Ever since Zhao Changyu had intended for the second branch to inherit his title, he had handed over most household affairs to the second branch to manage.

After Zhao Ji was appointed heir apparent, Zhao Changyu even handed over everything except matters concerning Wang Shi’s and Zhao Hanzhang’s courtyards to them. The household’s properties were also gradually transferred to them.

If not for this search for Zhao Cai’s contract of indenture, she still wouldn’t have known that the contracts of indenture for the servants of the main branch, except for a few like Chengbo who served in the main courtyard and Wang Shi’s dowry servants, were all in Wu Shi’s hands.

Wu Shi was currently watching her three daughters practice with the abacus, teaching them household management. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang arrive, she couldn’t help but smile. “How does Sanniang have time to come over today? Are your grandfather and mother’s health still well?”

Zhao Eldest Lady and the other two also stood up to pay respects. “Third younger sister.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and returned the courtesy, calling each person by name before answering, “Grandfather is the same as usual. Mother’s health is still good.”

She didn’t stand on ceremony but got straight to the point. “Elder Aunt also knows I’m currently organizing my dowry and need some attendants. Like Ting He and the others who have served by my side for so long, I definitely want to take them with me. But when looking for their contracts of indenture, I discovered that the contracts for the main branch’s servants are all with Elder Aunt.”

“So I’m taking the liberty of disturbing you. I’d like to retrieve their contracts to show Grandfather and discuss which people to take. What do you think…”

Wu Shi paused before saying, “It’s my fault—I’ve been so busy these days I forgot. Your wedding date was set too hastily. Now is indeed the time to prepare the dowry servants.”

She quickly turned to give instructions. “Go fetch that box of contracts of indenture and let Sanniang properly select the people for her dowry.”

A servant acknowledged and left, returning after a long while carrying a large box.

Wu Shi took the key and opened the box, smiling at Zhao Hanzhang. “This box hasn’t been opened since it came to me. I don’t know how many people you want to take. Should you ask your mother’s opinion?”

She opened the box and pushed it toward Zhao Hanzhang to select.

Zhao Hanzhang flipped through the contracts in the box. Though it was just a cursory look, she could tell that this contained only the contracts for the main branch’s servants.

She closed the box. “There are too many people here, and Sanniang alone cannot make the decision about dowry servants. Why don’t I take this back to discuss with Mother, and we can decide after consulting?”

Wu Shi said, “In that case, why don’t you and your mother discuss it first, then give me the list once you’ve decided, and I’ll find the contracts to give you.”

“Going back and forth would be too troublesome and would require Elder Aunt to worry again,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Since the box has been brought out today, why don’t I take it back? Once I’ve decided on the list, I’ll return it.”

Wu Shi thought of the argument Zhao Ji had with her a couple days ago. She opened her mouth but still forced out a smile. “That’s fine. Then let Sanniang take the box.”

Zhao Hanzhang signaled Ting He to take the box and leave.

She smiled as she took her leave, while the other side smiled as they saw her off.

Ting He happily carried the box. “Sanniang, their faces were frozen with smiling.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Hurry back. Let’s pick out the people we need.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang first pulled out Ting He’s and Zhao Cai’s contracts of indenture. “Get the list we drafted earlier.”

Ting He acknowledged and ran to the study to fetch the list. As soon as she left the room, she collided with young maid Zhui’er, who was rushing over. Both fell backward. Ting He scolded, “Are you trying to die? What are you running for?”

Zhui’er couldn’t care about the pain. Calling through the door to the room, she shouted, “Sanniang, our household has been surrounded by soldiers.”

“What?” Zhao Hanzhang strode out. “Who surrounded us?”

“Don’t know. Er Zhong from the west side gate just ran in to report that soldiers suddenly came and sealed the west side gate. This servant looked toward the front and it seems the main gate has also been surrounded.”

Zhao Hanzhang lifted her feet and headed out, instructing, “Ting He, go find Qinggu and have her take Mother and Erlang to the main courtyard. Restrain all the servants in our three courtyards—no one is allowed to wander around. Anyone who violates this will be sent to the estates afterward.”

“Yes.”

When Zhao Hanzhang rushed to the main courtyard, Zhao Ji had just arrived with Wu Shi and Zhao Dalang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s steps paused as her gaze swept over the people behind him before asking, “Elder Uncle, where is Grand-Uncle?”

“Inside.”

Zhao Hanzhang hurried inside with them, seeing Zhao Zhongyu supporting the pale-faced Zhao Changyu as he sat on the bed.

That complexion clearly wasn’t good. Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but feel anxious, stepping forward several steps. “Grandfather…”

Zhao Changyu waved his hand at her, indicating he was fine. “I’ve already sent someone out to inquire. Everyone wait a moment. With the situation unclear, don’t worry excessively.”

Zhao Zhongyu looked at Zhao Ji and Zhao Dalang, his expression serious. “You two haven’t caused any trouble recently, have you?”

“No, Father. This is a time of great turmoil—how could Dalang and I cause trouble?”

“Then why would our household be surrounded for no reason?”

It wasn’t him, and the ones in the family who had been going out recently were only Zhao Ji and Zhao Yi. If not them, then who?

Zhao Changyu calmly raised his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang also frantically reviewed everything she had done recently and found no wrongdoing or overstepping. So she shook her head at Zhao Changyu, but her heart hung even more heavily.

Zhao Changyu pondered. “It may not necessarily be the children’s fault. It could be ours.”

“Ours?” Zhao Zhongyu asked, “But Elder Brother has been recuperating at home and hasn’t attended court for a long time. I also basically don’t involve myself in state affairs. What could we have done?”

“Master, a guest has arrived in the front hall.” Chengbo entered silently from outside, reporting in a low voice.

“Who might it be?”

“General Ma Jia’en from under the Prince of Donghai’s command.”

Zhao Changyu’s thoughts raced as he had already guessed the reason. He reached out toward Zhao Hanzhang. “Come, let’s go see.”

Zhao Hanzhang supported Zhao Changyu as they headed out.

Zhao Ji felt uneasy and anxious, supporting Zhao Changyu’s other side as they went out.

Standing in the front hall was a tall, imposing man in full armor. Hearing movement, he turned around to look.

Seeing Zhao Changyu, he was slightly surprised, not expecting his illness to be this severe.

After thinking, Ma Jia’en still stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute. “Earl of Shangcai, the Prince has sent me to ask you a few questions.”

Zhao Changyu steadied himself with Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and stood firm, giving a slight nod. “Please ask.”

He was neither humble nor arrogant, not even bending at the waist.

Ma Jia’en pursed his lips, displeased. “The Prince asks the Earl if you have the Prince in your heart, if you have Dajin’s realm and Dajin’s common people in your heart?”

Zhao Changyu: “I wonder why the Prince has these three questions?”

Ma Jia’en then pulled out a letter from his robes and presented it. “Earl of Shangcai, this is evidence of your crime of persuading others to rebel against the Prince. Do you acknowledge it or not?”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes widened. She glanced at Zhao Changyu before stepping forward to receive the letter, turning to present it to Zhao Changyu with both hands.

Zhao Changyu opened it and scanned through it quickly, unable to speak for a long moment.

—