The two people in the front hall had indeed forgotten about Duan Yao. After chatting for a while, they saw Duan Yao stagger in, supported by Xiao Mi. Zhao Jiaqi felt a little awkward.
Fan Zehao looked at his second sister-in-law's unique way of walking—bent over, taking small steps, looking weak and pale.
He laughed, "What's wrong with you, second sister-in-law? Did someone beat you up?"
Duan Yao rolled her eyes at Fan Zehao upon hearing this, "Don't be disrespectful!"
"Ask your wife. I don't have the strength to speak right now!" She then sat down on a chair.
Fan Zehao saw that she was genuinely uncomfortable and turned to his wife, "Are you okay!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and shook her head, explaining to him, "I didn't go to the prison to watch those people being tortured, nor did I see any bloody scenes!"
Hearing this, Fan Zehao understood, "Second sister-in-law, your curiosity is too great. That place is not suitable for ladies. You should leave the matter of interrogating prisoners to your second brother. He's a man, and he should be the pillar of support for you!"
Duan Yao sipped her tea. When she heard this, she felt envious, "Alas, your second brother is so busy with his work, he has no time to pay attention to this matter!"
Sitting in the Emperor's position, almost everything known was what the people below reported. Now she knew that this matter was not simple at all.
Coupled with her momentary curiosity, she went, but ended up half-dead.
Fan Zehao smiled, "Second brother also returned. He heard about the people demanding rent increases. The Empress's handling of the matter made him very satisfied. Upon his return, he didn't even go back to the villa but went directly to the prison!"
Duan Yao sighed, "Well, he and I have perfectly missed each other!"
Fan Zehao winked at his wife. Before long, he found an excuse and took his wife back to their room.
In the hall, Duan Yao, who was left behind, sighed three times. It was good to be young.
When Helian Zhicheng returned in the afternoon, Duan Yao told him about everything that had happened recently, which displeased him greatly.
He slammed the table and shouted, "Whether it's officials protecting each other, or collusion between officials and businessmen, this matter absolutely cannot be tolerated. I absolutely will not allow it!"
Not tolerate it?
Duan Yao asked, "Then what do you want to do? Kill all those corrupt officials? Can you handle it all by yourself?"
Helian Zhicheng glanced at the person making sarcastic remarks and snorted, "I can't kill them all, but I can kill a chicken to warn the monkeys, to make these scoundrels a little fearful, so they don't become even more greedy!"
"Every year, pick a few typical examples to execute. I still have the strength to wield my sword now. At least, before my son ascends the throne, I must pave the way for him!"
Talking about their son, Duan Yao perked up, her strength returning, "It's been over a month now. Have we heard any news about our son?"
Helian Zhicheng thought of his son, who was so devoted to love, and also felt a headache. He sat down on a chair, his body suddenly losing all its strength.
Sighing, "Do you think Yu Meng is indecisive? If that were the case, our son would have already won her over!"
Perhaps they would have already married, and even more so, they might have grandchildren by now. But his son was not off to a good start.
Seeing her husband looking dispirited, she knew that their son's situation was likely not progressing, and she also sighed.
"I'm worried too. Why is our son so clumsy when chasing a girl? Can't he be more decisive? If all else fails, why not just abduct her!"
Who said that wasn't the case!
The couple sighed. In contrast, Helian Jinli had no heart to think about such matters. Every day, he was either training or being trained, so exhausted that he had no strength to speak, and too tired to even go to the latrine.
In Jinli's eyes, all that remained was the Chief Executive. Besides that, he had actually transferred Yu Meng away to carry out some mission.
In over a month, he had met Yu Meng fewer times than he could count on his fingers. However, the more he was blocked, the more determined he became. He refused to believe he couldn't marry her.
Ding Bei Liao.
At the Seafood Grand Restaurant, Zhao Jiaqi and Duan Yao had inspected it. It was decorated very well. This was purely handmade, with smooth, burr-free polished wood.
They went to the kitchen, where everything was complete. The shopkeeper had even bought and arranged the seasonings.
Zhao Jiaqi said, "I gave the shopkeeper the list for preparing the ingredients this morning, and in less than two hours, all the seasonings have been bought. The efficiency is quite good!"
The shopkeeper's smile became even brighter when he was praised, "I haven't bought everything yet. Some ingredients are raw. We'll have people deliver them on the opening day. Fresh ingredients make delicious dishes and won't delay the opening!"
"You've done a very good job. From now on, when this restaurant makes money, besides your monthly salary, my second sister-in-law and I will give you a ten percent bonus as your reward."
Ten percent bonus! This was extra money! It was more than his meager monthly salary. If he did well, he could build a big house back home and marry a few concubines, living the life of a proper landlord!
Duan Yao looked at his face, which was changing with foolish smiles, and shook her head. Her sister-in-law's strategy was brilliant. For the bonus, the shopkeeper would definitely be full of drive and would put his heart and soul into it.
The more money the restaurant made, the larger his bonus would be. Therefore, the true masters didn't play based on who was ruthless, but on who could best utilize people's desires.
This time, she learned another trick.
As they were leaving, the shopkeeper received a message from someone. After listening, he even gave the man some silver. Duan Yao and Zhao Jiaqi didn't know why, but they didn't ask.
A moment later, the shopkeeper came back beaming, "Reporting to the Empress and the Princess, the auspicious date for the opening has been calculated. It's the day after tomorrow, the best date in half a year!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled, "If you say so, then the auspicious date is waiting for our restaurant, isn't it? I guess this restaurant will be very profitable in the future."
Everyone loves to hear nice words, not exceptions for commoners or those in high positions. Duan Yao and the shopkeeper couldn't help but nod repeatedly, their faces beaming with joy!
"Definitely, don't you see who taught those master chefs!" Duan Yao laughed, "I have great confidence in you!"
Zhao Jiaqi: "Thank you for your kindness."
With the auspicious date chosen, all that remained was to wait for the opening. However, before that, the two of them needed to go somewhere.
"Baihuajin?" Duan Yao murmured the name of the prefecture.
"I've looked at this place, and it's very suitable for planting in greenhouses. It's not far either. I asked the servants, and it takes about two hours by carriage to get there!"
Zhao Jiaqi had arranged everything and asked all she needed to know. What else could she be confused about? They made the decision on the way, planning to go today and return tomorrow, so as not to interfere with the restaurant's opening the day after.
With this decision, they completely left the two men behind at the villa and left in a simple, unadorned carriage.
They were accompanied by few guards, but they were all royal guards, clad in armor, and were more than enough to protect the two women in the carriage.