Zhao Hanzhang struggled to open her eyes a crack. The coarse burlap made her cheeks feel rough. She propped herself up and realized that at so point, she had been lying on Fu Tinghan’s lap.
She rubbed her face and looked up at Fu Tinghan.
Fu Tinghan was leaning against the post behind him, deeply asleep. Zhao Hanzhang saw the dark circles under his eyes, and his slightly furrowed brows, and quickly sat up straight.
However, perhaps because of staying in one position for too long, one side of her body was numb. As she sat straight, her body fell uncontrollably to the side, collapsing directly onto Fu Tinghan.
Fu Tinghan imdiately opened his eyes, already holding her in place.
When Eldest Sister Zhao and her two sisters entered, they saw Fu Tinghan holding Zhao Hanzhang tightly in his arms. The three were startled. Eldest Sister Zhao quickly turned her back, even pulling Zhao Erniang and Zhao Si Niang to turn around.
But although their bodies were turned, their heads kept looking back, and Zhao Erniang even coughed heavily once.
Zhao Hanzhang, rubbing her thigh, tried to stand. The tingling was so intense that she hissed in pain.
Fu Tinghan also felt numb, but he kept silent, supporting Zhao Hanzhang to her feet, casting a faint glance at the three standing at the door of the mourning hall.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at them with a puzzled expression, "Is the courtyard outside that interesting? Co in."
Only then did the three sisters turn around again. Seeing that the two were still leaning together, they averted their eyes, "Third Sister, go freshen up and have a al. We’ll take over here."
Zhao Hanzhang massaged away the numbness, went forward to offer incense first, burned a handful of millet stalks, and then agreed.
Fu Tinghan silently followed behind her as she walked out.
Zhao Erniang watched the two leave shoulder to shoulder, puzzled, "Why does Mr. Fu like Third Sister so much?"
He’d been visiting every day. He never left her side even in yesterday’s danger and even accompanied her in mourning attire. Didn’t they just et not long ago?
Why does he seem so deeply in love?
Zhao Si Niang said, "Perhaps he has ulterior motives? Currently, Third Sister is the wealthiest in the family, isn’t she?"
Zhao Hanzhang led Fu Tinghan to a guest room, instructed Zhao Cai to look after him, and then returned to her room.
Ting He brought water for her to wash her face and whispered, "Third Lady, Mr. Ji is waiting for you outside the West Corner Gate."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded in acknowledgnt, only tidying her hair a bit before heading to the West Corner Gate.
The West Corner Gate was on the side of the main house, near Zhao Changyu’s study. As she walked over, she only encountered a few scattered servants, who all bowed respectfully when they saw Zhao Hanzhang, lifting their heads only after she passed.
Zhao Hanzhang walked out and asked Ting He, "Were the people here arranged by Uncle Cheng?"
"Yes, according to your instructions, they were replaced early with our people, and they are all on the prepared dowry list."
Only then did Zhao Hanzhang nod in satisfaction.
The gatekeeper at the West Corner Gate saw Zhao Hanzhang and didn’t ask a word, quietly opened the gate, stepped out first to check around, and only after confirming it was safe did he let Zhao Hanzhang out.
An ox cart was parked not far in the alley, conveniently blocking the entrance.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded to Ting He and approached on her own.
The carter lifted his head, and Zhao Hanzhang saw that the face under the straw hat was Zhao Ju’s.
Zhao Hanzhang: ...Was this really necessary?
She held onto Zhao Ju’s hand to get into the cart, where Ji Yuan was seated. Seeing her, he imdiately moved aside, bent over in a hurried salute, "My lady, my condolences."
Zhao Hanzhang sat down, looked up at him, "Did you anticipate this, sir?"
Ji Yuan sighed, "After the Zhao Mansion was surrounded and then cald, I guessed the master had devised a solution."
Zhao Hanzhang was silent for a mont, "How are things in the West City?"
"Rest assured, my lady, both people and property are well."
Zhao Hanzhang asked, "What did my grand-uncle discuss with you yesterday?"
Ji Yuan replied, "We were just about to consult with my lady. Second Grandfather had stay, and also sent Zhao Ju to summon the Zhao Family’s soldiers into the city."
Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a mont, "Please, Mr. Ji, stay by my grand-uncle’s side and assist them to take charge of the Zhao Family as soon as possible."
Ji Yuan raised his eyebrows, "When is the deadline?"
"Once the mourning is over, I will discuss with grand-uncle about returning ho with the coffin. At that ti, I will ask him to have Uncle Qianli escort us siblings. Mr. Ji may accompany us, or he can choose to resign from his position as aide."
Zhao Ju is a soldier of the Zhao Family, bound by contract, not a free person, but Ji Yuan is free.
The master he served before, Zhao Changyu, is dead; he can choose another master. Zhao Zhongyu cannot stop him from leaving.
The important one is Zhao Ju.
With Zhao Changyu’s death, nominally he belongs to the new Family Head Zhao Zhongyu or the new Shangcai Marquis Zhao Ji.
However, if he can be brought into the team returning ho with the coffin, Zhao Ju would belong to her.
Zhao Hanzhang never intended to continue sharing a pot with the second house.
Ji Yuan was sowhat surprised, "My lady wishes to leave Luoyang and establish her own household?"
"Is that not possible?"
Ji Yuan pondered, "Ultimately, my lady is a woman, and many things will be inconvenient. The Second Son is simple and honest, without family mbers to look after, I’m afraid..."
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Sir, you know the character and temperant of my grand-uncle. With so many people and resources in my hands, they might not be discovered in a day or two, but over ti, he won’t be able to remain unaware, and it might stir resentnt."
"Look at the state of Great Jin now—threatened from within and without. The internal issues, setting the external aside, are born of internal strife, aren’t they?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "By avoiding him, I’m not only thinking of my and my brother’s safety but also maintaining the Zhao Family’s harmony."
Ji Yuan asked, "Why not marry during the mourning period?"
"From the actions of Mr. Fu the night before and yesterday, even giving his life for you would be a willing choice for him. My lady could take this opportunity to marry openly with her dowry," Ji Yuan said, "The dowry has been prepared long ago. During the heavy mourning period, all affairs are kept simple, and the wedding can be arranged without three months."
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, "But the matter of returning ho with the coffin..."
"I’ve heard that last night Mr. Fu watched over the vigil with you, and he wore mourning attire," Ji Yuan said with confidence. "If he is willing to bear such heavy mourning for your late master, he would naturally agree to return ho with the coffin as well."
Zhao Hanzhang was thoughtful.
Ji Yuan still believed that marrying now would be more appropriate. What Zhao Changyu left for Zhao Hanzhang could be transferred to the Fu Family legally and rightfully through this marriage, under Zhao Hanzhang’s control.
Ji Yuan looked at her intently.
Zhao Hanzhang was soone who was good at listening to others’ opinions, "I’ll go back and discuss it with Mr. Fu."
Ji Yuan relaxed and smiled.
Given Mr. Fu’s attentiveness to their lady, he would surely agree. It would depend on whether the Fu Family would consent.
Zhao Hanzhang continued, "Regardless of whether I marry during the mourning period, I must take the coffin back ho. Our people can’t stay in Luoyang anymore. Please burden yourself, Mr. Ji, to have the people in the West City pack their things and return to Ru Nan."
Ji Yuan was surprised, "My lady intends to move the entire force to Ru Nan?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded.
Ji Yuan was sowhat disapproving, "My lady, Luoyang is not just the Capital City. The master always kept this group in the Capital because this is where the main house is. You and Mr. Fu are also expected to live in Luoyang in the future. Isn’t moving people and resources back to Ru Nan a waste? Won’t you be using them?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Mr. Fu and I do not plan to stay in Luoyang long-term. Let them pack their belongings first."
"This..."
Zhao Hanzhang said sternly, "Sir, Luoyang is a place of trouble, not convenient for us to linger."
Ji Yuan pondered for a mont before slowly nodding.
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