The prince's manor.
Fan Zehao looked at the message handed to him by his subordinate and snorted, "This Zong Han is just a opportunist. I fought them until they were exhausted, and now he swoops in and takes a city so easily. Ha... hehe." He chuckled with a hint of mockery.
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow, "What, can't stand him gaining more territory!"
"What does it matter to me if he gains more or not? I've always said this man is cunning. Now he knows that a clash of swords means mountains of gold, he's tasted the sweetness of the battlefield. I fear he'll be a threat to us too!"
Zhao Jiaqi wasn't too worried about this. Her concern was the Emperor, and whether her husband had truly sown seeds of discord in his heart.
"Husband, your insistence on taking that territory from the Jin state this time, you truly didn't give the Emperor face. What if... what if he accuses you of defying his decree!"
Defying a decree was an offense punishable by clan extermination. What could he do!
"Everything that needs to be explained has been told to Wang Zhanlin. If the Emperor doesn't believe me and insists on punishing me, I don't mind claiming this land and calling myself king."
He could be destroyed, but if they wanted to destroy his mother, wife, and children, then they'd have to ask if his firewood-splitting stick was willing to stand by!
At the end of the year, Zong Han arrived again, and coincidentally brought the betrothal gifts, which astonished Fan Zehao.
Zhao Jiaqi hadn't told him that Zong Han was in love with Little Junjun and was determined to marry her. It was no wonder Fan Zehao was surprised when he directly proposed marriage.
"Say that again, who are you trying to marry?" Fan Zehao, fearing his ears had malfunctioned, quickly asked him to repeat.
Zong Han cleared his throat and said, "I seek to marry Miss Ren Yingjun to be the sole Empress of my Zongsheng Kingdom!"
"Get out! Get out as far as you can!"
This time, Fan Zehao heard it clearly and immediately threw the betrothal gifts he had brought out of the door.
He considered Zong Han a friend. How dare he treat him like a father and try to marry his Little Junjun? This man was nearly ten years older than his goddaughter. This was clearly an old ox trying to eat young grass.
Zong Han didn't listen to him and "roll away." Instead, he was determined to finalize the marriage this year.
"Your Highness, do you need to ask Little Junjun if she is willing to marry me? You should ask for her opinion!"
Zhao Jiaqi also felt this matter was inappropriate. After all, Little Junjun was only twelve after the New Year, still a child who understood nothing of love and romance.
She said, "Zong Han, who you want to marry is your business, but when it concerns our Little Jun, I, as her mother, must say a few words!"
"First, the child is too young and doesn't understand matters of male and female affection. It's too early to talk about this with her now."
"Second, come back and discuss this topic when Little Junjun comes of age. We won't stop you from visiting her during this time, but you must not do anything out of line. You cannot mention liking her or anything like that, and you cannot let her know your feelings for her!"
Although the conditions were rather harsh, as long as he was given a chance, he was willing to do it.
Zong Han nodded, acknowledging the words, "No problem. I'll come back to ask when she comes of age. But during this period, you are not allowed to arrange a marriage for her. If I find out, I will have to send troops to abduct her."
Fan Zehao raised an eyebrow, "Are you threatening me!"
"No, I am learning from Your Highness how to protect the one I love. If someone else were to snatch away your Princess Consort, I believe your actions would be the same as mine!"
One sentence left Fan Zehao speechless!
The two fell silent. It was evident that they had reached an agreement.
On the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month, Wang Lifeng and Bai Lu brought the account books. Although there had been wars throughout the year, their efforts to earn money had not stopped in the latter half.
Especially this year, their gold jewelry sold very well, with extremely low costs and high returns, truly making the workshops and shops profit handsomely.
Zhao Jiaqi put down the account books and smiled at her subordinates, "Everyone has worked hard last year and this year. In addition to your due dividends, I will also reward each of you an additional ten thousand taels. The long-term workers in the workshops will each receive ten taels of silver, considered as a New Year's bonus!"
With a net income of tens of millions of taels, the dividends alone amounted to over a million. Ten thousand or eighty thousand taels were just a drop in the bucket to them, but it was still a considerable sum for Wang Lifeng and Bai Lu, who were therefore very grateful to her.
The two stood up and bowed deeply, "Many thanks to the Princess Consort!"
After they left, Zhao Jiaqi summoned Li Fu, the manor's accountant, to distribute rewards to the manor's staff as usual.
She wanted everyone to know that by following the Princess Consort, they would earn money hand over fist. Their food and clothing were even better than at home, and the monthly wages and bonuses they received could be saved, amounting to a significant sum each year.
Although they were servants, their savings were already considerable.
Wangcai, seeing that the Princess Consort was in a good mood, looked at the people around her, his face flushing. He knelt on the ground and pleaded for the Princess Consort's grace.
"Princess Consort, this servant wishes to seek marriage with Miss Qiufen. I beg Your Highness's permission!"
Zhao Jiaqi had noticed the ambiguous glances between these two for some time. Since he had brought it up today, she couldn't refuse to play matchmaker.
"Qiufen, did you hear? Are you willing to marry him!"
Being questioned publicly, she was shy and felt embarrassed, but she nodded heavily and said softly, "Everything is decided by the Princess Consort!"
Her marriage decided by her?
A mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She pondered for a moment, "Looking at you, you don't seem willing to marry. Then Wangcai's request will be dismissed!"
"Princess Consort, I am willing to marry!" Qiufen immediately declared upon hearing the Princess Consort's words.
She was afraid the Princess Consort would truly dismiss the matter. She and Wangcai were both twenty years old, not young anymore.
After speaking, she saw the smiling eyes of the Princess Consort and immediately understood that the Princess Consort was teasing her. Her face turned even redder.
"Princess Consort, you're so mischievous! I won't talk to you anymore!" Qiufen shyly ran away, and the hall erupted in laughter.
It wasn't mockery, but the anticipation of another joyous occasion in the manor.
Since Gao Wenbin's wedding last time, there hadn't been any celebrations. This year, not only would they have a prosperous New Year, but they would also witness another wedding.
It truly made those who were unmarried envious.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled, looking at the bachelors and spinsters in the hall. Most of them had come with her from the capital, while some had been hired here. They were all pitiable individuals without families.
Qiufen and Wangcai's matter had given her an idea.
There were too many people of marriageable age in the manor. Why not organize a social gathering, allowing them to interact and get to know each other? If they could form relationships, there would be even more happy occasions in the manor.
No sooner said than done!
Qiufen ran off. She found Chunfen and asked her to cooperate with Steward Wang to organize a banquet for the following evening.
Everyone would contribute a small performance, whether it be singing, dancing, storytelling, or handicrafts. As long as you had a talent, no matter what it was, you could showcase it.
Unmarried men and women would participate in the program together, adding some festive cheer to the manor for the New Year.