Chapter 720: Old Matters Revisited [Thank You! Again! 41K Words Owed]

Mid-May,

It had been over ten days since the Lu Long Zhao family was attacked.

In Northern Liao,

Xi Jin Prefecture,

in the northwestern direction, Changping County,

there lived the Liu family, a prominent clan whose descendants had for generations studied the classics, renowned throughout Northern Liao as a scholarly lineage, with many of its members holding official posts in the court.

Upon hearing rumors of the Lu Long Zhao family's attack, the Liu clan members in the county had taken refuge in a country villa west of the mountains, under the pretense of mountain excursions.

Since the head of the Liu family and his promising sons had departed with the Northern Liao imperial clan for Zhongjing, the villa was mostly occupied by women and children.

In the summer mountains,

the noon heat was still oppressive,

but by nightfall,

the temperature dropped sharply,

and a cool breeze swept through the woods, rustling leaves and branches into sounds like rolling waves.

On the second floor of the wooden pavilion within the Liu family villa,

the Liu girl who had once visited the Xi Jin horseball arena and met Emperor Yelu Sun now stood by the window, clutching a poetry anthology, gazing blankly at the bright moon, letting the cool night wind brush her cheeks.

A maidservant approached with a light shawl and whispered, "Miss, the Lady says dinner is ready; please join us."

"Mm."

The Liu girl responded, gazed at the moon a while longer, then turned for the maid to drape the shawl over her shoulders.

After placing the poetry book on the table, she led the maid downstairs.

Arriving on the first floor,

the maid removed the lantern cover, lit the candle inside, then replaced the cover.

Carrying the lantern out of the wooden pavilion,

the Liu girl inhaled the scent of flowers and herbs in the courtyard and sighed softly: "Ah."

After her sigh, she glanced at the maid beside her and asked, "Have you heard any new news lately?"

"Miss, no. The only reports still say that few survived the Lu Long Zhao family's massacre."

It was no wonder the girl was so melancholy—those noble youths and maidens she had met in Xi Jin were now dead, their clans destroyed, their homes in ruins.

Moreover, the Changping Liu family and the Lu Long Zhao family shared a common identity: both were Han aristocratic lineages left over from the previous dynasty.

Since learning of the incident, the Yelu clan of Northern Liao had still given no explanation to their ministers.

This left many feeling as if rabbits died and foxes mourned, orchids burned and sweet grasses lamented.

She pulled her shawl tighter,

and the group soon reached the brightly lit hall.

"Grandmother, Auntie, Aunt, Sister-in-law."

After formal greetings, the beautiful Liu girl took her seat at the table.

Observing her relatives' expressions, the Liu girl felt puzzled.

Under the maidservants' care, they ate dinner.

As they drank the digestive infusion, the Liu matriarch waved her hand: "It's fine, all of you may leave."

"Yes."

The elderly maids and servants in the hall bowed and departed.

The Liu family's daughters-in-law and daughters kept only their personal maids and nursemaids.

After all these days, no one questioned why the servants had been dismissed.

All eyes turned to a middle-aged woman seated below the Liu matriarch.

This woman was the legitimate daughter of the Yutian Han family, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liu household; the Yutian Han family was heavily relied upon in both civil and military affairs in Northern Liao and also operated maritime trade, giving them more reliable intelligence than the Liu family.

Han Da Niangzi saw her personal nursemaid nod at the door, confirming the maids had left, then looked toward the Liu matriarch.

Seeing the Liu matriarch nod, Han Da Niangzi sipped her infusion to moisten her throat and said, "Just now, my family sent word from home."

"Sister-in-law, is it about the Lu Long Zhao family?" a woman asked urgently.

This woman had kinship ties to the Lu Long Zhao family and naturally cared more than others.

"Yes." Han Da Niangzi was about to speak when her personal nursemaid pushed open the door and stepped outside.

This sudden interruption made Han Da Niangzi pause.

Outside the hall, indistinct voices murmured.

Moments later,

Han Da Niangzi's nursemaid returned holding a letter, bowed to all, and said, "Old Lady, Ladies, a courier from our family's shop has brought urgent news."

"It's from the shop that deals with the Jia family," the nursemaid added.

Han Da Niangzi signaled for the letter to be passed to the Liu matriarch.

But the Liu matriarch waved it off: "I'm old and my eyesight's poor—I can't read at night. You read it, daughter-in-law."

"Yes, Mother."

Han Da Niangzi reached out, took the letter, and opened it.

After reading, she rose and handed the letter to the Liu matriarch: "Mother, it matches what we already know."

The Liu matriarch took the paper, pressed it beneath her hand, and nodded: "Then tell them."

Han Da Niangzi sat back down and said, "My family reports that after the Lu Long Zhao family was attacked, only a few dozen women and children survived out of hundreds."

"Ah!? Only a few dozen?" The woman who had asked earlier gasped, her hand trembling.

Her sister-in-law and niece quickly soothed her.

Another sister-in-law asked urgently, "Is the news certain? Where are they? Did they flee to the Jin?"

Han Da Niangzi nodded:

"Sister-in-law, the news is certain—our own letter confirms it."

"They didn't flee to Jin."

"They boarded a sea vessel and went south to Great Zhou."

Hearing this, everyone in the hall looked astonished.

The Liu girl looked at Han Da Niangzi and said, "Auntie, we only knew a few warships of the navy had vanished—we assumed they sank or defected to Jin—but never imagined—"

Han Da Niangzi looked at her niece and said, "Yes! The report says they happened upon a Great Zhou naval vessel at sea and were rescued, taken to Great Zhou."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"After so many days, the Zhao family must have reached Bianjing by now?" the Liu girl asked.

Han Da Niangzi nodded: "That's exactly what I was about to say! According to reports, when the Lu Long Zhao family arrived outside Bianjing, hundreds of noble youths and maidens from Bianjing came out to greet them!"

The Liu girl exclaimed, "Hundreds? That means nearly all the children of the nobility and high officials in Bianjing went?"

The Liu matriarch said, "This is the ancient practice of paying a thousand gold for a horse's bones—done to impress us."

Han Da Niangzi nodded and added, "Later, these people were received in the imperial palace by the Great Zhou emperor! The Great Zhou government posted notices stating that the Zhao sons not only received countless gold and silver rewards but were also directly enrolled into the imperial clan's genealogy."

"Ah?!"

At these words, exclamations erupted in the hall.

"From now on, the Zhao family's children will enjoy the same allowances, education, and hereditary appointments as Great Zhou's imperial clan."

After speaking, Han Da Niangzi sipped her infusion.

"Auntie, if that's true, what should the Zhao sons call the Great Zhou emperor?"

"Apparently, they must call him grandfather."

That would make them nephews of the current imperial prince, Zhao Fang.

After murmuring among themselves about the Zhao family, they turned to discussing Northern Liao's current situation.

Northern Liao now relied solely on Mongol cavalry to stand against Jin; though Yelu Ying was honored as Khatun of the Jada Lan tribe, she dared not punish Mongol nobles.

With the Lu Long Zhao family now fleeing to Great Zhou and enrolled in its imperial genealogy, the Zhao family would surely be accused of colluding with Great Zhou.

Listening to her family's talk,

"Cough. Cough."

Han Da Niangzi cleared her throat; when all turned to her, she said, "My brother is stationed at Xijing Datong. He reports that recently, Great Zhou's northwest cavalry have been moving constantly—its vanguard scouts have already entered our territory to reconnoiter!"

The hall erupted in murmurs again.

"That Great Zhou emperor has great ambition," sighed the Liu matriarch. "They've barely settled Bai Gaohebei, and already they dare move troops."

Han Da Niangzi agreed: "Mother, my brother says the Great Zhou officials sent to the former Bai Gao Prefecture are exceptionally capable—protecting borders, pacifying the people, upright and incorruptible—earning fine reputations."

"Ah, how unpredictable these times are—I only hope our own children can weather them safely!" the Liu matriarch sighed again.

Everyone nodded.

In truth, even if Great Zhou invaded and sought to govern, it would still need local clans like the Liu family.

After nodding, Han Da Niangzi suddenly blinked and said:

"Oh! Mother, I almost forgot! I also heard that the Jia family of Lu Long County was also caught up in this affair—many of their clan died! Too bad they had no naval relatives; their losses were terrible!"

The Liu matriarch exclaimed, "The Lu Long Jia family were former prefects of Nanjing's Office of the Imperial Resident! Even though their head died of illness, they once held great power—how could they too be swept away? How did this happen?"

The Liu girl hesitated and said, "Grandmother, perhaps the marauders saw the Jia family's lavish courtyard and—"

More murmurs followed.

Just from this discussion among the Northern Liao aristocratic Liu family, it was clear that Great Zhou's "thousand gold for horse's bones" had a profound impact.

When the Northern Liao court issued an official notice regarding the Lu Long Zhao family, and it reached Bianjing, it was already late May.

That day,

at the precise hour of Si (after 10 a. m.),

Ji Ying Alley,

the Sheng household,

Shou'an Hall,

Sheng Hong, having just left court in his official robes, sat at the lower seat, watching his mother, who sat on a Luohan chair gently fanning herself with a round fan, and said: "Mother, the official bulletin says exactly that."

The old lady nodded slowly, gesturing with her fan: "Hong'er, first eat some chilled milk pudding to cool down."

"Yes." Sheng Hong replied, picking up the porcelain bowl beside the table and sipping twice with the spoon inside.

"So the Lu Long Zhao family has been branded as traitors colluding with Northern Liao?" the old lady asked, still fanning.

Sheng Hong nodded vigorously.

The old lady shook her head: "Treating ministers this way will make people lose heart. But," she added with a smile, "it's good for our dynasty."

"Mother is right," Sheng Hong agreed.

The old lady waved her fan a few more times, then spoke slowly:

"Next month, Shu Lan will marry."

"Though Wei's wife has been in Bianjing for some time, the city is full of noble families, and Hua's father-in-law—your cousin—is currently needed in the northwest. On the wedding day, some official's wife may well come to join the celebration."

"I've discussed this with your aunt. We fear Wei's wife may not manage the occasion well. You and Lady Wang must pay closer attention."

Sheng Hong looked up at his mother and nodded: "Mother, I understand. Shu Lan is Hua's cousin from her natal family, and the wedding is being held here in the capital! Those who attend Wei's household will surely include relatives and friends from the capital's noble houses."

The Sheng family's first and second branches were closely connected.

The first branch had leveraged the second branch's extended kinship ties to greatly expand its business: whenever the Zhao families of Pingmei and Anmei—Hua's elder and younger sisters-in-law—faced events, the first branch always sent wedding gifts.

Now that Shu Lan is marrying into the Yu family, renowned for their medical skill, the Xie, Gu, and Hu Yan families will surely not hesitate to send their congratulations to the Sheng first branch.

The old lady nodded: "Not only that! Master Yu, the senior physician, has such extraordinary skill—how many noble households in Bianjing over the past decades have been treated by him?"

Sheng Hong's eyes filled with thought as he said: "Mother is right. I suspect Chang Wu himself may be overwhelmed that day. Chang Bai should accompany him."

The old lady smiled approvingly: "Well said."

Sheng Hong set down his porcelain bowl and rose: "Then, Mother, I'll go to Weirui Pavilion and inform Lady Wang."

The old lady nodded with a smile.

After bowing respectfully, Sheng Hong slightly bent his body and stepped out of the hall.

Outside Shou'an Hall,

Sheng Hong straightened his posture. Behind him, Dong Rong carried his official hat. As he walked toward Weirui Pavilion, he stroked his beard.

"Master has arrived."

The announcement came from the maid at the door.

Inside the room,

Wang Ruofu, startled, exchanged a glance with Liu Mama, then rose and walked toward the outer chamber.

"Husband, why are you here?"

Wang Ruofu asked, puzzled.

"What, not welcome?" Sheng Hong frowned. "I have something to discuss with you."

Liu Mama tugged at Wang Ruofu's sleeve and glanced at Sheng Hong's official robes.

Years of shared life gave Wang Ruofu instant understanding. She forced a smile: "Husband, why not change into something cooler first?"

Sheng Hong nodded: "Good idea."

Under Wang Ruofu's assistance, he changed into light clothing, then leaned comfortably in his chair, fanning himself as he repeated his mother's instructions.

Seeing Wang Ruofu's reluctant expression, Sheng Hong's eyes flickered, and he smiled as he continued:

"Mother said you are a daughter of the Wang family, and Hua is the Second Young Lady of the Hou Fu. With you present, your sister-in-law can properly uphold the occasion."

Wang Ruofu straightened her back with a touch of pride, smiling: "Mother is absolutely right. As a daughter-in-law, I naturally must obey."

After speaking, Wang Ruofu's eyes darted. "Husband, why not let my nephew's daughter Yun'er attend the first branch's wedding as well?"

At this, Sheng Hong paused his fanning, looking at her hesitantly: "Still thinking of marrying Yun'er into our family?"

Wang Ruofu glanced at him and nodded: "I know Wei's wife well—she's no cruel mother-in-law. Yun'er comes from an official family, but the first branch is still a fine match."

"We previously planned to arrange a meeting, but with Shu Lan's wedding, we never had time. Now's the perfect chance to settle it!"

Sheng Hong took a deep breath: "I'll speak with Wei's elder brother these two days. We'll decide then."

Wang Ruofu quickly smiled: "Husband, add this: Yun'er's dowry must be generous!"

Hearing this,

Liu Mama frowned in distress.

Sheng Hong's heart darkened—once again, the memory of Wang Ruofu asking Kang Wangshi to lend money at usurious rates surfaced.

"Enough. I won't eat lunch here."

Sheng Hong rose and walked out, fanning himself.

Wang Ruofu stared, rising: "Huh? Husband, you're—"

At the door, Liu Mama spoke solemnly: "Lady Wang, you shouldn't have mentioned the dowry."

Shielding his eyes from the sun,

Sheng Hong hurried toward Lin Qige.

The maid at Lin Qige's gate saw him and ran swiftly into the courtyard; a faint announcement echoed.

When Sheng Hong arrived at Lin Qige,

Lin Qinshuang was already smiling at the gate, waiting.

"Shuang'er, come inside—the sun is strong," Sheng Hong said.

Lin Qinshuang shook her head with a smile.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong's lips naturally curved upward.

As they drew near, Lin Qinshuang took his fan without hesitation and began fanning him.

Together they entered the room,

and Sheng Hong sighed in relief as the cool air washed over him.

Glancing around, he noticed the fabric and silver thread on the table. "Shuang'er, what are you working on?"

Lin Qinshuang smiled, guiding him onto the Luohan chair, then walked to the table and brought the items over. "These past days, Xue Niang said tassels on veils are in fashion in the capital. I thought I'd make one each for the Fifth and Sixth Young Ladies."

Sheng Hong smiled: "You're thoughtful, but they have their own mothers to attend to. Just make one for Mo'er."

Lin Qinshuang shook her head gently: "Husband, don't say that. I only hope the Fifth and Sixth Young Ladies won't find them unworthy."

After a while of quiet affection, it was time for school to end.

Soon,

Mo Lan and Chang Feng entered together.

"Father!"

Seeing his two children, Sheng Hong smiled and nodded: "How was school today?"

As he spoke, Mo Lan's personal maids, Lu Zhong and Yun Zai, followed in.

Yun Zai held a finely crafted veil hat.

"What's this?" Sheng Hong asked, puzzled.

Mo Lan glanced at Lin Qinshuang, took the veil from Yun Zai, placed it on her head, and beamed: "Father, this was given to me by Wei Xiao Niang. Isn't it lovely?"

Beside her, Chang Feng sneered. On the way here, his sister had clearly disliked the hat.

"Rong Feiyan? She was the first to wear it? Looks nothing special," Mo Lan had said earlier.

(End of Chapter)