Wang Qingyao and the Old Imperial Concubine returned with full hands.
They bought not only jewelry and accessories but also clothes and cosmetics.
Finally, they selected two identical golden abacuses for the brothers Xiao Yun and Xiao Mo, each engraved with their names.
The Old Imperial Concubine: "Aren't you buying a gift for your mother?"
"Oh dear, Grandmother, I almost forgot."
Wang Qingyao had indeed forgotten. Consort Fang was only interested in Buddhist rituals and nothing else. After some thought, she insincerely picked out a Buddhist scripture from the bookstore for Consort Fang.
The Old Imperial Concubine: "Isn't that a bit perfunctory?"
Wang Qingyao: "I am being perfunctory."
The Old Imperial Concubine: "..."
Wang Qingyao: "Grandmother, aren't you going to pick a gift for your daughter-in-law too?"
The Old Imperial Concubine: "..."
Before they had gone far, the Old Imperial Concubine returned to the bookstore and also picked out a Buddhist scripture for Consort Fang.
Wang Qingyao burst into laughter: "Grandmother, you criticize me, but aren't you being perfunctory too?"
The Old Imperial Concubine playfully threatened to pinch her: "You little imp, you dare to tease even your grandmother?"
Wang Qingyao, laughing and begging for mercy, hid behind Nanny Jing.
Nanny Jing watched the grandmother and granddaughter playfully bicker, her eyes moistening.
How many years had it been since the Old Imperial Concubine was so relaxed?
The Princess Consort treated the Old Imperial Concubine not like an imperial concubine, but as a grandmother from an ordinary family, receiving her affection and enjoying casual intimacy.
The Old Imperial Concubine must have liked this way of interacting too, right?
One could tell from the way every wrinkle on her face was smiling.
Nanny Jing felt gratified and her affection for Wang Qingyao grew.
Upon returning to the Prince's mansion, the Old Imperial Concubine, concerned about Madam Tian's matter, was eager for Wang Qingyao to explain it in her courtyard.
Wang Qingyao said: "No rush, Grandmother must be tired after a day of shopping. Let's take a good bath and change clothes, and rest. When the Prince returns, I'll go to your place with him. This matter must be told to the Prince, so I don't have to say it twice."
The Old Imperial Concubine, being elderly, was naturally weary after shopping for most of the day. She took a short nap upon returning to her courtyard.
Wang Qingyao distributed the gifts to everyone. The maids in Kangping Courtyard, from the highest to the lowest, received something, and Nanny Nian received a solid gold bracelet. For a while, the entire courtyard was filled with joy.
The gifts for Xiao Mo and Consort Fang were also sent over by the maids.
When Xiao Yun returned, they went to the Old Imperial Concubine's courtyard together.
The Old Imperial Concubine dismissed the servants, leaving only the three of them in the room.
Wang Qingyao had already told Xiao Yun about Madam Tian's matter on the way. Xiao Yun's brows furrowed as he listened: "Unreasonable. Be careful, I'll find someone to beat up that Tian Yu again."
It was just a beating; killing was out of the question, and Tian Yu was no significant figure.
Madam Tian was foolish to believe that Wang Qingyao would send people to hunt down Tian Yu.
The Old Imperial Concubine asked: "Yao Yao has already guessed who deceived Madam Tian?"
Wang Qingyao nodded: "Grand Tutor Wei."
The Old Imperial Concubine was surprised. Would a dignified Grand Tutor do something so trivial?
Xiao Yun glanced at Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao subtly nodded, and Xiao Yun knew it was her intuition, and immediately believed it.
Wang Qingyao continued: "It should still be about the previous incident. Grand Tutor Wei has likely investigated and found that there is no Peach Blossom Village, nor any half-mad old woman. It's just that we don't know what his motive is for this action."
Wang Qingyao couldn't figure it out, and neither could Xiao Yun and the Old Imperial Concubine.
It couldn't be that he was hoping Madam Tian would file a complaint with the Emperor, could it?
Even if she did, with fabricated accusations, it wouldn't harm Wang Qingyao.
The three of them discussed it but couldn't reach a conclusion.
As it was nearing dinnertime, they decided to have dinner together at the Old Imperial Concubine's place.
After dinner, they discussed it for a while longer, still unsure of Grand Tutor Wei's intentions. However, since they knew he had a scheme, there was no reason to do nothing.
"I'll send two more hidden guards to your side."
Wang Qingyao nodded: "It's best to send someone to Yun Gui..."
She suddenly paused, a flash of inspiration striking her: "Have the people you sent to find Steward Ji found any trace of him?"
Xiao Yun also reacted: "You suspect Steward Ji fled to Yun Gui?"
Steward Ji definitely couldn't stay in Duanjing. Xiao Yun, being cunning, had directly reported the case. Wanted posters for Steward Ji were posted at all the major city gates of Duanjing. The moment he returned to Duanjing, he would be apprehended.
Furthermore, he had failed to kill Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun, and instead exposed Grand Tutor Wei's secret. The Ding'an Prince's mansion would surely be investigating him. If he were caught by Xiao Yun's men, Grand Tutor Wei's secret would be exposed.
Grand Tutor Wei would certainly not allow him to return to Duanjing.
"Madam Tian said she believed I sent people to chase and kill Tian Yu only after seeing Tian Yu's protective amulet. Is it possible the amulet is real? Steward Ji fled to Yun Gui and has been in contact with Grand Tutor Wei. For some reason, Grand Tutor Wei thought of this method. Steward Ji is highly skilled in martial arts, and stealing a protective amulet from Tian Yu would be no problem."
Xiao Yun frowned: "Grand Tutor Wei wouldn't actually target Tian Yu, would he? No, I must immediately send someone to protect Tian Yu. If this matter truly implicates you, it would be troublesome."
Yun Gui was a distant and mountainous region. Traveling there from Duanjing would take at least half a month.
The Old Imperial Concubine said: "Yun Gui borders Nanzhou, which is the fiefdom of Prince Dingnan. I'll write a letter to Prince Ding'an and ask him to arrange for someone to protect Tian Yu. If they can capture Steward Ji, that would be even better. A'yun, have the Xiao family's secret agents send a carrier pigeon all the way to Nanzhou."