Xiahou Ren walked into the banquet pavilion and saw many people gathered ahead, discussing something with great clamor.

He Cheng, who accompanied him, was quite interested and pulled Xiahou Ren along. “Come, let’s go see.”

As they approached, the people surrounding the area recognized Xiahou Ren and quickly bowed, calling out loudly: “Young Master Xiahou has arrived.”

Xiahou Ren was a renowned scholar, and immediately someone made way for him.

Xiahou Ren suddenly found himself face to face with the “person” opposite him.

He startled, but his expression remained composed as he quietly observed the person in the mirror, who was also calmly looking back at him.

Someone immediately asked: “Has Xiahou seen this glass mirror before?”

Xiahou Ren recovered his composure and smiled slightly. “This is my first time seeing one. Who brought this glass mirror?”

“When we arrived, it was already placed here. It should belong to the Zhao family.”

“The Zhao family actually possesses such a rare treasure.”

“Could it have been left by the former Earl of Shangcai?”

“The Zhao family is truly generous, willing to display such a fine item.”

“Perhaps they want to compete in wealth with Shi Jilun from afar? Hahaha…”

However, some felt this joke was in poor taste. “Lord Zhao was frugal, and his descendants should not be extravagant people. Displaying this mirror may simply be to let us observe it, not necessarily to flaunt wealth.”

Just as the words fell, a cry of surprise came from a nearby room. The scholars standing nearby squeezed into the room to look, and soon everyone in the pavilion knew: “There’s also a mirror in that room, just as large.”

The scholars couldn’t help but exchange glances. “Is the Zhao family showing off their wealth?”

Before long, someone discovered full-length mirrors in other locations as well.

Thus everyone became interested in finding out exactly how many mirrors the Zhao family had placed throughout this garden.

They began searching everywhere.

“There’s one in this room too.”

“Oh, there’s also one in this room over here.”

The garden became lively. When Zhao Cheng arrived, everyone was as cheerful as if celebrating New Year’s. Seeing Zhao Cheng, someone immediately called out loudly: “Zhao Zitu, where did these mirrors come from? They truly help one correct their appearance.”

Zhao Cheng didn’t know that Zhao Hanzhang had placed many mirrors throughout the garden, and faced with their questions, he too was bewildered.

Someone who knew Zhao Cheng didn’t handle affairs in the Zhao family immediately asked: “Where is Zhao Zinian?”

Zhao Ming was currently in the mansion adjacent to the garden.

This was his home, which had a three-story viewing tower that allowed one to look down upon the entire garden from above.

This garden had been specially built by the Zhao family for selecting officials after Zhao Changyu came of age. It was located between his home and the old residence, with both houses having built tall towers that could overlook the entire garden.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know what they were thinking when they originally built these two towers, but they certainly made it convenient for her to observe these scholars who had traveled from afar.

Zhao Ming turned back to see that she had already changed out of her cumbersome ceremonial robes into simple attire, her hands properly folded before her abdomen, standing gracefully by the window with composed bearing. Anyone who saw her would praise her as truly worthy of being a noble family’s daughter.

Who would imagine she could take to the battlefield and repel Shi Lei?

He took a deep breath, forcing himself not to look at her. “If you’re not attending the banquet, who will handle selling these items for you?”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “I also invited County Magistrate Chai from Shangcai County.”

Zhao Ming fell silent.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to go downstairs. “Master Ji has already swept the courtyard in welcome at the old residence. Uncle only needs to point them in the right direction.”

“Wait,” Zhao Ming called out to her. “It’s one thing for you not to attend the banquet, but what about Tinghan?”

“He’s in seclusion calculating things.” Zhao Hanzhang knew Fu Tinghan disliked this kind of time-consuming socializing, so naturally she wouldn’t wrong him. “Does Uncle need him for something?”

“He is after all the grandson of Minister Fu, with talent and fame known far and wide. Have him come participate.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “He doesn’t need the prestige of these scholars.”

Zhao Ming was displeased and frowned. “Hanzhang, you cannot constrain his talents. No scholar doesn’t need fame. He’s being considerate and accommodating to you, but you should also think of him.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced sideways at the scholars happily conversing outside the window, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. “He doesn’t need to force himself for this fame, because in the future none of this will be necessary.”

Zhao Ming’s pupils contracted as he watched her descend the stairs.

He frowned looking toward the garden outside the window, seeing the scholars gathered before the mirrors, their faces showing either curiosity or composure.

He took a deep breath. Were these reactions also all within Zhao Hanzhang’s expectations?

Zhao Ming remained silent. Changqing bowed and approached, saying in a low voice: “Young master, the people in the garden are all looking for you.”

Zhao Ming acknowledged quietly, then asked: “Did anyone come without an invitation?”

“Yes, Xiahou Ren and He Cheng only arrived in Xiping today. They came without invitations, but because they are renowned scholars, Young Master Kuan and the others respectfully welcomed them into the garden.”

Zhao Ming’s eyes flashed with something unusual. He quickly said: “Go chase down Sanniang for me.”

Zhao Hanzhang had already left the Zhao residence. She stepped onto the mounting block to board the carriage, tapped the carriage wall to signal departure.

Qiu Wu flicked the reins and the carriage began rolling leisurely forward, about to pass before the garden’s main gate. Just then, several people emerged from the garden. The person leading them saw the carriage and immediately called out loudly: “Is Brother Zinian in the carriage? Why did you invite us here but not show yourself?”

Qiu Wu uncertainly slowed the carriage. “Miss?”

Zhao Hanzhang considered briefly, then had the carriage stop. Through the curtain, she smiled at the people outside. “Uncle has been delayed by something and is still at home. If the honored guests wish to see him, you can have someone request him from the house.”

With that, she tapped the carriage wall for Qiu Wu to leave.

“Wait,” Xiahou Ren’s eyes flickered as he stepped forward with a smile. “Is the person in the carriage the Zhao family’s Sanniang, the Lady Zhao famed for transmitting orders to save Zhao and shooting Liu Jing?”

Zhao Kuan quickly intervened: “Master Xiahou, my third younger sister just finished participating in the ancestral rites and hasn’t changed clothes yet. Why don’t you join me at the banquet, and I’ll have someone request Uncle Ming to come over.”

“We are not people bound by excessive etiquette. I imagine Lady Zhao, who dared to mount a horse and repel enemies, is also not someone constrained by cumbersome protocols. Since we’ve happened to meet, why not dismount and meet?”

Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows slightly, then signaled Ting He to lift the curtain. She bent down to exit the carriage, standing on the carriage shaft looking down at the people below.

Everyone was astonished by her youth. Xiahou Ren, however, was surprised by her appearance, staring at her face for a long moment without speaking.

Zhao Hanzhang stepped on the mounting block to descend from the carriage, smiling slightly at everyone. She didn’t perform a curtsy, but instead folded her hands together in a scholar’s salute. “Esteemed scholars, I greet you. I am Zhao family’s Sanniang, Zhao Hanzhang.”

Zhao Ming rushed over from behind, somewhat out of breath. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang standing below the carriage conversing with them, not knowing how much had been said, he anxiously hurried forward, calling out loudly to interrupt their conversation: “Brother Xiahou!”

Zhao Hanzhang and the others all turned to look at Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming had run too hastily to steady his breathing. He simply put on an expression of urgent eagerness as he rushed forward, grasping Xiahou Ren’s hand. “Brother Xiahou, I didn’t expect it would really be you!”