CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 192: DRESS UP

Zhao Hanzhang was very pleased and immediately called over the busy Geng Rong to have him take care of Fan Ying.

Geng Rong was a bit taken aback; he hadn’t expected another female officer in the county government besides Chen Si Niang. But considering Zhao Hanzhang was already the County Magistrate, having a few more female officers wasn’t impossible.

So he nodded and led Fan Ying away.

He was very friendly to Fan Ying. To be precise, everyone in the county office was friendly to her, as County Magistrate Fan’s entire family had died for Xiping County; she was the only survivor.

Fu Tinghan watched Fan Ying leave and asked Zhao Hanzhang uncertainly, "Did you do that on purpose?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, "Isn’t it beneficial to have another literate and numerate person in the county government?"

Fu Tinghan said, "If they provoke Fan Ying into causing trouble, she could cause even more damage and be more destructive inside the county office."

"If they want Fan Ying to be a tool, she’ll have to be willing," Zhao Hanzhang said with pride. "I won’t do as they wish."

Fu Tinghan recalled Fan Ying’s reverent gaze and chuckled, "Indeed, she sees you as her savior and idol. Having gone through this once, she likely won’t make the same mistake."

Zhao Hanzhang moved past the topic of Fan Ying and turned to look at the county government’s main hall. "Have someone bring a set of glass cups, offer him some drinks first; I’ll go change my clothes."

As the saying goes, people rely on clothes as horses rely on saddles. For convenience, Zhao Hanzhang was wearing Hu clothes, which were light in color and made of fine linen, not very showy.

That Zhu Chuan, possibly to better watch the commotion at the county office, was dressed in luxurious clothes, outshining not only Zhao Hanzhang but also Fu Tinghan, who was sitting at the office.

Thus, she decided to wear something better. She needed not only cotton and silk fabric but also someone to help her sell the glassware farther away. Xiping County would have more products in the future.

Was she someone who lacked money?

Zhao Hanzhang returned to the courtyard and immediately told Ting He, "Find the new clothes that my mother made."

As Ting He turned to search the cabinet, she said, "Didn’t the Third Lady find them too thick and cumbersome?"

"It’s cold now, they’re perfect for this weather." Zhao Hanzhang pulled off her belt, took the wet towel handed by the maid to wipe her face, wiping away the sweat from her face and neck before giving it back, then removed the handguards and outer garments.

This set of clothes was specifically tailored by Mrs. Wang after learning her daughter became the County Magistrate of Xiping. There was also a ceremonial dress being made, supposedly for her to wear during the winter solstice meetings with family heads. She had seen it once, layer upon layer, and even though the weather was getting cold, she still felt suffocated looking at it.

The ceremonial dress was difficult to wear, but everyday clothes were bearable.

Zhao Hanzhang donned the outfit, its wide sleeves flowing gracefully. Standing in front of the dressing mirror with arms spread, Ting He tied her belt. Perhaps because she was still young and practiced martial arts, her waist was slender, easily encircled with a hand, without an ounce of excess flesh.

Satisfied with her reflection, Zhao Hanzhang prepared to leave.

Ting He hurriedly grabbed her arm, "Miss, you need to change your hairstyle."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at herself in the mirror and obediently sat back at the dressing table. She tapped the table with her finger, telling Ting He, "Later, sort out the items Mr. Ji said were difficult to sell from the storeroom, and send them to the front hall when the time is right."

Ting He asked, "To give to Second Young Master Zhu?"

"He is a merchant. We discuss business; how could we give them away?"

Ting He understood then; Zhao Hanzhang was hoping to sell items through Zhu Erlang.

"Don’t let him know it’s my dowry; just consider them some trinkets from the house."

"No wonder the Lady came back to change clothes—she’s planning to splurge despite having no money."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at her freshly styled hair in the mirror and tapped Ting He’s nose, saying, "You’re so clever. This is called casting a long line to catch a big fish, understand?"

Zhao Hanzhang went to the front courtyard to meet Zhu Chuan.

Zhu Chuan wasn’t surprised to see Zhao Hanzhang in full attire. Aristocratic ladies were like this.

He was more surprised by Zhao Hanzhang earlier; now she looked like a noble lady.

However, Fu Tinghan and Chang Ning were somewhat surprised.

The two couldn’t help but exchange a glance, quickly getting up to greet her.

Chang Ning finally realized that, oh yes, their lady came from the noble Zhao Family.

Zhao Hanzhang sat with a smile at the main seat, inviting everyone to sit. Only then did the three of them sit down.

Seeing the cups and dishes on Zhu Chuan’s table, she smiled and asked, "Second Son, how does our Xiping wine taste?"

"Xiping wine is average, but these glass cups are rare," Zhu Chuan picked up a cup, tilting it slightly to catch the sunlight on its body. The cup reflected a slight green tint, shimmering with radiance. It was truly an exquisite sight. "Such a cup is rare, yet the lady casually uses it to entertain guests, revealing her wealth."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Unfortunately, no matter how wealthy, I can’t immediately provide warmth for the people under my rule."

Zhu Chuan sat up slightly straighter, leaning forward, "I happen to have a batch of cloth and cotton, perhaps they can relieve the lady’s urgent needs."

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up, her gaze briefly meeting Chang Ning’s, filled with excitement as she asked, "I wonder how much there is?"

"I’ve heard the lady has gathered many refugees, and I’m afraid my batch of cotton is not enough, but it should suffice for the women," Zhu Chuan smiled slightly, "Without counting the silk and cloth, there are eight carts of cotton."

Zhao Hanzhang threw her hands wide, saying, "I’ll take them all."

Chang Ning immediately called out, "Lady."

Seeing Zhu Chuan and Zhao Hanzhang both look at him, he calmed down, slowly saying, "Lady, you haven’t asked the price, how can you just decide on everything? What if Second Young Master Zhu despises the low price we offer and refuses to sell us more?"

Zhao Hanzhang then quickly asked Zhu Chuan, "I wonder what price Second Son offers?"

Sitting on the other side, Fu Tinghan poured himself a glass of water, silently watching them act a play. No, possibly three were acting.

Zhu Chuan appeared troubled for a while before saying, "Miss Zhao, this batch was originally to be transported to Luoyang, but upon hearing Luoyang is at war, I rerouted to Yu State, aiming for Jizhou."

"Although the lady is noble, I shouldn’t charge a high price, but this is my first time traveling far to sell. If I return with a loss, it would be difficult to explain to my clan," Zhu Chuan lowered his eyes to glance at the glass cup in his hand, "Yet the lady is buying clothes for refugees, so asking for a high price makes me uneasy."

Chang Ning smiled, "Second Young Master thinks of our lady in every aspect, how could our lady bear to make it difficult for you?"

He said, "If Second Young Master exchanges goods, not to return empty-handed, both parties benefiting, wouldn’t it be wonderful?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, business should be mutually beneficial for both parties; how can one side suffer loss?"

Zhu Chuan was momentarily stunned; then he laughed, "Miss Zhao is right, we businessmen aim for mutual benefit in our dealings. Hahaha, if that’s the case, I won’t be polite. I’d like to exchange the goods I have for the glassware you hold."

"Of course," Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile, her eyes twinkling, "Does that include the silk and cloth in your hands?"

"This..." if that’s the case, the price would need thorough discussion. Among the fabrics he brought were ones from Shu, quite valuable, intended for Luoyang’s royal family.