Zhao Zhongyu said softly, "Everyone, there’s not much time left before the banquet begins, and we still haven’t decided on the seating arrangement? We can’t possibly wait until the two of you arrive to make a decision, can we?"
With the support of Fu Zhi and Zhao Zhongyu, Zhao Hanzhang narrowly secured the seat to the far left.
The best part was, she knew this information did not come from Fu Zhi nor from Zhao Zhongyu, but rather from an official of the Ministry of Rites named Chen Fulian, who came to her and detailed the palace’s seating struggle to her, saying, "In my opinion, General’s military accomplishments are outstanding, taking the far left seat shouldn’t be up for discussion, but it’s because you are a woman that it has stirred controversy."
Zhao Hanzhang had already changed her clothes, and after eating and drinking her fill, she was feeling lethargic and non-aggressive, so she lazily sat at the head and asked him, "So?"
"According to my view, General completely does not need to compete with General Gou for this seat, because if you wish, you can absolutely take a higher position."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang looked Chen Fulian up and down in surprise, "Well, so you’re here to persuade me to rebel? What sort of people are left by Your Majesty’s side, someone come, drag him down and..."
"No, no," Chen Fulian broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "General misunderstood, I mean to say that General could totally sit on the same level as Your Majesty."
"This proposal is even bolder, having two monarchs is the root of chaos for a country, it’s even more deserving of being cut down, someone..."
Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang unable to catch on, Chen Fulian couldn’t help but say "Oh dear," and kneeled down, saying, "General, what I meant was, with your regal stance and majestic appearance, you could ascend to the position of Empress, sharing the realm with Your Majesty."
Zhao Hanzhang’s faint smile completely dropped, and she lowered her eyes to look at the kneeling Chen Fulian, staring straight at him until sweat poured off him, only then did she sneer, leaning forward, resting on her knees to examine his lowered head, "Chen Fulian, you really have some nerve, this proposal not only places Your Majesty and me in a dishonorable situation, endangering Empress Liang’s life, but also destroys generations of friendship between the Zhao Family and the Fu Family, and furthermore tarnishes the Zhao Family’s reputation."
Zhao Hanzhang’s face darkened as she heavily slapped the armrest, "Speak, who sent you to execute this nefarious plan?"
Chen Fulian’s face stiffened, and he quickly explained, "General misunderstood, I genuinely wish for the General and Great Jin to thrive, if General could become Empress and bear a Crown Prince for Your Majesty, it could resolve the current situation of Great Jin being fragmented with internal and external troubles."
Isn’t the greatest weakness nowadays the lack of power and influence?
Zhao Hanzhang happens to fill this gap.
Zhao Hanzhang stared at his head, hesitating between beheading him and sparing him.
Beheading would make her seem too brutal, possibly scaring off future adorable advisors offering suggestions.
Sparing him, however, leaves such a person of no use to the country and could potentially pose future problems.
Just as Zhao Hanzhang was about to order someone to drag him away to be beheaded, Fu Tinghan suddenly called her name, "Hanzhang."
The kneeling Chen Fulian could feel the murderous intent pressing down on him pause, then gradually fade, and he let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat off his face with his sleeve.
Zhao Hanzhang looked up with a smile towards Fu Tinghan who had walked in, and asked, "How long have you been listening outside?"
Fu Tinghan said, "You should have heard it earlier." He hadn’t deliberately lowered his footsteps, so with her hearing it shouldn’t have been difficult.
He still explained, "From the moment he suggested you become Empress."
"His words are displeasing, you don’t take his advice, just kick him out," Fu Tinghan glanced outside at the sky, and said, "Judging by the time, it’s almost time, let’s get ready to go to the Imperial Palace."
"Alright." Zhao Hanzhang got up, and seeing her foot now, Fu Tinghan thought of how she kicked into her shoes and had no choice but to squat down to help her put them on.
Zhao Hanzhang felt a bit better, looking at the limp Chen Fulian on the ground, she no longer wanted to kill him, and then waved her hand and said, "Please escort Doctor Chen out."
Immediately someone stepped forward to help Chen Fulian up, seeing him trembling and unable to stand, they carried him outside and tossed him out, Zeng Yue spat at the counterpart, saying, "Hypocrite!"
Chen Fulian blushed in embarrassment, but under the scrutiny of the Zhao Family’s trusted aides, he dared not make any rash moves.
Although the predicament in Luoyang City was resolved, whether due to their houses being burnt or due to the excess of soldiers stationed in the city, the court officials and noble families hadn’t returned home from the palace, persisting on staying in the palace.
The Zhao Mansion had half of its houses demolished, and nearby was a street charred black from the fire, as the fire originated from the north of the city, this area near the Imperial Palace was mostly inhabited by officials and noble families.
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the half-burned Zhao Mansion when she was about to go out, clicked her tongue twice and shook her head, "Rebuilding this house would cost quite a bit of money, forget it, let’s leave it to Zhao Kuan to figure it out, this mansion can be lent to him to live in the future."
Fu Tinghan said, "You really are meticulous in your calculations."
Zhao Hanzhang proudly smiled at him, and pulled his hand, "Let’s go, into the palace!"
Today Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were both dressed magnificently, in broad-sleeved formal attire, which was warm and lacked the stiffness of armor, making it quite comfortable to wear.
Fu Tinghan assisted her into the carriage, then bent down to board, sitting face to face, he said, "You are already strong enough in military affairs, so on other matters you should be softer, otherwise being overly aggressive will make you intimidating, only fear, with little respect, will surely lead to rigidity."
Zhao Hanzhang acknowledged and nodded, "I’ve noted it, I just lost control of my temper for a moment."
She curiously stared at Fu Tinghan, "Aren’t you angered by him though?"
Fu Tinghan nodded, "He’s just an outsider, and a petty person, why would I be mad at a petty person?"
"And if I really listened to his advice?"
"Then I’d be angry at you, what does it have to do with him?"
After a moment of silence, Zhao Hanzhang said, "I think you could transfer some of your anger meant for me onto him, of course, I’m not saying I’d make that choice, just suggesting it for conversation’s sake."
Fu Tinghan gave her a gentle look, and suddenly the carriage stopped, Zeng Yue reported outside, "Madam, Mr. Ji is here."
Zhao Hanzhang immediately lifted the curtain, "Quick, invite him."
Ji Yuan got in the carriage, and after nodding slightly in greeting to Fu Tinghan, he sat at the lower end, whispering, "I’ve already arranged some personnel in the palace, and selected a few soldiers to fill the guards’ vacancies, but I’m not sure if they will be replaced later."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and also lowered her voice, "The seeds have been planted, how they grow ultimately will depend on fortune."
Ji Yuan lowered his voice further, "However, there is a eunuch by the Emperor’s side who is willing to sacrifice everything for Madam."
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him in surprise.
Ji Yuan quietly said, "He’s the person Madam saved from Wang Mi’s hands last night, named Cai Hou, unfortunately, he’s too young, only fourteen years old, with a low rank, usually running errands in Qinzheng Hall..."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded at her knee, saying, "That’s already sufficient, have someone prepare some scattered silver and pearls to send to him, tell him to first do well in his own duties, grow up, and we’ll talk later."

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