Helian Zhicheng quickly made up his mind. He had to return with them. So, he changed the subject, "We've been out for a month anyway, no need to rush this little bit. I'll wait for you both in the inner city. Since we'll be on the same boat back, it'll be convenient and we can chat on the ship. Wouldn't that be leisurely!"
Fan Zehao and his wife exchanged glances, likely guessing his true intentions. However, it wasn't a bad thing for them.
After all, they had never been to Ding Beilia, and the boat trip would essentially cross the river. In this regard, they were the weaker party.
Fan Zehao readily agreed, "Alright, then we'll leave together. While we're at it, you can tell us about the customs and traditions of your Ding Beilia."
He was naturally happy about this and eagerly began to explain.
The next day, Baili Kaien began preparations for their return. Before leaving, he brought many local delicacies unique to the inner city, not even forgetting canned fruits.
Zhao Jiaqi found it strange. Their homeland produced fresh fruits, so why insist on eating canned ones instead of fresh ones?
It turned out he preferred the soft, slightly sweet texture. In his words, canned fruit was canned fruit, and fresh fruit was fresh fruit; they tasted completely different.
However, looking at the cans he took, Zhao Jiaqi's mind suddenly sparked an idea. If seafood could be processed and made into cans, wouldn't that allow it to be preserved for a longer period?
This thought excited her for a while. Finally, she quickly wrote it down in her little notebook, afraid of forgetting.
In the afternoon, Fan Zehao took Zhao Jiaqi to the affected villages. Before even entering the village, the couple was shocked by the road.
Not only had the road improved significantly, but it had also been raised. Even the entire village had been elevated. The village chief explained that this was the prefect's idea.
The village chief said, "The prefect said that if there's heavy rain again, other parts of our village might be flooded, but the villagers will be safe. That's why they've raised the main areas of the village!"
Zhao Jiaqi really wanted to say that this approach was also not ideal. If their surroundings were flooded, how would they escape?
By boat, or swimming?
But if such a thing were to happen, floods were not as gentle as calm river water. Perhaps a surge would sweep people away.
However, she would not allow such a situation to occur.
After walking around the village, Zhao Jiaqi was quite satisfied to see that the houses built by every household this time had deep foundations, were sturdy, and well-constructed.
As they were leaving the village, they were recognized by the villagers who were working. They almost couldn't get out of the village. Fortunately, the village chief mediated, allowing them to escape.
Zhao Jiaqi patted her chest, frightened. "They say people fear fame and pigs fear being plump. If I walk on the street in the future and am enthusiastically surrounded by them, I really won't be able to handle it!"
Fan Zehao smiled and added, "That's not hard to manage. In the future, either travel by carriage, disguise yourself to look unattractive, or make yourself look very refined. Anyway, as long as they can't recognize you, it's fine!"
Zhao Jiaqi pictured the scene he described and was immediately disgusted by the thought.
"I don't have the courage to make myself look unattractive. If I dressed up to be refined, it's not impossible, but makeup takes time, and I'm not someone who is obsessed with beauty. So, in the future, I'll try to go out less. That would be more conservative!"
He smiled without saying anything. Whatever she said was fine.
The couple wandered around the inner city. Children went to private schools, merchants did business, and farmers farmed. Nothing untoward happened, and everything was busy in an orderly fashion. In just a few days, it had returned to its former state.
It seemed that not many people were troubled by the disaster.
The affected villages quickly recovered to their former glory, even better than before with improved houses and larger spaces. The village chief, clan elders, and villagers discussed and renamed the village.
Jia Ze Village, using one character from the Princess and Prince's names, formed a village name to commemorate the King and Princess's contributions to them.
With nothing to repay them with, they would pass down the story, so that all future generations of the village would remember the kindness of the couple.
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao were deeply moved. Their actions had gained the recognition of the common people.
The weather grew increasingly hot, with waves of heat rolling in the air. After the cold of the recent light rain, it was now so hot they could barely breathe.
This day was truly difficult.
Walking down the street, Fan Zehao held an umbrella for her, muttering, "This weather is truly unbearable, especially since it's so humid!"
After a short while, he was sweating profusely, his clothes sticking uncomfortably to his body.
Zhao Jiaqi was surprised for a moment, then remembered that this was a leap fifth month, which explained the weather.
On the street, there were many vendors selling zongzi leaves and red dates, and glutinous rice was selling quickly in the grain stores. Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi also joined the ranks.
Shopping spree, shopping spree. After Zhao Jiaqi finished buying, she remembered there were also meat zongzi, salted egg yolk zongzi, sweet bean paste...
Thinking of this, her mouth began to water. "No," she said, grabbing Fan Zehao, and they plunged back into the shopping. After buying a lot, they realized they couldn't carry it all. Finally, they had to ask the shopkeeper to find someone to deliver it back to their manor.
The steward saw the zongzi leaves and knew that the Princess was going to make zongzi. Thinking of the delicious zongzi, his face broke into a happy smile.
"I'm old, but I've developed a fondness for sweets. Princess, when these zongzi are made, this servant wants to eat a few more!"
It was the first time the steward had asked her for something, and she immediately agreed, "No problem, but glutinous rice is sticky. Eating too much is hard to digest and bad for your stomach. Before you eat the zongzi, go to the physician to get some digestive pills to have on hand!"
The old steward's eyes welled up, and he nodded repeatedly, "This servant remembers!"
Back in their courtyard, Zhao Jiaqi went straight to the small kitchen to start preparing the delicious food. Fan Zehao had been very idle these past few days. Seeing his wife preparing food, he couldn't help but join the fun.
When he saw the marinated meat being stuffed into the glutinous rice, he felt a prickle of goosebumps. He quickly stopped her, "Wife, this meat is salty, and zongzi are sweet. If you make it like this, will it taste good? Don't waste this meat!"
Zhao Jiaqi rolled her eyes at him. "Have you forgotten where I came from? If you want zongzi to be sweet, they will be sweet. If you want them to be salty, they will be salty. If you feel like making things difficult for yourself, then add some bitter herbs, and they'll be bitter. What's the big deal? Look at you, so surprised!"
Simply uncultured, Zhao Jiaqi shook her head repeatedly.
She directly nudged him out, "If you're free, go to the military camp and call Yu Meng back for me. Also, bring back those two little brats who are watching the shop. We'll eat at Mother's place tonight."
Although the Dragon Boat Festival wasn't a reunion festival, it was still a holiday. It was good for everyone to sit together, talk, and strengthen their relationships.
Fan Zehao chuckled foolishly twice and then pushed his luck, asking her, "Then I want to eat roast duck and roast goose. Can you add two more dishes for dinner tonight? I'll have a little drink with Father, Elder Brother, and Second Brother Helian to relax!"
Well, these two dishes were both roasted and greasy. This was purely an attempt to make her lose a few pounds.
She hadn't wanted to make them, but looking at his greedy expression, she thought that she hadn't cooked for him in a long time.
Fine, she'd indulge him this once.