Chapter 1151: Chapter 1133: Differential Treatment
When Zhao Hanzhang led Xie Pi into the garden, Yang Yi and others were making Mrs. Wang laugh heartily; these aristocratic youths certainly knew how to entertain the elders.
Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang, everyone immediately stood up to salute, though their gazes involuntarily turned towards Xie Pi.
Although it was not very obvious, they still saw a hint of excitement in Xie Pi’s calm demeanor. What have they been discussing?
Everyone was scratching their heads, eager to find out.
Although Mrs. Wang had not met Yang Yi before, their blood relations were evident, and he was quite likable, so she still enjoyed taking care of this younger family member.
She invited Yang Yi and others for a meal and advised Zhao Hanzhang, "Your cousins have just arrived in Luoyang, make sure you host them well."
Zhao Hanzhang agreed.
Mrs. Wang inquired, "Where is Ting Han? They have not met their cousin-in-law yet; it’s time they should meet."
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "He is in the study; he will come soon."
Mrs. Wang mused, "Second Son also came early and went straight to the study. Has he made progress in his studies? I heard from Lv Hu that Second Son is the most attentive in Ting Han’s lectures."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at Mrs. Wang, "It seems he has progressed."
The diligent Zhao Erlang was squatting on the study floor, watching Fu Tinghan draw star maps.
Fu Tinghan explained as he drew, "A star map precisely depicts and documents the lasting features of the night sky, including stars, constellations formed by stars, the galaxy, nebulas, and star clusters—hence it’s called a map of stars."
He continued, "Maps are divided into detailed and rough; for the land’s terrain, some maps only mark states and major rivers and mountains; others may detail counties, and river branches and the trends of mountains; more detailed ones mark villages, roads, streams, and ravines and geographic features."
"Star maps are similar; detailed star maps can include right ascension lines, declination lines, as well as the ecliptic and the Milky Way’s degree. They also indicate the exact epoch used as the reference; star maps can be drawn seasonally, monthly, or even daily to compare changes over time, revealing patterns of celestial movements. There’s much to decipher."
Fu Tinghan commented, "You have learned to recognize stars and identify directions and regions. Next, I’ll teach how celestial phenomena affect climate. Once mastered, you’ll be able to predict weather conditions. This is useful in warfare."
Zhao Erlang gave a determined nod, his eyes sparkling as he watched Fu Tinghan connect stars on the map with solid or dotted lines, "Brother-in-law, once I learn all the stars on this map, could I predict past and future like my cousin Shen?"
Fu Tinghan paused his pen and looked up, "Have you been playing with Zhao Shen again?"
He advised, "You can play more with Zhao Zheng and others, don’t always seek out Zhao Shen. He..."
Fu Tinghan hesitated to denounce Zhao Shen for boastfulness, reckoning his own skills insufficient. "I can’t teach you to predict the future. There’s more to learn from the stars than that. Let’s focus on practical knowledge."
Zhao Erlang understood; his brother-in-law could not fortune-tell.
He nodded, agreeing outwardly while inwardly deciding to learn Fu Tinghan’s star maps and afterward seek his cousin Shen to learn prediction skills.
He was still very curious about it, believing predicting future events with finger calculations was fascinating.
The pair were happily drawing on the floor when Fu An arrived under orders to summon them.
Seeing the duo kneeling on the floor around a gigantic piece of paper — underlaid with... a door plank — Fu An quickly glanced at the study door, relieved to see it intact, and approached, "My lord, Second Son, it’s time for lunch. Madam and the lady await you up front; there are esteemed guests today."
Fu Tinghan, not lifting his head, replied, "A moment longer, I’ll finish this section first."
Fu An hesitated, then stood waiting aside.
Zhao Erlang crawled and twisted around on the floor with Fu Tinghan, finding Fu An obstructing his light, beckoned him, "You go ahead; once my brother-in-law and I finish drawing, we’ll come ourselves."
Fu An, both amused and exasperated, was about to speak when footsteps approached from behind, "What are you drawing?"
Fu An immediately stepped aside, and bowed, while Zhao Hanzhang advanced, leaned to look, eyes brightening instantly, "You’ve drawn so much?"
Fu Tinghan put down his brush, smiling, "It’s more intuitive this way, makes teaching easier, and new celestial sightings can be added."
Zhao Hanzhang offered him a hand to rise from the floor.
Having knelt for too long on solid ground, his knees ached, and his legs felt numb, making him rise on tiptoes, momentarily immobile.
Zhao Hanzhang supported his arm, grinning, "Numb? Tiptoe and twist gently."
She then massaged him, with Fu An also rushing forward to help.
Zhao Erlang jumped up straight from the floor, after shaking his legs boasted, "I’m not numb."
Zhao Hanzhang replied casually, "You’re the best."
Zhao Erlang reveled for a while, noting his sister’s focused attention on his brother-in-law, felt somewhat left out, thus squeezed forward to say, "Actually it’s a bit numb."
Zhao Hanzhang patted his leg, "Alright, go ahead to the front, mother has been waiting, aren’t you hungry after a busy morning?"
Fu Tinghan’s legs recovered, followed Zhao Hanzhang slowly.
Zhao Hanzhang slowed her pace, walking shoulder to shoulder once he drew level.
Zhao Erlang followed behind, wedged between them, reiterated, "It’s really somewhat numb, didn’t feel it initially, but it tingles after standing a while."
Zhao Hanzhang: "Then walk slower; it’ll be fine by the time we reach the dining hall."
Yang Yi and others were already inside, Zhao Hanzhang ushered Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang, introducing them, then remarked, "Minister Fu is still an Imperial College Doctor; if you have leisure, exploring the Imperial College might be worthwhile. It’s quite different now from before."
She particularly mentioned to Xie Pi, "My Second Son’s literary skills might be lacking, but his martial arts are commendable; he’s been studying military strategy, perhaps having much to discuss with Mr. Xie."
Why was Xie Pi different from the others?
After the meal, departing the General’s Mansion, Yang Yi and others crowded into Xie Pi’s carriage, squeezing six people into a carriage not meant for many.
Xie Pi, concerned about his horse, quickly said, "Once back at the inn, I’ll tell you."
"Tell us now."
Xie Pi: "... I can’t explain it in a few words; why so impatient, youth?"
Xie Pi ushered them off, feeling the carriage bounce upward, exhaled in relief.
He should’ve ridden instead this morning, forgoing the carriage.
Hopefully, the horse suffered no harm from the crowding.
Returning to the inn, a bunch followed behind, Xie Pi glanced back, dismissing thoughts of squeezing them into his room, imagining it packed with perspiration.
He frowned, then turned sharply, heading to the inn’s backyard with a small garden, ideal for leisure drinks and chess.
Fortunately, the garden was vacant; he breathed a sigh of relief, ordered his servants to guard the entrance before stating, "General Zhao offered me a government position."
