After a few simple questions from Pingting, Wanrong finally came to her senses and shed silent tears.
Was she crying for her tragic fate?
Or crying for how her future path would unfold?
Or crying in advance for her own impending demise?
Only she herself knew which of these reasons was the cause of her sorrow!
"After such an ordeal, why didn't you let Xiaoyue notify us? If my elder sister-in-law had been any later, you would have truly died!"
Wanrong offered a bitter smile, "I am but a chess piece. What difference would it make if I spoke? It would only prolong my suffering for a few more days!"
These words, which struck straight to the heart, caused Pingting immense pain.
After comforting Wanrong, Pingting's mood turned somber. She suddenly missed her mother and her home.
She truly hoped that any children she bore in the future would all be boys, and no daughters, lest her heart be utterly broken.
After a night's consideration, Zonghan provided Zhao Jiaqi with a response: "I was truly unaware of Princess Rong's misfortune."
He knew the character of his own minister.
Zhao Jiaqi, weary of his prevarications, stated, "Tell me the outcome!"
"I am in need of a younger sister. I shall bestow the title of adopted sister upon Wanrong. If Wanrong finds a suitable partner in Zongsheng, I am willing to provide a generous dowry."
This response was not bad, and it exceeded her expectations.
She had initially thought he would severely reprimand Wu Yi and then pledge not to harm Princess Rong. Instead, Wanrong had unexpectedly become Zonghan's adopted sister.
However, this was for the best. At least Wanrong would no longer live in pain. She could consider it a case of choosing the wrong person and seeking a divorce.
"Very well. I only hope you will show Wanrong some respect. Your attitude will dictate your subordinates' attitudes." If she were to be selfish, she wished Wanrong happiness and a peaceful old age.
Zonghan nodded, not rejecting this notion.
This minor interlude quickly concluded.
As two official ships docked, they were one step closer to their destination. The procession of people disembarking drew many curious onlookers.
Upon the ships' arrival, the prefect of Jiangzhou Prefecture learned of the Prince and the Zong Kingdom's leader's presence and rode forth with his retinue to greet them.
Since receiving news from the capital a few days prior, the prefect of Jiangzhou Prefecture had been making preparations for their arrival. Feng Yan had spared no effort for this day.
Although he had never seen the Zhenguo Prince, his likeness was already imprinted in his mind.
Upon seeing Fan Zehao dressed in a four-clawed python robe, he immediately knelt and respectfully declared, "I, Feng Yan, Prefect of Jiangzhou, pay my respects to Your Highness, wishing Your Highness well. I greet the Zong Kingdom's leader, wishing the Zong Kingdom's leader well."
The officials behind him echoed in unison, "We, your subordinates, pay our respects to Your Highness, wishing Your Highness well! Wishing the Zong Kingdom's leader well!"
Fan Zehao frowned slightly. They had arrived, but how did these people know?
Before he could fully comprehend the situation, Xiao Ce approached and whispered a few words to him, and only then did he understand.
"Rise!"
Feng Yan dared not delay and immediately rose, leading the way and having the post station thoroughly cleaned, ensuring that all arrangements for food, lodging, and transportation were in order.
This Zhenguo Prince would be his superior in the future; he could not afford to offend him. Previously, he could be the boss in Jiangzhou Prefecture, but now he had to be subservient.
Feng Yan's cautious fawning, in Fan Zehao's eyes, was superfluous, and he disliked such behavior, directly refusing the welcoming banquet that evening.
"Forget those flashy welcoming banquets. Prepare a carriage and provisions. Tomorrow, I shall depart for the inner city. Once everything is arranged, I will naturally 'invite' you all to my manor as guests!"
Upon hearing the word 'invite', Feng Yan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately understood that this was a new official making his mark, intending to assert his authority.
"Yes, yes. Your Highness's word is my command. I will depart immediately and await Your Highness's dispatch!" he said with an obsequious smile, though inwardly he scoffed.
A powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake, let alone a newly appointed prince who was a brute. He could command troops in battle, but when it came to wielding a brush or engaging in verbal sparring, he was far from competent, not that he was looking down on him.
What he was thinking at this moment, no one else knew. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
After Feng Yan departed, Zonghan chatted with Fan Zehao, "Given our relationship, I'm not warning you for nothing. Although this is your fiefdom, the hearts of people are the hardest to capture. Be careful of these individuals playing tricks on you!"
"You know me well enough. I'm good at leading troops in battle, but I'm terrible at dealing with scholars."
Zonghan chuckled. He was curious what Fan Zehao was made of, to have reached the position of prince solely based on his integrity. It must have been difficult for him.
To not have been eliminated by those scholars, was it by chance or good fortune?
"Do you know what 'outwardly complying, inwardly defying' means?"
Fan Zehao nodded. He had learned this term and of course understood its meaning. But what did it have to do with Feng Yan?
If he couldn't figure it out, he would ask. He still had a strategist by his side, so what was there to fear?
In the evening, after retiring for the night, he recounted Zonghan's words to his strategist. Zhao Jiaqi listened and chuckled softly, "He is reminding you not to underestimate these prefects and governors. Here, they have held sway for many years. Their words carry more weight than yours, Your Highness, even ten times over."
This was not specific to Prefect Feng Yan, but rather to all the officials, big and small, within the fiefdoms!
Outwardly complying, inwardly defying?
This indeed reminded Zhao Jiaqi. If Zonghan's suspicions were correct, a warning would be necessary, and these people needed to know who was in charge of this territory.
The next day, Fan Zehao departed from Jiangzhou Prefecture and smoothly proceeded to the inner city.
Fan Xudong escorted Zhao Jiaqi and the family back to the manor in the inner city. Fan Zehao, leading his soldiers, continued to escort Zonghan towards the border. However, Zonghan had no intention of leaving so soon.
He smiled at Fan Zehao, "What's the rush? The blueprints for the trade city haven't been drawn yet, and we haven't conducted a site inspection. Why are you so eager to send me away? Are you afraid I'll pry into your secrets!"
Facing Zonghan's jocular demeanor, he offered a faint smile in return, "As you wish!"
Wasn't the legendary Zonghan supposed to be ruthless and intimidating?
He didn't seem like the legend at all. It seemed rumors were not always true!
During the day, they inspected the border areas firsthand, and in the evenings, they discussed their findings. Both agreed that the trade city should be built on a slightly larger scale.
It must include facilities for accommodation and dining, as well as warehouses, to facilitate merchants' living, traveling, and storing goods. The result was a large city.
As Zhao Jiaqi developed her blueprints according to the scale of the city they were building, her designs emerged. The blueprints were exquisite and well-organized, a perfect design that left no room for criticism.
However, it was these nearly perfect blueprints that made Zonghan's face turn pale for the most part.
It was at this moment that he understood Zhao Jiaqi's meaning. He realized that a row of shops was indeed a large row.
Zonghan looked at the locations marked on the blueprint and gave Zhao Jiaqi a thumbs-up, saying, "As expected of a Princess Consort, truly ruthless!"