After Wang Tangshi and the others watched Fan Zehao leave, she helped Zhao Jiaqi sit on a stool in the garden pavilion.
The servants, with keen eyes, brought fruits and pastries, and served hot tea.
Wang Tangshi handed her a piece of watermelon, saying, "Eat something sweet, it might make you feel better."
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the red watermelon. It was sweet to eat, but her heart wasn't necessarily sweet. She shook her head, "Let me tell you about Baili Fengge."
Wang Tangshi made a listening gesture, and Zhao Jiaqi slowly recounted the entanglement between them, making one lament how quickly time flew.
By the end, Wang Tangshi didn't know what to say and offered an awkward, apologetic smile.
"Sister-in-law, for those sitting on the throne of the Nine-Five, if their hearts remain pure, their fate will likely be death, or at best, confinement."
Zhao Jiaqi gave a bitter smile, "Environment is a great dye vat; throw people into it, and they will emerge in any color."
The path was chosen by oneself, the blisters on one's feet were walked by oneself, and whether it was good or bad, one had to bear it.
Soon, she received a piece of news: Fan Zehao had ordered the Chief Executive to lead troops to support Huangfu Xi, and the one leading the Yun Kingdom's army this time was not Wang Zhen, but Huangfu Xi!
Upon hearing this news, Fan Zehao subconsciously thought that Huangfu Xi, that good-for-nothing, actually had a day of boldness.
However, this did not stop him from preventing the development of his brain, as an outsider leading insiders into battle was clearly the act of a fool.
So, he wrote a letter to Huangfu Xi, informing him of Xuan Yuan Kingdom's strengths, and sent the Chief Executive to assist. After all, the Chief Executive had clashed with Xuan Yuan Kingdom before and had some understanding of the situation.
The Chief Executive left, leaving Te Yi to serve him personally. The work of clearing up was also soon completed. The harmful substances planted on the mountain behind were uprooted and burned. Watching the sky-high flames, Zhao Jiaqi felt an uncontrollable joy in her heart.
On the eve of their departure, Te Yi brought Wang Hui.
Zhao Jiaqi sat on the stool, looking at Wang Hui, who had run away from home only to be captured by her people, and felt a mixture of emotions.
"Eldest sister... Princess Consort, greetings."
Wang Hui instinctively called out to her, but upon realizing her true identity, she still respectfully addressed her as Princess Consort.
Zhao Jiaqi gestured to her, "It's just the two of us here, get up and talk."
Seeing Wang Hui rise and sit obediently opposite her, her quiet demeanor was vastly different from the first time Zhao Jiaqi had seen her.
"Do you know about your father's affairs?"
Wang Hui nodded her head fiercely, her gaze lowered, "Yes."
Zhao Jiaqi sighed, exhaling the turbid air in her chest, "He committed many evils and deserved to die. Huangfu Xi only ordered the execution of those in the village involved in the cultivation and production of the 'Immortal Paste,' and did not exterminate the nine generations of his family. Moreover, you were not directly involved, so you can be considered to have escaped a calamity."
At this point, Wang Hui also felt a chill down her spine, and the thought of it sent shivers down her back.
"What are your plans for the future?"
Wang Hui had thought a lot in the past few days, mostly about how to die, but hadn't considered a path to survival. This question completely stumped her.
"I don't know, I haven't thought about it yet."
Her answer was delivered with a timid look and a very sincere tone, indicating that she truly hadn't considered it.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the house and the environment. Zhao Jiaqi would not let her stay here, but she also worried about letting her go.
After much deliberation, she decided to entrust Wang Hui to her trusted subordinate, keeping her close at all times, teaching her the ways of life and how to conduct herself. It was said that proximity to vermilion leads to it being red, and proximity to ink leads to it being black. Of course, this was also to prevent her from escaping and secretly producing more "Immortal Paste" to harm others.
Furthermore, if she could be reformed, that would be the best outcome. If she remained unrepentant, then she would have to be sent to a barren, cold land for re-education, under constant surveillance for the rest of her life.
This was the best solution for both Zhao Jiaqi and Wang Hui.
"Wang Hui, Bai Lu is the manager of my restaurant. She is very skilled in business, has broad knowledge, learns quickly, and is very adept at dealing with people. If you don't know where to go, why not learn from her? What do you think?"
When Wang Hui heard about learning business from someone, she was very happy. She looked up, her eyes sparkling with a smile, and knelt down to kowtow to Zhao Jiaqi, "Thank you, Eldest Sister, for giving me this opportunity. I will definitely learn diligently and not disappoint your expectations."
Zhao Jiaqi helped her up. She didn't expect this girl to become a business prodigy or a powerful woman. As long as she didn't cause trouble and truly reformed and started a new life, she would be immensely satisfied.
At the very least, she would know the meaning of saving a life.
That evening, Zhao Jiaqi handed Wang Hui over to Bai Lu, and repeatedly cautioned Bai Lu, "You must keep a close eye on her. If anything happens, don't hesitate. Don't tell me, just deal with it directly."
Bai Lu looked at the young girl standing outside. Although she hadn't interacted with her much, she was aware of her deeds.
"My lady, rest assured, I know what to do."
Zhao Jiaqi also looked outside and happened to meet Wang Hui's gaze. The latter gave Zhao Jiaqi a simple, sweet smile, her eyes clear.
She said, "I just wonder what kind of face lies beneath this young girl's smile."
Bai Lu replied, "If her heart is truly pure, it means she can be taught. If she is deeply hidden, she might be a dark sphere that explodes before it can even be thrown away."
This analogy made Zhao Jiaqi smile. She chuckled, "So, you are the fire. No matter what she is, she cannot be allowed to touch it."
Bai Lu gave Zhao Jiaqi a reassuring look. In her eyes, anyone who was bad for her mistress or threatened her existence would not be tolerated. She believed in striking first.
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Bai Lu, with Wang Hui, stood at the village entrance to see them off.
As they reached the town, Fan Zehao saw Zhang Quan still selling ceramics, still shouting with effort, and he let out a quiet sigh.
"There are too many poor people in this world. If we try to help them all, we simply cannot."
Zhao Jiaqi was a little confused by his impromptu remark. She lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Zhang Quan, then she understood her husband's words.
"Regarding Gang Shang Village and Gang Xia Village, how is this area divided?"
Fan Zehao's furrowed brow relaxed, "It has been assigned to our inner city. From now on, this area will be part of the inner city. I believe Zhang Quan's family's future days will gradually improve."
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and didn't ask him who proposed that these two villages be managed by the inner city. Even without asking, she knew that her husband had taken the initiative.