Chapter 135 - 129 Honest
Zhao Ming saw her look surprised and continued, "I guessed you would choose to return home, but I didn’t expect you to choose to live in Shangcai. Given your ability to support yourself in Shangcai, why would you bring Fu Tinghan back to Ru Nan, a place you’re not familiar with? Luoyang or even Chang’an could have been options."
Zhao Ming looked at her and said, "The chaos of war is just an excuse. With your ability, you should be able to see that the court’s departure from Luoyang is only temporary. If you follow the army, with the Zhao Family’s prestige and the Clan Leader’s current power, the glory you would receive would be no less than what you have now, and Fu Zhongshu is also among the army."
Initially, Zhao Ming hadn’t thought of these things because he didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang well enough, but after yesterday, he realized that his niece was even smarter and more formidable than he had thought, so he had to consider these possibilities.
"So I suspect that you want to achieve something using the Zhao Family," Zhao Ming said, "And since you returned home, the Clan Leader’s family’s prestige within the clan has gradually declined, while you, though residing in Shangcai, have slowly taken over the prestige your grandfather had in the clan. Third Lady, hasn’t it crossed your mind to take revenge for how your Seventh Ancestor’s family once treated you?"
Zhao Hanzhang fell silent for a moment before beaming a brilliant smile at Zhao Ming. She said, "Indeed, someone deliberately lured Song Erlang outside the city, and I remember this grudge too. But I know that the enemy wasn’t Uncle Ancestor and Great Uncle."
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes and said, "Even though I was injured, fortunately, I didn’t die. I’m not at the point of becoming mortal enemies with them. Moreover, I was taught by my grandfather from a young age. Although I can’t be as devoted to the clan as my uncle, I won’t disregard the family’s interests over personal vendettas."
"What concerns Uncle is not my original intent."
Zhao Ming looked at her seriously, and Zhao Hanzhang also looked back at him earnestly. "As for Uncle Ancestor’s family’s declining prestige," she smiled and said, "shouldn’t this question be directed at Uncle Ancestor and Great Uncle?"
Zhao Ming said nothing more.
"Although the position of Clan Leader has always been held by our direct line, the clan is vast, and the affairs are complicated. Managing the clan’s affairs is like governing a country; the loyalty of the clan members is akin to the people’s allegiance, which can’t be achieved by force."