Zhao Hanzhang found it difficult to address him as such, so her expression also became stern.
She was carried by servants to the table’s edge and set down. The maidservants wanted to help her sit in a chair, but she raised her hand to stop them, supporting herself on Ting He’s hand to stand up somewhat unsteadily and bow to Zhao Changyu, “Grandfather.”
She had to address him eventually.
Zhao Changyu frowned, glancing at her leg before saying, “What need is there for such empty formalities? Your legs are inconvenienced—preserving yourself is filial piety. Sit down quickly.”
“Yes.” Zhao Hanzhang respectfully sat across from him, lowering her eyes to look at the teapot on the table.
Zhao Changyu examined her carefully. Actually, their grandfather-granddaughter time together wasn’t much. He was busy with national affairs and somewhat negligent in family matters.
But this didn’t mean he didn’t understand his two grandchildren. On the contrary.
Although they rarely met, he had inquired about and understood what books they read, their temperaments, even their food and clothing.
So he knew his grandson was naturally dull-witted, but his granddaughter was very intelligent and resilient. Because the family had long decided to pass the title to the second branch, this child had always yielded much to the second branch’s brothers and sisters—she was a very sensible child.
But her response this time was vastly different from before, more forceful and less forbearing.
Zhao Hanzhang kept her head lowered. Zhao Changyu couldn’t see the expression on her face, only seeing the top of her head as he said, “I heard from Chengbo that you’ve lost your memory?”
Zhao Hanzhang paused before answering affirmatively, “Yes.”
Zhao Changyu couldn’t help but smile, “Raise your head to answer.”
Zhao Hanzhang then lifted her head to look at the person across from her, her eyes clear and determined, not changing her story.
Zhao Changyu looked at her face and asked, “You’ve lost your memory, but can you still remember other things?”
Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment before saying, “I still remember my younger brother, Mother, and Grandfather.”
Zhao Changyu’s smile slowly faded. His fingers lightly tapped the stone table surface. After a long while he said, “My original intention was to arrange an illustrious marriage for you. The country is in chaos, the people are displaced. Having an illustrious marriage connection can not only protect you, but also shelter your younger brother.”
He continued, “Emperor Hui is a cautionary tale. I never intended to have your brother inherit the earldom. I thought that if I arranged an illustrious marriage for you, even if the earl’s mansion cannot be relied upon in the future, you siblings would still be safe and sound.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Grandfather, if we cannot even trust relatives as close as Uncle, how can we trust in-laws who join us midway?”
Zhao Changyu fell silent.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “If Emperor Wu had not established Emperor Hui, would Emperor Hui have lived well?”
Zhao Changyu frowned, his gaze sharpening, “Do you want your brother to inherit the earldom?”
“No,” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Back then Grandfather advised Emperor Wu against establishing Emperor Hui. Granddaughter agrees with your viewpoint. Emperor Hui was simple-minded and could not serve as the ruler of a nation. Had Emperor Wu heeded your advice then, the great Jin would not face today’s calamity.”
Calling Emperor Hui simple-minded were Zhao Changyu’s original words, essentially saying Emperor Hui was too honest and dull-witted to be suitable as emperor.
After waking, besides being shocked by possessing a corpse, Zhao Hanzhang was also amazed at the current historical juncture, and that the young girl she possessed was actually the granddaughter of the famous Zhao Qiao of the Jin Dynasty.
Last November, Emperor Hui of Jin suddenly died in Luoyang, and the Crown Prince then 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 been on the throne less than three months, and outside the city were rebel troops and displaced people everywhere.
She earnestly told Zhao Changyu, “Younger brother Yong is foolish. He can neither bring glory to 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 have the same result as handing the country to Emperor Hui. Forget about the Zhao family’s glory—even the clan’s foundation might suffer.
Zhao Changyu’s expression improved somewhat.
“But Grandfather, if we entrust our entire 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 pressed on her heart, constantly questioning and seeking answers. But it wasn’t until she chased out of the city to save her brother that she found the answer—only she no longer had time 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, nor did Uncle’s son inquire. As if unaware of the matter, Erlang went outside the city and nearly lost his life there. Grandfather, are you at ease 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 the structure. If you don’t rely on the clan and the second branch, you two siblings will find it hard to survive in these times.”
He sighed deeply, “Although the new emperor has ascended, he cannot independently control court politics. Internal chaos remains unsettled, and externally the Xiongnu are causing trouble, while the Jie and Qiang also watch 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 and immediately entered the house to retrieve 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 clash. 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 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 remember correctly, you’ll have your coming-of-age ceremony next year, won’t you?”
Though already twenty-eight, 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 briefly 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 possessed 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 revealed this time, he would have nearly wronged her and wronged the entire main branch of the Zhao family.
—