Wang Da also wanted to summon Wang Qingyao to lecture her, but on second thought, she would be marrying into the Prince of Ding'an's mansion in a few months, so he didn't need to displease her at this time. He merely explained the cause and effect to her on behalf of Wang Qinglin and apologized, without uttering a single harsh word.
Although Wang Qingyao felt like laughing, she did not expose Wang Qinglin.
Wang Qinglin had a father, a mother, and a grandmother; she had nothing. Even if her ill intentions were proven, what would be the use? Would they punish Wang Qinglin for her sake?
She merely stated that she would not hold it against Wang Qinglin.
Wang Da was relieved, knowing that the old madam had always been wary of her, and went to the old madam's courtyard to give a few instructions.
The old madam was also furious about the rumors spreading outside, especially after hearing the so-called sequence of events, and attributed it all to Wang Qingyao.
"The Imperial Preceptor Fengfu was right, our Wang family's temple is too small to accommodate this noble-fated princess consort!"
Wang Da did not believe much in fate. What "lonely star of doom" or "one who brings misfortune to parents" was merely bad luck for his unfortunate younger brother and sister-in-law.
"Mother, please do not anger yourself to the point of harming your health. Bear with it for now; she will be married off soon."
The old madam had always listened to her son. Since Wang Da had said so, no matter how much she disliked Wang Qingyao, she did not go to trouble her.
Meanwhile, Madam Bai escorted Wang Qinglin back to Lijing Courtyard. After dismissing the servants and closing the door, she said to Wang Qinglin, "Tell your mother honestly, what exactly happened on the Qingming Festival?"
Wang Qinglin looked at her in surprise.
Madam Bai said, "You can fool your father, but you cannot fool me. Those few young ladies from the Bai family, which one of them doesn't dote on you and believe whatever you say? Even if you said the moon was square, they would only applaud and cheer. How could they possibly force you to explain yourself?"
Wang Qinglin gave a wry smile, "Mother understands me best."
"What exactly happened?"
Wang Qinglin then recounted the events of the Qingming Festival in detail.
Madam Bai was astonished, "Are you out of your mind?"
"I have my own plans, but I never expected Wang Qingyao to know about the love poems in the sachet. I still haven't figured out how she knew," Wang Qinglin's eyes flashed with ferocity, "Is there a traitor among my people?"
"Mother has told you before that Wang Qingyao is no longer the Wang Qingyao of the past, and warned you not to act rashly. What have you done? It's harmful to others and not beneficial to yourself. Even if Wang Qingyao's reputation is ruined for climbing the dragon and attaching to the phoenix, what good does it do you? At most, you'll get a word or two of praise, but you'll lose the face of the Wang family. It's not worth the loss."
Wang Qinglin's gaze flickered as she looked at Madam Bai.
"Is there something you're hiding from Mother?"
"Mother, I want to marry the Prince of Ding'an."
Madam Bai was greatly alarmed, her expression almost contorted, "Are you crazy? Don't you know that the Prince of Ding'an will not live past twenty-five?"
"I know," Wang Qinglin said calmly, "It is precisely because I know he will not live past twenty-five that I want to marry him."
Madam Bai's brows furrowed, not understanding what Wang Qinglin was saying.
"All men in this world are fickle."
"Did Tian Yu betray you?"
Wang Qinglin shook her head, "No, he is very good to me."
"Then why do you have such an idea?" Madam Bai was anxious, "He has the talent of a top scholar and likes you. The Tian family has already said that once he achieves the top scholar, they will arrange your marriage. You are about to become the wife of a top scholar! And later, a noble lady! Are you being foolish?"
"And then what?" Wang Qinglin asked, "Then, like Mother, manage the entire mansion for him, while watching him take in new women year after year?"
Madam Bai felt as if struck by lightning, staring at Wang Qinglin in shock.
"Mother, are you happy? Father is a third-rank Minister of Revenue, and you are a third-rank noble lady, but are you happy? Guarding the so-called dignity of a principal wife, watching your husband take in concubine after concubine, you are tolerant and magnanimous, but are you happy? Has Father ever once considered your feelings?"
Two lines of tears streamed down Madam Bai's face. She had never imagined that Wang Da's taking concubines would have such a profound impact on her children.
"Look at Elder Brother, he's fine, devoted to his studies, noble in character, but even he has a maidservant in his room who serves him!"
"Perhaps Tian Yu is different," Madam Bai persuaded her through tears, "He loves you mutually, and you have a bond from growing up together..."
Wang Qinglin shook her head, "No, I cannot gamble."
"But even if Wang Qingyao's reputation is ruined, and even if the Prince of Ding'an falls in love with you, you still cannot marry into the Prince of Ding'an's mansion," Madam Bai cruelly laid out the facts, "If it weren't for the Imperial Preceptor Fengfu's prophecy, our Wang family's daughters would not be qualified to be the principal wife of the Prince of Ding'an."
Wang Qinglin smiled slightly, "I can be a side consort. After all, the Prince of Ding'an wants to marry Wang Qingyao to break the curse, to guard the household, not out of genuine affection. He will simply cherish her. As long as I give birth to a child before her, or if she cannot have children her entire life, then once the Prince of Ding'an dies, she can also die, and I will be the mistress of the Prince of Ding'an's mansion."
As she spoke of her plan, Wang Qinglin's entire face lit up.
Madam Bai looked at her incredulously, "You want to be a concubine? How can I let my daughter be a concubine? Your father will not agree either!"
"What's wrong with being a concubine? Except for the Empress, all the Emperor's women are concubines! Consort Wei is also a concubine, but it doesn't stop her from being favored above all others in the harem, second only to the Emperor, and she will be the Empress Dowager later! What's so bad about it!"
"You're mad!" Madam Bai covered her mouth, "Are you allowed to speak of imperial matters?"
"Mother, help me, I beg you to help me." She grabbed Madam Bai's hands pleadingly, "As long as Wang Qingyao... I will have a way to make Father agree."
She whispered those two words, and Madam Bai was startled.
"Mother, don't you also want someone to share her favor? Those four maids are not capable, why don't you let me do it."
Madam Bai hesitated, "I originally planned for Zhu'er to marry along with her at that time..."
"Wang Qingzhu?" Wang Qinglin sneered, "She's timid and fearful, what can she do?"
Madam Bai was wavering, "But Mother doesn't want you to be a concubine..."
"Mother, what does nominal status matter compared to actual benefits? Once the Prince of Ding'an dies, and my child inherits the title, even as a concubine, I will be enfeoffed as a Grand Consort Dowager."
Madam Bai's thoughts were in a daze, unable to make up her mind.
Seeing this, Wang Qinglin's expression turned cold, "Mother, if you don't help me, I will have to act on my own. If anything happens then, you can only blame your unfilial daughter!"
"You!" Madam Bai was furious, raising her hand high, but in the end, she could not bring herself to strike. This was the daughter she had raised like a precious pearl since childhood!
After a long time, she sighed heavily, "It is Father and Mother who have wronged you. Mother promises you."
Wang Qinglin, overjoyed, threw herself into Madam Bai's arms, "I knew Mother loved me the most."
Madam Bai sighed heavily again, her heart filled with unease.
Wang Qingyao's plan was not unfeasible, but it required long-term consideration.
She had to think carefully, think very carefully...