Chapter 40 - Surrounded

Chapter 40: Chapter 34: SurroundedEver since Zhao Changyu intended for the secondary branch to inherit his title, household affairs were mostly handed over to the secondary branch for handling.

And after Zhao Ji was appointed as the Princely Heir, Zhao Changyu entrusted everything except matters concerning Mrs. Wang and Zhao Hanzhang’s courtyard to the couple, even gradually transferring the family industries to them.

If it weren’t for needing Zhao Cai’s servant contract this time, she hadn’t realized that the head branch’s domestic servants’ contracts, except for a few like Uncle Cheng serving the main courtyard and Mrs. Wang’s dowry, were all in Mrs. Wu’s hands.

Mrs. Wu was observing her three daughters calculating with an abacus, teaching them how to manage the household. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang come over, she couldn’t help but smile, "Third Lady, how come you have the time to visit today? How is your grandfather and mother’s health?"

The three of Zhao Dalang stood and greeted, "Third Sister."

Zhao Hanzhang returned the courtesy with a smile, greeting them one by one before answering: "Grandfather is as usual, and mother’s health is still good."

She wasn’t courteous, getting straight to the point, "Aunt, you know I am arranging my dowry and need some helpers. Like Ting He, who has been accustomed to serving by my side, I must take her with me. But when I went to look for their servant contracts, I found the head branch’s servant contracts are all here with Aunt."

"So I boldly came to trouble you, hoping to take back their contracts to show Grandfather, discuss who to take away, and see your opinion..."

Mrs. Wu, after a moment of surprise, said: "That’s my mistake, I’ve been too busy these days and forgot, your wedding date is set so hastily, and it’s time to prepare the dowry’s servants."

She quickly turned her head to order, "Quickly fetch that box of contracts and let Third Lady choose her dowry companions."

The servants responded and, after a long time, came out hugging a big box.

Mrs. Wu took the key to open the box and smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, "This box hasn’t been opened since it got to me. I don’t know how many people you wish to take with you. Hadn’t you sought your mother’s opinion?"

She opened the box and pushed it over for Zhao Hanzhang to choose.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced through the contracts in the box, and although she just skimmed it, she could see these were indeed the head branch’s servant contracts.

She closed the box, "There are too many people, besides I shouldn’t decide alone on dowry servants. It’s better I take these contracts back to discuss with Mother, then decide."

Mrs. Wu said: "If that’s the case, why don’t you discuss it with your mother first? Once the decision is made, give me the list, and I’ll retrieve the contracts for you."

"This back and forth is too troublesome, furthermore troubling you, Aunt," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Since the box has been opened today, why not let me take it back, I’ll return it once the list is finalized."

Mrs. Wu thought of the argument with Zhao Ji the other day, opened her mouth, but still squeezed out a smile and said: "Very well, then take the box over."

Zhao Hanzhang signaled Ting He to carry the box away.

She smiled falsely to bid farewell, the other party smiled falsely to send her off.

Ting He happily hugged the box, "Third Lady, their smiles are stiff."

Zhao Hanzhang said: "Let’s quickly go back and pick out our desired people."

"Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang first sifted out the servants of Ting He and Zhao Cai’s contracts, "Bring the list we drafted before."

Ting He agreed, and trotted to the study to fetch the list, only to bump into the little maid Zui’er who came rushing, both falling backward in unison. Ting He cursed: "Are you courting death, what’s the rush?"

Zui’er ignored the pain and shouted into the room through the door, "Third Lady, our mansion is surrounded by soldiers."

"What?" Zhao Hanzhang strode out, "By whom are we surrounded?"

"I don’t know, but Er Zhong from the West Corner Gate just came in to report that soldiers suddenly came to block the West Corner Gate, and when I looked to the front, the gate also seemed surrounded."

Zhao Hanzhang promptly walked out, instructing, "Ting He, go find Qing Gu, have her take Mother and Second Son to the main courtyard, control the servants from our three courtyards, no one should move recklessly, any violator will be sent to the estate afterward."

"Yes."

When Zhao Hanzhang arrived at the main courtyard, Zhao Ji just happened to rush over with Mrs. Wu and Zhao Dalang.

Zhao Hanzhang paused her steps, scanned behind him, and asked, "Uncle, where is Uncle Cheng?"

"Inside."

Zhao Hanzhang hurried inside with them, just as Zhao Zhongyu was supporting the pale-faced Zhao Changyu to sit on the couch.

That complexion didn’t look good, and Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but feel anxious, stepping forward, "Grandfather..."

Zhao Changyu waved a hand at her to indicate he was fine, saying, "I have already sent someone to investigate, everyone wait a bit, since things are unclear, don’t be overly afraid."

Zhao Zhongyu looked at Zhao Ji and Zhao Dalang seriously, "You two haven’t caused problems outside recently?"

"No, Father, it’s a tumultuous time, how could I and Dalang cause trouble?"

"Then why on earth is our mansion surrounded?"

It wasn’t him, and the ones going out recently were only Zhao Ji and Zhao Yi. If not them, who?

Zhao Changyu calmly raised his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang also frantically recalled her recent activities, finding no wrongdoing or excess on her part. She shook her head at Zhao Changyu, feeling even more anxious.

Zhao Changyu pondered, "It might not be the children’s fault, maybe it’s ours."

"Ours?" Zhao Zhongyu: "But Elder Brother is resting at home due to illness, not attending court for a long time. I hardly deal with national affairs. How could we commit any offense?"

"Master of the house, there is a guest in the front hall." Uncle Cheng silently came in from outside the door and reported softly.

"Do you know who it is?"

"General Ma Jian’en from under Prince East Sea."

Zhao Changyu, quickly thinking it through, already guessed the reason. He extended his hand toward Zhao Hanzhang, "Let’s go, take a look."

Zhao Hanzhang supported Zhao Changyu and walked out.

Zhao Ji, anxious and uneasy, supported Zhao Changyu on the other side as they headed out.

In the front hall, a tall man in armor stood, turning around upon hearing the commotion.

Seeing Zhao Changyu, he was slightly surprised, not expecting him to be so gravely ill.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Jian’en still stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute, "Shangcai Marquis, Prince has instructed me to ask Shangcai Marquis a few questions."

Zhao Changyu stabilized himself with Zhao Hanzhang’s hand, nodded slightly, "Go ahead."

He was neither obsequious nor arrogant, not bending his waist.

Ma Jian’en pursed his lips, displeased, then said: "Prince asks Shangcai Marquis if he has the Prince in his heart, if he has the Great Jin’s empire and the Great Jin’s common people?"

Zhao Changyu: "Why does Prince have these three questions?"

Ma Jian’en then pulled out a letter from his bosom, handing it over, "Shangcai Marquis, this is evidence of your involvement in inciting rebellion against the Prince. Do you acknowledge or deny?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes widened, glancing at Zhao Changyu before stepping forward to receive the letter, then turned and handed it to Zhao Changyu with both hands.

Zhao Changyu opened it, quickly scanning through, and after a moment, couldn’t utter a word.