Chapter 55 - The Human Heart

Chapter 55: Chapter 49 The Human HeartEveryone has their own considerations and responsibilities. Fu Tinghan was silent for a moment and stopped persuading Fu Zhi, bowing and retreating.

Fu Zhi watched his tall and straight back, feeling both gratified and saddened, "This child has become much more mature."

The steward couldn’t help but say, "The young master has been away from home for five years. He’s already sixteen, maturity comes naturally."

After speaking, he couldn’t help but boast, "It’s not just self-praise, but I’m afraid there aren’t many young masters in the entire Capital City who can compare with our young master. Even with injuries, he still reads and writes daily, and even when visiting the Third Lady, he never forgets to bring a book."

Fu Zhi was also satisfied and nodded slightly, "In these turbulent times, reading more is good, but one shouldn’t just read. Since things are chaotic outside for the time being, let him practice riding and archery at home, and when things settle down, let him go out to spar with others. Not only can he gain insights, but also learn some skills for self-defense."

The steward agreed.

Fu Zhi pondered for a moment and said, "The day after tomorrow is the seventh day after Shangcai Marquis’s death. Prepare the things, and once I return from the palace, we will go to pay our respects. We also need to discuss the wedding details with Zhao Zhongyu."

The steward bowed and agreed, "Yes."

Fu Tinghan wrote a letter to Zhao Hanzhang, with only one sentence, "The butterfly effect of two butterflies, Gao Tao has escaped the Capital City, whereabouts unknown, Prince East Sea lightly injured."

The letter was quickly delivered to Zhao Hanzhang, who threw it into the fire basin to burn, her gaze deep and contemplative.

That evening, she gathered some valuables from her room, packed them and her dowry into boxes, and sent them to the courtyard where the study was located.

After midnight, when everyone in the Zhao Mansion was fast asleep, Zhao Hanzhang opened her eyes and got up from bed.

Ting He, who was staying in the outer room, dressed herself and got up, whispering, "Third Lady, it’s not yet the Hour of the Ox, you should lie down a while longer."

Tonight, Mrs. Wang was keeping vigil over Zhao Erlang. Zhao Hanzhang went to bed before eight, it was not yet one, but four hours of sleep was enough.

She was full of energy at this moment, changed her clothes, and whispered, "Go call the people, quietly. Let’s stealthily move the things out."

The entire household was replaced with their people; on this side, it was just her and Mrs. Wang’s confidants, plus the people on the dowry list, so everyone was obeying orders, quietly getting up and gathering in the courtyard of the study.

This evening, Zhao Hanzhang used the upcoming seventh day funeral as an excuse, claiming they needed to light a path for Zhao Changyu, and requested that no lights be extinguished throughout the night in the mansion.

She picked up a white lantern, illuminating the dim path, and walked into the courtyard. Looking at those standing quietly with heads bowed, she said, "All of you were chosen by me. In the future, you will accompany me in marriage to the Fu Family. If I am honored, you will be honored; if I am disgraced, you will be disgraced. I hope we can work together to create glory."

The servants didn’t dare to make a sound, bowing deeply to Zhao Hanzhang to show their understanding.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in satisfaction and whispered, "Let’s begin, move quietly."

The servants quietly responded and lifted the packed boxes out of the courtyard.

Some boxes were so heavy that they required four people to carry them, causing unavoidable friction during movement. Fortunately, the noise wasn’t loud, and since the main house and second house were far apart, they weren’t disturbed.

Uncle Cheng also came over. Seeing the servants carrying the boxes out in a line, he approached her and whispered, "The guards in the mansion have been handled. Before dawn, they will deliberately avoid this area."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and, seeing his worried expression, asked, "What is Uncle Cheng worried about?"

"Even if we get through tonight, the day after tomorrow, when you marry out, this matter can’t be hidden. Has the Third Lady thought about the consequences?"

Zhao Hanzhang said calmly, "These are my belongings, and I naturally have control over them."

Seeing Uncle Cheng still full of worry, she reassured him, "Don’t worry. I am about to marry out, and because of the Fu Family, the uncle will not make things difficult for me."

Uncle Cheng suddenly understood. Yes, because of the Fu Family, Zhao Zhongyu wouldn’t make things difficult for the Third Lady.

This indeed was acting with impunity.

Uncle Cheng exhaled deeply and relaxed.

The West Corner Gate had already been opened. The servants silently moved the boxes outside and set them down along the street.

Ji Yuan also arrived ahead of time. Seeing many boxes already placed on the street, he gestured for his men to lift them onto the ox carts and secure them.

Seeing a white lantern approaching him, he was startled. Once he saw it was Zhao Hanzhang holding it, he patted his chest in relief, "Miss, you scared this old man."

Not yet forty but already calling himself an old man?

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, "What is Mr. Ji afraid of?"

"Afraid the master will return as a ghost and be angered to the point of sitting up in the coffin when he knows we conspired to flee the capital this way."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "You’ve arrived early, have the night patrols been arranged?"

"No need to arrange. Everyone’s surrounding the East Sea Prince Mansion, sealing the streets there tightly. Elsewhere, you can’t even find a night watchman, let alone patrols." Ji Yuan said, "Anyway, the curfew lifts at the Hour of the Tiger (3 a.m.). Even if I’m seen out a bit early, there’d be a reason."

He looked at Zhao Hanzhang, "Just worried it’ll be hard for the Miss to explain to the second elder later."

Zhao Hanzhang: "I’m getting married the day after tomorrow."

"Exactly, even if you empty the Zhao Family for the Fu Family, the second elder can only endure it."

One by one, the boxes were loaded onto the carts and secured. Zhao Hanzhang handed Ji Yuan a pass stamped with Zhao Changyu’s seal, "Though passes are now useless, with my grandfather’s seal on it, the journey will be smoother. Mr. Ji, I’m entrusting my entire fortune to you."

Ji Yuan solemnly said, "I will not betray your trust."

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s earnest and serious expression, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but joke with her, "Aren’t you afraid I might take these valuables and people to serve another master?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "If one doubts, don’t use; if one uses, don’t doubt. I trust you, Sir."

"Moreover, you’ve followed my grandfather for many years. If you truly left with the people and valuables, I would consider them as compensation for your years of hard work," Zhao Hanzhang slightly lifted her chin, "I am still young. Whether it’s wealth or people, I can earn them again."

She reached out and patted the boxes on the carts, sighed, "It wouldn’t hurt losing these valuables, but it would pained me to lose you. Your talents, Sir, are indeed beyond comparison with mere worldly possessions."

Ji Yuan steadily looked at Zhao Hanzhang, and upon confirming her sincerity, he stepped back and made a deep bow, surprising Zhao Hanzhang. She hurriedly handed the lantern to Ting He and returned the bow with a respectful salute, "You flatter me, Sir."

Ji Yuan rose, looking at Zhao Hanzhang’s return salute, said, "As you have trusted me, I will not betray you."