Xiahou Ren’s eyes narrowed slightly as he suddenly asked, “Sanniang seeks talent from me—does your uncle know?”

Zhao Hanzhang’s face showed slight discomfort, though she quickly said, “Xiping County is currently under my management.”

Xiahou Ren’s lips curled slightly. “Naturally. You were personally acknowledged by Inspector He—no one can deny this.”

Xiahou Ren leaned forward, smiling as he asked, “I’ve heard that the aide Ji Yuan who served Lord Zhao now follows Sanniang.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded proudly. “Grandfather entrusted my younger brother and me to Master Ji, and Master Ji watched us grow up from childhood—he’s been most devoted and diligent.”

Xiahou Ren’s eyes flickered as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang and asked, “Has Sanniang considered the future? You’re betrothed to Fu Tinghan—you can’t remain in Xiping forever.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Of course. Once the three-year mourning period ends, I’ll naturally follow Tinghan back to Luoyang.”

Xiahou Ren asked, “And your younger brother?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “He’ll naturally come with me.”

Xiahou Ren saw her speak so decisively and couldn’t help feeling puzzled. “Since you intend to return to Luoyang in three years, why exert so much effort now managing Xiping County?”

The smile on Zhao Hanzhang’s lips faded slightly, her gaze cooling. “Xiping County is what I fought for—I naturally cannot stand by and ignore it. Moreover, what belongs to our main branch can only belong to our main branch.”

Xiahou Ren immediately thought of the Marquis of Shangcai title.

He’d long heard of the Zhao family’s internal struggles over the title. Recently there had even been private rumors that Zhao Ji, to obtain the title, had schemed against Zhao Hanzhang and her brother, nearly causing the siblings to die in Luoyang.

Zhao Hanzhang still couldn’t let go of that Marquis of Shangcai title.

Xiahou Ren couldn’t help exchanging glances with He Cheng. True enough—even if not for herself, she would consider her younger brother.

Then, an unnamed small county in Xiping could never compare to an earl’s title.

So Zhao Hanzhang had many methods to safely spend three years in Xiping. Why would she work so hard to act as Xiping’s “county magistrate”?

Xiahou Ren thought briefly before saying, “Our two families are related by marriage after all. Your great-grandmother came from our Xiahou family. When I first saw you, I was startled—you look too much like your great-maternal uncle.”

His expression turned melancholy. “General Xiahou was closest to your great-maternal uncle. Since you wish to seek talent from the General, why not come with me to meet him?”

He said meaningfully, “Years ago your great-maternal uncle’s branch suffered great calamity. Counting down to now, only you siblings remain of his closest blood relatives.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked moved but hesitated before shaking her head. “I cannot leave Xiping now. When I’m more free later, I’ll go pay respects to this elder.”

Xiahou Ren watched her expression and had already obtained the answer he wanted. He looked regretful as he nodded. “Very well then.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked curiously, “Uncle, so did all five of Prince Sima’s commandery princesses…”

Xiahou Ren’s forehead twitched, but seeing her curious expression without realizing she’d committed a taboo…

True, she was only fourteen or fifteen after all—still young. Being somewhat curious was normal.

Only then did Xiahou Ren react—ultimately, Zhao Hanzhang was merely fourteen or fifteen.

He narrowed his eyes and asked, “Sanniang has had her coming-of-age ceremony?”

Zhao Hanzhang said casually, “Next year.”

Indeed very young. Xiahou Ren grew increasingly gentle, sighing. “Though they were elders, their final years were about the same as yours.”

Meaning not one survived. Xiahou Xuan’s closest blood relatives truly were only her and Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Hanzhang looked touched and proud. “So Great-Maternal Uncle’s branch truly has only my brother and me remaining.”

Xiahou Ren nodded solemnly with a serious expression. “Correct.”

The two engaged in cordial and friendly exchanges about this kinship. When Zhao Hanzhang was about to leave, Xiahou Ren personally escorted her to the door. He’d wanted to see her downstairs, but Zhao Hanzhang firmly refused, indicating she was the junior and could go herself—acting as if afraid of outsiders seeing them interact too closely.

Once Zhao Hanzhang left, the cordial smile on Xiahou Ren’s face slowly faded. He returned to the room and closed the door.

He Cheng poured himself a drink. Seeing Xiahou Ren’s lips curl slightly with an apparently good mood, he asked, “Reassured now?”

Xiahou Ren said, “I’d long suspected someone stood behind Zhao Hanzhang. For a young lady from a prestigious background who grew up in luxury and comfort, how could she engage in such power struggles? Now it seems she does have ambition—it’s just that her ambition remains limited to her family’s title. The Xiping matter is most likely Zhao Ming’s doing.”

He Cheng didn’t understand. “Zhao Ming is also a renowned scholar with considerable prestige. If he wanted to act, he could do so himself. If not, there are other clan youths. Why support Zhao Hanzhang?”

Xiahou Ren sneered coldly. “The Zhao clan probably isn’t as harmonious as it appears on the surface.”

Zhao Ji had inherited Zhao Changyu’s title yet didn’t escort the coffin home. Instead it was the grandson-in-law Fu Tinghan who looked after the main branch’s orphans and widow, escorting the coffin home. This showed Zhao Ji’s character and the dispute between the main and second branches.

Xiahou Ren said, “With Zhao Ji’s character and narrow-mindedness, he’ll likely struggle to command respect. And with Zhao Ming’s pride in his abilities, would he willingly let the Zhao clan fall into such a person’s hands?”

He Cheng said, “Currently Zhao Zhongyu is household head.”

“That’s precisely why he’s pushing Zhao Hanzhang forward—he wants the main branch to fight the second branch so he can reap the benefits.”

He Cheng thought briefly and found himself persuaded.

He straightened slightly. “If the Zhao clan truly descends into internal chaos, then Yuzhou…”

Xiahou Ren also felt troubled. He both worried the Zhao clan’s internal strife would affect Yuzhou, yet felt such a Zhao clan would benefit the Xiahou family more.

He Cheng glanced at him, seeing his thoughts, and ceased discussing the matter. He changed topics. “When do you plan to leave Xiping? Will you still wait for those manuscripts?”

Xiahou Ren hesitated. He’d originally planned to stay at the fortress waiting for Zhao Hanzhang to copy the manuscripts while using the opportunity to probe Xiping’s situation.

Zhao Hanzhang lacked the court’s authorization—her county magistrate title was nominal. He wanted to investigate Xiping residents’ views on this to gauge the Zhao clan’s management and intentions in Xiping.

But now…

Xiahou Ren urgently wanted to return and find Xiahou Jun. “I’ll leave once the Zhao clan’s ceremonial banquet ends.”

He didn’t explain why he was leaving urgently. He Cheng didn’t ask either. The two tacitly nodded to each other.

This was Zhao clan territory—Zhao Ming could control public opinion far too easily, especially with Ji Yuan and County Magistrate Chai’s cooperation.

In just one day, Zhao Hanzhang’s excellent character received recognition from the attending gentry and scholars. Then her good reputation spread beyond the garden, drifting through the fortress, drifting and drifting until it reached Xiping County town.

Thus Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation suddenly shot upward, making her the most famous person at this Zhao clan ceremonial banquet.

Though she clearly hadn’t attended, her name was everywhere—even three-year-old toddlers playing with pebbles on the street knew of it.

So upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang, a three-year-old child with a runny nose ran over and presented her with his prettiest pebble. “Third Sister, so amazing, filial good lady. When I grow up I want to become you.”