CHAPTER 225: CHAPTER 220 MISLEADING

Xiahou Ren narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly asked, "Did your uncle know about you seeking talent from me, Third Lady?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s face showed slight discomfort, but she quickly said, "I am in charge of Xiping County now."

Xiahou Ren lightly curled his lips and said, "Naturally, He Ci Shi personally acknowledged you. No one can deny this fact."

Xiahou Ren leaned forward and asked with a smile, "I’ve heard that Ji Yuan, Mr. Zhao’s advisor, is now following the Third Lady."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded confidently and said, "Grandfather entrusted Mr. Ji to take care of my brother and me. Mr. Ji watched us grow up and has been very dedicated."

Xiahou Ren’s eyes flashed slightly as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang and asked, "Third Lady, have you thought about the future? You are engaged to Fu Tinghan. Surely you cannot stay in Xiping forever."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Of course, once the three-year mourning period ends, I naturally have to return to Luoyang with Tinghan."

Xiahou Ren asked, "What about your brother?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Naturally, he will return with me."

Xiahou Ren, hearing her speak so decisively, couldn’t help but feel puzzled, "Since you intend to return to Luoyang in three years, why are you painstakingly managing Xiping County now?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s smile slightly faded, her gaze turned cold, "I fought for Xiping County, so I cannot just stand by and watch. Moreover, what belongs to our main branch can only belong to our main branch."

Xiahou Ren instantly thought of the title of Shangcai Marquis.

He had long heard of the Zhao Family’s internal struggle over the title, and not long ago, there were rumors that Zhao Ji, in an attempt to inherit the title, schemed against Zhao Hanzhang and her brother, nearly causing their deaths in Luoyang.

Zhao Hanzhang still harbors thoughts about the title of Shangcai Marquis.

Xiahou Ren exchanged a glance with He Cheng. Indeed, what is a small, unnamed county like Xiping compared to an Earlship?

Even if not for herself, Zhao Hanzhang would consider her brother.

So, there are many ways for her to safely pass three years in Xiping. Why put so much effort into acting as Xiping’s "County Magistrate"?

Xiahou Ren pondered for a moment and said, "Calculating our families’ relations, we are indeed relatives by marriage. Your great-grandmother was from our Xiahou family. I was startled the first time I saw you; you look so much like your grand-uncle."

He sighed, "General Xiahou was closest to your grand-uncle. Since you wish to seek talent from the General, why not come with me to meet him?"

He hinted, "Back then, your grand-uncle’s line faced great difficulty. Calculating now, you and your brother are the closest blood relatives. The General has always wanted to meet you two."

Zhao Hanzhang looked intrigued, but after hesitating for a moment, she shook her head, "I cannot leave Xiping right now. I will visit Uncle later when it’s more convenient."

Seeing her expression, Xiahou Ren felt he had gotten the answer he wanted. With a face of regret, he nodded, "Very well."

Zhao Hanzhang looked curious, "Uncle, are all five Commandery Princesses of the Sima family?"

Xiahou Ren’s forehead twitched, but seeing her curious expression and not noticing any taboo was breached,

it made sense. After all, she’s only fourteen or fifteen years old, still young, and it’s normal to be curious.

It was then Xiahou Ren realized that, after all, Zhao Hanzhang was only fourteen or fifteen.

He squinted his eyes and asked, "Has Third Lady come of age?"

Zhao Hanzhang casually replied, "Next year I will come of age."

Indeed very young, Xiahou Ren became more gentle and sighed, "Though they are elders, they were around your age."

This meant none of them survived. Xiahou Xuan’s closest blood relatives truly were her and Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Hanzhang looked moved and proud, "So, my grand-uncle’s line really only has my brother and me left."

Xiahou Ren nodded solemnly, "Yes."

The two had a cordial and friendly conversation about this kinship. When Zhao Hanzhang was about to leave, Xiahou Ren personally escorted her to the door. He wanted to walk her downstairs, but Zhao Hanzhang firmly refused, expressing that as the younger generation, she could walk on her own, appearing afraid that others might see them being too close.

Once Zhao Hanzhang left, Xiahou Ren’s friendly smile slowly faded. After returning to the room, he closed the door.

He Cheng poured himself a glass of wine and, seeing Xiahou Ren’s slightly curled lips, asked, "Relieved now?"

Xiahou Ren said, "I had long suspected someone was behind Zhao Hanzhang. For such a young girl, born into a noble family with a life of luxury, how could she get involved in such power struggles? It seems she is ambitious, but her ambition is still confined to her family’s title. Most of Xiping’s matters are likely Zhao Ming’s handiwork."

He Cheng was puzzled, "Zhao Ming is also a notable scholar with a good reputation. If he wanted to make a move, he could do so himself, or other clan members could help. Why support Zhao Hanzhang?"

Xiahou Ren sneered, "Perhaps the Zhao Family is not as harmonious as it appears."

Zhao Ji inherited Zhao Changyu’s title, but he did not escort the coffin back home. Instead, it was Fu Tinghan, the grandson-in-law, who cared for the main branch’s orphans and widows, escorting the coffin home. This shows Zhao Ji’s character and the disputes between the main and second branches.

Xiahou Ren said, "Someone like Zhao Ji, with his character and mindset, likely finds it hard to gain respect. Zhao Ming, proud of his talents, would be willing to let the Zhao Family fall into Zhao Ji’s hands."

He Cheng said, "Currently, Zhao Zhongyu is in charge."

"That’s why he pushes Zhao Hanzhang to come forward. He wants the main branch to fight the second branch and reap the benefits."

He Cheng pondered briefly and was convinced by his reasoning.

He sat up slightly, "If the Zhao Family truly falls into chaos, then Yu State..."

Xiahou Ren also hesitated. He worried the Zhao Family’s internal strife would affect Yu State, but he also felt such a divided Zhao Family would benefit the Xiahou family.

He Cheng glanced at him, seeing his thoughts, and stopped discussing the matter, instead asking, "When do you plan to leave Xiping? Are you still waiting for your manuscripts?"

Xiahou Ren hesitated. He had intended to stay in Wu Castle until Zhao Hanzhang finished copying the manuscripts, using the opportunity to observe the situation in Xiping.

Zhao Hanzhang had no imperial decree, so her title as County Magistrate was nominal. He wanted to investigate the local people’s views to understand Zhao Family’s operations and intentions in Xiping.

But now...

Xiahou Ren urgently wanted to go back and find Xiahou Jun, "I’ll leave once the Zhao Family’s banquet is over."

He didn’t explain his urgency, and He Cheng didn’t ask either. They nodded knowingly.

This was the Zhao Family’s territory. It was too easy for Zhao Ming to control public opinion, especially with the cooperation of Ji Yuan and County Magistrate Chai.

In just one day, Zhao Hanzhang’s graceful character was unanimously recognized by the scholar-officials present, and her good name spread out of the garden, flowing through Wu Castle, and reached Xiping County.

As a result, Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation surged, making her the most famous person in this Zhao Family banquet.

Though she didn’t attend the banquet, her name was everywhere. Even children playing with pebbles on the street knew her.

Consequently, seeing Zhao Hanzhang, a three-year-old child blowing snot bubbles ran up and gave her their best-looking pebble, "Third Sister, so amazing! Such a filial good girl. When I grow up, I want to be like you."