Seeing his wife in good spirits today, Fan Zehao took the opportunity while she was drowsy to bring up their youngest daughter's matter.
"These past two months, Yumeng and Xiao Junjun have been very diligent and have been praised by the governesses many times. Can you consider letting the children out to play for a couple of days tomorrow? I can also go to the trade city then!"
He said it timidly, his eyes occasionally glancing at the woman who was neither fully awake nor asleep.
The drowsy woman's sleepiness half-vanished upon hearing about their youngest daughter. She had been so busy that she hadn't checked the children's studies promptly.
As a mother, she felt she had been negligent.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll check their lessons, then I'll decide!"
With that, she turned over and lay flat. A moment later, sweet snores filled the room.
Fan Zehao tiptoed off the bed and found Xia Zhi, who was on guard outside, saying, "Go tell the county princess that their mother will be testing them tomorrow, so they should be prepared!"
Xia Zhi understood immediately and dashed towards the adjacent courtyard. The young ladies had been cooped up for two months, and now they finally had a chance to play.
As soon as dawn broke, after breakfast, Fan Zehao accompanied his wife to their daughters' courtyard to check their studies.
The results of the examination were satisfactory for all. The children jumped and cheered with joy, and Fan Zehao was equally happy. With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Children, follow your father. Father will take you to play!"
He watched as the little ones, all cheers and demands for hugs, surrounded him, lacking any semblance of demure young ladies.
The governess walked over and, looking at the departing figures, smiled, "Your Highness, you need not worry. The children are still young and it's their time for play. They have already learned commendably. Even young ladies from prominent families in the capital might not have achieved this level. In time, they will all become talented and beautiful ladies of refined upbringing!"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded. She didn't expect them to be exceptionally talented or beautiful, but she hoped they would understand propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame, and possess the ability to discern right from wrong.
When she was two or three years old, she was still playing in the mud. For Mengmeng to achieve this was indeed not easy.
She shouldn't push the children too hard. She smiled, "Governess, you have worked hard these past few days. The children will not be back for a day or two, so you can rest as well. Go to the accounting office and collect ten taels of silver. Go shopping and relax!"
"Your servant thanks Your Highness for the reward!" The governess curtsied to Zhao Jiaqi and turned to leave.
The masters in the prince's manor were indeed kind. They received a monthly allowance and bonus. Although the young ladies were a bit mischievous, they didn't carry the airs of a county princess and would occasionally amuse her. This easy work was far more relaxed than being in the palace.
Steward Wang entered the courtyard, just as he brushed past the governess.
"Your Highness, Li Ben has arrived and is waiting in the front hall. Does Your Highness wish to see him?"
Zhao Jiaqi fanned herself with the silk handkerchief in her hand, looking up at the sky. It had only been after breakfast, and he was already so impatient.
A sneer flickered at the corner of her lips. She said, "Entertain him well. I'll change my clothes and be right there."
Steward Wang nodded and hesitated, "Your Highness, this old servant has one more matter to report."
Zhao Jiaqi saw the steward's brows furrowed and his hesitation. Such an expression from the steward was rare.
She asked, "What is it!"
"There has been pilfering among the carriage drivers in the manor. They have been secretly taking food home. According to the rules, thirty planks of punishment and expulsion from the manor, never to be rehired! However, thirty planks would leave him dead or disabled. May Your Highness consider leniency, dispense with the planks, and simply expel him?"
In other manors, thirty planks might only result in superficial wounds, but this was a prince's manor. The guards were sturdy soldiers, and their blows were much heavier than those of ordinary people.
Thirty planks would result in gaping wounds, and that was considered a light punishment. If they didn't warn the executioner, the blows could cripple the person.
Stealing food?
This was the first time Zhao Jiaqi had encountered such a situation and heard of such a thing. She chuckled, "He doesn't steal silver or artifacts, just food? That's rather amusing."
The steward blushed and immediately bowed to apologize, "It is this old servant's negligence in management. I beg Your Highness's punishment!"
"Not at all. I'm not blaming you. I'm just wondering why this servant is interested in food. Go and investigate. If the servant is truly in difficulty, the manor will provide assistance based on the actual situation. If it's something else, we'll deal with it accordingly."
Steward Wang nodded. The coachman had met a kind person.
In the front hall, Li Ben had drunk a pot of tea before the latecomer finally appeared. He concealed the displeasure on his face, knelt, and paid his respects, "This commoner greets Your Highness, Your Highness."
"You are excused. Please be seated!"
Zhao Jiaqi sat in the main seat, looking at Li Ben from the side. "Master Li, do you have business here?"
Without any pleasantries, he went straight to the point, which flustered Li Ben. He chuckled awkwardly, organizing his thoughts.
"It's like this, Your Highness. Yesterday, my wife relayed your words. This commoner is slow-witted and did not fully grasp Your Highness's meaning. I have come today to receive your instruction!"
Instruction?
He wasn't her daughter or a subordinate, why would she lecture him!
Zhao Jiaqi smiled faintly. "Master Li, your words are too serious. It can only be considered a discussion or two."
"Yes, yes, Your Highness is right!" He lowered his head, repeatedly agreeing with Zhao Jiaqi's words.
As soon as he arrived, he started acting subservient, planning to play the "pig eating the tiger" to make her let down her guard?
Although she wasn't sure of Li Ben's intentions, she would face whatever came her way.
"I have some understanding of the businesses each of your four families manages. Yesterday, Madam Li visited, and I spoke of my future plans. I wonder what Master Li's thoughts are!"
Li Ben couldn't gauge Zhao Jiaqi's intentions. He feared that saying too much would make her wary, and saying too little would leave him unclear about her intentions. He deliberated and said, "This money is not earned by one family alone. No matter how many branches Your Highness opens, the Li household will support it."
He felt this was the most prudent way to say it.
Zhao Jiaqi drank her plain water, waiting for his next words, but found he had no intention of continuing. She put down her teacup and gently wiped the moisture from her lips.
She secretly pondered. Was he planning to play psychological warfare with her?
"Since you are supportive, that is best. If not, it doesn't matter. We will each rely on our own abilities." Zhao Jiaqi finished speaking and leaned back lazily against the soft cushion.
Li Ben nodded, sat obediently on the chair, and quietly waited for her to speak further. However, seeing that the princess had stopped talking, he felt awkward again.
He had come for nothing, having gained no information. Li Ben left dejected.
Qiufen saw this and was puzzled, "Why did Master Li come to see Your Highness so early in the morning, only to say a few vague words! It's quite strange."
Zhao Jiaqi lifted her eyelids, fiddling with the silk handkerchief in her hand, and said, "What's strange about it? He is inherently suspicious. I originally intended to partner with him in business, but seeing him like this, I'm afraid it won't work out!"