The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 42 Han Tang! Do you want my Han clan to be wiped out?
Qingzhou, formerly known as Yidu.

Night had fallen, and those who knew the gates were about to close either went inside or stayed overnight at inns or temples along the way, knowing they wouldn't make it anyway.

So at this moment, apart from the dozen or so yamen runners eagerly waiting for the "dark drum" to sound so they could go off duty, there were no other yamen runners at the city gate.

There were only the guards who had come to relieve the night shift.

Although the management of the city gates, such as tax collection, was mainly the responsibility of the government officials, the guarding of the city gates was the responsibility of the state army.

Therefore, the yamen runners and state soldiers here are basically very familiar with each other.

The leader of the yamen runners was the gatekeeper, who was originally just waiting for the 'dizziness drum' with no particular interest in doing anything.

However, the ancestral tablet of the Han family's great-grandfather in the Han family ancestral hall suddenly collapsed without wind, extinguishing several ever-burning lamps in front of the tablet.

The gatekeeper, who was in charge of leading the group of yamen runners, glanced at the empty darkness outside the city while feeling inexplicably annoyed, and then said to the garrison leader who was also waiting for the 'dawn drum' to sound so he could close the gate:
"Captain Li, I see there aren't many people left, and time is almost up. What do you think?"

The city gate captain, clad in iron armor, estimated the time and said:
"It's probably still half an hour away. What's up?"

"Magistrate Zhang is inviting us for drinks! He says he's encountered something very good! Such a rare event, if we're late, we'll miss it."

That's right, Magistrate Zhang's wine is not easy to get, I can't miss it just because I'm on duty!
"Hey, that's quite rare. Okay, go ahead. It won't take up much of anyone's time."

Qingzhou is the prefecture capital, but because the prefecture and county are located in the same city, Yidu County was also set up in Qingzhou as an attached county, and it usually doesn't have much presence.

The county magistrate was often sullen because he was the most miserable person in the surrounding area, so it was really rare for him to treat his subordinates to drinks when something good happened.

The city gate captain waved his hand and said:

"close the door!"

With a creaking sound, the yamen runners watched with delight as the heavy city gate slowly closed.

Although a glimpse of firelight appeared outside the door just before the last gap closed.

But who cares? The city gates are closed, so if you can't catch up, that's your own fault!
As for being a little off in time, who cares?

"Oh, thank you so much! I'll bring you a pot of homemade plum wine later!"

"No problem, no problem, go ahead."

The city gate captain also caught a glimpse of the firelight outside the gate, and even saw one of them running quickly toward the city gate, but he didn't care, since they were just a group of commoners.

The way distinguished people travel is so different that it can be seen from afar.

For example, the most eye-catching features are the tall horses and the carriage frame. Even at night, they can still be glimpsed from afar.

And this group of people? They all came carrying torches!

If you had come on horseback, he would have accepted it. But what about you who ran here?

So if you miss it, then just spend the night outside the city waiting for the 'morning drum'.

To their surprise, before they could exchange more than a few pleasantries, they heard the city gate being slammed shut with a loud bang.

"The drum hasn't sounded yet, why is the door closed? Open it quickly!"

Both the city gate captain and the gatekeeper showed expressions of disgust.

"What do you mean it didn't ring? I said it rang, so it rang! You'd better wait obediently outside the door! Otherwise, I'll arrest you as a thief and whip you!"

There was a moment of silence outside the door, clearly not expecting these lowly officials to speak like that, and then he flew into a rage and said:

"How dare you! You've stopped Lady Han Tang, who was personally bestowed the title of Lady of Wutong County by His Majesty! How dare you insult a noblewoman of the Han family? Do you want to lose your head?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the city gate captain, gatekeeper, yamen runners, and even the state soldiers on the city gate all changed drastically.

Han Tang of the Han family? Isn't that the granddaughter of the Vice Minister of the Chancellery?

No, how did someone as distinguished as you manage to get here?

After hastily opening the gate, the last glimmer of hope of the two city gate captains was shattered. They really were the people of the Han family!
Without saying another word, the two quickly led the yamen runners and state soldiers to kneel on both sides of the road.

After the two maids helped Han Tang, whose face was deathly pale, walk away.

The two, who expected to be struck by lightning, instead heard the other person curse in a deep voice as they broke out in a cold sweat:

"I have important matters to attend to right now and don't have time to pursue your crimes, so slap yourselves! But if this ruins the Han family's business, I'll take your heads!"

After saying that, he continued heading towards the Han family without stopping for a moment.

As for the city gate captains and others, they didn't even need Han Tang to go far before they frantically slapped themselves as if they had been granted a pardon.

"Madam, there's no need to be in such a hurry. There will definitely be no mistakes!"

The maids beside him offered quiet words of comfort.

But Han Tang flew into a rage and said:

"This is the foundation of the Han family's future! What do you know!" The maids dared not say anything more, and could only lower their heads and help Han Tang continue forward.

The guards didn't say anything, but they looked at the maids with a hint of pity. Although they were also pampered, they still followed the lady around and endured a whole cycle of hardship.

Madam is indeed too anxious. The Mountain God himself has given his permission, and the Taoist priest has also personally acted as matchmaker. How could there be any mishap?

Han Tang knew what they were thinking, but she still felt inexplicably uneasy.

I feel like I've unknowingly missed out on this tremendous opportunity.

So, ever since she left the temple last night, she has not stopped for a moment and has begun to measure the mountains with her own two feet, and then walked to Qingzhou.

During this time, in order to show sincerity and to soothe that inexplicable anxiety.

She didn't even have food or water.

This did indeed bring a moment of peace of mind and the fastest speed.

However, for some reason, when I saw the city gate closing right in front of me...

She suddenly felt like the sky had fallen!

"Quick, quick, help me home! I... I need to see my father!"

The unease in his heart grew stronger, and besides urging him to speed things up, Han Tang could only keep telling himself:
'There won't be any problems, there won't be any problems, absolutely not!'

The gates of the Han family mansion were knocked open by guards who had rushed back ahead of them.

The servants had already rushed to the door to welcome Han Tang.

Facing them, Han Tang didn't even bother to glance at them before grabbing the butler who came forward to greet them and saying:

"Uncle, is my father at home? How many of the elders in the clan are still in the mansion?"

In most cases, the stewards of prominent families are either outstanding scholars from humble backgrounds, retired low- to mid-level officials who can serve as a figurehead, or family members like the Han family.

“Yes, your father heard you were back and is waiting for you at the ancestral hall to offer incense to the ancestors. Your mother and your second aunt are also there.”

"Why are you asking about the elders in the clan? Besides, niece, are you alright? You don't look well. Shall I call a doctor for you?"

All that could be heard was Han Tang, who exclaimed with immense joy:

"Quickly, Uncle, quickly call all the elders to the ancestral hall!"

"At this hour? And what are you doing, niece? You are a junior. It's one thing if you don't go to pay your respects to the elders, but why are you calling them here so late at night?"

As he spoke, his expression changed and he said:

"Has something happened?"

"Time is of the essence, Uncle, don't ask any more questions. Go and call them over quickly, and tell them it's a matter of great importance concerning the Han family's foundation!"

After giving Han Tang a serious look, the other person said:

"Han Tang, is this really true?"

No longer a niece, but Han Tang.

"nature!"

The other party didn't ask anything, but simply cupped their hands in greeting and quickly left to inform the others.

When the elders of the Han clan arrived at the Han Clan Ancestral Hall one after another.

Then an elder asked:
"Tang'er, what happened?"

Han Tang, helped by her mother to sit in a pearwood chair, still felt the warmth of the tea she had just brewed on her fingertips. She had practically been half-carried into the ancestral hall by her maid.

The dark circles under his eyes had only faded slightly when Han Tang heard the elder's question and immediately forgot about resting.

After taking a deep breath, amidst the varied gazes of the elders in the room, she suddenly rose and walked to the center of the ancestral hall, then prostrated herself before the many clan elders and her own family members, saying:
"Last night, Tang'er slept in the open at a temple outside the city and was attacked by evil spirits. Fortunately, she was rescued by a celestial being who invoked the mountain god to appear and save her life."

"Furthermore, thanks to the blessings of our ancestors in Heaven, the immortal elder, mindful of the Han family's centuries of loyalty and virtue, has specially acted as a bridge for our clan!"

At this point, she kowtowed more forcefully, her disheveled hair, unkempt from her travels, falling down:

"The Mountain God has agreed to let the Han family rebuild the temple and sculpt a golden statue for us. We will be able to receive the Mountain God's protection by worshipping him every year, ensuring the prosperity of our Han family descendants and the longevity of our family business!"

The ancestral hall fell into an instant silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Amidst the swirling sandalwood incense, the elders' brows furrowed slightly, some unconsciously stroking the jade pendants at their waists, while others gently tapped the edge of the offering table.

Several of the uncles exchanged glances, their pupils reflecting their own flickering emotions.

After a long while, Han Tang heard a sentence filled with utter despair:

"Tang'er, no, Han Tang! Are you saying this to invite the extermination of my Han clan?"

(End of this chapter)