Zhao Hanzhang's memory needs a "reboot" to recall, so organizing relationships and images in her mind is a bit slower.
After organizing, she said, "Your brother is too old."
Wang Si Niang was left speechless.
Zhao Hanzhang felt itchy with curiosity and said to Ting He, "Let's go to the Fu Family."
Ting He looked troubled, "Third Lady, we haven't sent a note in advance. Isn't it inappropriate to visit them suddenly?"
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, her gaze falling on Wang Si Niang.
Wang Si Niang shivered involuntarily.
Wang Si Niang sat in Zhao Hanzhang's carriage and was quite perplexed, "Was it four or five years ago when we last saw Fu Changrong? Or even longer, we were just kids back then, why are you so fixated on him?"
She muttered, "My brother is so good-looking, how can you not be moved, yet have the heart to have him arrange for you to meet Fu Changrong?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "Just tell me, will you help or not?"
They were already halfway there; could she refuse now?
"My brother is definitely chatting at Zizai Building right now; you'll surely find him there."
Zhao Hanzhang's leg was injured, making it difficult to hop in, so she waited outside while Wang Si Niang went in to find him.
Zhao Hanzhang tapped her finger on her knee, waited for a long time, then turned to ask Ting He, "How long has Si Niang been inside?"
Ting He estimated, "It's been about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
Zhao Hanzhang said to the maids accompanying her, "Go ask the shopkeeper to bring a sedan chair."
She decided to go inside personally.
Zizai Building is not just the front building; it has a deep courtyard in the back, with a scenic view every ten steps, truly a place for scholars to drink and chat.
Here, as long as you have money, there's a chance to go to the back, but if you have status, you can definitely go to the back, even without money, the shopkeeper will gladly invite you in.
Zhao Hanzhang hadn't had a chance to spend money; Ting He just revealed the Zhao Family name, and immediately a stewardess brought four attendants carrying a sedan chair.
The stewardess stood respectfully by the carriage, saying, "It's an honor for our humble shop to welcome the lady today; would the lady like to dine or drink at the back?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "I'm here to find a friend, Si Niang from the Wang Family. She's been inside for a while and might be held up by someone."
The stewardess breathed a sigh of relief, glad she wasn't here to cause trouble, and said with a smiling face, "Wang Si Niang is at You Ran Residence. I'll lead the way for the lady."
Zhao Hanzhang leaned on Ting He's hand to get off the carriage, declined the maid's help, and hopped onto the sedan chair herself. The attendants were about to carry her when the maid refused, opting to carry the Third Lady inside themselves.
The stewardess smiled while leading the way.
Zhao Hanzhang curiously observed, and as they entered the courtyard in the back, relevant memories emerged from the depths of her mind, allowing her to slowly match memory with reality.
Zizai Building is the Capital City's most famous place for intellectual debates, where countless scholars and literati have made their names and friendships.
Some live here freely and outlandishly, never returning home.
Zhao Third Sister has been here a few times with friends, but a young girl carries heavy thoughts; the burdens of reality weigh on her shoulders, leaving her little time to relax, so she didn't care for the atmosphere here, unless urged by friends, she generally wouldn't come.
You Ran Residence is at the center of the courtyard. Passing through the screen wall, one can see a land of blossoms, with mats and low tables scattered on the flat grass nearby.
Low tables are set with tea snacks and fruit platters. Among the youths, some are semi-reclining, others sitting upright; they are heatedly debating something, while her friend, perhaps assigned to invite them, Wang Si Niang, sat fascinated, clearly having forgotten their purpose.
The maids carried Zhao Hanzhang down the steps directly towards the crowd, drawing surprised looks as they were noticed.
There was some commotion, and Wang Si Niang turned to look back, seeing Zhao Hanzhang enter seated in the sedan chair, causing her to widen her eyes. She quickly tugged on the young man sitting next to her, got up and ran towards her in her socks.
"Third Lady, why did you come in?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "...If I didn't come in, you'd forget I was waiting outside for you until nightfall, wouldn't you?"
Wang Si Niang apologized, "I got taken by my brother's chat on philosophy and became mesmerized."
Zhao Hanzhang was uninterested in philosophy, her gaze bypassed Wang Si Niang and landed on the young man behind her. The young man looked to be about twenty-one or twenty-two, dressed in simple linen with no decoration, yet he seemed extraordinary, bright, and generous. Meeting her eyes, he smiled warmly and raised a hand in greeting, "Do you want to come down for a cup of tea, Third Lady?"
A young man sitting at the table leaned over and asked with a smile, "Meizi, who is this lady, so striking?"
Still so bold, coming in seated on a sedan chair without a hint of shyness.
People are always more forgiving with beauties, especially as this girl appeared not only pretty and poised but also carried a carefree air that prompted smiling gazes and a tolerant attitude from the young and middle-aged people present.
Wang Xuan explained on behalf of Zhao Third Sister, "This is Shangcai Marquis's Third Sister. She injured her leg not long ago, so she's somewhat inconvenienced."
Zhao Hanzhang gestured with her hand for the maids to set her down, sitting in the sedan chair, she nodded slightly to the crowd, "Apologies for my immobility."
Someone joked, "Coming to find Meizi this way, does Meizi owe the lady a debt? If so, it's Meizi's fault. Tell us, and we'll help the lady recover it."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I have a matter to ask for Brother Wang's help."
She turned to Wang Xuan, "Could you step aside for a moment?"
Wang Xuan glanced at his sister and, under her pitiful gaze, nodded at Zhao Hanzhang, smiling as he said goodbye to the crowd and followed Zhao Hanzhang's sedan chair to the side.
Wang Si Niang quickly slipped into her shoes and followed.
To his sister's rude behavior, Wang Xuan looked away as if he hadn't seen it.
"What does Third Lady want from me?"
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Wang Si Niang. Had she been inside for so long without revealing her purpose?
Feeling guilty, Wang Si Niang smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, hurrying to speak to Wang Xuan, "Brother, Third Lady wants you to accompany her to the Fu Family."
Wang Xuan looked puzzled, "Fu Family?"
Zhao Hanzhang saw his confusion and explained, "I want to meet Fu Changrong, but I didn't send a note, so it's hard to visit abruptly. I request Brother Wang's assistance."
But why ask him? He and Zhao Third Sister... were they close?
Besides, she has her own brothers; for this kind of thing...
Before he could figure it out, Wang Si Niang pulled his arm and whispered in his ear, "I was hoping she would be my sister-in-law, but she seems to prefer Fu Changrong, insisting on meeting him. Brother, please take her. Fu Changrong isn't as good-looking or talented as you; once Third Lady sees him, she'll understand your worth."
Wang Xuan shivered, glanced at his little sister, then turned back to Zhao Third Sister with a warm smile, "Alright, we can go to the Fu Family now."
A matchmaker he likes to be, though not the matched one.