CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 197: RETURN

Zhao Hanzhang led the group as they leisurely caught up to the team ahead, curiously turning to look once in passing.

This path had veered off the official road and led only to Zhao’s Fortress.

Most of the people in this team were young boys of her age, either riding horses or sitting with hunched shoulders in ox carts, accompanied by five or six servants, but Zhao Hanzhang did not recognize any of them.

As Zhao Hanzhang’s group passed by them, they all curiously glanced at each other. Just before overtaking the convoy to move ahead, she turned her head out of curiosity and looked at the convoy again, meeting the gaze of the man on the first ox cart.

Feeling stirred, Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse, blocking the convoy from continuing.

The convoy came to a halt, and a young boy seated on one of the ox carts frowned and questioned, "Who are you people, and why are you blocking our path?"

Zhao Hanzhang merely glanced at him before looking towards the handsome man sitting in the center, hesitantly calling out, "Is it Uncle Zitu?"

Since the rebel army retreated from Xiping County, very few outsiders had come to Xiping; those coming to Wu Castle now were mostly of the Zhao Family.

The man glanced at Zhao Hanzhang with mild interest, recalling something as he slightly straightened his posture, furrowed his brow, and tentatively called, "Is it Third Lady?"

Zhao Hanzhang instantly beamed with a smile, "Yes, it’s Hanzhang, it’s Uncle indeed."

Her gaze swept across the young boys and youths behind him, her smile broadening, "These are my brothers and younger siblings, aren’t they?"

Zhao Cheng looked at Zhao Hanzhang’s smiling face, his gaze slowly shifting from her to the two teenagers behind her, settling on Zhao Erlang after glancing back and forth between Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang, "Is this Erlang?"

Because he didn’t appear very smart, whereas the other boy looked not only more handsome but also seemed intelligent by comparison.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, scolding Zhao Erlang, "Hurry up and go greet your uncle."

Fu Tinghan also stepped forward to pay respects, and upon hearing his self-introduction, Zhao Cheng nodded slightly, "Mr. Fu, there’s no need for such courtesies."

He gestured for Zhao Hanzhang to clear the path as they were heading back to Wu Castle.

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and led her horse aside to let them pass first.

Zhao Cheng didn’t even glance at them, instructing the cart driver to continue.

Once they had all moved past, she mounted her horse and said to her company, "Let’s go; we’re heading back to the old residence."

Then she led the group to catch up with the convoy from behind once again, overtaking them from the side, advancing towards Wu Castle against the wind.

The dust rolled up and blew back onto the convoy riding behind.

Convoy: ...

Zhao Cheng: ...

The young boy sharing the same cart with Zhao Cheng wiped his face angrily, "Such rude people; Uncle, is she really Third Sister Zhao?"

Yet a fleeting trace of amusement passed through Zhao Cheng’s eyes; he glanced at the boy and said, "Stop nagging and get us moving; it’s almost dark."

Zhao Hanzhang brought the group back to the old residence, tossed the reins to a follower, and led Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang to pay respects to Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang was busy in the kitchen; today was a minor festival, so she had cooked many dishes.

Knowing the children loved meat, she had prepared the most meat, including several dishes Fu Tinghan liked.

Mrs. Wang had someone carry out the dishes, and she brought out a plate herself, "Wash your hands quickly, we’re eating early today; everyone says it’ll snow tonight, and seeing the dark sky, it might really happen—perhaps we’ll enjoy snow at night."

Zhao Erlang: "Mother, when it’s dark, you can’t see."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Mother, on our way back, we encountered someone; it seems he’s Uncle Zitu from Seventh Uncle’s family."

Mrs. Wang paused, "He’s back?"

"Yes, should we go pay our respects?"

Mrs. Wang pondered for a moment and then said, "Go tomorrow; today is a minor snow festival, and he’s just returned—it wouldn’t be right to disturb their family reunion."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement; going tomorrow would indeed be better.

Fu Tinghan glanced up at her; she had just driven past kicking up a mouthful of dust—going now would be asking for trouble, wouldn’t it?

Zhao Hanzhang met his gaze with a smile, winking at him playfully.

Mrs. Wang noticed and glared at Zhao Erlang sitting between them.

Zhao Erlang was already holding chopsticks, ready to start eating at his sister’s command, but seeing his mother glare at him left him confused, wondering how he had upset her again.

Mrs. Wang saw he still hadn’t moved and tugged his ear, dragging him to sit beside her, "I don’t know what you’ve learned in the county town, but you’ve completely forgotten your manners."

She turned to Zhao Hanzhang, "He should come back and study; a noble family child cannot lack manners."

Zhao Erlang pleaded with Zhao Hanzhang with his eyes.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Mother, we will teach him; come, I see today’s tofu looks good."

Zhao Hanzhang picked up a piece of tofu for her, which had been stewed for a long time with large bones and was very flavorful; with one bite, juice filled the mouth.

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly, recalling, "Winter has arrived, and there are no green vegetables in the fields; when idle, people can try sprouting some beans. I’ve always wanted to try pressing some soybean oil and grinding some soybean flour and mixed flour, but haven’t had the manpower—now it’s possible."

Fu Tinghan said, "There’s only one mill in the county town; aside from that, there’s a mill next to the county government, whose grindstone and pestle are specifically used for criminals—I’ve visited, and there are only two sets."

"That’s a bit too few; let’s get some made," Zhao Hanzhang said after some thought, "Can’t say every village and settlement should have one, but between several villages and settlements, there should be one—it’ll be convenient for the people."

Fu Tinghan didn’t dispute this but asked, "Have you thought about how to press soybean oil?"

Zhao Hanzhang began to feel a headache coming on, replying vaguely, "I’ll think about it more; I wasn’t quite attentive in the book at the time and don’t remember clearly..."

Seeing her troubled, Fu Tinghan chuckled and picked up a piece of meat for her, "Take your time; we have all winter to experiment."

Indeed, before spring plowing, they were all relatively idle, and now the people were holed up at home for the winter.

Mrs. Wang had been very quiet while they discussed proper matters, and when they finished, she urged them on, "Quick, eat; once done, go try on the new clothes—I’ve made winter apparel for all of you."

She turned to look at Zhao Erlang, saying with some anger, "Especially you—it’s been less than two months, and how many clothes have you worn out?"

Zhao Erlang buried his head in his food, and Zhao Hanzhang sensibly lowered hers as well.

Mrs. Wang muttered, "If ours were just ordinary families, how could we afford you; using so much cloth."

Fu Tinghan spoke up for his brother-in-law, "Madam, Erlang practices martial arts and inevitably wears out clothes."

"His sister practices martial arts too; why doesn’t she waste as much? I still think it’s mischief," Mrs. Wang persistently aimed to have Zhao Erlang study etiquette.

The family enjoyed a lively dinner, and not far from their old residence, a courtyard was also bustling.

Zhao Hu, seeing his grandson return, was overjoyed, embracing him as laughter filled his face. When facing Zhao Cheng, though the smile was a bit more reserved, it was still present. He nodded solemnly, "You have some conscience; you know to return—this time you cannot take Dalang out again."