Chapter 53 - Chaos Arises

Chapter 53: Chapter 47: Chaos ArisesZhao Hanzhang reassured softly, "Mother, I have it under control, we won’t suffer a loss."

Mrs. Wang looked skeptical, "Really?"

"But your great-uncle is also a wise man, if you don’t lose, how could he?"

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t explain the advantage of information disparity, so she said, "I’m smarter than Great Uncle, of course, in his eyes, this isn’t losing, but a win-win."

Unless history takes a sharp turn in the next trajectory, Luoyang is without danger, otherwise, Zhao Changyu will surely suffer a loss.

Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t expected that the forthcoming history would indeed take a turn, but it was in a different direction.

Zhao Hanzhang placed the incense and then turned to look at the weary faces of Mrs. Wang and others, telling them, "You should go back and rest, I will keep vigil tonight."

Mrs. Wang hurriedly said, "You go back then, tonight I’ll keep vigil. You’ve kept vigil for three consecutive nights."

Due to the preparation for the wedding, although everything was kept simple during the period of mourning, some preparations still had to be made, especially on the Fu Family’s side.

Thus, after accompanying Zhao Hanzhang for two nights, Fu Tinghan went home.

"Mother, your health is poor, go back and rest. If you are worried, let Second Son stay with me." Calming Mrs. Wang, Zhao Hanzhang looked at the three sisters of the Zhao Family beside her, "Sisters, you should rest as well and come back tomorrow."

Since they were cousins, the mourning they wore was light, only Zhao Dalang, being the eldest grandson of the Zhao Family and having Zhao Ji inherit Zhao Changyu’s title, wore heavy mourning.

The three sisters did not refuse, and after paying respects, were about to leave, but as soon as they moved, a huge banging sound suddenly came from outside, causing them to shrink back in fright.

"Why does it sound like the sound of fighting?"

"Who could be trying to break into the palace gates again?"

In the past three years, they had often heard such sounds; each time signaled a coup. Thinking of their great uncle who was no longer present, the three turned pale instantly.

Zhao Hanzhang also listened keenly, she clearly heard the sound of battle cries coming closer, her expression changed, she walked out of the mourning hall and called for Uncle Cheng, "Restrain the servants at home, go fetch Great Uncle and Father, and guard the mourning hall."

Just as she finished speaking, Zhao Changyu and Zhao Ji hurriedly arrived, "Bolt the doors, one door per five people, report any abnormalities immediately."

Zhao Changyu remained calm, giving orders, "Call all the guards in the mansion, start patrolling the mansion in three teams starting now, keep an eye on the servants, do not let them wander, violators will be killed directly."

Zhao Hanzhang stopped to wait for his instructions.

After he finished the arrangements, she stepped forward, "Great Uncle, what’s happening outside?"

Zhao Changyu frowned, "I’ve already sent someone to inquire, stay in the mansion for now, don’t go out."

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Hanzhang suggested, "Mr. Ji is well-informed, he might know, Great Uncle, why not send someone to fetch Mr. Ji over?"

"The outside is chaotic, with no regard for life, staying indoors is the safest," Zhao Changyu said, "Wait until this chaos passes."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, also believing that safety was most important at this time.

Yet, the unease in her heart was inevitable, she reviewed the history she knew; though outside Luoyang City was chaotic during this time, inside the city should have been relatively stable, at least during the initial two years under Prince East Sea’s control, there was no significant battle in Luoyang.

However...

That was history recorded by later generations, over a thousand years ago, records are bound to have omissions, and thus can’t be fully trusted.

Zhao Hanzhang gave a wry smile, even if the records were complete and detailed, she would need to have read them all and remembered them.

Therefore, information must still be gathered from the present. Zhao Hanzhang turned to look at the sky slowly darkening, pondering whether amidst the current chaos, the new emperor was safe. If anything happened to him, Luoyang might immediately fall into greater chaos.

The Zhao Family felt anxious and spent the night in the mourning hall listening to the sounds from outside.

Zhao Hanzhang’s hearing was better than everyone else’s, especially with her eyes closed, she could distinctly hear the clashing of armor as soldiers moved along the streets, but unfortunately, no conversations were heard, limiting the information she could extract.

However, the soldiers passing by did not knock on the doors of the Zhao and Jia Families, seeming to bypass them.

Zhao Hanzhang slightly opened her eyes and pondered; it looked like the chaos was internal, and Prince East Sea had control of the situation, the opposing side seemed confident these families weren’t involved.

She tapped her knee lightly, although unknown what it was, the situation seemed to be manageable.

Sure enough, the chaos was quelled by the next day; the servants of the Zhao Family sent out to gather information returned to report: "...The soldiers guarding the intersections have retreated, only the main street and the entrance to the Imperial City still have uncleared blood, all city gates are closed, not allowing anyone out."

Zhao Ji quickly asked, "Were you able to find out what happened?"

"Didn’t find out, the soldiers were very fierce, I dared not linger."

After a brief thought, Zhao Changyu said, "Prepare the carriage, I will go out and inquire."

A servant responded and went out, just as Ji Yuan arrived hastily.

Zhao Changyu’s eyes lit up, he approached, "Mr. Ji, you came at the perfect time."

Zhao Hanzhang also stepped forward slightly, her eyes focused on Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan wiped the sweat off his forehead, calmed his breathing, then said, "Right Guard General Gao Tao attempted to assassinate Prince East Sea, the chaos has been quelled."

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyebrows twitched, stepping forward to ask, "Did Gao Tao attempt to assassinate Prince East Sea, or did Prince East Sea capture Gao Tao?"

Zhao Ji: "Isn’t it the same?"

Not the same, because historically, Gao Tao’s assassination plan was exposed before it could be executed, and he was then captured and killed by Prince East Sea.

Ji Yuan said, "Yesterday evening Prince East Sea’s carriage had just left the Imperial City when ambushed, Gao Tao led his troops to assault Prince East Sea, the plan failed, and he fled."

He paused, then lowered his voice, "It is heard that Prince East Sea is seriously injured."

Zhao Hanzhang swallowed and asked, "Is the news reliable?"

Ji Yuan: "The severity of Prince East Sea’s injuries is uncertain, but the assassination attempt is factual, he likely has fled the city."

Zhao Hanzhang: ...Well, that is indeed stimulating.

History truly took a turn.

She suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis in her heart and suddenly looked up at Ji Yuan, her eyes sharp.

Ji Yuan was also looking at her, nodding lightly when her gaze met his.

Zhao Hanzhang then turned to Zhao Changyu, saying, "Great Uncle, I wish to send the coffin to the temple ahead of time, our family should temporarily stay in the temple to conduct a ritual for Grandfather."

Zhao Changyu returned from his thoughts and shook his head, "If you wish to conduct a ritual, bring monks and Taoists to our home, why go to the temple? Let’s move the coffin after the funeral."

He said, "I know what you’re worried about, but if even inside Luoyang isn’t safe, outside the city certainly won’t be. Moreover, now that the chaos has been settled, Prince East Sea’s injury might just be a ruse to flush out those with ulterior motives."

"Since Great Uncle knows this, why not avoid this storm?"

"But this has nothing to do with us, we’re not going to rebel against Prince East Sea, and can watch the tigers fight from a distance."