come in, he looked at her with grievance.

Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Kuan immediately rose with his clan brothers to salute, only Zhao Cheng remained seated with legs crossed.

Zhao Hanzhang strode in, gesturing to dismiss their salute, and bowed deeply to Zhao Cheng with a smile, saying, "I apologize for making Uncle wait."

Zhao Cheng’s expression was quite gentle. He nodded and asked, "What delayed you on the road?"

Zhao Hanzhang explained, "I stopped to chat with two elderly farmers we met."

Zhao Cheng nodded, "It’s essential to listen to the thoughts of the people below. With Beigong Chun and Mi Ce being overbearing, complaints are widespread. When I came over, I thought you were going to become Prince East Sea."

Zhao Hanzhang said helplessly, "Uncle, your words harm me; how could I, and how dare I become Prince East Sea?"

Looking around, Zhao Hanzhang saw Zhao Erlang clutching his belly and looking at her pitifully, so she immediately said, "Uncle hasn’t eaten yet, maybe we should eat first?"

Zhao Cheng nodded slightly, but he was very particular about etiquette, glancing at the two dust-laden individuals and said, "You should freshen up first; we shall wait a little longer."

Zhao Hanzhang dared not make him wait and inclined her head to instruct the servant, "Quickly inform the kitchen to serve the dishes."

Then she took Fu Tinghan to wash up and change clothes. Originally, she wanted to sit down and eat directly; during military campaigns, there’s not always room for such formalities. However, this was home, and with elders present, she decided to act as a filial niece.

Ting He ran to the kitchen to have hot water fetched, and Fu An followed her, grumbling, "Your family’s uncle is overly particular about etiquette. You just came back from battle, and without wearing armor, why do you need to wash up?"

Ting He clicked her tongue upon hearing this, "Now grumbling about Mr. Cheng being overly particular; previously, who said our young lady was rough?"

Fu An widened his eyes, retorting, "I never said that."

"You didn’t say it, but your eyes expressed it."

Fu An: "...You’re being unreasonable."

Ting He carried the water and gave him a haughty look, "I don’t want to argue with you. Hurry up, or the young gentleman will fall behind."

How could Fu An let Fu Tinghan fall behind?

He hurriedly fetched hot water and followed suit.

Zhao Hanzhang swiftly bathed and changed, Ting He wanted to scent her clothes, but she directly took them over and put them on, saying, "It’s just a family gathering, no need for all that."

She didn’t even fix her hair, directly tying it with a cloth like a man, and walked out with broad sleeves and long robe, sloppily dragging wooden clogs, headed for the hall.

She deliberately made a detour to the guest courtyard and stood a short distance in front waiting for Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan’s pace was steadier; he did everything calmly and moderately, unlike Zhao Hanzhang who acted with haste.

By the time she reached the courtyard, he had only just put on his inner clothes.

When Fu An discovered that their young gentleman was slower, he was sweating all over with anxiety and hurried to dress him.

Fu Tinghan saw this, straightened his collar himself, and smiled, "No rush, fetch the comb, I’ll do it myself."

Fu Tinghan methodically tied his belt; he seemed slow, yet his speed was not sluggish at all. Having finished tying his belt, he sat at the dressing table and let Fu An tie up his hair.

After being here for more than two years, he learned everything except hair tying, which was difficult for him.

Fu Tinghan walked out to see Zhao Hanzhang standing under the lanterns, reaching on tiptoe to pick flowers.

Seeing him approach, she waved the Winter Jasmine in her hand with a smile, "Picked a branch for you; you can put it in a vase later."

Fu Tinghan smiled as he walked forward, taking the flower and responding with a nod.

Fu An reached out to take the flower, but Fu Tinghan lowered his arm, avoided Fu An’s hand, and kept it for himself, "Let’s go, don’t keep Uncle waiting."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and proceeded with him to the front hall.

All the servants in the residence were temporary workers hired by Ji Yuan, so their ability and eyesight were naturally no match for the trained servants at home.

Thus, when Zhao Hanzhang said to serve the dishes, they brought all the food out, but no one in the hall started eating.

Zhao Hanzhang led Fu Tinghan to sit in the two vacant positions at the head of the table.

Fu Tinghan knelt down and carefully placed the Winter Jasmine on the table, while Zhao Hanzhang lifted the wine pot, pouring wine for herself and Fu Tinghan. She raised her cup first and said, "It was my fault to keep Uncle and brothers waiting tonight. I’ll first penalize myself with a cup."

After saying so, she downed the wine in a single gulp.

Zhao Kuan and the others hurriedly raised their cups and followed suit. Zhao Hanzhang set down her cup, picked up chopsticks, and looked to Zhao Cheng.

Only then did Zhao Cheng pick up the chopsticks and put a piece of meat in his mouth, and everyone else began to eat as well. Opposite him, Zhao Erlang ate with great joy, gobbling down rice.

Zhao Cheng sighed as his words got stuck in his throat, deciding to wait until after the meal to speak.