After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 539 - 533 Release

This is too hasty; he thought they had reached a tacit understanding.

Zhao Zhongyu was slightly displeased, but he still put down his pen and left the study.

Zhao Hanzhang was looking up at the parasol tree in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, she turned her head without greeting him, and instead pointed at the wilting parasol tree, saying: "Has it been scorched by the fire from the other day?"

Zhao Zhongyu acknowledged with a sound and said: "Though it was far away, it still had some impact."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed: "I remember when Grandfather was still alive, he often tested Uncle and Big Brother on their lessons under this parasol tree."

Zhao Zhongyu fell into silence upon hearing this. He was much older than Zhao Hanzhang and had long mastered the ways of the world. Zhao Hanzhang bringing up Zhao Ji and Zhao Yi with such a warm opening clearly indicated leniency.

This surprised him, as he hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to step back and instead plead for them. This morning, her words were undeniably sharp; a few days ago, she hadn’t even wanted to see Zhao Ji, determined not to let it go without severe punishment.

Zhao Hanzhang knew he understood, and she remained silent for a long time before saying: "Yun City is too remote; Big Sister is still young and might not acclimate well. Since Big Brother is returning to Xiping, let him take care of the sisters."

Zhao Zhongyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "Alright."

He paused before asking: "And Mrs. Wu..."

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly as she said: "I’ll trouble Uncle to take care of Aunt; once we reach Yun City, Uncle can reconsider the punishment. It’s inconvenient on the road, given we’re with Your Majesty, and Big Sister and Second Sister are already betrothed; their marriages will need time."

This meant changing from immediate execution to a suspended sentence.

Zhao Zhongyu felt both touched and somewhat chilled in his heart.

Touched that Zhao Hanzhang was willing to consider familial ties, showing leniency, which made him more willing to act as a hostage;

Chilled because she had calculated his plans precisely; to appease her anger, he indeed intended for Mrs. Wu to "fall ill" tonight, to travel sick, and in a few days succumb due to acclimating issues.

He would bring Zhao Hewan along to care for Mrs. Wu.

She was already betrothed; with her mother’s death, she’d mourn for three years. To not delay the suitor, he’d annul the engagement, either sending her to become a nun in Yun City or letting her choose another marriage after mourning.

But once betrothed again, it won’t be a good match; her life might be ruined.

She wasn’t the only one affected—Zhao Erniang and Zhao Si Niang would also mourn for three years. Much could change in three years; their futures were uncertain.

He thought this sufficed to appease Zhao Hanzhang, but he hadn’t expected her to relent, allowing Mrs. Wu to live until reaching Yun City.

Though it seemed like just a small time difference, the consequences were entirely different. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Zhao Zhongyu fell into silence, the grandparent and grandchild standing quietly, their mood no longer tense.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the parasol tree and the table and chairs beneath it, as her first meeting with Zhao Changyu took place there.

If it were him, he wouldn’t wish the Zhao Family’s first and second branches to sever ties either?

Zhao Hanzhang sighed.

Zhao Zhongyu also sighed.

He said: "His Majesty plans to summon the Imperial Family and all State Governors to Yun City, including Bingzhou Governor Liu Kun."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang sneered, "It’s Gou Xi’s suggestion, isn’t it? He wants to use the emperor to command the world? Don’t forget, half of the Imperial Family is in Shi Le’s hands now. After the era of the Eight Princes, how many of the Sima family are still alive?"

"There are still dozens," Zhao Zhongyu said, "I’m worried about Bingzhou Governor Liu Kun. He’s holding Jinyang with difficulty and won’t abandon it easily; if he leaves, Liu Yuan won’t miss his chance."

"If Liu Yuan takes Jinyang, all of Bingzhou will be his," Zhao Zhongyu said. "With Liu Kun in Bingzhou, he can hold off many Xiongnu soldiers. If Jinyang falls, Luoyang and Yu State will face Liu Yuan’s entire force."

He whispered: "The court specifically summoned him back, intending to offer him the position of Jizhou Governor. I suspect it’s Gou Xi’s scheme to have Liu Yuan trap you."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...He hasn’t even left Luoyang, yet he’s full of plans."

Zhao Zhongyu: "You must contact Liu Kun, convince him to stay in Jinyang."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and finally smiled: "Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Ancestor."

Zhao Zhongyu: "Why else would I go to Yun City?"

First, to act as a hostage; second, to serve as a bridge between the court and Zhao Hanzhang; third, to provide Zhao Hanzhang with court information.

He looked up at Zhao Hanzhang, examining her carefully.

Zhao Hanzhang looked back in confusion, "Uncle Ancestor?"

Zhao Zhongyu: "You’ve changed so much from over two years ago. I never knew you were like this; even now, you’re different from this morning."

Zhao Hanzhang said: "Someone just told me, ’When will vengeance end?’"

She opened her hand for him to see: "We’re blood relatives, connected by flesh and bone. I hold resentments, but can’t deny our familial bonds."

"Moreover," she looked at Zhao Zhongyu, "For the greater good, for the clan, such grievances seem insignificant."

Zhao Zhongyu looked at her hand for a long time without speaking.

Zhao Hanzhang closed her hand, placed it behind her, and smiled slightly: "Since leaving the capital, I’ve experienced life and death, war, many things. To survive, I had to change, and change for the better; isn’t this growth?"

After a long silence, Zhao Zhongyu sighed: "Indeed, one grows through experience; changing positions naturally changes one’s thoughts."

"I’ve never liked your grandfather," Zhao Zhongyu reconciled himself and moved to the mat under the parasol tree, sitting cross-legged. "From my youth, everyone praised your grandfather’s talents, and I was always inferior."

Zhao Hanzhang walked to his opposite and also sat cross-legged.

The attending follower promptly served tea and snacks, then retreated afar, standing with bowed head.

"In my youth, such talks became more frequent and louder. Your grandfather once humiliated me publicly, and I’ve always kept it in my heart, resenting him ever since."

Zhao Hanzhang understood; Zhao Changyu had mentioned to her before his passing that he deeply regretted belittling Zhao Zhongyu in his youth.

However, she felt his regret wasn’t complete, as Zhao Changyu had always looked down on Zhao Zhongyu, feeling disappointed even before his end, doubting Zhao Zhongyu’s capability as Clan Leader.

Yet, such a person was willing to sacrifice personal interest for the clan, just like Zhao Changyu, prioritizing the clan’s benefit.

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at him.

"We brothers had our differences, and Empress Jia sowed discord. Though both knew, fulfilling her wish for mutual strife was for show, it turned real, worsening relations."