Chapter Thirty-Three: Secret Mission

  Zhao Kuai vomited blood and fainted, Gao Cheng was frightened and hastily ordered someone to invite a doctor and decoct medicine.

  The two doctors who were invited to treat Zhao Kuang a few days ago and had not left the old house yet, quickly came to diagnose and treat him. The diagnosis results were similar, saying that Zhao Kuang was suffering from an acute attack of anger-induced heart disease and must rest quietly, cannot get angry again, otherwise it will seriously harm his body.

  Gao Cheng stood in the courtyard with a gloomy face, unsure of what to do. How could Zhao Jiong not be angry? To preserve the title of the Small Long House, he had to sacrifice him, and he had to bear all the blame alone. This decision was made by his closest family members, and with his temper, it was impossible for him to tolerate. But how could he vent his anger now? He was far away in Fengxian, and the evidence against him was solid. What else could he do but admit his guilt honestly? Gao Cheng didn't think much of him, but still felt a pang of discomfort in his heart. After all, among those who served Zhao Jiong, he was the most trusted, and it was also him who bore the brunt of Zhao Jiong's anger every day. He truly worried that one day, when his master's temper flared up, he would be used as a scapegoat, and by then, he wouldn't know if he still had a life left.

  Yesterday, because Zhao Kuang felt that Ya Huan was not massaging him properly, he determined that Ya Huan was lazy and not putting in effort. He ordered someone to drag her out and beat her half to death, then threw her out the door. Gao Cheng couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. That Ya Huan was Zhao Kuang's trusted personal maid from the capital, who also served as a concubine. Before Zhang Shi returned to Fengxian, when Zhao Kuang was in a good mood, he doted on her greatly. Yet she ended up with such a fate. What kind of person is Gao Cheng anyway?

  He touched the letter in his sleeve pocket and felt a little confused.

  That was not the letter that had been read to Zhao Kuang earlier, but one written by Mistress Jiang to him. This time, the person sent from the Hou Mansion in the capital to deliver the message happened to be Mistress Jiang's confidant, so she had also sent a secret letter. The content of the secret letter was simple: since Zhang Shi and his grandson were not dead, in order to keep the title of the Small Long House, Gao Cheng must find a way to get rid of them. As long as Zhang Shi and Zhao Wei's lives were not secure, the title of the Small Long House would be safe.

  Gao Chengzheng was worried about this matter, and the lady thought too well, but things couldn't go as she wished. Moreover, her idea was completely opposite to what Niu Shi and Zhao ? told Zhao Jiong in their letters, telling him not to do anything to Zhang Shi's ancestors and descendants, so as not to provoke the emperor, but Jiang Shi insisted on exterminating Zhang Shi and Zhao Wen...

  If killing Zhao Wei was to eliminate the possibility of a male heir from the second branch inheriting the title, as long as the emperor did not plan to take away the title from his sons and grandsons soon after the old Duke's death, the title could only be passed on to the eldest branch. Now that Jiang has the hope of becoming the Lady of Jian Nan Hou immediately, it is also a common thought, but why kill the old lady Zhang?

  Nowadays, whether it's the palace or Fengxian, everyone knows that Zhao Jiong has laid a poisonous hand on his stepmother and younger brother. Now he still lives with Zhangshi's ancestors in the same house. If something happens to Zhangshi, who will not think that Zhao Jiong is the murderer?

  Isn't what Old Lady Zhang said at the city gate that day an empty rumor? It seems that our own lady has something in her hands that she can use against Zhang, so she is eager to kill and silence her. What could this thing be?

  As Gao Cheng was deep in thought, he suddenly became aware that someone was peeking at him from outside. He quickly raised his head to look and found a woman peeking out from behind the gate of the courtyard. When she saw him looking over, she immediately withdrew her head and turned around to leave. By the time Gao Cheng rushed out to chase after her, she had already disappeared without a trace. But in another direction, there were two other women who were trimming flowers and grass stealing glances at him.

  Gao Cheng was furious, knowing that the old mansion's affairs were now in the hands of Wang Si Ping, an old woman who had clearly colluded with Old Lady Zhang. She had sent countless people to spy on the East Wing, and just recently, Prince Zhao Jiong had been spitting blood, fainting, and summoning doctors. Someone must have reported back to Old Lady Zhang already. Gao Cheng was enraged but felt powerless. He could barely control the trusted attendants around Zhao Jiong. Originally a capable subordinate of the Jiang family, he had been relegated to sharing limited power with his mother-in-law in the capital's Hou Mansion, now dominated by the Niu family. As a member of the Jiang family's retinue, if not for Prince Zhao's favor, those in charge would not have given him any regard.

  Gao Cheng thought of this and couldn't help but sigh. His aunt probably still didn't know about the situation at home, did she? Now that things were like this, even if he wanted to take action against Zhang Shi's ancestors, he was powerless...

  He'd better wait a bit longer, Auntie mustn't have received the letter he sent back to Jingzhong yet, and after she receives it and revises her instructions, he can go and do it without delay...

  Gao Cheng was right about one thing: Wang Siping did indeed report Zhao Kuang's vomiting of blood to Zhang in the first instance.

  Zhang was not concerned about Zhao Kuang's vomiting blood, she had long since given up on his illness. What interested her more was the fact that Zhao Kuang had just received a letter from the Hou Mansion in the capital before he vomited blood. Wang Si Ping was familiar with everything in the old mansion and naturally knew that the Hou Mansion in the capital had just sent a messenger, even knowing that the messenger was a person of Jiang's family.

  Zhang was now very wary of Jiang, and as soon as she heard that the messenger who came was her person, she immediately pointed out: "This man must have a private meeting with Gao Cheng, you let someone pay attention to their actions, and then send another person to stare at Gao Cheng."

  Wang Siping hastily agreed. He even regretted that when the messenger first entered, he didn't immediately send someone to follow him after receiving the letter. If the messenger had already communicated with Gao Cheng, sending someone to follow them would be useless.

  Zhang thought that Guangping Wang had specially sent Lu Yunpeng to her house, hiding his official identity under the name of Xi Xi, and staying for a few years, just to protect their ancestors and descendants. He must also be guarding against Xiaochangfang's side. If Zhao Wei is to inherit the title of Jinnan Hou, he indeed needs to guard against Xiaochangfang's desperate attempts to harm the child.

  She immediately gave orders to Wang Siping and Akira: "Strictly guard the gate, close the door and refuse visitors, saying that our family is in mourning and does not see outsiders. Even relatives should come and go as little as possible. If anyone sends something over, it must be carefully inspected to ensure everything is fine, especially food. No matter what the inspection result is, no one in our household can eat it. The three meals a day for me, Wei Geer and ? sister will be cooked in the small kitchen in this courtyard. Wang Siping needs to inspect the rice, grains, fruits and vegetables needed every day before sending them over. Absolutely no mistakes are allowed."

  Wang Siping and Akira hastily replied with a serious expression.

  Zhang thought for a moment and decided not to let her grandchildren leave the courtyard where she lived for the time being. Although there was Wang Si in the old house, who could guarantee that all the servants were reliable?

  Qiu Ye was somewhat embarrassed: "Sister is still young, every day just let people hold her to the front hall to show her face, it's fine. Brother has to kneel in the hall every day, how can he not go out of the yard? If she's not allowed to go to the front hall, I'm afraid someone will gossip."

  Zhang furrowed his brow, this was indeed a problem. He calculated the days and suddenly made up his mind: "Forget it, from the day of the shipwreck, it's been 21 days since Zong'er and his wife left, exactly three sevens have passed, and the county magistrate is still waiting for the burial, so let them be buried together."

  The funeral arrangements for Zhao Jiong and his wife were originally poorly handled due to Zhao Jiong's procrastination, but after Zhang Shi returned to the old mansion and re-established the mourning hall, things improved somewhat. As they had died suddenly, holding the funeral twenty-one days later was also acceptable. To be honest, their bodies had been submerged in water, and although it was autumn now, the smell was still not pleasant. The coffin of Duke Gong, however, should have been buried on a auspicious day long ago, and further delay would only invite gossip.

  Zhang's actions were very efficient, and before half a day had passed, her brother Zhang Chaoyi had already received the news and rushed over to ask: "Sister, why did you suddenly change your mind and want to let Zhuo'er and his wife be buried with their husband? The mourning hall has only been set up for a few days!"

  Mr. Zhang sighed, "Although the previous affairs were handled hastily, relatives and friends have already paid their respects. Now, paying respects again would be meaningless. It's better to hold the funeral as soon as possible. Otherwise, the two children will have to go to the mourning hall every day, they are young and weak, suffering like this, what if they get sick?"

  As soon as Zhang Chaoyi heard that it was for the two children, he was speechless: "Sister is too doting on her grandson, this is a matter of course, besides they are also willing." However, thinking that his sister no longer has a son now, she can only rely on these two grandchildren, and being anxious is also human nature. The autumn in Fengxian is indeed cold and damp, what if the children have an accident, who will his sister rely on in the future? He didn't say anything else.

  He brought up the news he had just heard: "I heard people discussing that a letter arrived at the Hou Mansion in the capital, and after Zhao Jiong read it, he vomited blood and fainted, only waking up just now."

  "Zhang raised an eyebrow: 'Are you awake? I thought he was still unconscious.'"

  "It doesn't matter whether he's awake or asleep, he's useless either way." Zhang Chaoyi was more worried about something else, "I wonder what the letter from the capital says? Could it be that Xiaochangfang is plotting against my sister and two children again?"

  "Let me think, how many days have I been back? This letter can't possibly be written after knowing the situation at home. Maybe it's a response to the message Zhao Jiong sent to Beijing when we were shipwrecked. After Guangping Wang rescued us and reported to the Emperor, Zhao Jiong's family must be in chaos now. If they still dare to harm us, they'll truly be seeking their own death. Don't worry, I've ordered people to be on guard, and it won't be easy for them to get to us."

  Zhang Chaoyi nodded: "Since sister has a plan in mind, I can rest assured."

  "Two days later, the King of Guangping will have finished his official business and come to see me to discuss future arrangements. At that time, you can also come over to keep him company. As a woman and a widow, I couldn't observe all the formalities in the past when things were urgent, but now with relatives and friends watching, there are many inconvenient things for me to say and do."

  Zhang Chaoyi couldn't help but feel that his sister was being overly cautious, but he still agreed, with a hint of excitement in his heart. Now that his sister had lost her husband and son, and her grandson was still young, she finally decided to rely on her natal family's brothers?

  Mrs. Zhang didn't know what her brother was thinking, but she found that her granddaughter Zhao ? was hiding at the edge of the room door and peeking out, with her little head poking in and out, and when she saw her looking over, she immediately withdrew her neck.

  Zhang couldn't help but laugh and beckoned her: "What are you hiding there for? Come quickly to pay respects to Second Uncle."

  Zhang Chaoyi hastily looked over, and Zhao immediately lifted the door curtain, walked out unsteadily, hugged his thigh, and blinked her big eyes: "Second Uncle is so good~"

  Zhang Chaoyi's heart melted, and he picked her up in one motion: "Good child, Second Uncle is seeing you for the first time, and you're really well-behaved!" He patted her little face twice before asking Zhang Shi: "Is this the child your sister told me about, the one who was slapped by her father's spirit from beyond the grave and suddenly gained intelligence?"