Chapter 24 - Comforting

Chapter 24: Chapter 18 ComfortingWang Si Niang and Wang Xuan escorted Third Sister Zhao back to the Zhao Family. The brother and sister stood at the entrance of the house and sighed in unison.

Wang Xuan turned his head to look at his sister, "I’m sighing for the Shangcai Marquis. Who are you sighing for?"

Wang Si Niang replied, "I’m sighing for you, brother. Such a fine piece of jade, and you couldn’t seize it."

Wang Xuan tapped her on the head, "You’re only fourteen, why are you so worried?"

Wang Xuan frowned, "Fourteen, it’s indeed time to discuss marriage."

Wang Si Niang looked at him in horror, just about to get angry when Wang Xuan already said with a serious face, "Your marriage needs to be settled as soon as possible. Tomorrow I have a discussion meeting, will you accompany me?"

Wang Si Niang suppressed her anger and fell silent.

As wise as she was, she naturally understood her brother’s intention. Wang Xuan said, "Before Father remembers your marriage, let’s settle it first, and it will also be a good story."

"Will Father agree?"

Wang Xuan pulled her along, "As the eldest brother, I have the authority of a father. As long as I agree, it’s settled. Father is a scholar, and once spoken, he won’t go back on his word."

As long as the chosen family isn’t too poor.

Zhao Hanzhang returned to Qingyi Pavilion and hadn’t even had a chance to sit down for a sip of tea when Mrs. Wang came crying, "Third Sister, your grandfather has submitted a petition to appoint the princely heir."

Zhao Hanzhang first looked at Qing Gu, saw her nod, and then put down the teacup, "I know."

Mrs. Wang held her hand and cried, "Erlang is useless. I thought of going to your grandfather to complain, but Qing Gu said you hold more weight with your grandfather. Third Sister, while it’s not yet dark, quickly go plead with your grandfather and have him withdraw the petition."

"Mother, how can a petition that’s already been submitted be taken back?" She glanced around the room and gestured for everyone to leave, not even keeping Qing Gu and Ting He, "Mother, Grandfather left us things."

"What things can compare to a title?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Even the emperor above has been replaced frequently; what’s the use of an empty title when the ruler of the Capital City changes every other year?"

Mrs. Wang paused her hand that was wiping tears.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice, "Grandfather gave us practical things."

Mrs. Wang put down her handkerchief, looking at her with expectation, "What things?"

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, "Mother, Erlang and I are Grandfather’s biological grandchildren. Do you think those things would be few?"

"Whatever gold, silver, jewels, shops, and lands there should be, there will be."

Mrs. Wang pondered, "But can we keep these things?"

Would you also think about this question?

Zhao Hanzhang said, "There’s a way. I get engaged, and these are listed on the dowry list. Get someone to notarize it, and no one can take them away."

She said, "When my brother grows up, I’ll split half with him."

Mrs. Wang’s eyes lit up, "This is a good idea, but where can we find a suitable marriage in such a short time? You can’t just promise a marriage for the sake of assets."

Mrs. Wang was unwilling. Marrying off is equivalent to a woman’s second birth, and her daughter didn’t get it right the first time, so she must choose well for marriage.

She thought, "Didn’t your grandfather want to arrange a marriage for you before? I wonder who the groom is..."

Although she was quite dissatisfied with her father-in-law for giving the title to the second branch, she still trusted that he would arrange a reliable marriage for Third Sister.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I know, it’s the eldest grandson of Fu Zhongshu."

Mrs. Wang was pleasantly surprised, "Is it the Fu Family? The eldest son of Princess Hongnong?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Mrs. Wang stood up excitedly, spun in place twice, and said, "This marriage is good. It’s both a royal relation, and the Fu Family has prestige. Marrying into them means the second branch wouldn’t dare to slight us. When you get married, you can take me and Erlang with you."

Zhao Hanzhang only wanted to temporarily bind herself to Professor Fu to prevent Zhao Changyu from arranging another marriage for her, and for Professor Fu to also not have freedom in the future.

To find a way back, frequent secret meetings would be indispensable, and being engaged makes it much more convenient.

"So Mother, let’s concede a bit on the title. Let’s urge Grandfather to settle this marriage and ask for more family assets, isn’t that better than stubbornly holding onto the title?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "In these chaotic times, being a Family Head isn’t easy. Do you think Erlang can be a good head of a family or clan?"

Mrs. Wang felt somewhat awkward. Zhao Erlang barely recognized a few words; how could he become a clan leader?

The clan wouldn’t agree either.

Mrs. Wang eventually sighed, "I understand."

Zhao Hanzhang, seeing that she had calmed her, smiled slightly, holding her hand, "If nothing unexpected happens, the edict will come tomorrow. By then, we’ll happily go congratulate the second branch, giving them enough face. It’ll help during the division of assets later."

Mrs. Wang unwillingly agreed, "And the matter of them tricking Erlang out of town and causing you to fall off a horse, are we just letting it go?"

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, "The future is long, there’s plenty of time."

Mrs. Wang didn’t hold much hope. Erlang was useless, and she didn’t want her daughter to always remember this grudge. Sometimes she just wanted to vent by speaking quickly and express her dissatisfaction.

But deep down, she knew, unless Zhao Erlang suddenly became enlightened, in this lifetime, the main family wouldn’t be able to surpass the second branch, and this justice naturally couldn’t be obtained.

Now, even with her father-in-law present, justice couldn’t be obtained, let alone in the future.

Mrs. Wang hesitated for a moment, also afraid Zhao Third Sister would get stuck on this, and finally said, "Forget it, we won’t stoop to their level."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at her, "I know, Mother, rest assured."

She looked outside, "It’s getting late, have them set the table. After eating, let’s go back and rest early. Tomorrow, we’ll dress up nicely, full of spirit to watch the second branch receive the edict."

Mrs. Wang reluctantly agreed, but the next day she still found a set of dignified and beautiful clothes to wear and took special care to dress up her daughter.

As for Erlang, just any clothes would do.

Early in the morning, Mrs. Wang was seated with dignity in the main room of her courtyard, keeping someone by the second gate to keep watch, just to proudly appear before the Angel at the first opportunity. Little did she know that she was waiting for the Fu Family’s people before the Angel arrived.

A maid ran in, "Fu Zhongshu with Mr. Fu Dalang brought many gifts to pay respects to the Master."

Mrs. Wang stood up immediately, excitedly asking, "Where are they? Where have they been invited to?"

"Because the second elder master is also present, they’ve been invited to the front hall."

Upon hearing that the second elder master was present, Mrs. Wang immediately worried, "He wouldn’t mess things up, would he?"

With just some rumors before, they already acted to harm others. Now with the people coming, wouldn’t he obstruct this marriage?

Thinking this wouldn’t do, Mrs. Wang took a step forward, Qing Gu, fearing she would act rashly and spoil things, quickly held her back, "Madam, take Third Sister along."

"Third Sister is a young lady; how can she discuss her marriage?"

"But our Third Sister is not an ordinary young lady. Since the Master wants the family assets to be part of her dowry, it’s evident he’s entrusting you and Erlang to Third Sister. In the future, this family, regardless of the second house, at least for our main house, will be managed by Third Sister. Naturally, she has a say in her marriage, and the Master is likely to inquire her opinion."

Mrs. Wang tightly clenched her fists, "But her leg is still injured now; how can she meet guests?"

What if the Fu family sees and dislikes it?