Chapter 45 - Death Announcement

Chapter 45: Chapter 39: Death AnnouncementFu Tinghan didn’t anticipate there would be so many twists and turns in this, he opened his mouth and then lowered his head to reply: "Yes, grandson will go to the Wang Family immediately."

Fu Zhi instructed: "Avoid Wang Yan, he is someone who seeks profit and avoids harm, he definitely will not want the Wang Family siblings involved."

Fu Tinghan agreed.

Before dawn, as the curfew lifting bell sounded outside, Fu Zhi changed into his official robes and went out.

After seeing him off, Fu Tinghan went back to his room, pouring all the cash into a cloth bag to carry with him.

Fu An watched in surprise, "My lord, what are you doing?"

"Smoothing the path with bribes, these all require money," Fu Tinghan thought for a moment, opened the jewelry box, and poured the jade and gold and silver ornaments into the bag as well.

Fu An was so frightened his face turned white and quickly tried to stop him, "My lord, there’s no need for that much, just tipping off the servants with a hundred coins would suffice."

Fu Tinghan glanced at him and did not compromise. He was not going just to the Wang Family, after all. Holding a bag of money, he stepped out, "Let’s go, to the Wang Family first."

Not to mention him, even the original resident wasn’t familiar with the Capital City. He left the Capital City at eleven years old and was gone for five years. Many of his old friends were no longer in the Capital and those who were, were unfamiliar. After thinking through, the only ones he could turn to now were the Wang Family siblings.

Fu Tinghan, holding the money bag, headed straight for the Wang Family.

On the other side at the Zhao Family, just as Fu Tinghan left, Zhao Zhongyu had someone open the storeroom and take out the mourning garments and white banners that had been prepared ahead of time.

This was something the Zhao Family had prepared in advance. Zhao Changyu had been ill for some time. More than half a year ago, he had fallen severely ill, and Emperor Hui had even drafted a posthumous name for him, but perhaps uneasy about the young Third Sister Zhao and Zhao Erlang, he pulled through.

It was after that recovery that he started thinking about arranging a marriage for Third Sister Zhao.

It was only after communicating with Fu Zhi, and realizing they shared the same intention, that he revealed his thoughts. However, before he could inform Mrs. Wang and Third Sister Zhao about which family was chosen, an incident occurred.

The burlap and white banners were taken out, and the servants, filled with unease, quietly hung the burlap and white banners.

Qing Gu brought some mourning clothes, approached Zhao Hanzhang who was still kneeling by the bedside, and softly said, "Third Lady, change into mourning garments first."

Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze from Zhao Changyu and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who will help Grandfather change into burial clothes?"

"The Princely Heir will bring Dalang over soon."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, braced against the bed, and, with Qing Gu, went to change into mourning garments.

At the break of dawn, everyone in the Zhao Mansion was dressed in burlap and white banners. Zhao Hanzhang called Zhao Erlang, handed him the prepared white linen, and paused at the door when she saw the ceremonial mourning staff beside it.

Zhao Dalang noticed, flushed with embarrassment, and quickly picked up the staff, "Father is dressing the Granduncle in burial clothes, I will give it to him in a moment."

Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward, took the ceremonial staff from him, and said nonchalantly, "Give it to me and Erlang. We will take the staff."

"This..."

Zhao Hanzhang easily took the bamboo staff from his hands and turned to hand it to Zhao Erlang. She took the remaining one by the door herself, "The Granduncle and your father are still here, Dalang carrying it is inappropriate."

Zhao Dalang watched, face bright red, as she took the ceremonial staff and walked away. He hurried to catch up, "Third Sister, aren’t you going to wait for Grandfather and Father?"

Zhao Hanzhang stopped and said, "Then please, Dalang, invite Granduncle."

Overnight, Zhao Zhongyu seemed to age significantly, with visible gray hair at his temples. When he saw Zhao Hanzhang holding the ceremonial staff, he frowned slightly and looked at Zhao Dalang, "Where’s your father?"

Zhao Dalang lowered his head and replied, "Father is dressing the Granduncle in mourning garments."

Only then did Zhao Zhongyu’s expression soften slightly, and he said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Give the ceremonial staff to your Uncle. Let him wear the mourning garb and keep vigil for your Grandfather. Since he inherited the title, it’s his duty to fulfill this responsibility."

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression improved a bit, as she handed the staff to Zhao Dalang, turned around, took the white hemp band from Zhao Erlang, straightened her back and said, "Granduncle, please."

Zhao Zhongyu didn’t move and stared at her, asking, "Third Lady, are you sure you want to do this yourself?"

He said, "This can be handled by your uncle."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "There’s no one more appropriate than us siblings, Granduncle. Let’s go."

She knew well that they were actually afraid and didn’t want to open the door to face the soldiers outside. After all, one mishap, and if the other side really started a fight, death would be instantaneous.

The memorial report had already been sent out, and they could hide at home and wait for news. There was a good chance that Prince East Sea would withdraw troops as if nothing happened.

But why should they?

Her Grandfather died, for the Zhao Family, for the Great Jin, because of the power struggle between Prince East Sea and the Emperor.

She wanted everyone to know why Zhao Changyu had died.

Zhao Hanzhang walked resolutely towards the outside.

Zhao Zhongyu could only follow.

The heavy doors of the Zhao Mansion opened slowly to both sides, the soldiers standing outside hearing the commotion turned their heads solemnly and gripped the hilts of their swords and spears tightly.

As the door opened slowly, the military advisor guarding the gate stared intently at the door, hand on the hilt of his waist knife, poised to draw and attack.

In full mourning attire, Zhao Hanzhang was the first to cross the threshold, her snow-white face lifted to meet the military advisor’s gaze directly.

The military advisor was slightly startled, surprised to see the mourning garments they were wearing.

The sharp-eyed military advisor noticed the white linen tied around Zhao Zhongyu’s waist as he followed a step behind, causing his forehead to twitch.

Within the Zhao Mansion, only one person’s death could make Zhao Zhongyu don a mourning band.

Sure enough, Zhao Hanzhang lifted her head to glance at him before kneeling, and raised the white linen high above her head, her eyes reddened as she cried loudly, "Zhao Family’s Third Lady, and younger brother Erlang report the death to Prince East Sea, Grandfather Zhao died last night!"

The military advisor swallowed nervously and looked at the white linen thrust towards him, his hands tightened; to take it or not.

When his sister knelt, Zhao Erlang followed suit. Seeing the other party not accepting the white linen and his sister about to remain kneeling, he widened his eyes to glare at them.

Zhao Zhongyu stood behind the siblings saying, "The dead hold the greatest weight. My elder brother worked tirelessly for the Great Jin all his life, even if there are no achievements, there was still hard labor. Now that he has passed, he leaves behind only these young siblings, is even report of death to be obstructed?"

The military advisor gripped his sword tighter and said, "The Prince has ordered that no one leaves the Zhao Mansion until matters are clear."

Zhao Zhongyu retorted, "You cannot make the call, perhaps you should call General Ma, I doubt he dares to block our report of death, doesn’t he fear the public’s opinion?"

Zhao Hanzhang held the white linen high, choking as she shouted loudly, "Zhao Family’s Third Lady, and younger brother Erlang report the bereavement to all relatives and friends, Grandfather Zhao passed away last night! Please, military advisor, take the linen."

The military advisor silently stared at the linen in her hand, his face tense, as his fist tightened and loosened repeatedly.