Chapter 22 - Blessed (Seeking Recommendation Votes and Monthly Votes)

Chapter 22: Chapter 16 Blessed (Seeking Recommendation Votes and Monthly Votes)Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and leaned over slightly, "What did you say?"

Fu Tinghan slightly turned his head to avoid her gaze, "Nothing."

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at him and noticed his ears turning a slight red, she couldn’t help but frown, "Professor Fu, is your wound serious? Are you running a fever?"

"No," Fu Tinghan sat back down on the stool and changed the topic, "I haven’t corrected my accent yet, so I can’t start speaking. What excuse should we use to practice the elegant language together?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "I’ll handle it. You just need to nod when Fu Zhongshu asks for your opinion."

"Fu Zhongshu?"

"That’s your grandfather now," Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the bewildered Fu Tinghan, "You should have some memory. This is the Western Jin. Your grandfather, Fu Zhi, is currently the Secretary of the Secretariat in the Great Jin. Our two families are discussing an arrangement."

Fu Tinghan’s expression turned odd, "Me and you?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Fu Tinghan murmured, "That’s quite the coincidence."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "It is quite the coincidence."

Fu Tinghan paused and his face turned crimson. He awkwardly averted his gaze, "You..."

Just as he was about to ask something, the butler came running in, "Mr. Dalang, the master has returned."

Fu Tinghan looked towards Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "I will go pay my respects to Fu Zhongshu."

Fu Tinghan got up to follow.

Zhao Hanzhang turned her head upon seeing this, "You’re going too?"

Fu Tinghan said nothing, merely nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t refuse, allowing the servants to carry her to the main hall.

Fu Zhi had just returned from the Zhao Family. As soon as he entered, he heard that guests had arrived at home: Mr. Dalang and Si Niang from the Wang Family and Third Sister Zhao had come to visit Fu Changrong.

Being an elder, Fu Zhi, even if he was acquainted with Wang Yan, wasn’t familiar with his children. As far as he knew, the age gap between Changrong and Wang Xuan was too great for them to be playmates, let alone for the matter of Fu Changrong’s return to the capital, which had not been publicized widely; even some relatives weren’t aware.

One could guess why they came, even with just a little thought.

Fu Zhi went straight to the main hall but did not see Third Sister Zhao.

Wang Xuan was casually sitting cross-legged by the window, drinking for leisure. He said to his sister, who was anxiously pacing, "You’ve been pacing for half an hour, aren’t you tired?"

"It’s been almost half an hour. Why haven’t they finished talking yet?"

"Isn’t that a good thing?" Wang Xuan was delighted, "If they finish quickly, that’s not good. The longer they talk, the more it shows there’s mutual affection. The gentleman is interested, and the lady is willing; the family seeks to unite the Qin and Jin dynasties in marriage. With everything in favor, isn’t it heartwarming? Why aren’t you happy for them?"

Wang Si Niang took a step onto the mat and sat opposite him, "But Fu Changrong has injured his head, who knows how he might be in the future? Besides, how can he compare to my brother?"

Wang Xuan choked and coughed violently; the spicy wine stung his throat, making it burn even more. It took him a while to stop coughing, "You, you better stop matchmaking carelessly."

"Brother, if you don’t marry soon, you really won’t find a good wife. Although you are handsome, talented, and of good character, you’re getting on in age. Third Sister looks down on you because of your age."

The corners of Wang Xuan’s mouth fell, and he became stern, "I’m mature, who said I’m old? Young ladies don’t understand elegance; don’t speak nonsense."

As they were bickering, Wang Xuan noticed someone entering from the corner of his eye. He quickly stood up, straightening his sleeves, and went to greet them at the door with a bow, "Greetings to Fu Zhongshu."

Fu Zhi paused and smiled slightly, "Isn’t it Mr. Dalang from the Wang Family? Please, no need for such formalities. Come inside and sit for a chat."

His gaze swept through the room, seeing only attendants around, he couldn’t help but frown, "It’s my family’s oversight not to properly entertain esteemed guests. Someone, bring fresh tea and snacks."

Wang Xuan hurriedly said, "I came uninvited, it’s my fault for the lack of manners."

While chatting, more people arrived at the main hall. Fu Zhi looked out through the window and immediately saw Zhao Hanzhang seated in a sedan chair, while his grandson walked alongside with a smile. Whatever Zhao Hanzhang was saying had him looking up to laugh at her, the sunlight casting on his face, making it shine as pure as jade in the light, radiating joy all over.

Fu Zhi was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t seen his grandson in five years. When the young man was brought back, he was once without breath, and the Imperial Physician had even asked to prepare for the worst.

He didn’t know what his grandson had gone through during those five years in Chang’an or what difficulties he faced from Chang’an to Luoyang. But from the moment he woke up, he was silent, showing neither happiness nor anger, only an air of urgency, as though desperate to leave the place.

After so many days, this was the first time Fu Zhi saw such a genuine smile on his face.

Fu Zhi’s heart gradually eased, and he began to ponder whether he could bring up the marriage proposal without getting kicked out?

Fu Zhi was thinking about this, smiling as he stood up.

Zhao Hanzhang was carried in. As she was about to get down and pay respects, Fu Zhi quickly stopped her, "Third Lady, no need for such formalities, someone, help Third Lady to the couch."

Zhao Hanzhang quickly stopped him, "My leg injury isn’t severe; I can barely walk. How can I be so disrespectful in front of my elders?"

After some polite refusals, Zhao Hanzhang ended up supporting herself off Ting He’s hand to move to the mat. Because of her leg injury, Fu Zhi had someone bring a low stool to place on the mat for her to sit on.

Fu Tinghan sat down knowingly on the other side. As soon as he settled, seeing everyone turning their heads to look at him, he raised an eyebrow in confusion at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice and said, "This is your grandfather’s seat. Sit opposite me..."

Fu Tinghan stood up and repositioned himself opposite her.

Fu Zhi awkwardly smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, "After Dalang’s injury, he’s been having some memory issues, forgetting a lot of things, so he’s a bit lacking in decorum and etiquette. But rest assured, his brain is fine, these can be relearned."

It should be fine, he was still listening to Zhao Hanzhang just now...

Fu Zhi turned and invited Wang Xuan to sit as well, taking his seat at the head of the table.

Wang Si Niang, sitting just behind Wang Xuan, playfully winked at Zhao Hanzhang from behind her brother.

In front of the elders, Zhao Hanzhang remained particularly proper, pretending not to notice.

With a serious expression, she said to Fu Zhi, "I saw Mr. Dalang during the chaos at the city gate and thought I was seeing things. I hadn’t expected it to truly be Mr. Dalang’s return."

Looking at Fu Tinghan opposite her, she continued, "This is our fate. Coincidentally, I also injured my head and was experiencing memory loss previously. Over the past couple of days, I’ve started to recall some things. I’ve heard Mr. Dalang has a similar condition. I wonder if Fu Zhongshu would mind us undergoing treatment together; perhaps it might accelerate recovery."

Fu Zhi’s eyes curved with his smile, "I don’t mind, I don’t mind at all." As long as your grandfather doesn’t mind.

Fu Zhi glanced at Fu Changrong and felt that this grandson was indeed fortunate. He smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, "Do you have a plan for the treatment?"