CHAPTER 477: CHAPTER 471 SO FAMILIAR

Ting He handed the warrant to Fan Ying and was already waiting outside the door in advance. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang approaching, she quickly ran up to her with a cloak, "Miss Zhao, I’ve checked everything out. Among the newly opened restaurants, there’s one called You Ran Residence, with pavilions and towers; it looks elegant, and many scholars love to go there for drinks and meals. There’s another called Zhenxiu Building, known for its excellent stir-fried dishes and vinegar fish, which are very delicious. The last one is Dashunzhai, famous for its wine, which also attracts a lot of visitors."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Are these three places close together?"

"Not too far apart—You Ran Residence was converted from an old garden. The other two were also renovated from prime locations and are reportedly on two streets."

Zhao Hanzhang asked Fu Tinghan, "Which one do you want to go to?"

Fu Tinghan was nonchalant.

Zhao Hanzhang then said, "Since we’re going out for a meal, of course, we should choose the tasty one. Let’s go to Zhenxiu Building."

She chuckled, "After tasting the dishes from Zhenxiu Building, we can buy two jars of wine from Dashunzhai and then go drink at You Ran Residence."

Visiting three places in one day, perfect!

No one found this plan problematic. Both Ting He and Fu An were pleased to join Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, as it had been a long time since they strolled the streets.

The two boarded the carriage. Zhao Hanzhang pushed open the window to look outside. Chen County was already bustling with life, with many stalls set up on both sides. People avoided the carriage path as they browsed goods at the stalls and shops on either side.

Everyone had smiles on their faces, and Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but smile too.

Fu Tinghan sat beside her, watching her. Seeing her whole demeanor softening, he followed her gaze and also looked outside. Seeing the peace on the streets, he couldn’t help but smile, whispering, "All this is because of you."

Zhao Hanzhang’s smile grew brighter, happiness welling up from deep inside, "It’s not just me. It’s also because of you, Mr. Ji, Uncle Ming, and many other soldiers. It’s thanks to you all."

Fu Tinghan gazed into her eyes, and they couldn’t help but share a smile together.

"Miss Zhao, we’ve arrived at..." Ting He peeked inside the curtain and saw the two sharing a smile. She quickly withdrew her head and dropped the curtain.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Have we arrived?"

"Yes, we’ve reached Zhenxiu Building."

Fu An jumped down from the carriage, placed the stool down, and Ting He lifted the curtain. Fu Tinghan lowered his head to get out and turned to help Zhao Hanzhang disembark.

There were many carriages and horses in front of Zhenxiu Building, and they could hear the bustle inside from outside. The two raised their heads to look at the plaque.

Zhao Hanzhang exclaimed, "Hey, the handwriting looks familiar."

Ting He pointed and said, "Zhen-xiu-Building, I recognize it too!"

Fu Tinghan said, "I mean the handwriting."

He examined it carefully and found it familiar but couldn’t remember immediately.

Zhao Hanzhang never dwelled on things she couldn’t recall and quickly dismissed the thought, laughing, "Come on, let’s eat first."

As soon as they entered, a staff member came to greet them, bowing and asking with a smile, "Would you like to dine downstairs or upstairs, mister and miss?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Upstairs."

The staff intended to escort them to the second floor when the shopkeeper behind the counter took a glance and widened his eyes slightly. He quickly put down his brush and came out to greet them with a deep bow, "Miss Zhao, Mr. Fu!"

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t surprised that she and Fu Tinghan were recognized, as many had seen them before. She nodded slightly and said to the shopkeeper, "We’re here to dine."

The shopkeeper immediately said, "Please, to the third floor for seats."

The staff hurriedly led them up to the third floor without delay.

The third floor was spacious, with only six rooms, each room capable of accommodating over ten seats, and desks partitioned by screens, equaling a hall.

Zhao Hanzhang took one look from the doorway, then turned to go downstairs, saying, "Dining on the second floor is fine."

Including Ting He and Fu An, there were only four of them; what use was a big room?

The shopkeeper quickly caught up with them, "Yes, yes, the second floor also has good spots."

He promptly found them a seat by the window.

Ting He and Fu An stood behind the two, ready to assist. Zhao Hanzhang sat down and waved them over, "You sit as well."

The two saluted and then knelt behind Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan to serve, and Zhao Hanzhang asked the shopkeeper for a menu.

"I heard your vinegar fish is good."

"Yes," the shopkeeper bowed, "Besides the vinegar fish, our sesame cakes at Zhenxiu Building are also very tasty. Miss Zhao should try them."

The shopkeeper recommended several dishes, and Zhao Hanzhang accepted them all.

When the dishes arrived, she laughed, "These dishes also look familiar."

Fu Tinghan thought so too. After trying a bite of the vinegar fish and breaking a sesame cake, Zhao Hanzhang grew silent.

Fu Tinghan enjoyed eating as well, and after tasting the third dish, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and continued eating. Once full and satisfied, she called for the shopkeeper and asked, "Who owns Zhenxiu Building?"

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before bowing and saying, "Miss Zhao, our master is the Seventh Uncle. I thought you knew."

Indeed, Miss Zhao is busy and surely overlooks such trivial matters.

She knew it!

No wonder the dishes grew more familiar as she ate.

Zhao Hanzhang was very curious, "Isn’t Seventh Uncle always stingy with his chefs? Why send them to Chen County?"

The shopkeeper bowed and smiled, "Our master heard the young gentleman would reside in Chen County permanently, so he sent his chefs over."

Zhao Hanzhang raised a brow.

Zhao Cheng wasn’t currently in Chen County, as he was engrossed in teaching. Zhao Hanzhang had entrusted him with the task of establishing schools in counties and districts.

"But since the young gentleman is not in Chen County now, our master simply bought a restaurant to run, anticipating serving him when he returns."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and waved him away.

"Indeed, Seventh Uncle is a rare business talent in the family, only beneath my grandfather; no wonder he’s so wealthy."

Zhao Hu had someone open Zhenxiu Building in Chen County, naturally not just for Zhao Cheng. Zhao Cheng used to travel far and wide for his studies; now he was busy across Yu State, without a settled residence. Why establish a restaurant in Chen County now?

Of course, for profit.

Previously, the Zhao family had no roots in Chen County, so without his presence, such a restaurant wouldn’t thrive. But now, who would dare trouble his establishment?

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, not minding Zhao Hu leveraging her reputation, as she said, "Ting He, inform the shopkeeper to remember to fully pay the business taxes every season."

"Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang stood up, "Let’s go and buy some wine at Dashunzhai."

The shopkeeper didn’t want to charge Zhao Hanzhang, arguing, "Consider it a treat from our master for his niece; how could we charge Miss Zhao?"

Zhao Hanzhang insisted on paying, "If I were to enjoy Seventh Uncle’s meals, I’d do so at home. Since we’re at a restaurant, business is business; one shouldn’t evade payment. Ting He, pay him."

Ting He firmly placed the money down, and the shopkeeper didn’t dare refuse strongly, fearing to offend Zhao Hanzhang, humbly acknowledging the payment and bowing to escort them to the door.