Zhao Hanzhang found it difficult to speak, so her expression turned stern.
She was placed by servants next to the table. When a maid tried to help her sit on a chair, she raised her hand to stop her. Leaning on Ting He, she rose with some unsteadiness and bowed slightly to Zhao Changyu, "Grandfather."
Even if she didn't want to, she had to call him that.
Zhao Changyu frowned and glanced at her leg, saying, "There's no need for these formalities. Take care of yourself; that's true filial piety. Please sit down."
"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang respectfully sat across from him, lowering her eyes to look at the teapot on the table.
Zhao Changyu examined her carefully. In truth, they hadn't spent much time together as grandfather and granddaughter; he was too busy with state affairs and had somewhat neglected family matters.
But that didn't mean he wasn't aware of his two grandchildren; quite the opposite.
Although they seldom met, he inquired into and knew what they read, their temperaments, and even details about their eating and dressing habits.
So he knew that his grandson was naturally dull, but his granddaughter was intelligent and resilient. As the family had already decided to pass the title to the second branch, the child had always made concessions to the siblings of the second branch and was very sensible.
But this time, her demeanor was different from before—more assertive and less restrained.
With her head lowered, Zhao Changyu couldn't see the expression on Zhao Hanzhang's face. He could only look at the top of her head and ask, "I heard from Uncle Cheng that you've lost your memory?"
Zhao Hanzhang paused before replying firmly, "Yes."
Zhao Changyu couldn't help but chuckle, "Raise your head when you answer."
Zhao Hanzhang then lifted her head to look at the person opposite her, her gaze clear and determined, without changing her words.
Zhao Changyu looked at her face and asked, "You've lost your memory, but do you remember anything else?"
Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment before saying, "I remember my younger brother, mother, and grandfather."
The smile on Zhao Changyu's face slowly faded. He lightly tapped the stone table with his fingers, and after a while, he said, "My intention was to arrange a prestigious marriage for you. The country is in chaos, the people are displaced, and a notable marriage would not only protect yourself but also your younger brother."
He added, "Emperor Hui serves as a warning; I never intended for your younger brother to inherit the Earl Mansion. I thought that by arranging an eminent marriage for you, even if the Earl Mansion couldn't be a reliance in the future, you siblings could live safely."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Grandfather, if even immediate relatives like uncles can't be trusted, how can one trust in-laws who join halfway through?"
Zhao Changyu remained silent.
Zhao Hanzhang continued, "If Emperor Wu had not appointed Emperor Hui, would Emperor Hui have been well?"
Zhao Changyu frowned, his gaze becoming sharp, "Do you want your younger brother to inherit as Earl?"
"No," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Back then, when Grandfather advised Emperor Wu against appointing Emperor Hui, granddaughter supported your view. Emperor Hui was simplistic and unfit to be a ruler of a nation, and if Emperor Wu had heeded your advice, the Great Jin wouldn't be in today's disaster."
The phrase referring to Emperor Hui as simplistic came from Zhao Changyu's words back then, essentially implying Emperor Hui was too honest and dull to be emperor.
When Zhao Hanzhang woke up, she was astonished not only by inhabiting another's body but also by the current point in history and that the girl she had possessed was, shockingly, the famous granddaughter of Zhao Qiao from the Jin Dynasty.
Last November, Emperor Hui of Jin died suddenly in Luoyang, and then the Imperial Brother ascended the throne, establishing the era name Yongjia.
It is now February of the First Year of Yongjia, and the new emperor has been on the throne for less than three months; outside the city, there are chaotic troops and displaced people everywhere.
She seriously said to Zhao Changyu, "Young brother is dull; he cannot glorify the family nor protect it. Grandfather's decision was not wrong; he indeed cannot inherit the Earl title."
Handing the Earl Mansion to Zhao Yong might result in the same consequences as giving the state to Emperor Hui. Not to mention the glory of the Zhao Family, even the clan's foundation might be damaged.
There was a better look on Zhao Changyu's face.
"But Grandfather, turning over everything from our main branch to the second branch, is the second branch truly worth entrusting?" This was not only her question but also one the original person had always wanted to ask.
This question weighed on her heart, always doubting and searching for the answer, but it was only after she chased out of the city to save her brother that she found the answer, although she never had the chance to tell her grandfather.
Now, Zhao Hanzhang, on her behalf, asked, "Just for an unconfirmed rumor, the uncle hadn't come to ask Grandfather for confirmation, nor had the uncle inquired, acting as if they were unaware of the matter, yet the Second Son went out of town, almost losing his life outside. Is grandfather at ease entrusting mother and us siblings to the second branch?"
Zhao Changyu tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand, his lips pressing firmly together.
His heart felt like it was being scalded by hot oil, unable to speak easily for a long time, he finally, with difficulty said, "A single log cannot hold up a building. Without relying on the family and the second branch, you siblings might find it hard to survive in this world."
He sighed deeply, "Though the new emperor is on the throne, he cannot fully control state affairs. There is unrest within and the Xiongnu cause trouble externally, with Jiehu and the Qiang clan eyeing covetously; the world is seeing imminent chaos. How can you survive this chaotic world without clinging to the family?"
Zhao Hanzhang thought of the irrecoverable lost souls, poignantly asking, "What if relying on them eventually turns into them wanting our lives?"
Zhao Changyu looked at Uncle Cheng, the only one left in the yard, and Uncle Cheng understood, quickly entering the house to retrieve a folded document.
Zhao Changyu placed the document on the table, pressing it down, and said, "This is a petition to appoint Zhao Ji as Princely Heir; once this petition is submitted, it will reassure them."
This was indeed a solution, but…
Zhao Hanzhang looked up from the document, meeting Zhao Changyu's eyes, "Once there are no conflicts of interest, without us affecting their food, Uncle and Father will naturally not lack, but in the future, there will always be times when interests are involved. Grandfather also said the world is about to be in turmoil; in such a world, can we truly rely on others?"
Zhao Changyu stared at the determination in her eyes, surprised, "Then what do you intend to do?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Strength is safest only when held in one's own hands; relying on anyone isn't as reliable as relying on oneself."
Zhao Changyu looked at her in astonishment; after a long while, he burst into laughter, his eyes gleaming, "Good, good! Indeed my grandchild of Zhao Changyu!"
He got up, paced back and forth twice, and finally slapped a wutong tree, standing firm in front of her, looking at her with bright eyes, "You've grown up. If I remember correctly, you will come of age next year, right?"
Too young, now already twenty-eight-year-old Zhao Hanzhang nodded tearfully, "Yes."
Zhao Changyu then gently patted her head, looking at her warmly and said, "Good, good, good, grandfather may not see you come of age; let me give you a courtesy name in advance."
Zhao Hanzhang was stunned, thinking for a while with her eyes lowered, then said, "Grandfather, can I choose a courtesy name for myself?"
She still wanted to call herself by her original name.
Zhao Changyu laughed, "Won't you first listen to the courtesy name I give you? I believe you will surely like it."
Zhao Hanzhang waited with a smile for him to speak.
Zhao Changyu looked at her gently and said, "That year, your father named you Hezhen, derived from divination and from the Kun hexagram in 'The Book of Changes.' Today I will give you the courtesy name 'Hanzhang.'"
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him dazedly, her eyes gradually moistening. She held back tears, her voice a little hoarse with emotion, "Hanzhang can be steadfast (ke zhen)..."
Her father had taken her name from that same source back then.
"Yes," Zhao Changyu looked at her with a smile, "Hanzhang can be steadfast, to unfold when the time is right. Or, engaged in the king's service, known for brilliance and enlightenment."
"Hezhen, you are a good child, my granddaughter always possessed virtue, yet always endured quietly without showing off. Grandfather hopes you can continue to do so, leading to a good outcome in the future." Zhao Changyu said this with some sadness.
He always knew this child was smart but rarely took it to heart. If it weren't for this time showcasing her sharpness, he almost would have wronged her and the entire first branch of the Zhao family.