Wang Qingyao said, "You misunderstand. I don't care about being a widow. Men only slow down my sword speed."
Xiao Yun: "..."
Wang Qingyao chuckled, patting his shoulder again. "Just kidding. What I mean is, I'm different from your widowed grandmothers and mothers. When I love someone, I love them with all my heart. When they're gone, I can still live a full and vibrant life."
"I have little status in the Wang family and am known as a jinx. If I don't marry you, I'll have to become a concubine to an old man or marry a fool. You, though you may have a short lifespan, are wealthy and powerful. Marrying you means I'll be wealthy and powerful too. You've changed my life, you're my lucky star!"
"Don't worry, I won't be devastated or heartbroken after you die. I have wealth, power, and a host of people to serve me. I'll surely live well. Life isn't just about love and men, hahahaha..."
She found the thought delightful, her smile growing increasingly unhinged.
Xiao Yun distilled the central idea from her lengthy explanation: "Why do I feel like you're a little bit hoping I'll die?"
"How could you say that?" Wang Qingyao took his hand and said affectionately, "If you live a long and healthy life, we'll be devoted to each other and grow old together. If you unfortunately die young, I'll live a life of debauchery... no, I'll be resilient and self-sufficient."
Self-sufficient...
Xiao Yun's eye twitched violently. Hmph, he was overthinking it.
...
Lengxiang Courtyard.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway land to the east, there was a country called Claw-Croak Kingdom. The Emperor of Claw-Croak Kingdom married an Empress and a Consort. The Empress's family was weak, while the Consort's father was a powerful Prime Minister. Soon after, both the Empress and the Consort became pregnant. The Empress's due date was half a month earlier than the Consort's. To ensure the Consort's child would be the Emperor's eldest son, the Prime Minister bribed the midwife. If the Empress gave birth to a princess, all would be well. But if it was a prince, he was to be strangled on the spot, and it would be announced as a stillbirth."
"The Empress had a difficult labor and gave birth to a prince. The midwife, unable to bear killing an innocent infant, secretly hid the little prince in a basket and smuggled him out of the palace. Fearing that the Prime Minister's faction would eventually find her, she placed the young prince in a bamboo basket and let it drift down the river... Half a month later, the Consort gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The eldest prince was adopted by the abbot of White Horse Temple in a neighboring country. Eighteen years later, the eldest prince, named Tang San, was sent by his master to Claw-Croak Kingdom to retrieve scriptures, where he met Princess Xixi, the Consort's daughter..."
That's right, this was the first half of Wang Qingyao's grand costume palace melodrama, focusing on the torturous and unrequited love between Tang San and Princess Xixi...
After returning from Xinghua Tower, her inspiration flowed like a spring, and she had written furiously all afternoon. Now, finally feeling tired, she tossed her brush aside and called for Yin Zhu to massage her hands, then asked Zhi Zi to summon Xia He.
It had only been three days since Chun Lan became Wang Da's concubine, and she was already adorned with gold and silver, living a life of luxury, having reached the pinnacle of her existence. Her generosity made Xia He and the other two green with envy, regretting that their Madam had not chosen them back then.
Therefore, as soon as Zhi Zi called, Xia He eagerly scurried over.
"Does the young lady have any instructions?"
Xia He and Chun Lan's appearances were in completely opposite directions. Chun Lan was graceful and delicate, while Xia He was beautiful and passionate. Their names perfectly corresponded to their looks and temperaments.
It was evident that Madam Bai, the First Madam, had put considerable effort into their names.
Wang Qingyao, of course, could not let her good intentions go to waste.
"A few days ago, I practiced my cursive script and went to consult with the First Master, but I forgot to bring it back. I'll have you run an errand for me. At this time, the First Master should be home soon. Go wait by the hanging flower archway and give him a message when you see him."
Xia He was overjoyed. "Yes."
After Xia He left with a beaming face, Yin Zhu couldn't help but ask Granny Nian in a whisper, "Granny, why does the young lady want to send another concubine to the First Master?"
Granny Nian looked at her in surprise. "Don't you see? Yesterday, the young lady was pricked by an embroidered needle that fell from her collar. It was the First Madam's doing."
"Ah?" Yin Zhu was stunned.
Everyone else had figured it out, and only she was in the dark?
Yin Zhu felt utterly defeated.
Meanwhile, Xia He successfully met Wang Da. Her exceptional beauty immediately caught his attention, and he personally led Xia He to the study. After much searching, he finally unearthed the two pages of cursive script that Wang Qingyao had brought over last time.
"Please, First Master, give me your critique so I can relay it back to the Second Young Lady."
Wang Da glanced at the Xuan paper and put on a scholarly air. "The Second Young Lady is just beginning to learn calligraphy. It would be better for her to practice the 'Zan Hua Xiao Kai' style. Although these two pages are written awkwardly and stiffly, the strokes are strong and the brushwork is precise. With time, the Second Young Lady will surely achieve something."
Xia He gazed at Wang Da with admiration, her fiery gaze making even the forty-something Wang Da blush slightly.
"I have long heard that you, sir, are learned and talented, and I have always admired you. To meet you today is truly a wish fulfilled, even if I were to die now."
"Hey, why talk about dying in the first month of the year?" Wang Da said, feigning a reprimand, but inwardly, his vanity was greatly satisfied. What could be more prideful than being admired by a young woman?
"I speak from the heart," Xia He's pretty face flushed. She reached out and tugged at Wang Da's robe, boldly saying, "Sir, I also wish to serve you like Chun Lan, to be by your side every day."
Wang Da was overwhelmed. This was the first time he had encountered such a direct and unpretentious woman.
He had just taken Chun Lan as a concubine, so even if he was interested in Xia He, he wouldn't have the nerve to take her immediately.
But he couldn't resist Xia He's initiative!
Wang Da was never one to refuse a woman who threw herself at him.
Just as he was about to feign a polite refusal, Xia He "whoosh"ed off all her clothes.
The young girl's tender and beautiful body was bathed in the glow of the setting sun. Her skin, as white as jade, ignited the entire study like a fire, and it also ignited Wang Da's lower half.
Familiar sounds echoed from the study. The young eunuch guarding the door looked up at the sky, exasperated. What was going on every day?
History repeated itself.
Lost in the gentle embrace, Wang Da missed dinner. After they finished, he directly led Xia He to Chun Lan's courtyard.
"From now on, you sisters will live together."
Chun Lan had only been a concubine for a few days and was still enjoying his favor. She didn't mind Xia He sharing his affections. The First Madam, though outwardly generous, was secretly malicious, and Chun Lan was looking for an ally to join forces with. Xia He had arrived at the perfect time.
Chun Lan happily ordered wine and food to be prepared. The three of them ate their fill and caroused for half the night.
Madam Bai, the First Madam, naturally received the news.
"Shameless!" Bai Shi was so enraged that she smashed everything within reach. Still not appeased, her chest heaved up and down, her nose snorting, as if she would faint from anger at any moment.