After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 35 - 29: Dowry List

Chapter 35: Chapter 29: Dowry List

Zhao Hanzhang watched him walk away, then turned and headed back to Qingyi Pavilion. There were some matters she needed to rethink.

Zhao Hanzhang took out a large sheet of paper and began listing her liquid assets, but before she finished, noises started outside.

Zhao Hanzhang paused her writing, rolled up the paper, and threw it into the brazier to burn. Just as she settled down, Ting He rushed in, "Third Lady, the master is critically ill, and the second family has already come over."

Zhao Hanzhang stood up in surprise, "Send someone to invite Mother and Second Son. You stay here and guard the main family’s entrance."

Ting He paused, bowed, and agreed.

When Zhao Hanzhang arrived at the main courtyard, it was silent. Zhao Zhongyu stood in the courtyard with his family.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang supporting Mrs. Wang and Zhao Erlang over, he nodded at them.

Mrs. Wang, supported by Zhao Hanzhang, stepped forward respectfully and saluted, "Second Uncle."

"Hmm," Zhao Zhongyu nodded slightly and glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before saying, "Doctor Chen is treating him. Let’s wait."

Mrs. Wang bowed her head in agreement.

Feeling her mother’s fear, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows, looking at Zhao Zhongyu nonchalantly.

Zhao Zhongyu had already turned to stare at the door, looking worried.

After a while, Uncle Cheng came out, bowed after greeting, and said, "Second Master, let the gentlemen and ladies return. The master has taken medicine and is already much better."

Zhao Zhongyu asked, "He was fine, how did my brother’s illness suddenly worsen?"

This was also what Zhao Hanzhang wanted to ask. When she left in the morning, he was fine. How did he become critically ill by noon?

Uncle Cheng sighed, "The master’s health was never good. Recently, both national and family matters have been overwhelming, weighing heavily on his mind...

He sighed deeply again.

Zhao Zhongyu understood what the national matters were, "Everything is well at home. Why is my brother worried?"

Uncle Cheng kept his head down and didn’t answer, urging instead, "Second Master, let the gentlemen and ladies return. It’s getting dark, and the dew is heavy. It wouldn’t be good to catch a cold."

Zhao Hanzhang closely watched Uncle Cheng’s profile and suddenly said, "Uncle Cheng, I want to stay and take care of Grandfather."

She lightly pinched Mrs. Wang while speaking.

Mrs. Wang immediately understood and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, let Third Lady and Second Son stay and attend to him. Seeing them, Father-in-law might recover."

Before the second family could speak, Uncle Cheng sighed, "Then let the madam and Second Son, Third Lady stay. It happens that the master has things to say to you."

Zhao Zhongyu swallowed his words, turned to instruct Zhao Ji, "Let them return, and you stay to attend."

Zhao Ji agreed, letting Mrs. Wu take the children back while he and Zhao Zhongyu stayed.

Uncle Cheng lifted his head slightly, satisfied to see those who should stay had stayed, his eyes lowered, glancing at Zhao Erlang with some hesitation. Second Son... was he suitable to be present?

While he hesitated, Zhao Hanzhang had already made the decision for him, "Second Son, when we go in, ask Grandfather about his health and behave well, understand?"

Zhao Erlang nodded obediently.

Uncle Cheng stopped worrying about him and turned to invite everyone inside.

The room was filled with a strong medicinal scent.

Zhao Hanzhang:...‍ Her new grandfather was quite particular and wouldn’t allow such a strong medicinal smell in his room.

Her heart eased a little. Upon entering the inner chamber, she saw Doctor Chen administering acupuncture, while Zhao Changyu lay pale on the bed.

They stood by the screen, Zhao Hanzhang whispered to Uncle Cheng, "What did Doctor Chen say?"

Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji perked up their ears.

Uncle Cheng sighed and shook his head, "Last night, I barely slept for two hours before feeling a burning sensation in my heart, then I couldn’t sleep at all. Today, I only ingested a bowl of rice soup, the rest is all medicine."

Nonsense, in the morning, both of them ate breakfast together. Zhao Changyu indeed had a poor appetite, but he still managed a bowl of porridge and slowly chewed a bun.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face was full of concern, "Did Grandfather vomit again this afternoon?"

Uncle Cheng paused, then nodded, "Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and after showing some redness, she choked and said, "Always being unable to eat, how can this be good?"

Mrs. Wang, unaware of the details, felt as if her heart was on fire, shaking Zhao Hanzhang’s hand.

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression was also gloomy. Although his relationship with his brother was not great, he equally didn’t want anything to happen to Zhao Changyu, as he was the Zhao family’s pillar.

Thus, he was the first to lose patience and asked, "Is there a way to treat him?"

Uncle Cheng remained silent. Zhao Changyu’s illness was not recent; he had been sick on and off for half a year, getting worse each day. Last winter, many thought he wouldn’t survive, and it was said that Emperor Hui had even prepared his posthumous title.

Who would have thought that Emperor Hui passed away, yet he still lived.

To survive the winter and endure the coldness of early spring until today was already quite extraordinary.

Uncle Cheng believed that the master held on firstly because of his concerns for Zhao Erlang and Third Sister Zhao, and secondly because he couldn’t let go of the Zhao family.

Zhao Zhongyu thought the same, so after some hesitation, he stepped forward to hold Zhao Changyu’s hand once Doctor Chen had removed the needles, "Brother, you need to recover quickly, Third Sister and Second Son are still waiting for your guidance."

Zhao Changyu opened his eyes, stared at Zhao Zhongyu for a moment, then said, "Second Son is simple and honest. No amount of teaching will make him shrewd and capable. Let him be as he is. I only hope the Zhao family’s fortune and virtue can protect him, and that he may live a lifetime of peace."

"As for Third Sister," Zhao Changyu paused before continuing, "I’ve arranged a marriage for her. You were present that day."

"Yes, the Fu Family is honorable, and Fu Dalang is of good character and appearance. Rest assured, Brother, he will treat Third Sister well in the future."

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but look at their hands clasped together. This comfort was really insincere. When did Zhao Zhongyu gain authority over the Fu Family?

No wonder Zhao Changyu refused to pass on. Even she couldn’t rest peacefully.

Yet, Zhao Changyu showed agreement with Zhao Zhongyu, nodding, "Both of them are good children. Zizhuang’s character is praiseworthy, so I feel assured entrusting Third Sister to their family. After I’m gone, do look after the young couple."

Zhao Zhongyu agreed wholeheartedly.

"I’ve been recuperating these past few days, but there has been no improvement; my body feels heavier each day. I think my time is near," Zhao Changyu said, "I want to arrange the dowry for Third Sister and the future betrothal gift for Second Son before I go, even if I don’t get to see them continue our family line. I will at least know they are settled and be at peace."

What could Zhao Zhongyu say? He could only nod in agreement.

Zhao Changyu then looked to Uncle Cheng.

Uncle Cheng brought over a tray with two scrolls of silk upon it. One roll was particularly thick, filled with densely written characters listing various gold and silver items, paintings, jade, and manor shops.

Zhao Zhongyu reached out to take it, giving it a cursory glance, "Is this the betrothal gift for Second Son?"

More than the entire property of their second house.

"No, this is Third Sister’s dowry. That smaller scroll is for Second Son."

Zhao Zhongyu turned to look at the much smaller roll of silk, momentarily speechless.