A Time-Traveling Mishap: I Became an Ancient Nobleman

Chapter 269 has caused you trouble.

Zhou Hanzhang wasn't too worried. "Let's take it one step at a time. Anyway, I'm in charge of this. But now that they've come to search our door, it seems the people from the United States have arrived ahead of time, but they've been keeping it from us."

"When did they originally say they would arrive?"

"Two weeks later."

Li Xianda's eyes widened. "Doesn't that mean it's been moved up by half a month? This is clearly a plan to catch us completely off guard."

Lisa frowned. "He must have found out we came here to find you, so he went to the First Prince first. Luckily, we didn't go to the First Prince, or I'd probably be in his hands by now."

She looked at Zhou Hanzhang and said, "I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused you this time."

"There's no point in saying all this now. It's safe here for now, but you still need to be careful. The chances of them coming back are small, but we can't rule them out. If they do come back, hide in the secret passage. My men will come and notify me. You'll still be safe."

Lisa's face turned pale. Robert held her hand tightly. "Don't worry, since Mr. Zhou is willing to help us, our chances of escaping are still very high."

"Let's take Lisa to rest first; she's pregnant."

Seeing this, Zhou Hanzhang decided to leave with Li Xianda first. As he went out, he discovered that the soldiers had left two men guarding outside the house.

"What, haven't you already searched everything? Why are you still guarding this place so diligently?" Zhou Hanzhang stepped forward and asked.

When the officers and soldiers saw Zhou Hanzhang and Li Xianda come out, they quickly saluted, saying, "It is our duty, please forgive us, young prince."

"Whether I see him or not, you've already searched him. Anyway, it's still early, I'll go sit with my older cousin for a while."

Zhou Hanzhang left after saying this. The two soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, and in the end, they had no choice but to follow Zhou Hanzhang.

Li Xianda leaned close to him and whispered, "Are we really going to find the First Prince?"

“Yes, it’s been so long since I got back. I don’t know how my older cousin is doing at the prince’s residence. I guess he must be bored. It would be good if I went to keep him company and chat with him.”

Li Xianda could only accompany her.

When the eldest prince heard that Zhou Hanzhang was coming, he was so frightened that he immediately dismissed the people from the United States.

That's right, the Crown Prince is currently exchanging secret information with an envoy from the United States.

Zhou Hanzhang's arrival was sudden, catching the eldest prince completely off guard. The American envoy tried to leave, but it was too late; Zhou Hanzhang's voice already rang out from outside the door, "Elder cousin, Zhang'er has come to see you."

The eldest prince could only hastily shove the American people behind the screen. Surely Zhou Hanzhang wouldn't bypass him and go directly behind the screen?

This is unbelievable! What is she doing here out of the blue?!

He was unaware that the house he had sent people to search actually belonged to Zhou Hanzhang.

As soon as he had hidden himself, Zhou Hanzhang stepped into the reception room.

She looked at the teacup on the table and asked, feigning ignorance, "Was my eldest cousin receiving guests just now?"

"Hehe," the eldest prince chuckled awkwardly, "Yes, they just left and you've already arrived. Young Master Li is here too, please have a seat."

He usually looked down on the Li family for their money-grubbing ways, but he had to admit that they were indeed very wealthy.

If he could get the Li family's support, his future would be much smoother. So he was very happy to see Li Xianda there as well.

He ordered his servants, "Take these away and serve the young prince a new pot of his favorite Biluochun tea."

Zhou Hanzhang looked at him with a half-smile, "Eldest cousin, Biluochun is second cousin's favorite, but I prefer Guzhu Zisun."

The eldest prince was even more embarrassed and chuckled awkwardly, saying, "Really? I forgot, you and Haoyu have always been close friends, and you always drink Biluochun tea when you're together. I thought you liked it too. But I don't have any Guzhu Zisun tea here. Last time, they only took a little for Father Emperor as tribute, and I couldn't even get a share. I can only make do with you drinking Biluochun tea."

Li Xianda glanced at Zhou Hanzhang, his eyes...

Zhou Hanzhang laughed, "How can I say it's a compromise to have a cup of tea here with my cousin? It's my honor."

"You've got a sweet tongue. So, what brings you here?"

Zhou Hanzhang would never come here unless there was a reason, but this time he came in without even an invitation. Nobody would believe he was here for no reason.

"Big cousin, you're amazing! I really do have something to ask you."

"What's the matter?"

The eldest prince was also puzzled, as Zhou Hanzhang rarely sought his help even when there was something going on. "Could it be something about the United States? But then again, you temporarily took over this matter, and I haven't been able to leave since I came back, so I haven't had a chance to explain the relevant matters to you."

He would never admit that he deliberately didn't tell Zhou Hanzhang, as he was hoping Zhou Hanzhang would embarrass himself on this matter.

Then I'll let my father and grandmother see for themselves that their favorite grandson is nothing but a good-for-nothing who can't even do the smallest thing right.

"It's not really about the United States. I'm just here in name only. The Ministry of Rites will handle the reception of the United States. Besides, my older cousin had already arranged everything. I'm just taking credit for what you've already done. I don't need to put in any effort."

These words made the eldest prince even more heartbroken. He had been treating the United States with the highest honors in order to improve relations, and now all the credit had fallen on Zhou Hanzhang.

"So why did you come to see me today?"

"Well, here's the thing. I have a house in the west of the city, which my mother gave me a long time ago. I like the peace and quiet there, so I go there from time to time. Guess what happened there today?"

The eldest prince was furious. What business was it of yours? You wouldn't drag me into this.

But he still managed a smile. "What is it?"

"My cousin and I were drinking and chatting there today. We usually enjoy exchanging business tips there. But unfortunately, just as we were discussing something important, a bunch of soldiers kicked the door open and gave us quite a fright."

The eldest prince was still smiling. "Where are the soldiers so blind that they rushed in without even finding out which house it is?"

"That's right, I was wondering about that too. Later, I asked my older cousin if he knew where they were from."

The eldest prince's smile was almost impossible to maintain, but he still patiently asked, "Where are you from? Do you need me to teach you a lesson?"

Then he noticed that Zhou Hanzhang's smile was a bit strange. "Those soldiers told me that they are your private soldiers, my cousin. What do you think we should do about this? That's why we have to come and talk to you about it."

Upon hearing Zhou Hanzhang's words, the eldest prince's expression immediately changed, and he turned to look at the strategist beside him.

The strategist's expression changed, and he hurriedly left. He then quickly returned and whispered something in the eldest prince's ear.