Chapter Fifteen: The Han Dynasty Steals the Art, Emperor's Bearing!

Madam Zhou gave Han Fu no chance to speak, nor did she seem to have any intention of letting him speak at this moment. She rose slowly, turned to face him, and gazed at him intently. "I summoned you here not to speak of Zhao Mei. I will only give you this reminder: do not be deceived by her monk’s robes. The reason I called you today was simply to see you, and to offer some advice."

"The young man of the Qin family prepared for three months, yet his poetry does not compare to yours. Your talent is unquestionable."

"Who would have thought that, for the so-called future of the Zhou family, Ming Su would not hesitate to sacrifice herself and plot that contest, only for you to disrupt it? Truly, man proposes and Heaven disposes."

"Every drink and every morsel is determined by fate. Some may be dissatisfied, but in my view, this is Heaven's will."

Han Fu listened quietly, glancing at Madam Zhou from time to time.

Though she referred to herself as ‘this old woman,’ Madam Zhou was not old in the least—around forty, in the prime of her life, graceful and dignified. Though she was devoted to the Buddha, she did not wear monastic robes, but instead simple linen garments, which lent her a unique charm.

Of course, this was Han Fu’s heartfelt admiration, without any impure thoughts.

She continued, "Now that I see you, you are indeed handsome, if a bit thin—no doubt your days have been hard. Eat more from now on."

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam," Han Fu said sincerely. After all, this was care from an elder.

She nodded slowly, a faint smile on her lips. "In two days, you and Ming Su will be married. That child has been stubborn since she was little—never one to bow her head first. As her husband, you must be tolerant."

"Rest assured, Madam," Han Fu replied, not mentioning that he was only to be a live-in son-in-law and thus had little standing.

But Madam Zhou looked at him deeply, as if seeing through his thoughts, and said with lowered eyes, "The Emperor decreed you should join the Zhou family. As for the reasons, you must consider them yourself—I need say no more. But remember, regardless of your family background or your status, even as a son-in-law in the Zhou household, you are Ming Su’s husband and one of the Zhou family. In the future, if any member of the Zhou family looks down on you or mistreats you, come to me and I will see justice done."

"Thank you, Madam. I will remember your words," Han Fu bowed in gratitude. Though this was their first meeting, he found a genuine warmth in her.

It could be said that since his arrival in this world, Madam Zhou had given him the best impression—better even than Bai Li Mingda, whose overzealous attentions had always seemed to mask ulterior motives.

This lady was truly kind and amiable. Why, then, was Bai Li Mingda so fearful of her, unwilling to accompany him here?

Unable to fathom it, Han Fu let the question go.

Madam Zhou smiled gently, with a hint of maternal kindness. "You may go now."

"Farewell, Madam."

Madam Zhou returned to her seat and resumed her chanting.

Han Fu took his leave, closing the door quietly behind him.

Aunt Zhao, who had been waiting not far away, approached and saluted. "Amitabha. Please, come with me."

As they left, Aunt Zhao said little, leading the way in silence.

Following her, Han Fu could not help but notice the sway of her hips beneath her monk’s robes, and a mischievous thought flickered through his mind: When you share joy with the abbot of Duer Temple, do you also chant the Buddha’s name?

Trying to trick a transmigrator into becoming a monk for a headcount fee…

Despite his inward complaints, Han Fu maintained a calm expression, betraying nothing.

Compared to Madam Zhou, the contrast between the two women was stark. One wore monastic robes but was no true nun; the other wore plain clothes yet was genuinely devout.

The world is unpredictable indeed—one must never be deceived by appearances. A lesson well learned.

Outside the Buddha Grove, Ping’er waited patiently.

After offering perfunctory thanks to Aunt Zhao, Han Fu left with Ping’er.

They walked in silence; Ping’er did not inquire about Han Fu’s conversation with Madam Zhou, though she was eager to know and report back to her mistress. But she knew her place.

Back at Han Fu’s residence, Bai Li Mingda was waiting. As Han Fu entered, Mingda hurried over, curiosity brimming. "Brother-in-law, what did Aunt say to you?"

"Nothing much," Han Fu replied, taking a seat and opening a book.

Frustrated but restrained, Bai Li Mingda sat nearby, opening "The Complete Guide to Physiognomy" for a detailed study.

Seeing this, Han Fu’s thoughts were thrown into disarray. Lacking any real talent for divination, Mingda was nonetheless earnest, hardworking, and inexplicably confident.

There was truly no saving him.

Ping’er busied herself elsewhere, returning at noon with lunch. Another maid followed, carrying a tray as well.

This was Lan’er, Bai Li Mingda’s maid. Considerate as ever, she brought Mingda’s meal to him rather than making him fetch it himself.

"Young Master," Ping’er said to Mingda, "Miss sent word: she misses you dearly, having not seen you all day. Once you finish lunch, please accompany me to the other residence."

"Miss me? Impossible..." Bai Li Mingda murmured incredulously, but then shrugged. "Very well, I’ll go. Brother-in-law, let’s eat."

After the meal, Bai Li Mingda and Ping’er left together.

Han Fu took a brief walk in the courtyard, then napped for a while before practicing Tai Chi in the yard. Since he couldn’t leave the house, running was out of the question.

Military boxing, combat techniques, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu were too strenuous for now, so he focused on Tai Chi, push-ups, and sit-ups. Once his body grew stronger, he would consider the rest.

Han Fu planned each day carefully. Though he had found stability, he believed one must always hone one’s skills and never squander time.

The afternoon was quiet; no one came to visit his little courtyard.

It would have remained so, but as Han Fu was practicing his fourth set of Tai Chi, a man in coarse clothes passed by, caught sight of Han Fu, and stopped to watch for a while. He then shook his head and left.

The man was sturdy, with dark skin and bright, large eyes. A thick beard covered his face, making him appear older than thirty, though he was likely younger. He carried a small wine jug and, perhaps having had a drink, his cheeks were flushed and his steps unsteady.

Han Fu paid him no mind and continued his exercises.

After several sets, he was dripping with sweat. He rested briefly, then began doing push-ups.

The bearded man returned, leaning against the archway to watch Han Fu's push-ups. At first surprised, then frowning in thought, he left as Han Fu prepared to rise.

But not long after, as Han Fu started his fourth set of push-ups, the man returned—breathing heavily and sweating at the brow.

He watched for a while, and, as Han Fu again seemed about to stand, left once more.

This time, he was gone longer. When he returned, he was drenched in sweat.

By then, Han Fu was on his third set of squats.

The man stared with wide eyes, observing carefully as if to memorize every detail.

Meanwhile, in the Zhou family’s other residence—

Bai Li Mingsu sat with a military treatise in her hand, gazing at Bai Li Mingda and questioning him sternly, "Yesterday, when Ping’er returned, she told me you’ve been unusually attentive to Han Fu. After you climbed over the wall to see him, you started acting strange. Will you tell me why?"

"I knew I couldn’t hide it from you," Bai Li Mingda laughed, looking around furtively as though afraid of eavesdroppers.

"This is our family’s residence," Mingsu replied with exasperation. "There are no outsiders here."

Only then did Bai Li Mingda relax. He lowered his voice conspiratorially, "Sister, let me tell you—besides studying divination, I’ve dabbled a bit in physiognomy. Yesterday, when I looked at Han Fu, I noticed something extraordinary. Guess what?"

He cupped his hand to his mouth, ensuring only the two of them could hear, and whispered, "Our brother-in-law bears the mark of a great emperor."