The servant women carried over the sedan chair. Zhao Hanzhang took Ting He’s hand for support as she sat down, then turned and handed the scissors in her hand to Fu Tinghan. “Cut whichever ones you fancy, as many as you like.”
Fu Tinghan glanced at her and reached out to take them.
He scanned the area and unhurriedly selected three well-grown roses nearby to cut before returning to Zhao Hanzhang’s side, handing all the flowers to her.
During this time, the young maid remained kneeling on the ground with her head bowed, not daring to move a muscle. The person behind the artificial mountain also didn’t dare make a sound.
Zhao Hanzhang pointed to a pink-white rose not far away. “Let’s make it an odd number—that’s auspicious.”
Fu Tinghan went to cut it.
The colorful roses were wrapped in Zhao Hanzhang’s handkerchief as she held them. She swept a glance at the artificial mountain, which still showed no sign of movement, let out a cold snort, then had the servants carry the sedan chair away.
Fu Tinghan looked back at the artificial mountain before following the sedan chair, returning to his tight-lipped gourd state.
As soon as they left, the person behind the artificial mountain went limp, their whole body collapsing to the ground. A maid covered her forehead with one hand while supporting her back with the other, almost crying out loud. “Eldest Miss, are you all right?”
The little maid who had been kneeling outside the artificial mountain scrambled back, crawling and rolling, to help support Zhao Daniang together.
In the front courtyard, Zhao Ji had just seen off the imperial messenger and returned to the main hall with a joyful expression.
Yesterday they had learned that today’s edict appointing the heir apparent might be issued, so they had prepared early, and no one had left the house.
From the second branch, everyone except Zhao Daniang, who had just been released, was present.
As for the first branch, Zhao Erlang was mentally impaired, so his presence or absence didn’t matter much. Zhao Sanniang, due to her leg injury, was also inconvenient to appear in public.
Zhao Ji swept a glance at Wang Shi, who stood to the side with a stern face, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips. The position of heir apparent had been discussed for five or six years, and today it was finally settled.
Zhao Ji stepped forward and bowed to Zhao Changyu. “Uncle, should we hold a banquet for our guests to express gratitude for the Emperor’s magnificent grace?”
Zhao Changyu glanced at him and nodded somewhat indifferently. “Then arrange it.”
Sanniang should also formally appear before some people.
Zhao Zhongyu frowned slightly, glancing disapprovingly at his son. He was about to speak when Ji Yuan entered quickly with people. “My lord…”
Everyone stopped talking and turned to look.
Ji Yuan bypassed Zhao Ji and leaned close to Zhao Changyu’s ear to speak in low tones. Zhao Changyu’s expression showed shock, and he couldn’t help but cough violently. In moments his face turned deathly pale, with only two patches of abnormal red on his cheeks from coughing.
Zhao Zhongyu was greatly alarmed and hurried forward. “Elder brother!”
Ji Yuan was also startled, not expecting Zhao Changyu to react so strongly. He quickly reached out to support him. “My lord, calm yourself. Why react so severely?”
Zhao Changyu gripped Ji Yuan’s hand tightly, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh. With bitter disappointment, he said, “This is destroying one’s own Great Wall, ruining the foundation of our Great Jin…”
Having finished speaking, Zhao Changyu finally couldn’t hold on and fainted backward.
The front hall immediately fell into chaos.
Zhao Zhongyu also panicked, calling out urgently, “Quickly fetch a physician! Get a card and summon an Imperial Physician…”
“We cannot summon an Imperial Physician,” Ji Yuan stopped Zhao Zhongyu and said to him, “Today is an auspicious day for receiving the edict. News that our lord has fallen gravely ill should not be spread. We should quietly summon a physician.”
Zhao Zhongyu declared righteously, “Elder brother has fallen gravely ill—how can we worry about reputation at such a time?”
Ji Yuan lowered his voice. “Our lord fainted because he learned of Prince Hejian’s death. Are you certain you want everyone to know about this?”
Zhao Zhongyu’s eyes widened in shock. “Prince Hejian…”
He realized something and quickly closed his mouth, no longer insisting on summoning an Imperial Physician.
Wang Shi had been pushed to the back by others and couldn’t even get close. She paced anxiously in circles. They had just petitioned to establish the heir apparent—her father-in-law couldn’t have an incident now, or they would truly be without support.
Ji Yuan and the others carried Zhao Changyu to the couch in the inner chamber. Looking back and seeing Wang Shi’s helpless state, after a moment’s consideration, he stepped forward unobtrusively and said in a low voice, “Quickly summon Sanniang.”
Wang Shi came to her senses and hurriedly pulled Qinggu out. “Go quickly and call Sanniang. Also, Secretary Fu—since the two families have already exchanged betrothal cards and gifts, they are in-laws now. They must be informed of this matter.”
Qinggu acknowledged and hesitated, glancing inside. “Madam, please wait quietly for us. Don’t conflict with the second branch.”
Wang Shi stamped her foot. “Don’t I know that? Right now, father-in-law is most important. Go quickly. Oh, and bring Erlang as well.”
Whether he was foolish or not, when his grandfather was ill, he had to be there.
Zhao Hanzhang had just finished arranging the cut roses in a vase. Fu Tinghan smoothly handed her a handkerchief, while Fu Zhi sat to the side watching with a smile, thinking how well-matched they looked together.
Just as he was feeling pleased, he heard urgent footsteps.
The three turned their heads toward the door together. Qinggu hurried over and said respectfully, “Sanniang, our lord has taken suddenly ill and urgently requests your presence.”
Zhao Hanzhang was surprised. “He was fine just now—how could he suddenly fall ill?”
How would Qinggu know why?
Probably only Ji Yuan knew the reason, so she kept her head lowered in silence.
Fu Zhi had already stood up. “Come, let’s go see together.”
Arriving at the main courtyard, Zhao Changyu had already regained consciousness, though his complexion was ashen—completely different from the man seen that morning.
Zhao Hanzhang strode into the room, ignoring the wide-eyed stares from those of the second branch, and walked to the bedside.
After swallowing a pill, Zhao Changyu surveyed everyone and said to Zhao Ji, “All of you withdraw.”
He continued, “Changrong and Sanniang will remain.”
Zhao Ji couldn’t help glancing at his father. Zhao Zhongyu nodded slightly, and only then did he lead everyone out.
The room was suddenly left with only six people. Ji Yuan retreated to the head of the bed, silently observing them.
Fu Zhi sat by the bed looking at Zhao Changyu and asked with a sigh, “What matter warrants such drama?”
Zhao Changyu didn’t want to speak and simply pointed at Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan stepped forward. “News came back this morning saying that on Prince Hejian’s journey back to the capital, he encountered bandits. He and his three sons all perished.”
Fu Zhi rose in shock. “What?”
Ji Yuan glanced at Zhao Changyu, and receiving his permission, continued, “According to our scouts’ reports, it was Liang Chen under Prince Nanyang who led men to wait at Xin’an. After confirming the travelers were Prince Hejian’s party, he ordered them all killed. Of Prince Hejian’s family, none survived.”
Fu Zhi slowly sat back down. “He intends to monopolize control of the court…”
“But there was no need to kill them all, to destroy one’s own Great Wall like this.” Fu Zhi struck his thigh with some frustration, his tightly clenched fist trembling slightly.
Zhao Changyu had recovered himself somewhat. His gaze swept over Zhao Sanniang and Fu Changrong before he said to Zhao Zhongyu, “The position of heir apparent has been settled. Prepare yourselves—in a while I’ll take you to meet some people. For the next few days, keep the gates tightly closed and receive no visitors.”
Zhao Zhongyu hadn’t expected his elder brother to so readily hand over the family’s foundation to him and his son. After a moment’s hesitation, he quickly bowed in acceptance.
Fu Zhi hastily said, “You can turn away others, but you mustn’t bar my eldest son. He’s your granddaughter’s husband-to-be now. Let him come attend your sickbed and fulfill his filial duty.”
Zhao Changyu did not object and nodded in agreement.
Zhao Zhongyu couldn’t help turning to look at Fu Tinghan, who had been standing quietly to the side all along.