The next day, the first piece of news Zhao Jiaqi heard upon waking was this.
"I'm quite surprised that Miss Sisi chose Guard Gao," Qiu Fen said as she helped her get dressed.
"Surprised? I don't think so!"
Sisi appeared gentle, but she was strong-willed at heart.
When Xiao Ce brought her into his household as a concubine, he had already lost Sisi by then.
She had once said, "I'd rather be the wife of a poor family than a concubine of a wealthy one." This was no idle remark.
After a few days of brief peace.
The General's mansion celebrated a joyous occasion. Fan Xiaofeng married the legitimate daughter of the Li family, a strong alliance, truly a beautiful tale.
Among them, Fan Biao was the happiest and the ultimate winner.
His eldest son married the legitimate daughter of the Li family, whose dowry was greater than the betrothal gifts. She was beautiful, kind-hearted, and crucially, could assist in business, a truly rare and virtuous wife.
His second son was a second-rank general, who married a favored princess. She then gave birth to their legitimate eldest daughter, truly as if his ancestral grave had emitted a divine glow.
With such good fortune, he wasn't worried about his children's future prosperity.
At the banquet, Fan Biao, having drunk too much, pulled Fan He aside and said drunkenly, "Brother, let me tell you, you've truly raised a good son. He's helped our family so much. In the future... my life belongs to your Fan family!"
Those around them knew that Fan Biao considered Fan He to be Fan Zehao's biological father, but no one corrected him.
In recent years, Fan He's actions had been impeccable. He truly treated Fan Zehao like his own son. Whenever Fan Zehao's family had any trouble, he, along with his biological son Fan Guangping, would silently rush to the forefront.
After a long moment, Fan He finally spoke.
He raised his wine cup and reciprocated, "We don't want your life. If you truly have such intentions, then add Fan Zehao's family to the clan registry!"
With that, he drained his cup in one gulp, not a drop left!
Neither Zhao Jiaqi nor Fan Zehao had expected their father to bring this up. Fan Biao's drunkenness had halved, and he increasingly felt this matter should be resolved sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, Fan Zehao's expulsion from the clan was due to the prevailing circumstances at the time, and it was something they owed Fan Zehao.
That evening, returning home in the carriage, Zhao Jiaqi held his hand. Ever since his father had said those words, his expression had been distant, and he had remained dejected.
"If being expelled from the clan has always been a burden on your heart, why not return to the village and discuss it with the clan members? I don't think it will be a big problem!"
Fan Zehao clasped her hand back and shook his head firmly, "I've said it before, I want to establish my own lineage. As for the previous clan, with Fan Fu and the others there, I will not return."
He disdained being in the same clan registry as bad people.
"Okay, I support you!"
He smiled and pinched his wife's cheek. No matter what, his wife always silently supported him from behind, giving him more warmth.
The weather in June grew hotter.
The crops in the fields were growing well, and even the fish in the paddy fields swam joyfully. For this experimental field, Father and eldest brother took turns patrolling day and night. They had even organized the long-term laborers into three groups, guarding them day and night, fearing that nearby villagers would steal the fish.
The five thousand mu of watermelons had begun to be harvested. Carriages shuttled back and forth between Qingjiang Prefecture and the "Miracle Workshop." The produce was delivered to the front, and Wang Lifeng immediately began brewing wine according to Zhao Jiaqi's recipes in the back, without a moment's pause.
Every day of delay meant less money earned.
Ever since apple wine went on sale, it had been in high demand, exceeding supply. Unfortunately, apples were out of season now. He could only hope for watermelons and grapes.
In early July, Wang Lifeng completed half a year's accounts and happily delivered them to the Prince's mansion.
In the pavilion in the rear garden, he saw his daughter-in-law amusing their newborn grandson who had just learned to sit. He walked over.
He picked up Fan Yao, held him in his arms, and kissed him before saying, "Jiaqi, our workshop has made a pure profit of over ten million taels in half a year. Everything else is fine, but this fruit wine is selling too fast. Besides the orders from Zong Sheng Kingdom, we also have orders from our Yun Kingdom. I'm planning to double the size of the winery!"
Although his workshop sold at low prices, it didn't matter because there were many workshops, and low profits meant high sales. If it weren't for the sheer amount of banknotes, he wouldn't have made this trip. Wang Lifeng immediately shifted his gaze away from the banknotes.
"Godfather, if you've made up your mind, then let's do it. However, fruits are seasonal. You need to prepare the fruits in advance to prevent us from being unable to make fruit wine in the autumn and winter seasons!"
Wang Lifeng chuckled. He had come for this very reason. "I'm thinking of using ice cellars to store some of the fresh fruits. I also want to ask, besides apples, grapes, and watermelons, can other fruits be made into wine?"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled inwardly. Godfather's mind truly worked fast.
Unfortunately, she only knew how to make these three types of fruit wine. As for others, she truly didn't. But that didn't mean these winemakers wouldn't research them!
"Peaches, lychees, mulberries, bayberries, hawthorns, pears, blueberries, strawberries, and even goji berries can be brewed into wine. I'm not sure about the specific steps, I only have a general idea, but they can be researched. The mulberry wine here is also very good for men to drink!"
Wang Lifeng noted down all these fruits and planned to start researching them as soon as he returned.
The account books and banknotes were placed on the table together. With matters on his mind, he couldn't sit still for a moment and slipped away.
Watching her rushed godfather, Zhao Jiaqi smiled. Then, glancing at the account books and banknotes, she decided to distribute dividends for the half-year.
The next day, Bailu also arrived, carrying something in her hands.
"Bailu pays her respects to the Princess Consort, and wishes the Empress good health!"
"Rise, sit and speak. Why have you come today?"
She smiled and said, "Yesterday afternoon, I went to the workshop to place an order, and I heard that Manager Wang had come to submit his accounts. I finished organizing mine last night and have come today to submit the shop's accounts for your perusal!"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded in understanding. Xia Zhi, who was by her side, stepped forward, took the thick ledger, and placed it on the octagonal table beside the Princess Consort.
"Put the ledger aside for now. Tell me about your situation!" Looking at a thick stack of ledgers, let alone checking the accounts, even looking at them was overwhelming.
She didn't intend to examine them herself; she would find some accountants to verify them later. For now, she just wanted to hear how the shop's business was doing!
"The shop's profits are normal, and the customer base is not only stable but also increasing. This is mainly due to the good quality of our goods and the speed of delivery. For the past six months since opening, the order volume has continued to increase, and some shops have orders booked two months in advance!"
She stood up and placed an exquisitely carved wooden box on top of the ledger, saying with pride, "The net profit of the shops over the past six months has reached five million five hundred thousand taels. The banknotes are all here, please review them, Princess Consort!"
Hearing this number, she was quite surprised at first. However, upon closer calculation, her own shops numbered sixty, averaging a monthly profit of about fifteen thousand taels per shop.
For wholesale businesses, this income was not surprising.
"You've worked hard. Keep up the good work, and you won't be shortchanged on your bonuses. Once the accounts are clear, your bonuses will be distributed!"
She was never stingy with distributing money. Those who put in the effort would be rewarded; she would not let those who followed her become disheartened.
Bailu listened and showed no interest in the bonus. Instead, she hesitated for a moment, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times heavily. "Your Highness, I do not want the bonus. I have something I wish for Your Highness to decide for me!"
She didn't want the bonus but instead asked her to make a decision for her. This matter must be no simple affair!