Not long after the Lunar New Year, the adjacent courtyard became lively. From time to time, Fan Lao Er's shouts could be heard in the yard, urging Pingting to keep going!
Zhao Jiaqi's eyelids twitched. She kicked the person sitting by the bed, "Your brother is being foolish over there!"
"He hasn't been foolish for just one day. What's the harm in being foolish for one more?" Fan Zehao had nothing else to do once he was released from watching her.
It was Pingting who was giving birth, not her. As long as their child wasn't foolish, it didn't matter if others were.
Within a couple of hours, Pingting gave birth to a baby girl. This speed made Fan Zehao envious. If his wife could give birth so quickly, she wouldn't have to suffer so much.
Although Zhao Jiaqi couldn't leave her confinement, she wasn't idle. She had already planned out all the land rented in Qingjiang Prefecture.
It was divided into three parts: one for watermelons, some for sorghum and corn, and the rest for experimental fields.
The experimental fields were primarily for planting rice. As the rainfall in the north was sufficient and there were many tributaries, it was very suitable for rice cultivation. It would be great if high-yield rice could be grown. Even if it wasn't high-yield, raising fish and ducks alongside it would provide an additional income.
With this idea, she began to cultivate high-yield rice seedlings.
After forty-two days of confinement, the first thing she did upon stepping out of the house was to take several deep breaths of fresh air. The branches of the willow trees outside had already sprouted, lush and pleasing to the eye.
Fan Zehao held a grand full moon banquet.
From high-ranking officials to merchants, even those who hadn't received invitations came to offer congratulations. He opened the gates of the manor to welcome them.
In the back courtyard.
Zhou Baihe had arrived early. Seeing Zhao Jiaqi, whose complexion was still a bit pale, she, as a woman, could understand the hardships involved.
"I heard you had a difficult labor. Fortunately, heaven protected you, and mother and child are safe!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled faintly, "I walked through the gates of hell. It was quite dangerous, but good fortune favors the blessed. It has also fulfilled my wish of having both a son and a daughter!"
Zhou Baihe nodded repeatedly. She understood this well; she also had both a son and a daughter.
Speaking of children, she hesitantly began, "Your Highness, my daughter is also of marriageable age. She has taken a liking to a family, and I would like to ask Your Highness to help arrange things!"
Her hand paused as she was playing with her son. Zhao Jiaqi looked puzzled and smiled, "Do I know this family?"
Counting them all up, there were only a few families she knew in the inner city. Which one had an unmarried adult son?
The Liu manor? The Meng manor?
The people from these two manors left even earlier than she did. It shouldn't be people from these two manors. Then who else was left?
Zhou Baihe smiled and nodded, "It's Fan Xiaofeng, General Fan's elder brother. Ever since my son took over the family business, he's met Fan Xiaofeng a few times and found him to be intelligent and quick-witted. Thinking that my daughter is also of age, I..."
"More importantly, the Fan family has excellent upbringing. If I marry my daughter over, I, as her mother, can rest assured. Plus, there's no mother-in-law, only Princess as a sister-in-law. To be honest, we are the ones climbing!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Zhou Baihe said a mouthful of words, but Zhao Jiaqi's mind was still not clear.
Fan Xiaofeng!
The Li manor wanted to form an alliance with the Fan family?
This sudden news caught her completely off guard. After a moment, she said, "I can help you probe Fan Xiaofeng's thoughts, but whether it will work out or not, I have no idea."
"I understand, I understand. Whether it works out depends on fate. If fate arrives, it will happen naturally. If not, we can't force it. A twisted melon isn't sweet; I understand this principle!"
As soon as they finished speaking, Qiufen led Madam Meng and Madam Liu to the front hall. Both of them presented small gifts.
Golden locks and collars, exquisitely made, all looked like top-quality items.
The banquet was still ongoing. In the front courtyard, Fan Zehao was having a huge argument with Master Liu from the Liu manor.
Seeing this, Wangcai immediately sent someone to find the Princess. In this household, only the Princess's words could influence the Prince.
Zhao Jiaqi walked out of the back courtyard and asked the young servant beside her, "Do you know why the Prince is angry?"
The servant stammered for a long time, then mumbled with his head bowed, "Your servant overheard something. It seems that the Liu manor intends to send their legitimate daughter to the Prince's manor as a concubine. The Prince became furious, which is why..."
Zhao Jiaqi, who had been walking very fast, suddenly stopped. The frown on her brow slightly relaxed.
So, that was the matter. These people were truly bored, constantly thinking of sending women into other households. Were they afraid of their status being threatened if they didn't have women for alliances?
If that was the case, why should she go?
"Alright, the Prince will handle this matter himself. This Princess will not go to join in the fun."
The servant was stunned, "The Prince is about to kill someone right now. Are you sure you're not going, Your Highness?"
"No!"
After leaving the banquet, she didn't want to go back and exchange pleasantries with those ladies. She turned and went to Pingting's courtyard.
At this time, it was better to accompany Pingting. She usually loved lively gatherings. Being confined so suddenly, she must be feeling lonely.
Zhao Jiaqi didn't return to the banquet even after it ended. She chatted with Pingting, a new mother, about children. They had endless things to talk about.
In the evening, Fan Xiaofeng stayed behind. Although he wasn't sure why his sister-in-law wanted to see him, based on past experience, anyone his sister-in-law summoned either meant good news or a beating. There was nothing else.
The moment he saw Zhao Jiaqi enter the room, Fan Xiaofeng immediately said, "Sister-in-law, my brother and I conduct our business honestly and haven't caused any trouble!"
Zhao Jiaqi sat down, took a sip of tea, and asked him coldly, "Are you sure you haven't caused any trouble?"
Being questioned like this by his sister-in-law made him unsure himself.
He carefully recalled recent events in his mind and confirmed that nothing unusual had happened. He shook his head, "Sister-in-law, please don't tease me. I'm a timid person and can't withstand your scolding."
"Zhou Baihe, the matriarch of the Li manor, has taken a liking to you and wants you to be the son-in-law for her legitimate daughter. Today, she entrusted me to ask for your thoughts!"
The Li manor's legitimate daughter?
A person flashed in Fan Xiaofeng's mind. Bright eyes and pearly teeth, a graceful lady, a great beauty, and exactly his type.
His expression clearly revealed his thoughts. Zhao Jiaqi knew without him saying it that this young man was smitten.
Nine out of ten, he had taken a liking to her. And before this, she would bet that these two had met, otherwise Zhou Baihe wouldn't have approached her so presumptuously.
With this thought, everything made sense. It was a case of mutual affection!
"This matter is for Sister-in-law to decide. I will obey Sister-in-law's arrangements!" Fan Xiaofeng, unable to speak directly, pushed the matter onto her.
But he had underestimated Zhao Jiaqi's mischievous nature. She deliberately played against him, "I think the Li manor's legitimate daughter isn't suitable for you. How about I refuse on your behalf?"
Fan Xiaofeng was awkward. He stammered for a long time, still blushing as he pleaded, "Is it necessary, Sister-in-law? I think... I think that girl is very good. I'm also of an age where I should be getting married!"
As he spoke of getting married, his voice grew softer, and he even became shy.
"Look at you, such a coward! Fan Lao Er knows how to actively pursue happiness, so why are you so hesitant? If you like her, just say it. Stop being so coy!"
She was almost saying that Fan Xiaofeng wasn't a man. Compared to her husband and Fan Xudong, he lacked their uninhibited nature.
"Sister-in-law is right. I'll remember it. But you still need to help me with this marriage, Sister-in-law. I don't have a mother, and my sister-in-law is still in confinement. I'll entrust this matter to you, Sister-in-law. When I get married, I'll treat you to a banquet. It's settled, I'm leaving!"
Fan Xiaofeng, who had been smart for once, ran off before he finished speaking, for fear that Zhao Jiaqi would not agree.