Chapter 154

Chapter 154

After another half month on the road, the party finally reached Yunyang Prefecture.

Although rumors said Yunyang Prefecture was a poor and remote place, seeing the city with his own eyes, Han Zhang felt that only one line could capture how he felt: "Behind red gates, wine and meat go to waste; on the road, frozen corpses lie."

Yunyang Prefecture wasn't as lively as the capital, sure, but it wasn't nearly as run-down as he'd pictured.

The city still had its towering walls, green-brick and red-tile houses, rich folks in silks and satins, and carriages and sedan chairs shuttling through the streets...

The ones who were truly poor were just the common people. But for the powerful and privileged, even in a place known for its harsh conditions, life could still be one of luxury and excess.

"Lord Han, I'll leave you here and won't get in the way of your settling in. The camp's about ten li outside the city walls. My grandson and I live on base year-round. If you need anything, just send someone to let us know."

Old General Shao and his grandson saw them off at the city gate before heading back.

"Old General, take care. Once I'm settled, I'll definitely come by to thank you properly for the escort."

There was plenty to sort out, so Han Zhang didn't stand on ceremony—he just cupped his hands in farewell.

Shen Qinglan waved at Shao Langzhou: "Zhou Geer, once we're all settled, my husband and I will come find you at camp! And when we do, you gotta show me that red-tasseled spear routine of yours..."

"Alright! Qinglan-gege, I'll be waiting for you at camp!"

Shao Langzhou nodded eagerly, his face bright with excitement.

After two weeks together, the two young lads—both of whom loved swinging weapons and hated cracking open a book—had become fast friends.

Han Zhang smiled, and only once the Shaos were out of sight did he signal to the Shen family servant who'd been waiting at the city gate for days: "Lead the way. Let's get back and settle in."

Yep—the very same Shen servant who'd been posted at the city gate every day.

When officials took up posts away from the capital, the court did provide official housing, but the conditions were, predictably, pretty shabby.

Plus, the whole Han clan was moving here, and with Grandpa and Grandma Han still around, the couple would end up living with the entire extended family.

So they really needed to buy and set up their own place.

So on the third day after Han Zhang's appointment came through, Shen Qinglan had already sent the steward ahead to get everything sorted.

Given how big the Han family was—and with Han Zhang's younger siblings nearing marriageable age—the household was bound to grow in the next few years.

The steward went ahead and bought a big five-courtyard estate.

But with time so tight, only the courtyard for Han Zhang and his husband was ready; the rest were still being fixed up.

Han Zhang and Shen Qinglan were happy with the steward's report, but now that Shen Qinglan was pregnant, the plan had to change.

Han Zhang said: "Since the renovations aren't done, there's no rush to move in. The lord has been confirmed pregnant. To avoid all the construction noise, have someone clean up the little courtyard at the government office first. My husband and I will stay at the official residence for now, and move in once everything's ready."

"What? The young master's pregnant?"

The steward latched onto that right away, his face lighting up with surprise.

Shen Qinglan nodded happily: "Yes, Uncle Wang! I'm pregnant with my husband's child! We found out on the boat two days after leaving the capital. So I'm already two months along."

And this steward who'd come ahead to prep everything? None other than Shopkeeper Wang—the same man who'd watched their romance blossom at the bookshop.

Uncle Wang was a family servant who'd come from Shen's mother's side of the family. He'd been looking after Shen Qinglan since he was a baby, and Shen Qinglan was really close to him.

And Uncle Wang doted on his young master like a son, so he was overjoyed at the news:

"Already two months? Then we can't waste any time. I'll send someone right away to start looking into wet nurses..."

And with that, before Han Zhang could say another word, he was out the door.

Wet nurses weren't as easy to line up as midwives. To make sure the milk was good, rich families would find pregnant women months ahead, do a full background check, and then bring them into the house to be fed and pampered.

Lads usually gave birth around the seven-month mark. Shen Qinglan was already two months in, so it was definitely time to get things moving.

Watching Steward Wang tear off like that, Han Zhang looked a bit helpless: "That Uncle Wang... I hadn't even finished talking."

"That's 'cause Uncle Wang spoils me. Steward Lin's still here, so if you need something, just have him do it."

Shen Qinglan looked all proud of himself, like everyone just couldn't help but adore him.

Han Zhang couldn't help but chuckle: "Yes, yes, my husband is the most lovable."

...

Meanwhile.

Back at camp, Old General Shao and his grandson were greeted warmly by the soldiers.

"Old General, you've finally returned!"

"Young master, was the journey well?"

"Old General, how was that official surnamed Han? Did he give you any attitude? Those civil officials always look down on us military men—every time they see us, their noses are pointed to the sky."

The soldiers and officers crowded around to show their concern.

Most of them were old subordinates who had followed the Shao family for years, having fought alongside the old general and his forebears through countless battles, utterly loyal. That was why when Old General Shao was transferred here to retire, he brought along all the soldiers and officers who could come with him.

"All is well, all is well. Lord Han was entrusted by the Kang family's grandnephew—how could he be like those pedantic types? Lord Han is an easygoing person with genuine concern for the people..."

Facing everyone's concern, Old General Shao patiently answered each question.

He spoke highly of Han Zhang with great praise, partly out of respect for the Kang family, but more so because he genuinely felt Han Zhang was a man of good character.

After all, regardless of whether being favored by Chang Gongjun Jiayou was a good thing, Han Zhang's courage to refuse a marriage alliance with the imperial family—that backbone of defying the powerful—was worthy of admiration.

Shao Langzhou also praised Han Zhang greatly, both because Han Zhang did not discriminate against him for being a lad who mingled in the military camp, and because of the pleasant conversations he'd had with Shen Qinglan over the past half month.

"...In short, Lord Han is truly a gentleman, just as Brother Kang said. With Lord Han governing Yunyang Prefecture, perhaps this place really can achieve clean governance."

"Moreover, although Lord Han is a civil official, his martial arts are exceptionally outstanding—a true man who can fight a hundred foes alone!"

The reason Shao Langzhou praised Han Zhang so effusively was also because he had witnessed Han Zhang's formidable fighting skills during skirmishes with bandits on the road and was awed by his strength.

Having grown up in the military camp with his grandfather, and loving weapons and martial arts himself, he particularly admired the strong.

His eyes lit up when speaking of Han Zhang, though there was nothing more to it—just the pure admiration of a young fan.

"But..."

This appearance, however, caught the eye of Left Thousand Household Hong Liyong in the camp, who mistook Shao Langzhou's admiration for romantic interest in Han Zhang, and his expression turned somewhat sour.

The reason for his displeasure was simple: he wanted to marry Shao Langzhou, and Old General Shao was also inclined to betroth his only grandson-lad to him.

Although Shao Langzhou had always been cold to him, he already regarded the man as his own.

His "fiancé" taking a shine to another man—and that man seemingly being married—how could he be happy about that?

Still, mindful of Shao Langzhou's status, he quickly wiped the scowl off his face.

Once the crowd dispersed, Hong Liyong stepped forward, pulled out a decent-quality jade hairpin, and held it out with a folksy grin, trying to curry favor:

"Zhou Geer, you're finally back. I've been worried about you these past few days. A few days ago, I led the brothers to suppress bandits in the northern mountains and got this hairpin. It suits you perfectly—it'll look great on you."

His smile wasn't just folksy—his tone was earnest and plainspoken too.

He came off as a total salt-of-the-earth type.

Old General Shao had taken a shine to him precisely because of that "honesty." Seeing this, he didn't stop Hong Liyong from sidling up to his grandson, and praised him with a warm smile:

"The bandits in the northern mountains have always been sly and tough. You actually took down their hideout? Nice, real nice."

"It's all thanks to your drills, Old General..."

Hong Liyong scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, looking even more plain and straightforward.

That made Old General Shao even more pleased.

All his other offspring had passed. Once he was gone, no one in the Shao family would have his grandson's back. He didn't expect his grandson to marry up into some fancy family—he just wanted to find him a husband he could push around, so he wouldn't get bullied by his in-laws later on.

Hong Liyong came from humble roots, had a small family, an honest streak, and real skills. The old general had also promoted him himself, and he was loyal to the Shao family—a perfect match for his grandson.

Too bad, though.

Shao Langzhou didn't just dislike Hong Liyong—he kind of loathed him.

He had rejected Hong Liyong many times already, but the guy stuck to him like he couldn't take a hint. Every time he gave gifts, he did it in front of everyone, getting the rowdy soldiers in camp to hoot and holler, which left Shao Langzhou mortified.

"Qianhu Hong, thanks for the thought, but I'm not into jade hairpins. Give it to someone else."

After getting rejected so many times, Shao Langzhou had figured out the drill.

Without wasting a word, he said his piece and turned to walk off, so he wouldn't get stuck in a back-and-forth that'd go nowhere.

"Zhou Geer, Zhou Geer..."

Hong Liyong hollered after him.

But Shao Langzhou just walked faster, not even glancing back.

Hong Liyong stood there frozen, hairpin in hand, looking awkward. He looked helplessly at Old General Shao, a flicker of hurt and disappointment in his eyes, timed just right.

Seeing that, the old general sighed softly and patted his shoulder. "That's enough—since Zhou Geer doesn't like it, take it back. He's just plainspoken; don't let it get to you."

"That was out of line of me." Hong Liyong forced a smile, unable to hide his disappointment. "I just saw Zhou Geer come back all tired from the road and wanted to lift his spirits... No big deal he doesn't like the hairpin—I'll find him something else later."

He smiled through his disappointment but wouldn't quit, playing the part of a guy dead-set on Zhou Geer.

That made Old General Shao sigh regretfully again, and he gently advised, "Ah, no need for that. It's all about fate... You've worked hard on those bandits—go get some rest."

He liked Qianhu Hong well enough, but since his grandson didn't, there was nothing he could do.