Zhao Jiaqi, looking spick and span, appeared behind everyone with Junjun. She smiled, looking at the person on horseback, majestic and imposing, truly radiating an aura. Suddenly, he seemed even more handsome.
Fan Zehao, seeing his wife emerge, was overjoyed. He dismounted and personally went to greet her.
He held her hand and Junjun's little hand as they walked forward. Addressing the villagers, he said, "I am deeply grateful for your care of my wife and daughter. I will remember this kindness. Thank you all."
Wei Damao finally recognized him. His heart ached, but the feeling passed quickly.
He stepped forward and bowed to the General, "It is we who should thank Madam. If not for Madam's selfless dedication in teaching us her craft, our village might not have survived this cold winter."
"This humble subject thanks Madam for her great kindness. Madam is benevolent and will surely be rewarded."
As those who had just stood up, the villagers sank back to their knees in a rustling wave.
Old Madam Zhao felt ashamed and dared not look up at Zhao Jiaqi. She had been thinking of introducing her to Wei Damao, only to discover this man already had a wife.
"Everyone, please rise. You have learned the method for making pickled watermelon rind and sweet potato starch. Now, start this business. Later, I will have my brother come to collect your goods, so you won't have to worry about selling them."
"Yes, Madam, this humble subject has noted it," Wei Damao replied, bowing on behalf of the villagers.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at him and, with a smile, cautioned him, "Land is the foundation of a farmer. No matter what, you must not neglect cultivation. I have written down the details for growing high-yield crops. You can experiment on a small plot of land. If it succeeds, plant it on a large scale. If it fails, you can come to the capital to find me."
Wei Damao nodded repeatedly in shame and accepted the small booklet from Zhao Jiaqi. "Yes."
"I reiterate my words: if it succeeds, promote it. Let everyone earn money together. Will Xikou Village still lack opportunities to attract distinguished guests?"
"This humble subject will bear Madam's words in mind and will certainly not disappoint Madam."
Zhao Jiaqi's task was complete. She nudged Fan Zehao's palm. He understandingly lifted the child onto the horse carriage and then helped her onto the horse carriage. The group departed grandly.
After they left, the village erupted like oil dropped into a hot pan, with everyone discussing Zhao Jiaqi. They had no idea she was the General's wife.
Working in the fields, gathering mushrooms on the mountain, cooking in the kitchen, and instructing them in their crafts—she was simply a mythical figure.
Wei Damao did not join the discussions. Instead, he prepared to make a statue of Zhao Jiaqi to be enshrined in the ancestral hall.
The group arrived at the town and met up with Fan Xudong.
"Wife, let Xudong escort you back to the capital. I will stay and travel to the capital with the sovereign of Zongsheng Kingdom. We will only be half a month behind you."
In fact, Fan Zehao had kept something to himself.
When he went up the mountain to investigate the situation, he encountered two individuals Junjun called Xiao Ba and Ah Shi. At the time, he had presumed these two were a great general and a strategist from Zongsheng Kingdom.
Who would have thought that Xiao Ba was actually Zongsheng Kingdom's new emperor, Zong Han, and Ah Shi was his bodyguard.
If his wife were to meet Zong Han now and discover that she had played a trick on him, he wasn't sure if conflict would arise, as a man still needed his pride.
Zhao Jiaqi didn't think much of it, assuming that him sending her back to the capital first was in preparation for the New Year's festivities. Moreover, she had been away from home for over half a year and didn't know how her daughter was doing. She truly wished she could sprout wings and fly back.
"Alright, then I will return first."
The couple, finally reunited, exchanged only a few words before parting.
This time, embarking on the journey home, she was in high spirits. She felt the journey was even faster than coming.
Xudong led an army of about a hundred men to escort his sister-in-law ahead. They reached the dock at Huangfuzhou and boarded an official ship.
Passing by the dock of her hometown, Yulin Town, Xudong disembarked to buy some necessities. At this time, Zhao Jiaqi stood on the deck, breathing in the fresh air, preparing to check out the village with Xudong when he returned.
As she turned her head, she happened to see Wang Lifeng and his daughter Wang Yirou, accompanied by servants, preparing to board a merchant ship.
"Xudong, isn't that my godfather and sister?"
Fan Xudong followed his sister-in-law's gaze and indeed it was them. "Sister-in-law, I'll go call him. You shouldn't go down, the dock is too crowded."
If anything happened to the person his elder brother cherished, he would be in trouble again.
Soon, Xudong met with Wang Lifeng. Upon learning they were going to the capital to seek refuge with Xie Kun, Xudong immediately invited them onto the official ship.
Wang Lifeng knew that an official ship was not something just anyone could board. He hesitated, "Is this alright? I don't want to cause trouble for your brother. It's fine for us to take this merchant ship!"
Xudong chuckled, "This ship was specially prepared by my elder brother to send my sister-in-law back to the capital. Besides my sister-in-law and our men, there is no one else on board."
"My sister-in-law asked me to fetch you. Look, she's watching us over there."
Wang Lifeng's gaze pierced through the crowd and he indeed saw her on the deck not far away, waving at him.
Without further hesitation, he immediately led his daughter to the official ship with Xudong.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and went to greet them, "Godfather, Sister, what a coincidence, meeting you here."
"Indeed. We were planning to come to the capital to see you, and now we're getting a ride on your boat!"
"It's windy outside, let's go inside and chat!"
The group chatted for a while. Learning that they were all well and that Xie Kun was doing well in the capital, the father and daughter both smiled.
"Godfather, Sister, aren't we almost home? Xudong passed by our home on his way to war and couldn't visit Uncle. It wouldn't be right not to visit this time on his way back. We plan to set off tomorrow. You and Sister will have to bear with us for one night!"
Wang Lifeng repeatedly nodded. "We must go back and see him. Fan Biao is getting old these past two years. None of his sons are around, and his daughter is so old but still unmarried. He is so worried. With the New Year less than a month and a half away, his heart must ache even more. The house is empty and quiet. Money can't buy their company, can it!"
"You go. My daughter and I can take advantage of your official ship. We are not inconvenienced at all. If you say that, you are being distant with your godfather."
Zhao Jiaqi seized the opportunity. "Alright, then we will head back."
Wang Lifeng dared not delay and immediately rose to see them off.
She was a Madam of the first rank. The fact that she was willing to acknowledge this god-kin relationship and call him godfather was already giving him immense face.
On the way, Xudong, eager to get home, craned his neck to look at the road ahead, muttering incessantly to his sister-in-law in the carriage, "I never felt this road was so long before. Why is it taking so long today and we're still not there!"
Zhao Jiaqi in the carriage rolled her eyes. It had only been ten minutes since they disembarked. Even entering the door would take two minutes!
"Xudong, you have a minor official position now. Would you like to bring Uncle, Great-Grandfather, and your sister to the capital? So the family can be reunited!"