While Zhao Hanzhang was here talking with Zhao Ming, various news began spreading elsewhere.

The matter of Zhao Changyu leaving Zhao Hanzhang a treasure trove was quite shocking—this kind of gossip was very attractive.

So the question arose: exactly how much was this treasure trove?

The gold cakes Zhao Hanzhang brought out filled four chests, and from her meaning, this was just a portion she casually brought out.

So did the reportedly wealthy-enough-to-rival-nations Zhao Changyu leave behind a treasure trove comparable to the national treasury?

Of course, this national treasury referred to the treasury during Emperor Wu’s time, or at minimum during Emperor Hui’s time—not the current empty treasury.

The rumors slowly drifted out of the garden, floating toward a nearby residence…

The steward Shanmin rushed hurriedly toward the rear courtyard. Zhao Song was teasing a rabbit. Seeing Shanmin running over, he put away the carrot and chided, “At your age, still not steady. What matter requires running? What if you fall…”

Shanmin caught his breath before speaking. “Master, outside they’re all saying the old clan leader left Sanniang a treasure trove comparable to the national treasury.”

“Nonsense,” Zhao Song said leisurely. “I know elder brother had money. That money he left to the clan, now under the clan leader’s management.”

The clan leader’s line controlled most of the clan’s assets, with many properties under his direction. Zhao Song knew Zhao Changyu was skilled at business management. During his youth, the clan’s properties had multiplied several times over under his hands—more fields, more shops, even several merchant caravans.

However, later as the situation became unstable, the merchant caravans were disbanded, with the traveling merchants becoming retainers or stewards of various properties, hiding in the countryside.

After Zhao Changyu selected Zhao Ji as his successor, he had written to tell him that according to custom, the clan leader position should still be held by their direct legitimate eldest branch. It was Zhao Zhongyu’s turn now.

The two brothers had never divided their household, but after he passed, the direct legitimate branch would certainly split. Given Zhao Erlang’s temperament, he couldn’t reclaim the clan leader position. Zhao Changyu didn’t expect his descendants to either.

Whether for Zhao Erlang’s line’s safety or for clan stability, Zhao Changyu had directly designated Zhao Zhongyu’s line to take over as clan leader and pass it down from there.

So he would combine most of his accumulated wealth with the clan’s property and hand it all over to Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Song later received another letter saying Zhao Changyu had left Zhao Hanzhang a generous dowry, with half of this dowry later going to Zhao Erlang.

As for the earlier, larger portion of wealth, he believed it was already settled and wouldn’t change.

Zhao Song directly refused to believe. Shanmin paused before saying, “But Sanniang had people carry up four chests of gold cakes, saying they were left by the old clan leader.”

Zhao Song paused before saying, “Just four chests of gold cakes—is that a lot?”

He continued, “Maybe it’s one of the dowries elder brother secretly gave her. That child has brought out all her family savings.”

Shanmin: “…Master, you have copies of both dowry lists—the public and private ones, don’t you?”

Those were backup measures Zhao Changyu left to guard against Zhao Zhongyu’s family.

Zhao Song fell silent.

“Moreover,” Shanmin lowered his voice, “Sanniang said that’s only one portion. She brought it only to express sincerity, to let everyone feel assured trading with her—she can produce ready cash.”

Zhao Song fell silent for a long, long time. Much later, he let out a long sigh. “It seems elder brother truly didn’t trust Zhao Ji.”

He snorted. “Forget the clan leader—Zhao Ji really isn’t worth mentioning. I heard the clan leader twice asked him to return to the clan, but he refused both times.”

“Our Zhao clan faced danger twice, and he refused to return to share our hardships. How can we expect him to bring out money to share prosperity with us in the future?” Zhao Song said. “Looking at it now, elder brother foresaw this long ago, which is why he gave the money to Sanniang.”

Shanmin kept his head lowered without speaking, thinking silently: Whatever you say it is, Master.

Zhao Song pressed on his knees to stand, thought for a moment, then said, “This rabbit is quite good. Take it to give to Sanniang to eat.”

Shanmin lowered his head in acknowledgment. “Yes.”

He picked up the cage and stepped aside to let him pass first.

Who knows who said when the master brought the rabbit back that “this rabbit is so cute, how can we eat it?” insisting on keeping it.

Yet after raising it for less than ten days, it was being sent to Zhao Hanzhang’s mouth.

Zhao Hanzhang was walking with Zhao Ming, leisurely heading toward the old residence while talking. They had just reached the entrance when she saw Zhao Song and his servant approaching from a distance.

She immediately stopped talking, broke into a smile, and went forward to meet them. “Is Fifth Grand-Uncle’s health well?”

“Quite well.” Zhao Song extended his hand for her to support, turned sideways to indicate Shanmin should bring up the rabbit, and said, “This rabbit is quite good—it’s for you.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked down at it, her gaze approving. “This rabbit is so fat—it must be delicious stir-fried.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Song couldn’t help but chuckle.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him with confusion and concern, but saw him laugh louder and louder, finally simply supporting his waist and laughing heartily toward the sky.

Zhao Hanzhang looked confused and worried, couldn’t help turning to look at Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming’s brows furrowed slightly as he stood to the side with his hands tucked in, but he didn’t step forward to interrupt his father.

Zhao Song laughed toward the sky for a while, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes, before he finally stopped and looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

His eyes held tears, along with approval and complexity he himself hadn’t noticed. “Good, very good. You are a meat-eating wolf—how could anyone expect you to eat grass like a rabbit?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “…Fifth Grand-Uncle, how could I be a wolf? I’m clearly an ox—I was born in the Year of the Ox.”

Zhao Song paused, then laughed again, heartily saying, “Right, right, our Sanniang is an ox, a little calf who will grow into a massive ox to shelter us.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved up as she happily replied, “Yes.”

Zhao Ming, standing to the side listening to them finish, finally said, “Father, this rabbit is mine.”

Zhao Song glared at him. “How old are you to still compete with Sanniang over such things?”

He continued, “You already gave it to me, so it’s mine now. I’m giving it to Sanniang now—what objection do you have?”

Zhao Ming said, “Didn’t you say you wanted to raise it and wouldn’t let me eat it?”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, “Then we shouldn’t eat it—I’ll raise it.”

“It’s fat enough—eat it,” Zhao Song turned to instruct Shanmin. “Take it down and butcher it. Just stir-fry it.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Fifth Grand-Uncle, you see I’m an ox, and it’s a rabbit—actually I also eat grass…”

Zhao Song couldn’t help laughing aloud. “Glib-tongued. Alright, let’s go. I still have things to ask you.”

What Zhao Song wanted to ask was, “Did your grandfather really leave you a treasure trove?”

Zhao Hanzhang hummed in acknowledgment before saying, “He left it secretly—Uncle Clan Leader doesn’t know.”

Zhao Ming lifted his eyelids to glance at her. “You revealed it in front of everyone, announcing it so everyone knows. Before long, the clan leader will know too.”