After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

He was just about to step forward to greet when the gate suddenly opened, and a woman in plain robes came out with a group.

Wang Xuan paused and furrowed his brow, "Second Sister?"

Wang Si Niang’s eyes lit up, and she hurried forward, "Second Sister."

Wang Erniang nodded slightly towards her younger sister and walked up to Zhao Hanzhang. She reached out, took a piece of white hemp cloth, and whispered words of comfort: "May you find peace in your sorrow."

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at her, deeply bowed, and then got up to leave with Zhao Erlang to the next house.

Wang Erniang watched the siblings walk away, gripping the white hemp cloth in her hand tightly. In this world, who can truly find peace?

After leaving the Wang Family’s residence, before Zhao Hanzhang and her brother arrived at the other households, everyone was already aware of Zhao Changyu’s demise last night. Some had opened their doors early to wait, and as soon as they saw Zhao Hanzhang and her brother, they hurried out weeping to meet them.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, Fu Zhi was also crying. He sat down on the ground, holding Zhao Changyu’s edict and asked the Emperor and Prince East Sea, "Why would Your Majesty and Prince believe such discord-sowing words? Qiao was steadfast like a thousand-foot pine, he worked tirelessly during his tenure. During the rebellions of the princes and the displacement of the people, many relied on his guidance to find peace amidst chaos. Since King Hejian’s death, he constantly urged the court to make decisive decisions to avoid trouble inside and out. How could he possibly send a letter secretly with contradictory thoughts after clearly stating his position?"

"Your Majesty, Prince, do not let yourselves be swayed by others that would spoil relationships. The person who forged this letter is malicious, not only aiming to sow discord between Shangcai Marquis and Your Majesty and Prince, but also to stir confusion between Your Majesty and Prince."

The young Emperor heard this and tears fell. He asked for the edict to be brought up, the more he read, the more fiercely he wept. He couldn’t help but step down from his throne to hold Prince East Sea’s hand, "Uncle, please look, Shangcai Marquis speaks reasonably. We cannot let such vile individuals come between us."

Prince East Sea reached out, took the edict, and sighed heavily after reading it, "Yesterday I suddenly heard such rumors and received secret letters. I deeply hated Zhao Changyu for sowing discord, but today I see, I misjudged him."

Fu Zhi cried out, "Your Majesty, Zhao Changyu passed away last night."

The Emperor was shocked, "What? Then this edict..."

Fu Zhi lowered his head with tears, speaking sorrowfully, "This is his final edict."

The court was immediately filled with sighs, and regardless of true feelings or false appearances, everyone shed two tears, seeming very saddened.

Prince East Sea also seemed very sad, sighing, "It is unexpectedly coincidental; yesterday Ma Jian’en went over to the Zhao Family, giving him the chance to meet Shangcai Marquis for the last time."

He changed his tone, "However, those sowing discord behind the scenes are still vile. Given the forged letter and external rumors, it is better to investigate thoroughly and uncover the person behind this plot. In the bright skies of Great Jin, how can we tolerate such demons?"

The Emperor opened his mouth to speak, quickly looking at the other ministers.

Everyone avoided the Emperor’s gaze.

Fu Zhi pondered, "The urgent matter is to arrange the funeral for Shangcai Marquis. Prince, please withdraw the soldiers stationed near the Zhao Family, so the Zhao Family can handle the funeral arrangements."

The Emperor returned to his senses, hastily agreeing, "Yes, yes, the urgent matter is the funeral. Quickly, someone go to the Zhao Family to see if there is anything I can do to help."

Fu Zhi pointed out, "Shangcai Marquis has contributed to the stability of the realm. Please, Your Majesty, grant him a posthumous title as requested in his edict."

The Emperor nodded rapidly, "Well, well, I remember the late emperor once granted him the posthumous title ’Modest’..."

The Emperor did not know who forged the false letter, but as Prince East Sea pursued the matter relentlessly, he could only worry that Prince East Sea’s actions pointed towards him.

Could he truly not know Zhao Changyu’s real intentions?

He had sent people multiple times to persuade Zhao Changyu to change his mind, but would Prince East Sea not know that Zhao Changyu repeatedly refused?

Yet after receiving the fake letter, he directly sent troops to surround the Zhao Family, fearing his aim was at Zhao Changyu’s wealth.

If he’s this ruthless towards Zhao Changyu, who supports him, what of those who oppose him?

The Emperor worried constantly, wanting to delay for a time to think of how to respond.

Zhao Qiao... died too suddenly; if he hadn’t died, the fire wouldn’t have burned so swiftly to his side.

The Emperor shook his head to clear his mind, rubbed his forehead and after a moment’s contemplation said, "Then use the posthumous title set by the late emperor, decree Zhao Ji to succeed as Shangcai Marquis."

Everyone agreed.

Prince East Sea sneered inwardly. He thought without mentioning this matter it would not be investigated?

With Zhao Changyu’s death, he became a laughingstock, with pent-up anger he couldn’t express, certainly unwilling to easily let the Emperor off.

That fake letter was likely orchestrated by the Emperor’s people.

Prince East Sea strode away, outside the sadness permeated; whether aristocratic officials or ordinary citizens, all knew Zhao Changyu had died last night.

He had a reputation for integrity and held high esteem among the people, as Prince East Sea stepped out of the palace he heard cries echoing through streets and alleys. Knowing what they wept for left his face instantly grim.

Meanwhile, Fu Zhi took the Emperor’s decree and hurried out, spotting Wang Yan walking ahead; he rushed forward and pulled him, "Yifu, where is the Prince?"

The pulled Wang Yan looked bewildered, "The Prince left early, didn’t you know?"

Fu Zhi certainly knew, but it didn’t stop him from feigning ignorance. Seeing the colleagues around him perked their ears to listen, he couldn’t help a dramatic cry and stamped his foot, "How could we just let the Prince leave like that? Yifu, why didn’t you convince him a bit?" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Changyu was worried about national affairs even on his deathbed, most afraid of misunderstanding arising between the Prince and Your Majesty due to this matter. Yifu is close to the Prince, please, Yifu mediate on behalf of us. The Prince’s deep investigation isn’t wrong, but if it leads to Your Majesty, it would hurt Changyu’s heart, and the world wouldn’t believe it."

Wang Yan didn’t seem bothered and chuckled, saying, "Fu Zhongshu worries too much; things are as they are, the Prince isn’t the one to sham a situation."

He wasn’t one to sham a situation? If he was genuine, why did he surround the Zhao Family?

Fu Zhi curled his lips, smiling without mirth, "We naturally know the Prince isn’t that kind of person, but the world doesn’t know. Changyu had an excellent reputation whether among the common folk or aristocrats. The Prince surrounded the Zhao Family yesterday, and Changyu passed away last night. Spread the news and the Prince’s reputation would be harmed."

Seeing Wang Yan still unwilling to wade into muddy waters, Fu Zhi lowered his voice, "Today Zhao Family siblings have already announced the funeral to the city, and now almost everyone knows about it, Yifu, why not go out and listen to the people’s voices before deciding?"

Wang Yan adjusted himself with a slightly solemn expression, glanced at Fu Zhi, finally bowed with hands clasped and took his entourage out of the palace.

Reaching the streets, indeed he saw people everywhere discussing and mourning.

Wang Yan frowned deeply.

The officials who ran to the streets with Wang Yan saw him like this and quickly asked, "Wang Sima, what should we do? The Prince is currently frustrated, if this reaches him, it would be another confrontation."

Wang Yan sighed, "Worldly matters are complex, inevitably causing turmoil in the mind; alright, let’s go persuade the Prince for his peace of mind, which also benefits well-being."