Outside the prince's manor, many well-dressed people were shouting, claiming the manor owed debts and oppressed the common folk... fanning the flames from the sidelines.
Zhao Jiaqi listened quietly within the manor, growing more and more incensed. These people weren't here to collect debts; they were clearly trying to smear the prince's name.
"Guard Gao, come out with me!"
The guards at the gate, obeying the princess's command, opened the manor doors. The people outside, seeing a woman emerge, immediately fell silent.
Some even burst into laughter, taunting that the prince dared not show himself and had sent out a woman instead, almost calling Fan Zehao a coward.
"Slap their mouths!"
Zhao Jiaqi ordered. Gao Wenbin strode forward, grabbed the man who had spoken sarcastically, and with a flurry of blows, mercilessly slapped his face. The resounding smacks echoed through the street.
As long as she didn't say stop, Gao Wenbin continued, adding full force to his blows. Soon, the man's face was so swollen that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him.
"Stop!"
Gao Wenbin threw the man aside and returned to the princess's side, expressionless, wiping the blood from his hands with a silk handkerchief. He then disdainfully tossed the fine silk handkerchief in public.
Zhao Jiaqi looked out at the crowd of onlookers. Among them were undoubtedly spies from certain families.
She announced loudly, "These people claim the manor owes them silver, but they have no proof. How can the prince repay them?"
"Furthermore, the accounts of the local governments have been burned. Now, whatever they say goes. To put it crudely, they want to use the prince's influence to extort more taxes from you, to fill their own deficits."
"The prince cherishes you and understands your hardships, which is why he absolutely refused them. These people are now causing trouble at the manor gates, hoping to use you to pressure the prince. Fellow villagers, do not be deceived by these people with ulterior motives!"
They would incite the villagers to cause trouble; she would also incite them to take sides. In any case, some of her words were true, and she had indeed not asked the poor people to pay excessive taxes.
Comparing these two approaches, the outcome was obvious.
Not far away, the sound of hooves and the rhythmic patter of marching feet grew closer.
Some, sensing trouble, prepared to flee. Xiao Ce, however, gave them no such opportunity. Leading the manor's soldiers, he apprehended several people on the spot, while a few managed to slip away.
Zhao Jiaqi scanned the captured individuals and ordered Xiao Ce to interrogate them: "See what kind of demons and monsters these are!"
"Your subordinate will treat them well, I guarantee they won't die!" Xiao Ce said, grinding his teeth.
To the ears of the captured ruffians, his words were like the pronouncements of hell. They trembled uncontrollably, and some even wet themselves from fear.
After the commotion at the manor gates, a woman among the onlookers, who recognized Zhao Jiaqi, immediately called out her name, "Miss Ren... no, Your Highness the Princess, Your Highness, I am from Xikou Village... Old Woman Zhao!"
The mention of Xikou Village made Zhao Jiaqi pause.
She waved to the person in the crowd and, upon closer inspection, recognized her. Indeed, it was her, though after so long, she seemed even... plumper.
Old Woman Zhao, despite her size, was very sharp. She had witnessed everything that had just transpired and immediately shouted to the crowd.
"The Princess was a benefactor to Xikou Village back then! She taught us how to grow high-yield watermelons and sweet potatoes. Sweet potato noodles and watermelon jam were also taught by the Princess. The grains and fruits you grow now are all from the methods the Princess taught you!"
As Old Woman Zhao spoke with emotion, she poured out her heart: "The Prince and Princess are kind-hearted and never oppress the people. The Prince protects us on the battlefield. The Princess, seeing the barren land, disguised herself and lived and ate with us. She even grew crops and gave them away for free, teaching us a skill to sustain ourselves. All she asked was that we pass on the farming methods so that more people could have food. The Prince and Princess are our great benefactors!"
At this, everyone understood and knelt to pay homage to Zhao Jiaqi, with more devotion than they would a Buddha.
Old Woman Zhao looked at her, tears welling up, and said, "There is still a statue of the Princess in the ancestral hall of Xikou Village, worshipped with incense three times a day, praying for the Prince and Princess's long life and health!"
The earlier words of Old Woman Zhao had praised Zhao Jiaqi so highly that she blushed with embarrassment, but the latter sentence almost brought her to tears.
Had Wei Damao truly placed her statue in the ancestral hall?
And worshipped it so devoutly? Good heavens, she felt as if she were ascending to heaven.
"Everyone, please rise. This is what we should do. If you are well, then we are better. You may all return!" Zhao Jiaqi gestured for the kneeling crowd to stand.
She truly couldn't handle such a spectacle. She pulled Old Woman Zhao into the manor, and the thick red lacquer doors slowly closed, shutting out the enthusiastic villagers.
Old Woman Zhao was overjoyed to see Zhao Jiaqi.
"Your Highness, Xikou Village is different now. Not only has the population grown, but it's also a renowned prosperous village in the prefectural city. Everyone remembers you now. Those who came to the village later, after hearing your story, regretted not having arrived earlier to see Your Highness's face!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled, "I only have one nose and one mouth, I'm incredibly ordinary, what's so special to see!"
"You can't say that. You are our great benefactor, and we will never forget your kindness!"
Zhao Jiaqi laughed, and they chatted for a long time. She recounted news of almost every household in the village.
Wei Damao had married and was about to become a father. Every household had built brick and tile houses, with no worries about food or drink. Some children could even attend school.
It was evident that in less than a year, the changes had been substantial.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ce's interrogation went very smoothly. These people were all from the Ji family. Fan Zehao, without a second thought, sent them to the trade city as free laborers.
News of the princess's affair spread. Upon learning that his subordinates had been banished to the border, the Ji family head lost his resolve.
The patriarchs of the four great families met in secret to discuss matters. Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi were unaware of these dealings, and even if they were, what could be done?
In mid-April, the weather gradually warmed. The prince's manor, once facing difficulties, had now smoothly navigated its challenges.
Inside the manor, Steward Wang managed the household exceptionally well, saving Zhao Jiaqi considerable effort. However, a treasurer had still not been found.
Li Chuang's noodle shop was ready, and Fan Xiaofeng's dumpling restaurant was not to be outdone. Li Sisi acted even faster than the other two. The three decided to open on the same day.
They even planned to give away a cup of milk tea with every order of dumplings or noodles.
The three shops were on the same street, not far apart, and opening on the same day created a much larger spectacle. Lion dance troupes performed for a full day.
The residents of the inner city couldn't help but notice. Curious about what milk tea was, they ordered dumplings or noodles, just to get a free cup of milk tea.
While Li Sisi's milk tea shop seemed to be at a disadvantage, in reality, she was the one making the most stable profit. She only incurred losses for three days. After the promotional period ended, her milk tea shop experienced booming business.
Li Sisi brought the business model from the capital to the inner city, and it proved very effective. She had thought there were many wealthy families in the capital, but the inner city also had its share of affluent households.