CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 198 ZHAO CHENG

Zhao Cheng’s face was cold, merely following the etiquette to salute his father, then turned to his son, "Go have Zhi take the luggage inside."

Zhao Hu was displeased, "The servants are right here, you should order them to do it, why use the child?"

The eight-year-old Zhao Zheng immediately said, "Grandfather, there are many precious books in the luggage, the servants have heavy hands, if they drop them, it would be bad; let me do it instead."

Zhao Hu said, "Who dares to drop such precious things? I’ll beat them to death!"

Zhao Cheng’s face darkened, and he yelled at Zhao Zheng, "So many words, hurry up!"

Zhao Zheng turned around and ran off.

Zhao Hu couldn’t help but stomp his feet, "Why are you getting angry with the child?"

Zhao Cheng lowered his eyes without speaking, provoking Zhao Hu further, who was about to point at his nose and curse, when a familiar, clear voice rang out, "Cheng is back."

Zhao Hu’s curse stuck in his throat, his face turning ashen, looking very ugly.

For Zhao Cheng, his expression eased, remaining as cool as ever, he raised his hand in salute upon seeing Zhao Ming approach, respectfully calling out, "Brother Ming."

Zhao Ming nodded, inviting him, "I’ve set a table at home; would you join me for a drink?"

Without thinking, Zhao Cheng agreed, turning to walk with him.

Zhao Hu was dumbfounded, angrily said, "Today is Xiaoxue, you’re home and aren’t even staying to eat at home..."

To avoid seeing his father, Zhao Cheng could stay away from home for five or six years, how would he care about a small festival reunion?

Zhao Ming went ahead and invited Zhao Hu too, "Seventh Uncle, come along, Father misses you."

Zhao Hu finally shut his mouth, knowing he couldn’t keep Zhao Cheng, grumbling as he agreed, taking his grandson Zhao Zheng along.

Knowing Zhao Cheng was troubled, Zhao Ming purposely took him to a private pavilion in the backyard, seated alone.

Zhao Ming poured him a drink and asked, "Are you staying here this time?"

Zhao Cheng frowned, "The children miss home, and with troubles at Wu Castle, I thought of bringing them back for a visit; When spring comes, and it gets warmer, we plan to leave again."

"The world is in chaos, with bandits rampant outside, going out will not teach you much but rather risk your life," Zhao Ming said, "Instead of running around outside, you should settle down in your hometown and study peacefully. Of course, if you can stay in the clan school to help Eleventh Uncle, that would be better."

Zhao Cheng remained indifferent, "As I entered Wu Castle, I saw many households displaying white hemp, it clearly is not peaceful at home either; how can one talk about tranquility?"

"Precisely because it’s not peaceful, you need to stay in Xiping, would you stand by and watch the clan suffer?"

Zhao Cheng didn’t speak further.

Zhao Ming sighed, "Even a girl like Third Sister has the ambition to protect the family; how can you, as an uncle, fall behind her?"

Zhao Cheng said, "I wanted to ask you, your letter was unclear, how can a girl like Third Sister rule Xiping County?"

Zhao Ming’s lips curled slightly, "You haven’t met her; once you do, you’ll understand. Not only Xiping County, she might rule Shangcai County in the future."

"I’ve met her."

Zhao Ming exclaimed, "What? When did you see her?"

"I met her on the way back to Wu Castle," Zhao Cheng thought for a moment, "Indeed, she’s defiant, not like the average girl, unlike Zhi Zhi."

Zhao Ming laughed, "People grow up, experiencing different things, naturally turning into different people."

He said, "Earlier her temperament was much like Zhi Zhi, but now..."

Zhao Ming thought again and laughed, "She has five parts likeness to Big Uncle."

Zhao Cheng was surprised, it was a high praise, after all, the smartest and most accomplished in the Zhao Family’s three generations was Zhao Changyu.

Zhao Ming sincerely wanted Zhao Cheng to stay, thinking of Zhao Hanzhang’s boldness, he enthusiastically said, "Tomorrow I’ll take you to see her. After all, you have the closest relationship with Zhi Zhi in the clan."

Zhao Cheng didn’t refuse, noise came from the front yard, someone speaking loudly.

Zhao Cheng asked, "Is Third Lady managing Xiping County? Has he caused her any trouble?"

Zhao Ming knew Zhao Cheng was referring to Zhao Hu, smiling as he shook his head, "No."

Zhao Cheng didn’t believe it, sneering, "You don’t need to cover for him; even Big Uncle couldn’t suppress him, let alone Third Lady."

Zhao Ming shook his head, "Big Uncle couldn’t suppress Seventh Uncle because Big Uncle wasn’t in Xiping; besides, you underestimate Third Sister Zhao, our niece here..."

Zhao Ming recalled how his father often charmed by her and couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hanzhang’s family just brewed ginger tea with brown sugar, seated by the window area; the bamboo curtain was rolled up, and the window was open.

Seeing the tiny snowflakes drifting from the sky, Zhao Hanzhang exclaimed, "It’s really snowing!"

Zhao Erlang was thrilled too, jumped up and ran outside, dragging Fu Tinghan along.

Mrs. Wang hurriedly called out, "Wrap up in a fox fur, don’t catch a cold."

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang smiling, not following them out, she pushed her, "You too, go play with them. You don’t need to stay with me."

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "I don’t like playing in the snow, it’s cold, Mother, let’s chat."

Mrs. Wang hadn’t conversed with her daughter for a long time, was momentarily unsure what to say, then asked, "Chat about what?"

"Let’s talk about Uncle Zitu."

Mrs. Wang thought for a moment and said, "He held you when you were young, very fond of you; your father once considered letting you recognize him as your father."

Zhao Hanzhang was surprised, "Why?"

Mrs. Wang sighed, "Seventh Ancestor is reckless, their father-son relationship is strained, reaching the point where they can’t coexist; your uncle then intended not to marry, declaring that bringing children into such a family is painful, thus wanting to sever his lineage."

Zhao Hanzhang’s mouth hung open; even in modern times, such thoughts were hard to comprehend.

Because of a bad relationship with his father, to prevent his father’s lineage from continuing, he wouldn’t marry or have children?

This was incredible in modern times, let alone over a thousand years ago.

But...

Zhao Hanzhang thought of the family’s genealogy, bewilderedly said, "But Uncle has a son now, doesn’t he? The genealogy mentions a Zhao Zheng who should be..."

"Eight years old," Mrs. Wang deeply sighed, "It’s because of this child that your uncle left home, rarely returning to Xiping, even when he does, he lives outside Wu Castle, unwilling to be under the same roof as Seventh Ancestor."

"Why?"

Mrs. Wang hesitated, not wanting to discuss such elder gossip.

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly held her hand, "Mother, I view Uncle as a rare talent, and he is acquainted with Father, so I wish to seek his help. But I find him aloof with people, if you don’t tell me, what if I violate taboos when dealing with him?"

"Your uncle is not a narrow-minded person; as long as you follow etiquette, how could you violate taboos?"

But fearing she wouldn’t adhere to etiquette, she’d already been disrespectful once today in front of him.