"Meng Meng at home is crying from hunger, her aunt gave her some rice paste, the child ate a little, and then fell asleep crying. How can you bear to leave her alone at home?"
Zhao Jiaqi's calm expression immediately cracked. She had to admit, this Crown Prince was really good at hitting her weak spots.
Zhao Jiaqi stood up and bowed to him.
"This is yours, go back. The Emperor has already punished those people, and they will never trouble you again. If you have any trouble, come to me. I will definitely not stand by and do nothing!"
Zhao Jiaqi took the deeds and property certificates: "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Today I was just letting off steam. If the local officials in Yun Country are all these corrupt officials, then there will be no need for soldiers to defend the country. They will ruin the country themselves. It's said that a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant's nest."
Today, in a subtle way, she had taught Huangfu Yifan another lesson.
The next day.
Pingting arrived at the mansion early in the morning. Her deeds had spread throughout the harem yesterday. She was confined to her mother's palace and couldn't get out, otherwise she would have gone to beat up that old scoundrel Hu Yurong.
"Sister-in-law, let me tell you, Hu Yurong will never be able to inherit the Marquis's position in this life. He's completely finished. Does he still dare to be arrogant by relying on Hu Yuhui!"
Huangfu Pingting was very smug. Who told Concubine Hui to never put her mother in her eyes? Now, she's been imprisoned. Huaqing Palace is equivalent to a cold palace.
The people in this palace are good at fawning over those in power. Concubine Hui will suffer for a while.
Zhao Jiaqi was not interested in these things. Her mind was entirely focused on opening her shops.
However, regarding the princess's address to her, she felt it was necessary to remind her.
"Princess, you should be careful with your words when you call me 'Sister-in-law' in the future. You are of noble status, and we are just ordinary people. We really dare not accept the title of 'Sister-in-law'!"
Her headache returned. Ever since they had opened their hearts to each other, this girl had been calling her "Sister-in-law" constantly.
She hadn't even married yet, and she was already treating herself as family.
Pingting stuck out her tongue at her and winked: "I'll call you Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law, humph."
Zhao Jiaqi was very helpless. This girl was very willful, but her heart was not bad. She was just spoiled by the Imperial Consort.
The two agreed that they would call each other "Sister-in-law" in private, and use different titles when outsiders were present.
After the commotion yesterday, the shops that were still operating were now closed. The items inside were all gone.
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. Indeed, this world is not a place for reason, but for who has stronger connections.
Ten days passed in a blink of an eye. The "Fancy Dumpling Restaurant" and "Fancy Noodle Restaurant" were all decorated, and even the signboards were hung up.
Everyone knew that it was opened by the General's wife without having to inquire.
As a result, on the day of the opening, both small restaurants were packed. Everyone came for General Fan.
But more importantly, they were economical, delicious, and affordable, within the reach of ordinary people.
After the beginning of autumn, the greenhouses were built, and Fan He, Fan Guangping, and Wang Zhaodi moved directly to the Imperial Estate.
"We are moving there for two reasons: first, it is convenient for farming, and second, it saves us the trouble of running back and forth. If we entrust it to others, I will not be at ease. When next year comes and we train a good farmer, we will come back to enjoy our blessings!"
Zhao Jiaqi felt ashamed in front of her father-in-law.
Ever since he married her mother-in-law, they had not enjoyed any blessings, but had done a lot of work for her.
In their old age, they had to move to the estate to live, just for her Imperial Estate's greenhouses.
"Father, let Mother go with you. It will be convenient to take care of you and Xueyao. I will find a wet nurse here." Although she was reluctant, she knew she couldn't keep this stubborn person.
The family nodded, packed their luggage with reluctance, and in the afternoon, the family of five, along with Xueyao, who was still learning to speak, went to the estate.
Li Chuang and Fan Xiaofeng were both on their own. The current housekeeper in the mansion was introduced by the Imperial Consort. She was around fifty years old and very capable.
On her first day in the mansion, she began to set rules for the servants and maids, and reassigned their positions based on their personalities.
Moreover, this person dared to speak her mind and asked her to buy more than ten servants. The previously quiet mansion became lively again.
Normally, only the Princess and the Prime Minister's wife would visit the mansion. The Imperial Consort also maintained a connection through Pingting, and it was quite rare that they became close without meeting.
In late October, the weather gradually turned cold, and Xie Kun rushed to visit.
The first thing he said upon seeing her was: "Sister-in-law, I have already built more than a dozen large workshops outside the city, and I have prepared all the manpower. When can we start our pickled vegetables and sausages and cured meats? We have received letters from the town, urging us to start!"
Speaking of this matter, it could indeed be put on the agenda.
"How about the day after tomorrow? Come to the mansion to get the seasonings, and I'll have my sister-in-law teach you how to make sausages."
Xie Kun grinned and rubbed his hands, asking, "Sister-in-law, how should we cooperate this time? Should I buy it, or should we form a partnership?"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and asked him, "I've already called you brother, what do you think?"
This was a good way to pass the buck. Xie Kun couldn't take advantage now, but he didn't want to earn less.
"Sister-in-law, I was thinking, let's partner up and split fifty-fifty. You only need to be responsible for the ingredients, and I'll be responsible for management and sales channels, how about it!"
"Then you'll be at a disadvantage!"
Xie Kun waved his hand: "It's not like it's someone else. It doesn't matter if I lose a little. Then it's settled!"
The sausage and pickled vegetable workshops quietly opened outside the capital.
Two taels of silver per catty, which was double the previous price. Even so, the freshly made sausages were still snapped up.
In early December, Fan Zehao returned home.
He had been away for nearly two months. Seeing his thinner and darker face, Zhao Jiaqi playfully punched his chest: "Did you refuse to come home until it snowed on the mountain!"
"Hehe, I came back because I missed you!" Seeing her, he could only smile foolishly, not saying a word.
It was impossible to expect him to be romantic. Zhao Jiaqi had given up on that.
"Cough... cough...!"
A few light coughs from outside the door indicated that someone was still outside before entering.
Zhao Jiaqi blushed and glared at him coquettishly. He didn't even tell her there were outsiders. Now, their private moment was overheard.
"Who's outside? Come in!"
Zhao Jiaqi's voice carried the air of a mistress of the house.
Laughter rang out from outside the door, and the person followed into the front hall: "Sister-in-law, how have you been!"
"Sister-in-law, I'm here too!" Li Sisi, disguised as a man, darted out from behind a group of men.
Zhao Jiaqi was truly stunned. She quickly invited them to sit. It had been more than half a year since they last met.
The visitors were all familiar faces.
Leng Xiyuan, the owner of Jun Youlai Restaurant, Dong Ziheng, the owner of Donglaishun Restaurant, and Peng Shuo, the owner of Hongyun Restaurant.
These three were also her business partners. Although she had been away for half a year, she received silver notes from them every three months.
"It's great that we can meet often in the capital again!" Zhao Jiaqi said with emotion.