The Chief Executive continued, "After Huangfu Xi left last night, I felt something was amiss and carefully reviewed the process of the operation. Our plan to apprehend the person was sound; the only loophole was the restaurant. Bailu was fine, and the innkeeper was not an issue. Just as I was about to investigate the waiter, I saw him preparing to release the information, which is when I had him caught red-handed."
Suddenly, Zhao Jiaqi's face turned completely red, not from shame or anger, but from pure irritation.
She never imagined that such a thing would happen to her. Now, any thought of peacefully carrying her pregnancy had to be set aside for a thorough investigation.
"What was the content of the last message this spy intended to send?"
The Chief Executive handed a note to Zhao Jiaqi. "It was about Master and Mistress."
Zhao Jiaqi scanned the few lines and, after reading them, was so angry she wanted to curse. "This scoundrel."
Fan Zehao looked at his wife's angry expression and carefully soothed her. "Why are you so angry? Fortunately, this person was apprehended. If the message leaked, so be it; we'll have to face it sooner or later anyway."
While comforting Zhao Jiaqi, he coldly glared at the Chief Executive, his tone icy. "Arrange for the General's wife to be taken care of. There must be no mistakes."
The Chief Executive no longer dared to claim credit. He lowered his gaze and said respectfully, "I have made all the arrangements. She is in the courtyard next door."
If Wang Zhen returned victorious, everything would be manageable. If something truly happened to him, then Tang Tang's unborn child would indeed be Wang Zhen's only heir. Regardless of whether it was the mother or the child, he would certainly help take care of them.
"Wife, please take extra care of Madam Wang. When Wang Zhen returns, we will hand her over to him."
Zhao Jiaqi understood that it was not convenient for her husband to be directly involved in this matter. "You go handle your affairs. I will take care of Madam Wang Tang."
After his wife gave her word, Fan Zehao smiled and rose to leave. Their understanding of each other had reached a point where they no longer needed to speak to know what the other would do next.
After he left, Zhao Jiaqi went to Madam Wang Tang's courtyard. She saw that the breakfast laid out on the table before her had not been touched. Zhao Jiaqi sat down with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, what are you thinking about so intently? You didn't even notice I arrived."
Tang Tang looked up and saw her and rose to bow, but Zhao Jiaqi waved her off. "No need for so many formalities."
"If you still consider me your elder sister-in-law, then please eat with me and let's chat."
Tang Tang pursed her lips and offered a smile, but it was tinged with bitterness. "As you say, sister-in-law."
After the dishes were cleared, a steaming fresh meal was brought, identical to the previous one. Seeing the delicious food, Zhao Jiaqi picked up a steamed bun for her.
"General Wang is a military man, and marching into battle is unavoidable. But you must understand that not just anyone can be a general. Which soldier would obey someone without any ability?"
"Therefore, you don't need to worry about him at all. Just focus on taking good care of the child in your womb. This is General Wang's first heir."
The mention of the child reminded Tang Tang. She pushed away the worry in her heart and nodded solemnly at Zhao Jiaqi. "Yes, thank you, sister-in-law, for your guidance. I will take good care of the child."
Seeing her put on a brave face, Zhao Jiaqi felt a pang of sympathy.
She herself had experienced the anxiety of having her husband away at war. However, with so many family matters and her own pregnancy, and with a mother-in-law at home, if she were to worry excessively, she feared her mother-in-law would also become anxious.
They ate in silence. After the meal, they strolled in the courtyard together, chatting about everyday matters.
"When I was at home, I often heard stories about you and my elder brother, which I deeply envied. Especially how my elder brother abolished his harem for you and only doted on you. Sister-in-law, do you know that you are an object of admiration and emulation for women in our Cloud Country?"
"Is that so? I really didn't know that. No one ever mentioned it to me."
She was being emulated and learned from? She couldn't help but chuckle. If that were truly the case, perhaps fewer women in the world would suffer.
They talked for a long time, mostly Tang Tang speaking and Zhao Jiaqi listening. Sometimes, Zhao Jiaqi would ask about matters in the Cloud Country, and Tang Tang would naturally tell her what she knew.
It was not yet noon when Fan Zehao returned. Seeing his grim expression caused the complexions of the two women to change slightly.
His demeanor made Zhao Jiaqi extremely nervous, as she sensed it was not a good omen. She stepped forward and anxiously asked, "What happened?"
"Do you know who is the mastermind behind the Elixir of Immortality?"
Zhao Jiaqi was a little bewildered. How would she know that!
She shook her head slightly at him. However, judging by her husband's expression, she suspected the person was someone she knew, but her circle of acquaintances was limited.
For example, Huangfu Xi, he wouldn't dig his own grave, would he? Helian Zhicheng and Duan Yao were still within the inner city. She had interacted with this couple for two years, and they were both straightforward people. They wouldn't be the kind to forget their principles for profit, nor would they harbor such malicious intentions.
Then who could it be?
"Husband, who is it?"
Seeing that his wife genuinely couldn't figure it out, or perhaps hadn't even considered that possibility, Fan Zehao finally spoke. "It's Baili Fengge."
As he finished speaking, Zhao Jiaqi was so shocked she couldn't utter a word. "It's him? How could it be? How long has he been emperor, and he's already plotting to harm people?"
"And, as we both know, Wang Yuanzhi has been selling the Elixir of Immortality for more than one or two months, not one or two years. How could it be him?"
Zhao Jiaqi couldn't believe that Baili Fengge was the villain behind it all, and she desperately tried to find excuses to absolve him of involvement.
However, Fan Zehao's expression left no room for further debate. He calmly told her, "Wang Yuanzhi's master was Baili Kaien. After the old emperor died, it changed to Baili Fengge."
"The father and son are truly alike, each more ruthless than the other," Fan Zehao said coldly.
Zhao Jiaqi calmed down from her panic and sighed with a touch of sorrow. "But he never had the Elixir of Immortality sold within the inner city."
Fan Zehao looked at his wife, who was still clinging to hope, and had to shatter her last shred of illusion about Baili Fengge. "That's because he was afraid. He knew what we hated the most, so he didn't dare."
His words were very clear and pierced Zhao Jiaqi's last bit of fantasy. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Do whatever you think you should do. There is nothing to pity for what Baili Fengge has done. If he must be killed, give him a quick end and bury him next to his parents."
It would be considered a way to acknowledge their past acquaintance.
Fan Zehao sighed softly and glanced at Madam Wang Tang beside them, entrusting her with a plea. "Try to persuade her."
Madam Wang Tang nodded vaguely, agreeing for now. As for who Baili Fengge was, she had no idea. How could she persuade her?