Zhao Jiaqi's brows tightened. The old fox was truly cunning.
"To my knowledge, the Four Great Families have always been united. Why would Master Liu do this? Aren't you afraid Ji Shiyi will retaliate when he finds out? What will the other two families think of you?"
Having her thoughts so openly exposed by the Princess Consort, she forced a laugh. "We women wouldn't know about such matters. Master surely has his reasons. I, as a mere wife, do not understand these affairs and am only here to deliver his message as instructed."
Dodging the crucial points!
"This Princess Consort understands. This Princess Consort will inform the Prince about Master Liu's matters. You may return for now. If there's anything, the Prince will send someone to you!"
She didn't wish to linger in the princely manor any longer. She couldn't fathom the Princess Consort's temperament. Usually, when chatting with other ladies, their words were indirect, but the Princess Consort cut straight to the heart of the matter.
To be honest, she couldn't handle this style of conversation. She stood up and hastily took her leave.
After all, her husband's message had been delivered. As for what happened next, she wanted no part of it!
"This humble woman takes her leave." Bai Jie curtsied and turned to go, not wishing to stay another moment.
Just as she took a few steps, Zhao Jiaqi suddenly called out, "Isn't Liu Runming in the pawnshop, banking, iron smelting, and ceramics businesses!"
Bai Jie's body stiffened. She turned to look at the person on the couch, wondering what the Princess Consort meant by asking this now!
Could it be that she intended to deal with the Liu Manor as well?
Just like the Ji Manor, finding evidence and witnesses without a trace?
Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Princess Consort..."
"Don't be nervous. This Princess Consort means nothing by it. She's merely contemplating that once the Trade City is completed, she'll need reliable merchants to reside there, and your husband's businesses just came to mind."
Having been married to a merchant like Liu Runming for over a decade, Bai Jie could discern the underlying meaning in the words.
Her initially uneasy heart relaxed considerably. After a polite "yes," she departed.
Her footsteps, as she left, became lighter.
In the evening, Fan Zehao returned. He hid his anger from interrogating Qian Lai very well, treating Zhao Jiaqi, who was ignoring him, as usual.
He asked about the baby in her belly, whether it had been obedient and how much she had eaten, her ears growing tired of his constant inquiries.
"It's always the same words every day. Can't you say something different!"
His wife had finally spoken. This was the first thing that made him happy today. He didn't fuss and immediately said, "Wife, you are my only one. I love you!"
The sudden sweet talk caught her completely off guard. Zhao Jiaqi, who had been about to lose her temper, calmed down.
"Why did Ji Shiyi run? How did the news leak?"
Fan Zehao was taken aback. How did his wife know? Had the news leaked so quickly?
He didn't hide it. "For Ji Shiyi to thrive in this inner city, you can imagine how many informants the Ji Manor has on the streets. Xiao Ce brought back a merchant who runs restaurants in other cities. Those people would be familiar with witnesses, and it's logical they would rush to Ji Manor to tip him off."