Even without guards, no one could easily approach Wang Qingyao and the Old Imperial Consort.
When the person rushed out, Zhenzhu had already shielded Wang Qingyao behind her, and Mama Jing and the others had blocked the Old Imperial Consort.
The person knew the rules. Although kneeling before Wang Qingyao, they were still some distance away, not at her feet.
Wang Qingyao recognized the voice as Mrs. Tian, the mother of Tian Yu.
She had only met her once. Seeing her now, thin and haggard, tears streaming down her face, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
The Tian family was truly unlucky, getting entangled with her once and never being able to let go.
Tian Yu had already married a beautiful wife, and she was now married herself. Wouldn't it be better for everyone to forget each other and go their separate ways?
Instead, they had to stir up trouble from time to time, adding to her frustration!
Mrs. Tian not only knelt before her but also kowtowed, her face filled with fear and trepidation, as if Wang Qingyao had committed some heinous crime.
Her behavior had already attracted the attention of passersby. Regardless of the reason, a public disturbance would bring shame to both parties.
With a look from Wang Qingyao, Zhenzhu stepped forward and helped Mrs. Tian up, smiling brightly and saying, "Madam, let's go inside to talk."
She had martial arts skills, and Mrs. Tian, being held by her, couldn't move at all.
The shopkeeper of Babao Tower was shrewd. Seeing the attire and bearing of the Old Imperial Consort and Wang Qingyao, he knew they were not ordinary wealthy individuals. He immediately led them to a private room inside.
"Your esteemed guests, please rest your feet. It's crowded here, and an offense would be unwelcome. I'll have a shop assistant bring in the new styles of this season for you to choose from."
He didn't mention the previous commotion at all.
The Old Imperial Consort nodded.
After the shopkeeper withdrew, Zhenzhu released Mrs. Tian. Mrs. Tian knelt again, repeating the same few words.
After Wang Qingyao helped the Old Imperial Consort to be seated, she gracefully said, "Madam Tian, you have no manners. Since you recognize me and the Old Imperial Consort, why do you kowtow to me and not to the Old Imperial Consort?"
She showed no sign of panic, her demeanor entirely that of a princess. The Old Imperial Consort's eyes showed a look of approval.
Mrs. Tian was stunned. She shifted her kneeling position and kowtowed to the Old Imperial Consort.
The Old Imperial Consort nodded and remained silent, clearly leaving everything to Wang Qingyao to handle.
Wang Qingyao said with a slight smile, "Madam Tian speaks nonsensically. I don't even know what's happening."
She glanced at the Old Imperial Consort, who smiled and patted her hand a few times.
Mrs. Tian eagerly said, "I know our Tian family cannot afford to break off the engagement with you, and Ah Yu has wronged you. But now Ah Yu has been forced by Prince Ding'an to become a minor county magistrate in Yunnan-Guizhou. You are already Princess Ding'an, so please let our Ah Yu go."
"Does Madam Tian not understand human speech?" Wang Qingyao's smile vanished, and her face turned cold. "What does Tian Yu's going to Yunnan-Guizhou have to do with Prince Ding'an? He failed the exam himself! I asked you to speak properly, and you're still talking nonsense."
She looked down at Mrs. Tian, her eyes full of coldness and impatience.
Mrs. Tian was momentarily dazed. Was this the same orphaned girl who used to lower her head and be bullied by everyone?
She had already explained clearly, so why did she still pretend not to understand?
Mrs. Tian realized. Wang Qingyao was feigning ignorance; she didn't want others to know about this matter.
What that person said was right. Whether Wang Qingyao admitted it or not, as long as she exposed this, Wang Qingyao would not dare to harm Tian Yu again! She might even be disdained by Prince Ding'an's manor!
Mrs. Tian immediately trembled, and her hunched posture straightened.
"Princess, don't you know? Our Ah Yu originally scored very well. Prince Ding'an, to vent your anger, incited the Emperor to place him among the top three!"
Mrs. Tian said indignantly, her gaze towards Wang Qingyao filled with resentment.
Wang Qingyao was a jinx. Just because she was once engaged to him, Tian Yu's bright future was ruined! If he had married her, wouldn't he have brought disaster upon the entire family?
Mrs. Tian was glad that Tian Yu and Wang Qingyao had broken off their engagement.
Wang Qingyao genuinely did not know about this, and the Old Imperial Consort heard it for the first time. She looked at Wang Qingyao with surprise.
Wang Qingyao's eyes widened, her face like frost. "Madam Tian, speak with caution. The Emperor is wise and mighty; how could he be easily swayed? What do you mean by that? Are you saying the Emperor is incompetent? Aren't you afraid that if these words reach the Emperor's ears, your head will be chopped off?"
The Old Imperial Consort thought: Promising, worthy of being the Xiao family's daughter-in-law.
Mrs. Tian turned pale with fright. "I, I, I... I didn't mean that. Don't speak nonsense!"
Wang Qingyao nonchalantly wiped her hands with a handkerchief. "Whether that's what I mean isn't for me to decide; it depends on what the Emperor thinks."
Mrs. Tian was almost in tears. She could no longer tremble. How dare she try to manipulate Wang Qingyao? She only kowtowed repeatedly. "Princess, I, I... I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong. It was my fault. Please don't spread it!"
"Speak, what exactly happened?" Wang Qingyao took a sip of water, her sharp gaze sweeping over Mrs. Tian.
Mrs. Tian prostrated herself on the ground and, trembling, recounted the entire sequence of events.