The mother and daughter chatted for a long time. The person waiting outside had been waiting just as long. More than an hour passed, and Zhang Cuihua's legs were numb before the door of the room slowly opened.
Yu Meng skipped out, arms outstretched, asking Zhang Cuihua to hold her. She nuzzled her cheek affectionately and sweetly called her "Grandma," which melted Zhang Cuihua's heart.
Holding the child, she dared not linger for another moment, fearing that her daughter-in-law would change her mind and hit the child the next second. As she walked, she asked Meng Meng, "Did your mother hit you? Where did she hit you? Does it hurt? Let Grandma see!"
Hearing her mother-in-law's words, Zhao Jiaqi tilted her head forty-five degrees and looked at the sky. Yu Meng was her daughter; how could she really hurt the child? At most, she had just scared her. Did her mother-in-law really not trust her?
After her mother-in-law left, Zhao Jiaqi angrily pointed at Fan Zehao, "You... If you dare to indulge her again, I'll take the child and leave home. If you don't believe me, just try it!"
"Why leave home? If you indulge her again, just hit me along with her!" Fan Zehao, hearing that she was going to leave, immediately offered his wife a suggestion.
She sneered. He was tough and thick-skinned; could she even break through?
It would tire her out. Perhaps a few sticks were like a tickle to him. She wasn't stupid!
"You know my temper. I always keep my word. You decide!" Zhao Jiaqi said, flicking her sleeve and taking away a piece of good weather.
This left Fan Zehao with a dark cloud hanging over his head. Now that his wife was serious, he had no choice but to comply. However, he could still give his daughter some special treatment occasionally.
This was what they called having policies and countermeasures!
When they went to bed that night, Fan Zehao wanted to ask what she had said to the child. As soon as the words came to his lips, they were stifled by her glare. In the end, he could only sleep with his head down, not daring to make a single movement.
This was his silent way of telling his wife that he was angry, very angry.
However, after this "correction" of Yu Meng, she did become much more obedient and studied diligently. The intelligent Yu Meng grasped everything she learned quickly. When the test came seven days later, she answered all the questions correctly, earning praise even from the governess.
"The little county princess is smart and learns everything quickly. She's quite accomplished. This old woman likes her very much!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled. For the first time as a mother, she felt her daughter had brought her honor. As promised, a small test every seven days, and if she passed, she would get a holiday. True to her word, she immediately gave Yu Meng two days off.
"Go and play. I don't care what you want to play, but you must be safe!"
Yu Meng grinned widely, her little dimples appearing faintly on her cheeks, making her look even more adorable.
When she wasn't being troublesome, she was a good daughter. When she was being troublesome, Zhao Jiaqi truly wished she could stuff her back into her womb and remold her. One moment an angel, the next a devil, tormenting her.
"Mother, you haven't tested the two older sisters yet!" Yu Meng raised her little hand and pointed at Jun Jun and Xue Yao, who were also eagerly waiting for their tests to be over so they could play.
Zhao Jiaqi beckoned to the two girls. The younger one ran over first, followed closely by the older. She was more rigorous with Jun Jun, posing more difficult questions because she was older and couldn't be tested like a young child.
After a round of questions, Jun Jun answered decisively and showed a thorough understanding. Zhao Jiaqi was very pleased. She wondered what kind of woman her mother was to have such an outstanding child.
If only... Never mind, her own children were also good!
"You passed. Go play with Yu Meng later!"
Little Jun Jun smiled, revealing two tiny fangs. She waited with Yu Meng for Xue Yao. If Xue Yao passed, they would spend the next two days in the trade city, which was said to be developing rapidly and already had a general appearance!
Xue Yao was only a little older than Yu Meng. Her test was of the same difficulty as Yu Meng's. She got one question wrong out of ten, not a perfect score, but still good. This was the first time implementing such a learning system, and she didn't want the children to be disappointed and lose their desire to learn.
Therefore, she decided to let her play as well. "You got one question wrong. Go back and review it carefully. If you get it wrong again when I check, then you won't be allowed to play anymore!"
"Auntie, I will definitely study hard!"
Her mouth was sweet, and her attitude was good. Zhao Jiaqi pinched her little cheek, "Go ahead, don't get lost with your sisters!"
The three children ran out gleefully, like little birds flying out of their cages, enjoying their freedom!
The next day, Zhao Jiaqi took the children by carriage to the trade city. Looking at the city under construction, she felt an inexpressible sense of pride.
"Sister-in-law, it looks like it will be ready for use in August. It will gradually become lively here then!"
Fan Xudong pointed to the magnificent buildings that were already taking shape and said with a smile, unable to hide his joy.
"Yes, soon!"
Once this part was completed, they would first let Sheng Ge and the others move in to set an example!
They would also allow them to choose the best locations, as promised. It was time to fulfill that commitment.
The weather in June became increasingly hot. Elder Brother Fan Guangping and his wife started making liangpi again. They began working before dawn, their arms working tirelessly. It was still in high demand, so they even called back their married daughter, Fan Meichen.
As Zhao Jiaqi put it, money wasn't earned by one person alone, so everyone should earn it together. They shouldn't let good opportunities slip away.
The three family members made liangpi, which Xie Kun bought at a low price and resold, earning a good amount daily.
He was also doing business with ice. His profit-sharing with Zhao Jiaqi was fifty-fifty. With this, while he was busy selling things, he also connected with several silk and jade merchants.
Since he intended to engage in trade, he was preparing in advance.
As soon as the trade city was opened, he would start transporting goods there. To this end, he had signed contracts with these two businesses in advance.
As time passed, Yao Jingyun received the letter sent to her and had her family make arrangements. She relayed everything Zhao Jiaqi had written in her letter to the artisans. Upon learning of such favorable treatment, many people were indeed tempted.
They submitted memorials and decided to go alone. If the treatment were truly as the princess consort described, they would then have their families come north.
This seemingly minor matter was heard by some well-intentioned individuals and eventually reached the Emperor's ears. Upon learning that it concerned Fan Zehao's fiefdom, he did not dare to be negligent and went directly to the Imperial Consort's chambers.
He inquired about the matter, "I heard that Pintang and the princess consort each sent you a letter, saying that the princess consort entrusted you to find skilled craftsmen?"
The Imperial Consort's heart sank. Not daring to hide anything, she handed the two letters to Huangfu Jintao. "Your Majesty, this is the princess consort's letter, and this is Pintang's!"
Huangfu Jintao was aware of the construction of the trade city. Fan Zehao had mentioned it when he submitted his memorial previously, and he had approved of it.
He opened Zhao Jiaqi's letter and skimmed through its contents. His mind was racing, and he felt that her actions were not that simple. He closed the letter and pondered for a long time before saying, "Have the arrangements been made?"