Fan Zehao walked at the rear. As their group entered the house, everyone present rose to greet them. Zhao Jiaqi also stood up.
Wang Zhen stood in the room, surveying the people within, his gaze finally settling on Zhao Jiaqi. A hint of a smile finally touched his face, which was otherwise gentle yet distant.
"Sister-in-law, it's been a long time. Are you well?"
This act deserved an Oscar. His opening words were genuinely fitting, far more natural than Mi Yihai's.
Zhao Jiaqi offered a strained smile. "We are all doing well. It's just that we haven't seen you in so long, we missed you dearly. So we invited you and your wife to get together. We weren't sure if we were inconveniencing you!"
Wang Zhen was genuinely pleased from the bottom of his heart. He looked happily at Fan Zehao beside him. "To have a chance to see and gather with you, brother and sister-in-law, is something I could only dream of. How could it be an inconvenience?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he gently nudged his wife towards Zhao Jiaqi. "This is my wife, Tang Tang."
Afterward, he lowered his head and smiled tenderly at Tang Tang, his voice laced with sweetness. "Wife, why aren't you speaking when you see Big Sister?"
"I see you all talking so warmly, I didn't even have a chance to interject," Tang Tang said playfully to Wang Zhen.
The couple, with their seemingly venomous yet sweet words, displayed their affection in front of everyone, truly making Zhao Jiaqi's teeth ache and her heart churn with envy.
"Big Sister, it's been so long, I've missed you dearly. I'm here to stay for a while this time, to have a good chat with you and learn from your experience."
The last phrase, "learn from your experience," made Zhao Jiaqi's face flush. The entire inner city and the entire Yun Kingdom knew that she had some experience in taming her husband.
Zhao Jiaqi's face reddened slightly. She smiled and replied, "Of course. I'll tell you everything I know, without hiding anything."
The two women exchanged a smile. Tang Tang then stood beside Zhao Jiaqi, and to outsiders, their relationship appeared as harmonious as that of sisters.
Fan Zehao, now acting as a mediator, introduced everyone to the two prefects. Hua Yunzhe held Wang Zhen in great awe and was somewhat fearful. They were in the same kingdom, and although there was no direct subordination, Wang Zhen held military power.
That was real power, and he was a favorite in the Emperor's court.
Hua Yunzhe acted rather subserviently, bowing and smiling, inviting Wang Zhen to sit beside him. However, Wang Zhen gave him no pleasantries, not even a glance.
Wang Zhen looked at Fan Zehao. "Brother, Big Sister, please sit first."
This gesture was a significant show of respect to Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi, and it clearly demonstrated to everyone present the depth of Fan Zehao's relationship with Wang Zhen.
Seeing this, Hua Yunzhe immediately arranged for Fan Zehao to sit next to him. Mi Yihai, on the other hand, was well-behaved, sitting on Hua Yunzhe's other side, quietly listening to their conversation with his head bowed.
The group settled down. The waiter outside refilled their tea, brought out a few plates of pastries, and some fruits and seeds. After finishing these tasks, the waiter stepped aside. "Your guests, may I have the kitchen prepare dinner now?"
Fan Zehao waved his hand at the waiter. "Prepare it. We can eat, drink, and chat at the same time."
After the Lord's words, Wang Zhen immediately chimed in, "What's there to talk about? Brother decides."
"That won't do. When it comes to money and business matters, we must have a discussion. Our own affairs are our own, and we shouldn't mix them with this issue."
Fan Zehao gave a slight hint, and General Wang understood. He nodded his proud head slightly. "Since Big Brother has said so, then let's talk. As long as it's acceptable, as long as my elder brother is satisfied, and I am satisfied, nothing else matters."
With that, Hua Yunzhe immediately said, "We will absolutely satisfy Young Master Fan and General Wang. Now, let Village Chief Wang introduce it to you."
Wang Yuanzhi picked up Hua Yunzhe's cue, smiled at Wang Zhen, and concisely outlined the scope of the business.
Wang Zhen was not interested in these matters. What he was interested in was the matter the Lord had instructed him to handle outside, and what kind of thing could make the Lord so angry and cautious.
If it were him, he would have simply dispatched troops to arrest them.
Wang Zhen clenched his fists and tapped the table rhythmically. He pondered for a moment with a frown, then asked, "Village Chief Wang, what exactly is this 'Immortal Elixir'? Can you show it to me? After all, my military camp has over two hundred thousand soldiers. If this item of yours truly has the effect you claim, of helping the soldiers without making them tired, then I can completely inform the other generals, and we can all share good things."
Village Chief Wang was delighted. "I've brought it. I'll have my subordinate bring it up now. General Wang, please take a look first."
Shortly after, Wang Fang brought the item in and placed it on the table for everyone to admire, along with a set of smoking apparatus.
Seeing this, Wang Zhen was genuinely surprised. He felt he had seen something like this somewhere before, but he couldn't recall it at the moment.
He reached out to touch the apparatus, then picked up the Immortal Elixir and smelled it. The scent wasn't strong. His mind felt like a mess. He truly couldn't understand how such a thing could replenish stamina.
If it were meat, he could believe that.
So, he picked up the Immortal Elixir and inquired of Village Chief Wang, "Is this made of meat? Or grain?"
Village Chief Wang was slightly taken aback by the general's question. He then explained, "It's not meat, nor is it grain. It's made from the fruit of a certain flower, processed in a special way."
"General, you see, this flower absorbs the essence of the sun and moon. The ingredients inside are far superior to pork. Why don't you try it yourself, and you'll understand the mystery of it."
The village chief didn't explain much, as any further explanation would be less effective than letting the general experience the effect firsthand. Before he could finish speaking and prepare the item, Wang Zhen directly refused.
"If you want me to try the effect, why not do it during the day? It's already night, and I've been traveling all day. My stomach is already very hungry. And now you're asking me to do this."
Wang Zhen's inexplicable anger confused the village chief. Things were fine just moments ago, and he had only said a few words. Why such a strong reaction?
Wang Yuanzhi reacted quickly. "General, please don't be angry. Please forgive my lack of foresight. In that case, let's have dinner and chat today, and tomorrow we can thoroughly experience it. What do you think, General Wang?"
Wang Zhen frowned and remained silent, looking instead at Fan Zehao beside him.
The latter raised an eyebrow. Did this Wang Zhen want to stage a double act with him? Fan Zehao smiled and smoothed things over. "Let's follow the village chief's suggestion and have dinner first. If there's anything you need to know, the general will ask you at that time."