Zhao Changyu could find no rest either. After pondering for a long time, he still forced himself to rise from his sickbed. “With Prince Hejian dead and Chang’an out of control, Luoyang’s western barrier is lost. I fear the Qiang and Hu tribes will take this opportunity to push south. When that time comes, Luoyang will be in danger.”
Zhao Changyu decided to submit a memorial recommending that Prince Donghai station troops in Jingzhao Jun to guard against the southern advance of the Qiang and Hu.
Ji Yuan supported him as he sat at his writing desk and mused, “But having Prince Donghai station troops in Jingzhao to resist the enemy—wouldn’t that be placing all of Great Jin’s vital lifelines in his hands?”
“Of two evils, choose the lesser. The urgent task is defending against external enemies. As for internal strife…” Zhao Changyu paused. “Let’s wait a while longer. I hope His Majesty understands and can exercise patience for the time being.”
Fu Zhi returned to the Fu residence and, after sending Fu Tinghan to rest, turned and entered his study, summoning his advisors.
“Prince Hejian is dead.”
The advisor hurried to say, “We were just about to inform you, my lord. The news just came back today. It’s said he encountered bandits on the road. His Majesty and Prince Donghai are furious and have ordered the suppression of these bandits, vowing to avenge Prince Hejian’s family.”
Fu Zhi curled his lip. “Were they truly bandits?”
The advisor paused before saying in a low voice, “Privately, some say it was Prince Donghai’s order, carried out by Liang Chen under Prince Nanyang.”
Prince Nanyang was Prince Donghai’s younger brother and had always followed his orders.
Fu Zhi sighed. “The man is already dead. At this point, debating who killed him matters little. The urgent task is defending against the Qiang and Hu tribes and the Xiongnu.”
Fu Zhi continued, “Tomorrow I’ll enter the palace and propose that Wang Yan take control of Jingzhao Jun. We must defend against the northern Qiang and Hu.”
The advisor acknowledged this.
Fu Zhi paused, then asked, “Is there any news from those sent to Chang’an to fetch Shihong and the Princess?”
“Not yet.”
Fu Zhi sighed. “I hope they’re safe. With Prince Hejian’s death, the road from Chang’an to Luoyang will only become more difficult. Find a way to send word—the return journey is too dangerous. They’d be better off staying in Chang’an for now, or going south to Shu, then returning to Luoyang through Shu.”
With Prince Hejian dead, the bandits, refugees, and foreign tribes along the road would only grow more chaotic. At such a time, unless traveling with a large army, whether one was imperial nobility or a homeless beggar, life was worth little.
The advisor acknowledged this, then said quietly, “My lord, I heard that today the eldest young master settled a betrothal with the Zhao family?”
Fu Zhi finally showed a slight smile and nodded. “The betrothal cards and gifts have been exchanged.”
The advisor was delighted. “Congratulations, my lord. Since the two families have settled the betrothal, why not ask Lord Zhao to help fetch them from Chang’an?”
Fu Zhi said, “Changyu is perceptive and thorough. He’ll think of this matter without our mentioning it. However, I worry that with the situation unclear, they may suffer on the return journey. Didn’t Changrong nearly lose his life on this trip back?”
The advisor fell silent.
“Changyu’s health is failing. Given how thorough he is, he will certainly arrange for his family beforehand. You and the steward should organize the household assets in the coming days and select appropriate items for Changrong’s betrothal gifts. Once we’ve weathered this period, we’ll hold the wedding for the two children.”
Both the advisor and steward happily acknowledged this.
Fu Changrong was Fu Zhi’s eldest son and grandson. From birth he possessed a large portion of the Fu family wealth. Barring accidents, seventy percent of the Fu family’s future assets would be his, so they could not shortchange him on betrothal gifts.
And Zhao Sanniang was Zhao Changyu’s granddaughter. From appearances, Zhao Changyu planned to entrust his grandson to his granddaughter’s care.
The reason the advisor was so pleased was that, given Zhao Changyu’s shrewd and miserly nature, he would certainly pass some resources to Zhao Sanniang.
And what belonged to Zhao Sanniang would belong to Fu Changrong, wouldn’t it?
And what belonged to Fu Changrong belonged to the Fu family!
The advisor was delighted and went happily to make arrangements.
Wang Shi was also happily sorting through things. She had brought out all her dowry and called her two children before her. “Mother won’t play favorites—you two split everything equally.”
“I’ve already divided these shops and estates. As for the rest—these jewelry and gems go to Sanniang, this gold and silver to Erlang, and the paintings and books…” Wang Shi paused and sighed. “Give them to Sanniang.”
She glanced at her son sitting to the side happily eating snacks, her heart clenching. “I wonder if the children he has in the future will take after him or after your father.”
Zhao Hanzhang comforted her, “Skipping a generation in inheritance does happen.”
Wang Shi grew more worried.
She tried not to think about it and continued calculating Zhao Hanzhang’s dowry. “My dowry isn’t very much. Some was added by your father later. If I divide it in half now, I fear Erlang won’t be able to hold onto it. In the future, if the second branch is in charge and we can’t explain things clearly, the dowry could become Zhao family property. So I want to put everything on your dowry list, and you remember to give half to your brother later.”
Zhao Hanzhang joked, “Mother trusts me so much? Aren’t you afraid I’ll hold onto it and not give it?”
Wang Shi gently stroked her head with pity. “If you were like that, though Mother would be angry, in my heart I’d actually feel relieved. You think too much and care too deeply about others. You always try to consider everything for your brother and me, but in this world, where is there such a thing as ‘everything considered’?”
She continued, “The times are already like this. Whatever kind of life we can make, we’ll make it. Don’t always think about us.”
Zhao Hanzhang was stunned. “You…”
Wang Shi looked at her with tears in her eyes, suddenly feeling very sad. “Sanniang, Erlang is a fool, and Mother isn’t clever either. As long as we have food and drink, we’re fine. We’re not like you and your father—smart people. You need not only to live well but to avoid humiliation, and to see those around you living well before your hearts can be at peace.”
“Usually when the second branch openly or covertly bullied us, you always told me to endure it, but I know you felt the worst about it inside.”
Wang Shi understood herself. She couldn’t control her temper and basically took revenge on the spot for any grievance. As long as she herself felt better and saw the other party suffering too, her heart was content.
In Wang Shi’s view, as long as her heart was content, that was enough. She didn’t bother calculating hidden gains and losses.
But Sanniang wasn’t like that. She watched her daughter from such a young age work hard at studying and martial arts, planning counterattacks when she and Erlang suffered wrongs. Sometimes even when she herself had forgotten the grievances, her daughter could dig up old accounts half a year later and give the second branch a solid blow.
Though taking revenge felt very satisfying in the moment, Wang Shi also felt heartache. Her daughter, so young, already had to learn such calculations.
Wang Shi always felt this was too exhausting, but in recent days, she sensed her daughter’s thoughts weren’t as heavy as before. She seemed more carefree than previously, no longer so forbearing toward the second branch. If she couldn’t immediately retaliate like Wang Shi did on the spot, she also didn’t hold onto grievances as long as before.
Wang Shi felt she was finally becoming a little like herself. She felt both heartache and happiness, as well as gratification. Gripping Zhao Hanzhang’s hand with tears in her eyes, she said, “From now on, be like this. Don’t bottle up grievances in your heart. If you really…”
She bit her lip. “If you really want to compete with your brother for the family property, just remember to leave him a little something.”