CHAPTER 476: CHAPTER 470: GOING OUT

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and said, "The world is not at peace, how can one start a family? This matter is not urgent."

At this time, they did not need to use marriage for anything, nor were they in a hurry to marry, especially since she was only sixteen this year. Oh, not even sixteen yet.

So it’s not urgent.

Even Ji Yuan, upon hearing her reason, couldn’t help but pause for a moment, then asked, "When does the lady think the world will be at peace?"

This was a heavy topic. She sighed deeply and said, "Unless the world is changed, it’s hard to quell the wars."

The Jin State is rotten to the core. Even if a wise ruler emerges, surrounded by wolves, without power, it’s useless.

Is the current emperor muddle-headed?

He is not muddle-headed. He even has some talent and cunning, his morals are passable, but he has no power. He cannot subdue Prince East Sea and the numerous courtiers, so he is just a puppet.

But in the current Great Jin situation, honestly, even Zhao Hanzhang herself would find it difficult to seize power from the wolves if she were in his position.

The power seized is always unstable; it’s better to rebuild.

On fertile ground grows a towering tree rotten to the core, with the rot affecting most parts. The best way is to uproot it and plant a new tree, letting a new sapling grow again.

Just as Zhao Hanzhang was deep in thought, Ji Yuan said quietly, "So, does the lady intend to remain unmarried for life?"

Zhao Hanzhang came back to her senses, quickly laughed, and said, "Mr. Ji misunderstood. This world may soon stabilize... Well, I just think I’m still young."

Only then was Ji Yuan satisfied. After thinking it over, he said, "That’s fine, so long as the lady is clear in her heart, there’s no need to rush."

At this time, Yu State was still not stable, Zhao Hanzhang had many entanglements; it was better to remain still than to act rashly.

However... "You should get closer to Mr. Fu. Fu Zhongshu serves as an official in the court, currently a trusted aide of Your Majesty, and Mr. Fu benefits you greatly."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...I know, Mr. Ji, you’re speaking in such a way that it’s making me feel like I’m about to become a heartbreaker."

"Just hope the lady and Mr. Fu won’t fail each other."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Am I that kind of person? And Fu Tinghan certainly isn’t."

"Of course, I know Mr. Fu isn’t that kind of person." Fu Tinghan isn’t, but their lady is too spirited, he’s a bit unsure.

After Ji Yuan saw the gunpowder, he kept a close eye on Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, frequently reminding Zhao Hanzhang, "Lady, you haven’t seen Mr. Fu in quite a while. Why not go visit him?"

Zhao Hanzhang: ...We just had breakfast together this morning, and it’s been less than two hours since we parted.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t expect to experience being rushed into marriage before turning sixteen. She said helplessly, "Mr. Ji, nothing will change about my marriage to Ting Han. You don’t have to be like this."

Ji Yuan: "I certainly trust the lady and Mr. Fu, but for a harmonious marriage, it must be managed with care. There are few matters today, the lady has not gone out since returning to Chen County, why not invite Mr. Fu for a walk today? I hear there’s plenty of good food outside."

Zhao Hanzhang, who originally didn’t want to go out, changed her mind upon hearing this and nodded, "That’s good."

Ji Yuan advised, "The springtime is splendid, wear something nice."

Zhao Hanzhang quickly distanced herself from Ji Yuan, Mr. Ji who urged romance was truly terrifying.

Ting He selected a plain blue-green dress for Zhao Hanzhang. She was still in mourning, so the casual clothes made in the past two years were mainly plain.

"Miss, I have sent someone to invite Mr. Fu. The timing should be just right when you finish changing clothes."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, but after changing clothes, still walked briskly toward Fu Tinghan’s courtyard. Ting He hurriedly kept up, "Miss, Miss, slow down a bit, it’s a curved hem..."

Zhao Hanzhang slowed her steps, arriving at Fu Tinghan’s courtyard, saw that the maid who came to call was anxiously waiting by the window, and Fu An was blocking her.

When Fu An saw Zhao Hanzhang, he was startled, hurried up to greet her, knelt, and saluted, "Miss, my master is deep in thought, he doesn’t allow us to disturb him, so..."

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand nonchalantly and said, "No matter, you all may leave."

Only then did Fu An rise and step aside.

Fu Tinghan, presumably for the light, had specially placed his desk by the window. He was sitting there with his pen lifted, his brows slightly furrowed.

Zhao Hanzhang curiously leaned in to see what he was troubled about.

On the paper spread before him was a map just beginning, she was startled, leaned closer, "Is this a map of Nanyang Country?"

Fu Tinghan, who had been slightly furrowing his brow, finally noticed her. He found eight maps from his drafts beside him and handed them to her: "I drew these from the county annals and state annals in Lu Yang County. I want to combine them into a full map of Nanyang Country."

"But I don’t know if the records in the annals are wrong, or if the roads have changed without annotation in the annals. The combined map has some errors in certain places."

Zhao Hanzhang carefully examined his map, then after a moment of thought said, "For you alone, trying to survey the entire Yu State for a map would be very time-consuming. Therefore, I’ll order each county to draft and submit their maps, and then you can use those to draw it, what do you think?"

Fu Tinghan: "The drawings might not be very accurate, but at this stage, it’s a good idea."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately called for Ting He, "Go to the front and find Fan Ying to draft an order."

Fu Tinghan smiled, handed her a pen, then casually took a book for her to use as a pad while writing the order.

After finishing the order, Zhao Hanzhang took out her private seal from her pouch and stamped it before handing the order over to Ting He.

Ting He accepted the command and left. Zhao Hanzhang smiled brightly at Fu Tinghan and asked, "Are you still going to draw?"

It was only then that Fu Tinghan noticed she was dressed differently today. He quickly put away the book, pressed down the map, and shook his head, "No inspiration, won’t draw for now."

Zhao Hanzhang just reached out to pull his hand, smiling radiantly, "Then come on, let’s go out and play."

Fu Tinghan pursed his lips and smiled, stood up, went around, and exited through the door.

At this time, the weather was still a bit cold. The wind was especially chilly, making it easy to catch a cold. Fu An hurriedly ran into the room to fetch a cloak.

Fu Tinghan paused when he saw this and said to Fu An, "Bring the cloak Hanzhang left here as well."

"No need," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Ting He has already arranged it, and I don’t feel cold."

Zhao Hanzhang held his hand tight and strode out, "Let’s hurry, it’s lunchtime, if we don’t go out now, we’ll have to wait a long time for a meal later."

Fu Tinghan asked with a smile, "Where do you want to eat?"

"I heard that several new restaurants and inns have opened in Chen County these past months, let’s go check them out."

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but laugh, "Then we need to head out early."