The Crown Prince returned to his residence and meticulously studied Zhao Jiaqi's words, adding his own perspective.
The next day at the morning court, when the Emperor asked the same question, the Crown Prince agreed to teach the Song nation to farm, promoting the development of both countries. He argued his case with great skill.
Some of the dissenting ministers wavered, finding the plan feasible. However, a few stubborn ministers still disagreed. Seeing this, the Crown Prince could only sigh in resignation.
He was pedantic, and there were those even more so than him.
In the end, the Emperor approved the Crown Prince's suggestion and entrusted the entire matter to him. Zhao Jiaqi had, unintentionally, further consolidated the Crown Prince's position.
The ministers, realizing the Crown Prince's position was secure, began to align themselves and ceased their wavering.
Some, though angry, dared not speak, harboring their resentment in their hearts!
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, the Crown Prince met with Zong Han to discuss matters of agriculture between the two nations. While discussing these important affairs, Huangfu Yifan realized that although Zong Han was only eighteen or nineteen years old, with a ruthless demeanor and arrogant disposition, his foresight and thinking far surpassed his own.
This came as a great blow to him, and he secretly vowed to work even harder.
The wedding of the Hussar General and the Princess was being rushed.
The joyous occasion of a princess marrying and a general taking a wife kept the Minister of Rites incredibly busy, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
At the Hussar General's manor.
Red adorned every corner, visible everywhere, with large red 'double happiness' characters pasted throughout every courtyard.
Fan Biao, clad in a deep purple brocade robe and new black shoes embroidered with auspicious clouds, trod carefully, afraid of attracting dust.
A person in a happy occasion is indeed more spirited. Though forty-five years old, he now looked no more than forty.
"Congratulations, Uncle. Congratulations, Uncle. It's different when your son gets married; your mouth can't stop smiling!" Fan Zehao congratulated Fan Biao with a smile.
The Prince, his nephew, had arrived, making him even happier. He beamed, "Of course, it's different when you add a person to the family!"
As he spoke, he pulled his guest into the courtyard, laughing, "Second son is getting married today, and I see many officials here. I don't recognize a single one of them. You must help me hold this event today!"
"Don't worry, Uncle, I've got this!" Fan Zehao said, patting his chest.
In truth, he only knew the faces of some of the officials outside. He knew their ranks but never bothered to remember their names, often misattributing them.
There were even some people in the crowd he had never seen before, but judging by their official attire, they must have been of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth rank. He nodded reservedly at those who smiled at him, acknowledging them.
After all, everyone attending the wedding banquet was there to curry favor. Who was truly there with the sole intention of seeing the bride?
It was merely an excellent opportunity to advance one's own career.
While Fan Biao welcomed guests outside, Fan Zehao was also busy inside. As soon as he finished speaking with one person, a few more would interject.
The front courtyard was bustling, and the back courtyard was not idle either.
Fan Biao had no wife, and there was no female host in the courtyard. Zhao Jiaqi kept Fan Meichen by her side, introducing her to people and teaching her how to handle interactions. Fortunately, she was willing to learn and had read a few books with her brother, allowing her to cope reasonably well.
"Sister-in-law, no wonder you don't like attending those motley banquets. In just this short time, my head is aching," Fan Meichen said, smiling at the female guests in the inner courtyard, confiding in Zhao Jiaqi. Her face was already stiff from smiling.
"Alright, when your second sister-in-law enters the family, there will be a mistress in the house. You should learn from Pingting how to manage the household and check accounts, so you don't suffer when you get married later."
Fan Meichen pouted and tugged at Zhao Jiaqi's sleeve, whispering, "Sister-in-law, I don't want to marry into a wealthy family. I just want to find someone like Brother Hao."
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled, shaking her head. It was rare to find someone as straightforward, stubborn, honest, and devoted to his wife as Fan Zehao. This girl was already seventeen or eighteen, and her words suggested she was thinking about marriage.
"Does Uncle know your thoughts?"
Meichen nodded shyly, "He does. My father thinks Brother Chuang is good. He's well-known, of similar age, and our two elders know him."
Li Chuang?
Zhao Jiaqi blinked. Meichen mentioning this today, was she perhaps hoping she would inquire about Li Chuang's situation?
Before she could ask Fan Meichen, Zhou Qiangwei, the Prime Minister's wife, arrived, drawing the attention of everyone around them.
The auspicious hour arrived, and Fan Xudong's wedding procession reached the manor gates. The handsome men and beautiful women rushed to the front to witness the spectacle, leaving only a few people in the back courtyard.
Zhou Qiangwei pulled Zhao Jiaqi aside to enjoy some quiet time.
"I heard yesterday that after General Fan gets married, you will be going to your fiefdom?"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded, "Yes. We were originally going to leave after the fifteenth of the first month, but because of the Princess and the General's wedding, it was postponed."
She paused, then said softly, "Since we have to go to the fiefdom anyway, it's better to leave earlier. That way, the weather will be warmer upon arrival, and we can enjoy the winter scenery of different places along the way."
"You truly have such grand aspirations!" Zhou Qiangwei shook her head slightly, unable to help but worry for her. "I'm telling you, in your northern fiefdom, there are four great families with considerable influence. You must be careful when you get there; these people are not to be trifled with."
Zhao Jiaqi listened, bewildered, "Madam, could you please elaborate?"
Zhou Qiangwei was silent for a moment, then took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Zhao Jiaqi. "When you arrive at your fiefdom, if you truly encounter trouble, seek out my full sister. She is married into the Li family, one of the four great families, and is now the matriarch. Show her this bracelet, and she will understand!"
Zhao Jiaqi touched the bracelet on her wrist. To be honest, she genuinely didn't understand why the Prime Minister's wife was so concerned about her.
"Madam, I cannot accept such a favor without reason. I truly don't know how to repay you for helping me like this!" Zhao Jiaqi moved to take off the bracelet to return it.
Zhou Qiangwei clasped her hand, her face stiffening slightly. "Consider it forging a good connection. In the imperial court, who knows what might happen next."
Zhao Jiaqi couldn't quite grasp the meaning of her words, but she was sincerely grateful.
As for the fiefdom, no matter what phantoms or demons appeared, with Zhong Kui, the ghost catcher, and Yan Wang, who ruled over souls, present, could they truly cause havoc?
The moment they finished speaking, an angry voice from Meichen could be heard entering the warm pavilion from outside.
"Why are you here? You are not welcome in my home. Leave!"