Inside the shop, there were quite a few young ladies and madames from wealthy families, all admiring the exquisite clothes. Some were even buying for their husbands. Upon seeing the Consort arrive, they all came forward to chat.
Such close contact with the Consort was a rare opportunity for these affluent ladies, as not just anyone could enter the Prince's manor.
Wealth alone didn't guarantee entry.
Power alone didn't guarantee entry.
Even both wealth and power didn't necessarily guarantee entry.
Conversely, those without status or money could indeed enter. Thus, the Prince's manor was an enigma within the inner city. Who would be treated as an honored guest, and who would be a stepping stone, depended entirely on the whims of the Prince and Consort!
However, the Prince and Consort were genuinely working for the good of the common people, undertaking practical actions that lifted them from hunger to having enough to eat and warm clothing, with even spare money left over. Not to mention that schooling for children was free. Such concrete deeds were deeply etched in their hearts!
Faced with the enthusiastic crowd, Zhao Jiaqi, uncharacteristically, did not shy away. Instead, she engaged them in casual conversation!
"Some time ago, the Prince's manor issued a notice, asking every household to store a year's worth of water using ice. Did everyone follow through?"
Madam Wang, hearing the Consort bring this up, replied promptly: "We did. My family noticed that there were very few snowfalls from winter until spring, and then only a little rain. I feared a drought, so we stored three years' worth of water. The ice-making method you provided is truly perfect and very practical!"
Madam Xiao also nodded repeatedly: "Indeed. My husband said it's good to store more ice as a precaution. If a drought were to strike, having only grain and no water wouldn't suffice. So, we prepared a good amount!"
Seeing that both ladies had spoken, Madam Qian's timid heart relaxed slightly, and she joined the conversation: "My old grandfather said that when he was young, he experienced a drought. Many people died of thirst and hunger back then. Some even drank their own urine. To survive, people would do anything!"
"Eww!"
Everyone was startled by her words, and even more so by the scorn for those who survived by drinking urine.
Zhao Jiaqi observed the scornful looks on the faces of the ladies and gently reminded them: "People will do anything to survive. I remember reading in a rural anecdote that those starving even ate the bark of trees, let alone the grass on the ground. If it truly comes to that, they would do anything. So, please cherish your food and water."
She hadn't experienced an era of great drought, but she had read books. The despair of such times was akin to seeing the embodiment of death, where a sip of water or a bite of food could ward off death, yet people still starved and died of thirst.
The ladies exchanged glances. The Consort had never deceived them. Since the Consort said so, the situation might indeed be dire.
"Consort, your humble servants have taken your words to heart. We will never waste food and water again!"
"Yes, that's right. We are enlightened, Consort!"
Seeing the ladies express their resolve, she smiled and became less stern: "It's good that you all understand. I just hope you cultivate good habits. Wasting food is indeed not right, but you have money, so you can buy as much as you want and eat however you please. I won't force you, but I do hope you learn to be a little more frugal!"
"Oh, we understand now!"
She chatted with the ladies for a while longer before heading back to the manor. Upon entering, she was invited to the main hall by someone sent by Fan Zehao.
Wangcai: "Madam, the Master requests Madam to come to the main hall. Xiao Ce has returned, but..."
"But what?" Zhao Jiaqi asked with a frown.
She disliked this sort of speaking, which made one's heart race, always tending to think of the worst.
Her mind was already racing, wondering if Xiao Ce had met with some accident.
A broken arm?
Or a broken leg?
Or perhaps several holes poked all over his body, gushing blood?
Or perhaps he was barely breathing, waiting to utter his last words to her?
In short, she wasn't thinking of anything good.
Wangcai, unaware of how much Zhao Jiaqi had thought in such a short time, bowed and continued: "Well... Xiao Ce's parents, brother, and sisters have also come. They even brought... *cough cough*..."
He paused, glancing at the Consort, and forced himself to continue, "They brought the ancestral tablets of their Xiao family, and also... and also the ashes of Xiao Ce's grandparents!"
Hearing this, the Consort's anxious heart instantly plummeted: "That's it?"
Wangcai's eyes widened as he nodded: "Yes, that's all!" All rather inauspicious matters.
This person seemed quite sharp, why the dramatic pause?
"I understand. Tell the steward to prepare a few guest rooms and treat Xiao Ce's family well. No one is to look at General Xiao's family with any ill regard. As for the ancestral tablets and ashes, do not spread rumors or gossip. Carry on with your duties!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Wangcai was startled again and quickly nodded to arrange what the Consort had instructed.
Watching the person scurry away, she shook her head slightly. Such a fuss. Whose family didn't have ancestors or ancestral tablets? What's wrong with bringing ashes? It's not something shameful.
She walked with a clear conscience and stood upright; why should she fear ghosts?
Heading towards the main hall, Xiao Ce had returned, and he had brought his family. This meant he would be stationed in the inner city, which was a good thing.
However, she couldn't imagine how Xiao Ce had persuaded his stubborn parents.
Upon arriving at the main hall, she saw, just as Wangcai had described, several bulging bundles on the tea table.
Xiao Ce's mother, who hadn't seen the Consort for many years, became even more nervous upon her arrival. After all, back in the capital, she had used her status to lecture the Consort, and although it yielded no benefits, the unpleasant incident had occurred.
Xiao Jiang and his family stood up and quickly bowed to Zhao Jiaqi.
"Xiao Jiang and his family pay their respects to the Consort. May Your Highness be in good health!"
Just as he was about to kneel, Zhao Jiaqi stepped forward and supported him, saying, "Marquis Xiao, please rise quickly. There is no need for such formality!"
"Please sit down first. Xiao Ce is the sworn brother of the Prince. Now that the Prince is not on the throne of the Supreme Emperor, such rules of kneeling and kowtowing can be dispensed with. In this Prince's manor, Marquis, you are like at home. Don't be so reserved!"
Xiao Jiang wanted to agree, but how could he dare? In the inner city, Fan Zehao was the King, and she was the Queen. He truly dared not disregard the rules.
However, the Consort's words were indeed heartening to them, who had come from afar, and they were deeply touched.
Zhao Jiaqi sat on another Grand Tutor chair and initiated the conversation: "The Prince's manor may not have much, but it has plenty of rooms. I have already instructed that the guest rooms be prepared. Marquis and Madam, you have traveled a long way. Please stay at the Prince's manor for these few days. Xiao Ce's residence is rather small. Once I arrange for a larger residence and have it properly prepared, you can move there. For now, please bear with the inconvenience, Marquis and Madam."