Zhao Hanzhang was thinking about what she needed to do next, and soon arrived at Qingyi Pavilion.
Ting He was about to have the servants help her onto the couch, but Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, supported herself with her hand, and hopped onto the couch on her own, "Have people prepared, we're going out tomorrow."
Ting He was startled, "Third Lady, your leg isn't better yet?"
"Bring a few strong servants, and if needed, they can carry me." With wealth and resources, how could one be unable to go out?
Ting He couldn't persuade Zhao Hanzhang, so she went to give instructions.
Zhao Hanzhang took off her shoes, covered her injured leg with soft fox fur, leaned back comfortably, and waved to the other maids, "Go fetch some fruit and snacks."
The maids responded happily, feeling that since the Third Lady was injured, she had become more carefree and joyful than before.
With the mistress happy, they too were cheerful.
The room quickly became lively, with the flower-like young maids bringing in trays of fruit and snacks, standing by in various positions to serve Zhao Hanzhang.
Even for wiping her mouth, someone was ready to assist—truly… too extravagant.
Zhao Hanzhang took the handkerchief from the maid's hand, deciding to do it herself, "Where's Second Son?"
"He's in Eldest Sister's room, his knee is badly swollen, and Eldest Sister applied ointment on it."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Have Uncle Cheng call a doctor for him; have him stay in the courtyard these two days. Keep an eye on him and don't let him go outside."
The maids all agreed.
Ting He dashed in, "Third Lady, just now the lord sent someone to the ancestral hall and released Eldest Sister."
Zhao Hanzhang ate fruit, lost in thought.
The memorial for the Princely Heir is to be submitted tomorrow, naturally Zhao Changyu would not make things difficult for the second branch in such matters.
Nor would Zhao Hanzhang.
Whether Eldest Sister kneels for one more night or one less makes no difference.
Since she had promised Zhao Changyu, she didn't mind doing some face-saving gestures, as long as she remembered in her heart.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Take a jar of healing ointment from Second Son's place and send it to her, tell her I'm also injured, so I won't be visiting her."
Ting He did not want to go, so she assigned another young maid to go.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, asking, "Any other news?"
Ting He thought and said, "The lord has invited the elder from the second branch over, he's still in the study now."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Bring Qing Gu here, I have some instructions for her."
"Yes."
Soon Qing Gu arrived, Zhao Hanzhang kept Ting He and dismissed the other servants.
"I'm going out tomorrow, bring mother here, let her stay in the courtyard to accompany Second Son, keep watch over her. Do not let her go to the main courtyard or the second branch, and if someone from the second branch comes, block them outside the courtyard, regardless of what excuse they have, do not let them in."
Qing Gu was stunned, such instructions sounded like they were aimed at Eldest Sister.
Zhao Hanzhang said softly, "Tomorrow Grandfather will submit the memorial for the Princely Heir."
Qing Gu widened her eyes, "Why so sudden? The lord's health is still good…"
Qing Gu's voice trailed off, bowing her head under Zhao Hanzhang's sharp gaze, softly affirming, "Understood."
Zhao Hanzhang was satisfied, "Keep watch on mother, and there'll be a reward when I return."
Seeing the Third Lady's usual expression, even with some joy, Qing Gu was reluctantly reassured, though she didn't understand, it seemed this wasn't a bad thing.
The Third Lady is smarter and more composed than Eldest Sister, since she didn't oppose, the situation surely isn't bad.
Qing Gu felt restless, afraid Eldest Sister might hear of this from elsewhere and cause a scene, quickly saying, "I'll go keep watch on Eldest Sister now."
"Go ahead."
Qing Gu bowed out, and as soon as she left the courtyard, she walked briskly.
With Mrs. Wang's temperament, though she's not bold, she's always anxious over the Earl title. Ever since the lord merely spoke of it without determining the Princely Heir title, Second Son still had a chance, and she always harbored a hope.
If she knew tomorrow the memorial would be submitted, she might even go to the main courtyard to cry, even if she didn't cause a scene.
The lord isn't well now, if he was overwhelmed by her crying… that would leave the Third Lady and Second Son truly without support.
Mrs. Wang still knew nothing, she was teaching Zhao Erlang to recognize characters, "This is yellow, yellow color, haven't I just taught you?"
Zhao Erlang immediately recited, "Yellow, yellow color!"
Mrs. Wang took a deep breath, moved her finger, pointing at a character, asked, "And this one?"
Zhao Erlang stared at it, dazed.
Mrs. Wang controlled her temper, "This is pronounced 'yu'."
Zhao Erlang obediently repeated "yu."
Mrs. Wang's hand turned, pointed back, "What's this one pronounced?"
Zhao Erlang opened his mouth, stared silently at it.
Mrs. Wang couldn't resist twisting his ear, "Yellow! You just read this a few breaths ago and already can't remember?"
Zhao Erlang lowered his head.
Qing Gu paused, hurriedly entered, "Eldest Sister, Third Lady returned from the main courtyard."
Mrs. Wang exhaled, patting her chest, feeling the pressure in her chest subside a bit before saying, "What did the lord want with Third Lady?"
Qing Gu softly replied, "Third Lady didn't say, but judging by her expression, it doesn't seem to be bad news."
"That's good, after last night's commotion, I was afraid the lord would scold Third Lady."
Qing Gu had things to discuss with Mrs. Wang, thus shifted her gaze to Zhao Erlang.
Zhao Erlang was staring blankly at the characters in the book, which infuriated Mrs. Wang, who waved her hand, "Go out, go out."
Zhao Erlang instantly became lively, jumped up, ran outside, and soon disappeared from sight.
Mrs. Wang's eyes reddened, nearly shed tears, "I don't expect him to be too smart but if only he had half, no, even a third of his sister's capabilities."
Qing Gu handed her a handkerchief.
Mrs. Wang took the handkerchief, dabbed her eye corner, recovered before asking, "What's the matter?"
Qing Gu said, "Third Lady is going out tomorrow. You know, after last night at Qingyi Pavilion, her unkind behavior toward Eldest Sister, we're unsure how the elders might handle Qingyi Pavilion, so hoping Eldest Sister could go and oversee things tomorrow."
Mrs. Wang snorted, "They dare! I say, the lord should have separated them long ago, the elder of the second branch has his own estate and title, why fixate on our branch's possessions?"
Qing Gu recalled Third Lady's words, soothingly said, "It's turbulent times, familial protection is necessary, in the future Third Lady and Second Son will need the clan's support. Second Son as he is, without kin's protection, might…"
Mrs. Wang was silent.
Seeing her receptive, Qing Gu continued gently, "I think it's better to heed Third Lady's advice; the title is secondary, the tangible benefits matter most."
Mrs. Wang pondered, "Considering the second branch's disposition, things in Second Son's hands might not be kept; best give them to Third Lady, even if she takes them to her husband's family, better than leaving them with the Zhao family, then I and Second Son could depend on her."
She quietly asked, "Haven't found out yet, which family's young man did the lord choose for Third Lady?"
Qing Gu replied quietly, "Couldn't find out, but it's said not only is the family illustrious, but the person's character and appearance are also commendable."
Mrs. Wang covered her chest, "That's good, that's good; someone the lord chose shouldn't be bad."
Qing Gu wisely extended this topic, and Mrs. Wang shifted her focus completely, remaining oblivious to the courtyard's unrest, happily headed with Qing Gu to guard Zhao Hanzhang's courtyard the next day.