Under the shopkeeper's near-explosive frustration, Fan Zehao finally spoke some sense: "Aren't there any better long skirts and cloaks? Master has no shortage of money, bring the best! Don't show me these low-class items, they're a waste of time!"
He rattled off a long speech, which Gao Wenbin translated for him.
Fine, the man was foolish but rich. Not worth arguing with. The shopkeeper took a deep breath and personally went to fetch his prized possession, the Fire Fox Cloak!
If they were going to be so picky, he wouldn't bother with pleasantries and would just kick them out!
Upon seeing the item, Fan Zehao's eyes lit up. He touched it, finding it soft, warm, and comfortable.
His expression softened considerably. "This one looks pleasing to the eye, I'll take it. Bring out more of this quality, I want to choose a few more for my wife!"
Buy, buy, buy, everything he bought was comparable to the shop's treasures!
The shopkeeper, having made a hefty profit, happily bowed and scraped as he saw them out, even kindly directing them to the best place in town for jewelry!
Zhao Jiaqi tugged at Fan Zehao's sleeve. While she appreciated his doting, she couldn't bear to see him squander money so carelessly.
Fan Zehao slyly pinched the little remaining flesh on her waist and whispered in her ear, "I've arranged for all these things to be accounted for. You just put your mind at ease!"
Never mind a few trinkets; if his wife liked it, he could even buy this entire treasure emporium and present it to her himself!
With clothes, shoes, and accessories all sorted, all that was left were cosmetics. But his wife was naturally beautiful, looking good whether she wore them or not!
As the saying goes, love makes the ugliest person beautiful.
Returning to the inn and after dinner, the two sat by the window, watching the moon, which was nearing fullness. The fifteenth was fast approaching!
"Don't you want to ask me about my past?"
"Aren't you afraid I'm a monster?"
"Aren't you curious?"
His three questions were distilled into one answer: "All I know is that for all these years, you've lived your life with me, slept on the same kang, borne me three children, and together we've protected those we care about. As for your past... I just want to ask, do you... still want to go back?"
"If you do, can you take us with you? I don't want to be separated from you!"
As she uttered her last sentence, Zhao Jiaqi clearly sensed his self-pity, his despair, and even a hint of pleading.
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. When she first arrived, she had wanted to go back, but deep down, she hadn't understood that she couldn't.
"Here, you and the children are my everything. Where else could I go? Everything from before has scattered to the winds!"
Fan Zehao was delighted. He happily slung his arm around her shoulders and murmured, "This is wonderful. Our family will never be separated again!"
Speaking of not being separated, a thought struck Fan Zehao, reminding him of the divorce agreement. He then roughly lifted her chin, brought his face close, and in a low voice said, "If you ever dare to utter the word 'divorce' again, I'll break your bones and make sure you can never leave my side for the rest of your life!"
"I was just making way for your future main consort, and you're not even grateful... Hey, hey, hey, I understand. I'll never divorce you again!"
Fan Zehao was quite satisfied with her latter reply. He released her chin and snorted, "Don't even think about it, let alone write it. If you dare again... *mmmmph!*"
Too much arrogant talk!
Zhao Jiaqi silenced him, physically conveying to him that this matter was in the past.
Creak, creak, the bed frame rhythmically joined in a duet.
Next door, Su Ya, who hadn't slept for a day and a night, was now sleeping soundly, completely undisturbed by the commotion next door.
A night of restful sleep!
Dressed in women's clothing, she had indeed startled the shopkeeper, who finally realized that the woman had been disguised as a man!
The four of them rested at the inn for another day.
On the second day, the imperial carriage majestically entered the city. Under the warm hospitality of the local prefect, Fan Zehao appeared before the public in black imperial robes embroidered with five-clawed dragons!
Zhao Jiaqi, adorned in the Empress Dowager's phoenix attire and wearing a phoenix coronet, rarely had occasion to wear such getup, perhaps once a year. For this diplomatic mission, Fan Zehao had specially ordered his most treasured formal wear to be brought out!
And indeed, dressed like this, she exuded an air of noble splendor!
Fan Zehao helped Zhao Jiaqi alight from the carriage. They made a brief appearance, had a meal, and then set off once more!
Inside the imperial carriage, it was spacious and bright, equipped with tea, teapots, and pastries. There was even a small brazier. Compared to her previous arduous journeys, this was heavenly treatment!
In the carriage, Bai Lu now took on the role of her maid, sitting by her side and quietly complaining, "Madam, you mustn't be so impulsive next time. You're all grown up, yet you ran away from home. I was so scared when I heard!"
The head steward remained silent, while the junior steward began her nagging again.
Zhao Jiaqi had indeed made a mistake this time. Next time, she wouldn't run away from home. If she were to leave, it would be in a spacious carriage like this!
"I know I was wrong, please stop talking about it. You have no idea, Su Ya and I have been eating hardtack and cold water these past few days. You can see how much weight I've lost! I promise, there won't be a next time."
Upon hearing that her madam had endured such hardship, Bai Lu's heart ached terribly!
"I brought plenty of sausages and pickles with me on this trip, and I'll personally cook for you during the coming days!"
She was determined that in these few days, she would help her madam regain all the weight she had lost!
Bai Lu was resolute. Similarly, Su Ya, to avoid eating hard steamed buns again, joined Bai Lu in embarking on a culinary journey!
In the imperial palace of Zong Sheng Kingdom, Zong Han, holding the latest transmitted news, hurried to the inner court.
As soon as he entered the palace, he called out, "Girl, your parents will arrive in the capital in four days!"
Jun Jun, surprised, rose from her soft couch and went to meet him. "Really? Father found Mother?"
This was an unexpected joy for her, and she also felt a pang of guilt.
They had been married for over a year, yet she hadn't visited her parents. It was truly unfilial of her.
Zong Han opened his arms to embrace Jun Jun and handed her the letter he was holding. "He found her. We'll be able to see them in a few days. Arrange for the servants to clear out An Kang Palace for them to stay in!"
"It's all tidied up, and the servants are arranged. We're just waiting for them to arrive!"
The moment she learned that her mother had come secretly, she had been anticipating this day. Naturally, her mother's residence had to be the closest to her own palace.
She had initially worried about her mother traveling alone and encountering danger. Fortunately, her father had found her, and her anxious heart could finally be at ease.
Zong Han gently stroked Jun Jun's soft hair, his respect for his father-in-law and mother-in-law growing even stronger.
Jun Jun didn't understand why Fan Zehao was bringing ten thousand elite soldiers for a family visit. However, Zong Han grasped the true meaning behind it.
He felt deeply grateful for their assistance.