Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

When Chen Zhi went to the Wu family to deliver a letter, the procedure was to first present the visiting card, then hand the letter to the steward, and then leave.

In this era, visiting cards served a similar function to business cards in later times, and could also be used to announce one's identity when visiting someone.

Chen Zhi's calling card was a rectangular bamboo slip made from carefully selected fine bamboo, on which were written in ink the words "Chen Zhi, Imperial Censor of Runan, respectfully inquiring about your health, courtesy name Fengzong". His official title, place of origin, name, greetings, and courtesy name were all clearly marked on such a small bamboo slip.

After Chen Zhi and Xu You dismounted at the Fei family's gate, the Fei family's gatekeeper greeted them without Chen Zhi having to say anything.

"Young Master Xu!" The doorman bowed slightly with practiced ease, asking with a forced smile, "Young Master Xu, are you here to see my master?"

"Indeed," Xu You said with a smile. "However, today's guest of honor is not me, but my elder brother, Imperial Censor Chen. My brother has come from Hanzhong with a letter from General Fei. Please summon Fei Cheng."

Seeing this, Chen Zhi also took out a business card with one hand and handed it out.

The gatekeeper dared not be negligent. He bowed to Chen Zhi and then accepted the name card with both hands, saying, "Please come into the room and wait a moment. I will go and invite my master to come out and greet you personally."

Chen Zhi nodded without saying a word.

"Go quickly!" Xu You said casually, "We'll wait here."

"Yes, yes." The doorman hurriedly went inside.

Before long, Chen Zhi saw the Fei family's gate open from the inside, and Fei Cheng strode out, nodding to Xu You in greeting before bowing to Chen Zhi with his hands clasped in a salute.

"Fei Cheng has met with Imperial Censor Chen. I'm grateful for Imperial Censor Chen's long journey from Hanzhong to deliver this message, and for bringing it personally. My mother invites Imperial Censor Chen and Ayou inside for a chat!"

At this moment, Chen Zhi was sizing up his future brother-in-law with his eyes.

Fei Cheng inherited his father's height, and by a glance, he should be about eight feet tall. His appearance can also be described as handsome, but his face is less angular than Fei Yi's, and a little softer, which should be inherited from his mother.

Objectively speaking, Fei Cheng's appearance can be described as excellent.

In this respect, Fei Yi wasn't really boasting at the time; his daughter's appearance should have been in the same league.

Although it is said that one should marry a virtuous wife, wouldn't it be wonderful if she were both virtuous and beautiful?

"Ah Cheng," Chen Zhi said, then looked at Xu You, "Is that the right way to address him?"

Xu You smiled and nodded: "That's how it's called."

Fei Cheng was clearly cautious, and quickly cupped his hands again: "Please call me A-Cheng, Imperial Censor Chen. I am grateful for your personal visit, please come inside for a chat."

"Okay, please."

Chen Zhi didn't stand on ceremony and handed the letter to Fei Cheng, then naturally followed Fei Cheng inside.

A son-in-law visiting his wife's family is a great honor, and Chen Zhi's attitude at this moment was perfectly natural. Fei Cheng, on the other hand, seemed somewhat nervous, clearly not used to entertaining guests. At this moment, the young man probably couldn't have imagined that his father would betroth his sister to this very guest.

The servants had already laid out honey water and snacks. After sitting down inside and exchanging a few simple pleasantries, Fei Cheng's mother slowly walked out from the side room.

"Mother." Fei Cheng was the first to stand up.

Chen Zhi and Xu You exchanged a glance, then stood up together and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Madam Fei."

"It is kind of Imperial Censor Chen to personally deliver this letter. It is a long and arduous journey. I have instructed A-Cheng to invite Imperial Censor Chen into the residence so that I may inquire about the situation of the war in the north and whether Wenwei is well."

When interacting with Fei Yi, Chen Zhi could be neither servile nor arrogant, using appropriate tactics in conversation as needed while maintaining proper etiquette. However, when interacting with Madam Fei, Chen Zhi believed it was best to maintain the respect due to a junior.

After all, she's my future mother-in-law.

"In response to Lady Fei's question, after the news of the Prime Minister's death reached Chengdu, I was ordered by His Majesty to travel north with imperial credentials. It took me four days, arriving in Hanzhong on the evening of September 7th, and returning on the 10th." Chen Zhi said slowly, "The war in the north has ended, the army has arrived in Hanzhong, and Commander Fei is safe and sound."

"Alas, the Prime Minister was only in his early fifties, and he has passed away like this. It is truly heartbreaking." Madam Fei sighed. "Imperial Censor Chen, Young Master Xu, please take a seat and have some honey water."

"Okay." Chen Zhi nodded.

Madam Fei was no ordinary woman; she was a capable and virtuous wife who could exchange poems with Fei Yi. She had just heard Chen Zhi mention the words "holding the imperial staff" and harbored doubts, so she decided to ask further.

Although she was unaware of the news from the north, she knew that the Prime Minister's death had reached Chengdu and that Jiang Wan had placed martial law there. However, the matter concerning Yang Yi and Wei Yan had not yet been made public in Chengdu. If things were already like this in Chengdu, then the situation in Hanzhong must be tense.

As Chen Zhi sat down, he also observed Madam Fei's appearance.

Madam Fei wore a light blue Shu brocade robe, her hair styled in a low bun, sloping to the left and reaching her shoulder. She wore gold earrings with some red accents, though these were not clearly visible; she was clearly a woman who loved beauty. Her face was lightly powdered, suggesting everyday wear. With willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, her fair skin was smooth and radiant; her features were gentle and graceful, exuding an air of nobility. Perhaps due to a life free of worries, she appeared to be only in her thirties.

Chen Zhi thought about it for a moment. Considering that Fei Yi was thirty-nine years old and Fei Cheng was nineteen, Madam Fei must be at least thirty-six or thirty-seven years old. It seems that she is indeed well-maintained.

Madam Fei asked, "I just heard that Imperial Censor Chen went to Hanzhong with his imperial credentials, and his return was quite urgent. I wonder what happened?"

Chen Zhi picked up his cup, took a sip, and calmly said, "To be honest, Madam, His Majesty ordered me to go to Hanzhong to quell the rebellion. In short, the Chancellor's Chief Clerk, Yang Wei, killed General Wei Wenchang, the General Who Conquers the West, without an imperial edict, and then tried to control the various armies to enhance his own prestige. After I arrived in Hanzhong, I worked with Commander Fei to deal with this matter, captured Yang Wei, and yesterday brought him to Chengdu and sent him to the imperial prison."

"Ah?" Mrs. Fei exclaimed in surprise, raising her eyebrows in astonishment and covering her mouth with her sleeve.

No wonder she was so surprised. Yang Yi was her husband's colleague for many years, and she knew Yang Yi's wife very well. She also knew of Wei Yan's reputation. Both of them were ministers of the state, so how could this be...?

Chen Zhi bowed deeply and said, "Madam, there is no need to worry. Hanzhong is now safe. The affairs of the Prime Minister's residence have been temporarily taken over by Commander Fei. After the Prime Minister's funeral, Commander Fei will probably return to Chengdu."

"That's good." Mrs. Fei was relieved.

Just then, the Fei family's butler walked into the hall and bowed to Chen Zhi:

"Imperial Censor Chen, a General Jiang has come to see Your Excellency outside the residence, saying that His Majesty has issued an edict to summon Your Excellency."

"An imperial edict?" Now it was Chen Zhi's turn to be surprised.

Didn't we just have a meal in the palace yesterday? Liu Shan also gave Chen Zhi seven days to think about the position he needed and to write a proposal for moving the capital to Hanzhong and serving as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Why are you summoning me again so soon?

Chen Zhi immediately stood up and bowed slightly apologetically to Madam Fei, saying, "Madam, please forgive me. Since His Majesty has issued an edict, I should leave immediately."

"Imperial Censor Chen may go now. Thank you for delivering the message today." Madam Fei then stood up, smiled faintly at Chen Zhi, and then beckoned Fei Cheng: "Cheng, go and see Imperial Censor Chen off."

"Yes," Fei Cheng replied.

At the same time, Fei Cheng was also puzzled... Why was His Majesty summoning me away so soon after I arrived at my home?

He planned to ask after dropping him off at the door.