Although Princess Hongnong suggested otherwise, Qing Gu eagerly kept the people and items she brought along.

To reassure her, Qing Gu even handed over their indenture contracts to Ren Hui.

Ren Hui held the box and went to see Princess Hongnong, saying softly, "I inquired, and these are servants purchased by the Zhao Family in the past two months. They’ve been trained for a while, although they were originally private servants from various households. Initially, the Great General intended to release them to farming, but some were unwilling or unable to farm, so they sold themselves again at the human market."

These were originally intended by Mrs. Wang for Zhao Erlang.

She had it all planned out: once Zhao Hanzhang married and the year passed, she would arrange a marriage for Zhao Erlang.

Once both siblings were married, it wouldn’t be suitable for their families to live together anymore.

Coincidentally, Zhao Erlang had a new mansion being built, and she hoped to train servants while constructing it.

A competent servant requires years, even longer, of training, so she began preparations now.

She hadn’t anticipated that Zhao Erlang wouldn’t need them in the end, and they would be given to Princess Hongnong.

Despite feeling a bit pained, just recalling that they were for a princess, and her daughter-in-law, Third Lady, comforted her. These people had been nurtured under her care, and placing them in the Fu Mansion would ensure they serve her Third Lady in the future.

Princess Hongnong flicked through the indenture contracts and handed them to Ren Hui, "Go train them, according to the payment amounts noted on the contracts, ensure the funds are returned to the Zhao Family, and investigate the human market in Luoyang to purchase some seasoned old servants to train and keep around."

She still lacked trust in outsiders.

Ren Hui acknowledged.

Princess Hongnong further instructed, "Submit a request to the palace; I wish to meet Your Majesty."

"Yes," Ren Hui paused and asked, "Regarding the items sent by the Zhao Family?"

Princess Hongnong sighed, "Select what’s usable and utilize them."

As fate would have it, everything sent by the Zhao Family was useful.

Not only did Qing Gu deliver a bed, but she also sent craftsman. After cleaning the room, the bed was moved inside, and the craftsman immediately assembled it. A complete couch was also moved in and set up for use.

Ren Hui opened a box and saw exquisite curtains inside; her eyes sparkled as she quickly presented them to Princess Hongnong, "Your Highness, see, these curtains were sent along with two rolls of fabric."

Beyond curtains, there were fragrant towels and wooden basins, and Ren Hui even discovered a box of incense. It was more of a house-moving gesture than a gift.

This level of attentiveness and thoroughness astonished Princess Hongnong for quite a while before she commented, "To raise a daughter like Zhao Hanzhang, Mrs. Wang indeed is remarkable."

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wang was looking at a checklist wistfully.

As soon as Qing Gu returned, she questioned, "Why bring so many items over? Many were prepared as wedding dowry for Third Lady."

Qing Gu comforted her with a smile, "Those items weren’t planned to be part of the dowry list, eventually they would be sent over, better sooner than later."

Mrs. Wang: "How is it the same? Sending as dowry means it belongs to Third Lady, now it’s a gift, how could it be reclaimed for her use?"

"My lady, you may not know the situation over there. Currently, Third Lady and her husband reside mostly here. Even after the wedding, they need to move to the new mansion, as the Fu Mansion hasn’t been arranged properly yet. However, occasionally they’ll need to stay for a few days. Many of your prepared items won’t be useful in the new place," Qing Gu explained, "Third Lady is also frugal; these couldn’t be listed, better send them for arrangement there."

"Marriage joins two families; if the Fu Family prospers, Third Lady will be honored. If they’re struggling, how would Third Lady and her husband appear well?"

Once deciding on marriage, Zhao Hanzhang chose a vacant large mansion near the Imperial City, close to the main gate.

This mansion was previously occupied by Prince East Sea, Sima Yue. After Zhao Hanzhang arrived in Luoyang, such ownerless property was nationalized, giving her the right to allocate it.

Hence, she gave it to herself.

She resolved to hold the wedding ceremony there. With two months’ time, the mansion is repaired, major items are ready, and during this period, only small things need adding. Mrs. Wang knew this, though recent returnees like Princess Hongnong and Fu Xuan likely didn’t.

Mrs. Wang then fell silent.

Qing Gu helped her sit and continued persuading, "Princess Hongnong and others just returned from Shu, unknown to these matters, but we know the truth. The funds of the husband were all used to cover Third Lady and Second Son’s debts, leaving himself with little money, not enough even for family support."

Mrs. Wang, slightly uneasy, knew about Fu Tinghan’s devotion of resources to Third Lady and Second Son. Over the years, Fu Tinghan almost consistently made selfless efforts for Third Lady, often seeing any gains cycled back to her.

Hence, the expenses for the new room decorations were funded by borrowings from Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Hu.

Initially, Mrs. Wang considered borrowing them—no, supporting them herself—but Zhao Hanzhang flatly refused, "Mother, to sustain troops and war, I expended funds grandfather left for Second Son. Using your dowry further would be unseemly."

Mrs. Wang’s dowry was her boundary; under no circumstances could it be touched. However, everyday items like food, clothing, and gifts, if mother wanted to send, Zhao Hanzhang would still graciously accept.

But with repairs, it was out of the question. Having been vacant for years without residing royals, sporadic thievery added to repair costs with significant expenditures.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan remained confident in their debt-repayment capability, confidently asking Zhao Hu for loans.

Though Zhao Hu didn’t entirely grasp it, he still loaned the funds, thinking marriage was indeed a significant life event, overlooking his recent displeasure with Zhao Hanzhang.

Not only did he lend money; he allowed Zhao Hanzhang access to his construction crew.

Witnessing Fu Tinghan without parental support and Mrs. Wang only attending to trivial matters, Zhao Hu felt that Zhao Hanzhang’s little household required him entirely.

Returning to the topic, Mrs. Wang felt uneasy because Fu Tinghan, despite having personal assets, shared them with outsiders and had little to reserve for caring for his parents, causing harmful gossip.

She promptly changed her attitude, nodding repeatedly, "You’re right, things should be sent. Can you check for more needs over there to prepare more deliveries?"

With a smile, Qing Gu responded, "I’ll keep an eye out, tomorrow they’ll send over some rice, flour, vegetables, and meat. They’ve just returned to Luoyang and likely don’t even know the direction of the market."

Mrs. Wang agreed, considering now Princess Hongnong and Fu Xuan live isolated in the nearby mansion, empathetically feeling frustration, "Third Lady is something else, prioritizing discussing national matters with her husband even upon his parents’ return, not even granting them a day’s reprieve?"