A meal ended with some people happy and others quite disappointed.
After the meal, they went back into the study, and at this time, Baili Kai'en also called his son into the study. He had to ensure the crown prince was well-rounded, covering both governance and business, striving to make him an all-around heir.
Conversely, Helian Zhicheng did not demand anything of his child, allowing him to be undisciplined. As a father, he knew his son was heartbroken at the moment. Forcing him to stay by his side would not only be unproductive but might even upset him further. So, he decided to let him be.
At this moment, discussions in the study were very lively, with Crown Prince Baili even offering many practical suggestions.
In this regard, Baili Kai'en was slightly smarter than Helian Jinli, or so Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao believed.
As for Helian Jinli's capabilities, Fan Zehao had already experienced them. Whether it was martial arts, medicine, or disguise, nothing was beyond his skill. Moreover, Jinli was adept at strategy, courageous and resourceful, truly a prodigy.
Recognizing each person's strengths, one could not compare them in this matter.
Meanwhile, Helian Jinli was singularly focused on marrying Yu Meng. He hadn't even properly explained things to her, and her father had already separated them. This truly infuriated him, yet he couldn't show it and had to suppress his anger.
He found the military camp and, disguised, entered to search for Yu Meng. For someone with a determined mind, what could be difficult?
Relying on his unique skills, he infiltrated the camp and quietly stayed by Yu Meng's side. However, a pretense was just that, and she eventually discovered him, leading to a confrontation.
By evening, all matters were settled. The three parties smiled at each other, finally able to rest well.
With this plan in place, Baili Kai'en felt as if he had a hundred claws scratching at his heart. If he had wings, he would have flown away by now.
This excitement lasted the entire afternoon. At dinner, the drinking was noticeably more vigorous than at noon. He raised his cup and toasted them, husband and wife: "Brother thanks my younger brother and sister-in-law. Enough said, it's all in the wine. Brother is drinking this all, you two take it easy!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he tilted his head and emptied his cup. Seeing this, Fan Zehao jokingly said, "Big Brother, if you like this fruit wine, just say so. I'll load a cart for you when you leave. Don't use us as an excuse!"
Baili Kai'en burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face. He took a sip and said, "Indeed, this wine is excellent. When I leave, I must take a cartload. Otherwise, next time I want to drink it, I'll have to spend money!"
Fan Zehao smiled. "Oh, regarding spending money to buy wine, I don't make the decision. My wife manages the household finances. Anyway, Big Brother, you're not short of money. At most, I'll give you a discount, buy one get one free!"
Good heavens, with the mention of freebies, he immediately shifted the topic to his wife. How could he, as an elder brother, have the nerve to ask his sister-in-law for wine?
He would rather die than say it; it would be too embarrassing!
The group chattered and laughed merrily. Baili Fengge also had a few extra drinks, mainly because the wine was fragrant and sweet, far superior to the harsh white wine.
Turning her head, she went to pour wine for Jinli beside her. She accidentally bumped his arm, and he gasped sharply, immediately withdrawing his left arm.
Baili Fengge: "Hmm? Jinli, what's wrong with your arm? Are you injured?"
Jinli blushed and immediately shook his head, denying it. "No, it's just that I overexerted my muscles while practicing swordplay this afternoon. I just need a few days of rest!"
No one paid much attention to his explanation, as muscle injuries were common for those who practiced martial arts. The matter was quickly forgotten.
However, Helian Zhicheng did not believe his excuse. If it were someone else, it might be plausible. But for him, with his superb medical skills, how could he let himself get injured? He would have applied ointment and felt much better within an hour. How could a slight touch make him so restless?
The wise Helian Zhicheng remained silent. He did not interfere in his son's affairs, believing his son to be intelligent and not one to foolishly court disaster.
Little did he know that his son was indeed using a ploy, enduring injuries for the sake of one person, which was quite a display of dedication. Yet, the person in question did not appreciate it.
This was what truly frustrated Jinli. Even now, Yu Meng still remembered him poisoning her.
It seemed this issue would be hard for Yu Meng to forget for quite some time.
Thinking this, he took a bite of duck. The meat had no flavor, and he suddenly felt that it was not as good as vegetables.
After dinner, everyone sat in the pavilion, drinking tea and gazing at the moon. The moonlight was gentle, and the full moon was large, round, and bright.
Baili Kai'en sighed with a touch of complexity. "Our business is concluded. The remaining task is to return. We will pack up tomorrow and leave early the day after."
This statement also evoked emotion from Helian Zhicheng. He couldn't help but sigh sadly, "Yes, we have been out for a whole month; it's time to go back!"
If they didn't return soon, his ministers might forget what they looked like.
As they spoke, Fan Zehao understood that all good things must come to an end. However, they all lived under the same sky. If they missed each other, they could simply go on outings and visit these two brothers.
It was a win-win situation and a good idea.
However, this time, Helian Zhicheng did not want to leave alone. He wanted to bring Fan Zehao and his wife along.
He said, "We will build workshops together. You two still need to go to my place to oversee things and offer guidance. While you're there, you can travel around my country and give me any good suggestions for improvement, so that I can strive to achieve a prosperous and powerful nation like your inner city as soon as possible."
He spoke with great envy, wishing he could achieve such results instantly.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled gently. "I will need some more time. Although the flood was not very severe, it still affected over a thousand people. Therefore, I must handle the matters here clearly before I can go to your place."
Helian Zhicheng completely understood this. However, the reconstruction of houses after the disaster was already underway.
With the government's official announcement, the people below would surely put in their best efforts, so completion was expected within days.
He calculated and decided it was best to wait a few more days and return with the couple. This way, he could have them arrive in his territory sooner. Who knew how many days it would take if they were left to handle matters here on their own.