After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1147 - 1129: Reminder

Zhao Hu said, "Third Lady is most like her grandfather. Her father was also a little fox before. An old fox gives birth to a little fox, and the little fox gives birth to a fox with a Seven-Quartet Exquisite Heart. This is not surprising. But you and your father, Fifth Brother is so gentlemanly, how did you two come about?"

Zhao Shen grinned at him, "We’re all from the same ancestors, Seventh Ancestor, we are just like you."

Zhao Hu sneered, "Then try to resemble it a bit more. Neither she nor I have broken it to the surface. What are you going to stir up trouble for?"

Zhao Shen’s smile faded, and he said seriously, "Seventh Ancestor, I’m living at your mansion with Grandfather, benefiting much from your care. This reminder is not for the Great General, but for you."

"Human affection cannot withstand exhaustion. If you have accepted the benefits, you must acknowledge it. The Great General has never denied the benefits she received from you. Every gain is noted. Look at your current status in the family and your prestige outside. How much of it is attributed to her?" Zhao Shen said, "If you gain benefits without acknowledgment, outsiders ignorant of the inside story would think she has wronged you. Over time, wouldn’t you also truly feel that she has wronged you?"

Zhao Hu had never thought of this point. He genuinely felt somewhat aggrieved. But upon reflecting on Zhao Shen’s words, he found them reasonable.

Zhao Shen whispered, "Seventh Ancestor, if it were anyone else, everyone saying you’ve been wronged and you feeling wronged might influence the other party to also feel you are wronged. But the Great General... she is resolute and very resourceful. Confusing her is like ascending to heaven. She may not speak of it, but she clearly understands it."

"With the recent demobilization in Yu State, didn’t she refrain from ’wronging’ you too much?"

Zhao Hu shivered slightly, his fingers trembling.

Zhao Shen straightened up, moved a bit away from Zhao Hu, and said with a smile, "I see the garden is still lively, Seventh Ancestor, you carry on, I’m going back to rest."

Watching Zhao Shen walk away, Zhao Hu couldn’t help muttering, "Little rascal..."

The steward saw they finished talking and quickly approached, "Master, the esteemed guests in the garden are all waiting for you."

"Just say that I’m not feeling well and need to rest for a moment, let the other guests entertain them," Zhao Hu said, feeling a pang in his heart. Their family members were too few, with Zhao Cheng and Zhao Zheng seldom home, he couldn’t even find someone to share the burden.

After a sigh, Zhao Hu said, "Last time Fifth Brother mentioned there are some children in the clan wanting to come to me?"

The steward immediately replied, "Yes, their families are in hardship, and there’s nothing for them to do in the clan, so..."

Zhao Hu snorted, "With fields and land, Third Lady has sent so many books and teachers to the clan school, allowing all clan children to attend regardless of age. How can there be nothing to do if they are willing to endure hardships?"

He paused, ultimately suppressing his dissatisfaction, "Forget it, let them come tomorrow for me to see. If there is anyone useful among them, they might be able to help Zheng’er in the future."

The steward agreed.

The next day when Zhao Hu was meeting clan members, Zhao Hanzhang was also entertaining guests at the General’s Mansion.

It was a rest day coincidentally, and neither of them had urgent matters needing outside attention, so both were at home.

After breakfast, Zhao Hanzhang sent for Mrs. Wang in the Zhao Mansion as today’s guest included a relative from the Wang Family.

Yang Yi, from the Hongnong Yang Family, whose grandmother was Mrs. Wang’s own aunt, thus being a relatively close kin by marriage. This was also why the Yang Family Master had instructed Yang Yi to directly find Zhao Hanzhang before he left.

Technically speaking, Zhao Hanzhang is his cousin.

However, Zhao Hanzhang made it a point to take a day to see them not because of Yang Yi, but because of their original identities.

These were all noble families migrating south from the north, from Hongnong, Fanyang, Chen County, Chenliu... Their ancestral homes spread across the Central Plains, almost gathering the nine provinces together.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know if the organization of this study tour was intentional or not, but regardless, she intended to seize this opportunity.

If the country were compared to a carriage drawn by ten thousand horses, she was merely the lead horse, followed by nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine horses, all needing to pull together, amongst which the noble disciples surely held a place. Robust and powerful, if their efforts could be directed together, their collective strength would not be lesser than any other force.

Therefore, she guarded against them while also making use of them.

Every faction was like this, inevitably leading to divergence. She allowed for a certain degree of disagreement, seeking common ground while preserving differences. She aimed to stabilize the common points between them and her, knitting it into a unity that no one could shake, pulling this carriage through floods, deserts...

Yang Yi and his companions donned their finest attire and accessories early in the morning, harnessed the most handsome horses, and took their carriages to the General’s Mansion together.

More than a dozen carriages stopped orderly at the gate, immediately a centurion led a team of soldiers over, bowing and asking, "Are you Young Master Yang from Jiangnan?"

Yang Yi’s servant immediately stepped forward and said, "Indeed, this is the reply our lord received from the mansion yesterday."

The centurion opened it to verify, then sidestepped, "Gentlemen, please come in. Leave your carriages to us."

With a wave, the soldiers stepped forward, took the reins, and led the carriages away.

Yang Yi and his team followed the centurion inside, where another team of soldiers was waiting for them. The leading centurion glanced over them, his gaze settling on Xie Pi, then smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please understand, it is a rule in the General’s Mansion not to bring in weapons. Please kindly entrust your swords to us for safekeeping."

Yang Yi and his companions weren’t surprised by this rule, but none of them had brought swords!

Their gazes followed to settle on Xie Pi, full of bewilderment, only to see Xie Pi pull a soft sword from his waist and hand it to the centurion.

The centurion smiled as he received it, placing it with both hands on a tray held by a soldier, then continued to turn with a smile, looking at Xie Pi.

Xie Pi chuckled, reached into his sleeve, and took out a short dagger to give him.

Yang Yi and his team: ...

The centurion took it, also placing it on the tray, then sidestepped, "Please —"

He led the four soldiers to escort them to the main hall.

Yang Yi and his party saw many soldiers bowing in deference along the way.

Indeed, it wasn’t the servants trimming plants, cleaning, carrying things in and out, but the soldiers.

Even though these soldiers weren’t in armor like the two teams, their fierce aura was undiminished, and some limped, yet it was evident they’d been through life and death, unlike ordinary servants.

The centurion led them to the hall, where Ting He awaited them, smiling, "Gentlemen, please come in. Our lady will join you shortly."

Seeing her attire, Yang Yi and the others knew she wasn’t simple. The centurion who brought them also saluted her, and they followed suit, clasped their fists, then entered with Ting He.