Not to mention he disagreed, the rest of them also disapproved.
Peng Shuo: "Putting aside safety, if you leave, what about the child? If something were to happen to you, how would we explain it to brother Zehao when he returns?"
"Unwise, truly unwise. It's not that we few can't help, but this task is simply too difficult. I absolutely disagree with you going."
Dong Ziheng, who usually spoke little, also voiced his stance.
Leng Xiyuan didn't speak, but he kept agreeing with these people and nodding frantically, which also indicated his unwillingness.
Even though these people were unwilling, Zhao Jiaqi was determined to go. If she couldn't investigate whether that Zong Han was her fellow villager, she truly couldn't rest easy.
She was determined to venture into danger!
"Brothers, don't try to persuade me anymore. My mind is made up, and it won't change!" Zhao Jiaqi, like a stubborn pig's kidney that fears boiling water, spoke resolutely and firmly.
She gave them no chance to persuade her.
"After I leave, if you encounter anything you can't handle, have Xiaofeng find Princess Pingting. The princess knows about our relationship and will help to the end. As long as it's not murder or arson, the problems won't be big!"
She had already made arrangements for these few people. It was clear she had to go!
What else could they say?
Leng Xiyuan furrowed his brows: "Sister-in-law, you must think carefully. If you leave, the household will lose its backbone. If something truly happens, what will you do about the elderly and the children!"
Zhao Jiaqi fell silent. Torn between her beloved and her family, she hesitated for a long time before deciding to take the gamble.
"If my husband and I were to have an accident, the child will be raised by my elder sister-in-law."
Since the children and the elderly couldn't dissuade her, the few of them fell silent. After a long while, Xie Kun said: "Don't worry, with me here, I won't let the child or the elders suffer any grievances."
This was all he could do. He sincerely hoped that both husband and wife could return safely.
As they were leaving, Zhao Jiaqi gave each of them a gift. They were all recipe books, and she also gave the recipe for making sausage seasoning to Xie Kun.
These were things they all wanted. Since she wasn't opening a restaurant, she might as well give them away, to foster good karma for her child and elders.
In the blink of an eye, it was the thirteenth of the first lunar month, the Emperor's birthday.
In previous years, such days would be celebrated with lanterns and decorations all over the streets and alleys. However, this year was very low-key. There were even no songs and dances at the banquet.
Envoys from various countries presented their congratulatory gifts. Just as the imperial eunuch from Changdu was finishing reading them aloud, and the ministers were preparing to present their gifts, Wang Zhanlin hurried to the Emperor's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and then handed him a memorial.
The Emperor quickly opened it and read it at a glance. A smile finally appeared on his face.
"Good, excellent! This is truly the best gift I have received today!" Huangfu Jintao handed the memorial back to Wang Zhanlin: "Distribute it, let all the ministers see it and share in the joy!"
The Crown Prince and the Princes all smiled after reading it.
"Wonderful, truly worthy of an old general. He achieved victory upon arrival and reclaimed a city. Excellent!"
"That's why they say Elder Jiang is the sharpest. Our General Fang is as good as two!"
The ministers chatted and laughed loudly. Even Zhao Jiaqi, despite not wanting to listen, heard it all clearly.
Victory upon arrival!
Reclaimed a city!
This meant that her husband and his men had a good start, and it was a unique gift to the Emperor. This news was indeed more precious than any other gift.
Zhao Jiaqi saw the handwriting on the memorial and the tone of the writing, which clearly belonged to her husband. At this, a large stone finally landed in her heart.
After the banquet, Zhao Jiaqi took the initiative to approach the Emperor and explained her intentions.
Huangfu Jintao's brow furrowed: "What can a woman like you do on the battlefield? If something were to happen, how would General Fan account for himself!"
He was afraid that if this woman went, General Fan would be distracted during the war. Moreover, women had always been forbidden from the military camps. The Emperor, not wanting to speak directly, couched his words.
Zhao Jiaqi understood the Emperor's meaning and proactively said: "Your Majesty, this subject is not going to cause trouble, but rather to handle a matter of great importance. Perhaps I can even help my husband. Your Majesty, please grant my request!"
Help?
Recalling how the couple had practiced formations in the town, Huangfu Jintao was silent for a long time before finally nodding in agreement: "Very well, but you must proceed with caution. Swords and blades are not blind on the battlefield!"
The Emperor broke precedent and granted her request. Zhao Jiaqi happily kowtowed her thanks: "This subject will certainly be careful and cautious. Thank you for your imperial grace!"
He rubbed his forehead with one hand and waved to those below with the other: "I will send a few imperial guards to escort you and personally hand you over to General Fan. Only then will I be at ease!"
Zhao Jiaqi felt this was very good upon hearing it and readily agreed: "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your consideration!"
Huangfu Jintao summoned Xiao Ce: "Find a few people to escort the Madame to General Fan, and ensure she is delivered to him. He is to look after her well!"
Xiao Ce was stunned on the spot and cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, the military camp is not a child's play. That place is fraught with danger. A woman... it's not appropriate!"
Huangfu Jintao glanced sideways at Zhao Jiaqi, who chose to ignore him. She looked at Xiao Ce: "Commander Xiao, how about we spar? If I win, you will escort me. If I lose, I will stay within the manor and not go anywhere."
A woman challenging him to a spar? This was akin to an egg hitting a rock, bound to shatter.
This made him feel somewhat like he was winning unfairly, and quite embarrassed!
"Commander Xiao, please do not underestimate me. I am, after all, General Fan's wife, and I know a thing or two about formations. If you go easy on me because I am a woman, then you can't blame me if you lose!"
Zhao Jiaqi's words provoked Xiao Ce. He patted his chest and assured: "I will never go easy on you because you are a woman. Be careful, and don't lose too badly! You can cry to my younger brother later."
She chuckled: "I'm just afraid you'll lose and be too ashamed to face anyone!"
Huangfu Jintao truly wanted to see if she had some skills. He acted as the referee and allocated one hundred people to each side.
Xiao Ce led one hundred elite strong soldiers.
Zhao Jiaqi led one hundred old, weak, women, and children.
She looked at these people, her scalp tingling. She hadn't seen so many elderly people when she came to the palace once. The Emperor was really thoughtful, it must have taken a lot of effort to find these hundred people.
Fortunately, it wasn't a fight with swords and spears, otherwise... she would have been dead beyond death!
Seeing the contrast between the two sides, Xiao Ce burst into laughter. The Emperor was clearly on his side. With this, he could win even with his eyes closed.
Huangfu Jintao glared fiercely at Xiao Ce and then said to the two of them: "Zhao Jiaqi, you just need to defend your courtyard from being taken by Xiao Ce. If you defend it successfully, you win!"
"Yes."