A Time-Traveling Mishap: I Became an Ancient Nobleman

Chapter 271 Differences Between Men and Women

The envoy from the United States has come with a mission: if Princess Lisa cannot be found in the Great Zhou, given their king's temperament, none of them will escape unscathed.

"Your men went to his residence today, but didn't see anyone? Didn't someone say before that two people, who seemed to be the princess we're looking for, and that lowly servant went to that residence?"

"This isn't the first time we've made such unfounded claims. How many times have your people said they've seen your princess in various places? Have they ever actually seen her in person?"

Zhou Haochen gets angry just talking about it. He wasted so much manpower and resources trying to get the support of the United States, but he never even saw the princess, let alone the princess.

“If it’s convenient, I would like you to send someone to keep watch in that area. Our Princess Lisa looks very special; there are very few people who look like her. If someone says she has been there, it can only be her. Could it be that you haven’t searched thoroughly enough?” The American envoy was somewhat suspicious.

"Do you think I don't know? But that's Zhou Hanzhang's house. Do you expect me to go in and search it again for you?"

The American envoy was also quite annoyed, pacing back and forth in front of Zhou Haochen until Zhou Haochen became impatient and said, "Could you please stop pacing back and forth in front of me?"

"Sorry, I just tend to think like this. Maybe I should leave now."

"Where are you going after you leave? You can't just show up in Da Zhou now. I have a feeling that Zhou Hanzhang is already suspicious. You should stay here for now. I'll arrange for people to keep watch near Zhou Hanzhang's residence. If Princess Lisa is there, they can't stay indoors forever, can they?"

This was the limit of what Zhou Haochen could do. Although the American envoy was not satisfied, he had no choice but to accept it for now.

Li Xianda followed Zhou Hanzhang out, saying, "You just said a few words to him and came out like that? He just barged into your house and searched it. He's so disrespectful to you, and this is how you treat him?"

"Cousin, please calm down."

Zhou Hanzhang waved the set of writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone in his hand, "I got this, so I guess I'm the one who profited. Besides, they didn't find anyone in my house, so it doesn't matter."

Li Xianda looked at the set in her hand with disdain, "It's nothing special. I could find you a dozen of these."

"Cousin, is this really true?"

Li Xianda suddenly noticed that Zhou Hanzhang's eyes were shining, but he couldn't be mistaken. It was just a set of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones used by predecessors. What was so hard about finding such a thing?

With the Li family's wealth, what good things can't they get?

"Isn't it just a set of writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone?"

"Cousin, this doesn't fit your persona."

"What kind of persona?" Li Xianda was clearly puzzled.

"Aren't you well-informed? Didn't you find out the origin of this set of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones?"

"I'm not cut out for studying, why would I bother asking about writing materials?"

Li Xianda suddenly realized, "Could this really be something that money can't buy?"

"You guessed right."

Li Xianda stared intently at Zhou Hanzhang, anticipating her next words.

"This is a fine item once used by a great Confucian scholar. As for which scholar it was, opinions vary and there is no definitive conclusion. However, in my memory, those who have obtained this set of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones have all achieved considerable success."

Li Xianda blinked at Zhou Hanzhang, "Cousin, why do you sound like a fortune teller at a temple? Are you kidding me?"

"What good would it do me to tease you? Just look at how he's planning to give it to Xuan Lingzi, and you'll know there's something special about it. I'm planning to take it to Xuan Lingzi in a couple of days to have a look."

They walked until they reached the Zhou family's door. "Cousin, you should go back first. It's late tonight. I'll come to see Aunt another day."

"Let's go back quickly, it's getting late. I'll go find someone tomorrow and see if he's willing to provide door-to-door service. If not, we'll have to find another way. Since we've decided to help, we can't just let Lisa have them arrested and taken back."

“You’re right. I’ll add more people to guard your house so that no one else can take advantage of the situation.”

"Cousin, please don't!" Zhou Hanzhang grabbed him.

Why?

“My house is completely empty, and I rarely go there. The fact that we’re making such a big fuss by sending people to guard it is just telling others that we have people inside.”

I just went to my older cousin's place to tell him not to come into my house so easily anymore, or I won't let it go so easily in the future. He definitely knows that. Weighing the pros and cons, even if he's stupid, he can't search my house again. As long as they don't go out, they're safe for now.”

Li Xianda was clearly persuaded by Zhou Hanzhang. "Alright, I'll listen to you. You should go back and rest now. If you need anything from me, just send someone to find me."

"I know, I know, you should go back now."

Li Xianda then left.

Zhou Hanzhang remembered what Qianmian had told him and realized he should inform his parents, as this was no small matter.

But when she arrived at Madam Zhou's courtyard, the maids, their faces flushed, told her that Madam Zhou and her father had already retired for the night.

There's anything else she doesn't understand, but we'll have to talk about it later.

The next day, Zhou Hanzhang went straight to the Red Beauty Pavilion after breakfast. When she arrived at the entrance, men were seen coming out of the Red Beauty Pavilion intermittently.

A young maidservant saw Zhou Hanzhang and hurriedly came up to him, "Young Prince, you've come to see Fangniang, haven't you? She told us yesterday that if you come, please wait for her in the side room first."

Zhou Hanzhang then realized that she had been a bit too hasty. In their line of work, they must be busy until very late at night, and they might be sleeping right now.

"How about I come back this afternoon?" she said to the little girl.

"No need, please wait a moment. Fangniang has already gotten up and is washing up. She will be very happy to know that you have come."

The people working here are all very clever, and Fangniang had given them special instructions yesterday. Now that Zhou Hanzhang has arrived, how could they let her make a wasted trip?

Not long after Zhou Hanzhang sat down, Qianmian, disguised as Fangniang, arrived. Upon seeing her, she immediately wanted to take her hand, saying, "Sister is here."

Zhou Hanzhang stepped aside, saying, "Brother Thousand Faces, there's a difference between men and women."

"Oh, right, I'm still a woman, and you're still a man. It's true that we shouldn't be pulling and tugging at each other; it will affect your reputation."

"..."

"By the way, have you told your family about the thing I asked you to do yesterday? I'm short on time here, so if possible, I hope you can start coming here to rehearse tomorrow."

"When I got home yesterday, my parents had already gone to bed, and I didn't tell them yet."