Chapter 41 - Best Strategy

Chapter 41: Chapter 35: Best Strategy"The letter was not written by me." Zhao Changyu handed the letter over to Zhao Hanzhang beside him.

Zhao Hanzhang took it and opened it, seeing the familiar handwriting on it, her brow twitched involuntarily.

Ma Jian’en’s gaze fell on Zhao Hanzhang, "The letter clearly states that it was written by the Shangcai Marquis’s granddaughter. This young lady must be the granddaughter mentioned in the letter."

Zhao Hanzhang had already read the letter, and calmly said, "This letter was not written by me."

"You say it’s not, so it’s not?"

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to a word in the letter and said, "You may not believe it when I say it, but the truth is I cannot write this ’讥’ character, and although the handwriting is closely imitated, there are still differences. If you don’t believe me, I will fetch another draft I wrote for you to see."

Zhao Hanzhang turned her head and said to Uncle Cheng, "Go look in the wastebasket in Grandfather’s study, there should be drafts that I’ve discarded in the past few days."

Uncle Cheng bowed in agreement and retreated to leave.

Soon, he returned with seven or eight crumpled sheets of paper and spread them out for Ma Jian’en to see.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "General Ma, if you find it difficult to distinguish, you can ask someone else to help. Wang Sima has great handwriting, and he recently mediated between Mr. Fu and me, maybe he would be willing to assist."

Ma Jian’en flipped through these drafts, raised his eyes to glance at her, and then said, "I will report this."

After speaking, he turned around to leave.

"Wait," Zhao Changyu called out to him, his face dark, "Although I don’t know who forged this letter, I can understand the underlying motive. I am already at the end of my strength, and the Zhao Family has little left to plot over. This person not only tries to sow discord between me and the Prince but also between the Prince and Your Majesty. It’s a ruthless threefold scheme. Please relay to the Prince that Changyu will not let the Prince be troubled, and also implore him not to fall into someone else’s trap, executing actions that pain friends and please foes."

Ma Jian’en looked back at Zhao Changyu and then left quickly.

As soon as he left, Zhao Changyu could no longer hold on and collapsed softly.

Supporting him all along, Zhao Hanzhang exerted herself to hold him, and whispered, "Grandfather..."

Zhao Zhongyu was greatly alarmed, quickly reaching out to support half of his body, "Brother!"

"Quickly, call for the doctor."

The crowd carried Zhao Changyu back into the house.

At this moment, they couldn’t leave, so they had to call the family’s doctor to take a look.

The doctor felt the pulse with a shock, lowered his eyes to listen carefully, and finally retreated to the outer room, whispering, "Second Senior Master, Third Lady, the master’s condition is already at the end of his strength."

"Nonsense, previously you said there were still three months to go, and now it hasn’t been long!"

"I dare not speak nonsense, the pulse truly indicates this; it is already weak and barely audible. If the family has anything to say, say it quickly, otherwise..."

Zhao Zhongyu opened his mouth, involuntarily looking towards Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s emotions surged, her fists clenched tightly.

She said nothing, turned and entered the inner chamber, sitting by the bed, watching Zhao Changyu with his eyes tightly closed.

She thought she wouldn’t be sad; Zhao Changyu was a historical figure, and his death was predestined, but...

This is a strange world, yet in this unfamiliar world, he was the one who trusted and cared for her the most. Even her original name was given by him anew.

Zhao Hanzhang thought they still had a long time to walk together, especially since he wanted to see her get married, see her settle into the Fu Family, then bring Mrs. Wang and Zhao Erlang over...

Her heart ached in waves, her eyes swollen and sore, momentarily unable to speak.

Mrs. Wang also heard the doctor’s words and couldn’t help but pull out a handkerchief to weep softly.

Zhao Changyu slowly opened his eyes, slightly turned his head towards them, his gaze swept over Mrs. Wang and Zhao Zhongyu, whose face was grim, finally landing on Zhao Hanzhang. He smiled and said, "It seems Grandfather has to break his promise and cannot send you off to marry."

Zhao Hanzhang could no longer hold back, tears falling one by one.

Zhao Changyu then reached out and patted her hand, sighed lightly, "Do not be mournful; death may not necessarily be the end."

"Grandfather..."

"Let’s skip the idle chatter and speak of something useful," Zhao Changyu spoke urgently, his face growing paler. He let Zhao Hanzhang help him sit up, "The letter was not written by us grandparents. Prince East Sea can naturally distinguish between drafts. However, even if he distinguishes it, he may not withdraw the troops. Over the years, there have been many cases where mistakes are just continued."

Zhao Zhongyu and others felt a chill down their spine; they knew too well the consequences of rectifying mistakes. None in this house might live to walk out.

"It is time and fate, happening so coincidentally. My life still has some purpose at this final moment."

Others were still confused, but Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Zhongyu’s expressions already changed, they spoke in unison, "No!"

Zhao Zhongyu’s face turned ashen, "Brother, the Zhao Family is also a venerable name with students and old acquaintances, with relatives and friends in the capital. How can we allow ourselves to be humiliated like this?"

"Even if it is Prince East Sea, so what," he paced angrily in place, his face green, "He is not worth us sacrificing a life over."

Zhao Changyu said calmly, "He has an army, and if he breaks in by force, what can you do?"

Zhao Zhongyu opened his mouth, and after a while, he slumped down by the bed, angrily slapping the bed board, "Then we die together, the future annals will surely record a note about him because of this."

Zhao Changyu took a deep sigh, turned his head toward Zhao Hanzhang, "What do you think?"

Zhao Hanzhang said softly, "The left side of the mansion connects to the Jia Family; select a few guards and let them take Second Son and First Daughter over the wall, offer the Jia Family a significant reward, ask them to send them out of Luoyang. Once outside the city gates, they can return home. We can hold out here for as long as possible."

Zhao Changyu looked at her approvingly, "Good child, your uncle’s plan is the worst, yours is moderate, but neither surpasses mine."

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes reddened, "Grandfather, don’t say that, I will hate him to death."

Zhao Changyu couldn’t help but laugh, "Silly child, the doctor said I am out of time."

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head in tears, "Doctor Chen said you could live until I get married. As long as you want to live, you can surely live."

"Living these few more months will only mean enduring a few more months of suffering," Zhao Changyu reached out to hold her hand, then extended his hand towards Zhao Erlang.

Mrs. Wang sobbed and pushed Zhao Erlang forward.

Zhao Changyu placed the siblings’ hands together, "Hanzhang, I entrust your brother to you."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded while crying.

Zhao Changyu caught his breath and looked towards Zhao Zhongyu, "I know you blame me for scolding you before, thinking I treated you lightly."

Zhao Zhongyu opened his mouth, eyes slightly red, shaking his head in denial, "No."

Zhao Changyu sighed, "Whether you did or not, I must go. I have given Third Lady the name Hanzhang."

"She has a temper like mine, rather strong. As an elder, do not bicker with her," Zhao Changyu released Zhao Erlang and placed a hand on the back of Zhao Zhongyu’s hand, his eyes slightly reddening, "The Zhao Family is entrusted to you. I have served as Clan Leader, and I know the affairs are complex, many a worry. When you reach that point, you will know, I was not mean to you, but there were things beyond my control. I always hoped you could be more promising, and stand by yourself."

Zhao Zhongyu’s inner emotions suddenly scattered, he withdrew his hand, tightly pursed his lips and asked, "In your heart, was I always incompetent?"