She couldn’t help but pat her, "You barely stop for two breaths, how can I compare them?"

Zhao Hanzhang started to act spoiled, "But Mother, I’m hungry."

Only then did Mrs. Wang realize how much time had passed, and quickly apologized to Princess Hongnong, "It’s my fault, I got caught up and forgot the time. Princess, please wait, I’ll go check how the kitchen preparations are going."

Princess Hongnong smiled and said it was no problem.

After Mrs. Wang hurriedly left with Qing Gu and others, only Ting He and the two maids serving tea were left in the room, along with Ren Hui, who was beside Princess Hongnong.

Princess Hongnong smiled and looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed to know she had something to say, turned her head and instructed Ting He, "Go to the kitchen and bring some pastries, and make a pot of tea."

Ting He agreed and took the other two maids with her as she left.

Princess Hongnong also nodded at Ren Hui, who then bowed and retreated, standing not far from the door after exiting. This position was neither too close nor too far; she could see the expressions of the two in the hall, allowing her to respond quickly if they called, yet couldn’t hear their conversation.

Zhao Hanzhang closed the jewelry box on the table, took it down, and looked up at Princess Hongnong opposite her. Finally, they could talk face to face.

"The Princess was able to return to Luoyang smoothly. Ting Han is very happy. This is a blessing for him and me, and for Great Jin."

Princess Hongnong: "I am the daughter of Emperor Xiao Hui. Now you control the court, and logically, it’s more beneficial for you to have me outside. Why did you go to such great lengths to bring me back?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied: "Princess, I am not like the Eight Kings or Gou Xi, Wang Yan, and others. In my heart, my power is not the most important; it is the people of the world that are. You might think my words are grandiose and empty, but I truly mean them sincerely. You are a Princess of Great Jin, known for your loyalty and courage, and I need your approval."

Princess Hongnong, after a brief thought, sneered, "Is it because stability has been achieved, and the families and clans everywhere are starting to waver?"

Zhao Hanzhang said nothing.

Princess Hongnong continued mockingly, "I knew it..." Looking at the calm person opposite, Princess Hongnong exhaled, "I believe you, you are different from them. Those families and clans only fight for their own interests. What do you want me to do?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "The Princess doesn’t need to do anything special. Just by staying in Luoyang, standing by Your Majesty, that’s enough."

She is the legitimate daughter of Emperor Hui, known for her loyalty and courage. Even the Little Emperor is inferior to her in status, not to mention the Kings of Langya in Jiangnan and Jiangdong.

As long as she’s in Luoyang, it signifies support for her;

As long as she’s in Luoyang, even those wavering families and clans will have people proclaiming their loyalty towards Luoyang.

Oh yes, their wavering isn’t because King Langya is more legitimate than her, but because her bold policies of settling refugees, land distribution, and all-out support for agricultural development are starting to affect their foundations.

Before, during the war, the main conflicts were with the Xiongnu and Shi Le, so everyone united. Thus, they didn’t mind these regional policies back then, which were also not strongly enforced.

Unlike now, with nationwide movements and battles ceased, everyone is starting to develop individually, leading to clashes of interests.

Zhao Hanzhang doesn’t want to have a huge fallout with them, ending with them attacking her or vice versa, so Princess Hongnong is the shield she has raised.

She believes they will support Princess Hongnong, pushing her to compete with Zhao Hanzhang.

Princess Hongnong slowly cleared her mind and looked at Zhao Hanzhang. Their gazes met in the air, seeming to pierce each other’s inner worlds.

In Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes, she saw surprise and... fear, while Princess Hongnong found herself unable to see through Zhao Hanzhang.

After speaking with Zhao Hanzhang, Princess Hongnong held Ren Hui’s hand to change her clothes, entering the inner room, her expression finally changing to bleakness.

Ren Hui looked at her worriedly, "Your Highness, what’s wrong?"

Princess Hongnong’s lips trembled slightly, murmuring, "In her, I vaguely see the shadow of Grandfather Emperor."

Ren Hui reacted with surprise.

Princess Hongnong: "She’s so young, yet she has the prominence that Grandfather Emperor had in his prime, while I can’t see through her."

Princess Hongnong is proud, claiming herself as intelligent, not inferior to any of her uncles or brothers; she only happened to be born female. Otherwise, her father’s realm wouldn’t be so precarious.

Yet, facing Zhao Hanzhang, she realized she couldn’t escape her calculations, knowing Zhao Hanzhang has brought her back more as a shield, easing dissatisfaction and attacks from all sides, supporting her to rise and compete against Zhao Hanzhang.

But she couldn’t refuse her. Firstly, she doesn’t wish Great Jin to suffer from war due to power struggles; secondly, she needs this flag Zhao Hanzhang handed her to rally support...

However, having calculated everything, would she just watch her shift public favor?

Princess Hongnong doesn’t know what she wants to do, but she knows she cannot refuse her at this time.

Princess Hongnong closed her eyes, stayed in the inner room for a long time, and finally went out with her head held high after mentally preparing herself.

Fu Xuan stood not far away looking at the sky. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head, frowned, and said, "I’ve heard that tea drinking is fashionable in the Central Plains. Green tea is very good for digestion and smooth bowel movements."

Princess Hongnong’s face immediately darkened as she glared at Fu Xuan fiercely, lowering her voice, "Shut up! This is the Zhao Family. Don’t talk nonsense."

Fu Xuan: "...I’m just concerned about you, taking two incense sticks’ time for the toilet..."

Princess Hongnong was furious, but at someone else’s house, she could only forcefully restrain her anger, tightly grabbing Ren Hui’s hand, and turned to leave.

Fu Xuan couldn’t help but mutter, "Can’t even talk about it..."

He followed her.

Seeing Princess Hongnong walking ahead without looking back, he endured it but couldn’t help saying at the crossroads, "The meal is this way."

Princess Hongnong’s body stiffened, stopping and calming her breath, before turning back expressionlessly, crossing past him to go to the right.

Fu Xuan shook his head and followed.

Fu Tinghan had also been temporarily called to try on his wedding clothes and accessories one last time. As he just changed his clothes, watched the trusted aides pack various wedding items into boxes and carry them out, he exhaled a breath of relief. Weddings are really tiring. Although not much was required of him, primarily delegating tasks to subordinates, it’s still exhausting.

Mrs. Wang had the kitchen prepare a sumptuous lunch, all old Luoyang flavors.

Princess Hongnong and Fu Xuan were both raised in Luoyang, so they ate happily, while Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were more restrained. Overall, this family meeting went quite smoothly.

Having learned that both sides had mostly reached an agreement on the wedding matters, with only a few details yet to be discussed, she asked, "Mother, what about Fifth Uncle? It was him presiding over the marriage that day, was he consulted on this matter?"