The words were revealed by Fan Zehao, leaving only the two involved parties feeling awkward.
Zhao Jiaqi, though inwardly sighing at her husband's lack of consideration for a girl's feelings, found herself unable to retract what had been said.
She added a few words herself: "Before we departed, General Xiao sought me out and wished to marry you. He asked me to mediate, and this is indeed true. So, you should consider it carefully. Do not let the disparity in status and position ruin your happiness. If General Xiao truly cared about such things, he would not have asked me to be your matchmaker!"
Having forced herself to finish, Zhao Jiaqi pulled Fan Zehao out of the pavilion, leaving Su Ya alone to ponder her thoughts in the cool breeze.
Once out of the pavilion, Zhao Jiaqi, unseen by anyone else, viciously pinched the flesh on his waist, saying indignantly, "Why are you so indiscreet with your words? She's a young lady, and you just blurted it out so carelessly. Don't you know she might be shy?"
The pinch from his wife seemed to convert all the food he had eaten into strength, and it was far from gentle. He winced in pain but dared not show any resentment, smiling and saying, "What's there to be shy about? If everything were a cause for shyness, then there would be no humans in this world!"
He then put his arm around her and said, "Marriage has always been a matter of parental decree and mediation since ancient times. We are not professional matchmakers who relay messages. If you are hesitant to pass messages back and forth, and it ends up being miscommunicated, then a good thing could turn into a troublesome one!"
"Therefore, things should proceed as they are. What I said is the truth. Whether Su Ya can accept it is her affair. We simply need to release her, return Su Ya's deed of sale to her. Once you, as her master, have done that, the rest of the bothersome matters can be left for them to deal with!"
He couldn't bear for his wife to worry about their own affairs, yet she was tirelessly concerned about their courtship. How could he tolerate that? Fan Zehao mused to himself.
He was glib and smooth-talking, but after he put it that way, Zhao Jiaqi felt the matter seemed simpler.
She turned her head and saw him rubbing his sore waist. Zhao Jiaqi reached out, stroking it gently as she asked, "Does it hurt that much?"
"Or perhaps I should pinch you to see!" he replied with a question.
Having just eaten, he was full of energy. If he had known his wife's strength would be used this way, he would have insisted on taking her to bed to "practice" earlier!
As their voices faded into the distance, Su Ya sat on the stone bench, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Xiao Ce, who was investigating the Gan residence, sneezed incessantly, his nose itching. He rubbed it, wondering if someone was talking about him.
That afternoon, Sun Mo, the Prefect of Hedong, arrived.
Upon entering the inn and seeing these esteemed figures, he immediately knelt and kowtowed, making them feel like idols in a temple, as if any one of them being unappeased would bring him constant worry.
Fan Zehao, seated at the head of the table, was already numb to such reverence. He subtly gestured with his chin, "Rise and report!"
"Thank you, Regent, Princess Regent,逍遥王 (Xiaoyao Wang), and贤王 (Xian Wang)!" After his thanks, he rose.
He sat upright in his chair and informed the three princes about the Zhang residence.
"The head of the Zhang residence is named Zhang Qiu. He is the wealthiest man in Hedong Prefecture. His family is in the jade business. He was exceedingly fond of women and took many concubines. This incident arose from the escape of two young ladies from the Gan residence!"
Hearing this, there was no change in their expressions.
Zhao Jiaqi said, "We already know this. Tell us what we don't know."
Sun Mo nodded quickly and continued his narration, "The master of the Gan residence was celebrating his fiftieth birthday and invited guests. During a chance encounter, Master Zhang Qiu of the Zhang residence saw these two sisters. He then proposed to the master of the Gan residence, saying he wished to take them as noble concubines and would treat them well. Of course, the betrothal gifts would be substantial."
"When the master of the Gan residence, Gan Qiongrong, heard this, he was overjoyed and immediately agreed, stating he would send the two secondary daughters over the next day. Who knew these two young ladies had fiery tempers and escaped! Zhang Qiu spent a great deal of gold but failed to get the women. Unwilling to give up, he searched for the two girls everywhere, thus causing this calamity!"
This explanation was consistent with what the two young ladies had said, and the story seemed plausible.
Sun Mo glanced at the Princess Regent and said, "Although the investigation into the matter is nearly complete, I have not yet inquired about the affairs of those two young ladies. I came today to ask about the circumstances of their escape. If there are any discrepancies, I will need to interrogate them further upon my return."
Zhao Jiaqi immediately understood the reason for Sun Mo's visit and gave Shi He, who was beside her, a look. "Go and find them and hand them over to Master Sun."
Shi He bowed and quickly departed. In the meantime, Zhao Jiaqi asked Sun Mo, "How much do you know about the Gan residence? Are these two daughters of the Gan family biologically related to the master of the Gan residence? Or perhaps, did the Gan family move here in recent years?"
The Princess Regent's series of questions left Sun Mo stunned. When he recovered, he shook his head repeatedly, "The Gan residence has been in Hedong Prefecture for over a hundred years. It was once a prominent family. According to my grandfather, the former head of the Gan family was extremely generous and benevolent, a truly good person, who was even praised and commended by the local government."
At this point, Sun Mo sighed, "The old master was a good man, but unfortunately, with such a large family fortune, excessive wealth can lead to some troubles. Later, after the family split, I don't know what happened to the branch of the family of that old master. All the children born in the new residence were girls. Of course, male infants were born, but they tragically died within a month."
"Everyone in Hedong Prefecture knows about this. Some say the residence was offended by something, while others say they were harmed by their few paternal uncles. In short, there are many theories, and no one knows which is true."
Sun Mo said with a wry smile, "Regardless of the reason, the master of the Gan residence has never reported it to the authorities. I've also paid attention. Apart from being unable to properly give birth to male heirs, everything else in their residence is normal."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Gan sisters arrived. Zhao Jiaqi explained the situation to them: "The authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident. You need to go back with Master Sun."
Gan Jiaojiao looked at the Princess Regent, then at the Prefect Sun beside her. She bit her lip, then nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. She knelt on the ground, grabbing Zhao Jiaqi's skirt, and pleaded earnestly, "Your Highness, this servant truly does not wish to return to the Gan residence. Even as a slave or maidservant, it would be better than being in the Gan residence. I implore Your Highness to show mercy and allow this servant to return to serve Your Highness!"
Zhao Jiaqi helped the crying Gan Jiaojiao up from the ground and comforted her, "Let's resolve the matter clearly with Master Sun first, then we can talk about other things!"
Letting them go was out of the question, at least not until she knew if they were safe.
If they were not safe, then the entire Yun Kingdom would not be at peace. These two were always a sharp weapon, like a dagger plunged into the heart.