Soon, Wang Qingyao learned about the scolding Fang Taifei received.
When Xiao Yun returned from work, she embellished the day's events and recounted them to him.
Xiao Yun immediately went to Jingwu Yuan.
Nian Momo hesitated for a moment and said to Wang Qingyao, "Your Highness, isn't this inappropriate? The Prince and Taifei are mother and son after all..."
Wang Qingyao's actions were akin to sowing discord. Moreover, the old Taifei had already reprimanded Fang Taifei, and Wang Qingyao's continued insistence made her seem rather thoughtless.
"Don't worry, Momo," Wang Qingyao said. "Precisely because they are mother and son, some words are easier to say. My words are useless, but the Prince's words will be twice as effective with half the effort."
Fang Taifei felt somewhat guilty upon seeing her son.
Yun Zhu poured him tea. He took a sip and directly asked, "Why did Mother suddenly think of arranging a concubine for me?"
His tone was casual, without any blame.
Fang Taifei, however, felt increasingly awkward and explained, "Mother just wanted you to have offspring soon. It doesn't matter who the mother is. Our family's lineage has always been sparse, and there's also..." Fearing she might upset Xiao Yun, she didn't say "curse."
Xiao Yun didn't mind. "Does Mother still remember what the Grand Tutor of Fengfu Kingdom said? The Grand Tutor said that Yao Yao's fate is precious and can break the Xiao family's curse."
Fang Taifei nodded. If not for the Grand Tutor of Fengfu Kingdom's words, with Wang Qingyao's status, how could she have married Prince Ding'an as his principal wife?
"The Grand Tutor also told me privately that to break the curse, I cannot have any other women."
"Ah?!" Fang Taifei looked incredulous.
Xiao Yun looked at her sternly. "It's true. If Mother doesn't believe me, she can summon the Grand Tutor to question him."
How could Fang Taifei not believe Xiao Yun's words, especially when it concerned Xiao Yun's life and death? Even with half-belief, she dared not act rashly.
After he left, Yun Zhu instructed a young maid to come in and clear the teacups. She then stood behind Fang Taifei and gently massaged her shoulders. "I hope the Princess Consort can truly break the Prince's curse."
Fang Taifei sighed. "It's a pity that Ah Yun, with his noble status, can only marry a woman of such background. I truly let his father down..."
Yun Zhu: "It seems the Prince quite likes the Princess Consort. He came to defend her as soon as he returned home."
Fang Taifei dismissed it. "It's the honeymoon period. Which couple isn't inseparable during their honeymoon?"
Yun Zhu smiled faintly. "Your Highness speaks the truth."
"However, the Princess Consort is too ill-mannered," Fang Taifei's delicate eyebrows furrowed. "What noble lady would walk and cry all the way? It's too undignified! All the servants in the mansion saw it..."
"The Princess Consort did not have parental guidance, so a lack of etiquette is understandable. Your Highness can guide her more in the future."
Fang Taifei nodded in strong agreement.
Xiao Yun returned to Kangping Yuan and recounted to Wang Qingyao what he had said to Fang Taifei.
Wang Qingyao froze instantly.
It was over. No one would share the workload with her anymore! She would have to bear children herself!
Seeing that she didn't look happy, Xiao Yun asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Wang Qingyao: "I'm just overcome with joy. Hehehe, Your Highness is truly intelligent."
Wuwuwu...
Xiao Yun chuckled and, not forgetting to praise himself, said, "Of course, who do you think I am?" He then mentioned work matters. "The Emperor has transferred Fang Zheng to Dali Temple."
Fang Zheng was the nephew of the late Empress. After the Empress's death, her maternal family was suppressed by Grand Tutor Wei's faction, only able to operate on the fringes of officialdom. They were never assigned important positions, only idle ones with no real power.
Today, for some reason, the Emperor, disregarding the Wei family's opposition, directly transferred Fang Zheng to Dali Temple as the Left Deputy Minister.
Wang Qingyao didn't understand court affairs. She reluctantly pulled herself out of her sadness and, after careful thought, keenly grasped the key point. "Who is the Minister of Dali Temple?"
Xiao Yun glanced at her approvingly. "It's the Ban family, relatives by marriage to the Wei family. The granddaughter of the current Minister of Dali Temple, Madam Ban, is Grand Tutor Wei's second daughter-in-law."
Oh, so that was Wei Yu's mother. The relationship was quite close.
"Does the Emperor intend to establish a Crown Prince?"
"The Second Prince is benevolent and kind. He may not be good at starting things, but he can maintain them. The concern is the excessive interference of the imperial relatives..."
"Are we part of the Second Prince's faction?"
Xiao Yun smiled. "Prince Ding'an's mansion is loyal only to the Emperor."
In other words, they were neutral, loyal to whoever became emperor.
Wang Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief. She had read many novels about harem intrigue and succession struggles. The fight for the throne was no trivial matter; a single misstep could lead to the execution of the entire family, which was too terrifying.
"I'm hungry. Have someone set the table," Xiao Yun said.
Wang Qingyao then gave the order.
Together, Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao couldn't keep their hands idle. He would pinch her cheek or caress her small hand.
Wang Qingyao wasn't shy. She reached out to caress him back and even provocatively lifted his chin.
Xiao Yun: "I've discovered that Your Highness the Princess Consort has the potential to be a rake."
Wang Qingyao giggled and started tickling him.
After they had been playfully bantering for a while, Hua Momo, who had been secretly peeking, became anxious.
Had the Princess Consort forgotten about her?
Hua Momo deliberately peeked out, trying to attract Wang Qingyao's attention.
Wang Qingyao had indeed forgotten about her. Seeing her furtive appearance now, she immediately remembered and whispered the matter of Hua Momo into Xiao Yun's ear.
"Can we use this to get rid of her?"
Was that difficult? Who was Xiao Yun?
He immediately stood up, strode to the door, and kicked Hua Momo, who hadn't had time to escape, to the ground.
"Insolent slave! How dare you sow discord before the Princess Consort! Prince Ding'an's mansion cannot tolerate someone who gossips like you! Guards, tie up Hua Momo and send her back to the Wang family!"
Hua Momo could not withstand the thunderous wrath of Prince Ding'an. Her face turned ashen with fear. She prostrated herself on the ground, begging for mercy, and cried out to the room for the Princess Consort to save her. Wang Qingyao, with her back to her, didn't move.
Hua Momo felt utter despair. As expected, she was a useless master who couldn't even protect the servants from her own family!
She had thought that by becoming the Princess Consort's dowry maid, she would live a life of luxury and rise to prominence. At this moment, Hua Momo still hadn't realized how things had escalated.
Hua Momo was tied up and, out of respect for Wang Qingyao, quietly sent back to the Wang family.