Zhao Hanzhang took the medicine the maid handed her and drank it in one gulp. She popped a candied fruit in her mouth, returned the medicine bowl to the maid, and asked, “Did you find out—among those injured this time, was there anyone like me who lost their memory?”
The maid Ting He shook her head, “Replying to Sanniang, I haven’t heard of any.”
“Then has news of my injury and memory loss spread?”
Ting He looked at her somewhat worriedly, “We’ve told outsiders as Sanniang instructed, but… they don’t seem to believe it.”
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t care whether they believed it or not. She just wanted Professor Fu to know that there was a young lady in the Zhao family who had lost her memory.
She just didn’t know if Professor Fu had her good fortune—was he still… floating around, or had he also possessed a corpse like her?
That’s right, she had possessed a corpse. After waking up ten days ago, she had tried various methods to verify that she had indeed taken over this young girl’s body.
The young girl was also surnamed Zhao, ranked third in her family, called Sanniang. She was only fourteen years old this year.
Too young. She felt too embarrassed to occupy her body, so every night she constantly called out to her, wanting her to return and continue her own life.
She had lived twenty-eight years after all. She had suffered hardships, but also enjoyed blessings. Though she also died young, since the accident happened to her, she naturally had to bear the consequences. She couldn’t occupy someone else’s body even in another world.
This karmic debt was too great for Zhao Hanzhang to bear.
Unfortunately, no matter how she called, the child never appeared. The body was empty, not a trace of soul remaining.
Zhao Hanzhang could only shift her attention to Professor Fu.
After waking from the shock of possessing a corpse, she was also amazed at the current historical juncture, and that the young girl she had possessed was actually the granddaughter of the famous Zhao Qiao of the Jin Dynasty.
Last November, Emperor Hui of Jin suddenly died in Luoyang. Afterward, the Crown Prince ascended the throne, establishing the era name Yongjia.
Now it was the second month of the first year of Yongjia. The new emperor had only ascended the throne less than three months ago, and outside the city were rebel troops and displaced people everywhere.
She earnestly said to Zhao Changyu, “Yong is foolish. He can neither glorify the clan nor protect the family. Grandfather’s decision was not wrong—he truly cannot inherit the earldom.”
Handing the earldom to Zhao Yong might result in the same outcome as handing the country to Emperor Hui. Forget about the Zhao family’s glory—even the clan’s foundation might be damaged.
Zhao Changyu’s expression improved somewhat.
“But Grandfather, if we entrust everything of our main branch to the second branch, is the second branch truly worthy of such trust?” This was not only her question, but also the question the original owner had always wanted to ask.
This question had weighed on her heart, constantly questioning and seeking an answer. But it wasn’t until she chased out of the city to save her brother that she found the answer—only by then it was too late to tell her grandfather.
Now Zhao Hanzhang asked on her behalf, “It was merely an unconfirmed rumor. Uncle didn’t come to verify with Grandfather, and Uncle’s son didn’t inquire either, as if unaware of the matter. Then Erlang went outside the city and nearly lost his life. Grandfather, are you comfortable entrusting Mother and us siblings to the second branch like this?”
Zhao Changyu gripped his teacup tightly, his lips pressed into a thin line.
His heart felt as if scalded by hot oil, extremely uncomfortable. After a long while, he said with difficulty, “A single pillar cannot support a structure. If you don’t rely on the clan and the second branch, you two siblings will find it difficult to survive in these times.”
He sighed deeply, “Although the new emperor has ascended, he cannot control court affairs independently. Internal chaos is unsettled, and externally the Xiongnu are causing trouble. The Jie people and Qiang are also watching covetously. The realm will soon descend into great chaos. If you don’t depend on the clan, how will you survive in this turbulent age?”
Zhao Hanzhang thought of the remnant soul that wouldn’t return no matter how she called, feeling somewhat sorrowful as she asked, “What if this reliance turns around to take our lives?”
Zhao Changyu looked toward Chengbo, the only person remaining in the courtyard. Chengbo understood immediately and went inside to fetch a memorial.
Zhao Changyu pressed the memorial on the table, “This is a memorial requesting that Zhao Ji be established as heir. Once this memorial is submitted, it can set their minds at ease.”
This was indeed a solution, but…
Zhao Hanzhang raised her gaze from the memorial to meet Zhao Changyu’s eyes, “With no conflict of interest, Uncle and his son naturally won’t begrudge us our meals. But in the future there will always be times when interests are involved. Grandfather also said the times are becoming chaotic. In chaotic times, can we truly depend on others?”
Zhao Changyu gazed at the determination in her eyes, asking in surprise, “Then what do you intend to do?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Power is only safest when held in one’s own hands. Depending on anyone is not as reliable as depending on oneself.”
Zhao Changyu looked at her in astonishment. After a long while, he threw his head back and laughed heartily, his eyes bright, “Good, good! Truly worthy of being my granddaughter, Zhao Changyu!”
He stood up and paced back and forth twice, finally slapping the parasol tree and standing before her, his eyes shining as he looked at her, “You’ve grown up. If I’m not mistaken, you’ll have your coming-of-age ceremony next year?”
Though already twenty-eight years old, Zhao Hanzhang nodded with tears in her eyes, “Yes.”
Zhao Changyu then reached out and gently patted her head, gazing at her tenderly, “Good, good, excellent. Grandfather may very well not live to see your coming-of-age. Let me give you a courtesy name in advance.”
Zhao Hanzhang paused, lowering her eyes to contemplate for a moment before saying, “Grandfather, may I choose my own courtesy name?”
She still wanted to use her original name.
Zhao Changyu smiled, “Won’t you first hear the courtesy name I’ve chosen for you? I believe you’ll definitely like it.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and waited for him to speak.
Zhao Changyu looked at her tenderly, “When your father named you Hezhen, he used divination, taking it from the Book of Changes, from the Kun hexagram. Today I shall give you the two characters ‘Hanzhang’ as your courtesy name.”
Zhao Hanzhang stared at him blankly, her eyes gradually moistening. She held back tears, her voice somewhat hoarse as she murmured, “Hanzhang kezhen…”
Back then, her father had also taken her name from this passage.
“Correct,” Zhao Changyu looked at her with a smile, “Hanzhang kezhen, yi shi fa ye. Huo cong wang shi, zhi guang da ye.”
“Hezhen, you are a good child. My granddaughter has always had virtue, yet has always been forbearing and unassuming. Grandfather hopes you can continue thus in the future, and that you may have a good outcome.” Speaking to this point, Zhao Changyu felt somewhat sorrowful.
He had always known this child was intelligent, yet had rarely taken it to heart. If not for the sharp edge she had revealed this time, he would have nearly wronged her and wronged the entire main branch of the Zhao family.
—