CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 473: BEAUTY TRAP

The blooming jasmine bush could hide their figures, preventing those in the garden from seeing them.

But they didn’t realize someone was upstairs.

Because since You Ran Residence opened, it had never been open to the public nor allowed anyone upstairs. It’s said to be a resting place for the owner, who wasn’t in Chen County, so it’s never been opened.

They also didn’t consider that someone might be upstairs now. Oh, and no one currently knew that You Ran Residence was started by Ji Yuan, nor did they know Zhao Hanzhang was behind it.

With fingers brushing against the jasmine flowers, Zhao Hanzhang froze, only raising her head to glance at Fu Tinghan beside her.

Fu Tinghan also looked down at her, seeing her little fingers twist around the jasmine branches without moving, listening to gossip with an attentive, amused shake of his head. He sat beside her at the railing, listening to the folks below discussing him.

"But the Zhao Family Army and those following Zhao Hanzhang hold him in high esteem, hearing that those with Zhao Hanzhang call him ’Sir,’ it’s clear he has a lot of respect."

"I hear he looks quite good, like bright stars and moons, perhaps due to his demeanor and appearance?"

"Jize also has good looks."

"True, let me first congratulate Bocong here. If Jize can firmly establish himself beside Zhao Hanzhang, how could the Tan Family not prosper in the future?"

"Alas, it’s too soon to say this now, Zhao Hanzhang is not an ordinary lady. She decisively kills on the battlefield, how could she be just a young lady indulging in love?"

"Even if she can’t dissolve the engagement with Fu Tinghan, having an affair is still possible. Now, Yu State is in her hands. Look at the scholars participating in this talent cultivation exam; quite a few are from four outer regions. It’s evident they aren’t necessarily loyal to Gou Xi; the ten regions of Yu State might all fall into her grasp."

Zhao Hanzhang was shocked, unable to react for a long moment.

Fu Tinghan was stunned too. He didn’t expect such maneuvers, and... this is ancient times, right?

Were the ancients this open-minded?

As he was dazed, he heard someone below say, "Jize, my family’s honor rests on you now."

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan finally heard the third person’s voice, "Yes."

The voice was clear and pleasant, sparking Zhao Hanzhang’s curiosity to look out, but the building’s design truly tricked her; she couldn’t see below.

Fu Tinghan: ...

He reached out to pull Zhao Hanzhang back, giving her a warning look, pointing at the jasmine wrapped around her finger.

Zhao Hanzhang ceased her movements.

"Let’s go, let’s hear some poetry and meet some people. Quite a few scholars have come for this talent cultivation exam I’ve heard, including those from Luoyang..."

The voices gradually drifted away, and Zhao Hanzhang attempted again to peek at Tan Jize, but still couldn’t see anything.

She reluctantly released the jasmine twined around her finger, regretfully saying, "Couldn’t see, wonder if he’s truly handsome or not."

Fu An was slightly angry, "If he is handsome, would Miss Zhao abandon my lord?"

"Why are you shouting? When did my lady ever say she would abandon your lord?" Ting He was displeased, "That Tan Jize is still unknown, round or flat; hmph, does he think he can covet our lady?"

Zhao Hanzhang rubbed her own hand, saying to Fu Tinghan, "This plotting gives me goosebumps."

Fu Tinghan frowned tightly, "Weren’t they indifferent to fame and fortune? Plotting us from this angle."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Talking about being indifferent to fame and fortune is just talk."

"But this is a reminder," Zhao Hanzhang considered, "A beauty strategy, it seems people like using it, whether the target is men or women."

Fu Tinghan asked, "Tempted?"

Zhao Hanzhang grinned at him, "I am not that shallow. I believe my integrity is already trustworthy. Since I promised you, as long as you remain true to me, I shall remain true to you."

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on his face, arching her brow as she said, "The beauty strategy can be used not only on us."

Fu Tinghan merely smiled gently at her.

Zhao Hanzhang already knew his answer; she trusted him, and the two of them exchanged understanding smiles.

Fu An and Ting He finally stopped their argument, though still indignant inwardly; hmph, that Tan Jize, whoever he may be, dares to come between their lady and lord.

"Enough about outsiders, quickly bring my wine. I wonder what flavor this Hundred Days Drunk that charms so many has."

Fu An carried up a jar of wine, Zhao Hanzhang received it, tapped the loamy seal open, and a thick aroma of wine immediately filled the air.

Zhao Hanzhang inhaled deeply, delighted, "It smells so good."

Even Fu Tinghan, who was indifferent to wine, leaned forward to take a look, "It is fragrant."

Zhao Hanzhang opened the jar’s lid, and Ting He immediately brought up a wine pot.

Zhao Hanzhang poured it in, the clear liquid flowing into the pot, leaving a little at the bottom. As Ting He took the wine to warm it, Zhao Hanzhang lifted the jar and took a sip herself.

Fu Tinghan helped steady the jar pressing against her nose, amused, "Can’t resist a little longer?"

Zhao Hanzhang sipped, her eyes brightened, "This wine is so fragrant, tastes wonderful. Want a sip?"

Fu Tinghan took the jar, downing the last sip, raising an eyebrow, "Indeed good, wonder what it’s brewed with."

"Sorghum maybe," Zhao Hanzhang mused while sniffing the jar, pondering, "Their water’s excellent, wonder is it Chen County’s water."

Ting He diligently investigated before heading out, so she knew quite a bit, warming the wine on the stove, she said, "Miss, they use our Chen County’s water. I heard the Chen Family found a uniquely sweet spring on a mountain, bought it at high price just for brewing wine from that spring."

Ting He brought over the warmed wine, pouring into a set of glass cups, "Miss, taste it."

Zhao Hanzhang took a sip, praising, "Good wine!"

Just as she finished speaking, there came a gentle knock at the door.

Fu An went to open the door, and attendants came with a tray, delivering food.

Zhao Hanzhang finally seated herself on the mat, asking Fu Tinghan, "Want to drink?"

"Can try a bit." Fu Tinghan wasn’t fond of wine but would drink; he leisurely sipped, Zhao Hanzhang tasted, only to drink a whole cup directly, "A pity it’s turbulent times, can’t promote using grain for wine, even sorghum not allowed. It’s still best to encourage more wheat and rice farming this year, hope for favorable weather."

"It shall be," Fu Tinghan said, "Last year’s snow was good, a favorable winter forebodes a prosperous year, likely a bountiful harvest."

"What a pity, last year’s conflict left little land for wheat." These concerns weren’t on Zhao Hanzhang’s mind with the myriad tasks at hand; she spoke offhandedly.

Holding the wine pot and cup, she went to the railing, feeling it most beautiful to drink here, beckoning Fu Tinghan, "Come over, it’s better to drink here."

Since the wine was excellent, Zhao Hanzhang decided not to drink both jars; instead, she drank one, took the other home.

She decided to store it for later.

No choice, the wine was too pricey.

Cao Shu personally escorted Zhao Hanzhang to the door, getting her onto the carriage.

Zhao Hanzhang lifted the curtain, asking him, "Who is your boss?"

Isn’t that you? Is this drunkenness?

Cao Shu was about to speak, met Zhao Hanzhang’s clear gaze, suddenly snapped awake, he bowed respectfully, "The boss is surnamed Wang, from Bingzhou, traveled for studies, escaped Bingzhou’s disaster but couldn’t return home. Hence he stayed in Yu State, seeing Chen County’s stability, opened You Ran Residence with remaining resources."

Zhao Hanzhang satisfactorily nodded, "Indeed, just as that."

She dropped the curtain, yet didn’t immediately leave, but spoke from within, "Investigate Tan Bocong and Tan Jize."

Cao Shu bowed in agreement, "Yes."