CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 204: TURNING A BLIND EYE

Zhao Hanzhang wore a radiant and loving expression, "Yes, they are all victims of this war, having lost their parents and families. If they can learn a few characters and some arithmetic, their future life will have some hope, so they won’t have to suffer from poverty and lack of support."

Zhao Cheng nodded, "You have a kind heart and can think long-term for them. Xiping County is lucky to have you as County Lord, much better than those who seek fame and fortune."

Zhao Ming looked at Zhao Hanzhang with doubt lingering in his eyes.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and asked Fu Tinghan to entertain them well, while she turned and went to the kitchen to check on the slaughtered lamb.

The lamb was almost ready, and Uncle Cheng directed people to move the charcoal stove into the pavilion. Following Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions, he fixed a polished stone slab over the charcoal fire.

The young men glanced at it and said, "It’s so convenient to cook at home, why use a stone pot?"

Zhao Hanzhang concisely replied, "Delicious."

Zhao Cheng quickly noticed that the stone slab had been specially polished. He shook his head, saying, "It’s just for food, this is too labor-intensive."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "In this world, you can skimp on anything but not on food."

Zhao Hanzhang laid the marinated lamb slices on the oiled stone slab, thin as it was, already heated red. As she placed the meat down, it sizzled, and a whiff of meaty aroma wafted, Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Uncle, with delicacies like this, how strong-willed must one be to refuse them?"

Zhao Cheng watched her look of delight and couldn’t help shaking his head, turning to Zhao Ming, "You’re alike, you love wine while she loves food."

Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming simultaneously showed expressions of disdain, clearly disagreeing.

Seeing this, Zhao Ming squinted at her with a slightly dangerous expression.

Zhao Hanzhang immediately restrained her demeanor and earnestly said, "Uncle is right, since we’re blood-related, it’s natural that our preferences align."

Zhao Ming just snorted coldly and turned away.

Zhao Cheng saw her change of expression and shook his head; indeed, he hadn’t been wrong the first time he saw her, she was nothing like her father, rather, she had traces of her uncle.

Zhao Cheng sighed and waved them off, "Go have fun, we’ll handle things here."

Zhao Hanzhang went to find her cousins. For a moment, the old family’s garden was filled with the rich aroma of meat, smoke swirling about, creating a lively scene.

Not far off, Zhao Song, seated in the open pavilion, saw Zhao Hanzhang carrying a plate of grilled meat over and said to Zhao Hu, "I see Third Lady and Zitu getting along well. When she comes over, say a few gentle words and have her help persuade Zitu."

He continued, "Zitu and Zhi Zhi were close before; although he hasn’t seen Third Lady and them in recent years, she’s always on his mind. If she speaks, considering Zhi Zhi, Zitu might listen."

Zhao Hu, stubbornly muttering, said, "Who’s eager for him? As long as he leaves Zheng’er with me, it’s fine."

Hearing this, Zhao Song snorted, "That’s his son; a father disciplining his son is only natural. Why should he leave him with you? If you don’t want to listen, just pretend I didn’t say anything."

Zhao Hu: ...Can’t you persuade a little more?

Zhao Hanzhang entered with a filial demeanor, and even Zhao Song couldn’t help but smile.

"Fifth Uncle, this is meat I personally grilled."

Zhao Song’s smile widened, motioning for her to come forward.

Zhao Hu, nitpicking, sniffed and said, "It stinks!"

"That’s the spices," Zhao Hanzhang placed a piece on Zhao Song’s plate with chopsticks, "Fifth Uncle, try it. I’ve heard these spices like pepper have properties that ward off cold and dampness. The weather is getting colder, and lamb pairs well with it."

Zhao Song tried a bite, initially a bit unfamiliar, but by the second bite, he couldn’t help raising his eyebrows, nodding with restraint, "Not bad, not bad."

Zhao Hu eyed him skeptically, suspecting Zhao Song was speaking kindly because of his affection, but Zhao Song soon ate a third piece.

Seeing the plate empty quickly, and Zhao Hanzhang still hadn’t invited him to eat, Zhao Hu became a bit anxious.

Zhao Hanzhang, as if oblivious to Zhao Hu, continued to only serve Zhao Song.

Zhao Hu finally couldn’t stand it, slapped the table, and said, "Zhao Hanzhang, is he the only uncle? Am I not?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him in surprise, "Why do you say that, Seventh Uncle?"

Zhao Hu glared at her, unable to say it was for a bite of food?

No, could it really be for a mere bite?

It was clearly because Zhao Hanzhang was favoring one over the other, neglecting him that he got angry.

Thinking this, Zhao Hu felt justified, glaring at her, "Why do you slight me?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately claimed innocence, "Seventh Uncle, you’ve misunderstood. How dare I slight you?"

"Then why are you only serving your Fifth Uncle, ignoring me?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked conflicted, "Seventh Uncle, you’ve misunderstood me. It’s not that I look down on you but because I’m too ashamed and guilty to face you, so I avoided you."

Zhao Hu was stunned for a moment and then said, "So you know you’ve wronged me."

Zhao Hanzhang was also surprised, "Seventh Uncle found out so quickly?"

Zhao Hu frowned, "You embarrassed me in front of the younger generation, while I was right there. How could I not know?"

"That’s not right, Seventh Uncle," Zhao Hanzhang said, "It wasn’t an embarrassment; it was a normal reminder. Wouldn’t it be better for your grandniece to remind you than for people from the county government to do so?"

Zhao Hu was startled and then jumped up, his voice cracking, "Besides that matter, what else have you done to wrong me?"

Zhao Hanzhang seemed troubled, occasionally glancing at Zhao Song.

Zhao Song, bewildered and confused, quickly put down his chopsticks and asked, "Third Lady, if there’s something, just say it openly. As long as it’s not too serious, I’ll speak on your behalf to Seventh Uncle."

Zhao Hu shouted, "Fifth Brother!"

"Can you stop pampering her," he angrily retorted, "It’s because you all favor her that she’s gotten so audacious. Even when County Magistrate Fan was alive, he never dared to come to our Wu Castle to press for taxes!"

"Shut up!" Zhao Song snapped, "Why do you think she only targets you and not others? County Magistrate Fan didn’t come after you out of respect for the Zhao Family; do you think this is such a good thing? You’ve ruined Zhao Family’s reputation!"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded emphatically. Seeing Zhao Song glance her way, she immediately stopped mid-nod, replacing it with a guilty and apologetic expression, quietly saying, "Seventh Uncle, it’s about Uncle Cheng’s matter..."

Zhao Hu was taken aback and slowly sat back down, asking, "What about Zhao Cheng?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "I know Uncle Cheng has been away for many years, and it’s hard for him to come back and reunite with you, Seventh Uncle. I shouldn’t disturb your family joy."

Zhao Hu inwardly scoffed, family joy?

Do they even have that?

Seeing her conflicted expression, he impatiently said, "Get to the point, don’t dawdle."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "Uncle Cheng said he would go studying again come spring, but I think it’s too dangerous outside now for scholarly pursuits."

Zhao Hu and Zhao Song both nodded slightly, "So?"

"So, I thought, why not study locally?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "I think the county is a good place, so I invited Uncle to give lessons in the county, studying along the way."

She added, "He’ll leave tomorrow, which is why it disrupts your family joy, Seventh Uncle. I feel truly guilty."

Zhao Hu looked at her blankly, taking a long time to come to his senses, turning his head to ask, "So does this mean Zhao Cheng is staying to teach rather than leaving?"

Zhao Hanzhang emphasized, "In the county."