Chapter 48 - Escaping Danger

Chapter 48: Chapter 42: Escaping Dangernσvel.cømIt was not until evening that Zhao Hanzhang arrived at the Fu Family’s door with Zhao Erlang. Fu Zhi had been waiting at the door early. As they kneeled, he stepped forward to support them, sighing, "It’s been hard on you two children."

He took a piece of hemp cloth and tied it to his arm, sighing softly, "Go back. Today, His Majesty has issued a decree for a grand funeral for your grandfather. People from the Ministry of Rites have also gone to assist with the funeral arrangements. If you have any requests, just let them know."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang realized that things had progressed as Zhao Changyu had hoped, and the Zhao Family was safe.

She exhaled deeply and bowed deeply to Fu Zhi, "Thank you, Grandfather Fu."

Fu Zhi looked at Fu Tinghan, "Send Third Sister and Erlang back. As the grandson-in-law, you should fulfill your filial duties at the Zhao Family. No need to rush back."

Fu Tinghan agreed, stepping forward to support Zhao Hanzhang, whose face was pale. She had been walking all day, kneeling all day, and was hungry all day. No matter how good her health was, she couldn’t hold on.

"Let’s take the carriage back."

"Take my carriage, take my carriage," Wang Si Niang ran up from behind, pointing to her ox cart, "Take my cart, it’s stable."

Zhao Hanzhang thanked her, and with Fu Tinghan’s help, she got into the cart. Zhao Erlang followed in a daze, still feeling like he was in a dream.

He couldn’t help but lean towards his sister, squeezing her and whispering, "Sister, will I wake up after dawn?"

Zhao Hanzhang reached out and touched his head, "The day has already dawned; this is not a dream."

Zhao Erlang’s body stiffened, "Then Grandfather..."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Grandfather has reunited with Father."

She pointed to the stars that had appeared in the sky at some point, "See, they’ve turned into stars up there, watching over us."

Zhao Erlang looked up at the sky, dumbfounded, "The stars are so far apart, can Grandfather and Father sit together and eat?"

"They can," Zhao Hanzhang said, "The sky isn’t dark enough yet, so there are only a few stars visible. When it gets darker, the sky will be full of stars. When you look up then, they’ll be gathered close together like a family. Not just eating, they can sleep together too."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Erlang relaxed, "So Grandfather won’t be lonely. When I die, I’ll go find Grandfather too. I want to eat with him, ride horses together, and I want him to praise me. I’ve been very obedient to Mother lately and have learned two new characters..."

Zhao Hanzhang quietly listened, holding him in her arms, gently patting his back, "Yes, Erlang has been very good lately."

Wang Si Niang, listening from the side, was tearful and couldn’t help but complain to her older brother, "Prince East Sea is too wicked. Everyone knows that letter was forged, yet he didn’t even investigate..."

"Mind your words," Wang Xuan scolded softly, "Speak recklessly again, and I’ll ground you."

Wang Si Niang pouted in grievance but obediently closed her mouth.

The Wang siblings accompanied Zhao Hanzhang and her brother to the door of the Zhao Mansion, followed by the young men who also stopped.

Zhao Hanzhang, holding Zhao Erlang, bowed deeply to the young men who had accompanied them all day.

The young men returned the courtesy.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Wang Xuan and Wang Si Niang, softly saying, "Thank you."

Wang Xuan sighed, "Mr. Zhao was righteous, and we feel unworthy."

Fu Tinghan also bowed to everyone, "Thank you all for your help today."

One of the young men cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Fu, remember this favor. In the future, just treat us to a drink."

The gate of the Zhao Mansion was already draped with white cloth and banners, and the lanterns had been changed to white.

A servant saw Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlang return and immediately greeted them, "Third Sister, Erlang, the spirit hall is set up, and the whole family is there guarding the spirit and mourning."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, "We’ll go there now."

The servant then looked at Fu Tinghan with difficulty, "Mr. Fu..."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "He will stay here tonight to guard Grandfather’s spirit. Where’s Uncle Cheng?"

The servant quickly said, "Uncle Cheng is in the spirit hall."

Zhao Hanzhang then led Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang to the spirit hall.

The spirit hall was already set up, and Zhao Changyu had been placed into the casket, though it had not yet been sealed.

Zhao Ji was leading the family in mourning. Upon seeing the siblings return, Mrs. Wang, who had been anxious and uneasy, was instantly relieved. She rushed forward to hold Zhao Hanzhang and examine her, "Are you hurt?"

Zhao Hanzhang reassured her, "No, it was very peaceful today."

Mrs. Wang wiped the tears from her face and led Zhao Hanzhang to the altar, "Quickly, offer incense to your grandfather."

Zhao Ji waited for the siblings to finish offering incense before stepping forward anxiously asking, "How is the situation outside?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The Zhao Family’s crisis has been averted. Uncle should have received His Majesty’s decree already, right?"

Zhao Ji exhaled deeply, "Yes, although Prince East Sea has withdrawn his troops, I still feel uneasy. Is the situation outside okay?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Today, we were fortunate to have Wang Meizi and Wang Si Niang, along with many young talents accompanying and protecting us. I believe that from today onwards, be it Prince East Sea or the Emperor, they will think twice before acting against the Zhao Family again."

Zhao Ji was surprised, "Wang Xuan? We don’t have much of a relationship with Wang Yan, right?"

Yes, from your form of address, you can tell. Nowadays, people prefer to directly call by courtesy names for those they respect and like. Wang Xuan’s courtesy name is Meizi, and whether it’s Zhao Hanzhang or the original Third Sister Zhao, when addressing him, they call him Mr. Wang or Wang Meizi.

However, the Zhao Family and Wang Family indeed have a general relationship, so Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind. After looking around, she asked, "Where is Uncle Grandfather?" Sёarch* The Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Zhao Ji said, "There are many things to do in the funeral. Father is discussing with Uncle Cheng. You’ve been exhausted all day, go rest first; it’s the first night, and you and Erlang still have to keep vigil tonight."

Seeing Fu Tinghan standing not far away, he pondered for a moment, "Changrong..."

"I will have a guest room prepared for him. He is filial and not an outsider, and has decided to stay with us tonight to keep vigil."

Even someone like Zhao Ji, who wasn’t very fond of this marriage, couldn’t help but feel goodwill towards Fu Tinghan. Who wouldn’t like a respectful and considerate son-in-law?

Even if it’s a nephew-in-law.

Zhao Ji said warmly, "He has been running around with you all day as well, have some food and rest first."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement and took Mrs. Wang, who had eyes reddened from crying, away as well.

The four of them had a meal in Qingyi Pavilion.

She had been hungry all day, but at this moment, she had no appetite, so she just sat there staring blankly at the dishes on the table.

Fu Tinghan saw this and turned his head to a servant, "Go bring a bowl of plain congee."

He placed the congee in front of Zhao Hanzhang, gently urging, "Have some congee, at least let your stomach feel a bit better."

Zhao Hanzhang took it, and after taking a couple of bites, she said to Qing Gu, "Send someone to wait at Uncle Grandfather’s place, and as soon as Uncle Cheng comes out, invite him over."

Qing Gu agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Did Mr. Ji and Zhao Ju come today?"