The Madam Huang did not appear at the banquet later, but her actions spread like wildfire among the guests.
Wang Qingyao naturally knew this was Fang Zheng's doing.
Fang Yuan, feeling guilty for having burdened Wang Qingyao, and influenced by Wang Qingyao's words, began to doubt Madam Huang's sincerity towards her. After all, she had asked several of her young friends, and they all said their own mothers would never agree to them marrying someone like Huang Xuanming.
Fang Yuan suddenly felt that Madam Huang's pretense of affection for so many years was terrifying.
She was greatly disheartened and lost all energy.
Wang Qingyao said, "Didn't you want to see some men? I heard Xiao Yun say that Young Master Zeng and a group of talented young men are composing poetry and verses over at the Bamboo Garden. Shall we go take a look?"
Fang Yuan drooped her head, "Not interested."
Wang Qingyao dragged her along.
The Bamboo Garden was adjacent to the Rose Garden, separated by a narrow lake with a stone bridge.
In the Rose Garden, young female guests gathered in small groups. The same girls who had been watching the cats earlier were now here. Opposites attract, and for a while, the sound of poetry from the Bamboo Garden grew louder, while the giggles from the Rose Garden softened.
Wang Qingyao and Fang Yuan sat in a pavilion by the lake. Looking to the left, they saw a group of graceful and beautiful young ladies; looking to the right, they saw a group of strong and heroic young men.
Oh dear, the impact was too great. Wang Qingyao felt a heat rush to her nose, and two streams of blood flowed down.
"Oh dear, Sister Yaoyao, why are you bleeding from your nose again?"
Wang Qingyao calmly wiped it clean, "It's nothing, just an old problem."
Other young ladies from the Wang family were also in the Rose Garden, gathered around Wang Qinglin, all of them drawn to Wang Zijing.
Although Wang Zijing was the third-place scholar, he was clearly more popular than Zeng Huai.
Firstly, their family backgrounds were different; Wang Zijing hailed from an eunuch's family, and his bearing was something Zeng Huai could not match. Secondly, Wang Zijing adopted a reserved and aloof persona, appearing rigid and unromantic. Zeng Huai, on the other hand, was understanding and warm, like a spring breeze. Naturally, captivating someone like Wang Zijing, who kept others at a distance, was more challenging and offered a greater sense of accomplishment.
At the age of budding romance, young girls are easily attracted to aloof, cool types.
Wang Qingyao remembered having a secret crush on a cold, distant senior in high school.
Because of Wang Zijing, the other girls automatically overlooked Wang Qinglin's attempt to steal someone else's fiancé. They doted on her, asking about Wang Zijing's preferences.
Wang Qinglin was immensely proud. Glancing at Wang Qingyao, she let out a soft snort: "So what if I'm stealing your man? So what if everyone knows? Without the support of your parents and brothers, you can only swallow your grievances!"
Wang Qingyao did not notice Wang Qinglin's disdain at all. She was busy using her clairvoyance on the young talents, claiming it was to "vet" Fang Yuan.
After a thorough examination, she sincerely asked Fang Yuan, "What do you think of Zeng Huai?"
Fang Yuan was taken aback, "I've always thought of Young Master Zeng as a brother."
Wang Qingyao smiled, "What brother? You already have a brother."
"But, but..." Fang Yuan stammered for a long time, unable to articulate anything. Zeng Huai was a good person, but she had never thought of him in a romantic sense. She found it difficult to accept.
Wang Qingyao held her hands, "Trust me, marrying him, you will be very... happy."
Fang Yuan blushed slightly and murmured, "He might not like me..."
"It's alright," Wang Qingyao waved her hand, "Feelings can be cultivated."
Based on Wang Qingyao's experience with countless romance novels, once the matter between a man and a woman is brought to light, things would progress rapidly.
At this moment, a small commotion arose from the Bamboo Garden. Wang Qingyao looked closely and saw that the brothers Xiao Yun and Xiao Mo had arrived at some point. Everyone was blocking them, demanding they compose poetry, threatening to make them drink if they couldn't.
Although Xiao Yun was the Prince of Ding'an, he was more approachable than Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo exuded an aura that said, "Don't come near me." When asked to compose poetry, he simply stated, "I can't," and sat aside. No one dared to pressure him.
Xiao Yun, who would not live past twenty-five and held a noble title, had never been forced to study diligently since childhood; he only pursued what interested him. He wasn't a great scholar, but he could compose a few lighthearted verses.
This time, for some unknown frivolous poem he composed, the scholars burst into laughter. He didn't mind, crossed the stone bridge over the small lake, and hurried towards Wang Qingyao.
"Didn't you say you were going out?" Wang Qingyao asked, surprised.
"I went to get this from Imperial Physician Lu," Xiao Yun said, taking a flat, round porcelain bottle from his waist and handing it to her. "It's a scar-removal ointment, Imperial Physician Lu's secret recipe. Apply it once in the morning and once at night; it's very effective."
The scratches on Wang Qingyao's hand were not deep. More than whether it would leave a scar, she was concerned about contracting rabies.
"Thank you." She took the porcelain bottle and handed it to Zhizi, asking her to put it away safely.
"Why is the Second Young Master Xiao sitting there?" she asked, referring to the man who was like a large block of ice, "He's not interacting with anyone else."
Xiao Yun smiled, "Grandmother sent him over. Her intention was for him to get to know the young ladies from various families. But he just sits there motionless. Which girl would dare approach him?"
Xiao Mo and Xiao Yun were the same age, both turning twenty after the New Year. For those like them who had inherited their positions and didn't need to achieve success through imperial examinations, twenty was an age when they should have already married. Those who were quick might even have several children.
It was no wonder the Old Princess was anxious.
"What kind of girls does the Second Young Master like?" Wang Qingyao asked. Women, after all, loved playing matchmaker and bringing couples together.
Xiao Yun scratched his head, "I don't know." He thought for a moment, "I've never seen him show interest in any girl. He only likes making money."
Fang Yuan chimed in, "My two older cousins are both good at making money."
Xiao Yun chuckled.
Wang Qingyao then asked Zhizi to invite Xiao Mo over to the Rose Garden. Xiao Mo showed Wang Qingyao great respect, treating her like an elder sister. His arrival caused a stir in the Rose Garden.
Compared to Wang Zijing and Zeng Huai, Xiao Mo's persona was clearly more captivating.
Many girls secretly glanced at him. He walked straight to Wang Qingyao without looking sideways, "Second Miss Wang, what is it?"
Wang Qingyao, like a madam of a brothel, pointed to all the girls present, "Which one do you like? Sister will arrange it for you."
Xiao Mo: "..."
He cast a cold, dark glance at Xiao Yun, who was laughing uncontrollably. Xiao Mo then flicked his sleeve, put his hands behind his back, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Second Miss Wang. However, someone just reported that there's a problem with the business of my shops outside. I need to go out. Goodbye."
That was a rather abrupt change of topic.
Xiao Yun burst into laughter, "Xiao Mo, that's your excuse every single time!"
Xiao Mo snorted and left without looking back.