"Will she, but I can guarantee that I won't intentionally cause trouble, unless someone bothers me!" Yu Meng shook her head without hesitation.
"I knew you'd say that. Then why would I scold or hit you?" Zhao Jiaqi considered her education of their daughter a failure.
She knew her daughter's willful nature, and that beating wouldn't subdue her, so she could only appeal to her emotions and reason with her. Fortunately, the child wasn't inherently wicked.
That night, Zhao Jiaqi slept hugging Yu Meng, telling her many stories. The mother and daughter's relationship also eased considerably that night.
The next day, Fan Lao Er's family set off on their journey to their fiefdom, having been delayed for a month due to the children's affairs.
Yu Meng stood on the country road, waving goodbye to the departing carriages. Although she was reluctant for her sisters to leave, she knew that a brief separation was for a better reunion.
In mid-April, the sky was overcast, and the wind carried a damp scent, suggesting that rain was likely in the coming days.
Spring rain was as precious as oil. A light rain would nourish the medicinal herbs in the fields, and soon, the growth of the crops would be visible.
In the afternoon, Fan Zehao, leaning against Zhao Jiaqi's waist under the eaves, watched the drizzling rain fall and asked in a low voice, "After this spring rain, the herbs in the field will surely surge in growth. Does that mean this land has been successfully improved and will no longer be barren?"
"You can think of it that way. As long as this land is managed properly, it will yield many medicinal herbs in the future, and a bountiful harvest will be within reach!" Zhao Jiaqi replied, tilting her head back. The corners of her mouth curved upwards, her beautiful eyes filled with smiles. This was her first successful reclamation of saline-alkali land in ancient times, a great achievement.
Fan Zehao felt reassured. He turned to instruct his men to prepare to leave for Yongdie City.
Yongdie City? The name was etched into Zhao Jiaqi's heart. She asked Fan Zehao with a guess, "Are we going to Yongdie City to investigate the child trafficking?"
Fan Zehao's solemn face nodded heavily. "These people have been quiet for a while, but recently, several more children have gone missing. It's not just Yongdie City; the neighboring Maocheng is also losing children!"
Well, that meant another city had fallen victim.
"This case is serious, so you should personally oversee it. Lest the officials neglect these matters. I'll join you after I've finished handling things here!" Neglect would not happen, as Prince Xian and Prince Xiaoyao were also present, but the bandits were simply too cunning.
"Aren't you coming with me?" Fan Zehao asked the woman in his arms, looking down.
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head. There were still several important matters to attend to here. Leaving now would be like giving up halfway. "You go ahead. I'll be in Yongdie City in five days at most!"
Fan Zehao wasn't worried about her or the land; he was primarily concerned about the children. These child snatchers had escalated from secretly stealing to openly robbing, which made him very vigilant. After all, his own flesh and blood, his heart's treasure, he couldn't bear to be separated from them at this time.
"Why don't the children come with me? What do you think?"
She smiled faintly, dimples appearing on her cheeks. "With a father like you who knows martial arts, the children's safety shouldn't be a big problem. The main thing is whether you can keep an eye on these three children!"
"No problem!" Fan Zehao patted his chest with a resounding thud, making a promise. Zhao Jiaqi then entrusted the children to him with peace of mind.
The next day, he left with a few guards, leaving four behind for her. After she inspected the growth of the medicinal herbs in the fields and found no issues, she gathered the villagers from various towns and villages, instructing them to return and begin implementing the reclamation methods she had taught them.
The villagers, who did not wish for a life of hardship, naturally chose to replant. Furthermore, Qingshan Village served as a model. With the success here, the remaining villagers would naturally gain confidence.
In the afternoon, she visited Qiao Chuan's house. Chun Fen placed the land lease contract on the eight-immortal table, leaving Qiao Chuan utterly bewildered.
"Madam Fan, you are...?"
"Village Chief, I have successfully grown medicinal herbs on the land in Qingshan Village. This proves that this land is no longer barren. Therefore, I am returning the villagers' land to them so they can cultivate it properly. As long as they follow my planting methods and tend to it carefully, it will surely bring them profits."
"As for the harvest from the land, it will belong to each family. I don't want it!" Zhao Jiaqi's actions confused not only Qiao Chuan but also Li Yan, who couldn't fathom the woman before her. Renting the land had cost a significant amount of money, and now, just as they were about to reap the profits, why would she suddenly give it up? What kind of fool would do that? Yet, Madam Fan didn't seem foolish at all.
Qiao Chuan asked, "Madam Fan, why are you doing this? What are you after?" For fame? For profit? As the wife of a commander, she already had fame. If it were for profit, she certainly wouldn't return the land.
"I only wish for the common people of our Lu'an Prefecture to no longer suffer from hardship, for the land to no longer be barren, and for the people to live good lives. That is all!" Zhao Jiaqi finished speaking and then rose to take her leave.
After she left, Li Yan walked to Qiao Chuan's side, gazing at her receding figure, and remarked emotionally, "There are very few officials' wives who are not after wealth and only think of the common people. She is the first truly benevolent person I have ever met!"
Qiao Chuan nodded in agreement, fully concurring with Li Yan's words. That evening, during dinner, Qiao Chuan recounted Madam Fan's actions to his daughter and son, urging them to be upright individuals and learn from Madam Fan.
Qiao Min, chewing his food, furrowed his brow, repeatedly murmuring "Madam Fan." He also recalled the sausages, feeling that something was not quite right. The next day, just as dawn broke, Qiao Min finally understood the connection between Madam Fan and the sausages. He quickly put on his shoes and went to find Qiao Chuan.
"Dad, Dad!" Qiao Chuan, who had just woken up, scowled and rushed out of the room wearing his clothes, only to collide with Qiao Min.
"Why are you shouting so early in the morning? What are you yelling about? I'm not dead yet!" Calling him "Dad, Dad, Dad" like he was summoning a spirit, Qiao Chuan roared at him impatiently. His good mood had been ruined by his unfortunate son.
Qiao Min ignored his father's reprimand, grabbed Qiao Chuan's arm, and hurriedly asked, "What is Young Master Fan's name? What is Madam Fan's name?"
Qiao Chuan felt Qiao Min's forehead, wondering if his son had a fever, as he was asking such nonsensical questions. "Young Master Fan is the Young Master, so naturally, we wouldn't be told his name. Madam Fan is a lady, so her name would certainly not be revealed. This is as clear as a louse on a bald man's head. What's wrong?"
Qiao Min grabbed his father and insisted they go to Madam Fan's house, "Dad, I suspect Madam Fan is the Empress, and Young Master Fan is the Emperor. Let's go and ask them to see if my guess is correct!"
Upon hearing "Emperor and Empress," Qiao Chuan stumbled, nearly falling face-first into the mud. He quickly pulled his son back, "Wait a minute. Where did you get this guess? Don't talk nonsense and offend someone!"
"Dad, let me ask you, what is the current Emperor's surname?"