Fu Tinghan was somewhat worried and lowered his voice. “Administrator Fu… my grandfather says Prince Donghai is somewhat mad now.”

“I know. But my grandfather’s reputation is excellent. While he was alive, Prince Donghai could splash dirty water on him. But now… no matter how domineering he is, he must consider the countless voices throughout the realm.”

Zhao Hanzhang was gambling—gambling that Prince Donghai still didn’t dare directly oppose the aristocratic clans, that he still needed that bit of reputation to maintain political balance.

She took the memorial from her bosom and handed it to him. “Before dawn breaks, you should leave quickly.”

Zhao Ji pushed forward and asked quietly, “Worthy nephew, when you came, did your grandfather mention the situation outside?”

Fu Tinghan said, “Grandfather has already contacted court officials and plans to enter the palace to remonstrate at daybreak.”

Zhao Zhongyu frowned upon hearing this. “So you coming to my Zhao residence wasn’t at your grandfather’s behest?”

Fu Tinghan didn’t answer directly but said, “Grandfather Zhao’s illness was severe. I was worried about his health, so I went to find Uncle Zhao to bring me in.”

Zhao Zhongyu pondered and looked at Zhao Hanzhang. “Sanniang, have Changrong take Dalang and Erlang out, just in case.”

Zhao Sanniang lowered her eyes in thought, then raised her head to look at Zhao Erlang. “Erlang, will you go?”

Though Zhao Erlang was confused and ignorant, he knew his grandfather had just passed away. His face was still covered in tears. He shook his head repeatedly and retreated into his mother’s embrace, clinging to her and refusing to leave. “I want to stay with Mother and Elder Sister.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said to Zhao Zhongyu, “Uncle Grandfather, Grandfather has already paved the way for us. As men of the Zhao clan, we can weigh advantages and disadvantages, but we cannot be timid and cowardly. Erlang will stay. Tomorrow at dawn, he’ll join me in wearing mourning clothes to announce the death.”

Zhao Zhongyu frowned, pressing his lips together in silence for a moment before saying to Fu Tinghan, “Then we’ll trouble Changrong to deliver the memorial.”

He stopped mentioning taking Zhao Dalang away.

Fu Tinghan agreed and looked at Zhao Hanzhang with concern.

Zhao Hanzhang said quietly, “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Fu Tinghan took out his handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, saying softly, “Accept what has happened. Don’t be too sad. Get some sleep—you’ll feel much better. Think about it—you still have family by your side, don’t you?”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him.

Fu Tinghan smiled at her. “Thinking of it this way, doesn’t it feel a bit better?”

Zhao Hanzhang saw the tears in his eyes and nodded slightly. “Yes. If you don’t want to smile, you don’t have to.”

Fu Tinghan’s smile faded. He reached out to embrace her, patting her back consolingly and saying quietly, “I understand this feeling. I thought you wouldn’t have to experience it again…”

He just hadn’t expected that after coming to this world for barely over a month, she would already have such deep feelings for Zhao Changyu that she would cry so hard.

The Zhao family members silently watched them, ultimately not interrupting, but… this was really too improper.

Zhao Hanzhang heard his murmur and was somewhat surprised. “You…”

She examined him carefully and asked quietly, “Did we know each other before?”

Fu Tinghan didn’t answer her. Holding the memorial, he stood up. “When you’re safe, I’ll tell you. I’m leaving first.”

Zhao Hanzhang quickly stood to see him out. Zhao Ji glanced at his father and followed, saying very politely, “Worthy nephew, I entrust my Zhao family’s affairs to you and your honorable father.”

Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and nodded. “Very well.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Zhao Ju standing to the side. His eyes were red, looking at Zhao Hanzhang with words left unspoken, but remembering Ji Yuan’s instructions, under Zhao Ji’s gaze he said nothing.

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes were also red. She said quietly, “Outside, follow Fu Dalang’s instructions in everything.”

“Wait,” Zhao Ji frowned and instructed Zhao Ju quietly, “After you get out, gather our family’s men outside the residence to await orders. If the soldiers outside break in, come to our rescue immediately.”

Zhao Ju looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded imperceptibly and emphasized, “Listen to Fu Dalang and Mr. Ji.”

Zhao Ju understood—first listen to Fu Dalang and Mr. Ji, then listen to Zhao Ji if there was no conflict.

Zhao Ju cupped his fists in salute and led Fu Tinghan away.

As Fu Tinghan walked out of the courtyard gate, he looked back at Zhao Hanzhang once more, then strode away.

They hadn’t died in that elevator, so they certainly couldn’t die here. He didn’t believe they’d have that kind of luck again—to change locations and bodies and start over.

Fu Tinghan didn’t return all night. The people sent out couldn’t find any trace of him. Fu Zhi paced anxiously in his study, thinking about it until his heart ached. He couldn’t help but lose his temper. “Two such big people, and there are only a few roads near the Zhao residence. How can you not find them?”

“Lord, the young lord has returned.” The steward immediately opened the door to welcome Fu Tinghan in.

Fu Zhi turned around immediately. Seeing Fu Tinghan with all four limbs intact, uninjured and unharmed, his stern expression softened somewhat. “Where have you been all night?”

Fu Tinghan took out the memorial he’d been keeping warm in his bosom, somewhat sorrowfully saying, “Grandfather, Grandfather Zhao has passed away.”

Fu Zhi was greatly shocked. “What did you say?”

Fu Tinghan presented the memorial to Fu Zhi. Fu Zhi took it with a pale face and scanned through it rapidly. In just a moment, he couldn’t help but shed tears. “Foolish, foolish! Why did it come to this, why did it come to this…”

Fu Tinghan’s eyes also filled with tears as he lowered his voice. “Tomorrow the Zhao family will go out to announce the death. Please help lift the military blockade outside their residence, Grandfather.”

Fu Zhi gripped the memorial tightly, wiped his tears and asked an advisor nearby, “What time is it?”

“Nearly the fifth watch.”

Fu Zhi said, “Change my robes. Prepare to enter the palace.”

Fu Tinghan breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back to stand to one side.

Fu Zhi thought for a moment and said, “I recall that not long ago, the Wang family’s Meizi came to visit you?”

Fu Tinghan paused before nodding. “I’m not familiar with him. He probably came to see me at Hanzhang’s request.”

Fu Zhi glanced at him. “Hanzhang?”

Fu Tinghan realized he’d slipped up. He opened his mouth. “That’s Sanniang’s courtesy name.”

Fu Zhi nodded. “Since the Wang siblings are close to Sanniang, today go invite them to visit the Zhao residence.”

He stroked the memorial in his hand. “Although Changyu’s memorial states this was the work of someone with ulterior motives sowing discord, whether the Emperor and Prince Donghai truly weren’t involved, only they themselves know.”

“Moreover, not being involved doesn’t mean not knowing about it,” Fu Zhi said. “I may not be able to see the Emperor and Prince Donghai smoothly, so we must prepare an additional contingency. Wang Xuan is outstanding among this generation of young people and can rally support.”

“His Majesty is currently weak and most needs the support of aristocratic clans. Even Prince Donghai doesn’t dare tear his face with the aristocratic clans at this time. So as long as you can persuade them to help, whether it’s the Emperor or Prince Donghai, both will exercise some restraint.”

Fu Zhi looked down at the memorial in his hand, his heart full of sorrow. “If Changyu were alive, this strategy might not succeed and could even enrage Prince Donghai. But with his death, life’s tragedy is complete, and the path to survival for the Zhao clan opens nine-tenths of the way.”

Not counting Zhao Changyu’s life, this strategy could be called the very best. Apart from him, no one else could have devised it.