In the following days, Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi followed Zhao Nan to explore the medicinal herbs and jade mines in the southern border region.
Zhao Nan also sent some of his men to Jiang Bai, and from then on, the two cooperated to deliver the mined raw materials to the capital.
All the manpower and resources were provided by Zhao Nan's side, while Jiang Bai also brought these servants. He selected and trained the clever ones to be in charge, giving them autonomy to mine resources in this area and to contact the capital.
These people became the first to go south with Jiang Bai and get rich.
At first, things went very smoothly.
That day, Jiang Bai and Zhao Nan were shopping, and Jiang Bai looked somewhat worried.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Nan asked while eating a flower cake.
Jiang Bai looked back and said, "The cost of transporting it back to the capital by land is actually too high."
"I've thought about that too, but the conditions in ancient times were too harsh. We're already at our fastest speed now, unless..."
The two said in unison, "By water."
However, traveling by water is not an easy task.
The route would pass through numerous counties, requiring coordination with local officials.
Unless they have a special permit, as long as it's a Jiangbai boat, they don't need such complicated procedures.
"The royal family will not allow us to do this."
Jiang Bai paused for a moment, then said, "Mutual benefit and win-win is the only way."
“We are working with the Royal Family.”
But Zhao Nan shook his head: "The royal family is more complicated than you think, Jiang Bai."
Jiang Bai saw sadness in Zhao Nan's eyes.
She sighed, "Let's make plans for this later. We'll take it one step at a time. For now, we'll go by land. Anyway, we won't lose anything."
Zhao Nan nodded: "Okay."
The trip to southern Xinjiang came to a temporary end on the second day.
On the day Jiang Bai left, Zhao Nan traveled with them all the way.
The people of Southern Xinjiang were very reluctant to see their city lord leave.
As for the reason, Jiang Bai still finds it exaggerated.
“Madam Zhao, my city lord is timid, you must protect her well.”
“Madam Zhao, my lord is Fufeng Ruoliu. Please don’t let her be bullied. I’ve heard that things outside are not like here.”
Jiang Bai: "..."
Zhao Nan gave an awkward smile and pulled Jiang Bai onto the boat.
Jiang Bai looked at Zhao Nan and said, "Come on, let me help you. Be careful."
Zhao Nan slapped Jiang Bai's hand away: "Please, don't be ridiculous, you're just making fun of me."
Three days later, the group arrived in the capital.
This time, they stayed for almost half a month.
This was unexpected; the Zhao couple had been away from the capital for so long.
During this period, Zhao Xile has started attending classes at the Imperial Academy, and Zhao Ping'an has returned once, but it is unknown when he will return next.
Jiang Bai felt somewhat regretful, so he made up for it by having two children as soon as he returned.
As for Zhao Nan, he is temporarily staying at the Zhao residence.
Having just returned for two days, Jiang Bai spent every day with Zhao Xile, and the rest of the time with Zhao Nan, overseeing the business of Yipin Pavilion over the past two weeks.
Zhao Nan, however, seemed unwilling to go out.
This was the third day, and Jiang Bai urged Zhao Nan to go to Yipin Pavilion.
But Zhao Nan still looked hesitant: "Well, let's go in a few days."
Jiang Bai asked helplessly, "What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid."
"I...I'm just not ready yet."
Jiang Bai sat down next to her: "Aunt Zhao, the Prince has been missing you very much. You don't need to make any preparations. The Prince has been waiting for you."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Nan slowly stood up and breathed a sigh of relief: "Let's go."
The two boarded the carriage and headed straight for Yipin Pavilion.
Zhao Nan looked at the shop from back then, her eyes filled with excitement.
"Jiang Bai, I didn't expect you to take such good care of her!!"
Jiang Bai chuckled: "Of course, with such an outstanding former master, how could I fall behind?"
After the two finished browsing Yipin Pavilion, Jiang Bai prepared to take her to the Prince's Mansion, where they happened to run into Princess Anping, who had come to Yipin Pavilion to find Jiang Bai.
After Anping greeted Jiang Bai, he watched a person come downstairs. His gaze swept over the person, and he trembled all over.
She looked at the person behind Jiang Bai with an incredulous expression.
"aunt?!"
"Jiang Bai, that's...?"
Jiang Bai patted her shoulder: "Princess, it is indeed the Queen Consort."
Anping couldn't believe that this person would actually appear in the capital.
My aunt, who had disappeared for over a decade, suddenly appeared at Yipin Pavilion!
Anping rushed forward and grabbed her: "Auntie, is that you?!"
"aunt?!"
When Zhao Nan saw Anping, her eyes also filled with tears: "Anping."
Anping cried and then laughed: "It really was you, it really was you!"
She hugged Zhao Nan tightly: "Aunt, Uncle Wang and I have been waiting for you for so many years! You're finally back!"
Jiang Bai's eyes even welled up with tears as he watched the scene unfold.
She walked up with a smile: "Your Highness, please go to the Prince's Palace now."
Anping then realized what was happening and pulled Zhao Nan to get into the carriage.
"You should come too," Anping said to Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai waved his hand: "I won't go, you guys go ahead."
It wouldn't be appropriate for her to go to this scene.
Anping smiled gratefully and got into the carriage with Zhao Nan.
Jiang Bai breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly felt that the world was wonderful and everything was wonderful.
However, something happened that ruined her good mood.
A woman came to Yipin Pavilion, saying she was looking for Jiang Bai.
When the servant heard that the woman had been sent by the old lady of the Zhao family, he led her to the backyard.
Jiang Bai was listening to the music when he saw a woman walking gracefully towards him, her figure slender, but she had a somewhat petty air about her.
Jiang Bai stood up: "May I ask what brings you here?"
The woman greeted Jiang Bai directly: "This humble woman is Linglong, and greets Madam."
"What?!" Jiang Bai looked bewildered, her feelings a mix of emotions as she stared at the woman before her.
"Were you summoned by the old lady?"
"Yes, madam."
The woman was very polite and spoke in a gentle tone. Coupled with her delicate appearance, even a man would feel pity for her.
Jiang Bai paused for a moment: "Since you were summoned by the old lady, you can stay here for now. I have other things to take care of."
"Alright, then I'll wait for you, Madam."
Jiang Bai left the back room, his mind in turmoil.
Waiting for me? What are you waiting for me for?
It seems that the old lady secretly arranged the concubine's marriage while they were away from the capital.
How dare this person act like this in front of me? He must be acting on the orders of the old lady.
Jiang Bai frowned slightly. In the end, she shouldn't have stopped Zhao Yi from taking a concubine.
But even though that's what he said, Jiang Bai still felt somewhat uncomfortable when this woman arrived.
At that moment, Zhao Yi saw her and smiled, "Bai'er, are you done with your work?"
Jiang Bai looked up, unsure of what to say.
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