After chatting for a while, Bailu dropped another piece of news.
"Madam, all the businesses on Lover's Lake also belong to the Prince's mansion. It's just that the money invested hasn't all been earned back yet, but I predict it will be soon."
This time, not only Zhao Jiaqi was amazed, but everyone else also lost their confidence.
"How did you, a woman, manage it?" Prince Xian couldn't help but ask.
Bailu smiled, very calmly, "What's so difficult about that? It's just a matter of spending some money to grease the wheels. If anyone dares to act tough here, I'll just flash the Prince's mansion's token, and it'll blind them."
In this day and age, the rich feared the powerful, and their Prince's mansion had both. What was there to fear?
She knew how to use a chicken feather as a symbol of authority, and how to act arrogantly by riding on someone else's power!
Now, it was as if Fan Zehao had intended to spend money to treat them to a meal, only to find it was on his own doorstep. This could be considered saving a sum of money unintentionally.
Shortly after dinner, everyone gathered to drink tea and chat. Just as they were getting into the mood, Zhang Heng arrived. Before he could even pay his respects, he rushed over and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor is here. He's downstairs and is asking for you and the Princess Consort!"
Fan Zehao frowned. Huangfu Xi was so persistent that he was even chasing after people at the restaurant.
After pondering for a moment, he nodded, "Fine, bring him here. If things can't be avoided, then let's just resolve them."
In the spacious room, a heavy silence fell. People sat in their chairs, either drinking tea or fiddling with handkerchiefs.
Huangfu Xi entered and saw this scene, then smiled, "I heard that my elder brother is unwell, so I've come specifically to visit."
Fan Zehao remained seated and did not get up, but the others all stood to welcome Huangfu Xi, who waved them to stop.
"I am making a private visit incognito, unlike when I am in the palace. Everyone, please sit down and let's chat."
Everyone complied, sitting down or doing as they pleased.
After Huangfu Xi was seated, Fan Zehao said, "When I'm in a bad mood, my health also suffers. I almost needed to drink something to lift my spirits a little. Otherwise, if I moped around the mansion, wouldn't it be even more uncomfortable? Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, yes, elder brother is right," Huangfu Xi quickly agreed, "My elder sister-in-law visited the palace today. I was busy with my affairs then and didn't see her. We missed the opportunity to dine together, and I couldn't properly host elder sister-in-law. Elder sister-in-law, please don't be angry."
Huangfu Xi spoke very politely. Zhao Jiaqi was not someone unreasonable. She pursed her lips and smiled, replying, "Why would I be angry? Your Majesty is busy with state affairs. We were just chatting with the Empress about everyday matters. However, the flowers in the imperial garden were indeed beautiful, leaving an unforgettable impression."
"Those flowers were a gift from the Prime Minister. If elder sister-in-law likes them, I'll have someone send them to you another day."
Zhao Jiaqi said, "A gentleman does not covet what others love. Moreover, those flowers look very delicate, and I, being careless, wouldn't be able to raise them. It's enough to admire them."
Seizing the momentum of the conversation, Huangfu Xi changed the topic and said, "A few days ago, foreign envoys sent some beauty creams. It's said that applying them to the face has a beautifying effect. I have already ordered people to prepare them and send them to the mansion. If they work well, I will have them pay tribute more each year."
Zhao Jiaqi was not interested in beauty, but she didn't mind trying. Who wouldn't want to stay young forever?
Besides, it was a gift from the Emperor, and she couldn't refuse without offending him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" she paused, then added, "The Prince's mansion recently received two pieces of colored silk fabric. They are soft and comfortable to wear. The Empress and the Consort are both pregnant. Once the imperial princes are born, it would be good to make a couple of outfits for them. It can also be considered a small token of our couple's affection."
Hearing about the two women in the harem, Huangfu Xi felt a headache coming on. He drooped his head and shook it listlessly, saying weakly, "Don't mention them. They are both fools and have been confined together."
Hearing that the Empress and the Consort were both confined, Fan Zehao felt slightly better. Although he wasn't entirely satisfied with the punishment, at least it showed an attitude.
Now, his illness had also recovered. "These two noble ladies are both pregnant. Confinement for a day or two would suffice, so as not to become a laughingstock for those foreign envoys."
Huangfu Xi subtly breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly grateful for the Regent's words.
He felt rather melancholic as an emperor. When it came to wealth, he couldn't compare to the inner city. When it came to the army, apart from having more men, his tactics were inferior to the inner city's. Even the women in his own harem were like fools, and compared to the Regent's Consort, they were simply...
He felt a stomach full of grievances.
Their Yun Kingdom relied entirely on the Regent's prestige. Therefore, he would not, and dared not, offend this couple lightly. There was no other way; who could he contend with?
Huangfu Xi sighed and steered the conversation back, "Elder brother, the flower viewing event will begin the day after tomorrow. The envoys from Xuanyuan Kingdom and Dingbeiliao have already arrived. I've observed that Xuanyuan Kingdom's intentions this time are significant."
"The Crown Prince of Dingbeiliao has arrived this time. His memorial was very sincere. According to the Prime Minister's report, they intend to form a marriage alliance with us. What do you think about this matter, elder brother?"
A marriage alliance? This was within expectations. What else could he think?
He slightly lowered his head and replied dismissively, "I have no opinion. You are in charge of Yun Kingdom. Whatever you think is good, then do it. I am just a leisurely prince, to put it bluntly, holding a nominal position."
Without power or influence, he didn't need to act tough here. Besides, it was better to have one less trouble than one more. He truly didn't want to bother with these things anymore.
However, what he said was a bit too impersonal, so he retracted his words, "No matter how we divide our family, that is our own affair. If outsiders bully you, I will not stand by and watch."
His implication was to go ahead and do as he pleased, and Huangfu Xi understood his intentions. He was grateful from the bottom of his heart.
Although this person was a bit arrogant, he truly helped, and this was something he deeply trusted.
After some idle chat, Huangfu Xi departed. Under Bailu's arrangements, everyone stayed at the Lover's Lake Restaurant.
The next day, they played for half a day before returning to the mansion.
As evening approached, Yun Yifang brought the washed and scented clothes. Zhao Jiaqi looked at the exquisite clothes with a hint of curiosity.
"I haven't tried on these clothes yet. How did you know they would fit?"
The shopkeeper smiled confidently, "Replying to the Princess Consort, Yun Yifang employs the best embroiderers in Yun Kingdom. After they personally take measurements, not a single item is ill-fitting. Yun Yifang is confident in this regard."
Zhao Jiaqi remained silent and got up to try them on. As a result, they fit perfectly. The craftsmanship was meticulous. To create such gorgeous and elaborate clothes in such a short time was not only a matter of skill but also undoubtedly required significant manpower.
Wu Lifeng managed the workshop, and Bailu ran the shop. The two of them worked in tandem, complementing each other.
"Not bad, very good! I like these splendid clothes very much!"
The shopkeeper was very proud to receive the owner's praise. He immediately presented the headwear from the Treasure Pavilion, handing it over with both hands. "These are the jewelry from the Treasure Pavilion that Shopkeeper Bai asked this old servant to deliver. She said they would match this set of splendid clothes very well."
Jewelry?
She frowned slightly. When it came to jewelry, she always wore as little as possible. If a single hairpin could hold her hair up, she wouldn't use two.
Wearing so many hair ornaments on her head felt like carrying three pounds of bricks, straining her neck.