The summer days dawned early, and by the hour of Mao, the sky was already bright. However, because the inner chamber was separated by curtains, it wasn't as bright as outside, appearing dim. Wang Qingyao still thought it was the middle of the night.
Xiao Yun got out of bed quietly, afraid of disturbing Wang Qingyao. He always dressed himself without calling for servants.
Unexpectedly, Wang Qingyao woke up anyway. She yawned and, propped on the edge of the bed, asked, "What time is it?"
Xiao Yun leaned over and kissed her forehead. "It's only the hour of Mao, why are you awake? Sleep a little longer."
He knew Wang Qingyao usually slept until the hour of Chen.
Wang Qingyao shook her head. "I can't sleep anymore. I probably slept early last night and wasn't tired."
A slight smile curved Xiao Yun's lips. "It seems it's my fault. Tonight, I'll make sure you're tired enough to sleep soundly."
It took Wang Qingyao a moment to understand the implication of his words, and she chided him, "Pervert!"
Xiao Yun's mood lifted, and he let out a laugh.
The Ding'an Prince's Estate was close to the imperial palace. Xiao Yun, waking at the hour of Mao, had ample time for either attending court or reporting for duty at the Ministry of Revenue. Some who lived farther away had to wake in the latter half of the night to make the journey; it was truly grueling work.
Even if Xiao Yun lived farther away, Wang Qingyao surmised he would still wake at the hour of Mao.
After all, Young Master Xiao's healthy lifestyle routine was not easily altered.
Wang Qingyao got out of bed. "I'll see you off."
"No need," Xiao Yun said. "A'mo is outside. Don't go out."
Wang Qingyao hadn't paid attention before, but hearing Xiao Yun's words, she used her clairvoyant eyes to look outside. Indeed, Xiao Yun was standing in their courtyard, his expression as usual, devoid of emotion.
"A'mo is waiting for you?"
Xiao Yun nodded. "He's going with me to the Ministry of Revenue."
"A'mo is also on duty at the Ministry of Revenue?"
"You could say that. I'm taking him along for some experience."
The words sounded odd, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why.
She glanced at Xiao Yun, who seemed a little guilty.
Wang Qingyao keenly sensed that Xiao Yun was hiding something from her.
He had secrets too?!
She said nothing, watching Xiao Yun leave. She then tidied herself up and went to the Old Imperial Concubine's courtyard to pay her respects, and had breakfast there.
The Old Imperial Concubine didn't require her to serve dishes or follow strict etiquette, only asking her to help set the bowls and chopsticks.
Afterward, the stewards from various departments of the estate came to report and collect their tokens. The Old Imperial Concubine arranged the day's affairs, and Wang Qingyao observed from the side, committing it to memory.
These were her future responsibilities.
The autumn sacrifice on the day of the Autumn Equinox in August required offerings to the Earth God, and preparations had to be made. On that day, married daughters would return to their maternal homes, and gifts had to be prepared. Following that was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a major holiday where the palace would host a banquet. While uniforms were provided, new jewelry would be needed.
The Ding'an Prince's Estate had no young ladies, and Consort Fang was a widow who did not attend banquets. It was only the Old Imperial Concubine and Wang Qingyao, making things much simpler than for families with many young women.
"Tomorrow, have Baobao Silver House send over the new designs for the next season for us to look at."
Wang Qingyao leaned forward to massage the Old Imperial Concubine's shoulders. "Why don't I accompany Grandmother to the shop? The shop has many styles, and more choices. If Baobao Silver House doesn't have anything we like, we can visit other silver shops. The weather isn't so hot now, and a walk would be good for your health."
Since getting married, Wang Qingyao hadn't left the estate.
Counting from before her wedding, she hadn't been out for about half a month. She had truly stayed within her chambers, and felt she would go mad from boredom.
Finally having this opportunity, how could she let it slip away? Not only did she speak eloquently, but her hands also remained attentive, using the rudimentary massage techniques she had learned in an elective university course, making the Old Imperial Concubine feel extremely comfortable.
How could the Old Imperial Concubine not see through her little scheme?
She immediately smiled and agreed.
She patted Wang Qingyao's hand and said, "You are the Princess Consort of the Ding'an Prince's Estate, no longer a young girl. If you wish to go out, you may. Just send someone to inform me; there's no need to seek my permission."
The Old Imperial Concubine assumed Wang Qingyao had been confined to a small courtyard in the Wang family and was hesitant to go out, even after marriage. Her words carried a hint of sympathy.
Wang Qingyao understood, and for some reason, thought of her own deceased grandmother. Her eyes welled up.
"Grandmother..."
"My dear child, why are you crying? Didn't I agree?"
Wang Qingyao hugged the Old Imperial Concubine's neck and rested her head on her shoulder, acting spoiled. "Grandmother loves me, and I'm happy. I'm crying tears of joy."
The Old Imperial Concubine had been a Princess Consort, then a Consort, and now an Old Imperial Concubine. She had no daughters or granddaughters. Throughout her long life, no one had ever acted so spoiled towards her as Wang Qingyao did.
Of course, Xiao Yun also acted spoiled, but as a boy, his spoiled behavior was gruff and stubborn, not fragrant and soft like a girl's.
The Old Imperial Concubine held Wang Qingyao, her heart softening.
She understood some of Wang Qingyao's feelings and gently stroked her head. "From now on, you are part of the Xiao family. No one will dare bully you."
Wang Qingyao spent the morning with the Old Imperial Concubine and only returned to Kangping Courtyard at the hour of Si.
She disliked bringing many people with her when she went out. Since Xiao Yun had arranged for Zhenzhu to protect her closely, she now only brought Zhenzhu wherever she went.
Yinzhu was a little jealous, but who could blame Zhenzhu for having better martial arts skills?
She knew that with Zhenzhu around, Wang Qingyao was safe, so her jealousy was quite unreasonable.
Thus, she could only strive to improve herself, taking Jin Tiao as her master and seeking him out to practice martial arts whenever she had free time.
Jin Tiao was recuperating from his injuries, and with nothing else to do, he was happy to have another disciple to pass the time.
Wang Qingyao knew Yinzhu had gone to learn martial arts when she didn't see her.
She instructed Zhizi, "Tomorrow, I will be going out shopping with the Old Imperial Concubine. Have Yinzhu prepare some silver for Zhenzhu to carry."
Zhizi acknowledged the order.
After a few more words, Feicui came in to announce that Miss Yun Zhu had arrived.
This was a rare visitor.
Yun Zhu was well-mannered and did not enter the main hall, only greeting from the doorway. "The Consort has newly acquired a basket of fresh cherries and has asked me to deliver half a basket to the Princess Consort."
Wang Qingyao then noticed a young maid behind her, holding a small woven bamboo basket.
As the saying goes, one doesn't strike a smiling face. Since the other party had come to show goodwill, and moreover, she was her mother-in-law, Wang Qingyao couldn't act haughty. She walked out, personally escorted Yun Zhu to the flower hall, and ordered tea and snacks to be served.
Yun Zhu refused to sit, saying, "The Consort has matters to attend to. I appreciate the Princess Consort's kind intentions."
She was neither humble nor arrogant, neither pleased nor displeased, appearing quite dignified.
Wang Qingyao had Zhizi accept the cherries and gave a reward. When accepting a gift from someone, a return gift was naturally expected. Fortunately, there were fresh fruits in the courtyard, so she had a basket filled and asked the young maid to carry it.