That evening, Xiao Ce led his men and stole all the books related to mechanisms and weapon research from the Gan Mansion's library.
Although it was a dishonorable act, Fan Zehao did not care about being a scoundrel for the sake of strengthening the nation!
As Xiao Ce left, he followed Fan Zehao's instructions and left a substantial sum of silver notes at the Gan Mansion, considering it a form of compensation.
The next morning, after breakfast, everyone set off. This time, Zhao Jiaqi was accompanied by a pair of maids.
They surveyed Hedong Prefecture because of an incident that occurred a few years prior. Now that they knew the area was well-managed, they didn't linger. As for transferring Sun Mo away, that plan was ultimately canceled because the area still required someone to oversee its rectification.
Leaving Hedong Prefecture, those who could ride horses mounted them and headed straight for the Axi tribe. On the way, Zhao Jiaqi, nestled in the carriage, discussed the books with the two sisters and indeed gained much inspiration from them.
Xiao Ce, driving the carriage, knew that Fan Zehao had announced his affection for Su Ya. He no longer hesitated and cornered Su Ya in her room. In the end, Su Ya, unable to resist the persistent wooing, agreed to his proposal.
Xiao Ce drove the carriage, his smile so wide he could have swallowed the wind. Seeing his blissful expression, Shi He, still single, was extremely envious.
"General Xiao, when are you marrying Sister Su? When the time comes, please ask the new sister-in-law to introduce me to someone too. I'm already twenty-five or twenty-six, and I haven't even touched a young girl's hand."
After saying that, he shyly scratched his head a few times, his demeanor truly endearingly bashful.
This made Xiao Ce burst into laughter. He inhaled a gust of wind and coughed a few times before saying, "Well, on this point, I'm better than you. Let me tell you, that girl's lips are soft and sweet, ha ha..."
After bragging, he patted Shi He beside him and said generously, "Don't worry, I'll have my elder sister-in-law introduce someone to you later. After all, Big Brother is eating meat, no need for you to just drool."
He spoke quite loudly, so much so that everyone inside the carriage could hear him clearly. Zhao Jiaqi smiled at the embarrassed Su Ya and began to tease her, "You can't make people drool, Sister-in-law Shi He, right!"
Su Ya's face grew even redder, like an apple. She shyly twisted her sleeves and said, "He's just a rough fellow and speaks nonsense. Why should Madam listen to him?"
"He is indeed a rough fellow, but the word 'nonsense' doesn't really suit him. However, speaking of which, you two are already in love. When does he plan to marry you?"
Zhao Jiaqi hadn't attended a wedding for a newcomer in a long time and felt nostalgic, so she asked.
Su Ya was silent for a moment, then hesitated before asking Zhao Jiaqi directly, "Madam, his intention is to prepare for the wedding in the next city. But I don't wish to marry so hastily."
Hearing her words, Zhao Jiaqi was briefly surprised, then understood her meaning. She asked, "I understand what you mean, and I support you. After we return to the inner city, you will meet Xiao Ce's parents, gain their approval, and only after the three matchmakers and six rites can you marry."
Zhao Jiaqi spoke her true thoughts. Su Ya was surprised and overjoyed, but also felt she was being overly dramatic. After all, she was a maid serving others, not even a village girl.
She asked worriedly, "Madam, if I do this, will it displease Xiao Ce's mother and make her think I'm being difficult?"
"Xiao Ce is marrying a wife, not taking a concubine. The proper procedures for marrying a wife must be followed, and the three matchmakers and six rites cannot be skipped. If Xiao Ce is so eager to have you that he disregards your feelings, I won't agree to it."
She held Su Ya's hand and patted it gently, reassuring her, "When we return to the inner city, I will nullify your indenture and restore you to the status of a free person. Then, I will recognize you as a sworn sister. You will be able to marry with proper ceremony from the Prince's mansion, wearing a bright red wedding dress. When you go to your husband's home, I doubt they will dare to bully you."
Su Ya was deeply grateful for Madam's thoughtfulness. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her heart was so moved that she was unable to calm down for a long time. After a while, she choked out, "Thank you, Madam, for your care. I will never disgrace the Prince's mansion or Madam's name."
Zhao Jiaqi smiled. "Don't pay attention to what others think. As long as Xiao Ce treats you well, protects you, and doesn't dislike you, that's enough. If others point fingers at you, you must assume the demeanor of General Xiao's wife and retort. Remember, once you're married, you should live happily. Everything else is fleeting."
Zhao Jiaqi's words confused the sisters from the Gan Mansion.
"Princess, after marriage, one has to face the mother-in-law setting rules, serve the husband, bear heirs, and manage all household affairs. If one cannot give birth to a son, one must busy oneself with arranging for the husband to take concubines. Furthermore, one cannot be jealous. Only then can one gain the husband's respect. I don't think this is happiness," Gan Jiaojiao expressed her true thoughts.
She felt happier not getting married. She wouldn't have to worry about all those complicated matters. At home, it would just be more work. If she had enough money in her purse, she could live her life alone, without having to live at the mercy of others.
Gan Jiaojiao thought this way, believing that future days would be the most comfortable.
After listening to Gan Jiaojiao's words, Zhao Jiaqi increasingly felt that this girl's thinking was too pedantic.
However, this also confirmed the terrifying traditional mindset of ancient women, especially arranging for their husbands to take concubines. Watching their own men being intimate with other women and yet not being jealous—what else could they be but fools?
She took a deep breath. Facing the sisters Gan Jiaojiao and Gan Yaoyao, she shook her head slightly. "I can't say your thoughts are wrong, but I absolutely cannot agree. In my view, monogamy is the norm. If my man dares to take a concubine, I dare to divorce him."
Seeing their eyes widen in disbelief, Zhao Jiaqi continued, "You might not understand, perhaps you'll be surprised, or think I'm crazy. But I want to live for myself. Life is only a few tens of thousands of days. If you don't live according to your own desires, you'll find you're just enduring life, and your body and mind will be in torment. You'll constantly wonder when it will end."
A deathly silence fell upon the carriage. After a while, Gan Yaoyao weakly asked Zhao Jiaqi, "Princess, if you divorce the Prince, what about the heir and the county princess?"
Children!
Thinking of her children, Zhao Jiaqi's lips curved into an arc. Gazing at the fleeting scenery outside the carriage window, she slowly said, "My daughter and son are grown. They have their own ideas, and they've learned their skills. Even if I'm not by their side, they won't be bullied."
Su Ya frowned upon hearing this. "Madam, if the Prince takes another consort, and the new Princess gives birth to a son, won't he contend for the throne with the legitimate heir? Not to mention the family fortune. If you're not around, won't the heir and the county princess be at a disadvantage?"