Zhao Hu was startled and turned to see it was her, then said impatiently, “What are you doing here?”

Seeing her touching the celadon vase, he immediately said, “I can’t give this to you. I only have two—one for my own use, and this one is for Zheng’er.”

Zhao Hanzhang turned to look at the other items. Some servants had already unpacked them and were carrying them into the rooms, while others had just opened the boxes, so the courtyard was piled full of trunks and cases.

A servant brought up a set of white porcelain tea service and asked, “Great Master, who should receive this?”

Zhao Hu didn’t hesitate. “Give it to Zheng’er. Zhao Cheng wouldn’t use such fine things anyway. Might as well give it to Zheng’er. He’s reached the age where he’ll certainly invite classmates and friends for tea—perfect for brewing tea and entertaining guests.”

He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang. “Although glass pots look nice, porcelain is also excellent and has more charm. Especially this white porcelain—lustrous as jade, white as frost. This is top quality.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement. “It is top quality.”

Looking at the box just opened beside them, inside was gauze Zhao Hanzhang had never even seen. The gauze was so light and thin that even modern craftsmanship couldn’t quite match it. The silk threads were fine and delicate with transparent colors. When servants lifted it up, the hanging gauze fell straight and smooth—clearly it had excellent drape.

Zhao Hanzhang asked humbly when she didn’t understand, “This gauze surely isn’t meant to make clothes for Zheng, is it?”

Zhao Hu disdainfully swept her a glance. “Make clothes from such transparent gauze?”

“This is for making bed curtains.” He said, “It’s hot now, and hot at night too. Plus there are many mosquitoes, so this smoke gauze is for making curtains.”

Zhao Hu stroked his beard, saying proudly, “This gauze comes from Shu region and is quite valuable. I only obtained three bolts.”

He smiled. “Using one bolt to make curtains for Zheng’er and me, I can sell the remaining two bolts and make a tidy profit.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Why not make one for Uncle Cheng as well?”

“Him?” Zhao Hu curled his lip, then said somewhat aggrieved, “You think I don’t want to make one for him? I made one for him but he won’t use it, just wastes my fine things in the end.”

Servants carried something past—also porcelain, but at first glance Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t tell what it was. She only saw the lid had many grid-like holes.

Zhao Hanzhang asked curiously, “What’s this for?”

“For holding ice,” Zhao Hu said. “It’s hot now and hard to sleep at night. You can put ice blocks inside, and the cold air disperses through those holes, making it easier to sleep.”

Besides this, various items were being carried into that room.

Even Zhao Hanzhang, who thought she’d experienced extravagant living, couldn’t help but gasp.

When Zhao Changyu was alive, she felt her life as a wealthy young lady was already quite extravagant in this era. She hadn’t expected that compared to Zhao Hu, hers was just basic living!

Indeed, Zhao Changyu was still too frugal—worthy of being Dajin’s legendary number one person who only loved saving money, not spending it.

Zhao Hanzhang stood beside Zhao Hu with her hands behind her back, watching him direct servants to move items one by one into Zhao Zheng’s room. The official document in her hand still swayed behind her back as she watched with great interest.

Zhao Ming had waited for her for a long time without her arriving, so he came looking himself. He saw her chatting happily with Zhao Hu—one introducing things with great joy, the other listening with equal joy.

Zhao Ming stopped in his tracks, paused for a moment, then turned and walked away.

Changqing hurried to follow. “Master, won’t you invite the Young Lady?”

“No need to disturb her. We’ll handle other matters first. That official document in her hand isn’t that urgent anyway.”

Changqing: …Who was it just now in the study complaining about Zhao Hanzhang’s long delay?

Seeing the items all arranged according to Zhao Hu’s instructions, only then did Zhao Hanzhang sigh and tell Zhao Hu, “Unfortunately, Uncle Cheng took Zheng to Ruyin Commandery today. He won’t get to use any of these things.”

Zhao Hu: …

He stiffly turned his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang, eyes widening as anger slowly accumulated, about to erupt, when Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the mat he’d just had placed in the pavilion. “Seventh Great-Uncle, we’ve been standing so long. Shall we sit down to continue talking?”

Having said this, she gestured for him to go forward.

Zhao Hu angrily flicked his sleeve and walked forward, entering the pavilion and sitting cross-legged. Then he looked up and glared at Zhao Hanzhang, waiting for her to give him an explanation.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and came forward, kneeling beside him, casually placing the official document to one side.

This mat was also newly changed, reportedly woven from a naturally fragrant dried grass and treated with medicine. It had heart-calming and spirit-nourishing effects and could even repel mosquitoes.

On the mat were cushions and a low back support made of chicken-wing wood. Whether kneeling or sitting cross-legged, both would be comfortable.

This showed Zhao Hu’s consideration and care for his grandson, as well as his extravagance.

The two had just sat down when servants brought tea and refreshments, set them down, then withdrew with bows. Only the grandfather and grandchild remained in the pavilion.

Zhao Hanzhang picked up the teapot and poured Zhao Hu a cup of water.

Zhao Hu looked disgusted. A perceptive servant below the pavilion immediately entered, knelt on the ground, and prepared a bowl of milk tea for them.

This was genuine milk tea, even using goat milk for brewing.

Zhao Hanzhang smelled the rich fragrance of the milk tea and gently took a sip. This milk tea wasn’t just fragrant—the taste was rich and sweet, more delicate than modern milk tea made with sugar essence and creamer.

She lowered her eyes and seriously drank two sips, then looked up at Zhao Hu, who was still glaring at her angrily. “Seventh Great-Uncle, I finally understand why Uncle Cheng would rather let outsiders call him unfilial than let Zheng fulfill his filial duties at your knee.”

“Don’t get angry first,” Zhao Hanzhang gently soothed him. “I’m not saying this to anger you deliberately, but stating facts honestly. Don’t you want to remain at odds with Uncle Cheng forever?”

Zhao Hu stared at her. Seeing her face had lost its smile and she was looking at him seriously with clear, bright eyes, carrying some pressure.

Zhao Hu paused, knowing she was speaking to him seriously, not bickering.

His angry emotions eased slightly, though he still looked at her with displeasure.

She’d stood there watching him fuss for so long, then left him with this statement—he didn’t believe she wasn’t doing it deliberately.

Zhao Hanzhang saw he was willing to listen and her expression softened. She spoke gently to persuade him, “Seventh Great-Uncle, don’t keep getting angry. Anger harms the body and isn’t good for your health.”

Zhao Hu snorted. “Isn’t it all your fault I’m angry?”

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t deny it. She smiled, then continued holding her milk tea, lowering her eyes. “This delicious milk tea—I love it so much I’d want three bowls a day. I think Zheng would like it very much too?”

Zhao Hu’s expression eased considerably. “If you like it, have your maid come later. I’ll have someone teach her properly. Whenever you want some, just have her make it.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “I just pressed on Zheng’s bedding. It has thick padding underneath and several layers of cool silk on top—both soft and cool. This is summer. Come winter, replace the silk with wool blankets—both soft and warm, suitable for both summer and winter. I think lying on it must be very comfortable—one wouldn’t want to get up at all?”

Zhao Hu sensed something wrong and frowned at her. “What do you mean by this?”

—