"If anyone dared to speak up, perhaps His Majesty would order a thorough investigation. But no one in court dares to provoke the Emperor, especially with the evidence submitted by Prince Xiaoyao. At the time, the Prime Minister was away from the capital for ancestral rites. If he had been here, the outcome might have been different!"
She nodded. She didn't interact much with the Prime Minister, but she was acquainted with the Prime Minister's wife; both were upright individuals.
"My husband and I never heard about this. The weapons used by the soldiers in the military camp were substandard!"
Gu Shuang lightly shook her head. "This matter is taboo, a scandal. His Majesty personally decreed that it not be mentioned. Otherwise, everyone knows the consequences. Who would idly put their head on the chopping block?"
It would be pure self-inflicted trouble, no different from plucking a tiger's whiskers. Minor consequences would be losing an arm or a leg; severe consequences would mean losing one's life.
Zhao Jiaqi understood the underlying reason. She feared that she could do little about this matter.
After their chat, Gu Shuang finally revealed the true purpose of her visit.
"Madam sent this old servant this time to secretly help the Main Wife's sister, Zhou Baihe. Madam knows her situation, but being far away, she couldn't offer assistance. That's why she sent me, to use the Princess's hand to send me into the Li residence."
This was the Prime Minister's wife's true intention for sending her. So that's how it was!
It wouldn't be difficult to send someone to the Li residence by using her as a conduit, and the reason could be easily explained. However, doing so would be too obvious an act of protection for Zhou Baihe.
"This isn't much of a problem. It's just that it can't be sent out by my hand. I'll find someone for you, and she will deliver her. It will be justifiable, and her backing will be no less than ours!"
Gu Shuang carefully considered the Princess's words and suddenly understood. Her eyes lit up. "Is the Princess referring to Princess Pingting?"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and nodded. "Pingting is sisters-in-law with Madam Li's daughter, Li Qian. It's only natural for her to be concerned about her sister-in-law's mother. More importantly, Pingting's mother is the Imperial Consort, who governs the six palaces. Her maternal family is also a hereditary ducal household. I doubt Li Ben would dare to act rashly."
"My husband and I will privately assist Li Yi. Openly, we have Princess Pingting and the Prime Minister's wife as support. Behind the scenes, we have the Prince. What do you think?"
"Of course, it's excellent! The Princess is so clever. This way, both mother and son can be protected completely!" Gu Shuang strongly agreed with this plan.
Gu Mama likely knew about the machinations within the inner courtyards of prominent households. Yet, she couldn't help but express some concerns. "Madam Li is rather meek. If she isn't strong enough herself, no amount of protection will help. Once you are by her side, I believe her life won't be too difficult!"
Gu Shuang did not dare to respond to the Princess's words.
Just from the bluish mark she saw on Zhou Baihe's lips today, she clearly understood that this task would not be easy.
"Princess, please rest assured. With this old servant here, I will certainly not allow Li Ben to be so arrogant again."
"Good, then you may go and rest. After a day or two, we will find an excuse to send you over!"
Gu Shuang curtsied respectfully and said, "This old servant takes her leave!"
By mid-October, the supplies brought from the military camp, including quilts and padded clothes, did not contain straw. They were also made thicker than last year. The people in charge had put in some effort this time.
After Lichun, the weather grew colder day by day.
Before Dongzhi, and without any snow, Zhao Jiaqi was already wearing a thick padded coat and carrying a hand warmer wherever she went.
Perhaps it was due to giving birth that her body had weakened, but she felt this year's weather was exceptionally cold.
"Mistress, please warm yourself by the fire. This year's weather is indeed colder than in previous years. This servant sees that the sky is gloomy and looks like it's about to snow."
Listening to Qiufen's incessant chatter, Zhao Jiaqi twisted her neck to look out the window. It was almost noon, and the sky outside resembled dusk.
"It's only November, and it's snowing so early?" Zhao Jiaqi withdrew her gaze and murmured.
Before Dongzhi, and not yet into the "nine" periods of winter, the climate was this cold. It was likely going to be a severe winter!
The thought made her feet feel even colder. This wouldn't do. If it were a severe winter and the snow fell heavily, the soldiers and common people would suffer.
"Go and fetch the Prince and General Fang!"
Just as they were talking about snow, the Princess suddenly asked her to find the Prince and General Fang. Did she think that their arrival could stop the snow?
Qiufen couldn't figure out the situation, but she had one good quality: she never asked too many questions about why!
That's why when Zhao Jiaqi was pregnant, Qiufen didn't notice. Fan Zehao had wanted to replace her, this careless maid, but Zhao Jiaqi kept her because she didn't ask too many questions.
Fan Zehao and Fang Jingchen were discussing matters in the study. Upon hearing that Zhao Jiaqi was looking for them, they put aside their discussion and went to the Princess's courtyard.
As soon as they entered the room, the warmth made both of them feel very comfortable.
"Wife, your room is burning so warmly. Starting this afternoon, our estate will start burning charcoal fires. Don't let the children freeze!"
Zhao Jiaqi glanced at him, making her sound like a stepmother who was reluctant to use charcoal fires for the children.
"Do I need to say that? I've already given the orders. The children's courtyard is probably already burning with fires."
Fang Jingchen didn't want to listen to the couple bicker. He sat by the brazier, warming his hands, and asked, "Daughter-in-law, could it be that you pity me, your foster father, and asked me to come over to warm myself?"
Foster father is being playful again. Zhao Jiaqi chuckled and, taking the tea that Qiufen had brought, handed it to him across the brazier. "Foster father, I feel that the weather this year is a month earlier and colder than last year. I'm thinking it might be a severe winter, and I want to discuss with you how the soldiers and common people can survive the winter."
This coincidentally aligned with the matter they were discussing.
Fang Jingchen took a sip of tea. After the hot water went down his throat, he instantly felt even warmer. He couldn't help but drink a few more sips of tea before reluctantly setting down the teacup. "I was just discussing this matter with Zehao."
"If it is indeed a severe winter, and the snow falls heavily, many people will die. I was thinking if we could provide more cold-weather clothing for the soldiers. As for the common people, we can issue a proclamation asking them to go out less, gather more firewood, and stock up on food, and try to stay indoors as much as possible!"
Foster father had been leading troops here for years and was quite familiar with the area. Since he said so, they couldn't take this year lightly.
"Foster father, I have a method called a 'fire wall.' With charcoal or firewood, the house can be heated warmly. Compared to burning charcoal basins like this, the heating area I'm talking about is larger. Hang a rope on the fire wall, and dried socks can be hung on it to dry overnight!"
Fang Jingchen had vaguely heard of this "fire wall" before and initially thought it was a joke, but he heard it from her.
"Yes, my rural home uses fire walls for heating, and even the greenhouses use this method for warmth. If we install fire walls and heated kang beds in the military camps, then we can at least endure this cold this year!"
Clearly, Fan Zehao also remembered this matter and had sent someone back to his hometown, Nanling Village, to invite Cheng Yongchao, who knew how to build heated kang beds.
"As for the common people, I plan to strictly mandate that every household also build a fire wall and heated kang bed, as a precaution."