Fan Zehao placed the roasted meat he had cooked onto her plate and said, "Later, give Fan Er a bonus for physical exertion, or a reward for spreading the branches and leaves. We can't let this kid exert himself for nothing!"
In all his life, Fan Zehao had never told such a cold joke, causing the maids nearby to blush profusely.
"As an elder brother, stop messing around!"
"A little joke doesn't hurt. This is what a family should be like. If you try to keep things too clear-cut between people and matters, life becomes rather bland."
Watching the way Fan Zehao and Fan Xudong's families interacted reminded her of her childhood with her elder brother. In the blink of an eye, she had become a grandmother, and her elder brother had become a grandfather. They could never go back to their childhood.
As they were chatting enthusiastically, Fan Xudong arrived with his head hanging low. He fell upon the roasted meat with a vengeance, as if venting his frustrations.
They all knew clearly that he must have been upset by Pingting and had come out to find food to vent his anger.
"Your Highness, Zhou Xin is here and waiting outside!"
Zhou Xin!
The Emperor's personal guard. What was he doing here at this time?
"Invite him in and bring another pair of bowls and chopsticks!"
Wangcai nimbly went out to invite him, while Xiazhi went to fetch clean bowls and chopsticks. Yao Jingyun sat up from her lounge chair, resuming her dignified and noble persona as the Grand Imperial Consort.
As Zhou Xin entered the courtyard, he smelled the aroma. Upon entering, he saw that they were roasting meat, but it was different from the meat they roasted.
He withdrew his gaze from the roasted meat, cupped his hands, and bowed, "Greetings, Grand Imperial Consort. Greetings, Your Highness and Your Royal Highness!"
Fan Zehao waved at him, signaling him to sit down. "Have a seat and chat while you eat. Try this new delicacy that Her Royal Highness has researched!"
When Zhou Xin heard that it was roasted meat researched by Her Royal Highness, he immediately showed an understanding expression.
"No wonder! The hot pot, sausages, sauerkraut, and braised meat in the capital were all created by Her Royal Highness. They are indeed delicious. If I don't have them once a month, the cravings in my stomach will be unbearable!"
Zhou Xin was not polite and praised Her Royal Highness's culinary skills. While eating, he put the roasted meat into his mouth, and the delicious food once again conquered him.
"If you like it, eat more. You won't find this roasted meat anywhere else!"
Zhou Xin nodded repeatedly, his mouth full of meat, unable to speak, only able to express himself through nods.
After eating a few bites of the roasted meat, he put down his chopsticks and looked at Fan Zehao with a worried expression. "Your Highness, according to our spies, tomorrow someone will impeach you, accusing you of harboring criminals from the Bai Mansion and intending to overturn the Bai Mansion's case. They also say you are allowing Bai Lu to do business, pretending to be a servant but actually acting as a master. This is a crime of deceiving the Emperor! The Emperor has heard of this matter and sent me to inform you!"
Fan Zehao was slightly taken aback. Accused of harboring criminals? This was pure fabrication!
These matters were nothing to him. If they wanted to deal with him, they wouldn't dare to do anything else, so they resorted to framing him like this?
"I understand. Go back and tell the Emperor that I am not afraid. If anyone finds themselves uncomfortable, I don't mind giving them something to entertain themselves with!"
Hearing the domineering words, Zhou Xin knew that His Highness did not take the matter seriously and was no longer in a hurry. As he was leaving, he sheepishly pointed at the roasted meat.
"May I pack some? The Emperor has not eaten yet!"
"You eat this. I'll have someone roast some new ones for the Emperor. I'll also bring the Emperor a few jars of wine, newly brewed by Her Royal Highness, unique to this establishment!"
This made him envious. He even had wine! He remembered the fruit wine from the Miracle Workshop. "I was fortunate enough to drink fruit wine once. It was truly delicious, though expensive, and not readily available in the capital. Is the wine Her Royal Highness brewed this time fruit wine?"
Fan Zehao shook his head proudly. "This time, it's wine brewed with flower petals. Although it doesn't taste the same as fruit wine, it's quite delicious. I'll give you a jar to try. If you like it, promote it to Her Royal Highness!"
"I will not shirk my duty!"
With a full mouth and a full hand, he was willing to take on this task.
As the two were chatting, the servants had everything prepared and escorted him to the outside of the manor, placing the items on his horse before returning.
In the courtyard, Zhao Jiaqi was more worried about the morning court the next day. "The Bai family's matter has already passed for several years. At this time, calling the Bai family criminals is like adding legs to a snake!"
"The Bai family has already been exiled, and the women sold into servitude. The person speaking this is brainless. Since someone has brought up the Bai Mansion's case, I'll let them carry this bucket of shit themselves and let it stink to the very end!"
Zhao Jiaqi didn't understand his words for a moment. After thinking for a while, she asked suspiciously, "You mean, you want the person impeaching you to investigate the Bai family's case?"
He smirked, "How about that!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled and said nothing, giving him a thumbs up. This was simply brilliant. She wondered who would lift a rock only to drop it on their own feet.
Anyone could impeach Fan Zehao, but not the Free and Unfettered King.
He was the one who orchestrated the Bai Mansion's case. No matter who investigated the case, they would offend the Free and Unfettered King.
The next day, Zhao Jiaqi had something on her mind and kept looking outside, almost becoming a stone statue waiting for her husband. It wasn't until Fan Zehao casually returned.
As soon as he entered, Zhao Jiaqi threw herself into his arms. He was overjoyed.
"Who impeached you? What was the outcome?"
"Who else but Huangfu Xian! But I rebutted him on the spot until he couldn't speak. I also strongly recommended him to the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the Bai Mansion's case!"
Zhao Jiaqi loosened her grip on his strong waist, slightly disappointed. "Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu are birds of a feather. What can he investigate? At most, he'll just confirm the Bai Mansion's corruption!"
Fan Zehao shook his head. "Not necessarily. Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu are both princes. There is no kinship in the royal family. Moreover, we can help Huangfu Xian a little!"
He reported you, and you want to help him?
Did her husband's brain have a tumor?
He could tell from his wife's confused gaze that she hadn't figured out why he would help Huangfu Xian.
Fan Zehao prompted her, "If we deliberately leak the evidence we currently possess to Huangfu Xian, do you think he will investigate Huangfu Xu?"
Killing with a borrowed knife!
Now Zhao Jiaqi understood her husband's strategy. She had to admit that her disciple had surpassed the master.
"You handle it. I'm just taking care of my health now and won't concern myself with anything else!" Zhao Jiaqi twisted her slender waist and was about to go out when he pulled her waist.
He smiled insincerely and said, "After you've used me, you just toss me aside. You ungrateful little thing!"
Zhao Jiaqi gave him a triumphant smile, raised an eyebrow at him, and gave him a 'what can you do about it' look.
"I have some bad news for you. Although Huangfu Xian is foolish, he has promoted Fan Shurong to the position of Minister of Works Right, and the Emperor has approved it!"
Zhao Jiaqi could no longer be happy. She stood up straight, her brows furrowed tightly. "Is it that this Huangfu Xian has a grudge against our family from a past life? Why is he everywhere!"
They had finally managed to live a comfortable life, and the people from the old residence were jumping out again. If Fan Zehao hadn't mentioned Fan Shurong, she would have forgotten about this character.
"It's not just Fan Shurong who has risen to prominence. Fan Mingyue has also benefited. She is now Huangfu Xian's secondary consort, and Fan Shurong has married the legitimate second daughter of the Minister of Revenue. Their family is truly flourishing!"
Zhao Jiaqi was speechless. Fan Shurong was indeed clever.
She said fiercely, "I even suspect that Fan Shurong was behind Huangfu Xian's impeachment of you!"