After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 32 - 26: Pride

Chapter 32: Chapter 26: Pride

As he left, Zhao Changyu leaned back on the couch, letting out a long sigh, his face full of worry.

One couldn’t tell whether he was worried about the Great Jin or the Zhao Family.

Zhao Changyu was immersed in his own thoughts, his gaze gradually settling on Zhao Hanzhang, who was brewing medicinal tea for him. He then said, "Third Lady, Fu Zhongshu suggested having Wang Yan take over Jingzhao County. What do you think?"

Zhao Changyu paused and then asked, "Do you know Wang Yan?"

Zhao Hanzhang searched her memory, coupled with historical records, and nodded, "I know. Fu Zhongshu wants to take this opportunity to support the current ruler, but Prince East Sea is domineering and arrogant. He probably won’t back down. This matter won’t succeed."

Zhao Changyu’s expression slightly softened, "But Fu Zhongshu still proposed it. Currently, our two families are connected by marriage. It’s reasonable for in-laws to stand together. What do you think of your granduncle’s suggestion?"

"Not much," Zhao Hanzhang said, "The Fu Family can make this proposal because they have Fu Zhongshu. Even if it doesn’t succeed, he can resist pressure from Prince East Sea. If it does succeed, it can restrain Prince East Sea. But for our family, grandfather is gravely ill and clearly can no longer protect the Zhao Family. For granduncle to get involved in this murky water and expect to come out unscathed is nearly impossible. By then, the Zhao Family might become the chicken slaughtered by Prince East Sea as a warning to others."

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled at this point, "By then, if the Fu Family becomes that monkey, it creates a chance for our two families to share adversity."

Zhao Changyu: ...How did he not notice before that his granddaughter had such a mischievous side?

Although he inwardly critiqued, Zhao Changyu felt very proud. This is his granddaughter, just fourteen years old, with wisdom no less than her granduncle.

After the pride came a bit of heartache and regret. Such a good child is destined to become someone else’s. It would be great if she were a boy.

If she were a boy, even if A Zhi died young, the main branch would not have lost its legacy, and the Zhao Family could still advance further.

Now, with the concession of giving the title to the secondary branch, Zhao Changyu, though silent, felt an infinite regret in his heart.

Seeing Zhao Changyu in silence for a long time, Zhao Hanzhang felt a bit anxious. Did she say something wrong?

"Grandfather?"

Zhao Changyu snapped back, glanced at her, and said, "Since you’re capable of thinking, think more about it. I’ll have someone open the West Corner Gate. From tomorrow, you can leave from there. You need to quickly gather the people in West City. I don’t have much time left."

Zhao Hanzhang: "In the household..."

"You don’t need to worry about the household. Since we’ve closed the doors to visitors, come every day to attend to the ill and copy scriptures for blessings for me."

Zhao Hanzhang happily agreed. She diligently poured tea for Zhao Changyu, "Grandfather, this is the medicinal tea prescribed by Doctor Chen. Uncle Cheng said it’s good for your health. Here, drink more."

Zhao Changyu reached out to take it as Uncle Cheng came in with a face full of joy to report, "Master, Mr. Fu Dalang is here to fulfill his filial duties for you."

Zhao Changyu glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, waved her away, "Go relay a message to your husband. Tell him I’ve received his filial intention."

Zhao Hanzhang stood up to comply, bowed, and took her leave.

Zhao Changyu watched her back with a delight he couldn’t quite shake. He furrowed his brows and asked Uncle Cheng again, "Are you sure they had no prior private interaction?"

It certainly doesn’t look like it.

Uncle Cheng also felt it was unlikely, "I’ve asked carefully. There’s been no interaction between the lady and Chang’an these years. Mr. Fu Dalang left the capital five years ago, five years ago..."

Five years ago, Zhao Hanzhang was just nine. Even if they knew each other or met, who would have thought of it in that way?

Zhao Changyu murmured, "Was it love at first sight?"

He felt troubled. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

"I hope she doesn’t become one of those women troubled by love..."

Uncle Cheng reassured him, "The lady wouldn’t. Master, you can see from her strategies these years. And in terms of emotions, who can surpass the position of Eldest Lady and Second Son in her heart?"

At this point, Zhao Changyu could only comfort himself with this, and after all, she is his own granddaughter. It’s better to give benefits to her than to the secondary branch.

Thinking this, Zhao Changyu revived himself and said to Uncle Cheng, "Bring the box from the second compartment on the left of the nightstand."

Uncle Cheng paused, "Wasn’t that meant for Second Old Master..." Catching Zhao Changyu’s gaze, he swallowed his remaining words and bowed, "Yes."

Zhao Changyu opened the box, took out the booklet, and began mulling over what to cross out, "The second one doesn’t grow, while Third Lady unexpectedly excels. Such is the world; the able take on more. Since she has this insight, give her more things."

Zhao Changyu was himself a miser. Delegating the main branch to the secondary branch was firstly for the bigger picture; secondly, for his grandchildren.

Now that his granddaughter proved capable, he naturally tried to redistribute as much as possible to Zhao Hanzhang.

For someone akin to a money-grubbing creature, restraining the urge to give good things to his own and transferring them to the secondary branch was difficult. If he weren’t rational enough, knowing it would harm them rather than benefit them to give the assets to Mrs. Wang and her son, he wouldn’t want to give the secondary branch any at all.

Now, Zhao Changyu used considerable willpower to choose, choosing and sorting some, carefully checking with Uncle Cheng to determine which could be privately given to Zhao Hanzhang and which must be given openly.

Thus, items began to be added to Zhao Hanzhang’s dowry list.

Zhao Hanzhang, meeting Fu Tinghan in the garden, knew nothing of this. She dismissed the servants, had them stand far away, and excitedly said to Fu Tinghan, "Today, I acquired another asset."

Fu Tinghan: "...Your family is so wealthy?"

The assets enough to make Zhao Hanzhang radiant must be considerable.

Zhao Hanzhang modestly said, "Quite a bit, mainly due to my grandfather’s saving habits."

Fu Tinghan didn’t expect her to integrate so well, already comfortably calling Zhao Changyu grandfather.

He was happy for her, and a bit envious, "Shall we start learning refined language today?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "With Professor Fu’s intelligence, you should quickly grasp it."

After all, he also had the original memory.

Fu Tinghan smiled, "I’m not very gifted in languages, so I might trouble Teacher Zhao quite a bit."

"You just come along. I should be home every afternoon."

"Afternoon?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "Yes, I have to manage assets in the morning."

She paused and said, "I originally wanted to show you, but I haven’t got them under control yet. Taking you there suddenly might create complications, so we need to wait a bit."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "I can wait for you."

Zhao Hanzhang was very pleased with his thoughtfulness and smiled, "Then it’s settled. You’ll come every afternoon, I’ll teach you refined language, and we’ll discuss our situations? You aren’t very familiar with this era, right? I’m more familiar and can help you integrate the memory and adapt to this era."

Fu Tinghan nodded.

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