Zhao Changyu stared at the hand he had withdrawn, sighing inwardly. His face showed sadness as he looked at him and said, “In my heart, you are just like Zhizhi. I hope you will surpass your master, which is why I’ve been strict with you. The facts have proven that strictness was right—you’re doing well now.”

Zhao Zhongyu looked at him in surprise. This was the first time he had received such clear recognition from Zhao Changyu.

“The family will be entrusted to you, and our Zhao clan will be given over to you as well.” Zhao Changyu paused, then still took Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and placed it upon his, looking at him with eyes full of tears. “I’m entrusting these two children to you. Please look after them.”

Meeting Zhao Changyu’s gaze, Zhao Zhongyu was also moved. “Elder brother, rest assured…”

How could Zhao Changyu truly be at ease?

He secretly tightened his grip on Zhao Hanzhang’s hand. So many words could not be spoken aloud.

Zhao Changyu handed the family seal to Zhao Zhongyu, then dragged his sick body up to write a memorial.

In the letter, he remained true to his original intentions, still hoping the Emperor would allow Prince Donghai to quickly pacify Jingzhao Jun and stabilize the Central Plains before uniting against external threats.

Having reached this point, he spared neither wisdom nor sincerity, writing directly to the Emperor: “Your subject firmly knows that the person who forged the letters was not acting on Your Majesty’s orders. This person harbors sinister intentions, seeking not only to sow discord between your subject and Your Majesty, but also to create division between your subject and Prince Donghai, and between Prince Donghai and Your Majesty. At times like these, honesty is even more essential.”

“Emperor Hui has passed, and everything awaits renewal. Prince Donghai is a pillar of the nation, and Your Majesty possesses the bearing of dragons and phoenixes. If you can rely upon Prince Donghai, then the great revival of Dajin is within sight.”

Having finished his words of counsel, Zhao Changyu turned to his family matters, stating that his illness was severe and he could no longer serve His Majesty. During his tenure, he had failed to console the sovereign above and failed to govern the people below—he had truly let down Emperor Wu’s trust. But when facing death, one inevitably thinks of family and descendants.

He hoped the Emperor would permit Zhao Ji to inherit his ancestral title and allow his pair of granddaughters to escort his coffin home for burial.

Zhao Changyu’s hand trembled as he finished writing the memorial. By the end, the characters were barely legible, but he paid no attention to their appearance. He indicated for Zhao Hanzhang to fold up the memorial. “After I die, find a way to submit this memorial. As long as it reaches the imperial presence, this crisis can be resolved.”

Silence filled the room. No one spoke, except Wang Shi and Zhao Hanzhang whose tears flowed continuously. Zhao Erlang, confused and ignorant, seeing his mother and sister crying so sorrowfully, also began shedding tears.

Zhao Changyu looked at this foolish grandson, his heart full of complex emotions. Twenty years ago, he had strongly opposed making Emperor Hui the heir, believing he was too foolish to be the nation’s ruler.

Who knew his own son would also give him a foolish grandson?

At least Emperor Wu had been fortunate—he had more than one son and had choices.

But he had none. He only had one son, one grandson. He couldn’t bring himself to entrust the family to his grandson and could only place them with his nephew.

Everyone thought he was doing the right thing—after all, there was Emperor Hui’s precedent. But who knew how uneasy he felt inside?

Because his relationship with Zhao Zhongyu was merely ordinary, his feelings for this nephew were just ordinary. He truly found it hard to feel at ease.

But now, he had reached the point where he had no choice but to die.

Dying now could still preserve the family. If he didn’t die, then the entire family might perish.

Zhao Changyu’s eyes slowly closed. Thinking of something, they suddenly opened again. He grabbed Zhao Zhongyu’s hand. “I’m entrusting them to you, I’m entrusting them to you.”

Zhao Zhongyu quickly gripped his hand in return. “Elder brother, be at ease. I will certainly take good care of Sanniang and Erlang.”

Zhao Changyu closed his eyes. Chengbo brought up the medicine. “Lord, the physician has prepared medicine. Please drink a bowl.”

Zhao Changyu didn’t open his eyes, only turned his head slightly away, refusing.

Zhao Hanzhang took the medicine bowl and said softly, “Grandfather, we still have other options. Once it’s completely dark, I’ll climb out through the Jia family’s side. I’ll go beg Administrator Fu to mediate, and I can also ask Wang Yan to intercede with Prince Donghai…”

At that moment, Fu Tinghan was in an alley not far from the Zhao residence. As darkness gradually fell, he stood in the alley, almost blending into the wall behind him.

The young servant Fu’an soon came running. Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but rush forward to meet him, pulling him into the alley. “Well? Did you find out?”

“I found out. Everyone inside is fine. They’ve only surrounded three walls, and even the door on the Jia family side is being watched. I heard General Ma only took some letters and left, without sending soldiers into the courtyard.”

“So it’s just house arrest.” Fu Tinghan breathed a sigh of relief. He looked back deeply at the Zhao residence’s main gate before turning to board his carriage. “Let’s go. We’re going home.”

Fu Tinghan rushed home to ask Fu Zhi to save them.

He had neither people nor money at his disposal—he could only turn to Fu Zhi.

At this moment, Fu Tinghan deeply understood how important it was to have his own power base. No wonder Teacher Zhao had always emphasized to him the importance of people and money.

Before he could speak, Fu Zhi said, “I know. Don’t worry, I’ve already sent letters to several friends. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, we’ll enter the palace to petition Prince Donghai and the Emperor.”

Fu Tinghan asked, “Will Prince Donghai agree to release them?”

“Changyu has always supported having Prince Donghai’s people take over Jingzhao Jun. Many people have letters from their correspondence with him. It won’t be difficult to clear him of these false charges.”

Fu Tinghan noticed he remained silent for a long time and pressed urgently, “What is difficult then?”

“What’s difficult are people’s hearts.” Fu Zhi lowered his voice. “Prince Donghai… has become increasingly unhinged. No one knows whether he’ll simply go along with the accusations. Your Zhao grandfather is wealthier than the imperial household…”

Fu Tinghan thought of the family assets Zhao Hanzhang had privately discussed with him. He firmly believed that Teacher Zhao had only told him those things to entice him to follow her. Privately, she must have even more. So…

Fu Tinghan’s expression changed slightly. “If Prince Donghai doesn’t withdraw his troops, what will happen to them?”

Fu Zhi: “They will die.”

Fu Tinghan: “Then how should we respond?”

Fu Zhi looked up at him. “There is no response. The entire capital is in Prince Donghai’s hands. He could replace even the Emperor at will—slaughtering the entire Zhao family would be just a matter of words. Apart from earnest petitioning, we can only pray to heaven.”

Fu Tinghan never believed in heaven. He pressed his lips together and turned to leave.

Fu Zhi thought he was discouraged and returning to his room, but then the steward came running. “Lord, the young lord has taken Fu’an and gone out again.”

“It’s already dark—what’s he going out for?”

“Perhaps he’s worried about Zhao Sanniang and has gone to the Zhao residence again?”

Fu Zhi opened his mouth, then muttered after a moment, “They’re not even married yet… Send someone to follow him. Don’t let him clash with Prince Donghai’s people. This matter must be handled carefully.”

“Yes.”

But the pursuers lost his trail. They didn’t find him heading toward the Zhao residence either—Fu Tinghan had simply disappeared.

Fu Tinghan took Fu’an straight to the west side of the city. Since Prince Donghai might go mad, he had to prepare for that possibility.

No matter what, he had to rescue Teacher Zhao from inside.