Duan Yao was full of admiration for Zhao Jiaqi after hearing about her deeds.
As they chatted, they found Zhao Jiaqi to be a peculiar person, with vastly different ideas and methods. Her previously rigid way of thinking was instantly broadened, shedding its pedantry and stubbornness.
Soon, they formed a small group. Perhaps inspired by the unreserved nature of the couple, they began to speak without reservation.
While barbecuing in the courtyard that evening, the topic of Zong Shengguo's enthronement of the Crown Princess came up. Duan Yao asked Zhao Jiaqi beside her, "Is this news true? Honestly, I can't believe it!"
Everyone knew she was the mother of Zong Shengguo's Empress, which was why she was asked.
Zhao Jiaqi didn't offer much explanation, saying, "It's true. As soon as Jun Jun gave birth, the Eldest Princess was immediately enfeoffed as Crown Princess. Zong Han dotes on Jun Jun immensely and doesn't want her to suffer any more hardships, so he has no intention of having more children. That's why he established their eldest daughter as Crown Princess as soon as she was born."
Duan Yao's eyes widened in disbelief, "Just because he doesn't want Jun Jun to suffer, he won't have any more children?"
That seemed a bit too willful!
But then again, she recalled how excruciatingly painful her own childbirth had been. However, she had given birth to a son with her first child, so she hadn't opted for another.
Still, if that was truly the reason, then Zong Han was a true man, treating his woman well – a rarity in this world.
Especially in their royal circles, to marry such a man would be a death with no regrets.
Zhao Jiaqi looked up from the barbecue, noticing everyone's gaze fixed on her, which left her speechless.
She nodded naturally and said, "The reason is as simple as that!"
"When Zong Han married Jun Jun, it was quite a difficult process. He waited for Jun Jun from when she was nine until she came of age, promising to be devoted to her alone for his entire life before he could marry her. Zong Han cherishes someone so hard-won."
Fan Zehao wholeheartedly agreed with his wife and quickly added, "Yes, just as I am honored to have married my wife. In this life, I would sooner betray anyone else than her."
His words made everyone's teeth ache with envy. The two elder brothers quickly moved away from him, as being close to him made one susceptible to such sweetness.
The display of affection was so sudden and overwhelming that Zhao Jiaqi's face turned crimson, feeling embarrassed but unable to say anything.
Duan Yao, on the side, envied their love. She then looked at her own husband, and their gazes met, sparking a flame of love between them.
Baili Kai'en, not oblivious to the scene, felt a pang of loneliness seeing these two couples. He also recalled the sweet love of his early days when he married the Empress.
As they became more familiar with each other, Helian Zhicheng turned the conversation to more serious matters. He said, "Younger brother, younger sister, I've been here for nearly a month, and I've developed a strong interest in the food here."
He trailed off, leaving them to guess.
Zhao Jiaqi, seeing his hesitation, proactively asked, "Second Brother, what is this strong interest you speak of? Whatever your thoughts are, please do share, and we can find a way to resolve it together."
He seemed a bit embarrassed and said, "It's like this: besides medicinal herbs, our region is abundant in seafood. I wonder if the Princess has researched seafood and if it can be processed into delicacies for sale?"
Seafood? That was a good thing, and of course, she was willing to try.
"Certainly! There are many delicious dishes made from seafood. We are quite lacking in marine products here, so deep processing would be ideal."
Helian Zhicheng had only tentatively asked, but his question had hit the mark, solving a pressing issue for them.
With that, he poured out his woes, "No matter how I cook seafood, it tastes the same. Moreover, some of it cannot be eaten leftover, as it can easily poison people."
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled, "We have many rivers here, but few large bodies of water. However, the yield of seafood is not very high, so we are quite well-off with fish and the like. But crabs, shrimp, and marine fish are still quite scarce."
This was the case of some being too abundant and others too scarce; why couldn't there be some balance.
Helian Zhicheng saw hope and eagerly pressed, "Since the Princess knows how to prepare these seafood dishes, why don't we cooperate?"
"Second Brother, tell me how we should cooperate?" Zhao Jiaqi, eager to make money, was immediately interested.
He was momentarily speechless. He had only asked tentatively and hadn't expected her to have researched marine products as well.
After a long pause, he said solemnly, "I will provide the products, and the Princess will provide the recipes. Then, we can split the profits from the sales fifty-fifty. What do you say?"
Zhao Jiaqi hesitated, her contemplation making Helian Zhicheng worry if his terms were too harsh.
However, he had to expend manpower to catch seafood, and manpower required payment, so his profit wasn't that substantial.
Just as he worried that this business might not materialize, Zhao Jiaqi suddenly spoke, "This business can be done, but it seems I would have the advantage in this arrangement."
Hearing this, Helian Zhicheng's heart instantly settled. He didn't mind who earned more or less.
After all, they had an abundance of seafood in their region; letting it go to waste was a loss, and eating it until one was sick of it was also an option.
He waved his hand towards Zhao Jiaqi, "These are not issues. As long as we can sell the goods and exchange them for money, that's what truly matters."
Zhao Jiaqi smiled, not making any promises publicly, "I need to think more about what Second Brother has proposed. However, this business is definitely going to happen. As for how, I need to plan it out. Second Brother, please don't rush, give me a few days!"
Helian Zhicheng repeatedly nodded, "No problem. We can take this time to look around here thoroughly and see what good things we can find. I'll bring some back when I return!"
"Bring some back" – who knew how much that would entail.
Helian Jinli saw his father's interest in the inner city and volunteered, "Father, tomorrow I will take you to visit the Miracle Workshop. Everything produced in the inner city is manufactured and sold within it. And just outside the Miracle Workshop is the Trade City, where trading takes place daily. It's a spectacular sight."
Helian Zhicheng exclaimed, "Oh? Truly!"
"Would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, ask Crown Prince Baili; he's been there too!"
Baili Fengge nodded, "Yes, what Jinli has said is quite conservative. You won't know what true shock is until you see it with your own eyes!"
Jinli immediately chimed in, "Indeed, especially in terms of production, it's incredibly efficient. As long as you place an order, no matter how large, once the workshop receives it, it can be completed within a few days. It's truly astonishing."
With the two of them speaking in unison, the two emperors felt their curiosity piqued, and they vowed to visit tomorrow.
Baili Kai'en, in particular, seeing that the two countries were about to cooperate, decided to join in.
He said, "Although we also produce medicinal herbs, it's much less than Second Brother's region. However, we produce fruits that are not grown here. I wonder if there's any possibility of cooperation between our two countries in this regard?"
Afraid Zhao Jiaqi might refuse, he immediately added, "In terms of profit, we can also split it fifty-fifty. You just need to provide the technology; I'll handle the rest!"
This wasn't just a visit to see the Crown Prince; it was clearly a diplomatic mission for cooperation. Was this an unexpected bonus?
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and agreed, "Cooperation is possible, but I still need to make a plan. Without a plan, we cannot sustain a business long-term!"
The two elder brothers nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "Yes, yes, we are aiming for longevity. Since we've been here for nearly a month, a few more days won't matter. It's a good opportunity for me and Second Brother to explore and relax."
"Relaxing" was also a way to understand the people's conditions and identify any valuable things that they should adopt if worth learning.