Chapter 1397 - 1312: Regret (Supplement 1)

Shi Le arrived in Luoyang three days after Zhao Erlang, coincidentally on the same day as Liu Kun.

Unlike Liu Kun, who traveled with family, including his mother, wives, and children, Shi Le only brought Wei Jie and his confidant Zhang Bin.

This time, officials from the Ministry of Rites did not make a wasted trip because both men strictly followed the protocol for Inspectors returning to the capital, sending someone ahead to submit documents when they reached the post station on the outskirts.

Shi Le and Liu Kun were not well acquainted but had long heard of each other’s reputations. Liu Kun admired his military prowess, and Shi Le respected his loyalty and integrity. Both being fond of wine, they agreed to meet for a drink in the evening once they met.

After setting a time with Shi Le, Liu Kun’s gaze turned intently towards Wei Jie.

He truly was a gentleman of remarkable presence, just standing there, enough to earn much admiration.

Liu Kun quickly stepped forward to propose a drink.

Wei Jie politely declined and informed Shi Le of his intention to leave. He had residence and relatives in Luoyang and would not crowd the post station with them.

Liu Kun and Shi Le also owned properties but had no one to manage them, so they initially stayed at the post station.

Shi Le naturally wasn’t fond of his subordinates getting too close to the Inspectors from other regions, even though Liu Kun had been reassigned as the head of the Court of State Ceremonial.

Once settled at the post station, Shi Le kept Zhang Bin back for a talk, "Did you notice the young lady by Madam Liu’s side?"

Zhang Bin was momentarily unsure of his meaning, "Does the General mean... marrying a new wife?"

Shi Le: "...I wouldn’t be so foolish as to be a generation beneath Liu Kun."

Zhang Bin breathed a sigh of relief, freed from that assumption, and his mind cleared, "Is the General suspecting Liu Kun intends to form a marriage alliance with Your Majesty?"

Shi Le: "It’s known throughout the realm that the emperor and Prince Qin have a deep sibling bond. His age is appropriate for marriage, and Liu Kun is a scholar with loyalty and integrity. I observed several times earlier, and his daughter is quite attractive too."

Shi Le continued with some regret, "It’s a pity I don’t have a daughter, otherwise I would fight for it too."

Zhang Bin: "..."

Mrs. Wang had met Madam Liu and Liu Jianjia and found Liu Jianjia agreeable, intentionally summoning Zhao Erlang to have him take Liu Jianjia for a walk in the garden.

Zhao Erlang obediently led Liu Jianjia for half a circuit around the garden. Seeing her reluctant to continue, he had a palace maid escort her back and slipped away.

It was too dreadful—listening to his mother’s conversations was even less appealing than eavesdropping on his sister’s.

Zhao Hanzhang brought Liu Kun and Shi Le to Luoyang together to win over and pacify neighboring states of Hua Country, the Qiang and Hu clans in the north, various states in the Western Regions, Shu Cheng and Tubo in the west, the southern tribes, and the Duan Xianbei in the northeast.

Being from the Jie Clan, she hoped Shi Le could represent the Jie and other Hu Clans in the policymaking process. Of course, she wouldn’t rely solely on his counsel.

She also wrote letters to Zhang Gui of Xiliang and Li Xiong of Cheng Country.

Liu Kun was an amiable person. He advocated for equitable treatment, aligning with Zhao Hanzhang’s views and being one reason she appointed him as the head of the Court of State Ceremonial.

Because of his stance, minority officials in the court held him in high regard, and needless to say, so did the officials from various states.

Interestingly, Han officials also viewed Liu Kun favorably, which led to a greater tolerance for this policy.

Such is the marvel of personal charisma.

Previously, when Zhao Hanzhang insisted on ethnic equality, although officials did not openly oppose, they privately often suggested tilting land distribution, taxation, and talent recruitment in favor of curbing minority development.

Yet, when Liu Kun proposed the same, even previously dissenting officials surprisingly acquiesced, earning Zhao Hanzhang’s admiration.

Consequently, she also held higher hopes for Liu Jianjia; upon concluding their discussions, she went to the inner palace and successfully struck up a conversation with Liu Jianjia.

Liu Jianjia was a gentle girl, speaking softly. Through Hanzhang’s inquiries and assessments, she appeared to be a kind and virtuous young woman.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang dismissed her.

Mrs. Wang’s heart rate spiked, "She’s the most virtuous among the young women, yet you rejected her?"

"Precisely because she’s virtuous, she won’t do." Zhao Hanzhang explained, "Erlang doesn’t need a virtuous wife. You see, she’s compliant, obedient to her grandmother and father in everything. If she marries into our family, she’ll be equally obedient to Erlang and Liu Kun."

"What ideas could Erlang possibly have? We’re marrying him because he has no ideas and needs someone decisive to manage him."

No additional words were needed for Mrs. Wang to grasp the point.

Zhao Erlang lacked decisiveness, so would the decision-maker in their household be Liu Jianjia or her father Liu Kun?

Mrs. Wang felt troubled, "Where can you find someone decisive and who cares for Erlang?"

"I don’t require her to be particularly kind to Erlang. As long as she’s decisive, cares for herself, and wants a good life," Zhao Hanzhang was broad-minded in this regard and thought it through, "Mother, young women face more difficulties than men, so they value their households more. I only need her to care for herself more, have a possessive desire over her domain. As long as she’s intelligent and capable, she’ll naturally treat Erlang well."

Because intelligence enables balance, because self-love and care for the household lead to a better life, thus benefiting Zhao Erlang.

"Feelings are mutual—give and take. If everyone starts on a harmonious footing, feelings will develop naturally. Though Erlang may be simple-minded, he has a kind heart. I believe if we find the right person, they’ll make a good life together, so there’s no need for her to be overly virtuous or gentle."

Convinced, Mrs. Wang nodded repeatedly.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang mention, "I received a letter from Xie Shi yesterday. He proposed a match."

Mrs. Wang had a favorable impression of Xie Shi, after all, he was the one teacher who had stayed with Zhao Erlang for years without being driven away.

At that time, Zhao Hanzhang had selected two teachers for Zhao Erlang—Wang Nai and Xie Shi.

In the end, only Xie Shi stayed with Zhao Erlang. Just the thought of it made Mrs. Wang sympathize; now, whenever she tried teaching Zhao Erlang, she would become irritable in less than fifteen minutes, yet he persisted for so many years.

Mrs. Wang earnestly asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s his cousin."

Upon hearing that, Mrs. Wang was already favorably inclined.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but be speechless, seeing how her mother was recently agreeable to anyone, thinking they were suitable as long as they were female.

Zhao Hanzhang’s voice softened, "His cousin is also quite virtuous."

Mrs. Wang, puzzled, "Didn’t you say virtuous was unsuitable?"

"There are different types of virtuous."

Xie Shi’s cousin, named Xie Xiangrong, was known for her virtue in Langya and Yangxia, reputedly with many suitors.

This was the superficial information.

Since it concerned a potential match for Zhao Erlang, Xie Shi naturally detailed Xie Xiangrong’s circumstances and explained why he found the marriage favorable.

This cousin was over ten years younger than him, originally named Xie Xinxin. At the age of five, upon witnessing her mother’s sorrow for not bearing a brother, she promptly changed her name to her forsaken brother’s name and disguised herself as a boy to go to school in his place.