Chapter 121 - 115: Endless Sorrow
On the road, Zhao Zun shouted loudly to Xiao Zhengfei while riding his horse, "Zhengfei, remember, we are fighting not just for His Majesty’s imperial decree, but for every commoner on this land, for our families and descendants. No matter how difficult the road ahead is, we must hold on and not back down."
"Yes! I will remember."
The night wind carried Zhao Zun’s words, and both Xiao Zhengfei and the trusted aides nodded heavily.
The warhorses galloped furiously, Zhao Zun and his men raced against the stars and the moon.
Their silhouettes stretched in the moonlight, as if they were warriors about to face the darkest hour before dawn, swearing to guard this land with their bodies, forever...
What Zhao Zun didn’t know was that shortly after he led his trusted aides away, by the time of Hai hour, Han Lei and Ms. Li, escorted by Shiwu, also finally arrived here by carriage.
Throughout the journey, sitting idly in the carriage, she truly began to miss Zhao Zun.
Han Lei and her group, like the soldier who delivered the decree, circled around.
First, in Qingshui County, they heard from Luo Hai that the Cangzhou Royal Mansion was being built in Qingshui County, while the Zhao family went to Fufeng County to build a cement factory.
Han Lei and her entourage dined at Tongfu Building and checked its business situation; they spent the night at the County Magistrate’s residence and discussed some business matters with Luo Hai.
The next morning, Han Lei hastened directly to Fufeng County. She didn’t even have time to check the pig farm project, only hearing from Luo Hai that everything was normal there.
Han Lei and her group then went to the Fufeng County Magistrate’s residence to inquire about the Zhao family’s current residence, and came to find it.
As they followed the gatekeeper into the yard, they heard low sobbing in the distance, like fallen leaves drifting in the wind, carrying endless sorrow.
Turning past the screen wall, under the reflections of lanterns, Han Lei immediately saw the old matron and her daughter sitting under a tree at the corner of the yard, wiping tears and crying.
The frail figures looked especially helpless in the dim light.
"Aunt, Ling’er. What’s happened to you?" Han Lei hurried forward, her voice carrying urgency and concern.
The mother and daughter looked up, and upon seeing it was Han Lei, who had been missing for over two months, they were greatly surprised.
The old matron grasped Han Lei’s hand with trembling hands, her tear-filled eyes blurred, "Lei’er, you’ve finally returned! We... we were worried to death!"
Zhao Ling’er also sobbed, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Han Lei sister, you’re finally back."
Ping Chuan and several servants also came over to greet her. Although they were not crying, their faces were heavy with worry and concern.
After exchanging pleasantries with them, Han Lei’s gaze fell on the red and swollen eyes of the old matron and her daughter.
"Aunt, Ling’er, what exactly happened? Where is Zhao Zun?"
Seeing the expression on each of their faces made Han Lei inexplicably anxious, feeling a sense of foreboding.
Upon hearing her inquiry about Zhao Zun, the old matron’s tears suddenly flowed like rain.
Only then did Zhao Ling’er, choking with sobs, recount the story of the Turkic invasion, Emperor Jing’s order for Zhao Zun to be the vanguard in resisting the Turkic army of two hundred thousand.
"What?! Since his military authority was taken away, why was he still ordered to be the vanguard?"
Hearing this, Han Lei’s heart sank heavily, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
The old matron nodded in pain, unable to speak. Han Lei came forward to comfort her while she struggled to catch her breath.
"Indeed, this is clearly an insult to my son, wanting Zun to go to his death! Our Zhao family has been loyal to the court, why have we ended up in such a situation? What... what did my son do wrong!"
The old matron cried as she beat her chest and stamped her feet, tears of sorrow streaming uncontrollably.
Ping Chuan and Han Lei’s two maidservants were attending by her side, tears in their eyes as well.
Although they were of humble status, they deeply understood the loyalty and sacrifices of the Zhao family, and they felt the same anger and confusion at Emperor Jing’s actions.
"Too... excessive! This is simply outrageous."
Han Lei spoke each word with force, kicking the tree trunk beside her, yet even this couldn’t vent the anger in her heart.
Looking at the old matron and her daughter full of sorrow, Han Lei felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She had always understood Zhao Zun’s loyalty to the court, and she knew of his helplessness and endurance in this feudal imperial society.
But, when there is no war, Cao Xiong is made Marshal. When there is war, Zhao Zun is sent to fight desperately. Isn’t this the typical "Having trouble, Zhong Wuyan is needed; without trouble, Xia Yingchun is welcomed."
Han Lei’s fair hands clenched into fists, resentment surged and rolled in her sparkling eyes.
This time, Emperor Jing’s way of ’Having trouble, Zhong Wuyan is needed; without trouble, Xia Yingchun is welcomed’ completely angered her.