In the small garden, Zhou Baihe followed Zhao Jiaqi by a few steps, the two of them chatting and admiring the scenery.
Zhao Jiaqi relayed her sister's situation to her, "The Prime Minister has been reinstated, and the Prime Minister's wife is doing well. You don't need to worry!"
Zhou Baihe pursed her lips and smiled, "I guessed as much. If my brother-in-law were truly in trouble, how could I be sitting here safely?"
Given Li Ben's ruthless nature, a concubine's position would have been waiting for her long ago.
"Divorce requires a reason. As far as I know, Li Ben's household is filled with beautiful concubines, yet you have legitimate sons and daughters and have committed no offense. Can he simply divorce you?" Zhao Jiaqi raised a question.
After years as the primary wife, was she to be divorced by her husband's family so easily?
Zhou Baihe chuckled, clearly the Princess Consort had misunderstood. She said, "To suspend marriage and remarry, any excuse would suffice!"
The messy affairs of her family were too bothersome to recount, and she didn't want to add to the Princess Consort's worries.
Changing the topic, she spoke of the true purpose of her visit, "Princess Consort, Li Ben sent me today to inquire about your and the Prince's recent plans."
"Does the Li manor manage the garment workshops, gambling houses, and silk trade in these few prefectures?" Zhao Jiaqi asked, not answering directly.
Zhou Baihe hid nothing and nodded heavily, "Indeed!"
"To be frank, my garment workshop, 'Prosperous Future,' is about to open. While I have no intention of opposing the Li manor, I will also open branches in other prefectures. If Li Ben deliberately makes things difficult for me, I won't show mercy!"
Zhao Jiaqi spoke the truth without any reservation, and Zhou Baihe could see the sincerity in the Princess Consort's eyes.
This put her in a difficult position. In her heart, she didn't wish Li Ben well and sided with the Princess Consort, but if she revealed the truth, Li Ben might become wary.
Seeing Zhou Baihe hesitate, Zhao Jiaqi understood her predicament and said, "Just tell him my words truthfully!"
"Li Ben is cruel and ruthless. If he knows you're opening branches, I fear he might do something detrimental to you," Zhou Baihe said worriedly.
"To oppose the Prince, I hope his courage matches his methods. Otherwise, he will be the one to fall."
Recalling what the Imperial Consort had said, she continued with a sneer, "Not long ago, someone filed a complaint against us. The result was that the accuser was dismissed and investigated. No matter who is behind Li Ben, they cannot be greater than the Emperor. Let him think carefully."
The Emperor himself had told her to act boldly, and he would be responsible for any issues. That was her confidence. With the Emperor's word, what was there to fear in this region?
Besides, she didn't want to make enemies of anyone. Business was about harmony and prosperity, provided one was not provoked.
"Madam Li, you can tell him everything I've said. If he's a wise man, he'll know what to do."
Zhou Baihe was unaware of the background matters, but hearing the Princess Consort's resolute words, she knew it wasn't an empty threat.
She left in a daze and returned to her residence in the inner city, relaying the Princess Consort's words verbatim.
"Master, I observed that the Princess Consort is not merely speaking idle words. Furthermore, I heard that the official who impeached the Prince and Princess Consort has been dismissed by the Emperor, which shows the Emperor's regard for the Prince. Moreover, General Fang has arrived, and as far as I know, General Fang and the Prince are sworn brothers."
General Fang commands a force of two hundred thousand soldiers. With no war on the border, the Emperor sending a general now, the intention is unclear. It would be unwise to act rashly against the Prince and Princess Consort.
Zhou Baihe did not mention these things, only giving him a hint.
"Master, I'm tired. I'll go rest first." After saying what she needed to say, Zhou Baihe prepared to leave.
Li Ben stopped her as she was leaving and suddenly asked, "Is your elder sister on good terms with the Princess Consort?"
Zhou Baihe paused and looked back at him, not understanding why he would suddenly ask this. Her eyes flickered, and she shook her head, "I'm not sure. I haven't heard the Princess Consort mention it."
Li Ben stepped forward, grabbed her jaw, and forced her to look into his eyes, saying menacingly, "Don't forget, we are in the same boat. If I die, you, Zhou Yi, and Zhou Qian will not fare well either. Use your brain and be smart!"
Zhou Baihe met his poisoned gaze and replied coolly, word by word, "I've told you the truth. If you don't believe me, it's no longer my concern."
Seeing a flicker of hatred in her eyes, Li Ben released her and snorted, "It's best if you're sensible. I will give you the dignity you deserve, otherwise..."
"Li Ben, the reason I endure your mistreatment in the Li manor is entirely for my son and daughter. If you dare to lay a hand on them, I will never forgive you!"
Zhou Yi and Zhou Qian were her lifeblood, her bottom line, and no one could touch them!
Zhou Baihe also issued a stern warning today before leaving. Li Ben stared at her retreating figure for a long time, increasingly feeling that this woman was no longer under his control.
In the evening, after washing up, Fan Zehao habitually massaged his wife's legs and chattered about the matter of military command.
"The Emperor's decree to me states that if there is any sign of rebellion, I am to command the soldiers of the Bear and Leopard divisions under my godfather. I am the Grand Marshal, leading the four divisions in battle, and my godfather will be the commander, taking my orders."
Zhao Jiaqi already knew about this from the Imperial Consort. While somewhat surprised, it was within reason.
Her husband had been conferred the title of Marshal of the Armed Forces by the Emperor before. With no rebels currently appearing, this decree was not yet needed.
But seeing her husband's furrowed brow, she asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Don't you think the Emperor is acting strangely? Our Yun Kingdom has only about a million soldiers in total. I now have three hundred thousand, and my godfather has two hundred thousand. If I command my godfather's troops, I will have five hundred thousand, while the other generals will only have a total of five hundred thousand. Is the Emperor not afraid that I will rebel?"
Perhaps he was being tested?
Fan Zehao couldn't quite grasp the implications of this, only knowing that the Emperor was putting him on the spot, tossing him back and forth, and even salting him before he was taken out of the pot.
"Will you rebel? Or become a powerful ruler in your territory?"
Fan Zehao immediately shook his head and stated frankly, "I'm not insane. If it weren't for protecting you, I wouldn't even bother being a Prince. To make me a ruler? It would be more merciful to give me a swift death!"
"I suspect the Emperor, knowing your disposition, is confident in entrusting the army to you. Moreover, your godfather's Bear and Leopard divisions are only under your command in the event of a rebellion. Without such circumstances, you cannot deploy soldiers from those two camps. And your godfather is a man of integrity; if you were to act improperly, he would surely stop you. Therefore, you can rest easy and focus on your duties."
As she spoke, Zhao Jiaqi yawned. At just over four months, her belly was already protruding noticeably. It was agonizing to think there were still five months to go.