☆, Chapter 268 The Most Prosperous Commercial District
The opening of the tea boat waterway enabled Liubao tea, Yongning porcelain, and Tong ethnic silk to be sold to Southeast Asia and even overseas within just two years. Due to the opening of this waterway, many merchants from Western countries also brought their novelties to Daliang.
Initially, communication between the two sides was difficult regarding items such as peepholes, glassware, and clothing. Fortunately, Zhou Mujiao had prepared foreign language talents in advance. As soon as the waterway was opened, these people were immediately sent to Lingnan. Foreign language teaching in Li Changyi's area was also launched immediately. Later, when the Emperor Emeritus and those old scholars went there, they served as teachers during the day and students at night, enjoying learning foreign languages immensely.
After several years of development, Lingnan has become the country's leading center for trade talent. If you ask anyone on the street for directions, they might even ask if you want to buy this. As for foreign languages, they are practically the third language for Lingnan people. The first is Lingnan dialect, the second is Central Plains dialect, and the third is this foreign language.
The starting point of the sea route is in Lingnan, but the destination is far more than just Southeast Asia and the West. However, shipbuilding technology is still slightly behind the West at present. Zhou Mujiao and Zhao Yunjing came with the mission of strengthening the Daliang fleet and the Lingnan Navy. They did not come simply to retire or enjoy a peaceful life.
Zhao Yunjing and his wife followed the trade caravan from Lingnan, heading south and passing through several port countries that would later become famous. At that time, these port countries that would later become very developed were just small fishing villages, and their language and folk culture showed that they were of the same lineage as the Great Liang.
Further outwards lies an even more distant place, and Zhou Mujiao felt there was no need to go any further. After all, beyond that lay the vast ocean, where current navigation technology made it extremely easy to lose one's way. Moreover, the Daliang maritime rescue team lacked the necessary expertise and manpower, and most importantly, the ship couldn't withstand the strong winds and waves. Furthermore, they would likely encounter pirates.
If you want to travel a long distance, you must first prepare sturdy yet lightweight shoes, so Zhou Mujiao and the others returned after making a round of Brahman.
Exactly three months later, Li Changyi returned to Lingnan with Meng Jingjing.
Meng Jingjing was extremely thin, almost skin and bones. Everyone assumed that Li Changyi had abused her during the trip, but Zhou Mujiao only glanced at her and congratulated her.
"Congratulations? What is there for me to be happy about?"
Immediately realizing her mistake after asking, she turned to stare at Meng Jingjing: "Your Highness hasn't had her period for two months...you're pregnant with my child. Jingjing, why didn't you tell me?"
Meng Jingjing turned the back of her head to him and took the initiative to pull Zhou Mujiao: "Mrs. Zhao, come with me, I'll tell you where I feel unwell."
Li Changyi watched Meng Jingjing walk away, and after taking a few steps, he was stopped by Zhao Yunjing: "Ajiao is a doctor. If the princess is really pregnant, she will definitely not hide it from you. Come, I have a big project here, and I already have a preliminary plan. I see that the prince is in good spirits, so why don't we discuss it together?"
Li Changyi gritted his teeth: "Zhao Yunjing, did you do this on purpose?"
Zhao Yunjing let go of her hand: "Then go after her and see if the princess will pay any attention to you."
Of course, he wouldn't pay any attention. All along the way, Li Changyi had been paying the price for his previous arrogance and prejudice. What does it mean to mistreat your wife for a moment and then suffer the consequences of trying to win her back? Li Changyi was a living example. He told people not to speak ill of any woman easily, because you never know when that woman will become your wife and be loved by you.
Zhou Mujiao took Meng Jingjing's pulse and sighed, "I know you feel uneasy and resentful, but since you've chosen to continue your entanglement with Li Changyi, you have to take good care of yourself. Before, it was fine when you were alone, but now that you're pregnant, you can't be stubborn anymore, unless you don't want him to come into this world."
Meng Jingjing remained silent.
“Using a child to tie a woman to death is the most despicable thing to do. Li Changyi may not be unaware of this, but he still did it. He must have tried every trick he could think of but failed to keep you here, so he took this desperate path. However, I believe that with your resilience, Your Highness, if you are unwilling, even if Li Changyi kills you, you will not give him the chance. You were once the commander of the Meng family generals and were able to guard the border. There is no reason why you cannot handle Li Changyi.”
Meng Jingjing remained silent.
Zhou Mujiao stopped there and continued to examine her.
Meng Jingjing is two months pregnant. Li Changyi is so clueless. The two of them spend every day together. Since he knows that she hasn't had her period for two months, he didn't even think to call a doctor to take a look. It's infuriating that she's gotten so thin.
While giving instructions, she wrote down the recipe and told Meng Jingjing's personal nanny, "The princess is pregnant and her body is weak. She can't take any nourishing supplements. If your prince wants to give her a lot of nourishing food, you should have him come to me. I am a doctor. As long as the princess is willing to trust me, I can help her recover within a month."
Granny Wang breathed a sigh of relief: "Madam Zhao, thank you in advance. This old servant will go down and prepare some food for the Princess."
"This is the menu for seven days. Just follow it and serve the Princess the food on time and in the correct amounts. You can eat two extra fruits in addition to the menu, but stop eating the rest for now. I will come back to change the menu after seven days."
Granny Wang thanked her profusely before leaving. As Zhou Mujiao was about to leave, Meng Jingjing whispered a thank you. Zhou Mujiao waved her hand and said, "If nothing goes wrong, Brother Zhao and I will spend the rest of our lives in Lingnan. If the Princess continues to hold a grudge, you will have a miserable life. Your child will have a mother full of resentment and a child full of love. Their future is almost predictable."
Not long after Zhou Mujiao left, Meng Jingjing summoned her maid: "What is the prince doing?"
The maidservant said cautiously, "His Highness, he and Lord Zhao—"
"Tell me the truth: are you with Lord Zhao or Lady Zhao?"
"Madam Zhao."
"oh."
"However, the Prince was beaten by Madam Zhao. The Prince told us not to tell you, saying that it would affect his impression on you." The maid said cautiously, "Your Highness, actually, all along the way, we servants felt that the Prince had feelings for you. Now, when he saw Madam Zhao, he didn't stare at her as usual, but came up and asked about your situation."
It turns out even the maids knew that Li Changyi used to stare intently at Zhou Mujiao.
"Summon the prince."
After being scolded and beaten by Zhou Mujiao, Li Changyi felt refreshed because he finally understood his feelings for Zhou Mujiao.
The love at first sight back then was real, but the subsequent entanglement was somewhat driven by resentment and rebellion. If I really couldn't live without her, I would have done everything I could to bring her to my side, just like I did with Meng Jingjing.
Love is not about respect, love is about possession, love is about being entangled forever, until death do us part!
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