Zhao Hu was the type who, given a little sunshine, would shine brilliantly—and if not given sunshine, would take moonlight and treat it as sunshine. If Zhao Hanzhang truly enfeoffed him as a marquis, he would probably fly straight to the heavens.

Who knew what kind of arrogance he’d display?

Zhao Cheng had already foreseen that if Zhao Hu had noble rank, before long he would grow so complacent that he’d commit some great error. And Zhao Hanzhang—her eyes could tolerate a strand of hair but definitely not a grain of sand.

The occasional small mistakes Zhao Hu committed, she could turn a blind eye and let pass. But if he crossed her bottom line, she would show no mercy.

Zhao Cheng looked at her pleadingly. “I beg the Great General to spare his life.”

So suppress him, don’t give him noble rank.

Zhao Hanzhang then said, “You see, Uncle clearly cares very much about Uncle-Grandfather, yet why must you be at odds every time you meet?”

Zhao Cheng opened his mouth, and after a long while said with difficulty, “I’m not concerned about him.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Alright, if you say you’re not, then you’re not. I’m telling you all this to let you know that Uncle-Grandfather isn’t as you imagine—only gaining benefits from me. He has also contributed greatly to me, to the nation, and to the people.”

“Master Ming spoke that way merely to provoke him. Ah…” Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “If it weren’t for my sake, Master Ming wouldn’t demean himself by saying such sarcastic things.”

Zhao Cheng’s expression softened, and he said to Zhao Hanzhang, “You needn’t take it to heart. Now the burdens of both state and clan rest entirely on your shoulders. As court officials and fellow clansmen, we naturally must do our utmost to contribute our meager strength.”

He paused before continuing, “I’ll try to persuade him again later. Even if he can’t donate half his wealth as Master Director of the Imperial Secretariat suggested, I’ll do my best to get him to donate more.”

Zhao Hanzhang stepped back and gave him a deep bow. “Uncle’s righteousness is great.”

Zhao Cheng felt unworthy of this and stepped aside to avoid it. After all, Zhao Hanzhang had invested all her family assets into this nation, and now even eating an egg required economizing.

After seeing Zhao Cheng off, Zhao Hanzhang finally turned and took the tray, entering the hall. As soon as she entered, she saw Zhao Hu’s somewhat flustered back. Zhao Hanzhang pretended not to notice and called out to Zhao Hu with a smile, who was just three steps away from her. “Seventh Uncle, the noodles are here. Uncle Cheng isn’t staying, so I’ll eat with you.”

Having said this, she casually selected a seat in the center and set down the tray, then pulled over a cushion from the side. Sitting on one side of the low table, she pointed to the other side with a smile. “Seventh Uncle, please sit.”

Zhao Hu walked forward with his hands behind his back and a haughty air, sitting down across from her. Seeing the noodles that had already swollen into a mass, he frowned, but he held back and didn’t speak. Instead, he picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of greens to eat.

The greens were unexpectedly delicious—crisp in texture and slightly sweet. He picked up another chopstick-full of noodles. The noodles were slippery and chewy, and despite having clumped together, they didn’t break apart easily.

Only then was Zhao Hu satisfied. He said reluctantly, “Your cook isn’t bad. Where did you find him?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “A former imperial chef.”

She continued, “He’s a eunuch. He managed to survive during the chaos of fleeing the capital. After I found him, I brought him to the palace to cook.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hu asked, “Is he willing to leave the palace? I say, even though he’s a eunuch, there’s no need to keep confining him. He’s been cooped up in this palace his whole life—what’s the point? If he wants to leave, you should let him go.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded. “Uncle-Grandfather’s suggestion is good. If he wants to leave, I certainly won’t stop him.”

Zhao Hu raised his eyebrows high and said to her, “You’re truly kind-hearted.”

He paused before continuing, “In this respect, you’re very much like Zitu, and also like your grandfather. Sigh, so many people in our family, most have the heart of a bodhisattva, serving the nation and the people. Your grandfather was like this, your Fifth Uncle-Grandfather too. Hmph, don’t look at how your Uncle Ming usually acts all high and mighty—he’s the same as all of you.”

Zhao Hu curled his lip disdainfully. “Although I don’t understand why, when you clearly protect the common people of the world, you don’t enjoy their offerings but instead eat bitterly and scrimp on money to support them… but fine, if not for them, then consider it for yourselves.”

He sighed. “What Zinian said isn’t without reason. Now the clan’s honor and disgrace rest entirely on you. If you win, the Zhao clan can be secure. If you lose, forget about my wealth—I’m afraid my whole family’s lives will be reduced to ashes and smoke.”

Zhao Hanzhang carefully probed, “You’re referring to Uncle Ming, not Uncle Cheng?”

Zhao Hu snorted disdainfully. “Of course it’s Zinian. That Uncle Cheng of yours—the principles he spouts, I don’t understand them and don’t want to!”

So when Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know about it, Zhao Ming had also urged Zhao Hu to donate his family assets?

Zhao Hu continued muttering, “He’s been made foolish by reading. Let me tell you, some of what he says you can listen to, but most of it you shouldn’t! Don’t listen to him.”

Zhao Hanzhang then sighed. “Originally I wanted to appoint Uncle Cheng as Minister of Rites while concurrently serving as Libationer of the Imperial Academy…”

Zhao Hu gave a start and immediately changed his tune. “Actually, what I just said was all said in anger. Though he seems a bit foolish, he’s been steeped in classical texts since childhood and understands principles very deeply. It’s just that I haven’t read many books, so I don’t understand. You should still use him if you need to.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked troubled. “But the Ministry of Rites oversees the five rites of sacrifice, mourning, military, reception, and marriage and capping ceremonies, and also controls the laws of schools and civil service examinations. All the talents in the realm emerge from the Ministry of Rites. The person at its head must meet the strictest requirements. Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues, yet Uncle Cheng…”

Zhao Hu said angrily, “You can say your Uncle Cheng has problems with his brain, but you can’t say he has problems with his moral character. If his moral character were problematic, would the clan dare entrust all the young people to him for instruction?”

“But Uncle-Grandfather, don’t you often say he’s unfilial?”

Zhao Hu’s face flushed red. After a long while, he said through gritted teeth, “I was talking nonsense. You know what quarreling is, don’t you? When people quarrel, nothing good is said. One word leads to another, so naturally you say whatever sounds harsh.”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “Uncle-Grandfather thinks these are just words said in the heat of the moment and don’t count, but outsiders don’t think so.”

“The struggle for benefits in this world has never ceased. Now our Zhao clan’s children occupy many prominent official positions at court. Even I have quite a few people who want to bring me down, let alone Uncle Cheng.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “He oversees all the schools in the realm, and I’m also considering having him oversee the Ministry of Rites. This means that in the future, all recruitment examinations will pass through his hands, and all the talented scholars in the realm will have to respectfully call the Minister of Rites ‘Teacher.'”

“Such a crucial position—even without any dirt on him, they’d manufacture dirt to throw at Uncle Cheng. You’re Uncle Cheng’s father. You’ve personally declared him unfilial. Isn’t this like handing them dirty water to smash right into Uncle Cheng’s forehead?”

Zhao Hu opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak for a long while.

He shuddered and came back to his senses, grabbing her sleeve. “Then today’s matter…”

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice. “Regarding today’s events in the hall—Master Ji and Master Ming needn’t worry. Though they have some conflicts with Uncle-Grandfather, they greatly admire Uncle Cheng and certainly won’t speak of it outside. As for the others, I’ll have a word with them later. I can only say I’ll do my best.”