I’ve heard that recently several tribes in Jiaozhou are quite interested in Guiyang County and Ancheng County managed by Hua Yi. They are constantly in conflict with him, trying to seize the two counties.

Yuan Li suspects this is Wang Dun’s scheme. He fears that Wang Dun intends to capture Jiangzhou while Zhao Hanzhang is uninterested in war, and expand King Langya’s territory. That’s why Yuan Li has gone to Jiangzhou at this time as well.

Zhao Hanzhang instructed him to act as he sees fit. If he can persuade Hua Yi to submit to her, that would be best. If not, forming an alliance should be the priority.

However, the territory currently controlled by Wang Si Niang must not be returned to Jiangzhou; that’s the bottom line. As for other support, they can relax conditions appropriately, as long as he can deal with Wang Dun.

If Hua Yi is willing to submit to her, she can connect Jingzhou and Jiangzhou into a united front, and while maintaining peace between the north and south, slowly encroach on Jiaozhou and Guangzhou while diverting the attention of the Wang Dun brothers.

These tasks all require Yuan Li to accomplish, and Wang Si Niang, Wang Xuan, and Hua Yi need him to maintain communication and connection.

With Yuan Li’s astuteness, he will surely not let them suffer a loss.

On this point, Zhao Hanzhang is very confident.

As the army approaches Luoyang, some will naturally rush back to report, otherwise, if the forces approach the Capital City too abruptly, they might be intercepted by the Zhao Family Army outside Luoyang’s city gates, mistaken for enemy troops.

So, just after lunch, as Zhao Hanzhang was about to enter the palace, she heard that Fu Tinghan had returned. She immediately turned her steps and headed towards the city gate.

The main army stayed outside the city, with only a hundred trusted aides escorting Fu Tinghan into the city. Zhao Hanzhang stood at the city gate to welcome him. As he lifted the curtain, Zhao Hanzhang broke into a brilliant smile.

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but smile too, standing up and climbing out of the carriage. The coachman quickly held the carriage, jumped down to place the footstool, and as soon as it was set down, Fu Tinghan stepped on it to descend.

Fu An, behind him, tried several times to pass him and get off the carriage first but couldn’t. In the end, he could only squat and silently watched his lord hurry towards Zhao Hanzhang, so fast it seemed like he could run.

Zhao Hanzhang also quickened her pace. In the public view, both restrained themselves and stopped, standing face to face, "Was the journey smooth?"

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Very smooth. I’ve had them send all the carts to the barracks to be watched, temporarily stored in the warehouse."

Zhao Hanzhang: "That’s better, there are many people and hands in the city, and it’s not suitable to reveal it right now."

Zhao Hanzhang discreetly observed him; he was a bit tanned, but because he had fair skin, even if a bit tanned, he looked healthy with a wheatish complexion.

Most importantly, he had become leaner and looked even more vigorous than before.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to him, "Let’s ride back together. You can also see the changes in Luoyang. Oh, my mother has arrived in Luoyang and is waiting for you at home now."

Fu Tinghan: "You told me."

The two almost contacted by telegram daily, and she had told him the day after Mrs. Wang arrived.

"Oh, just a reminder, afraid you might be nervous."

Fu Tinghan wasn’t nervous at all initially, but upon hearing this, he became nervous.

He carefully thought over his actions during this time, feeling he hadn’t done anything wrong that would anger his future mother-in-law, so he asked apprehensively, "Is it because I haven’t been in Luoyang and haven’t greeted her often, so Mrs. Wang is angry?"

"No, you’ll understand when you see her."

How could Mrs. Wang be angry with Fu Tinghan?

She didn’t know much but knew that Fu Tinghan had greatly helped Zhao Hanzhang.

And honestly, with such a family background and talent, willing to aid Third Lady wholeheartedly and cherish her, it’s only Fu Tinghan.

Other men, truly, if they had to work under Third Lady, no matter how promising things seemed beforehand, they would likely regret it afterward.

Such character, Mrs. Wang would disdain.

So she looked at her future son-in-law with increasing satisfaction.

Upon hearing that Fu Tinghan had returned, she immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare hot water and slaughter sheep and chickens, going even beyond the meals prepared for Zhao Hanzhang.

Fu Tinghan saw Mrs. Wang upon entering the main door. He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, quickly stepping forward to salute.

With a face full of gratification, Mrs. Wang looked at him, repeatedly saying, "It’s good you’ve returned. It’s good. Look, you’ve lost weight and tanned; it must have been hard out there?"

Fu Tinghan: "It wasn’t hard..."

"You needn’t hide it. You’ve lost so much weight; how could it not be hard?" Mrs. Wang said, casting a glance at Zhao Hanzhang, "What needs to be done that requires sending Tinghan? You have so many people under you."

Turning back to Fu Tinghan, she smiled warmly again, "The kitchen has prepared hot water. I’ve asked the servants to take it to you. We’ve just slaughtered and stewed the sheep; you can eat once you’re washed."

Fu Tinghan was slightly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and quickly agreed, forgetting to bid farewell to Zhao Hanzhang as he hurried away with Fu An.

He still stayed in the original courtyard, not far from Zhao Hanzhang’s place.

The servants had already brought the hot water, just pouring it, with cold water nearby to mix.

Fu Tinghan glanced over and said, "Let me do it myself, you can leave now."

Fu An had already retrieved the towel, soap, and combs, "My lord, let me help you with washing your hair?"

Fu Tinghan hesitated, and then remembered, "What about my luggage?"

Fu An suddenly recalled and hurried to put down the items, "Still outside. I’ll have someone bring them in."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "There are elders today, find a brighter set of clothes."

Fu An agreed, quickly going to fetch the luggage.

Fu Tinghan moved to the inner room, took off his clothes and hung them on a screen, standing in his underclothes. He mixed some water in the wooden basin, rolled up his sleeves intending to wash his hair, remembered he hadn’t brought in the towel, and quickly went out to find it.

Zhao Hanzhang walked in with a plate of snacks, "My mother said to have you eat some snacks to fill your stomach before washing, otherwise..."

Fu Tinghan quickly secured his underclothes, a bit awkwardly saying, "Just leave it there. I ate provisions on the carriage; I’m not actually hungry."

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze slid over his arms, raising an eyebrow she asked, "Did you work at the salt field? How have you gained muscle?"

Fu Tinghan’s arm muscles were smooth and evidently strong; although he’d practiced sword fighting with her for fitness before, he hadn’t developed such solid muscles.

Fu Tinghan glanced down and said, "I’ve been pushing salt at the seaside, quite a lot each day..."

Though he was there for experiments...but after the data was recorded, everyone was busy, he couldn’t rest and followed to push, stir, and filter salt...

If Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have noticed. Indeed, he’s grown stronger lately, even his appetite increased, which is why he truly didn’t realize he’d lost weight.

Zhao Hanzhang had already assessed him from head to toe, thoughtfully saying, "Then you can change your training method. You couldn’t draw a bow of one and a half stone before. This time you can try."

"Also, mounted combat can be trained," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Though you don’t need to go to battle, practicing can never be wrong, as it enhances your personal protection skills."