Chapter 57 - Slap

Chapter 57: Chapter 51: SlapThe still sleeping residence quickly came alive after Zhao Zhongyu gave the order.

The servants urgently got up, extinguishing the lights under the corridor and in the courtyard one by one. They didn’t dare to light the lamps inside, instead, group after group of people gathered outside the mourning hall, carrying white lanterns.

Once everyone was present, they also extinguished the lanterns in their hands.

Only candles burned in the mourning hall, with silence inside and outside the courtyard. No one dared to speak, but hearts were anxious, and from time to time, there were soft sobs from women and children.

Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Hanzhang, after arranging the guards at the gate and patrols, arrived together. Mrs. Wang, who stayed close to Zhao Erlang, saw her and felt relieved, tears streaming down uncontrollably, "Third Lady..."

She stepped forward to be close to her.

Zhao Hanzhang comfortingly patted her hand and led her back to Zhao Erlang’s side, leaving the main stage to Zhao Zhongyu.

Seeing the gathered family members, Zhao Zhongyu felt for the first time the heavy responsibility of being the Family Head resting on his shoulders.

He had to ensure these people survived.

He pondered for a moment and said, "It’s unclear who is causing chaos outside, but both Your Majesty and Prince East Sea are here; these rebel soldiers likely won’t maintain chaos for long."

"What we must do is maintain ourselves during this period, wait for Prince East Sea to suppress the rebellion, from now on, tightly close our doors, no noise, no lighting of fires, everyone stays here to follow my orders. If anyone deliberately makes noise or causes chaos, don’t blame me for being unkind."

Everyone responded in unison.

Zhao Ji stepped forward and asked quietly, "Father, should the lights in the mourning hall be extinguished?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhongyu’s anger flared instantly, and he slapped Zhao Ji’s face, "Brat!"

Zhao Ji lowered his head.

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression was grim, he looked at the mourning hall for a while and said, "Get some thicker cloth, cover inside, overlay with oil cloth outside, wrap the entire mourning hall, act carefully, and if you extinguish even one candle, I’ll break your leg."

Zhao Ji complied in a low voice, leading some servants to gather cloth and coverings.

Mrs. Wang couldn’t hold back and cried into a handkerchief, pulling Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlang to kneel before the spirit, whispering bitterly, "Third Lady, you were right, you can’t rely on your uncle, to save himself, he would sever your grandfather’s soul. I’ve never seen such a vicious person."

Mrs. Wang trembled with rage, if Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t held her tightly, she would have gone forward to tear Zhao Ji apart.

Zhao Zhongyu, already shaking from anger, forced himself to suppress his inner rage, approached the spirit, first offered incense to Zhao Changyu, then said to the three people kneeling before him, "Jizhi was scared, that’s why he acted confused. Nephew’s wife, don’t be angry, once this matter is over, I will severely punish him."

Mrs. Wang, wiping her tears, had no choice but to comply.

Zhao Zhongyu sighed and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Third Lady, comfort your mother."

Zhao Hanzhang, not being from this time, didn’t feel as deeply, but seeing Zhao Zhongyu so angry made her realize how serious the matter of extinguishing candles was considered in this era.

She embraced Mrs. Wang’s shoulders and comfortingly patted her back.

The gathered servants acted swiftly after finding the cloth; the mourning hall was soon covered, candlelight hidden inside. The air didn’t circulate well, making it uncomfortable for those inside.

Zhao Hanzhang feared that before the rebel army arrived, they might suffocate inside.

So she persuaded Mrs. Wang to leave and stay in the courtyard.

She had people open the doors and windows, spread the oil cloth, and used boards to cover the escaping light, allowing air to enter the room.

The family remained in the courtyard, listening to the increasingly loud and closer sounds of shouting and slaughter.

The servants squeezed together, the main house gathered around Zhao Hanzhang. Mrs. Wang, most timid, stuck close to Zhao Hanzhang, tightly clutching Zhao Erlang, her face pale.

Zhao Erlang, too young to understand, sensed the adults’ panic, and feeling somewhat afraid, he leaned against his mother and sister. But before long, his eyelids grew heavy, and he fell asleep leaning on Mrs. Wang.

Aside from those who were too young to understand, only he managed to sleep.

The neighbors near the Zhao Family were slower to react, but upon discovering the neighboring Zhao Family had become completely dark, their households also became lively. Within less than two quarters of an hour, they extinguished all lights and gradually quieted down.

In the darkness, everyone prayed that the rebel army wouldn’t discover their area.

The rebel army that broke into the city and the imperial guard encountered each other, either deliberately avoiding or dispersing into various alleyways in the city.

They headed straight for places with lights.

Only the wealthy kept their lights on at night.

The city soon resounded with screams and the sounds of fighting, some so close to the Zhao Family it seemed as if it were just beyond the wall.

Zhao Hanzhang clenched her fists, listened intently, and looked at Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression was equally grim, he closed his eyes to rest, only opening them when dawn broke. He summoned the guards, "Send a few people to call Zhao Qianli, have him bring all our troops to the residence."

He then called Zhao Ji, "I must visit the palace. I’m entrusting the household to you."

He cast a discreet glance at Zhao Ji, and warned in a low voice, "Today is your elder uncle’s seventh day, the lamps cannot be extinguished. If faced with any decision you cannot make, consult with Third Lady."

Last night she reacted first, and her manpower management was no inferior to his. Given they’ve been working together over funeral arrangements, Zhao Zhongyu vaguely understood why Zhao Changyu instructed that the portion meant for Zhao Erlang should be given to her as dowry.

He said softly, "In times of chaos, only unity can preserve the family. Remember?"

Zhao Ji acknowledged.

Zhao Zhongyu then changed into plain clothing, took several guards, and quietly left.

He held an official position, with the city invaded by rebel troops, he needed to know who the enemy was, and how higher authorities were responding, otherwise, he’d be like a fly without direction, with a large family relying on him.

Zhao Zhongyu avoided areas with raging fires, quickly approaching the Imperial City.

The Zhao Family, being close to the Imperial City, reached it quickly despite taking a detoured route. From afar, he saw rebel forces confronting the Jin Army and engaging in street battles.

Seeing the rebel’s military uniforms, he was slightly stunned, "Are these... also our Jin Army?"

A guard, sharp-eyed, whispered, "My lord, these seem to be Prince Hejian’s men."

"Didn’t Prince Hejian die?" Zhao Zhongyu paused, and immediately realized someone was mobilizing Prince Hejian’s men, with ready reasons—vengeance for Prince Hejian!

Zhao Zhongyu looked deeply at the battlefield, turned, and retreated into the alleyways, "We’ll enter the Imperial City from another gate, let’s go."

Meanwhile, Zhao Hanzhang was also dispatching her personnel, "Uncle Cheng, quietly send two people to West City, it’s mostly inhabited by poor citizens there, the rebel forces won’t come there immediately. Have a centurion take everyone to the Fu Family to escort Mr. Fu here."

"Remember, ensure Mr. Fu’s safety."

Uncle Cheng agreed and quietly withdrew.

Zhao Ji was irritatedly looking for someone, "Where’s Uncle Cheng gone? How come he’s missing again?"

Emerging from the shadows, Zhao Hanzhang pretended not to see him, as a servant reported, "Uncle Cheng went to find food for the masters, as many things can’t be cooked without lighting a fire."

Only then did Zhao Ji suppress his anger.