Zhao Hanzhang’s emotions came and went quickly. Comforted by Fu Tinghan like this, she became full of energy again. She nodded emphatically. “You’re right. We just need to do our best!”

The two smiled at each other, their eyes seeming to hold stars.

When Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan came out, they saw the two gazing at each other tenderly in the lamplight. Both involuntarily paused.

Ji Yuan was just about to find an excuse to send Zhao Ming away when he heard him clear his throat lightly. Ji Yuan could only remain silent.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan turned around, still smiling.

Seeing them, Zhao Hanzhang’s smile deepened. She called out sweetly, “Uncle Ming, Teacher Ji.”

But Zhao Ming felt this smile was quite false—completely unlike the sincere light smile from just before. It had no feeling whatsoever. So he was too lazy to exchange pleasantries with her and said directly, “Have someone open the city gates. I’m leaving the city.”

Zhao Hanzhang tried to keep him. “The night is deep. Though it’s midsummer, there’s still some chill. Why doesn’t Uncle stay the night and return tomorrow?”

Zhao Ming’s excuse was simple and blunt. “I’m not comfortable sleeping elsewhere.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him—he seemed rather unhappy. She didn’t dare provoke him too much.

Alas, Uncle Ming was temperamental, like menopause.

Though for Uncle Ming’s age… wasn’t menopause a bit too early?

Zhao Hanzhang could only summon a carriage and personally escort him out of the city.

Could the already-closed city gates be opened at will?

Aside from Zhao Hanzhang herself, no one could command the soldiers to open the gates late at night. She didn’t want to break this rule, so she personally escorted Zhao Ming to the gate.

The gate soldiers opened a small door, just wide enough for one carriage to pass through.

Zhao Hanzhang got down from the carriage and waved to Zhao Ming. “Uncle, be careful on the road.”

Zhao Ming waved at her casually. It wasn’t far from here to the fort—just over a quarter-hour.

Zhao Hanzhang remembered something and said with a grin, “I haven’t thanked Uncle Ming yet.”

Zhao Ming didn’t like her playful manner and asked, “Thank me for what?”

“If you hadn’t found County Magistrate Gao to play along, today’s meeting with the county magistrates wouldn’t have gone so smoothly…”

Zhao Ming directly cut off her words. “Who told you I had him play along?”

Zhao Hanzhang froze. “Didn’t you?”

Zhao Ming looked at her with disdain. “Don’t take these crooked paths.”

He whisked the carriage curtain closed and told the driver, “Go home!”

The driver acknowledged and cracked his whip, setting off.

Zhao Hanzhang could only step back, silently watching the carriage depart. It wasn’t him? Then County Magistrate Gao… truly admired her!

Zhao Hanzhang’s heart bubbled with joy as she happily told the soldiers who’d escorted her out, “What are you standing there for? Follow him.”

The soldiers quickly mounted their horses. Zhao Hanzhang called out loudly, “You must safely escort my beloved uncle back to the fort!”

Her voice drifted far, lingering. The carriage, which had just traveled a short distance, couldn’t help but hear.

Zhao Ming rubbed his forehead with a headache, but then couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t know who this child took after.

Big Brother had been so upright and serious, Zhizhi had been somewhat lively but still modest, and as for Wang Shi—her courage was as small as a rabbit’s. How had they raised a child who was so… boldly thick-skinned?

Zhao Hanzhang watched everyone depart into the distance before turning back to the city.

The small door closed behind her. Zhao Hanzhang looked at the soldiers standing guard on either side. Since she was already here, she decided not to rush off. She asked, “When does your watch end?”

The soldier replied, “Reporting to Nulang, we change guard at the fourth watch.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly. “Are there any difficulties in guarding the city gates?”

Though the soldier saw Zhao Hanzhang regularly, this was his first time speaking with her, so he was very excited. He replied loudly, “No difficulties! Not one bit difficult at all.”

Zhao Hanzhang was startled by his volume. Recovering, she smiled, made a shushing gesture, and patted his shoulder. “Well done. Do you have any family?”

The soldier shook his head, smiling broadly. “No. I’m the only one left in my family. I was a refugee who came here, and Nulang was kind enough to take me in.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes grew moist. She nodded. “Work hard. When you’ve saved enough money, I’ll arrange a marriage for you.”

The soldier’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Really!”

Returning home, Ting He immediately came forward. “Nulang, would you like to eat first or bathe?”

“Bathe. I don’t have much appetite right now.”

She’d really experienced both physical and mental exhaustion today—it felt even more tiring than going to battle.

Zhao Hanzhang pulled off her sash and tossed it casually on the bed. “Have Mother and Erlang gone to rest?”

“Madam’s lamp is still lit, but Erlang has gone to sleep.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. Removing her outer garments and keeping only her inner robe, she entered the washing room. “Go tell Mother that I’ve returned and gone to bed. Tell her to rest easy.”

“Yes.”

Though Wang Shi received the message, she didn’t immediately retire. Instead, she took Qinggu to the courtyard to burn incense and pray. Kneeling before the incense burner, she bowed, then looked up at the sky full of stars, saying softly, “Zhizhi, did you see? Our Sanniang has come of age.”

In an adjacent room in the same courtyard, Zhao Erlang slept soundly. Having spoken of her daughter, Wang Shi looked worriedly at her son’s room and sighed. Her daughter had grown up, but her son still had many years before coming of age. Most importantly, even when he reached the proper age, he might not truly be grown up.

Wang Shi had been dedicated to teaching Zhao Erlang to read, but with little success. Since he went to the military camp, the matter of studying had been postponed indefinitely. Even now, he could barely recognize a few characters.

But Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t worried about this at all. The next morning after rising and practicing with her sword in the courtyard, she bathed and changed clothes, then went to have breakfast.

Because Wang Shi was there, they ate breakfast as a family. Fu Tinghan was also present.

Wang Shi smiled as she invited Fu Tinghan to have congee, then turned to see her son vigorously gnawing on a steamed bun. After a pause, she said carefully, “Erlang, why don’t you come with Mother to the school today to learn some characters?”

Zhao Erlang shook his head repeatedly.

Wang Shi frowned, looking disapprovingly at Zhao Hanzhang. “Sanniang, Erlang should still learn some characters. Otherwise, forget about official documents—he won’t even be able to correspond with you in the future.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “He is learning characters, just not by force. Don’t worry, Mother. He has Zhao Cai with him, who’s quite clever. I’ve been having someone teach him, so in the future he can read documents and letters to Erlang.”

She looked up at Lu Hu standing outside. “When you and Lu Hu have free time, study characters with Zhao Cai. Learn as much as you can.”

Zhao Erlang’s face fell, but he didn’t dare evade his sister as he did his mother, so he could only nod.

Fu Tinghan glanced at him. “I’ll teach you. You’re actually quite intelligent. Let’s work together to find patterns in the characters—that way efficiency might be higher.”