Fu Tinghan hadn’t realized there were so many twists and turns involved. He opened his mouth before lowering his head. “Yes, grandson will go to the Wang family immediately.”

Fu Zhi instructed, “Avoid Wang Yan. This one is someone who seeks advantage and avoids harm. He definitely won’t want the Wang siblings involved.”

Fu Tinghan acknowledged.

Before dawn, the curfew-lifting bell sounded outside. Fu Zhi changed into his official robes and left…

Fu Tinghan waited for him to leave, then returned to his room and dumped all his ready cash into a cloth bag to carry with him.

Fu’an watched in stunned amazement. “Young lord, what are you doing?”

“Bribing people and clearing the way—all this requires money.” Fu Tinghan thought for a moment, opened his jewelry box, and poured all the jade ornaments and gold and silver jewelry inside into the bag as well.

Fu’an’s face went white with fright. He quickly tried to stop him. “Young lord, where would you need all this? A hundred or so wen would be enough for bribing servants.”

Fu Tinghan glanced at him without compromising. He wasn’t just going to the Wang family—he lifted the bag of money. “Let’s go. First to the Wang residence.”

Not just him, but even the original owner wasn’t very familiar with the capital. He’d left the capital at age eleven and been gone for five years. Many of his childhood friends were no longer in the capital, and those who remained he wasn’t close to. Thinking it over, the only ones he could turn to now were the Wang siblings.

Fu Tinghan carried his bag of money straight to the Wang residence.

Meanwhile at the Zhao residence, as soon as Fu Tinghan left, Zhao Zhongyu had people open the storehouse and take out the mourning clothes, hemp cloth, white banners and such that had been prepared earlier.

These were things the Zhao family had prepared in advance. Zhao Changyu had been ill for quite some time. Half a year ago he’d been gravely ill, and Emperor Hui had even prepared a posthumous title for him. But perhaps unwilling to leave the young Zhao Sanniang and Zhao Erlang unprotected, he’d pulled through.

It was precisely after that recovery that he’d begun thinking about arranging Zhao Sanniang’s marriage.

Not until he and Fu Zhi had communicated and both had this intention did he reveal any hints. But before he could tell Wang Shi and Zhao Sanniang which family he’d decided on, disaster struck.

The hemp cloth and white banners were brought out. The servants’ hearts were in turmoil as they tried to hang the hemp cloth and white banners as quietly as possible.

Qinggu led people carrying several mourning garments. She stepped forward to support Zhao Hanzhang, who was still kneeling by the bed, and said quietly, “Sanniang, first change into mourning clothes.”

Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze from Zhao Changyu and asked hoarsely, “Who will change Grandfather into his burial robes?”

“The heir and Dalang will come shortly.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, then supporting herself on the bed frame, she stood. She went with Qinggu to change into mourning clothes.

By the time dawn barely broke, the Zhao residence was already covered in hemp cloth and white banners. Zhao Hanzhang summoned Zhao Erlang and had him take the cut white hemp. As she reached the door and saw the mourning staff leaning against it, she couldn’t help but stop.

Zhao Dalang saw this and his face flushed red. He quickly took the mourning staff. “Father is changing burial robes for Uncle Grandfather. I’ll present it to Father shortly.”

Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward and took the mourning staff from his hands, unconcerned. “Give them to me and Erlang. Erlang and I will carry the staffs.”

“This…”

With a slight effort, Zhao Hanzhang took the bamboo staff from his hand, turned and handed it to Zhao Erlang, taking the remaining one for herself. “Uncle Grandfather and your father are still here. It’s not appropriate for Uncle and you to carry them.”

Zhao Dalang’s face turned red as he watched her take the mourning staff and leave. He quickly followed a couple steps. “Third Sister, won’t you wait for Grandfather and Father?”

Zhao Hanzhang stopped. “Then please ask Dalang to summon Uncle Grandfather.”

Zhao Zhongyu had aged considerably overnight, his temples showing white hair. Coming out and seeing Zhao Hanzhang holding the mourning staff, he frowned slightly and looked at Zhao Dalang. “Where is your father?”

Zhao Dalang lowered his head. “Father is changing Uncle Grandfather into burial robes.”

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression eased somewhat. He said to Zhao Hanzhang, “Give the mourning staff to your uncle and let him wear mourning for your grandfather. Since he’s inherited the title, this is his responsibility to fulfill.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression improved. She handed the mourning staff to Zhao Dalang, turned to take the white hemp from Zhao Erlang’s hands, straightened her back and said, “Uncle Grandfather, please.”

Zhao Zhongyu didn’t move but stared at her and asked, “Sanniang, have you thought this through? Will you go yourself?”

He said, “Your uncle can do this.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “There’s no one more suitable than us siblings. Uncle Grandfather, let’s go.”

How could she not know they were actually afraid inside and didn’t want to open the door to directly face the soldiers outside? After all, if things went wrong and they actually attacked, death would be only an instant away.

The memorial had been sent out. They could just hide at home and wait for news. Most likely, Prince Donghai would withdraw his troops as if nothing had happened.

But why should they?

Her grandfather had died—for the Zhao clan, for Dajin, because of the internal strife between Prince Donghai and the Emperor.

She wanted everyone to know why Zhao Changyu had died.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze was resolute as she walked outward.

Zhao Zhongyu could only follow.

The heavy gates of the Zhao residence opened ponderously to both sides. The soldiers guarding outside heard the sound and turned their heads sternly, gripping their weapons tightly.

The adjutant watching the gate stared at it with blazing eyes, his hand on the hilt of his sword, poised to draw and strike.

Zhao Hanzhang in mourning clothes was first to cross the threshold. She raised her snow-white face to look directly at the adjutant.

The adjutant was slightly stunned, looking at their mourning clothes in surprise.

With sharp eyes, he saw Zhao Zhongyu, who followed a step behind, also had hemp cloth tied around his waist. His forehead twitched.

In the Zhao residence, only one person could make even Zhao Zhongyu wear hemp cloth for mourning.

Sure enough, he saw Zhao Hanzhang raise her head to glance at him, then kneel down. She raised the white hemp in her hands high above her head, her eyes red as she announced loudly, “Zhao clan’s Sanniang and young brother Erlang report the death to Prince Donghai. Grandfather, surnamed Zhao with the given name Qiao, passed away last night!”

The adjutant nervously swallowed, looking at the white hemp presented before him, caught between accepting and not accepting.

When his sister knelt, Zhao Erlang had knelt as well. Seeing the man wouldn’t accept the white hemp and his sister had to keep kneeling, he couldn’t help but glare at him with wide eyes.

Standing behind the siblings, Zhao Zhongyu said, “The dead are paramount. My elder brother labored all his life for Dajin. Even if he had no merit, he had hardship. Now that he’s passed, leaving only this pair of young siblings, will the adjutant even prevent them from announcing his death?”

The adjutant gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. “The prince has ordered that until the matter is investigated, no one from the Zhao residence may leave.”

Zhao Zhongyu said, “You cannot make this decision. Why not summon General Ma? I don’t believe he would dare prevent my family from announcing the death. Does he not fear the countless voices throughout the realm?”

Zhao Hanzhang raised the white hemp cloth higher and called out hoarsely, “Zhao clan’s Sanniang and young brother Erlang announce the death to all friends and old acquaintances. Grandfather, surnamed Zhao with the given name Qiao, passed away last night! Adjutant, please accept the hemp.”

The adjutant stared at the hemp cloth in her hands without speaking, his expression grave, his fist clenching and unclenching, unclenching and clenching again.