Tianliangyuan

Chapter 325 Unwilling

OK?

In other words, you can have enough to eat and clothes to wear, but it's impossible to enjoy a life of wealth and luxury.

"You've been to Zhang Wu's house?"

"Yes, Master. The house is just an ordinary thatched hut, but it is now dilapidated due to years of neglect. As for the fields, the clan members have been helping to take care of them."

"Yes, go back and get some money. Leave Zhang Wu's old house untouched and let him and his sister deal with it as they see fit. Also, find the clan chief or village chief and allocate another piece of land for him to build a brick house. In addition, go and negotiate with the clan members to see how much land is registered under Zhang Wu's name."

"Yes, master."

These lands were previously registered under Zhang Wu's father's name, but since Zhang Wu's father has passed away, according to the rules, these lands will fall into Zhang Wu's hands.

Sometimes, people in a clan exploit those who have no male heirs.

But Zhang Wu's family is different. He's fifteen now and should be able to support the family.

Moreover, Zhang Wu's father also received a pension, although it wasn't much, but it was all rightfully Zhang Wu and Zhang Yan's.

Xu Zhaozhao had already asked. Previously, the brother and sister had been living in Jizhou. Zhang Wu did his work and studied, while his sister Zhang Yan learned needlework and rarely went out.

Xu Zhaozhao estimated that the brother and sister were treated like half masters, but there were too many people in their situation. If it were all the responsibility of the Duke of Huguo's mansion, they really couldn't afford to support them.

Fortunately, the imperial court had a conscience.

Therefore, Zhang Wu owned land and some pension money from his father.

Since he died fighting alongside the Duke of Huguo, Xu Zhaozhao's order to repair his house was already a very good thing.

If the brother and sister are grateful and content, then Xu Zhaozhao wouldn't mind helping them out a little more.

However, if the siblings harbored ulterior motives, Xu Zhaozhao would have to be on guard.

So, when an opportunity arose, Xu Zhaozhao had someone bring the brother and sister over.

Xie Xiaolin generally didn't care much about these trivial matters. As long as he knew that the brother and sister were not being mistreated and had food and clothing, that was enough for him.

After all, it wasn't his own child, and strictly speaking, it wasn't his responsibility, so he felt he had done everything he could.

However, when they were in Jizhou, Madam Song often used the brother and sister to speak to Xie Xiaolin, simply to make herself seem more important.

After Xu Zhaozhao sought permission, she and Xie Xiaolin met the brother and sister.

Xie Xiaocheng and Yu Shi were also present at that time.

Xu Zhaozhao noticed that the brother and sister were well-dressed, and their hands were very smooth without calluses, indicating that they had lived well in Jizhou in the previous years.

"Now that you've returned to the capital, I've had someone contact your clansmen. They're not too far from the capital. When do you plan to go back to offer incense to your parents?"

Zhang Wu's father died in battle. On the battlefield, many people's remains were burned to ashes and brought back.

This serves two purposes: preventing disease and providing convenience.

Zhang Wu's mother committed suicide. Two years ago, Xie Xiaolin had already ordered people to send the couple back to Zhangjia Village for burial.

In the past two years, the brother and sister have only paid respects to their ancestral tablets in Jizhou, but have never formally visited their graves.

Zhang Wu was literate and knew shame, so he naturally understood that he should go back to pay his respects.

"Your Highness, my sister and I have been planning to set off in the next couple of days. However, we were too young when we left our hometown, so we don't know the way."

This is the truth.

It's normal that Zhang Wu and Zhang Yan were taken to Jizhou by their mother when they were young, so they didn't know the way or even some of their relatives.

"It's alright. Once you've packed up, just let me know, and someone will arrange for a carriage to take you back."

"Yes, thank you, Madam Crown Prince."

Zhang Yan, who was standing to the side, was initially a little nervous, but when she heard "go back," a look of fear flashed in her eyes. Her eyes widened, and she asked in a panic, "Does the General think we're a burden? Is he going to send us away?"

Xu Zhaozhao curled her lips, her eyes fixed on Zhang Yan, and said softly, "Drive her away? Miss Zhang must be mistaken. Your ancestral home is Zhangjia Village in Lantian County. Your relatives are all there, and your parents' graves are there too. Shouldn't you go back?"

Xie Xiaolin didn't initially notice anything amiss.

But Xu Zhaozhao's words made him suddenly realize that something might be wrong.

Zhang Yan immediately burst into tears: "Does the Lady of the Heir Apparent really not tolerate us? How much can my brother and I eat? Your Duke's mansion is so big and so rich, how much can the two of us eat?"

Zhang Wu felt utterly ashamed and scolded, "Yan Yan, shut up!"

"I do not!"

Perhaps spoiled, Zhang Yan retorted without thinking, "Why can't I speak? Our father and mother are gone. It was the General who said he would take care of us. Now that we're back in the capital, the General's family is unhappy. What do they take us for?"

Ms. Yu frowned. Why did this sound so strange?

"So Miss Zhang means she wants to stay at the Duke's mansion, and even live here indefinitely?"

Xu Zhaozhao's tone was off; anyone familiar with her would know she was angry.

Xie Xiaolin's face was cold and stern: "Alright! You siblings go back to pay respects to your parents' spirits, what's there to discuss?"

Zhang Yan was so frightened that she hiccuped, and her tears stopped falling.

Xie Xiaolin turned to his daughter-in-law: "They have been away from home for many years, and I'm afraid there is no way to settle them down here. I did say that I would take good care of them, and I cannot go back on my word."

Xu Zhaozhao was satisfied with her father-in-law's words, because he did not directly order her and her brother to stay here. Moreover, what he just said was just an attitude and did not mean to force them.

"Father, please allow me to inform you that I have already sent people to investigate the situation in Zhangjia Village. The Zhang clan members are honest and kind, and Zhang Wu and his sister are indeed registered in Zhangjia Village. They own a total of eight mu of land, which is being well taken care of by the clan members. Furthermore, the Zhang clan chief stated that if the two siblings return, the clan will first provide them with a year's worth of grain to live on, and will also return the eight mu of fertile land."

In addition, Chief Zhang indicated that he would provide them with a few more chickens and ducks, as well as some firewood, to support their livelihood. This would be considered payment for the eight acres of land they had been cultivating for so many years.

As for the houses, I have already spoken with Chief Zhang and arranged for the old house to be preserved for the time being, since it is, after all, the ancestral property of the Zhang Wu family. I have already arranged for a separate plot of land to be allocated for the construction of a new house for the brother and sister, and it will be a brick and tile house. Considering that Miss Zhang is young, I have also specially ordered that a high wall be built around the courtyard.