Zhao Hanzhang thought about what she needed to do next, and before long arrived at Qingyi Pavilion.

Ting He was about to have the servants carry her to the couch, but Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and stood up on her own, supporting herself on Ting He’s hand, then hopped onto the couch by herself. “Have people prepare everything—we’re going out tomorrow.”

Ting He was startled. “Sanniang, your leg hasn’t healed yet?”

“Bring along a few strong servants. When the time comes, they can carry me. It’ll be fine.” With people and money, how could she not be able to leave the house?

Ting He couldn’t argue with Zhao Hanzhang and could only go down to give instructions.

Zhao Hanzhang took off her shoes, covered her injured leg with soft fox fur, leaned back comfortably, and waved at the other maids. “Go fetch some fruit and snacks.”

The maids happily complied. They felt that after this fall, Sanniang had become more carefree than before, and also more cheerful.

When the master was happy, they were happy too.

The room soon became lively. The maids, beautiful as flowers, brought in fruit platters and refreshments with tea, standing front and back, left and right, to serve Zhao Hanzhang as she ate fruit.

Even wiping her mouth was done by someone else—this was truly… too extravagant.

Zhao Hanzhang took the handkerchief from the maid’s hand and decided to do it herself. “Where is Erlang?”

“He’s in Erniang’s room. His knee is badly swollen, and Erniang found some ointment to apply for him.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Have Chengbo call a physician for him. Keep him in the courtyard for the next few days. You all watch him closely—don’t let him go out.”

The maids all acknowledged the order.

Ting He came running in at a quick pace. “Sanniang, the master just sent someone to the ancestral hall to release Daniang.”

Zhao Hanzhang ate her fruit thoughtfully.

Tomorrow they would submit the memorial requesting the heir apparent title. Naturally, Zhao Changyu wouldn’t make things difficult for the second branch over this matter.

Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t either.

What difference did it make whether Lady Zhao Da knelt for one more night or one less?

Since she had already agreed with Zhao Changyu, she didn’t mind doing some superficial gestures, as long as she remembered it in her heart.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Go to Erlang’s place and get a jar of wound medicine to send to her. Tell her I’m also injured, so I won’t go see her.”

Ting He didn’t want to go, so she assigned another young maid to go instead.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, “Is there any other news?”

Ting He thought for a moment and said, “The master sent someone to invite the old master of the second branch over. He’s still in the study right now.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Find Qinggu for me. I have instructions for her.”

“Yes.”

Before long, Qinggu arrived. Zhao Hanzhang kept only Ting He and dismissed all the other servants.

“I’m going out tomorrow. Bring my mother over and have her stay in this courtyard to keep Erlang company. Watch her closely—don’t let her go to the main courtyard or the second branch. If anyone from the second branch comes over, stop them all outside the courtyard. No matter what excuse they use, don’t let them in.”

Qinggu was stunned. These instructions—why did they sound like they were targeting Erniang?

Zhao Hanzhang said quietly, “Tomorrow, Grandfather will submit the memorial requesting the heir apparent title.”

Qinggu’s eyes widened. “Why so sudden? The master’s health is fine…”

Qinggu’s voice gradually lowered. Under Zhao Hanzhang’s sharp gaze, she lowered her head and quietly acknowledged, “Yes.”

Only then was Zhao Hanzhang satisfied. “Watch my mother well. When I return, there will be a reward.”

Seeing Sanniang’s expression was normal and even somewhat pleased, Qinggu’s heart reluctantly settled down. Although she didn’t understand, it seemed this wasn’t a bad thing.

Sanniang was more intelligent than her mistress and more steady. Since she hadn’t objected, the situation probably wasn’t too bad.

Qinggu couldn’t stay still any longer. Afraid that Erniang would learn of this matter from elsewhere and cause a scene, she hurriedly said, “This servant will go watch over the mistress now.”

“Go ahead.”

Qinggu bowed and withdrew. As soon as she left the courtyard, she quickened her pace.

Given Wang Shi’s temperament, though her courage wasn’t great, she had always been obsessed with the earl’s title. Previously, when the master had only talked about it without fixing the heir apparent position, Erlang still had a chance, and she had always held onto that hope.

If she learned that the memorial would be submitted tomorrow, even if Wang Shi didn’t make a scene, she wouldn’t be able to help going to the main courtyard to cry.

The master’s health wasn’t good right now. If he were upset by her crying to the point of something happening… then Sanniang and Erlang would truly have no one to depend on.

Wang Shi still knew nothing. She was teaching Zhao Erlang to recognize characters. “This is ‘huang,’ yellow. Didn’t I just teach you?”

Zhao Erlang immediately recited, “Huang, yellow!”

Wang Shi took a deep breath, moved her finger, and pointed at another character. “What about this one?”

Zhao Erlang stared at it blankly.

Wang Shi suppressed her temper and said, “This one is pronounced ‘yu.'”

Zhao Erlang obediently followed and recited “yu.”

Wang Shi’s hand turned back and pointed again. “What is this one pronounced?”

Zhao Erlang opened his mouth and stared at it in silence.

Wang Shi couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his ear. “Huang! You just recited it. It’s only been a few breaths and you’ve already forgotten.”

Zhao Erlang lowered his head.

Qinggu paused, then hurried in. “Mistress, Sanniang has returned from the main courtyard.”

Wang Shi exhaled, patted her chest, and only spoke after feeling the tightness in her chest ease a bit. “What did father-in-law want with Sanniang?”

Qinggu said softly, “Sanniang didn’t say, but judging from her expression, it didn’t seem to be a bad thing.”

“That’s good. After such a big commotion last night, I was afraid father-in-law would scold Sanniang.”

Qinggu had some things she wanted to say to Wang Shi, so she couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Erlang was staring blankly at the characters in the book, his eyes vacant. Wang Shi became annoyed just looking at him and waved her hand. “Go out, go out.”

Zhao Erlang instantly came alive, jumped up, and ran outside. In a moment, he had disappeared.

Wang Shi’s eyes reddened and tears nearly fell. “I don’t expect him to be very intelligent. If only he had half—no, even a third—of his sister’s abilities.”

Qinggu handed her a handkerchief.

Wang Shi took the handkerchief and pressed it to the corners of her eyes. After recovering, she asked, “What is it?”

Qinggu said, “Sanniang is going out tomorrow. You know, last night at Qingyi Pavilion, she was so impolite to the eldest master. Who knows what they’ll do to torment Qingyi Pavilion, so she wants to ask you to go over tomorrow to hold down the fort.”

Wang Shi snorted. “They wouldn’t dare! If you ask me, father-in-law should have separated them out long ago. Second Old Master has his own estate and his own title—why must he covet what belongs to our branch?”

Qinggu, remembering Sanniang’s instructions, consoled her gently. “It’s also because we’re living in chaotic times and need the protection of the family clan. In the future, Sanniang and Erlang will need to rely on clan support. With Erlang being the way he is, without clan protection, I’m afraid…”

Wang Shi fell silent.

Seeing she could listen, Qinggu continued softly, “This servant thinks it’s better to listen to Sanniang. The title is secondary—what matters most is getting tangible benefits.”

Wang Shi calculated in her heart, “Looking at the second branch’s behavior, things left in Erlang’s hands probably can’t be protected. It’s better to give them to Sanniang and let her take them away. Even if she takes them to her husband’s family, it’s better than leaving them with the Zhao family. Then Erlang and I can rely on her.”

She asked in a low voice, “Still haven’t found out who father-in-law has arranged for Sanniang to marry?”

Qinggu also replied in a low voice, “Can’t find out, but I heard not only is the family prestigious, but the young master’s character and appearance are also excellent.”

Wang Shi clutched her chest. “That’s good, that’s good. The person father-in-law chose shouldn’t be bad.”

Qinggu simply expanded on this topic. Wang Shi’s attention was immediately diverted and she never learned of the situation outside the courtyard. The next day, she happily brought Qinggu to guard the courtyard for Zhao Hanzhang.

—