After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 698 - 690: Pei Yuanjun

Pei Lai walked out with a solemn face, saw Zhao Hanzhang walking beside his son, and couldn’t help but pause, quickly stepping forward to greet, "A humble citizen greets the envoy. I did not know of the esteemed guest’s arrival, and I apologize for not welcoming you from afar. I hope the envoy forgives me."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "I happened to pass by here and felt a bit thirsty, so I came in to ask for a cup of water."

Pei Lai quickly stepped aside to invite Zhao Hanzhang inside, secretly giving his son a look of approval for his good work.

Pei Sanlang proudly returned his father’s gaze with a look.

Many members of the Pei Family perished in the chaos at the beginning of this spring. At the time, the family members remaining in Luoyang were divided into two groups: some chose to stay in Luoyang to support the emperor;

while others chose to leave with Prince East Sea,

and upon encountering Shi Le, many family members became separated amidst the chaos. The most powerful and prestigious group, because they were closest to Prince East Sea and Wang Yan’s carriage, all got captured by Shi Le.

In the end, except for some women and children whom Zhao Hanzhang ransomed, the rest fell victim to Shi Le’s slaughter.

Pei Lai and Pei Lun had good luck; neither of them held official posts nor had significant reputations at court, so they were a bit farther from the central carriage. When chaos broke out, they took their families to the wilderness, narrowly escaping Shi Le’s army’s massacre, and were guided out of the siege by the Zhao Family Army, then forced to return to Luoyang as migrants.

Now they live on this half of the street; one house is his original property, and the rest were purchased together with the county government,

They also had some treasures; after pawning a portion, they bought the remaining houses from the government to gather the family members returning to Luoyang.

This strengthens the Pei Family’s influence in Luoyang, preventing other families from bullying them, and also serves as preparation for potential future emergencies.

Although Luoyang appears thriving now, they all know there are two swords hanging over Luoyang, ready to strike at any moment, so they need to prepare to escape.

Though always ready to flee, Pei Lai is still very pleased to have the opportunity to shine under Zhao Hanzhang’s favor.

Although he doesn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang came to the Pei Family, it’s indeed a great opportunity for them.

Asking for water is certainly Zhao Hanzhang’s pretense, but Pei Lai still ordered someone to bring out good wine.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and said, "Drinking wine really quenches thirst, does it?"

She did not sit down, but instead looked around at the calligraphy and paintings hanging in the hall, then stopped before a piece of calligraphy, turned back, and smiled, saying, "I’ve heard Wang Si Niang mention that the daughter of Pei Dun writes excellent calligraphy. In terms of mastery, she is not inferior to Wang Meizi. I wonder if I am fortunate enough to take a look at it?"

Pei Lai was taken aback for a moment before replying, "Of course."

He quickly turned to his son and said, "Quickly go and fetch your great-aunt’s calligraphy samples."

Pei Sanlang responded with a nod, and after leaving the hall, ran to the study to find the calligraphy booklet Pei Yuanjun had previously written for him.

Zhao Hanzhang took the booklet and, upon unfolding it, her gaze immediately fixed.

The calligraphy was grand and resolute, the strokes restrained yet powerful, clearly reflecting a person with a strong inner strength.

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up, she closed the booklet and asked, "Where is Miss Pei now?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Pei Lai was momentarily perplexed but replied, "She resides at my cousin’s place. If the envoy wishes to see her, I will send my son to call her."

"No need," Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "I will personally go and invite her."

Pei Lai quickly went with her.

Pei Lun was also at home, and seemed a bit puzzled when he came out with his wife. Unfortunately, Zhao Hanzhang was present, so he only had time to exchange a glance with Pei Lai, without saying a word, before leading them to a side courtyard.

It was a very small courtyard in a quite remote location. Pei Lun was anxious and explained, "Yuanjun has no family left but herself. She does not wish to live in a courtyard with others, so we found her this quiet place."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, not showing any disapproval.

On the way from Pei Lai’s house, she had already learned that Pei Yuanjun’s father and eldest brother had died in the chaos, her other brothers were whereabouts unknown and not in Luoyang.

She is currently dependent on family members for survival. Zhao Hanzhang was unsure if she carried any wealth with her, but being a woman without force or manpower, she could not protect any wealth.

At this time, relying on family members was indeed a better option.

The courtyard gates she passed on the way were all open, except for this small courtyard, whose door was closed. Zhao Hanzhang stood before it and gently knocked.

There was no movement at first from inside; she knocked again and heard a voice responding loudly from inside, "Who is it? Hold on for a moment."

Zhao Hanzhang then stopped knocking, and after a short while, the courtyard door opened, revealing a woman about the same age as Qing Gu peering out. Her hair was full of green jade, styled like Qing Gu’s, but she wore a grayish-blue coarse cloth dress, with patches on the elbows. Her hand was rough, her fingers large, and just one glance, Zhao Hanzhang could tell she was a servant.

Indeed, when the woman saw Pei Lai and Pei Lun standing behind Zhao Hanzhang, she immediately opened the courtyard door, bowed, and greeted, "Servant greets Mr. Lai, Mr. Lun."

Pei Lun then explained to Zhao Hanzhang, "This is the envoy. Where is the eldest young lady? Quickly have her come out to greet the guest."

The woman was slightly surprised, quickly glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, saw her smilingly standing there, then quickly lowered her head to respond with an "Yes," and hurriedly went inside.

She had stayed by Pei Yuanjun’s side and barely ventured out. She had only seen Zhao Hanzhang from a distance among crowds, and since she was too far away at the time, had long forgotten what she looked like.

But the feeling of Zhao Hanzhang’s sharp gaze sweeping over them with a long spear in hand she remembered clearly.

The woman opened the courtyard door and ran back under the corridor, saying to Pei Yuanjun, who was mending clothes, "Miss Pei, the envoy has come."

Pei Yuanjun’s needle paused, then she turned her body around to look, seeing Zhao Hanzhang entering briskly in the sunlight, curiously observing the courtyard.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze met hers and she couldn’t help but smile.

A moment later, Pei Lai, Pei Lun, and others retreated outside the courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang knelt on a temporarily laid mat, facing Pei Yuanjun who was also kneeling.

Her maid, Wan Gu, brought two bowls of syrup and knelt as she served water to the two, then bowed and withdrew.

She stood on the other side of Ting He, looking worriedly at the two sitting under the tree.

Ever since Wang Rong had made it known to disallow Pei Yuanjun from remarrying, she had been confined to the back courtyard, without any chance of going out. It wasn’t until a few months ago, during the chaos in Luoyang, that she managed to escape with the family.

But upon returning to Luoyang, the Pei Family still feared the influence of the Wang Family, dared not propose marriage for Pei Yuanjun, nor let her go out.

As Pei Yuanjun’s maid, Wan Gu had tried to contact two of the family’s wives, wishing the Pei Family would take them back to Hedong, hoping perhaps to find a marriage proposal for Pei Yuanjun in their hometown.

But she was rejected after barely mentioning it, for even though Wang Yan died, Mrs. Wang still held the first position among the noble families. His several brothers, cousins, and clan nephews were all occupying high official positions everywhere.

Moreover, the Wang Family had an extremely revered reputation; who would dare offend Mrs. Wang and seek Pei Yuanjun’s hand in marriage?

Wan Gu truly couldn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang had come here.

Pei Yuanjun couldn’t understand either.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the yellow syrup in the bowl, then looked up at Pei Yuanjun, smiling, "I’ve come to invite Miss Pei out."

Pei Yuanjun frowned, "Out?"

"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Miss Pei has stayed in the courtyard for years—don’t you want to come to the front and do some work, see the outside world, and showcase your talents?"

She continued, "I wish to hire Miss Pei as my Book Supervisor. I have many documents that need drafting lately, and my handwriting is not very presentable, while Miss Pei’s writing, which I just admired, is truly impressive."