Zhao Jiaqi suddenly turned, and he was cowed, immediately saying, "These aristocratic families, they seem to be on the surface, but they consult with each other when things happen, and listening to their tone, they seem very interested in the trade city, but they don't mention the outstanding bills reported by the prefects of various regions!"
It was as if such a thing had never happened, making the couple utterly bewildered!
She furrowed her brows, recalling the day's events, and said, "I think... these merchants are profit-driven. How could someone who values money give up those outstanding bills? Their silence now, I suspect these people are waiting for the most crucial moment to use these bills to blackmail you!"
Fan Zehao chuckled coldly, "In this world, besides you, who else has the ability to blackmail me!"
It wasn't that he looked down on these people, but he simply didn't take them seriously. If they focused on their business and didn't cause trouble, fine. If they dared to stir up trouble, his fists were not vegetarian.
If they had the guts, they could go complain to the emperor. At worst, he'd be dismissed again, as if he hadn't been before!
At noon the next day, a servant by Zhou Baihe's side delivered a calling card, inviting her for tea that afternoon. The location chosen was none other than Li Sisi's milk tea shop.
In the afternoon, Zhao Jiaqi arrived as invited.
In the private room, the two met. Zhou Baihe, suppressing her excitement, sat down with her calmly.
Zhou Baihe had lost her overbearing demeanor, now appearing like an ordinary noblewoman. She smiled faintly and said, "I apologize for presuming to invite Your Highness. I saw the bracelet Your Highness wore yesterday... it looks very similar to one I broke before!" Zhou Baihe probed.
"That was given to me by Zhou Qiangwei. She said her sister knew about this bracelet and told me that if I had any questions, her sister would answer them. I wonder if Zhou Qiangwei was telling the truth!" Zhao Jiaqi asked with a smile.
Zhou Baihe nodded repeatedly, her eyes constantly glancing at Zhao Jiaqi's wrist. Sadly, she never saw the bracelet again, and her heart sank with disappointment.
She slowly poured out the bitterness in her heart, "My sister and I were born of the same mother, and our family was well-off. Unfortunately, in my youth, I was consumed by love!"
It seemed that recalling the past brought a hint of sweetness to her bitter heart, and a smile played on her lips. But after a brief moment, she plunged into pain.
"Li Ben and I got married because I was pregnant. My parents felt I had disgraced them, and they cut ties with me from the day of my wedding. Only my sister would keep in touch with me, and it was because of my sister's backing that I could maintain my position as a lady. Otherwise... hehe!"
Her romantic history was quite complicated. Zhao Jiaqi offered no commentary on their past as a couple.
She chose her own path. Whether she would crawl to the end or start anew was her own affair.
"How is my sister? Is it true what they say, that my sister is being held captive?"
Getting down to business, Zhao Jiaqi put down her milk tea cup and shook her head slightly, "She is well, you can rest assured. As for the Prime Minister's affairs, don't pay attention to what the outside world says. There is only one truth, and the Emperor will investigate it sooner or later!"
Zhou Baihe nodded. As long as her sister was fine, that was all that mattered.
"Your Highness, if there's anything you need me for, please don't hesitate to say so. I will certainly not refuse if I can help!"
Zhao Jiaqi pondered for a moment and then asked her a question, "Do you know anything about tax matters? I heard from Feng Yan that the Prince's mansion owes Master Li over seven million taels of silver!"
"Nonsense! Your Highness, don't believe that Feng Yan. There's no such thing at all!" Zhou Baihe immediately exploded upon hearing this.
"Li Ben is an old fox. He's not the type to let go of a bird without seeing it. How could he lend so much money to the prefect? This is clearly a scheme they've concocted to extort the Prince!"
She knew Li Ben too well. He was a real miser, someone who wouldn't give up a single copper. How could he possibly lend money out?
Zhao Jiaqi nodded slightly, feeling that her words carried considerable weight.
About an hour passed. Zhou Baihe used an excuse to leave, as she naturally didn't dare to stay out longer. She hurried away with her maid.
Zhao Jiaqi was left to sip her milk tea in contemplation. Sisi, carrying freshly baked pastries, walked in and saw her sitting there with a pensive look. She smiled, "What good thing are you thinking about? You didn't even notice me come in!"
"When I arrived, I saw Xiao Ce leaving your place. What, you still can't let go of him?"
Li Sisi gave a bitter smile and sat down, "Sister, you're mistaken this time. It's not that I can't let go of him. I saw clearly long ago that he is not the one for me, so I hold no illusions about him whatsoever!"
Even now, he still wanted to trick her with the status of a concubine. Even if her background was humble, she would never become a concubine in a high-ranking family.
Since ancient times, marriages in aristocratic families were used to consolidate family power. It was exceedingly rare to marry someone you loved or be married to someone you loved, Zhao Jiaqi sighed inwardly.
Seeing her sister worrying for her, Sisi quickly changed the subject, "Sister, I heard my mother say that within the next day or two, they will go to Uncle Fan Biao's house to propose marriage. My elder brother's marriage to Meichen will be settled!"
Li Chuang and Meichen?
Ever since Pingting's wedding, she had vaguely heard Meichen mention it once. Now, after several months, it seemed it was a done deal.
"This is great news! Meichen is shy, diligent in her work, and smart. You should be content to have her as your sister-in-law!"
Both families knew each other well, so becoming one family was not surprising!
What was surprising was that these two hadn't hit it off in the village but had fallen for each other in the capital. Was it fate, or fate!
After this meeting, Zhao Jiaqi didn't get much information from Zhou Baihe, but she was able to discern some things from the snippets, which was considered a considerable gain.
That evening, Fan Biao went to the Prince's mansion to inform Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi about his daughter's engagement.
Sitting in a chair, his face beaming with smiles and full of energy, as if he'd been injected with chicken blood, he said, "Zehao, Jiaqi, Meichen and Xiao Chuang are getting engaged. Our two families are planning to have a meal together tomorrow to celebrate and inform everyone. If you two have time, please come and join us for a meal. If..."
Before Fan Biao could finish speaking, Zhao Jiaqi interjected with a smile, immediately stating her position, "Others may not have time, but for my sister's engagement, such a big event, we must have time. Not only do we have time, but we have plenty of it. Uncle, please put your mind at ease."
Upon hearing this, Fan Biao's smile widened to his ears, and he clapped his thigh, clearly showing how nervous he had been earlier and unsure how to proceed.
"I was thinking... it would be best if you could come. We were really looking forward to it!"
Although he didn't finish his sentence, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao understood the implication of "thinking."