Fang Yuan's face turned even paler, and she trembled, "Sister Yaoyao, how do you know these strange things..."
Zuo Yun explained, "Your Sister Yaoyao understands medicine."
Zuo Yun herself blushed, thinking that doctors just spoke so bluntly.
Fang Yuan understood now. Wang Qingyao didn't want her to continue with Huang Xuanming. What she said might not be entirely true, but it wasn't impossible.
"But I can't bear to let go..." Fang Yuan's eyes welled up again.
Wang Qingyao asked, "Why can't you bear to let go?"
"He's very good to me, he loves me."
"If he loves you, why is he involved with other women?"
Fang Yuan's face turned paler, "I, I, I... but Mother said that Brother Xuanming is someone she watched grow up, she knows his character. He was just confused this time..."
Wang Qingyao laughed heartily, "Do you listen to your stepmother that much? You believe everything she says?"
Fang Yuan became anxious, "Although she's my stepmother, she treats me no differently than a biological mother!"
Wang Qingyao said, "Anyway, I've never seen biological parents push their daughters into a fire pit knowing the man is a scoundrel. I ask you, what did your father say when he found out about this?"
Fang Yuan paused, then lowered her head, "Father said he wants to break off the engagement and is already discussing it with Grandfather."
"Then that settles it. Father is your biological father, but stepmother isn't your biological mother. You can't read people's minds, who knows what she's thinking?"
Fang Yuan shot a displeased look at Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao immediately said, "I can guarantee that everyone in your family except your stepmother supports breaking off the engagement."
"How do you know?" Fang Yuan looked at Wang Qingyao in bewilderment.
Wang Qingyao said, "It's very simple. Your grandfather, your father, and your brother are all biological. Only that stepmother isn't. Who would normally let their child choose a man who has illegitimate children outside? You are the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion, with noble status. What kind of man can't you have?"
Fang Yuan stared blankly at Wang Qingyao, feeling that what Wang Qingyao said seemed to have some logic.
Seeing that she was wavering, Wang Qingyao immediately added, "You can't let go of Huang Xuanming now simply because you've met too few men. You need to know, there are plenty of men out there, and many better men than Huang Xuanming."
Speaking of this, Wang Qingyao seemed to recall something and turned to Zuo Yun, "Sister Yun, are there any male brothels in Duanjing... I mean, brothels, but with only men inside..."
Zuo Yun's face turned red instantly, "You mean Xianggu Pavilion, right? Yes, there are..."
Wang Qingyao pulled Fang Yuan up, "Let's go, I'll take you to see."
Zuo Yun hurriedly stopped them. Seeing men was one thing, but visiting a Xianggu Pavilion was another. If Fang Zheng knew Wang Qingyao was taking his sister to a Xianggu Pavilion...
Oh, she couldn't imagine.
"What good men can be found in a Xianggu Pavilion? At best, they have good looks. If you really want to see men, you should wait for Young Master Zeng's celebration banquet. All the young talents of Duanjing will be there then..."
Fang Yuan lowered her head, twisting her fingers, "It's not like I haven't seen those young masters before..."
"Alas," Wang Qingyao said, "Your state of mind is different now. Before, you were already taken, so you wouldn't think much of handsome men. But it's different now, you are free, and anyone is possible. When you see those young masters, think a step further, who do you like the most, who catches your eye..."
Fang Yuan's face turned red.
Wang Qingyao exclaimed, "You haven't already thought of someone, have you?"
"Sister Yaoyao, you're so annoying!" Fang Yuan, blushing, tried to hit her. She turned and ran away laughing. The two chased each other, laughing and playing, momentarily forgetting Huang Xuanming.
Fang Zheng worried that once Fang Yuan returned to the mansion, Madam Huang would brainwash her again, and if she did something rash like a private engagement, it would be too late. So he asked Fang Yuan to stay at the Zuo residence until the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion held a celebration banquet for Zeng Huai two days later, then returned to the Fang family with the Zuo family.
Zuo Yun was less than three months pregnant, a critical period, so Fang Zheng dared not take risks and did not let Zuo Yun return. Only Madam Zuo, along with her daughter-in-law, went to the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion.
The Wang family also received an invitation.
The Wang family's celebration banquet was scheduled for the day after the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion, to avoid conflicting schedules.
One was the top scholar, the other was the third-place scholar. They would inevitably serve in the same court in the future, so it was natural to build good relationships from now on. Moreover, Zeng Huai was backed by the powerful Duke of Zhongyong's mansion!
The young ladies of the Wang family attended in full force, led by Old Madam Wang and Madam Bai, and went to the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion.
Speaking of which, this was Wang Qingyao's first time attending a banquet at someone else's home.
Yinzhu was even more excited than her, dragging her up early in the morning to paint her eyebrows and dress her up, aiming to outshine everyone.
Wang Qingyao looked at her own hair full of jewels and smiled helplessly, taking them off one by one, leaving only a gold thread eight-treasure hairpin and a few gold begonia flower clips. "I'm not going for a beauty pageant," she said.
Her clothes were also changed to a silk brocade with double-layered cloud goose patterns, giving a spirited and generous look, yet with the charm of a young girl.
The day before, Granny Nian had already led Yinzhu and Zhizi to make many sachets. At such occasions, it was customary to pay respects to elders, and some elders would bestow gold or silver jewelry. As return gifts, the younger generation would offer small handmade items, most people choosing sachets or coin purses. It wasn't necessarily handmade, as no one would investigate who actually made them.
Wang Qingyao took Zhizi with her to the banquet. When they gathered at the carriage, she saw the three sisters from the main branch, all dressed up. Especially Wang Qinglin, this was her first public appearance after the marriage-snatching incident, so she naturally went all out.
She wore a brocade robe with auspicious clouds and paired with a phoenix pattern, and a skirt embroidered with a phoenix tail, all in gold thread. She was adorned with pearls and jade, and her hair ornaments were a complete set of pure gold.
Admittedly, she looked quite good. Wang Qinglin's features were of a rich, vibrant type, and the opulent and gorgeous attire only made her appear more dignified.
However, it was too grand.
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu were also meticulously dressed, but compared to Wang Qinglin, they paled in comparison.
Wang Qinglin's slender phoenix eyes swept over Wang Qingyao, and the corners of her lips curved slightly, "Second sister looks beautiful today."
As if nothing had happened.
Wang Qingyao smiled, "How can I compare to Eldest Sister? Compared to Eldest Sister, the three of us are like little followers."
Wang Qinglin covered her mouth and laughed. She thought so too, hence her genuine smile.
Now that Wang Zijing had achieved the third rank, his future was limitless. Wang Qinglin and Madam Bai both believed that even if Wang Qingyao married into a prominent family, she would still need to rely on the Wang family and Wang Zijing to establish herself. Therefore, she didn't dare to argue with Wang Qinglin anymore.
This test today proved it.
When the parties involved were like this, wouldn't others rush to curry favor?
Wang Qinglin raised her chin proudly.
Old Madam Wang sized up Wang Qingyao, said nothing, and seemed to approve of her attire today.
Thus, the group divided into three carriages and majestically headed towards the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion.