"Setting up a planting base, to become the granary of Yun Country in the future, and also to earn money!" she replied to Pingting without looking up.
Upon learning that her sister-in-law's matter was about this, Pingting sat down honestly beside her, secretly admiring her sister-in-law's capabilities.
Before the proposal was even finished, Fan Zehao returned with a face full of rage. He kicked open the study door. Seeing his wife in the study, he immediately curbed his anger.
Xiao Ce followed closely, muttering, "What are you so angry about? They are the ones who should be angry now!"
As he spoke, he entered the study and saw the Princess and the Consort in the room. Xiao Ce immediately fell silent.
Unfortunately, his words were clearly heard by Zhao Jiaqi and Pingting.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the displeased Fan Zehao, put down her brush, and asked, "You're so angry, what is it about this time?"
Fan Zehao glared fiercely at Xiao Ce behind him, thinking him a meddler. Now his wife was worried again, and she couldn't have a moment's peace even while pregnant.
As a prince, he felt utterly stifled!
Fan Zehao drooped his head, pulled over a chair, and sat down, saying, "The Prefect invited me, but it turned out he wanted me to judge a case."
Judge a case?
"Judging cases is the Prefect's job, what does it have to do with you?" Zhao Jiaqi asked, confused.
Fan Zehao was deeply frustrated. He took a deep breath and slowly narrated, "Early this morning, many restaurant owners in the inner city jointly accused Ji Shiyi of bullying and monopolizing business. They said that if any restaurant owner didn't pay taxes to Ji Shiyi, they couldn't operate. As a result, these people were united and didn't pay this month. Then Ji Shiyi sent people to cause trouble for them."
The worst part, Xiao Ce chimed in for him, was, "Ji Shiyi denied it. This matter should have been handled by the Prefect, but Qian Lai, fearing he would offend the Ji family, pushed the matter onto the Prince."
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled upon hearing this. She wondered if Qian Lai was clever or foolish. He would rather offend the Prince than the Ji family, suggesting that Ji Shiyi had a powerful backing.
"And then?" Zhao Jiaqi asked.
Fan Zehao sneered, "Does the Prefect need me to make decisions when trying a case? What is the Prefect for!"
"I have also given Qian Lai an order that this case must be tried fairly, impartially, and publicly. If the Ji family is found to be extorting the people, oppressing their peers, acting like kings, and disrupting the city's peace, once the evidence is conclusive, they will all be arrested, their property confiscated, the women sold off, and the men exiled to harsh lands, never to return."
Good heavens, how severe! It seemed her husband had reached his limit.
However, this decision was indeed excellent. It was a pity that with Qian Lai's timid nature, what could he find out?
What dare he find out!
"Alright, there's no need to get so angry over this, it's not worth it. Let's see how it turns out. This incident is also a good opportunity to investigate Qian Lai thoroughly. The capable will rise, and the incapable will fall."
Zhao Jiaqi comforted her husband with a few words that held deep meaning. Others might not understand, but Fan Zehao knew his wife's intentions.
He grinned and chuckled, "Wife, you mean we should investigate Qian Lai for corruption?"
The family was short on silver, and if Qian Lai had embezzled money, not only would he be removed from office, but his assets would be confiscated. Using their ill-gotten gains to serve the people was a good idea.
She returned her husband's smile, raising an eyebrow and shrugging, "Qian Lai actively handed you the handle. This also solves the urgent need for coal. It's killing two birds with one stone, isn't it?"
Hearing the couple discuss how to scheme against someone right in front of them sent a chill down Xiao Ce's spine. On the other hand, Pingting's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Brother, if they confiscate the Ji mansion and the Prefect's residence, I'll supervise for you. I'll search every corner of the mansion thoroughly. I'll even dig three feet into the ground and won't miss a single tael of silver."
Pingting, her belly round, volunteered eagerly.
Zhao Jiaqi glanced at her bulging stomach and scoffed, "You truly don't fear things escalating by watching the excitement. This arduous task will be left to you and Fan Er. Xiao Ce will keep the accounts on the side."
Before the matter was even investigated, people were already assigned. Gao Wenbin, hidden in the shadows, shook his head. The Prefect and the Ji family were going to be in trouble.
The next day, Chen You arrived with nine county magistrates and one village chief. Wei Damao saw Zhao Jiaqi for the first time since they parted.
She was fairer than before, her aura stronger, and her body fuller. Looking further down, she was actually pregnant.
Excited, Wei Damao stared at her intently, only to be tugged by Chen You beside him.
"This is the Consort, how can you stare? This is disrespectful!"
Chen You's reprimand made Wei Damao feel ashamed. He quickly lowered his head and stood back, trying to hide himself behind the county magistrates.
Zhao Jiaqi took her seat, and the others sat down one by one, quietly listening to the Consort's instructions.
"I've come today to discuss a few matters, the most important of which concerns the fertile land and wasteland in the villages. Please speak freely, do not be reserved. Consider me an ordinary person and speak your minds."
As she finished speaking, they looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
For a moment, the hall was silent, with no whispers of discussion, making it awkward.
Seeing this, Wei Damao stood up and broke the deadlock, "Consort, in our Lin Yan County, Xikou Village, thanks to the high-yield sweet potatoes you taught us to plant that year, and the subsequent processing into vermicelli for sale, the village now has nearly five hundred households and a population of thirteen hundred. There is no wasteland in the village, and the fertile land is planted with sweet potatoes. Every household is prosperous, and life is good. Thank you, Consort, for your selfless contribution. Otherwise, Xikou Village would still be impoverished!"
Zhao Jiaqi looked at Wei Damao, who had become much more seasoned and shrewd, and smiled, "Sit down. It is worth celebrating that your lives have improved, but many others are still living in dire straits. We must plan for the remaining common people!"
"Consort, at that time, your humble servant followed your advice and did not hide the method of planting high-yield sweet potatoes from the county magistrate. As for why other counties do not plant, your humble servant does not know."
Wei Damao, fearing the Consort might misunderstand him, quickly clarified this matter in front of everyone.
"You did the right thing. I heard from Governor Chen. As for why other counties do not plant, I will now ask the magistrates of the other eight counties to explain the situation!"
Zhao Jiaqi shifted the topic. She scanned the people sitting in chairs on both sides of the hall. Seeing some who wanted to speak but dared not, she had to call them out by name.
Picking up the list from the eight-immortal table beside her, she began to call names.
"Magistrate of Xinyang County, Gu Liqun, please speak!"
As the Consort called out the name, the person stood up from his chair. He had a square face and was the fattest among the group.