Unpredictable are the storms of the sky, and men may encounter disaster by night and fortune by dawn!
Master Zhao and the eldest young master have gone to Hangzhou to discuss business. It’s said they went so he wouldn’t remain idle, to find something for him to do.
The second young master has gone to Jingzhao, leaving only the lady and the third young master in Feng County.
That day, many officials and soldiers came to Zhao Mansion, each with a fierce and hostile appearance, dressed in armor, holding cold blades that made people fear they were supposedly searching for something.
But their manner was rough, damaging many things, without the slightest hint of courtesy.
Zhao Mansion has been in the business for generations and rarely dealt with officials. The servants, inexperienced with dealing with soldiers, were naturally afraid, like newborn chicks, following the butler’s orders. The maids and servants stood together, not daring to act recklessly.
After the sound of shattering, those people left without finding anything.
However, the fat man leading them left a remark: "Just wait, the Prince won’t let it go at this."
These words alarmed everyone, but Mrs. Zhao, being the mistress of the house, quickly composed herself, directing the butler to arrange the servants to their duties and comforting them: "It’s nothing, just a routine inspection."
As the head of the household, she absolutely must not lose her composure at this time.
In the side room.
"Qi’er, what’s going on? How did we provoke the Royal Family, provoke the Third Prince?" Mrs. Zhao was anxious, troubled by how they could have unwittingly offended the imperial family.
Mrs. Zhao’s family and her husband’s family have always been merchants, never involved in the muddy waters of the court. Her sons, raised with knowledge of decency, excelled both in literature and martial arts, were her pride.
Except for her eldest son, who neglects business and enjoys drinking in pleasure houses!
Her husband, a man of courage and wisdom, has been in business for years, adept at reading situations; could there be something he hasn’t told her?
The more she thinks, the more her head aches, frowning as she leans back, feeling as if all her strength has been drained.
Third son Zhao Qi, after pondering for a moment, earnestly replied, "Mother, after thinking it over, there seems to be no reason. I have already sent a message by carrier pigeon to Father and my elder brother and second brother."
"Mother, you should rest a while. I’m also unsure of the full story, so I will write again to my friends in the Capital City to enquire about the situation."
As he spoke, he rounded the four-seasons-ruyi screen carved from camphor wood, ground the ink, and opened a piece of Chengxin paper, writing with swift strokes.
His flying brushstrokes in small seal script were filled with deep worry.
However, after three days, Mrs. Zhao did not receive a reply or the arrival of her husband and sons; instead, she received the Emperor’s decree for the confiscation of the household.
In just a few days, with just a short decree, the Zhao Family was no more!
In paramount adherence to the mandate of heaven, the Emperor’s edict stated.
These eight words determined the fate of many lives.
Mrs. Zhao once again gathered all the mansion’s servants, her face ashen, dispersing them to leave.
Before the servants left, Mrs. Zhao returned each of their contracts of servitude and some silver, so they would not be left with nothing after leaving.
When it was Lu He’s turn, after receiving her contract and five taels of silver, she could not help but ask, "Madam, when will the eldest young master come back?"
No response was given to her question.
Mrs. Zhao shook her head, silent, her eyes reddened without a word, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, stubbornly refusing to let them fall.
Eventually, she closed her eyes, and the tears rolled down her cheeks.
With her husband and eldest son’s whereabouts unknown, how could she possibly open her mouth?
Mrs. Zhao, still a beauty with well-maintained grace, caused Lu He to feel reluctance at seeing her cry and turned to seek out Da Chun for inquiries.
But Lu He found nothing behind her inquiries; everyone acted as if they knew nothing.