CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 212: A FEW KIND WORDS

Zhao Hanzhang was startled and instinctively looked at Xiahou Ren. Could this person be Zhao Ming’s close friend, the type that feels like every day apart is as long as three years?

She saw a flash of surprise on Xiahou Ren’s face, and then he returned to his usual demeanor, gripping Zhao Ming’s hand with excitement.

Zhao Hanzhang almost thought she was seeing things, but she chose to trust her eyes and intuition.

Her gaze slipped between the two men, silently smiling.

Zhao Ming enthusiastically chatted with Xiahou Ren for a good while before turning to Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "This is Xiahou Zitai, whom you should address as Uncle."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand in salute and respectfully called out "Uncle," while wondering who Xiahou Zitai was.

She couldn’t find him in her own memory but found a hint in the lineage records.

Xiahou, someone important enough to make Zhao Ming so anxious.

She smiled at Zhao Ming, hoping he would give her more clues.

Zhao Ming was already holding Xiahou Ren’s hand, asking, "Is General Xiahou well? Is Lord Pei well?"

Zhao Hanzhang realized then, Ji Yuan had mentioned to her that this year’s chief official in Yu State was Xiahou Jun, the General Xiahou Zhao Ming referred to, and she had some connection to him.

Xiahou Ren had come for Zhao Hanzhang, so Zhao Ming’s enthusiasm could not deter his purpose. He looked at Zhao Hanzhang, "Isn’t Third Lady going into the garden to attend the ceremonial banquet?"

He smiled and said, "Third Lady’s elegance surpasses all the scholars here. I feel ashamed to say that we men lack the courage and talent that you possess. Shi Le runs rampant in the Jizhou area with few opponents, yet you can defeat him, far beyond our capabilities."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at Zhao Ming, and responded calmly, "Uncle praises me too highly. Whether it was defeating Shi Le, or managing Xiping County, it wasn’t solely my achievement, it was thanks to Uncle Ming and the family’s support."

Everyone seemed to understand, apparently, it was Zhao Family who really controlled Xiping County, though it was unclear why they put Zhao Hanzhang, a woman, at the forefront rather than using other descendants.

Zhao Ming, implied as the true master behind the scenes: ...

He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, grabbed Xiahou Ren, and said, "Third Lady is in mourning, hence not entering the garden. Since Zitai is here in Xiping, he must see the talents of my Ru Nan. Next year is the year of ranking, and I hope Zitai can speak highly of us in front of General Xiahou."

Xiahou Ren pondered but said nothing.

Zhao Hanzhang then smiled, "Since Uncle is here in Xiping, you must stay a few more days. I will accompany you and introduce you to the landscapes and people of Xiping."

Only then did Xiahou Ren smile, nodding, "I shall trouble you, Third Lady."

He then followed Zhao Ming into the garden to rejoin the ceremonial banquet.

Zhao Hanzhang watched him go inside, then turned and went back to the carriage, "Let’s go back."

Zhao Erlang was playing at home, with Zhao Zheng also there. The two were wielding wooden swords in the yard, though it was actually Zhao Erlang letting Zhao Zheng attack. No matter how hard Zhao Zheng tried or what angle he used, Zhao Erlang could block him.

When he saw his sister return, Zhao Erlang pushed Zhao Zheng’s sword aside and jumped over, "My sister is back, I won’t play with you anymore."

He ran to Zhao Hanzhang, extending his head in front of her, "Sister, look at my jade crown, someone gave it to me."

Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile, "Who is so generous?"

Zhao Erlang thought for a moment and shook his head, "I don’t know, we bumped into him when Zheng and I were coming back. He asked me my name, and after I told him, he gave it to me."

Zhao Hanzhang then looked towards Fu An.

Fu An immediately stepped forward, "I’ve asked. One of the attendants said they were from the Xiahou Family."

Zhao Hanzhang knew who it was and patted Zhao Erlang’s head, "It’s quite beautiful. It’s from your uncle, so since it’s a gift from an elder, you should wear it."

Zhao Zheng stood quietly on the side, when he heard this, he asked, "Third Sister, is the one who gave the crown from the Pei County Xiahou Family?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Indeed."

"My father said, this year’s chief official is General Xiahou."

Zhao Hanzhang found his serious manner adorable, despite his young age, and led them to sit under the corridor, asking with a smile, "Why, does little Zheng want to get ranked too?"

Zhao Zheng blushed slightly, "I’m still young, but my father is at the right age."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Uncle is of superior character and talent. If he participates in the ranking, his grade won’t be low."

"But nowadays the ranking first considers family background." Zhao Zheng worriedly said, "Third Sister, my ancestors... you have connections with General Xiahou, could you say a few good words for my father?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "You clever little one, how do you know your father is willing to get ranked and enter service?"

"Maybe he wasn’t willing before, but now isn’t my father working for you, Third Sister?" Zhao Zheng replied, "You’ve handed over the clerks in the county government and the centurions in the military camp to father, letting him teach them military strategy."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him in surprise, "You’re really clever. Are you truly only eight years old?"

Zhao Zheng was exasperated, "Third Sister, I am already eight years old!" Not eight months, how could I not understand such matters?

The twelve-year-old Zhao Erlang beside him didn’t understand. He didn’t grasp their meaning at all. Seeing his newly made friend plead to his sister, he joined in, "Sister, please help Zheng as well."

Zhao Hanzhang lightly patted his head, "Do you even know what’s going on that you are asking me to help?"

"Though this matter is not difficult for me," saying good words is something she’s adept at, but whether others listen is beyond her control, yet... "Is uncle truly willing to get ranked? Zheng, it concerns your father’s future, you should ask him personally."

Zhao Zheng said, "Father doesn’t like asking for help, I want to give him a surprise."

"Just don’t let it be a fright," Zhao Hanzhang knew he was smart, and simply advised him, "Do you know why your uncle and Seventh Ancestor’s relationship is so bad?"

Zhao Zheng lowered his eyes and quietly replied, "Because of my mother..."

Zhao Hanzhang patted his head, "What foolish thoughts are you having, how does it involve your mother?"

She said, "Because your grandfather is unreliable, although it’s improper for younger generations to criticize elders behind their backs, to prevent future mistakes, it must be said."

"Your grandfather’s worldview is entirely different from your father’s, this is one reason why they can’t see eye to eye; the second reason is your grandfather trying to control your father, expecting uncle to follow his arrangements completely." Zhao Hanzhang stated, "But although uncle is a child, he is also a person, an individual with his own thoughts. His actions should be dictated by his own mind, not directed by another person."

"Zheng, are you trying to control your father’s actions like your grandfather?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng’s face turned pale, and he shook his hands frantically, "I, I am not, Third Sister, I just want to give father a surprise..."

Zhao Hanzhang consoled him, patting his head, and softly said, "There are many ways to give surprises, this is the worst one. If you really want to help your father in this aspect, you must first ask him if he truly wants to enter service and get ranked."