No matter how carefully she planned, it couldn't compare to Duan Yao's good mindset.
She hadn't taken the matter to heart at all, chuckling and saying, "Sister-in-law, give me some advice. Where should I start investigating!"
Zhao Jiaqi: ...
"You're going to investigate? Aren't you going to leave this to Second Brother? You want to handle it yourself!"
Duan Yao was very serious, nodding her chin heavily, "Yes, I want to learn from you, to be an independent woman with her own thoughts and means!"
After the incident with the prefect last time, she suddenly realized that she couldn't complete anything independently yet and was easily swayed by others' ideas.
Conversely, her sister-in-law was vastly different from her. Duan Yao felt that if she could learn even a fraction of her skills, that would be enough. She didn't have the confidence for more.
Clap, clap, clap. Zhao Jiaqi applauded her. This was a good sign. "I support you, but don't be too hasty. You need to proceed step by step!"
Duan Yao nodded repeatedly, learning very seriously, "From now on, I will definitely not be easily swayed and believe what they say!"
After speaking, she excitedly returned to the previous topic, "Sister-in-law, teach me, what should I do next!"
She could analyze, but she was really not good at solving cases!
However, following her words, pulling out the radish would bring out the mud. The mud was already out: "Then follow the vine and check the account books!"
"Then, simultaneously capture the confidants or seize letters, and search for evidence to prevent anyone from destroying it, which would be troublesome!"
Duan Yao felt her mind clear up considerably after hearing this, "Okay, I'll go do it now!"
With that, she left excitedly.
Zhao Jiaqi felt a headache coming on. Her second sister-in-law was completely immersed in all sorts of learning, wanting to learn everything she saw.
If she learned it all, she wouldn't be far from becoming a spirit. She was just afraid that she'd learn a little of everything and end up ruining herself.
At her desk, Zhao Jiaqi looked at the blueprints on the floor, searching for contiguous villages with ample cultivated land.
She spent the entire morning pondering this matter. After selecting a location, the next step was on-site investigation. If it was feasible, construction would begin.
Time had been wasted in the early stages, and it needed to be made up later.
During lunch, Duan Yao had not returned. Zhao Jiaqi guessed that the woman was probably fired up with enthusiasm and might be at the prison right now, interrogating a prisoner.
Xiao Mi walked into the room and asked, "Princess Consort, the manager of the restaurant is here. He says he has something to tell you!"
The restaurant manager?
Zhao Jiaqi gestured to Xiao Mi, "Please invite him in!"
Soon, the manager entered the room and bowed to Zhao Jiaqi, "This servant, Zhao Xiao Er, greets the Princess Consort. May the Princess Consort be blessed!"
"Get up!"
Zhao Jiaqi put down her chopsticks and asked the person next to her, "What is it?"
The manager didn't waste time and immediately replied, "The restaurant's decorations have been completed according to the album. The kitchen has also been prepared with the list provided by the Empress. Enough waiters have been found. The only thing missing is a chef; everything else is settled!"
So, that was the matter. Zhao Jiaqi pondered for a moment, "The chef has been found. You find an auspicious day, and we will have a grand opening!"
She stood up and walked to the desk, thought for a moment, and then wrote out a list of items to purchase, along with seasonings.
"After finding an auspicious day, make sure all the items on the list are prepared. Don't delay the opening!"
The manager had considerable experience in this trade and understood the Princess Consort's intentions. However, he felt the restaurant's decorations were a bit too extravagant.
And the dishes on the menu were all new to him. But it didn't matter; he would have to deal with them sooner or later.
Taking the list, he committed the Princess Consort's instructions to memory and left without lingering.
In the afternoon, Zhao Jiaqi proactively went to the prefectural prison. As soon as she walked in, she saw Duan Yao leaning against the wall, vomiting.
She didn't vomit food, but a lot of water on the floor! This completely bewildered Zhao Jiaqi.
Subconsciously, she asked, "Sister-in-law, are you pregnant?"
Her question almost sent Duan Yao away. Her face was pale, and she endured her discomfort, "It's been a long time since we... where would the child come from!"
Now Zhao Jiaqi felt awkward, having accidentally pried into someone's private life!
"Then what's wrong with you?"
Duan Yao squeezed a brocade handkerchief and flicked it twice inwards, then said, "These yamen runners were too brutal. The smell of so much blood made me unbearable!"
Zhao Jiaqi frowned, "Those who carry out executions are skilled at their jobs. You should have waited for the result at the separate residence. Why did you personally come to watch? Aren't you looking for trouble?"
It's really not recommended for people with weak minds to watch executions. The bloody flesh connected to bones, trembling, falling aside, not to mention being scared to faint, at least they wouldn't want to eat braised pork anymore.
Duan Yao couldn't accept such a cruel scene. Before, it was just a few words, "beaten to death," but she hadn't actually seen the outcome of being beaten to death.
This time it wasn't a beating to death, but the scene was enough to be etched in her memory forever.
Zhao Jiaqi helped her outside. Breathing fresh air was better. She changed the subject, "The restaurant manager came. He didn't see you, so he came to me!"
The word "restaurant" successfully dispelled the bloody images in Duan Yao's mind, and she immediately asked, "How is it? Are the decorations finished? When can we open!"
This question immediately brought Duan Yao to life.
Zhao Jiaqi said mischievously, "Just because you're so dedicated to watching executions in the prison, the restaurant's opening will be delayed!"
As soon as the word "execution" was uttered, Duan Yao, leaning on Zhao Jiaqi's arm, bent over and started to feel nauseous again.
Xiao Mi turned her face away, almost laughing out loud. Her Princess Consort was truly wicked, a sly kind of wicked.
Zhao Jiaqi continued with a smile, "The restaurant is all ready. As long as we find an auspicious day, we can have a grand opening!"
Duan Yao had lost her energy by now. Grasping Zhao Jiaqi's hand, she weakly said as they headed for the carriage, "It's good to open. Once it opens, we'll have completed another way to earn money!"
She was even more of a moneygrubber than herself. Zhao Jiaqi was truly impressed.
"Yes, once this restaurant is successfully profitable, you can continue to open branches. That way, you can just sit at home every day and count money for fun!"
Duan Yao thought of that wonderful scene and was very happy, "Then I might even cramp my fingers counting!"
She truly hoped that this beautiful vision would come true one day.
Seeing her looking weak as she leaned against the carriage, yet still able to smile, her heart was truly immense.
Seeing her like this, she couldn't go inspect the restaurant. Zhao Jiaqi told the coachman to turn around and head directly back to the separate residence. She could visit when she was better.
As the carriage arrived and stopped at the separate residence, Zhao Jiaqi poked her head out. The next second, her whole head spun, and the blue sky seemed to be rotating.
The people around her were swaying. When she regained her senses, she saw that she was being held in her husband's arms.
The people around them were all grinning, looking at them as if watching a show.
Fan Zehao laughed heartily and put her down, but his hand held hers tightly. "Have you missed me during these days I was away?"
Zhao Jiaqi blushed and pouted at him, "What kind of scoundrel is this!"
Asking her that in front of so many people was so embarrassing.
The man ignored them, staring at her for a long time before shifting his gaze. He then pulled her closer to the separate residence.
Duan Yao, who had just alighted from the carriage, saw her being taken away like that and stood there stunned for a moment, her hand still half-extended in the air.
Xiao Mi went up to support her. Duan Yao sighed lightly, "Thank goodness for you, otherwise I might have had to crawl back."
This sister-in-law, now that she had her man, had forgotten about her.