After Zhao Changyu’s excitement passed, his complexion showed a somewhat sickly flush. He covered his chest and slowly sat down at the table, telling her, “You should return for now. Grandfather needs to think carefully about how your future path should proceed.”

He added, “Don’t tell anyone about today’s matters, including your mother.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

Zhao Changyu paused before saying, “Since you say you’ve lost your memory, then you’ve lost your memory.”

Zhao Changyu didn’t believe his granddaughter had truly lost her memory—he only assumed she wanted to use this to suppress the second branch. Previously he hadn’t quite approved of this move, but now…

Forget it. If the child wanted to do this, then let her do it.

Zhao Hanzhang returned to her own courtyard and climbed back into bed to rest comfortably.

This body’s soul seemed to have truly dissipated. She didn’t know if she and Professor Fu could return to the modern era, but clearly the original owner couldn’t come back.

So while residing in this body, she wanted to do something for her, for the people she cared about.

Consider it rent for using her body.

Moreover, she herself wanted to live more freely and better.

The second branch of the Zhao family clearly couldn’t be relied upon. Rather than placing hope in them, better to follow the young girl’s inner wish—their main branch would stand on their own, at minimum having the power of self-preservation.

Zhao Hanzhang reviewed her recent responses in her mind, confirming there were no problems before sliding down and sighing, “I’m hungry…”

Thinking hard always made her stomach empty faster.

Zhao Hanzhang called out toward the door, “Ting He.”

Ting He hurried in, “What does Sanniang need?”

“Food. Go to the kitchen and get some refreshments. I’m hungry.”

Ting He smiled and agreed, turning to leave.

After Sanniang’s injury, though still worried and anxious, her appetite had improved considerably compared to before.

The Zhao family kitchen’s pastries were naturally delicious. The refreshments Ting He brought all suited her taste, clearly she and the young girl had similar preferences.

While eating, a maid trotted in, “Sanniang, Physician Chen has arrived.”

Zhao Hanzhang paused mid-bite, set down the pastry and had Ting He clear it away, asking, “Who summoned the imperial physician?”

While thinking about how to respond, she heard the little maid say, “Chengbo brought him. He said the master sent someone to summon him.”

Zhao Hanzhang called Ting He back and retrieved the pastry to continue eating, “Show him in.”

Physician Chen arrived carrying his medicine box. What he saw was a young lady sitting on the bed eating pastries. Seeing him enter, she even waved, “Physician Chen, would you like some refreshments first?”

Physician Chen: …

He looked at Chengbo suspiciously, “This is the household’s Sanniang?”

“Yes,” Chengbo replied, though also surprised, he quickly suppressed his astonishment and bowed, “Please examine our Sanniang, Physician.”

Physician Chen could only step forward. Zhao Hanzhang was also obedient, setting down her pastry and extending her hand, answering whatever was asked.

“Sanniang still can’t remember anything?”

“Not exactly. I can vaguely recall some things,” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Images keep flashing in my mind of someone coming to report that Erlang went outside the city, but what follows is complete chaos. Trying to think further brings splitting headaches and racing heartbeat.”

Physician Chen felt her pulse while watching her, asking, “What about people? Can you recognize people?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, “Aside from Erlang, I can only vaguely recall the maid who came to report, and only her appearance—I can’t remember her name.”

“You don’t even remember your parents and siblings?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed in acknowledgment, then asked with concern, “I wonder when I’ll remember. Mother comes to see me every day and cries terribly. Today I finally managed to coax her to rest.”

Physician Chen looked at her in silence for a long while, then withdrew his hand, “Sanniang should rest well. If you can’t remember, don’t force it, lest the condition worsen.”

He continued, “First recover your health. When the time is right, you’ll naturally remember.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed wholeheartedly, obediently nodding and saying “Yes.”

Physician Chen left a prescription and departed. Chengbo bowed to Zhao Hanzhang before following to see the physician out.

Physician Chen had barely left when the young girl’s mother, Wang Shi, hurried over. Her eyes were still red and swollen—clearly after Zhao Hanzhang had persuaded her to leave, she had cried again.

Upon entering, she stared intently at Zhao Hanzhang, rushing forward, “Sanniang, what did Physician Chen say?”

Zhao Hanzhang leaned against the bed feigning weakness, “The physician said there’s no serious problem, just that I still can’t remember things.”

Wang Shi’s eyes reddened again. She grasped Zhao Hanzhang’s hand, tears streaming down, “My poor child…”

Zhao Hanzhang let her hold on. In her presence, she couldn’t bring herself to call her “Mother.” This sister was about her own age—actually she was.

Don’t be deceived by her having a fourteen-year-old daughter—she herself was just in the prime of youth, only two years older than Zhao Hanzhang’s previous age.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t bring herself to call her “Mother,” yet couldn’t bear to see a young woman cry, so she quickly grasped her hand back and changed the subject, “How is Erlang?”

Wang Shi’s tears paused slightly. She used her handkerchief to dry her eyes, saying, “He’s still kneeling in the ancestral hall. This time your grandfather was truly angry and personally ordered the punishment.”

She paused, lowering her voice, “Not only Erlang—the second branch’s eldest daughter is also kneeling in the ancestral hall. Though your grandfather doesn’t stop us from sending food and drink, he won’t let them leave the ancestral hall. Every day they must not only kneel but also recite the family precepts and genealogy. You know Erlang is slow-witted. He can recite some of the genealogy, but the family precepts…”

Zhao Hanzhang pondered silently. Erlang—the original owner’s younger brother Zhao Yong—was only twelve years old this year.

She thought for a moment and looked at Ting He, “Go find Chengbo. Tell him that after taking my medicine I fell asleep, but accidentally had a nightmare. I’m now drenched in sweat and calling out for Erlang. Ask him to let Erlang come see me.”

Ting He looked at the young lady whose complexion was still rather rosy, wanting to speak but stopping. After a long moment, she curtsied in acknowledgment.

Qinggu, who had come with Wang Shi, immediately said, “I’ll go with you.”

Wang Shi felt uneasy, asking Zhao Hanzhang, “Wouldn’t this be deceiving your grandfather? If your grandfather found out…”

Zhao Hanzhang reassured her, “It’s fine. What happens in this courtyard that could be hidden from Grandfather? If he’s unwilling, he’ll naturally have Chengbo refuse.”

Chengbo didn’t refuse. So Zhao Erlang, pale-faced and unable to stand straight from kneeling, was supported and sent to Zhao Hanzhang’s Qingyi Pavilion. Only Zhao Danian, Zhao Hewan, remained kneeling in the ancestral hall.

Zhao Erlang was supported inside. Apart from memories, this was Zhao Hanzhang’s first time seeing this convenient younger brother in reality.

The twelve-year-old youth had grown tall and sturdy, his face chubby with baby fat. Upon entering, his gaze touched upon his sister reclining on the bed. Without warning, he opened his mouth and wailed loudly, “Sister, Sister, wahhh—”

Zhao Hanzhang was startled. Wang Shi also began crying, running forward to embrace her son, “Erlang…”

Zhao Erlang cried extremely loudly, tears flowing down his face like a breached dam, eyes tightly shut, supported by servants as he walked to the bedside and touched Zhao Hanzhang. Only then did his crying begin to quiet, but he still cried very sadly.

While crying, he struggled to open his eyes to look at Zhao Hanzhang. With each glance, he cried even louder.

Zhao Hanzhang: …

—