After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 538 - 532 Persuasion

"You have twice attempted to harm their lives," Fu Tinghan said to Zhao Yi, who glared back defiantly, "Once, it was when she fell off the horse."

"Your mother intended to take her life. She was the pillar of the family branch. If she died, her mother would collapse, leaving only Second Son, who was foolish and impulsive. Even if Grandpa Zhao left him some servants and wealth, could he protect it? Never mind living freely."

Zhao Yi said, "I will take care of Second Son."

Fu Tinghan sneered, "When Second Son entered the room with you earlier, he kept avoiding you, fearing you somewhat. A fool’s memory is the best; how did you treat him before? That was when he had his grandfather, mother, and sister protecting him. Can you believe you will care well for Zhao Erlang?"

Zhao Yi opened his mouth.

Fu Tinghan stepped forward and whispered, "Do you think he is happy to be protected by his sister’s killer?"

Zhao Yi’s face instantly turned pale.

"The second time was during the escape south when your family abandoned them," he clenched his fist tightly and said, "If Grandpa Zhao had not secretly left some men for them, abandoned amidst the chaos of war, do you think they could have survived?"

Zhao Yi’s body swayed.

"Her revenge has been lenient, after all, considering the blood relationship between you," Fu Tinghan said, "You should be grateful your grandfather is still alive. With him as a bridge, Hanzhang still remembers some of the old feelings, otherwise, upon meeting again, just based on these two times, she would have killed you and you would not be aggrieved." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"She is willing to put aside the grievances between the two families. I also do not want to resolve one grievance only to start another," Fu Tinghan said, "Think it through yourself, weigh it yourself."

After speaking, he turned to leave, only to see Zhao Hanzhang standing nearby.

She was smiling brightly towards him.

Fu Tinghan turned around and walked in the opposite direction.

Zhao Hanzhang saw and hurried after him.

Zhao Hanzhang pursued beside Fu Tinghan, "Don’t run, let’s talk slowly."

Fu Tinghan walked without acknowledging her, and Zhao Hanzhang murmured behind him, "Weren’t you speaking quite well just now...ouch."

Fu Tinghan suddenly stopped, and Zhao Hanzhang bumped into his back.

Fu Tinghan frowned, pulled her hand, and looked, finding no red marks, then turned to leave.

Zhao Hanzhang turned quickly and blocked his path, "Are you still angry?"

"I am not angry."

"Then why are you avoiding me?" Zhao Hanzhang asked, "When have you avoided me?"

Fu Tinghan said helplessly, "I still have many matters to handle. Mr. Ji is busy rebuilding Luoyang County Government, and the intelligence from various places needs to be reviewed by me."

"With your work capability, it’s not urgent at this moment. You are still avoiding me."

Fu Tinghan could only stop and look at her.

Zhao Hanzhang was satisfied, looked around, and pointed to a pavilion, "Shall we go sit there?"

Fu Tinghan could only follow her there.

"You spoke well with Zhao Yi just now. Why are you still angry with me?"

"I just don’t want him to bear grudges, making the family grievances even harder to resolve in the future." Fu Tinghan said, "You have a cooperative relationship with Zhao Zhongyu. If you push them too hard, how do you know he won’t plot against you for the sake of his descendants?"

He said, "An eye for an eye will never end. This saying is for him and also for you. Your actions are biased and lack benevolence."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "So I stepped back and agreed to plead for Zhao Hewan."

Fu Tinghan sighed, "You’ve always been diplomatic. Since you’ve yielded a step, why pose such a forceful stance, causing him to hold resentment?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly, "That’s his punishment."

To hate is indeed a painful thing.

Fu Tinghan furrowed his brow and said, "Hanzhang, on the battlefield, it’s either you die or I perish, so I never speak of battlefield matters. But I hope you can be gentler in non-combat situations. Violence, killing, and revenge can become addictive and change one’s nature."

Fu Tinghan stopped Zhao Hanzhang from arguing and said, "Listen to me first, a person’s character changes with experiences. Even if you say your psychology is mature, your character is formed, they will change. Touch your chest and ask yourself, three years ago, before you came to this world, did you really have such decisive killing and...thick skin?"

Zhao Hanzhang fell silent, realizing she had indeed changed much unconsciously.

Fu Tinghan breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, firmly grasped her hand, and said, "Hanzhang, this world is chaotic, bloody, violent, and sad. It’s an extreme world, far crueler than what we see in history books. It changes you unknowingly, so we must continually reflect on ourselves to not lose who we are."

"Revenge without restraint or hindrance can indeed be satisfying, but what comes after the satisfaction?" Fu Tinghan said, "You will leave more hidden dangers. Is it truly good for the living?"

"Finding the truth and punishing the perpetrators have already consoled the deceased. Then consider the living. Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji are going to Yun City as hostages for you, for the Zhao Family. Zhao Yi will return to Xiping or follow you, and no matter where he is, your families are closest by blood. Your mother, and Second Son, will inevitably interact with them. Do you want them to harbor resentment during their interactions?"

"And the Zhao Family members, if the grievances between the two families cannot be pacified, how will they view you?" Fu Tinghan said softly, "Before, the second branch owed the main branch, Zhao Ji owed you all, but after Zhao Zhongyu takes his son to Yun City as a hostage for you, healing conflicts with the court, what then?"

Zhao Hanzhang was silent for a long time, nodded, and said, "I understand."

Only then did Fu Tinghan relax, reaching out to pat her head, "It’s getting late; they will leave the capital tomorrow. You should go."

Zhao Hanzhang muttered, "Where is it getting late, we just had lunch."

But she still got up, dusted her robe, looked towards the flower bushes, and turned to head to the main courtyard.

Fu Tinghan watched her figure disappear, smiled and shook his head, just about to leave when he saw Ji Yuan standing behind the distant blossoming tree. He was stunned for a moment, realizing Zhao Hanzhang had glanced that way earlier, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Ji Yuan made a distant salute to Fu Tinghan and then turned to leave.

A maiden always needs a Fu Tinghan beside her, saves him quite a bit of trouble, and tonight he might lose a few less hairs.

Zhao Hanzhang strolled towards the main courtyard, which was once Zhao Changyu’s residence.

She looked up at the plaque of the courtyard before stepping inside.

Writing a letter in the study, Zhao Zhongyu heard Zhao Hanzhang had come, his brows furrowing involuntarily. Was she here to demand results?