CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 211: DON’T LET FU TINGHAN FEEL WRONGED

Xiahou Ren walked into the banquet hall and saw a crowd gathered, making quite a din.

He Cheng, who accompanied him, was intrigued and pulled Xiahou Ren along, saying, "Let’s go and take a look."

As the two approached, those behind recognized Xiahou Ren, promptly paid their respects, and loudly announced, "Mr. Xiahou has arrived."

Xiahou Ren was a renowned scholar, and people immediately made way for him.

Suddenly, Xiahou Ren found himself face-to-face with the "person" opposite him.

He was startled, but his expression remained calm as he quietly looked at the person in the mirror, who was also calmly looking at him.

Someone asked immediately, "Has Xiahou seen this glazed mirror before?"

Xiahou Ren came to his senses and smiled slightly, "It’s the first time I’ve seen it. Who brought this glazed mirror here?"

"It was already here when we arrived, probably from the Zhao Family."

"The Zhao Family indeed possesses such extraordinary treasures."

"Could it have been left by the previous Shangcai Marquis?"

"The Zhao Family is truly generous to display such fine items."

"Perhaps they want to compete with Shi Jilun from afar? Hahaha..."

But some found the joke tasteless, "Mr. Zhao is frugal, his descendants likely aren’t extravagant either. These mirrors are probably just for our viewing, not necessarily for showing off wealth."

Just then, a surprised cry came from a nearby room, prompting scholars nearby to crowd inside, and soon those in the banquet hall heard, "There’s another mirror that size in the other room."

Scholars exchanged glances, "Is the Zhao Family showing off?"

But soon after, full-length mirrors were found in other places.

People became intrigued, wanting to know how many mirrors the Zhao Family had placed in the garden.

Everyone began to search around.

"There’s a mirror in this room too."

"Oh, there’s one in this room as well."

The garden grew lively, and when Zhao Cheng arrived, people were as delighted as if it were New Year. Seeing Zhao Cheng, someone loudly asked, "Zhao Zitu, where did these mirrors come from? They’re quite useful for checking one’s appearance."

Zhao Cheng didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang had placed many mirrors in the garden and appeared puzzled by their questions.

Someone aware that Zhao Cheng didn’t manage the Zhao Family affairs immediately asked, "Where is Zhao Zinian?"

Zhao Ming was in the house next to the garden.

This was his home, with a three-story viewing tower overlooking the entire garden.

This garden was specially built by the Zhao Family after Zhao Changyu’s appointment, situated between his home and the old residence, each having a tall tower to overlook the garden.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know what they had in mind when originally constructing these towers, but they indeed allowed her to observe the scholarly families who had come from afar.

Zhao Ming turned and saw she had changed from her heavy ceremonial clothes into a simple dress, standing gracefully by the window with her hands clasped in front of her, her demeanor relaxed, anyone witnessing it would praise her as befitting a noble lady.

Who could have imagined she could go to battle, repel Shi Le, and even shoot Liu Jing?

He took a deep breath to avoid looking at her, "If you’re not attending the banquet, who will manage these items?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I’ve invited County Magistrate Chai of Shangcai County."

Zhao Ming said nothing more.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to descend from the building, "Mr. Ji has already prepared at the old residence; Uncle just needs to point them the way."

"Wait," Zhao Ming called her back, "If you aren’t attending the banquet, what about Ting Han?"

"He is in seclusion, calculating," Zhao Hanzhang knew Fu Tinghan disliked time-consuming social affairs, and naturally wouldn’t impose on him, "Does Uncle need him for something?"

"He is, after all, the grandson of Fu Zhongshu, famous outside, let him come to participate."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "He doesn’t need the prestige of scholars."

Zhao Ming, displeased, frowned and said, "Hanzhang, you cannot stifle his talents. No scholar needs fame; he accommodates you, and you should consider him as well."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced out the window at the scholars enthusiastically conversing, her lips slightly curled, "He doesn’t need to force himself for such fame because this will be unnecessary in the future."

Zhao Ming’s pupils contracted, watching her descend the stairs.

He frowned, looking out at the garden, seeing scholars gathered around mirrors, their faces either intrigued or composed.

He took a deep breath—were these reactions all within Zhao Hanzhang’s expectations?

Zhao Ming remained silent, and Changqing approached, bowing and whispering, "Sir, people in the garden are looking for you."

Zhao Ming responded softly and asked, "Did anyone come without an invitation?"

"Yes, Xiahou Ren and He Cheng arrived in Xiping today; they came without an invitation, but because they are scholars, Mr. Kuan and others respectfully welcomed them into the garden."

Zhao Ming’s eyes flashed with surprise, and he hurriedly said, "Bring Third Lady back to me."

Zhao Hanzhang had already left the Zhao Mansion, stepping onto a footstool to get in the carriage, tapping the carriage wall for it to start moving.

Qiu Wu flicked the horse, and the carriage smoothly moved toward the garden gate, coincidentally encountering several people coming out of the garden. The leader saw the carriage and immediately shouted, "Is Brother Zinian inside? How can you invite us but not show up?"

Qiu Wu tentatively slowed the carriage, "Milady?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and had the carriage stopped, speaking through the curtain to those outside, "Uncle is busy and still at home. If esteemed guests wish to see him, they can send someone to invite him."

After speaking, she tapped the carriage wall directing Qiu Wu to leave.

"Wait," Xiahou Ren’s eyes flashed, stepping forward with a smile, "Is the one in the carriage Zhao Family’s Third Lady, the noted Miss Zhao who has repelled the enemy and shot Liu Jing?"

Zhao Kuan quickly intervened, "Mr. Xiahou, my third sister just attended a ceremony and has yet to change. Why not join me at the table, and I’ll send for Uncle Ming."

"We aren’t ones for formalities; I think Miss Zhao, who dared to ride out to face the enemy, isn’t bound by trivial etiquette either. Now that we’ve met by chance, why not alight for a greeting?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly, signaling for Ting He to lift the curtain, she bent down exiting the carriage to stand on the shaft, looking down at those gathered.

The crowd was shocked by her youth, but Xiahou Ren was captivated, staring at her face, unable to speak for a while.

Zhao Hanzhang stepped down from the carriage onto the footstool, smiling slightly at everyone, not performing a formal bow, but crossing her hands in a greeting, "Greetings to all esteemed scholars, I am Zhao Family’s Third Lady, Zhao Hanzhang."

Zhao Ming rushed up from behind, slightly breathless, seeing Zhao Hanzhang conversing with them, anxious, he stepped quickly forward and loudly interrupted, "Brother Xiahou!"

Zhao Hanzhang and the others turned to look at Zhao Ming.

Rushed, Zhao Ming couldn’t calm his breathing and deliberately displayed urgency as he approached, seizing Xiahou Ren’s hand, "Brother Xiahou, didn’t expect it was really you."