The two walked into the side courtyard shoulder to shoulder, seeing Huangfu Xi waiting in the front hall, leisurely drinking tea, not looking like he was about to leave at all!
After the two sat down, Huangfu Xi finally spoke: "Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, the official announcement of your appointment as Regent and Regent Consort has been issued to all towns and villages!"
Fan Zehao didn't find much joy in this title; it was just a name added to him!
Seeing that he didn't speak, and his cold face showed no change, still wearing his usual stern expression, Huangfu Xi tactfully continued: "Your Highness, this is what I've been thinking. Previously, we blocked the city gates, and the inner city and Yun Guo had no contact. I think it's unnecessary. Why not go back to the way things were before?"
"Of course, matters in your fiefdom are still your responsibility, and I will never interfere. This approach would be convenient for the people and for all cities to restore their usual prosperity. This would only be beneficial for both of us!"
Fan Zehao glanced at him and slowly nodded: "Alright, this is a good idea!"
Huangfu Xi quietly breathed a sigh of relief, his expression visibly relaxed. He then said, "I've decided to reintroduce the laws Your Highness previously enacted. Children attending school, all citizens being conscripted for training upon reaching a certain age, and households taking concubines needing to pay taxes. I will continue to implement these beneficial policies as Your Highness did during your reign, striving to build Yun Guo into the strongest nation!"
This time, his words struck a nerve with Fan Zehao!
These beneficial policies were all proposed by his wife. He had initially dismissed them, and now Huangfu Xi wanted to reinstate them. Fan Zehao had to admit this man's mind was sharp.
Both overtly and covertly, he was trying to win favor, as if he feared they two would no longer look after him.
Fan Zehao maintained a pleasant expression: "You are the Emperor. You decide what to do. There's no need to ask me!"
"I, as the Regent, am merely a figurehead and will absolutely not interfere with your internal affairs. However, if Yun Guo is attacked by Snow Guo and Wei Guo again, I will certainly stand by you. Not for you, not for the Huangfu family, but to repay the kindness of the former Emperor Huangfu Jin Tao's recognition."
More crucially, his family was in Yun Guo. Although the war hadn't reached the inner city, a fallen nest meant no eggs would remain intact, right?
Huangfu Xi was rendered speechless, understanding that he was not greedy for power.
"Regardless of what Your Highness says, if Yun Guo encounters a series of important matters, I will still come to consult Your Highness and Her Highness Consort. Your Highness and I share a common goal: we both wish for Yun Guo to progress further and more smoothly."
This statement was indeed to the point!
Seeing his silence, Huangfu Xi understood that he had agreed. He was overjoyed, his happiness evident on his face. Turning to Zhao Jiaqi, who had remained silent, he said, "Your Highness Consort, only with a full national treasury can we develop more beneficial policies for the nation and its people, and ensure that border soldiers are well-fed and diligently guard our gates. Therefore, I am not very adept at business. I have specifically come to seek your advice or suggestions."
"The common people of our nation all know that Your Highness Consort is a master businesswoman. I hope Your Highness Consort will not be stingy!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled gently at these words, not because of what he said, but because this man had finally opened his mind and was actively seeking to engage in business, rather than positioning himself high on the imperial throne and disdainfully refusing cooperation with merchants.
"This proposal is excellent. Everyone earns money, and the common people will live comfortably. This is good news. I will arrange a series of plans later!"
Huangfu Xi was overjoyed, his smile stretching from ear to ear. His demeanor was completely different from the solemnity he displayed a few days prior.
"Then I will trouble Your Highness and Your Highness Consort for a little longer. After discussing and finalizing the cooperation matters, I will depart. May Your Highness and Your Highness Consort permit me a few more days?"
The couple's eyes twitched slightly at his words. This Emperor was truly audacious!
Zhao Jiaqi nudged her left foot and gave him an elegant smile: "You can stay as long as you wish. The Prince's manor lacks nothing, especially food!"
Huangfu Xi seized the opportunity, nodding enthusiastically and fully agreeing with her: "Yes, it was Your Highness Consort who researched high-yield grains, and even the out-of-season vegetables were developed by Your Highness Consort. Moreover, the sausages and other novel delicacies were all created by Your Highness Consort. Therefore, Your Highness not only has no shortage of grain, but also no shortage of talent, and even no shortage of meat products!"
Good heavens, the way he phrased it, was he complimenting her or mocking her!
Out-of-season vegetables? Perhaps in the future, she could even develop out-of-season fruits!
But Zhao Jiaqi was no fool; she understood the hidden meaning in his words!
"We can cooperate on these few businesses you mentioned. I will include them in the plan. As for other collaborations, I will consider them carefully. If you have anything you wish to pursue, or any other ideas, feel free to bring them up with me. This way, we can better seek cooperative development!"
Huangfu Xi felt that this Consort was too accommodating, her intelligence on par with that of a strategist!
Her straightforward way of speaking was just like the Prince's, preferring directness, which was far superior to the concubines in his harem.
"Since Your Highness Consort has said so, I won't beat around the bush. I'll be direct!"
With the Consort's tacit permission, he took out several sheets of paper from his wide sleeves, handed them to Zhao Jiaqi, and explained them one by one.
After Huangfu Xi's lengthy explanation, it turned out he wanted to engage in quite a few businesses!
Zhao Jiaqi looked at so many projects, and her heart sank slightly. She pondered whether she should cooperate with him on all of them.
After a long period of thought and silence, she finally spoke: "Cooperation is not a problem, but it depends on your sincerity!"
Huangfu Xi understood her meaning; the Consort was asking about the percentage of profit in the business ventures.
He held up four fingers: "These items were all researched and developed by Your Highness Consort. The recipes and the people are yours. I will provide the capital for the cooperation. How about we split it sixty-four, with me taking forty percent?"
She was somewhat surprised. She had expected him to propose a fifty-fifty split. His willingness to reduce his share by ten percent showed that he had some sense.
"A sixty-forty split is a good idea. Let's agree on that. I will send someone to negotiate with your people later!"
Huangfu Xi had achieved his goal and nodded repeatedly. Now his national treasury would be replenished within a year, and he would no longer be hesitant, able to do whatever he pleased according to his own plans.
The three of them chatted until noon. Huangfu Xi voluntarily asked to have lunch with the couple.
"Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, all my matters today have been settled. I plan to return to the capital this afternoon. Let's have lunch together. We can chat about personal matters. I don't really have anyone to speak my mind to usually. It's only here that I can hear some sincere words from Your Highness and Your Highness Consort."
Fan Zehao chuckled: "Having a meal is not a big deal!"
"We have a custom here: dumplings for departure, noodles upon arrival. Since you are leaving, let's have dumplings for lunch."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wangcai, who was serving them, went to the kitchen to relay his master's instructions.