Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow, "Oh, the Xiao family has hidden agents too."
Noticing her expression, the old imperial concubine explained, "The Xiao family's businesses are spread all over the country. Each branch has a shop that serves as a hidden post, solely responsible for gathering information. Their combat skills, however, are not up to par."
Otherwise, they wouldn't have had to trouble the Prince of Dingnan and have the agents handle it directly.
"Huh? Grandmother, you have a connection with the Prince of Ding'an?" Xiao Yun asked.
He had never heard the old imperial concubine mention this before.
The Prince of Ding'an and the Prince of Dingnan were the only two princes with surnames other than the imperial clan since the founding of the dynasty. One was in Duanjing, and the other was in Nanzhou, separated by a vast distance. Xiao Yun himself had never met the Prince of Dingnan since he could remember.
The old imperial concubine smiled, "The Prince of Dingnan assisted the late Emperor in conquering the empire alongside your grandfather. I am also an old acquaintance. Thirty-odd years have flown by..."
Thirty-odd years had flown by. The Prince of Dingnan was still the same Prince of Dingnan, while the Prince of Ding'an had already reached its third generation.
A wistful expression appeared on the old imperial concubine's face. Her gaze fixed on a certain spot, lost in memories.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun exchanged a glance, tacitly refraining from disturbing the old imperial concubine.
However, the old imperial concubine soon came back to her senses, smiling wryly.
Wang Qingyao went over to pat her back and asked, "What kind of person is the Prince of Dingnan?"
She guided the old imperial concubine to recount some past events.
When speaking of the Prince of Dingnan, the old imperial concubine showed a hint of helplessness, "He's a coarse fellow, not very cultured, but his martial arts are formidable, and he's a great fighter. Have you heard of the Battle of Lishan? He single-handedly defeated six fierce generals from the region..."
"Your grandfather often called him a barbarian, and he would retort that your grandfather was a cunning merchant..."
The old imperial concubine grew more animated as she spoke, chattering on about many things. Though she spoke of disliking the Prince of Dingnan, her expression was joyful.
Those were the days of her youth, the passionate martial world.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun exchanged knowing smiles.
At that moment, wet nurse Jing knocked on the door and announced, "Your Majesty, the Second Young Master has come to pay his respects."
The old imperial concubine finally ceased her reminiscing and invited Xiao Mo in.
Although Xiao Mo was an adopted son, the old imperial concubine treated him with the same affection as Xiao Yun, loving them equally.
"Have you had dinner?"
Xiao Mo nodded, "Yes, I have. I came to pay my respects to Grandmother. Seeing that Grandmother, Xiao Yun, and Wang Qingyao are all here, I won't go to Kangping Courtyard."
He then bowed to Wang Qingyao and had someone present a delicate small box to her.
"This is a token of my gratitude."
In front of so many people, Wang Qingyao felt embarrassed to open it directly. Her clairvoyant eyes scanned it, and oh, ten neat gold ingots!
Gleaming golden yellow, they looked so lovely.
Xiao Mo's gift-giving was even simpler and more direct than Xiao Yun's!
Wang Qingyao beamed, "Oh, dear Second Brother, you are too kind, hahaha."
Xiao Yun asked in confusion, "What token of gratitude?"
Xiao Mo explained, "Eldest Sister-in-law gave me a golden abacus."
Xiao Yun knew that Wang Qingyao and the old imperial concubine had gone shopping today, but he didn't know they had brought gifts for the family members.
"Do I not have a gift?" He reached out to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao lightly patted his hand, "Yes, I forgot to tell you. Yours is the same as Xiao Mo's, both golden abacuses, exactly alike. I even asked the shopkeeper to engrave your names on them!"
Wang Qingyao was quite pleased, but Xiao Yun became a little unhappy.
Could he be the same as Xiao Mo?
Xiao Yun's displeasure lingered until they returned to Kangping Courtyard. Wang Qingyao showed him the golden abacus, but he merely glanced at it, not showing much liking.
Wang Qingyao observed his expression, "What's wrong? You don't like it?"
"Is this the only gift I receive?"
Wang Qingyao was adept at understanding Xiao Yun's thoughts. When he asked this, she understood immediately.
So, he was jealous!
No wonder he had been acting so awkward since they were at the old imperial concubine's place.
She chuckled, leaned in, and whispered into his ear, "I bought you something else..."
Xiao Yun looked at her in confusion, "Why did you buy me this? Isn't this something women wear?"
Her voice became even lower, her breath warm against his ear, her voice like a hook, "To tear it up for you!"
Xiao Yun's breath hitched, and then he realized he had become shamefully aroused.
That night, they engaged in some new activities, and Xiao Yun completely forgot about the gift-giving. He held Wang Qingyao's soft and smooth waist and said, "Tomorrow, you will submit your token to enter the palace and see Consort Chen. Inquire about Empress Xiaoxian. The more Grand Tutor Wei fears this secret being exposed, the more we must uncover it."
Wang Qingyao nodded and asked, "How did the Emperor feel about Empress Xiaoxian?"
Xiao Yun shook his head, "I'm not sure either, but I guess there was respect, right? Empress Xiaoxian died in childbirth when she gave birth to the First Prince. By rights, the First Prince shouldn't have been counted in the succession, but the Emperor still gave him a title. However, Noble Consort Wei also enjoyed such honor. The Third Prince was also born to Noble Consort Wei, and although he died young, he was still counted in the succession. Other princes did not have such good fortune."
Noble Consort Wei was truly prolific, and all her children were sons.
Wang Qingyao sighed and asked again, "Who does the Emperor like more?"
Xiao Yun pinched her waist, "Shall I ask the Emperor for you the next time I see him?"
Wang Qingyao burst into laughter and playfully hit his chest, "Naughty."
Of course, her blow was light and harmless, a form of playful banter, not a real hit.
This was also part of her job, to strike the right balance between a husband and a lover, maintaining respect while also adding a touch of romance.
Judging by Xiao Yun's reaction, her work was currently very successful.