Zhao Hanzhang watched him leave, then turned back to Qingyi Pavilion. Some things needed to be reconsidered.

Zhao Hanzhang took out a large sheet of paper and began listing the assets she could liquidate. Before she finished, noise erupted outside.

Zhao Hanzhang’s brush paused. She rolled up the paper and tossed it into the brazier to burn before composing herself. Ting He came running in. “Sanniang, the Master’s condition is critical. The secondary branch has already gone over.”

Zhao Hanzhang rose in surprise. “Send someone to fetch Mother and Erlang. You stay here and guard the primary branch’s gates.”

Ting He’s steps faltered as she bowed. “Yes.”

When Zhao Hanzhang reached the main courtyard, the yard was quiet. Zhao Zhongyu stood in the courtyard with his family.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang supporting Wang Shi with Zhao Erlang, he nodded to them.

Wang Shi, supported by Zhao Hanzhang, came forward and bowed respectfully. “Second Uncle.”

“Mm,” Zhao Zhongyu nodded slightly, glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, and said, “Imperial Physician Chen is examining him. Wait for now.”

Wang Shi lowered her head in acknowledgment.

Zhao Hanzhang, supporting her, felt her fear and couldn’t help raising her eyebrows, glancing unobtrusively at Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Zhongyu had already turned to stare at the doorway, looking deeply worried.

After waiting a while, Chengbo emerged, bowed, and said, “Second Master, please have the young masters and ladies return. The Master has just taken medicine and has already improved.”

Zhao Zhongyu asked, “He was fine—how did the elder brother’s illness suddenly worsen?”

This was also what Zhao Hanzhang wanted to know. When she left this morning, everything had been fine. How had things become critical in just one day?

Chengbo sighed. “The Master’s health hasn’t been good to begin with. These past days, with state and family matters so complicated and the Master’s thoughts so heavy, it just…”

He sighed heavily again.

Zhao Zhongyu knew what the state matters were. “Everything is well at home. What is elder brother worrying about?”

Chengbo kept his head lowered without answering, only urging, “Second Master, please have the young masters and ladies return. It’s getting dark and the dew is heavy. It wouldn’t be good if they caught a chill.”

Zhao Hanzhang stared intently at Chengbo’s slightly turned face and suddenly said, “Chengbo, I want to stay and care for Grandfather…”

She also gently squeezed Wang Shi’s hand.

Wang Shi immediately caught on and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, let Sanniang and Erlang stay to attend to his illness. When Father-in-law sees them, perhaps his condition will improve.”

Before the secondary branch could speak, Chengbo sighed. “Then Madam, Erlang, and Sanniang may stay. The Master also has words for you.”

Zhao Zhongyu swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and turned to instruct Zhao Ji, “Have them return. You stay to attend to his illness as well.”

Zhao Ji acknowledged and had Wu Shi take the children back while he and Zhao Zhongyu remained.

Chengbo raised his head slightly. Seeing that all who should remain had stayed, he was satisfied and lowered his eyes. In that glance, he caught sight of Zhao Erlang and hesitated. Erlang… was he suitable to be present?

Just as he hesitated, Zhao Hanzhang had already made the decision for him. “Erlang, after we go in, you must ask about Grandfather’s health and be obedient, understand?”

Zhao Erlang obediently nodded.

Chengbo let it go and stepped aside to invite everyone inside.

The room had a very strong medicinal smell.

Zhao Hanzhang: …Her new grandfather was very particular and would never allow such a strong medicinal smell in his room.

Her heart settled a bit more. Entering the inner chamber, she saw Imperial Physician Chen giving him acupuncture. Zhao Changyu lay on the bed with a pale face.

They stood by the screen. Zhao Hanzhang asked Chengbo quietly, “What did Imperial Physician Chen say?”

Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji both pricked up their ears.

Chengbo sighed and shook his head. “Last night he slept less than two hours before feeling heartburn, and after that couldn’t sleep at all. Today he only managed one bowl of rice soup. Everything else was medicine.”

Nonsense. This morning they had eaten breakfast together. Though Zhao Changyu’s appetite wasn’t good, he had still eaten a bowl of porridge and slowly chewed through a steamed bun.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face showed worry. “Did Grandfather vomit again this afternoon?”

Chengbo paused before nodding. “Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, producing redness before choking out, “How can this continue if he keeps being unable to eat?”

Wang Shi didn’t know the truth. Her heart felt like it was burning as she gripped Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and shook it.

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression was also very dark. Though his relationship with his elder brother wasn’t very good, he equally didn’t want anything to happen to Zhao Changyu—he was the Zhao family’s pillar.

So he was the first to lose patience and ask, “Is there a way to treat this?”

Chengbo said nothing. Zhao Changyu’s illness wasn’t just a day or two old. He had been gradually worsening for half a year. Last winter, many people thought he wouldn’t survive. They heard Emperor Hui had even prepared a posthumous title for him.

Who knew Emperor Hui would die while he still lived?

Having survived winter and the late spring cold, reaching today was already remarkable.

Chengbo felt the Master had lasted this long firstly because he cared about Zhao Erlang and Zhao Sanniang, and secondly because he worried about the Zhao family.

Zhao Zhongyu thought the same, so after hesitating, when Imperial Physician Chen withdrew the needles and left, he still stepped forward and gripped Zhao Changyu’s hand. “Elder Brother, you must recover quickly. Sanniang and Erlang are still waiting for your guidance.”

Zhao Changyu opened his eyes and stared at Zhao Zhongyu for a while before saying, “Erlang is honest and simple. No matter how much I teach him, I can’t make him shrewd and capable. Let him be as he is. I only hope the Zhao family’s blessings can protect him—not seeking great wealth and honor, just a peaceful life.”

“As for Sanniang,” Zhao Changyu paused, “I arranged a marriage for her. You were present that day.”

“Yes. The Fu family is of noble character. Young Master Fu’s character and appearance are both excellent. Elder Brother can rest assured—he will treat Sanniang well in the future.”

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help looking at their joined hands. This reassurance was really insincere. Since when could Zhao Zhongyu make decisions for the Fu family?

No wonder Zhao Changyu couldn’t die at peace. If it were her, she wouldn’t be able to die reassured either.

But Zhao Changyu acted as if he agreed with Zhao Zhongyu, nodding. “They’re both good children. Zizhuang’s character is noble. I can entrust Sanniang to their family with confidence. After I’m gone, you must also look after the young couple.”

Zhao Zhongyu readily agreed.

“These past days I’ve been recuperating, but there’s been no improvement. My body grows heavier by the day. I think my time is near,” Zhao Changyu said. “I want to prepare Sanniang’s dowry and Erlang’s future betrothal gifts before I go. Even if I don’t live to see them continue the family line, knowing I’ve made proper arrangements for them will give me peace.”

What could Zhao Zhongyu say? He could only nod and agree, “Yes.”

Zhao Changyu then looked at Chengbo.

Chengbo brought over a tray with two scrolls of silk. One was particularly thick. Opened, it was covered in dense writing—all listing various gold and silver vessels, paintings, jade, as well as estates and shops.

Zhao Zhongyu reached out to take it, scanning it briefly. “This is for Erlang’s betrothal gifts?”

“No, this is for Sanniang’s dowry. That scroll is for Erlang.”

Zhao Zhongyu turned to look at the obviously much smaller scroll of silk, unable to speak for a long moment.

—