The adult Cheng had the typical appearance of a middle-aged high-ranking official, with an ordinary face, thinning hair, and a prominent belly. His eyes turned lecherous upon seeing young girls. He clearly knew Bai Jun Chun, his gaze lingering on her like a venomous snake for several rounds.
Bai Jun Chun felt extremely uncomfortable under his stare. Wang Qing Yao saw her hands clench into fists beneath her sleeves and then press against her waist.
Using her clairvoyant eyes, Wang Qing Yao saw a paper packet hidden at her waist, containing white powder.
What was it?
Though Wang Qing Yao didn't know what it was, she was certain it was nothing good.
After Wang Da and his party left, Wang Qing Yao instructed Zhi Zi to keep a close watch on Bai Jun Chun.
As evening approached, the sky darkened, and guests gradually increased.
The Wang family had also sent an invitation to the Tian family, but Tian Yu had only ranked nineteenth in the imperial examinations, so the entire Tian family felt too embarrassed to attend, sending only a steward with a gift.
The Duke of Zhongyong's mansion and the Prince of Ding'an's mansion arrived together. The female guests from the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion were only Fang Yuan. She secretly told Wang Qing Yao that Madam Huang had been confined by the Duke of Zhongyong.
"Father pleaded for her, but was scolded by Grandfather."
Although Fang Yuan didn't know what Madam Huang had done to Zuo Yun, nor the truth of the Huang Xuan Ming incident, she was now of one mind with Fang Zheng. Since Fang Zheng had told her to stay away from Madam Huang, she did.
The Old Madam of the Prince of Ding'an's mansion was the highest-ranking female guest. Madam Wang had led the female relatives of the Wang family to the second gate to welcome her early on. However, instead of taking her to Rong Tang Courtyard, they went to Madam Bai's main courtyard—she feared Wang Qing Yao would accompany them to Rong Tang Courtyard, and with too many people, she wouldn't be able to refuse.
It was taxing for her to remember these small details during such a busy time, and Wang Qing Yao almost burst out laughing.
The Old Madam was noticeably warmer towards Wang Qing Yao than others, personally calling her name to have her support her. When Wang Qing Yao didn't see Xiao Yun, the Old Madam patted her hand and said softly, "A Yun was taken to the front courtyard by them. He'll be here later."
Wang Qing Yao had merely been subconsciously searching for Xiao Yun. After the Old Madam's words, it seemed as if she were eagerly anticipating seeing Xiao Yun.
In front of so many people, she felt a little embarrassed but couldn't say anything, so she just nodded gently and hummed in response.
The female relatives chatted with the Old Madam for a while, and then the Old Madam let the young ladies go play.
Fang Yuan clung to Wang Qing Yao, wanting to see where she lived, so Wang Qing Yao led her to Leng Xiang Courtyard.
Seeing how secluded and desolate Leng Xiang Courtyard was, with so few servants, Fang Yuan became indignant. "Your family is too wicked! I'm going to tell the Old Madam!"
Wang Qing Yao stopped her. "Don't stir up trouble. I'm happy to have some peace. Besides, I'm marrying into the Prince of Ding'an's mansion soon, so I won't be living here for many more days."
Only then did Fang Yuan relent.
Wang Qing Yao took her to her boudoir to sit for a while. Fang Yuan couldn't sit still and looked around, shaking her head without saying anything, just shaking her head. Later, she saw the novel on the desk and stopped shaking her head, staring at it intently for a long time.
"How is it? Is it good?" Wang Qing Yao asked proudly. "I wrote it."
Fang Yuan was too shocked. "You wrote 'The Secret History of Palace Love and Hate'?"
"You've heard of it?"
"Not only have I heard of it, but my grandfather has too. He even asked someone to find out who wrote it."
Wang Qing Yao remembered the imposing figure of the Duke and felt extremely embarrassed.
It was like being caught by her parents while secretly writing romance novels in school.
"Oh my," she said. "Does the Duke also like listening to this?"
"It shows you write well. I'll tell Grandfather when I go back, and he'll surely be pleased."
At this moment, Wang Qing Yao began to consider practicing her signature more, thinking that she would have more and more fans in the future.
After chatting for a while longer, Zhi Zi rushed in. Seeing Zhi Zi's expression, Wang Qing Yao knew Bai Jun Chun had caused trouble again.
"What happened?" she asked, meeting Zhi Zi and pulling her aside, away from Fang Yuan.
Zhi Zi whispered, "Miss Bai the elder used the excuse of feeling unwell and asked Miss Bai the second to help her to a guest room to rest. I followed her quietly. When we passed the back garden, Miss Bai the elder stumbled, and Miss Bai the second bent down to help her. She then sprinkled a handful of white powder on Miss Bai the second. I don't know what it was, but Miss Bai the second immediately fainted."
At this point, Zhi Zi swallowed nervously.
Wang Qing Yao's alarm bells rang. As she walked out with Zhi Zi, she asked, "And then?"
"Then Miss Bai the elder dragged Miss Bai the second into a rockery cave and hurried away herself. I took a look, and Miss Bai the second was still breathing, but her face was red, as if she was very hot, and she kept pulling at her collar in her sleep..."
Hearing this description, Wang Qing Yao's mind immediately conjured up countless melodramatic novels she had read in modern times. This was an aphrodisiac!
Bai Jun Chun was truly despicable.
"I didn't know what Miss Bai the elder intended to do, so I dragged Miss Bai the second out of the cave and placed her under a tree nearby. People pass by there from time to time, and if someone finds Miss Bai the second, she'll be fine!"
Wang Qing Yao exclaimed, "Oh dear!" Fine, my foot! Bai Jun Ya was drugged with an aphrodisiac. If she started acting wildly on the spot, her reputation would be ruined.
She quickened her pace.
Seeing her expression, Zhi Zi was also bewildered. "Miss, I... I did something wrong?"
"Hurry and find her."
The mistress and servant walked faster and faster, almost running.
When they reached the spot Zhi Zi mentioned, there was no one under the big tree.
Looking ahead, they saw a crowd gathered by the lake. Wang Qing Yao immediately lifted her skirt and ran over.
Before she could push through the crowd, she saw the onlookers automatically part into two rows. Bai Jun Ya, dripping wet, was being held in the arms of Wang Zi Jing, who was equally drenched.
She had already regained consciousness but was weak and pale, leaning against Wang Zi Jing's chest, looking helpless.
Wang Qing Yao was stunned.
Her gaze flickered to Bai Jun Chun, who was hiding behind the crowd. Bai Jun Chun's face showed shock, then, as if thinking of something, a wicked smile spread across it.
Wang Qing Yao frowned in disgust, her sympathy for this person vanishing completely.
The pitiable often have hateful aspects.
This place was not far from Madam Bai's main courtyard. Wang Zi Jing carried Bai Jun Ya to the main courtyard. The elders were all there, but it didn't matter anymore. Everyone had seen it, and the scandal had already erupted.
Bai Jun Ya's stepmother, Madam Zhong, was also present. She was startled to see Bai Jun Ya in such a state, as were everyone else.
Without asking what had happened, they first took her to bathe, groom, and change clothes. Wang Zi Jing also went back to tidy himself up. When he returned, unrelated people had left, and even the Old Madam had discreetly withdrawn.
Madam Bai had invited Wang Da and her two elder brothers over. She was both angry and anxious, her heart churning like a hundred claws scratching.
Bai Jun Ya changed her clothes, her hair half-dried. She sat on a chair with red eyes, clearly having cried.