Li Meilan, seeing this, understood immediately that these words were meant for her. She immediately led her child to stand up and proactively said, "Your Highness the Consort, you are busy. This commoner will take my young daughter to see and chat with my dear friends!"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded, "Go ahead!"
With her approval, Li Meilan dragged her floor-sweeping fishtail skirt, followed by Murong Shuya, who was dressed in a rose-red long skirt, and they left!
After they left, Qiufen helped Zhao Jiaqi up and whispered, "Madam, this servant thinks Madam Murong has too much ambition!"
Looking for a son-in-law for her own daughter, and he must not be an official. Who wouldn't want to marry into a noble family and climb high branches these days!
If she wants to climb high, why come to Madam to say these things? She wants to use Madam as a chess piece.
Zhao Jiaqi glanced sideways at Qiufen, her sharp gaze stopping her from saying more, "Although Li Meilan has great ambitions, I have a daughter, and I can understand her thoughts!"
Understanding is one thing, but disagreeing with her actions is another.
Su Ya, who was tidying Zhao Jiaqi's clothes, said faintly, "In my humble opinion, matters of marriage require a good match!"
Qiufen also felt that this was reasonable. She nodded repeatedly beside her. A good match, this has been the case since ancient times!
Warm Pavilion Hall.
This place was originally where the mansion's winter bonsai viewing took place. Even though the Prince and Consort had been away from the mansion for many years, this warm pavilion had always been personally managed by Steward Wang!
In his words, the mansion, apart from the training grounds, was all training grounds. There was a garden, and only ordinary flowers were planted in it.
Finally, there was a warm pavilion with some rare flowers and plants. He would never let the Prince's mansion lose this touch of elegance!
Exiting the Peony Hall, she saw crowds of people in the courtyard. Those she knew, those she recognized, and those she didn't know all bowed to her!
There were also some exquisitely dressed young women, chatting and laughing together, radiant and moving.
Qiufen saw this and chuckled, covering her mouth, "Madam, look at those young ladies dressed in bright colors, more colorful than the flowers in our garden. Is this what it means to be more beautiful than flowers?"
Zhao Jiaqi was amused by her words and poked her forehead, "You're already a mother, and you're still so naughty. I don't know how Wangcai manages you!"
Speaking of Wangcai, Qiufen snorted proudly, "It's good enough if I don't discipline him, how dare he manage me!"
She acted like she was the boss, which amused Zhao Jiaqi and made Su Ya even more envious!
Outside the Warm Pavilion Hall, there were crowds of people. Seeing her arrive, they all stepped forward to greet her!
"Consort, peace be with you."
"Consort, peace be with you!"
Someone started it, and those who followed rushed forward to bow and greet her!
The people below were all unfamiliar faces. She said with a smile, "Everyone, please dispense with the formalities. This Consort is very grateful to all sisters for coming to the mansion to congratulate my mother despite their busy schedules. I am truly grateful. If there are any inadequacies in hospitality, please bear with us!"
"Your Highness the Consort is too kind. It is already a great honor for this commoner to attend the Old Madam's birthday. Moreover, the care within the mansion is very thoughtful. We are all grateful to Your Highness the Consort for giving us the chance to witness the grace of the Prince and Consort!"
"Madam Liu has spoken our hearts. In the past, we wouldn't even dare to imagine touching the gates of the Prince's mansion. Today, not only have we entered, but we can also hear the Consort speak. It's like a dream!"
The crowd chattered amongst themselves, which made Zhao Jiaqi feel dizzy!
What do they mean by not being able to touch the gates?
Does she speak very nicely? Are they so happy to talk to them? They praised her as if she were a celestial fairy!
Seeing that Madam was bewildered, Qiufen whispered, "These madams and young ladies are from wealthy merchants in the city. Although they are not as prominent as the three great families now, they are still well-known. I don't know why the soldiers outside the mansion didn't stop them today. I'll go and inquire later!"
Zhao Jiaqi had some understanding of these people. Those who do business are well-informed. If they truly wanted to enter the mansion, they could easily sneak in by grabbing anyone.
Zhao Jiaqi said, "There's no need to deliberately stop these people outside. As long as they don't bring weapons or sharp blades into the mansion, they are guests. We will entertain them well!"
Qiufen nodded, "Then I will inform Steward Wang!"
Before Qiufen could go inform the steward, she saw a group of mansion guards carrying similar baskets. Steward Wang hurried over!
Slightly out of breath, he cupped his hands and said, "Consort, these fruits and vegetables were sent by the villagers of Chang'an Town in Mingyuan Prefecture. They said they are grateful to Your Highness the Consort for providing them with a livelihood, and they have nothing to repay you with. Today, upon hearing of the Old Madam's birthday, they sent these fruits and vegetables as gifts. We hope Your Highness will not dislike them!"
Hearing about Chang'an Town in Mingyuan Prefecture, she remembered that the place was called Fruit Town. She had helped those fruit farmers, and at the time she also needed those fruits. It was originally a mutually beneficial matter, but it received such a reward, which surprised her!
However, what she thought was mutual benefit, she did not know that such a small matter could play such a crucial role in making their village and even the people of Mingyuan City prosperous.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the fresh fruits, her heart filled with emotion. They were clearly picked by fruit farmers while dew was still on them.
She said, "This is the villagers' kindness, so we will accept it. Wash these fruits clean and send some to my mother so she can taste them. The rest will be distributed to everyone present, with each person getting a share!"
Steward Wang led the mansion guards towards the kitchen after hearing this!
Seeing this, everyone gave the Consort a thumbs up. Who wouldn't like a Consort with such broad-mindedness and love for the common people!
Especially after the inner city became the Prince's fief, doing business and making money became soaring. With the elimination of those who bullied and engaged in illegal business, and the addition of a trade city in the border region, their businesses also prospered.
Collaborating with Miracle Workshop, their business took another step forward. It could be said that they were making money just by lying at home. And this Miracle Workshop was owned by the Consort's family!
Pingting saw that her sister-in-law was surrounded by a group of women and pulled her stepmother, Zhou Baihe, up to rescue her. It was a pity for Zhou Baihe to deal with these people!
Merchants' wives and merchants' wives, this is the perfect match. Pingting was afraid that her sister-in-law would be eaten by these people!
Breaking out of the encirclement, Pingting winked at her, "How is it, my idea is good, right!"
"You're amazing. Leaving your second aunt there, aren't you afraid your father-in-law will scold you later!"
Pingting wrinkled her little nose and smiled, "To save you from the sea of suffering, how could Father scold me? He would have to praise me for being sensible!"
Zhao Jiaqi sighed, was she digging a pit to bury her elder aunt? Later, her elder uncle would have to thank her.
The two accompanied each other to their mother's courtyard. This time, they saw familiar faces. After all, with the former Empress Dowager Yao Jingyun present, unfamiliar women would not dare to come.