Fu’an loaded two jars of wine onto the carriage. “Young master, miss, this is Dashun Studio’s most famous Hundred Day Intoxication wine.”

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to take it and brought it close to smell, but the wine was sealed very tightly, and she couldn’t smell anything.

However, she trusted the public’s judgment, so she placed the wine at her side. “Let’s go to Youran Residence.”

Youran Residence was on another street. The street was wide with fewer pedestrians, but more carriages and horses.

Many carriages were stopped outside Youran Residence. Zhao Hanzhang’s carriage went directly to the entrance and stopped.

Fu’an jumped down from the carriage and placed the carriage step, helping his young master down.

Fu Tinghan turned to help Zhao Hanzhang down, and the two looked up together at the plaque of Youran Residence, involuntarily frowning simultaneously.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’ve already remembered—the characters at Zhenxiu Tower resemble Uncle Ming’s. They should be Uncle Ming’s calligraphy. But the characters at Youran Residence…”

Fu Tinghan said, “Resemble Master Ji’s.”

Zhao Hanzhang fell silent. After a good while, she stepped forward.

Youran Residence was different from other wine houses and restaurants. Upon entering, instead of dining seats, there was a stone screen. Going around the stone screen, the view opened up magnificently to reveal well-arranged pavilions, towers, and scenic buildings. In the center, flowers and trees flourished. There was a tall artificial mountain and bridges and covered walkways built around water features.

Zhao Hanzhang exclaimed, “No wonder people say scholars and literary men like to come here. I like it too!”

This was simply opening a restaurant inside a Jiangnan garden. Chatting while drinking and eating—indeed quite pleasant.

The two stopped for a moment. Someone immediately approached. Upon reaching them and seeing Zhao Hanzhang, the person’s smile disappeared, and with a respectful and solemn expression, he stepped forward and bowed. “May Miss be well.”

Zhao Hanzhang noted that he only addressed her, and called her “Miss” at that, so she raised her eyebrows. “You are?”

“This humble one is Cao Shu, the steward of Youran Residence. Miss, please come inside.”

Zhao Hanzhang exhaled and asked, “I see the plaque outside seems to be inscribed by Master Ji.”

“Indeed. Master Ji originally wanted to request Miss to personally write the inscription, but at that time Miss was in Nanyang State. Going back and forth would waste time, so Master Ji inscribed it himself.”

Fu Tinghan understood now and turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang. “This Youran Residence is yours?”

Zhao Hanzhang: …She had only just found out herself. Wasn’t that a surprise, wasn’t that unexpected?

Only then did Cao Shu face Fu Tinghan and bow respectfully. “Master Fu.”

Fu Tinghan confirmed it now and raised his hand. “You may dispense with the courtesy.”

He turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s bearing immediately changed. She surveyed the area once more, nodded with satisfaction, and praised, “This garden is arranged quite well.”

Cao Shu’s face showed some smile, and he said happily, “Master Ji personally invited Master Xiao to design the garden’s layout. This garden was originally Magistrate He’s villa, designed and built by Master Xiao himself. This time with the renovation, it conforms even more to nature—ten steps to a scene, each scene different. Would Miss like to view them all?”

“No need,” Zhao Hanzhang had come to drink wine and appreciate the scenery, not to inspect her property. She said, “Just select a place for us to sit and drink wine.”

Cao Shu acknowledged and personally led them into the garden.

After crossing the water bridge, Cao Shu led them through a long covered walkway toward the back. Along the way, in the pavilions, open halls, and towers, there were quite a few scholars drinking wine while discussing the Way.

Zhao Hanzhang slowed her steps and listened with one ear. Miraculously, this time they weren’t discussing Daoist scriptures or Buddhist sutras, but rather the situation in the realm and the various policies in Yuzhou currently.

The corners of Zhao Hanzhang’s mouth lifted slightly. She said, “The garden Master Ji opened is quite good.”

Cao Shu revealed a broad smile.

Zhao Hanzhang then asked, “Is it profitable?”

Cao Shu’s smile paused, and he said in a small voice, “Not yet.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “No rush, take it slowly.”

Even if it didn’t make money, controlling public opinion and obtaining much information through this one garden was worthwhile. However…

Zhao Hanzhang stopped walking. “Who is the owner of Dashun Studio?”

It wouldn’t also be someone from their Zhao family, would it?

Cao Shu said, “The owner of Dashun Studio is surnamed Chen. I heard he’s from Lu, came to Chen County due to the chaos of war. They had some family wealth, so they bought a wine house and opened Dashun Studio accordingly. Their wine is excellent. Our garden often orders wine from them.”

Zhao Hanzhang exhaled in relief. Good, good. Otherwise, if the newly opened wine houses and restaurants in Chen County were really monopolized by their Zhao family, that would be quite frightening.

Cao Shu led them up a tower. The servants walked to the other side, pushed open a door—outside was a long covered walkway, built on the second floor.

Zhao Hanzhang would rather call it a balcony.

She walked over, and only then saw the marvelous design of this tower.

The tower itself was built on high ground. Below was a garden built according to the mountain’s terrain, with artificial mountains, ponds, and quite a few flowers and trees planted. From here, one could take in the entire Youran Residence.

They had just climbed up the mountain, but the slope wasn’t steep. They hadn’t expected the other side to be like this, giving a feeling of suddenly seeing the light, with a Peach Blossom Spring behind the house.

Although Zhao Hanzhang had introduced high tables and high chairs in the Magistrate’s Office, the outside world didn’t favor them and still used low tables and low chairs.

Zhao Hanzhang simply didn’t sit on the low mat but instead leaned against the railing, resting on the railing to look into the distance. She had to say, this garden was built very interestingly.

She beckoned to Fu Tinghan. “Come quickly, come quickly. The scenery here is quite good.”

Fu Tinghan stood beside her and looked down below. This place was indeed good. The flowers and trees below were lush, and because it was spring, many flowers had bloomed—very beautiful.

Moreover, this tower was built very interestingly. The tower body extended out a portion, covering the walkway below. They could reach out and touch the taller flowers and trees.

A winter jasmine plant grew luxuriantly, probably three or four meters tall. Its drooping branches reached about half an arm’s length beyond the railing. The branches adorned with yellow flowers swayed gently in the wind, bit by bit brushing across Zhao Hanzhang’s hands resting on the railing.

Such spring scenery was the first Zhao Hanzhang had seen since coming to this world for so long. She couldn’t help but reach out to hook the branch and gently sway it.

Fu Tinghan stood at her side, lowering his head and eyes to watch the smile on her face. Feeling her joy, he too couldn’t help but smile slightly.

The second floor quieted down at once. Everyone silently appreciated this spring scenery, blowing in the spring breeze.

“That Fu Tinghan—I don’t know what he looks like. I’ve only heard people say he had some reputation for talent in Chang’an, but since following Zhao Hanzhang back to Runan, we’ve heard of Zhao Ming, heard of Ji Yuan, and even heard of Fan Ying, Zhao Kuan, Sun Linghui, and Song Zhi who later advanced around her, but we’ve never heard of him offering any strategies to Zhao Hanzhang.” That person’s voice drew closer and closer. By this point, he seemed to have just reached below them. “Could his reputation for talent be empty?”

Zhao Hanzhang’s ears were sharp. She could clearly hear their footsteps and knew that three people had walked over together, but only two were speaking.

They stopped in the covered walkway below their tower, standing right behind the winter jasmine.

This winter jasmine plant was luxuriant and could block their figures, preventing people in the garden from seeing them.

But they didn’t know there were people upstairs.

Because this tower had never been opened since Youran Residence opened for business. No one was allowed to go up. It was said to be the owner’s resting place, and since their owner wasn’t in Chen County, it had never been opened.

They also hadn’t thought that there might be people upstairs at this moment. Oh, currently no one knew that Youran Residence was opened by Ji Yuan at someone’s behest, and naturally they didn’t know that Zhao Hanzhang was behind it.

The fingers hooking the winter jasmine paused. Zhao Hanzhang simply didn’t move, only raising her head to glance at Fu Tinghan beside her.

Fu Tinghan also looked down at her. Seeing her little finger curled around the winter jasmine branch, completely still, pricking up her ears to eavesdrop on gossip, he couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. He also turned to sit below the railing, joining her in listening to the people below discussing him.

“But the Zhao family army and those following Zhao Hanzhang all respect him greatly. I heard that those following Zhao Hanzhang all call him Master Fu, which shows his prestige.”

“I heard he’s quite good-looking, with starry eyes and moonlit countenance. Perhaps it’s because of his appearance and bearing?”

“Ji Ze is also quite handsome.”

“Indeed. Here, I congratulate Bochong in advance. If Ji Ze can establish a firm foothold beside Zhao Hanzhang, why worry about the Tan family not prospering in the future?”

“Alas, it’s still too early to say this now. After all, Zhao Hanzhang is not an ordinary young lady. She can be decisive in killing on the battlefield—how could she be like an ordinary young lady, indulging in romantic love?”

“Even if she cannot be made to break her engagement with Fu Tinghan, having some affection is acceptable. Now that Yuzhou is entirely in her hands, look at this recruitment examination—there are even quite a few scholars from the outer four commanderies. It shows they’re not absolutely loyal to Gou Xi. All ten commanderies of Yuzhou may end up in her grasp.”

Zhao Hanzhang listened in stunned disbelief, unable to recover for a long time.

Fu Tinghan too was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected this kind of operation, and moreover… this was ancient times, right?

Were ancient people this open-minded?

While still in shock, he heard the person below say, “Ji Ze, the honor and disgrace of our Tan family all rest upon you alone.”

Finally, Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan heard the third person’s voice. “Yes.”

The voice was clear and pleasant—very nice to hear. Zhao Hanzhang curiously poked her head out to look, but this tower’s design was really annoying—she actually couldn’t see below.

Fu Tinghan: …

He reached out to pull Zhao Hanzhang back, looking at her warningly and pointing at the winter jasmine on her finger.

Zhao Hanzhang stopped moving.

“Let’s go. Let’s listen to the poetry gathering and make more connections. Quite a few people came to participate in this recruitment examination. I heard scholars even came from Luoyang…”

The voices gradually faded away. Zhao Hanzhang poked her head out again, wanting to catch a glimpse of this Tan Ji Ze, but still couldn’t see anything.

She could only release the winter jasmine coiled around her finger and said regretfully, “Didn’t see him. Don’t know if he’s truly handsome or falsely handsome.”

Fu’an was somewhat angry. “Even if he’s handsome, would Miss Zhao abandon my young master?”

“Why are you yelling? When did my miss ever say she’d abandon your young master?” Ting He was displeased. “That Tan Ji Ze—we don’t even know if he’s round or flat. Hmph, thinking anyone can covet our miss?”

Zhao Hanzhang rubbed the back of her hand and said to Fu Tinghan, “This scheming gives me goosebumps.”

Fu Tinghan’s brows were tightly furrowed. “Didn’t he claim to be indifferent to fame and fortune? Yet he’s scheming against us from this angle.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Being indifferent to fame and fortune is something to say for the sake of saying—take it lightly.”

“However, this is a reminder.” Zhao Hanzhang became thoughtful. “The honey trap—it seems that whether the target is a man or a woman, everyone likes to use it.”

Fu Tinghan asked, “Are you moved?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him. “I’m not so shallow. I believe my character can be trusted. Since I’ve promised you, then as long as you don’t betray me, I will certainly not betray you.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on his face, raising her eyebrows. “The honey trap isn’t only used on me.”

Fu Tinghan only smiled faintly at her.

Zhao Hanzhang knew his answer. She also trusted him. The two couldn’t help but smile at each other.

Only then did Fu’an and Ting He stop quarreling, though their hearts were still indignant. Hmph, that Tan Ji Ze—whoever he was—daring to come between their miss and young master.

“Alright, let’s not talk about outsiders anymore. Quickly bring me my wine. A Hundred Day Intoxication that has captivated so many people—I wonder what it tastes like.”

Fu’an brought up a jar of wine. Zhao Hanzhang took it and patted away the yellow clay. A rich wine fragrance immediately diffused through the air.

Zhao Hanzhang took a deep breath of the wine’s aroma and was greatly pleased. “It really smells wonderful!”

Even Fu Tinghan, who generally had no interest in wine, couldn’t help but lean over to look. “It does smell quite good.”

Zhao Hanzhang lifted the jar lid. Ting He immediately brought up a wine pot.

Zhao Hanzhang poured it in. The clear wine water was poured into the wine pot. Zhao Hanzhang kept a little bit at the bottom of the jar. While Ting He took the wine to warm it, she lifted the jar and drank a mouthful.

Fu Tinghan reached out to help her support the jar pressing against her nose, asking with amusement, “Couldn’t wait a bit longer?”

Zhao Hanzhang drank a mouthful, her eyes brightening. “This wine is too fragrant, so delicious. Want to try a sip?”

Fu Tinghan reached out to take it and drank the last mouthful, raising his eyebrows. “Indeed quite good. Wonder what it’s brewed from.”

“Sorghum, I’d guess.” Zhao Hanzhang held the wine jar and sniffed it, then after savoring it said, “The water they use is very good. Wonder if it’s water from Chen County.”

Before going out, Ting He had inquired carefully, so she knew more. While warming the wine over a brazier, she said, “Miss, it is Chen County’s water. I heard the Chen family found an especially sweet mountain spring on a mountain. They bought the mountain at a high price and brew their wine using that spring on the mountain.”

Ting He finished warming the wine and brought it over, taking out a set of glass cups to pour for her. “Miss, try this.”

Zhao Hanzhang drank a mouthful and praised highly, “Good wine!”

As her words fell, there was a light knock on the door outside.

Fu’an went to open it, and servants entered in a line carrying trays—they had come to bring food.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang sit down at the mat and ask Fu Tinghan, “Do you want to drink?”

“I can try a bit.” Fu Tinghan wasn’t fond of wine but could drink. He slowly drank a mouthful while Zhao Hanzhang also tasted it, but she directly downed one cup at a time. “What a pity. Right now it’s wartime—we shouldn’t advocate using grain to brew wine. Even sorghum is no exception. This year we should still encourage everyone to plant more wheat and rice. Wonder if this year will bring favorable weather.”

“It will.” Fu Tinghan said, “Last year’s snow was good. An auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year—this year should bring a good harvest.”

“What a pity—last year brought the disaster of war. Not much wheat could be planted.” There was so much to do that these matters weren’t even among Zhao Hanzhang’s worries. She just mentioned it casually.

She carried the wine pot and wine cup to the railing, feeling that drinking wine here was most beautiful. She beckoned to Fu Tinghan. “Come quickly, come quickly. Drinking wine here is better.”

Because the wine was so delicious, Zhao Hanzhang ultimately couldn’t bear to drink both jars. So she drank one jar and held the other to take home.

She decided to store it and drink it later.

There was no help for it—this wine was too expensive.

Cao Shu personally escorted Zhao Hanzhang to the entrance and onto the carriage.

Zhao Hanzhang lifted the curtain and asked him, “Who is your owner?”

Isn’t that you? Has she drunk too much?

Cao Shu was about to speak when he met Zhao Hanzhang’s clear gaze. He shivered and came back to his senses, immediately lowering his head respectfully. “The owner is surnamed Wang, from Bingzhou. He went out to study and happened to avoid the Bingzhou calamity, but couldn’t return home. So he stayed in Yuzhou. Seeing Chen County was stable, he used his remaining funds to open this Youran Residence.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction. “Correct, that’s exactly right.”

She lowered the curtain but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, through the curtain she said, “Go investigate Tan Bochong and Tan Ji Ze.”

Cao Shu bowed and acknowledged, “Yes.”

—