Zhao Hanzhang led her group leisurely catching up to the team ahead, and when passing them, she curiously turned her head to glance.
This road had already left the official highway and only led to the Zhao clan’s fortified village.
This group of people were mostly youths around her age—some riding horses, some hunched against the cold sitting in ox carts, with five or six servants following beside the carts. But Zhao Hanzhang didn’t recognize any of these people.
Zhao Hanzhang’s group passed by them from the side, each curiously looking at the other. Just as they were about to completely pass the convoy and move forward, she curiously turned her head to glance at the convoy again, and happened to lock eyes with a man in the first ox cart.
Zhao Hanzhang’s heart stirred, and she reined in her horse, blocking the convoy ahead.
The convoy stopped. A youth sitting in the ox cart frowned and asked, “Who are you people, and why are you blocking our carriages?”
Zhao Hanzhang only glanced at him before looking toward the handsome man sitting in the center. She asked somewhat hesitantly, “Could this be Uncle Zitu?”
Since the rebel forces had withdrawn from Xiping County until now, there had been few outsiders coming to Xiping. Those coming to the fortified village at this time were mostly Zhao clan members themselves.
The man coolly swept a glance at Zhao Hanzhang, remembering something, sat up straighter, frowned, and tentatively called out, “Is it Sanniang?”
Zhao Hanzhang immediately broke into a smile, “It is indeed Hanzhang. So it is Uncle.”
Her gaze swept over the youths behind him, her smile growing broader, “These must be my elder brothers and younger brothers?”
Zhao Cheng looked at Zhao Hanzhang’s smiling face, his gaze slowly moving from her to the two youths behind her, going back and forth between Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang before settling on Zhao Erlang, “Is this Erlang?”
Because he looked not very intelligent, whereas the other youth was not only more handsome but also appeared very intelligent.
Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and called to Zhao Erlang, “Quickly come pay respects to Uncle.”
Fu Tinghan also came forward to pay respects. Hearing his self-introduction, Zhao Cheng nodded slightly, “Young Master Fu, no need for such formality.”
He gestured toward the road for Zhao Hanzhang to clear the way, as they needed to return to the fortified village.
Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and led her horse to the side to let them pass first.
Zhao Cheng didn’t even look at them and had the cart driver continue.
After they had all passed, she mounted her horse and said to everyone, “Let’s go, we’ll also return to the old residence.”
So she led everyone from behind to catch up to the convoy once more, and once again passed them from the side, heading toward the fortified village against the wind with a clatter.
Dust flew up, carried by the wind straight toward the convoy behind.
The convoy: …
Zhao Cheng: …
A youth sitting in the same cart as Zhao Cheng wiped his face and said indignantly, “How rude this person is! Second Uncle, is she Zhao Sanniang?”
However, a trace of amusement quickly flashed through Zhao Cheng’s eyes. He glanced at the youth and said, “Why are you chattering? Quickly drive the cart back, it’s almost dark.”
Zhao Hanzhang led her people back to the old residence, tossed the horses to those behind her, and took Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang to pay respects to Wang Shi.
Wang Shi was busy in the kitchen. Today was a minor festival, so she had made a lot of food.
Knowing the children all loved meat, she prepared the most meat, including several dishes that Fu Tinghan particularly enjoyed.
Wang Shi had someone carry the dishes out while she herself carried a plate, “Quickly go wash your hands. We’re eating early today. Everyone says it will snow tonight, and I see the sky is dark and gloomy—it might really happen. We might be able to enjoy the night snow.”
Zhao Erlang said, “Mother, when it’s dark you can’t see anything.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Mother, when we were coming back we encountered someone who seemed to be Uncle Zitu from Seventh Great-Uncle’s family.”
Wang Shi paused, “He’s returned?”
“Yes. What do you say—should we go pay him a visit?”
Wang Shi thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go tomorrow. Today is Minor Snow, and he just returned—it wouldn’t be good to disturb their family reunion.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, also feeling tomorrow would be better for the visit.
Fu Tinghan raised his head and glanced at her. She had just overtaken them and made them eat a mouthful of dust—going now wouldn’t that be asking for a scolding?
Zhao Hanzhang met his gaze and smiled, winking at him.
Wang Shi saw this and glared at Zhao Erlang sitting between the two of them.
Zhao Erlang had already gripped his chopsticks and was just waiting for his sister’s command to start eating. Seeing his mother glare at him, he was somewhat confused, not knowing what he had done to displease his mother again.
Wang Shi saw he still didn’t move, so she stepped forward and twisted his ear, dragging him to sit beside her, “Who knows what you’ve been learning in the county town—you’ve forgotten all your etiquette.”
She turned to Zhao Hanzhang and said, “He should still return to study. How can a noble son not know propriety?”
Zhao Erlang looked imploringly at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Mother, we will teach him. Come, I see today’s tofu is quite well made.”
Zhao Hanzhang picked up a piece of tofu for her. This tofu had been stewed for a long time, and together with large bones, it was extremely flavorful. Taking a bite, it was full of broth inside.
Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly and remembered, “Now that winter has arrived and there are no vegetable leaves in the fields, and everyone is idle with nothing to do, we could actually try sprouting some bean sprouts. I had always wanted to try pressing bean oil and grinding some bean powder and mixed flour to try, but could never spare the manpower. Now we actually can.”
Fu Tinghan said, “There’s only one mill in the county town. Apart from that, there’s the grinding house beside the county office, which has stone mills and mortars specifically for criminals to use. I’ve been to look—there are only two sets.”
“That is a bit few. Have people make some more,” Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, “I won’t say every village and settlement point needs to have one, but between several villages and settlement points there should at least be one placed—it’s also convenient for the common people.”
Fu Tinghan didn’t object, but asked, “Have you figured out how to press the bean oil?”
Zhao Hanzhang’s head started aching. She said vaguely, “I’ll think about it more. When I was listening to the storytelling back then, I wasn’t very attentive and don’t remember very clearly…”
Fu Tinghan saw her headache and laughed, picking up a piece of meat for her, “Think slowly. We have an entire winter to experiment.”
True, before spring plowing, they were relatively free. Right now the common folk were all huddled at home for the winter.
When they discussed serious matters, Wang Shi remained very quiet. Only after they finished did she urge them, “Eat quickly. After eating, go try on your new clothes. I’ve made winter clothing for all of you.”
She turned to look at Zhao Erlang, somewhat angrily saying, “Especially you. It’s not even been two months—just tell me how many garments you’ve worn through?”
Zhao Erlang buried his head and ate hard. Zhao Hanzhang also wisely lowered her head.
Wang Shi chattered on, “If it were an ordinary family, how could they afford to raise you? You use up so much fabric.”
Fu Tinghan spoke up for his brother-in-law, “Madam, Erlang practices martial arts—it’s inevitable that he’ll wear through some clothing.”
“His sister also practices martial arts. How come she doesn’t wear through as much as he does? I think it’s mischievousness.” Wang Shi persisted in wanting Zhao Erlang to return to study etiquette.
The family ate a lively dinner. At a residence not far from the old residence, it was also very lively.
Zhao Hu saw his grandson return and happily held him, laughing. The corners of his eyes and brows were all smiles. When facing Zhao Cheng again, though his smile faded somewhat, it was still there. He nodded reservedly and said, “At least you have a conscience—you still know to come back. This time when you return, don’t take Dalang out again.”