After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 565 - 559: Sobbing and Laughing

Wang Si Niang wiped away her tears, adjusted the wrinkled front of her dress, combed her hair in front of a mirror, and then walked out of the inner room to sit beside Zhao Hanzhang, "I will not be formal with you. I and Second Sister have come to see you for the sake of my father."

As Wang Si Niang spoke to this point, her eyes reddened again, "We heard as soon as we entered the city that you led troops to rescue those taken by Shi Le, but last night it seemed you entered the city alone..."

Wang Si Niang looked as though she wanted to ask but dared not to.

Zhao Hanzhang thought of Wang Yan, whom she had buried in the wilderness, lowered her eyes and said, "I had not yet arrived when Shi Le had already killed them, and Grand Commandant Wang was not spared."

Wang Si Niang had anticipated this but still couldn’t help the pain in her heart. She couldn’t resist throwing herself into Zhao Hanzhang’s arms and crying.

Zhao Hanzhang held her skilfully and comfortingly patted her back.

Wang Hufeng showed little change; there was sorrow in her eyes, yet she did not show it. She gave Zhao Hanzhang a peculiar look and then joined in comforting Wang Si Niang, "We anticipated this and were prepared. Why grieve so?"

Wang Hufeng asked, "Did my father die painfully, I wonder?"

Zhao Hanzhang was visibly conflicted; Wang Yan was crushed to death by a mud wall, while others were killed with a single strike. If debating whether the death was quick or not, she thought the latter might have been happier. However, her thoughts always did differ somewhat from this world’s.

She said, "He and Prince Xiangyang did not face blades; they were crushed by the mud wall."

Indeed, Wang Hufeng breathed a sigh of relief, "At least, he left a whole corpse."

Wang Si Niang also felt somewhat relieved. She held Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and asked, "How did you handle my father’s body?"

Zhao Hanzhang regrettably said, "I was in a hurry to pursue Shi Le, so I could only have him buried on the spot and didn’t bring him back."

Wang Si Niang expressed understanding and then said, "I want to bring my father back."

Wang Hufeng nodded as well, "Indeed, we should bring him back."

Zhao Hanzhang frowned slightly and advised, "It’s a long distance from there to Luoyang, and even farther from Guy City. Xiongnu frequently appear there; it’s too dangerous. It’s better to wait and discuss later."

She said, "When I had someone bury them at the time, wooden plaques were left, and those that can be recognized were marked, so they can definitely be found."

Wang Hufeng shook her head, looking very determined, "Since we already know the burial place, how can we let him remain outside? Even at the cost of our lives, we must bring him back."

Wang Si Niang nodded.

Seeing the determination on their faces, Zhao Hanzhang found herself unable to voice the many attempts at persuasion she wanted to make.

During the meal, everyone was quiet; Zhao Kuan wanted to speak several times but found no opportunity. After the meal, he couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang, was this it?

Did he really just come for a meal?

Wasn’t he supposed to persuade and keep the sisters here?

Zhao Erlang was much more natural. After the meal, he invited Wang Si Niang, "Sister Wang, I am a General now. If you visit the camp in the future, I’ll take you horseback riding."

Wang Si Niang forced a smile and nodded, "Alright."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Where are you staying now?"

The Wang Family’s residence was very close to the Imperial Palace, thus it was the first to be burned, and everything was burned completely, including a separate courtyard.

Wang Si Niang said, "At our garden in Rufeng Residence, to the east of the city."

Rufeng Residence is considered a renowned garden, favored by literati and poets for hosting banquets. Although Zhao Hanzhang had never been there, she had heard Mr. Ji mention it; many of his collected information came from Rufeng Residence.

Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t expected Rufeng Residence to be the Wang Family’s property, "How many people do you still have with you?"

Wang Si Niang sighed, "Apart from three maids, only two servants are left with us; the others have scattered."

Moreover, their possessions were all plundered by Shi Le; they exchanged their earrings for the clothes they wore.

Zhao Hanzhang had Ting He prepare some money and jewelry to give to the two, and had them sent out the door, instructing, "Inform me before you go, and I’ll send people to escort you."

Wang Hufeng and Wang Si Niang understood the importance, and upon hearing this, they slightly relaxed, agreeing, "Alright."

Zhao Hanzhang had the coachman take the two back, and she stood at the door in silence for a long time.

Zhao Kuan looked at her curiously, "What’s wrong?"

Zhao Hanzhang hesitated and then shook her head, asking, "Where is Xun Xiu now?"

Xun Xiu went to stall Shi Le, and his return time would have been earlier than theirs, yet he was delayed along the way, with no idea where he had detoured.

That was a military matter Zhao Kuan did not know.

Zhao Hanzhang also knew she couldn’t ask him, so she turned to call Zhao Erlang, instructing him to ask Zeng Yue.

Zeng Yue quickly replied, "There has been no message received; he should not have reached Guy City."

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her gaze and said, "Send people out to search. Split into three paths, and tell him, as long as he hasn’t passed Guy City, to return and excavate and bring back the corpses of Wang Yan and the others."

"Ah?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at him, "Is there a problem?"

Zeng Yue immediately lowered his head, "No, your subordinate will go right away."

Zhao Hanzhang waved him off.

Throughout the day, the public notice wall outside Zhao Mansion never lacked for people. One batch left, another arrived, all there to see her declaration of guilt.

Of course, the declaration was not merely posted; literate clerks were stationed at street corners to read it aloud, informing the world that it was Zhao Hanzhang’s culpability.

Some had already heard it once at street corners, but still came to the notice wall to see Zhao Hanzhang’s handwritten declaration.

Many left crying; they saw Zhao Hanzhang’s apology in the letter and her resolve. They couldn’t leave Luoyang; at least not for three years.

They felt both joy and sorrow, joy in that Luoyang finally had someone who could truly protect it; sorrow in their family’s separation and their inability to leave Luoyang for three years.

Some simply sat by the roadside, leaned against Zhao Mansion’s walls and cried bitterly. Once they’d had enough crying, they got up, laughing and crying as they left.

Night fell, yet there were still stubborn ones refusing to leave.

As lights were lit inside, Zhao Hanzhang looked up from the desk and could still faintly hear crying from outside. She asked, "Are there still many people outside?"

Ting He said, "Quite a few, and others are coming from West City and East City."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered briefly and then said, "Have lanterns lit to illuminate the notice wall for them, notify the patrolling soldiers, the curfew will be postponed until midnight tonight."

"Yes."

The order was passed down, and immediately two soldiers lit two large lanterns to illuminate the notice wall for those coming to read the declaration;

Simultaneously, patrolling soldiers outside Zhao Mansion increased, and Zhao Erlang personally led a squad of trusted aides back, deploying them throughout the courtyard.

Zhao Hanzhang, hearing the commotion, came out and, upon seeing, couldn’t help but smile, "Second Son has grown up."

Upon hearing his sister’s praise, Zhao Erlang became proud, "Mr. Xie said, now there are quite a few who want to kill Sister, so we must protect her well and not let them take advantage of the chaos."

Zhao Hanzhang: ...

She reached out and patted his head: "Alright, tonight Zhao Mansion’s safety is entrusted to you."