Wang Fourth Miss and Wang Xuan escorted Zhao Sanniang back to the Zhao residence. The siblings stood at the entrance and sighed in unison.

Wang Xuan turned to look at his sister. “I’m sighing for the Earl of Shangcai. Who are you sighing for?”

Wang Fourth Miss said, “I’m sighing for you, brother. Such a fine piece of jade, and you just couldn’t grasp it.”

Wang Xuan tapped her on the head. “You’re only fourteen—why are you so worried about such things?”

Wang Xuan frowned. “Fourteen—indeed, it’s time to discuss marriage proposals.”

Wang Fourth Miss looked at him with horror, about to get angry, but Wang Xuan was already saying with a stern face, “Your marriage needs to be settled as soon as possible. Tomorrow I still have a philosophical discussion gathering. Will you come with me?”

Wang Fourth Miss’s anger subsided, and she fell silent.

Smart as she was, she naturally understood her brother’s meaning. Wang Xuan said, “While father hasn’t thought about your marriage yet, let’s settle it first. It can become a good story.”

“Will father agree?”

Wang Xuan pulled her along. “The eldest brother is like a father. As long as I agree, that’s enough. Father is a man of letters—once he’s given his word, he won’t go back on it.”

As long as the family background isn’t too poor, it should be fine.

When Zhao Hanzhang returned to Qingyi Pavilion, before she could even sit down for tea, Wang Shi came crying to find her. “Sanniang, your grandfather has submitted a memorial requesting that the heir apparent be invested.”

Zhao Hanzhang first glanced at Qinggu. Seeing her nod, she put down her teacup. “I know.”

Wang Shi grabbed her hand and cried, “Erlang is useless. I originally wanted to go cry to your grandfather, but Qinggu said you carry more weight with your grandfather. Sanniang, while it’s not yet dark, quickly go plead with your grandfather and have him withdraw the memorial.”

“Mother, how can a memorial that’s already been submitted be withdrawn?” She scanned the room and waved for everyone to leave, not even keeping Qinggu or Ting He. “Mother, grandfather has left us things.”

“What things could compare to a title?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Even the emperor on high has been replaced, and the masters of this capital change every few days. What use is an empty title?”

Wang Shi’s hand, which had been wiping tears, paused.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice. “What grandfather has given us are all practical things.”

Wang Shi put down her handkerchief and looked at her expectantly. “What things?”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, “Mother, Erlang and I are grandfather’s blood grandchildren. Do you think what he’s giving us will be little?”

“Whether it’s gold, silver, jewels, shops, or farmland—everything that should be there will be there.”

Wang Shi fell into thought. “But can we hold onto these things?”

Oh, you’re considering this issue too?

Zhao Hanzhang said, “There’s one way. I get engaged, and these are put on the dowry list with witnesses to notarize it. Then no one can take them away.”

She continued, “When my brother grows up later, I’ll divide half to him.”

Wang Shi’s eyes brightened. “That’s a good idea. But where can we find a suitable match on such short notice? We can’t just arrange any random marriage for the sake of assets, can we?”

Wang Shi was unwilling. Marriage was equivalent to a woman’s second rebirth. Her daughter’s first birth hadn’t gone well—her marriage absolutely had to be chosen carefully.

She pondered. “Didn’t your grandfather want to arrange a marriage for you before? I wonder which family’s son it was…”

Although she was quite dissatisfied that her father-in-law had given the title to the second branch, she still trusted him to arrange a reliable match for Sanniang.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I know. It’s the eldest grandson of Assistant Minister Fu.”

Wang Shi became delighted. “The Fu family? Is it the eldest son of Princess Hongnong?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Wang Shi stood up excitedly and walked in circles. “This match is excellent! They’re imperial relatives, and the Fu family has prestige. Forming an alliance with them means the second branch certainly won’t dare mistreat us. When you marry, you can take me and Erlang with you.”

Zhao Hanzhang only wanted to temporarily bind herself and Professor Fu together to prevent Zhao Changyu from arranging another match for her while Professor Fu’s side also wouldn’t be free.

To find a way back, they would inevitably need to meet and plot together frequently. Having the relationship of engaged couple would make things much more convenient.

“So Mother, regarding the title, we should concede. Let’s urge grandfather to settle this marriage quickly and request more family assets. Isn’t that better than clinging to a title?” Zhao Hanzhang said, “In these chaotic times, being the family head isn’t easy. Do you think Erlang can be a good family head and clan leader?”

Wang Shi felt somewhat embarrassed. Zhao Erlang couldn’t even recognize many characters—how could he possibly be a clan leader?

The clan members wouldn’t agree to it either.

Wang Shi finally sighed. “I understand.”

Seeing that she had been pacified, Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and took her hand. “If there are no accidents, the imperial decree will come down tomorrow. Let’s happily go congratulate the second branch and give them face. It will be easier when dividing the assets later.”

Wang Shi reluctantly agreed. “What about them deceiving Erlang to leave the city and causing you to fall from your horse—are we just letting that go?”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, “The days are long, and there’s plenty of time ahead.”

Wang Shi didn’t hold much hope though. Erlang was useless, and she didn’t want her daughter to keep nursing this grudge. Sometimes she was just quick with words, wanting to vent her dissatisfaction.

But deep in her heart, she knew that unless Zhao Erlang had an awakening someday, the first branch would be suppressed by the second branch for the rest of their lives, and naturally, they wouldn’t be able to get justice.

Their father-in-law was still alive now, and they couldn’t get justice. There was even less hope for the future.

Wang Shi hesitated, then said, worried that Zhao Sanniang might become obsessed, “Forget it. Let’s not stoop to their level.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at her. “I know, Mother. Don’t worry.”

She looked outside. “It’s getting late. Have them serve the meal. After eating, go back and rest early. Tomorrow we’ll dress up nicely and go watch the second branch receive the decree with good spirits.”

Wang Shi reluctantly agreed, but the next day she still found an elegant outfit to wear and specially dressed up her daughter.

As for Erlang, he could just throw on whatever clothes.

Early in the morning, Wang Shi sat upright in her courtyard’s main hall, having someone watch at the second gate, wanting to appear proudly before the imperial messenger at the first opportunity. Who knew she wouldn’t wait for the imperial messenger but instead waited for people from the Fu family.

A maid came running in. “Assistant Minister Fu has brought Young Master Fu with many gifts to visit the master.”

Wang Shi stood up at once and asked excitedly, “Where are they? Where were they received?”

“Because Second Elder Master is also present, they were received in the front hall.”

Hearing that Second Elder Master was also there, Wang Shi immediately became worried. “He wouldn’t make trouble, would he?”

Previously, there had only been some rumors, and they had already acted to harm people. Now that people had come to the door, wouldn’t he obstruct this marriage?

Wang Shi thought this wouldn’t do and stepped forward to leave. Qinggu, fearing she would act rashly and ruin things, quickly grabbed her. “Madam, bring Sanniang along.”

“Sanniang is a young lady. How can she be present when they’re discussing her marriage?”

“But our Sanniang is no ordinary young lady. Since the master intends to give the family assets as her dowry, clearly he’s entrusting you and Erlang to Sanniang’s care. That means in the future, at least for our first branch if not the entire family, Sanniang will be in charge. Her marriage is naturally something she should have a say in. The master will certainly ask her opinion.”

Wang Shi clenched her fists tightly. “But her leg is still injured. How can she receive guests?”

“What if people from the Fu family see and become disdainful?”

—