Gao Wenbin raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips. "No silver."
"Send the people over and let the Prince pay for himself. I don't have extra money to keep him entertained. Go, and take his clothes with you. The manor doesn't lack a prince!"
Gao Wenbin left with a smile, and Gou'er immediately trailed after him. But Gao Wenbin was using a light body technique, so no matter how fast Gou'er ran, he couldn't catch up.
Xia Zhi poured a cup of plain water for her master and whispered to the Princess Consort, "Master, it seems the Prince doesn't have a single tael of silver on him. If these women from the brothel are sent over and the Prince can't pay, it will be the Prince's disgrace. Aren't you afraid of being branded a shrew?"
Zhao Jiaqi glanced sideways at Xia Zhi, her smile not reaching her eyes. "What, he seeks pleasure and expects me to pay? Don't worry, someone will willingly pay then."
Xia Zhi didn't understand what she meant. She saw Zhao Jiaqi beckoning to her and bent down to offer her ear. "Go and call Gou'er. The two of you lie in wait outside the military camp and see who will send money to the Prince. Remember not to let the Prince find out, or you two don't bother coming back."
Damn it, she wouldn't believe she couldn't find the mastermind.
Xia Zhi and Gou'er followed the Princess Consort's instructions, went to the second gate, got into the carriage, and left.
After nightfall, Zhao Jiaqi had long since gone to sleep. Gou'er and Xia Zhi returned, wanting to report, but were blocked by Qiu Fen. "It's nothing important. Master can talk about it when she wakes up!"
Xia Zhi and Gou'er also felt she was right, so they returned to their rooms to wash up and rest.
Before dawn, Fan Zehao returned, looking disheveled, with Xie Kun following behind him. They walked through the manor without daring to raise their heads, afraid of being seen by the Princess Consort and having their faces scratched.
"Brother Fan, you must put in a good word for this old brother later!" Xie Kun tugged at Fan Zehao's clothes from behind, begging for mercy.
Fan Zehao glanced at him and retracted his wide sleeves. "If I put in a good word for you, who will put in a good word for me? Figure it out yourself."
He was already in a panic; who could manage the instigator?
Fan Zehao quietly entered the room, peeked in, and saw his wife was already up. He rushed forward to appease her, washing her face, drawing her eyebrows, his fawning demeanor making even Qiu Fen, who was standing nearby, want to laugh.
She was sensible too, picking up the basin after washing and leaving, giving the two of them some space.
"Wife, I truly didn't sleep a wink last night. And I gave away the beauties you sent to Big Brother Xie. Moreover, I watched him all night singing and listening to music with those beauties."
Zhao Jiaqi swept him a glance, then coldly withdrew her gaze, looking at herself in the bronze mirror with sorrow. "I... I'm getting old and my figure is ruined, and my belly is getting big. I can't serve you, so I sent you a few beauties for entertainment. Why pass them on to someone else? I'm not unreasonable."
Hearing his wife's gentle words, he was so scared that cold sweat drenched his back. "Wife, I don't need you to be reasonable. I don't need anyone else to serve me, really. I swear to heaven, I really don't need it."
If she were reasonable, his world would collapse.
He then quickly explained how he knew about the Jiaofangsi, telling her everything truthfully. "Everything I'm saying is true. Xie Kun is outside. If you don't believe me, feel free to ask him."
So it was Xie Kun. That old rascal was something else.
In the dining hall, Zhao Jiaqi ate her meal, while Xie Kun sat trembling to the side, his scalp tingling. He sat there stammering for a long time without her asking any questions, his mind a chaotic mess, his heart in his mouth.
"Uh... Sister-in-law, it's like this. The day before yesterday, I accidentally heard Brother Fan say that there's a strong suspicion of corruption against Governor Qian. I was thinking about Qian's residence. If he really did embezzle, wouldn't his property be confiscated and turned over to the public? I wanted to buy his mansion, and coincidentally, there was a pleasure house opening in the city, so I asked Brother Fan to listen to music as a thank you. That's all there is to it, absolutely nothing else. I swear to heaven!"
Fan Zehao also nodded repeatedly, confirming that what Xie Kun said was true, without any lies.
Zhao Jiaqi naturally knew Fan Zehao wouldn't mess around, but hearing that he went to such a place still made her feel disgusted. She didn't plan to deal with him anytime soon.
She turned to Xie Kun and asked with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "You've had your eye on Qian's mansion so early. I can't possibly deny you this opportunity. Here's what we'll do: if Qian is indeed found to be corrupt and his mansion is confiscated, I'll sell it to you. What I say goes."
"That's for sure!" Fan Zehao obsequiously declared his stance.
Since the Princess Consort had spoken, this matter was as good as settled.
Xie Kun didn't think much of it and immediately threw the matter of visiting the pleasure house out of his mind, clapping his hands and grinning foolishly. "Sister-in-law, we've agreed, you can't sell it to an outsider!"
"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it for you. Rest assured!" Zhao Jiaqi said with a smile, but her eyes were icy cold.
Taking the Prince to visit a brothel and then wanting to buy a mansion from her at a bargain price. He had really good ideas. If she didn't fleece him dry, she wouldn't be Zhao!
Xie Kun's brain was simple; he didn't notice Zhao Jiaqi's change in demeanor at all. He even stayed for breakfast before leaving.
As soon as he left, Fan Zehao immediately begged for mercy. "Wife, you are generous and magnanimous, please be merciful and spare me this once!"
Zhao Jiaqi didn't look at him, got up, and left with Qiu Fen, leaving him alone in the dining hall.
In mid-October, the trade city was finally completed. After five months, it was ready for use. Zong Han, who rarely appeared, showed up at the trade city.
When the two sides met, the atmosphere visibly heightened.
"Lord Zong, I hope you are well. We haven't seen each other for five months, and you look quite haggard!"
Zong Han looked at the grinning Fan Zehao and felt a headache coming on. During battles, he was decisive and unyielding, with a face as sour as a stone in a latrine. Now that there was no war, he acted like a rogue.
"Stop teasing me. I almost lost my throne when I came out this one time. It took some effort to finally clear out the rebels!"
Zong Han knew that even if Fan Zehao hadn't asked, he would have known the state of his own country, Zongsheng. It was better to speak frankly than to conceal it, lest these people overthink.
Besides, he was the victor, and he was still the emperor in the end, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.
"I don't mean anything else. For the sake of our two countries' good relations, if you need anything, just say the word. As long as I can help, I will never refuse!"
Zong Han wasn't sure how much of this was sincere and how much was feigned. But he knew that Fan Zehao was a person who clearly distinguished between love and hate and was fiercely protective of those he cared about.
"I appreciate your kindness. If that day ever comes, I will definitely ask for your help!"
After some pleasantries, the two got down to business. "Lord Zong, our trade city has been built. The rest is about the details and the merchants moving in. Let's agree in advance that everything must be done according to the rules, and neither side can cause trouble here!"
Zong Han nodded. "This is essential. Without rules, there can be no order!"