The sudden appearance of the maid caught Huangfu Xian completely off guard.
Having a woman he admired come to serve him was like a perk from his sister-in-law, something he'd never even dared to dream of before. Now, she was being delivered right to his doorstep.
Huangfu Xian was delighted, but Prince Xiaoyao was not. Shortly after lunch, he arrived to seek out Zhao Jiaqi for an explanation.
Without even noticing the atmosphere in the room or taking a seat, he impatiently questioned Zhao Jiaqi, "Sister-in-law, you're being too biased. Why did you send Prince Xian a beautiful maid, but I got nothing? Not even a handsome male attendant."
Zhao Jiaqi found his words amusing. It seemed he truly saw her as a benevolent goddess.
Since he was actively seeking trouble, she saw no reason to hold back.
"Jiaojiao went to Prince Xian willingly. If you can find a way to make Yaoyao willing to go to you, then by all means. However, you'll have to find me a handsome male bodyguard in return, otherwise, we have nothing to discuss."
The first part of her statement was spoken with a serious tone, which Fan Zehao found unsurveachable. But the latter part of his wife's words enraged him to the point of jumping up and down. He exploded on the spot.
"Huangfu Xu, if you dare listen to my wife, I'll cripple the thing between your legs. You better make a choice."
His words were laced with fury, veins bulging on his forehead, his cheeks puffed out, and his eyes seemed to glare daggers at Huangfu Xu.
He was unsure whether to cry or laugh, his face contorting severely.
"Sister-in-law, for the sake of my future marital bliss, let's discuss this. Forget the handsome male attendant. How about I get you some prized horses as gifts for my nephews and nieces? That seems more practical, don't you think?"
Zhao Jiaqi's expression remained neutral, but her heart rejoiced. This Prince Xiaoyao was more perceptive than Prince Xian and knew her weakness lay with her children.
Feigning disappointment, she reluctantly agreed, "Fine. Seeing as you're thinking of the children, I'll reluctantly accept."
With her assent, Huangfu Xu breathed a massive sigh of relief. A few fine horses were merely a financial loss, a trivial matter compared to the alternative.
He had barely warmed the seat before he asked where Yaoyao was and rushed off without a word. Fan Zehao shook his head in disapproval.
People said he was henpecked, but he suspected these two brothers would end up the same way.
However, he had to admit, his wife's plan was quite cunning. He wondered if the infatuated Huangfu Xian would still accuse him of being henpecked later.
"Wife, do you think your plan will succeed? I have a nagging feeling it's going to be difficult. Besides, didn't Huangfu Xu also fancy Jiaojiao before? Why is he suddenly taking Yaoyao away?"
Zhao Jiaqi sat in her chair, supporting her head with one hand and tapping the table rhythmically with the other. A smile lingered on her lips, and her red lips parted slightly, "I asked Jiaojiao first. She has a bit of a good feeling towards Prince Xian. As for Prince Xiaoyao, he's the one who willingly sought out Yaoyao, what does that have to do with me?"
"Besides, opposites attract. I don't believe anyone can be a Saint like Liu Xiahui, or a pure maiden. Seeing a handsome man or a beautiful woman and not wanting to at least nibble isn't being sentimental."
Fan Zehao felt a headache coming on from his wife's words. He was thankful no one else was in the room, otherwise, such unrestrained talk would completely tarnish her proud image.
"With what you're saying, it sounds like there are no truly lifelong companions in this world. I'm talking about spiritual companionship, not just physical."
Zhao Jiaqi didn't refute him. She couldn't guarantee that soulmates truly existed.
However, she mused about the eunuchs in the imperial palace. Once they reached a certain age and were castrated, she'd never heard of any young lady willing to marry them. Instead, many bought wives. The bitterness behind such choices, only the individuals involved could truly understand.
"Let's not dwell on that. However, my scheme is a bit wicked. Once it succeeds, it will also help solve the marriage issues of some older single men. So, I suppose I'm doing a good deed."
He didn't see the good deed, but he certainly saw the wickedness.
If Jiaojiao truly became Huangfu Xian's consort, and he dared to offend Zhao Jiaqi, she would undoubtedly send Jiaojiao home to discipline Huangfu Xian. His wife wouldn't have to lift a finger to deal with Huangfu Xian.
This strategy was undeniably ruthless. The Master said that small-minded people and women were difficult to deal with, and he couldn't agree more. It was best not to offend women.
A man's revenge might be a fight, a direct confrontation, with few resorting to underhanded tactics. But women were different. Regardless of the size of the problem, they would resort to cunning schemes, each blow drawing blood, and that too, in an unpreventable manner.
Therefore, it was true that one shouldn't offend a gentleman, but even more so, one shouldn't offend a woman.
Fan Zehao quickly nodded, strongly agreeing with her words, "Regardless of what's said, the sisters from the Gan family, while not as beautiful as you, are presentable. Their social standing might not match yours, but their brothers' appearances aren't as striking either. This mixed match is quite suitable."
He then subconsciously patted his purse, his face falling, "It's just that if they get married, we'll have to spend quite a bit of money. This deal isn't profitable; it's more like losing the wife and depleting the army."
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled softly, "You're falling into a money pit."
As she spoke, she also pondered that this business deal was indeed not profitable. They were losing two lovely young ladies, and on top of that, they had to contribute gift money. When calculated closely, the two brothers were getting all the advantages.
This wouldn't do. She never engaged in losing businesses.
With a loud *smack*, she brought her hand down on the table. The teacup jumped, and its lid fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.
Fan Zehao nervously patted his thumping heart and asked in a low voice, "Wife, what are you up to now?"
Seeing his pale face and his hand on his chest, she gave him an annoyed glare, "Look at your cowardly self. Do you think I'd eat you? You're scared stiff."
He repeatedly shook his head. If she were to eat him, he would be delighted. But these sudden shocks were truly too much for his sturdy heart.
"Husband, if they both want to get married, then I'll ask for a larger betrothal gift. That's not too much, is it?"
Fan Zehao shook his head, "Not at all. The two sisters from the Gan family are your maids now. Their marriage requires your approval. It's not unreasonable for a master to ask for a larger betrothal gift from the groom's side."
He then suddenly remembered something and became flustered, cautiously asking, "Wife, you're not thinking of taking that betrothal gift, are you?"
Without giving Zhao Jiaqi a chance to speak, he continued babbling, "I'm telling you, wife, we don't lack money. Although we have to give gift money, we can still afford it. We don't need the betrothal gift. Be good, please don't do anything that would make people gossip."
It would be detrimental to one's virtue.
The more Fan Zehao spoke, the angrier Zhao Jiaqi became. She pinched his waist, "What are you guessing wildly for? Am I the kind of person who gets greedy for money?"
Aren't you?
He dared to retort only in his mind, not daring to say it aloud. After all, he was starting to develop a bit of a paunch, and a pinch from her still hurt.
"Let me tell you, I won't take the betrothal gift myself, but that doesn't mean I won't ask for more for the two beautiful young ladies. They are alone and helpless. Without some money to their name, they won't be able to hold their heads high in the prince's mansion. So... you understand."
Fan Zehao wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was sweating for those two brothers.
Was this considered using a borrowed knife to kill?
His wife received nothing herself, yet she could bring those two brothers to the brink of bankruptcy. It was indirect revenge, in a way.
He had to give his wife a thumbs-up. Marrying this woman was truly a stroke of genius.