After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 602 - 596: Identity

"Fried cakes," Zhao Hanzhang entered with Fu Tinghan and Zhao Kuan, Zhao Erlang, smilingly said: "It’s made from glutinous rice strips fried, how does General Chen find it?"

Chen Wu quickly stood up and made a bow, indicating it was very delicious.

"Even if it’s delicious, eat less, the banquet will start soon, and General Chen should save some room for dinner," Zhao Hanzhang turned and said to Ting He: "Go and have the kitchen fry another bowl of fried cakes, wrap them for General Chen later."

She said to Chen Wu: "Take them home for the children to taste, if it’s delicious, ask the kitchen for a recipe."

Chen Wu savored the sweet, oily, crispy and crunchy snack he just ate, thinking the children at home would surely like it, so he nodded immediately, "Thank you, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang introduced Zhao Kuan to Chen Wu, and as soon as she finished speaking, Beigong Chun arrived with his subordinates and family.

Chen Wu immediately stood up; he had long admired the famous General of Xiliang, even with some reverence.

Zhao Hanzhang also stood up to greet them; today was the first time the Old Lady Beigong was visiting.

Beigong Chun, seeing Zhao Hanzhang personally coming to greet them, quickly supported the old lady and hastened their steps.

The two parties met in the courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang swiftly extended her hand to support the old lady who was about to kneel in ceremony, smiling broadly, "Please rise, old lady, it is I who should be performing the ceremony to pay my respects."

She glanced at Beigong Chun and smiled, "The old lady is virtuous, raising General Beigong to become such a loyal and righteous Great General, he has saved Luoyang twice from peril, and even rescued us in Yu State, both the army and civilians of Yu State should perform a ceremony to the old lady."

Saying this, she solemnly bowed to the Old Lady Beigong.

Behind her, Zhao Kuan and others also earnestly bowed, causing tears to well up in the eyes of the old lady, who repeatedly said she was not worthy.

She looked gratefully at her son, and spoke to Zhao Hanzhang: "He is a Jin Minister and a military general; loyalty to the monarch and serving the country are his duties, how could he deserve such praise from Lord Zhao?"

"He deserves it, he deserves it," Zhao Hanzhang turned to look at Mrs. Beigong, seeing she was only slightly older than herself, with a gentle aura, couldn’t help but praise the old lady: "Not only does the old lady have an excellent son, but also a good daughter-in-law."

The Old Lady Beigong became even more delighted, nodding repeatedly with a smile, "The General praises my son, I dare not comply, but indeed my daughter-in-law is truly good, Da Lang has been campaigning outside for years, she takes care of everything by my side, this child is extremely filial."

Filial piety, regardless of time, is one of the most fundamental and precious virtues. The so-called Filial Piety precedes Honesty.

Thus, the Old Lady Beigong saying Mrs. Beigong is extremely filial in front of everyone shows she is genuinely satisfied with her daughter-in-law.

Historically, conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have been irreconcilable, it’s rare to see they have none.

Zhao Hanzhang looked with a smile at Beigong Chun, "General Beigong is truly fortunate."

In this era, it is uncommon for a husband to be said fortunate due to a good wife, Zhao Hanzhang’s words surprised the Old Lady Beigong with joy, warmly grasping Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and nodding repeatedly: "Indeed, indeed, Da Lang was fortunate to marry Hui Niang."

Sadly, historically, this fortune Beigong Chun couldn’t reciprocate; he ultimately died in the Central State, unable to reunite with his family in Xiliang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s smile grew even wider, then turned slightly to invite them inside.

For the remaining people, Zhao Hanzhang did not need to greet, Fan Ying led the officials from the Inspector Mansion to welcome the guests at the entrance.

Due to Wang Hufeng’s special status, although she was Fan Ying’s subordinate, she was still invited as a guest to Zhao Mansion.

Wang Si Niang, dressed in plain attire, followed beside Wang Hufeng, whispering: "Sister, I am lucky to be associated with you, this time the only eighth-rank junior chief clerk at the banquet is me."

Wang Hufeng: "Don’t speak randomly, you have a good relationship with Lord Zhao, even without me, she would still invite you."

"That may not be certain," Wang Si Niang said: "Now she distinguishes between public and private affairs. Previously, several sons from noble families failed to pass the talent recruiting exam, and because they had some connection with Mr. Zhao, they sought her favor, but she didn’t consent, even those who spent two months building a reputation for filial piety failed to persuade her for the Filial Piety route."

Wang Si Niang sighed: "She is so impartial and selfless. I thought she would only care for us in life due to past affections, but I didn’t expect she would invite us into the officialdom."

Prior to this, Wang Si Niang had never thought she would enter officialdom.

Wang Hui Niang stood silently at the hall entrance; naturally, over the past eight or nine years, she wouldn’t think about these things, but earlier on, she had imagined participating in governmental affairs.

But not with this identity and method, rather as Crown Princess Consort, participating through advisory roles.

Unlike now where she directly enters officialdom, directly participating in government affairs.

Watching inside with officials sitting in small groups talking, at the highest position sat a woman like them, poised and confident, her beauty wasn’t weaker compared to their father, with a liveliness and spirit her father lacked.

While turning her head to speak to Ji Yuan, Zhao Hanzhang sensed someone watching, turned to look, and upon seeing the Wang Sisters, she smiled brightly and waved at them, "My secretary and chief clerk are here, come quickly."

Wang Hufeng smiled and stepped forward with Wang Si Niang, first greeting Zhao Hanzhang with a bow, "Greetings, Lord Zhao."

Others seated, including Beigong Chun, quickly stood up, and after she had performed her greeting, they were unsure how to address her.

Wang Hufeng’s virtue was known throughout the nation, in which Wang Yan had also played a part.

Though his daughter’s good reputation tarnished his own, he relentlessly promoted her, despite being secretly scorned by loyalists each time his daughter’s name was mentioned.

However, in recent years, Wang Hufeng held some resentment and wasn’t very appreciative of her father’s goodwill.

At this moment, she felt the convenience and inconvenience this identity brought, leading to complex emotions.

Years ago, the late Crown Prince was falsely accused of rebellion by Empress Jia, and he immediately handed the evidence to his wife, Wang Hufeng, hoping she could ask Wang Yan to vindicate him.

But Wang Yan, afraid to offend Empress Jia, directly tore the evidence, entered the palace to request the emperor decree separation between the late Crown Prince and Wang Hufeng.

The emperor agreed and issued the separation decree.

Nevertheless, Wang Hufeng didn’t recognize this separation decree, continuing to strive for the late Crown Prince’s justice.

Though ultimately unable to save the late Crown Prince, her name for virtue spread widely with Wang Yan’s infamous reputation, resulting in the fact that although officially separated on royal documents, she was still seen as the Crown Princess Consort by the masses, even among Great Jin’s aristocracy and officials.

Acknowledged, but previously Wang Hufeng rarely went outside, and they had no interaction with her, so there was no concern about how to address her.

Now that she works under Zhao Hanzhang, and just a small secretary, how should she be addressed?

Zhao Hanzhang was calm, inviting the sisters to sit at the right hand below, one seat down sat the straightforward Zhao Erlang.