Su Ya found the analysis to be very accurate. Over the years, the First Master and the First Madam had indeed not expanded into other businesses, only buying a lot of land. They hadn't even purchased a single shop!
Fastening her cloak, Zhao Jiaqi supported Su Ya as they went to the side hall.
Something had happened in the capital, but she had never heard of it from Fan Zehao's lips.
Inside the side hall, it was warm and cozy. It couldn't be described as "spring-like" in temperature; "midsummer" would be more fitting!
It was so hot that the two old gentlemen were sweating profusely. They had already taken off their cloaks. If they were to remove the inner layer of their robes, they would be left in their undergarments, which would be no different from exposing themselves naked in front of their elder sister-in-law!
So, they could only endure it.
But what was more, they truly had no idea about the elder sister-in-law's miscarriage.
When they entered the manor today, they had come in with Master Fan. The guards at the gate had merely glanced at them. Now that they thought about it, their gazes had been filled with unspoken words.
Zhao Jiaqi entered the side hall and looked at the two men with flushed faces, her brow furrowing slightly. She walked straight to the grand chair and sat on the thick padded cushion.
"Did you two have a drink? Your faces are too unnaturally red!"
Huangfu Xian gave a wry smile. "Elder Sister-in-law, who has the mood to drink now? Our faces are red purely from the heat!"
After Zhao Jiaqi took off her cloak, she found the temperature in the room just right. It was nothing like the unbearable heat they described.
However, she did recall a saying: "A fool sleeps on a cool mat, all thanks to his strong body heat." It seemed these two "fools" had quite a bit of body heat.
"Speak, what do you need me for?"
When it came to serious matters, the brothers put on a proper, solemn demeanor.
Huangfu Xu and Huangfu Xian handed her all the information they had gathered from their subordinates: "Elder Sister-in-law, just look at these scoundrels! Instead of doing good things, they are committing these heinous acts!"
As Huangfu Xian spoke of this, his teeth chattered loudly, as if he were about to devour someone.
Zhao Jiaqi was curious about what kind of scoundrel could make him so angry. Through Su Ya, a thick stack of small notes was handed to her.
She was startled by what she saw!
What met her eyes was that more than half of the ministers supported Huangfu Xi inheriting the throne, while the remaining half were observing. It could be said that the rest were all unimportant people.
There was nothing wrong with such a situation. Whoever they elected would be the same, as long as the person they chose could shoulder great responsibilities, she and her husband would be more than willing to support them.
However, with the following content, the situation took a different turn.
These people, seeing that her husband had not yet appointed an heir, were afraid of future trouble. The ministers had decided to force the issue, and the instigator was none other than Duke Liu!
Zhao Jiaqi read the notes one by one. Most of the matters described were similar, and some even proposed to seize military power from her husband before forcing the issue!
Furthermore, who was participating in this coercion, who was leading it, and who was joining the faction – all were clearly written on these notes!
After reading them, she let out a contemptuous laugh and said, "What did my husband say?"
At her question, the two lowered their heads, exchanged glances, and then both shook their heads. "We haven't told Elder Brother yet, for fear that Elder Brother would fly into a rage upon seeing such matters and... We thought you could talk to Elder Brother and see how to resolve it!"
How could she resolve it? How could it be resolved!
Zhao Jiaqi collected the notes, preparing to give them to Fan Zehao when he returned, so he could make his own decision.
The murky waters of the capital were truly dirty. The various noble families were deeply intertwined, and she really didn't want to wade into this mess.
Having said that, the two of them rose and left!
In the side hall, Zhao Jiaqi sat alone for a long time. It wasn't until Bailu arrived that she regained her vitality.
"Your Highness, I had Zhang Heng acquire that brothel from the Prefect. Some of the girls are willing to stay, and I've arranged for them. We just need Your Highness's word, and our brothel can open for business!"
"It's just that we haven't decided on the name of the brothel yet!" Therefore, the brothel still didn't have a signboard.
Zhao Jiaqi frowned unhappily. "Didn't I tell you not to do it? Why did you act on your own initiative? If the two of you really misunderstand each other because of this, then..."
Bailu said with a smile, "Your Highness, I only had Zhang Heng put his name on it. I've already found a madam. If anything major happens in the establishment, I'll step in. Otherwise, for minor issues, the madam can handle it."
With this explanation, surely the Princess Consort would be at ease, right?
Zhao Jiaqi was helpless about her subordinate's desperate efforts to earn money. She couldn't quite explain how many assets she had now. It seemed the term "passive income" was most fitting for her.
"Fine, handle this as you see fit."
Huh?
Bailu sensed that the Princess Consort was not in high spirits. Compared to when she usually talked about earning money, there was a world of difference. She didn't seem like her usual self at all.
Bailu tentatively asked, "Princess Consort, are you still feeling unwell?"
"No, it's just that our inner city won't be too peaceful lately," Zhao Jiaqi sighed. "After the New Year, you should quickly withdraw all our businesses in the capital. Sell what you can, even at a low price, as long as it's all handled by the end of the first lunar month."
Bailu was shocked. Although there weren't many businesses in the capital, each shop could earn thousands of taels a month. Why were they being withdrawn all at once?
"What happened?" Bailu felt that whatever had happened must be quite serious!
Otherwise, why would the Princess Consort be reducing her businesses?
Zhao Jiaqi lowered her eyes, and after a long while, she slowly said, "This is just a precaution. The capital is not peaceful now, so it's best for us to make plans early."
Seeing that the Princess Consort was unwilling to say more, Bailu knew this was likely a confidential matter. She nodded. "What about the workshop on Phoenix Mountain?"
The workshop there was not small. In two years, it had made a fortune. It would be a shame to close it down suddenly.
"Sell it off with great fanfare, along with the production techniques!" she said without thinking.
Bailu was stunned. "Ah?" She had only asked casually, and the Princess Consort actually intended to sell it!
Selling it was one thing, but she even intended to sell the formula... This...
Seeing Bailu's silly and honest look, Zhao Jiaqi smiled. "You'll find a reliable person from our side to act as the buyer, and it will still be under our control. It's just that to outsiders, the products from Phoenix Mountain will no longer belong to me!"
"Phew... Princess Consort, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Bailu gasped, then slowly exhaled.
Now, Bailu understood. The Princess Consort intended to sell off all assets outside the inner city. In the eyes of the world, those assets would no longer be hers.
It seemed the capital was about to change, and it would be a change like dark clouds pressing down!
Although she didn't know the exact situation, she could guess that this matter wouldn't be simple. Therefore, she really didn't dare to delay!
She rose and bowed gracefully to Zhao Jiaqi. "Then I'll go and make preparations now!"
"Be careful!"
After her reminder, Bailu left!