Chapter 80 - Satisfaction

Chapter 80: Chapter 74: SatisfactionZhao Song wiped his tears after crying and turned his head to see Fu Tinghan, his gaze fixed, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

The young man was as elegant as a jade tree standing tall, evidently a well-bred scion of a noble family.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her tear-stained eyes, suppressing her emotions, and introduced him, "Fifth Uncle, this is Mr. Fu from the Fu Family."

"So it’s the son-in-law," Zhao Song was even more satisfied, his eyes filled with unmistakable admiration, "The filial piety and kindness of the son-in-law, our Zhao Family will remember at heart and dare not forget."

Fu Tinghan quickly said that it was his duty to do this.

Zhao Song, reluctant to part, moved to the main hall with Zhao Hanzhang to talk, "I’ve heard from Uncle Cheng. Your marriage with Mr. Fu should have taken place after seven days, but it coincided with the chaos in Luoyang. Now, although in the mourning period of March, the marriage can still be arranged."

The reason she was so enthusiastic about this marriage at the beginning was to have a legitimate reason to bind Professor Fu beside her. Since he was now at her side, the wedding was not as urgent.

Zhao Hanzhang politely declined, "Fifth Uncle, the urgent thing is to let Grandfather be laid to rest peacefully."

She said, "Although there is ice to lower the temperature now, after a long time, a smell will inevitably arise. I do not want Grandfather to be so disheveled, so Grandfather should be prioritized at present."

She further said, "Moreover, our luggage was robbed, and our family property was all lost. Grandfather Fu’s life is uncertain, so indeed, there is no heart for the wedding. Let’s just guard the mourning for Grandfather before considering the marriage."

Zhao Song thought for a moment and found it reasonable. Now Third Lady and Fu Tinghan just needed a wedding, with the marriage papers already set, the two would be like a couple but lacked a step. But during mourning, even if they were married, they’d still have to sleep separately, so a wedding at this time was not very necessary.

Anyway, this is Ru Nan, Fu Tinghan can’t bully her.

"Then early tomorrow, we shall carry the coffin back to Xiping. I will have someone set up a shrine for your Grandfather in the clan and invite monks from Ru Nan to chant scriptures for forty-nine days..."

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly interrupted, "Fifth Uncle, this is too extravagant. Grandfather was frugal by nature and not fond of luxury. He also instructed before passing not to make a grand affair, and Third Lady does not wish to violate Grandfather’s wishes."

She said, "Moreover, the time is too long. I prefer to mourn at Shangcai and then choose a good day to go from Shangcai to the cemetery, inviting monks to follow and chant scriptures along the way. What do you think, Fifth Uncle?"

Zhao Song thought it too simple.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice and said, "Fifth Uncle, if we send the coffin back to Xiping for a grand affair, not only will the Zhao Family’s relatives come to mourn, but the old friends and lords of Ru Nan will also hear the news and come. At that time, they’ll ask seeing that both First Uncle and Elder Brother are not present, even if we wish to cover up, it’s hard to guarantee they won’t suspect."

Zhao Hanzhang rubbed her eyes, the ginger juice on her fingers making her tears fall one by one. She choked as she said, "Grandfather repeatedly instructed while alive to be considerate and hold in harmony with First Uncle’s family, to manage Mother and Second Son, not to feud with First Uncle’s family, and to get along well. In these troubled times, clansmen must rely on clan protection. For the clan to prosper long, unity is necessary. A big disturbance would not only strike a hard blow at the second room but also greatly damage the prestige of our Zhao Family."

Zhao Song saw her thoughtful for the greater good and could not help but sigh and nod, "Alright, this matter will follow your wishes."

Zhao Hanzhang withdrew with tears, and as soon as she stepped outside, she fanned her eyes with her hand; it was too spicy.

She glanced sideways and saw Fu Tinghan leaning against the pillar, whereupon she put her hand down.

Fu Tinghan, stifling a laugh, stepped forward and handed her a handkerchief, "Soaked in water, you can wipe."

Zhao Hanzhang took it; indeed, it was a wet handkerchief.

She carefully wiped her eyes and went to the backyard with Fu Tinghan, "So many relatives came to mourn; we have to arrange for their meals and lodging. My mother is crying and cannot manage it, can you help me later?"

Fu Tinghan agreed readily, "Alright."

He was somewhat curious, "I thought you would take this chance to avenge the little girl. Why do you instead protect Zhao Ji’s family?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "There’s no need to use such means to avenge. What I said to Zhao Song was true. We are now in the same boat; we rise and fall together. Even if I want revenge, it can be resolved internally; there’s no need for external methods."

Fu Tinghan thought it reasonable and followed her to arrange for the mourning relatives.

Zhao Hanzhang made her impoverishment apparent, having the guests clear and prepare the guest courtyards and rooms in the other courtyard.

In the countryside, though it’s not large, the area is ample, so the guest courtyard is built large, with enough rooms, albeit simply furnished.

Even the meals were simple, only white rice and noodles, with only two dishes: stewed greens and stewed winter melon, harmless green food, very healthy.

But those who ate looked as if they turned green.

Fortunately, it was the mourning period, and though servants acted appropriately, providing hot water when needed and serving meals without exception, it wasn’t considered impolite.

Just quite pitiable.

Several elders with higher age and seniority strolled through the other courtyard, eventually sitting with Zhao Song, "Fifth Brother, Mrs. Wang is now with orphaned children and isn’t faring well. Even with Mr. Fu by her side, their family’s foundation lies in Luoyang and Jingzhao County, beyond reach. They lost their luggage in this flight, and I hear the ice they use now is borrowed."

Zhao Song understood and immediately said, "I know, uncles can rest assured, I will arrange it properly."

The elders were satisfied and left; they were elder by a generation than Zhao Changyu, coming only to burn incense, leaving the mourning to peers and juniors.

Zhao Song pondered, feeling Zhao Hanzhang’s remarks today were somewhat odd, and went to find her directly to ask, "Once your Grandfather is buried, bring your mother and brother back to live in the clan. I’ll have your house cleaned out."

Zhao Hanzhang refused, mentioning her dowry, "Grandfather means for me to manage these land and shops well, so that when Second Son grows up, these things will be divided for him. You know now Central Plains is in chaos, Mr. Fu promised to mourn for Grandfather for a year, so I plan to mourn at the Shangcai estate, which is more comfortable."

She paused and said, "Besides, Father studied here, I want him and Second Son to stay here to focus on their studies."

Mentioning studies left Zhao Song speechless, but Second Son...

Zhao Song asked, "Is Second Son still struggling with his studies?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Though he’s not much for studying, he isn’t foolish and is very obedient. You can be assured, Fifth Uncle, I will teach him well."

Zhao Song sighed deeply and agreed.

Returning to rest in the room at night, he called his son, "Send people back to fetch some money, prepare some plain cloth, stock up sugar and tea, Third Lady’s family has nothing now, so having returned to Ru Nan, we can’t watch them in such hardship."

"Yes."

"Draft the gift list and send to each family; we’ve chosen a day for burial, the day after tomorrow will suffice. Then, the mother and two sons will return to the clan with these gifts, and place more money in the boxes."

Zhao Ming agreed and asked, "Father, are we just going to let Zhao Ji go like that?"