Zhao Hanzhang wore an expression of radiant benevolence. “Yes, they’re all victims of this war, having lost parents and family. If they can learn a few characters and some arithmetic, their future lives will at least have some security, and they won’t be destitute and without support.”
Zhao Cheng nodded. “Your heart is kind, and you can think long-term for them. That Xiping County could have you as county magistrate is much better than those who fish for fame and reputation.”
Zhao Ming looked at Zhao Hanzhang thoughtfully, half-believing her words.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and had Fu Tinghan properly entertain them while she turned to go to the kitchen to check on the slaughtered lamb.
The mutton had been mostly processed. Chengbo had people move the charcoal fire to the pavilion and, following Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions, secured the polished stone slab over the charcoal fire.
The young men glanced at it and said, “With such convenience at home, why still use a stone pot?”
Zhao Hanzhang was succinct. “Delicious.”
However, Zhao Cheng quickly noticed that the stone slab had been specially polished. He shook his head. “Just for something to eat—this wastes too much manpower.”
Zhao Hanzhang replied, “In this world, you can shortchange anything, but you can’t shortchange your stomach.”
Zhao Hanzhang spread the marinated lamb slices flat on the oiled stone slab. The slab was thin and already heated red-hot. As soon as she placed the meat down, it sizzled, and a meaty aroma wafted out. Zhao Hanzhang sighed contentedly. “Younger Uncle, with such delicacies in the world, how hard must one’s heart be to refuse them?”
Zhao Cheng, seeing her intoxicated expression, couldn’t help but shake his head and look at Zhao Ming. “She’s just like you—you’re addicted to wine, she’s addicted to food.”
Both Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming simultaneously showed expressions of distaste, looking completely unconvinced.
Seeing this, Zhao Ming narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze somewhat dangerous.
Zhao Hanzhang immediately restrained her expression, saying earnestly, “Younger Uncle is right. Since Uncle and I are closely related by blood, naturally our preferences would be similar.”
Zhao Ming snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Zhao Cheng, witnessing her change of face, couldn’t help but shake his head. Indeed, when he first met her, he hadn’t been wrong—she truly bore no resemblance to her father, but rather showed traces of her eldest uncle’s character.
Zhao Cheng sighed and waved his hand. “You all go play. We’ll handle things here ourselves.”
Zhao Hanzhang then ran off to find her clan brothers and cousins. For a time, the old residence’s garden was filled with the aroma of meat and swirling smoke, quite lively.
Not far away in the open pavilion sat Zhao Song, who saw Zhao Hanzhang carrying a plate of grilled meat as she approached. He said to Zhao Hu, “I see Sanniang and Zitu getting along well. In a moment when she arrives, you should say some conciliatory words and have her help persuade Zitu.”
He continued, “Zitu and Zhizhi were close before. Though they haven’t seen Sanniang and the others in recent years, he’s always remembered them. Given Zhizhi’s position, Zitu might listen if she speaks.”
Zhao Hu’s mouth was stubborn as he muttered, “Who cares about him? As long as he leaves Zhenger with me, that’s fine.”
Hearing this, Zhao Song snorted coldly. “That’s his son. A father managing his son is perfectly natural—why should he leave the boy with you? If you won’t listen, fine. Pretend I never said anything.”
Zhao Hu thought to himself: You should at least try persuading me a few more times.
Zhao Hanzhang entered with a filial expression, and Zhao Song couldn’t help but smile broadly.
“Fifth Grand-Uncle, this is meat I grilled myself.”
Zhao Song’s smile grew even wider as he beckoned her forward.
Zhao Hu found fault, sniffing once before declaring, “Pungent!”
“That’s the spices,” Zhao Hanzhang said, serving Zhao Song a portion with chopsticks onto his plate. “Fifth Grand-Uncle, try it. I’ve heard that spices like pepper have cold-dispelling and dampness-eliminating effects. Now that the weather is getting colder, lamb paired with these is perfect.”
Zhao Song took a bite. At first he wasn’t accustomed to it, but after the second bite, he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows and nod with restraint. “Not bad, not bad.”
Zhao Hu glanced over, somewhat suspecting he was lying because of favoritism. But soon Zhao Song ate a second piece, then a third.
As the meat on the plate diminished while Zhao Hanzhang still hadn’t invited him to eat, he grew anxious.
Zhao Hanzhang seemed completely oblivious to Zhao Hu’s presence, continuing to serve only Zhao Song.
Zhao Hu finally couldn’t bear it any longer. He slammed the table and demanded, “Zhao Hanzhang, am I not also your grand-uncle? Only he is?”
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him in surprise. “Why would Seventh Grand-Uncle say such a thing?”
Zhao Hu glared at her sulkily. He could hardly say it was over food, could he?
No, wait—how could it possibly be about food?
He was clearly angry because Zhao Hanzhang was showing favoritism, because she was slighting him.
Once Zhao Hu thought of it this way, he immediately felt justified, glaring at her. “Why are you slighting me?”
Zhao Hanzhang immediately protested her innocence. “Seventh Grand-Uncle misunderstands—how would I dare slight you?”
“Then why do you only serve your Fifth Grand-Uncle and treat me as if I don’t exist?”
Zhao Hanzhang looked conflicted. “Seventh Grand-Uncle, you’ve misunderstood me. I behave this way not because I look down on you, but because I feel guilty and troubled, finding it difficult to face you, so I avoided you.”
Zhao Hu paused, then said, “So you do know you’ve wronged me.”
Zhao Hanzhang was also taken aback. “Seventh Grand-Uncle already knows so quickly?”
Zhao Hu frowned. “You embarrassed me in front of the younger generation. I was right there—how could I not know?”
“That’s where Seventh Grand-Uncle is mistaken. How could that be considered embarrassment?” Zhao Hanzhang said, “That was just a normal reminder. Surely it’s better for me, your grand-niece, to remind you than for people from the county office to come, right?”
Zhao Hu paused, then jumped up, his voice cracking. “Besides that matter, what else have you done to wrong me?”
Zhao Hanzhang looked troubled, occasionally glancing at Zhao Song.
Zhao Song watched in bewilderment, quickly setting down his chopsticks to ask, “Sanniang, if there’s something, speak honestly. As long as it’s not too serious, I’ll speak on your behalf to Seventh Grand-Uncle.”
Zhao Hu exclaimed, “Fifth Brother!”
“Can you please not spoil her so much?” He said angrily, “It’s precisely because all of you keep indulging and helping her that she’s climbed right over our heads. Even when Magistrate Fan was alive, he never dared come to our fortified estate to demand taxes.”
“Silence!” Zhao Song said furiously, “Why does she only seek you out and not others? Magistrate Fan didn’t seek you out because he respected the Zhao family’s reputation. Do you think this was such a good thing? You’ve completely ruined the Zhao family’s reputation!”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded vigorously in agreement. Seeing Zhao Song look her way, she immediately stopped her half-completed nod, reverting to an expression full of guilt and anxiety. She said softly, “Seventh Grand-Uncle, it’s about Uncle Cheng…”
Zhao Hu paused, slowly sitting back down. He asked, “What about Zhao Cheng?”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “I know Uncle Cheng has been away from home for many years and has finally returned to reunite with Seventh Grand-Uncle. I shouldn’t disturb your family’s happiness together.”
Zhao Hu sneered inwardly. Family happiness?
Did their family have such a thing?
Seeing her conflicted expression, he said impatiently, “Speak quickly. Stop being so wishy-washy.”
Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, “Uncle Cheng said that when spring comes next year, he plans to travel abroad to study again. But I think with how chaotic things are outside now, traveling to study is too dangerous.”
Both Zhao Hu and Zhao Song nodded slightly. “So?”
“So I thought, isn’t studying the same wherever you go?” Zhao Hanzhang said, “I think the county seat is quite good. So I invited Uncle to go to the county seat to teach people and study at the same time.”
She continued, “He’ll leave tomorrow. Doesn’t this ruin the family happiness you could have had with Seventh Grand-Uncle? I feel truly guilty about this.”
Zhao Hu stared at her blankly for a long moment before recovering. He turned his head to ask, “So this means Zhao Cheng won’t leave anymore and will stay home to teach?”
Zhao Hanzhang emphasized, “In the county seat.”
—