The men talked and laughed, and the women, of course, couldn't be left out.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was harmonious. After drinking and eating their fill, the night had grown late, yet they still had endless stories to share.
If it weren't for fear of disturbing their rest, the three great fellows might have chatted until dawn.
Finally, it was Fan Zehao who ended the conversation, "Let's call it a night. Tomorrow, the three of us brothers will have a good long talk. Meeting a kindred spirit is truly my joy today."
"We're also very happy. How about we become sworn brothers tomorrow? We can learn from the local traditions," Baili Kai'en said cheerfully, having had a bit too much to drink.
At his words, the other two nodded in agreement.
That night, back in their rooms, after washing up and playing a game of cards, they lay in bed, quietly chatting.
Fan Zehao inquired about the water gate, and Zhao Jiaqi truthfully informed him, also telling him about how Leng Han's father had been dealt with.
"I didn't tell the other two about Leng Han sending assassins to kill Yumeng, nor did I want Huangfu Xi to be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position. So, I had the special envoy send someone to secretly deal with Prime Minister Leng. As for the others in his family, I didn't touch them."
"Mm, you did the right thing with this matter. Regardless, we and the Yun Kingdom are as interdependent as lips and teeth, sharing honor and disgrace. However, that brat Leng Han absolutely cannot be allowed to die easily. I must slowly torture him to death, otherwise, my hatred will not be appeased."
Zhao Jiaqi remained silent. When the person was eventually captured, she would hand him over to Fan Zehao to dispose of as he pleased.
The night grew deep, and the outside was quiet. Soon, the sounds of deep sleep gradually emanated from within the rooms.
They slept soundly through the night.
The next day, Zhao Jiaqi woke up early. The prefect had reported the full extent of the disaster the day before. She saw that not only fertile land but also houses had been affected, and some elderly people had fallen ill due to catching a cold and were bedridden.
Zhao Jiaqi planned to donate the entire one million taels she had received to the disaster victims today, and based on the prefect's report, she had also made plans.
After breakfast, the three men went to become sworn brothers, like children, which left Zhao Jiaqi quite speechless. If they were old children, it would be understandable, but her husband was clearly still very young and yet engaged in such activities.
Last night, she had thought it was just talk, but who would have known that today they would actually go through with becoming sworn brothers? She really wanted to ask if they needed to set up an altar, burn incense, and kowtow.
However, she truly had no time to watch them now and could only regret that such a scene could not be witnessed firsthand.
When she went to the front hall, the prefect was already waiting. Seeing the Princess arrive, the prefect was very respectful.
They deliberated for over an hour before the prefect left with the bank drafts. Later, the prefect would exchange the bank drafts for silver and distribute it according to the severity of the disaster.
As for the damaged houses, Zhao Jiaqi also provided funds to rebuild them for free. This move reached the ears of the common people in the inner city, who cheered for the Prince's mansion for a long time.
Some people even enshrined the memorial tablets of the Prince and Princess in their homes, burning three sticks of incense daily, wishing for the couple to live forever and achieve immortality.
The two who had become sworn brothers were stunned to hear about the significant deed the Princess had accomplished. They both looked at Fan Zehao and asked, "Little brother, tell Big Brother the truth, who is in charge of this Prince's mansion, you or your wife!"
Baili Kai'en was quite surprised. With the Prince back, why was it still the woman handling such important matters?
Therefore, he voiced the question that Helian Zhicheng also wanted to ask. Both men stared intently at him.
To their surprise, he gave a different answer: "My wife is in charge. Whatever decision she makes, I fully support."
He didn't feel ashamed saying this; on the contrary, his face showed pride.
Elder brother Baili Kai'en was bewildered, and even the second brother, Helian Zhicheng, was confused. They had always thought that the inner city was ruled by the Prince, but who would have thought it was the Princess who called the shots.
They both slapped their foreheads in unison. They had offended the Princess earlier. They wondered if she would hold a grudge against them.
Fortunately, Fan Zehao's next words rescued them: "My wife handles matters with discretion, and we also had a division of labor. She is fully responsible for business matters, while I manage internal affairs. If I am absent, my wife handles everything completely."
"In the inner city, my wife and I are equals, with no distinction between higher or lower. As long as it's for the good of the inner city, our decisions count."
This was something everyone in the inner city knew. If one was interested, they could find out with a little inquiry.
The two breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they hadn't lost face as men.
Fan Zehao seized the opportunity and said, "Since the three of us have become brothers, shall we establish a pact? No wars between our three countries, and sign a treaty of friendship!"
Helian Zhicheng immediately agreed with both hands, "Agreed!"
Baili Kai'en agreed even more enthusiastically, "I have no problem with that. If the inner city doesn't attack us, we'll be extremely fortunate!"
These words struck a chord with Helian Zhicheng, "Indeed, your 'Black Coal Ball' became famous after the battle with the Axi tribe. It's also thanks to you not having ambitions to conquer the world, otherwise, we wouldn't be able to sit peacefully on the Dragon Throne!"
These words were somewhat flattering to Fan Zehao, but he was not foolish and replied with a smile to Helian Zhicheng, "Second Brother, you jest. Between our two countries, there is still a river. No matter how far my 'Black Coal Ball' is thrown, it cannot reach the other side of the river."
This struck a hidden thought in Helian Zhicheng, and he chuckled, "The Princess said that there are always more solutions than difficulties. I believe that as long as you two want to do something, you can achieve it."
This made Fan Zehao feel very awkward and even a little embarrassed, as it was the truth.
"Alright, let's stop flattering each other. As long as our three countries can coexist peacefully, I believe that no wars will occur in this land, and we can live our simple lives in peace, which is much better than living in constant fear!"
These words resonated with them, and immediately, the three signed a treaty of friendship in the Prince's mansion's study, completing this major event while happily chatting and laughing.
It seemed as if they were just playing house when signing this treaty; it was completed in no time.
The three men held their respective copies of the treaty and smiled at each other.
"Tonight, we won't go home until we're drunk! We must celebrate properly!"
"Listen to little brother!" the elder brother Baili Kai'en and the second brother Helian Zhicheng said in unison.
In the inner city, if one didn't try some fruit wine, it wasn't considered a visit. Everyone knew that this was the birthplace of fruit wine.
Not to mention the wines, even the food was extremely delicious. When they learned that these dishes were all researched by the Princess, they immediately praised her profusely.
"Little brother has found a capable wife."
"Little brother has found someone intelligent, capable, and kind-hearted. We two elder brothers are proud of you!"
Fan Zehao grinned, because what they said was absolutely true.