Many people attended the banquet at the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion today. From afar, carriages were seen filling both sides of the alley. After alighting from the carriage at the entrance, a matron immediately led them to pay their respects to Madam Huang, the heir's wife.
The Duchess of Zhongyong had passed away in her early years, making Madam Huang, the heir's wife, the highest-ranking lady in the inner courtyard. Madam Huang was the second wife, more than ten years younger than the heir. According to rank, even elders like Old Madam Wang and Madam Bai had to greet her.
Madam Huang had an excellent reputation among the noble ladies and naturally would not accept their bows. She personally helped Old Madam Wang to a seat and addressed Madam Bai with "Sister" repeatedly, her tone warm and amiable.
The younger ladies paid their respects to Madam Huang according to custom. Madam Huang then had a servant present a colored lacquer tray, on which were four identical golden hairpins adorned with double phoenixes grasping pearls.
Madam Huang personally presented them to the four ladies as见面礼 (meeting gifts). Finally, she removed a bracelet of intricately carved gold dragons and phoenixes from her wrist and placed it on Wang Qingyao's arm, smiling, "Don't blame me for being partial. The second young lady will call me aunt in the future, so I naturally have to dote on her more."
The others in the room chuckled.
Wang Qinglin offered a dignified and graceful smile, "The heir's wife speaks the truth; it is only right."
Wang Qingyao did not act coy and accepted it generously, "Thank you, heir's wife."
This was the first time she had met the renowned Madam Huang. Madam Huang was around thirty-four or thirty-five years old, with a gentle countenance, bearing some resemblance to Huang Xuanming. Her lips curved upwards, making her seem approachable.
However, Wang Qingyao knew that this woman was deep-minded and ruthless, and she could not let her guard down.
Just as she deliberately showed affection to Wang Qingyao and played favorites in front of everyone, clearly intending to incite jealousy among the other young ladies. If she truly cared for her, she could have given her other gifts in private.
Wang Qingyao and Wang Qinglin presented their sachets, which Madam Huang praised before having a maid take them.
The Zuo family arrived before the Wang family. Fang Yuan had been winking at Wang Qingyao non-stop since she entered. After the formalities were completed, she eagerly squeezed to Wang Qingyao's side and whispered secrets to her.
Madam Huang then smiled, "Sister Yuan and the second young lady are quite fond of each other."
Madam Zuo then said, "Second young lady Wang is a lucky star. My Yun'er..." She then recounted how Wang Qingyao had predicted Zuo Yun's pregnancy.
Only the Zuo and Fang families knew about this matter; others were unaware.
Even the other members of the Wang family heard it for the first time.
Old Madam Wang couldn't help but glance at Wang Qingyao, "You girl, when did you learn such a skill?"
Wang Qingyao smiled sheepishly, "I read a few medical books and guessed."
"Oh my, second young lady is too modest."
"Many doctors don't have such skills!"
Everyone praised Wang Qingyao. Feeling guilty, Wang Qingyao's cheeks flushed, and sweat beaded on her forehead.
Just then, a woman with a large belly in the parlor stood up and joined in, "Second young lady Wang, why don't you examine me? Will this baby be a boy or a girl?"
Fang Yuan whispered in Wang Qingyao's ear, "This is Madam Xue, the daughter-in-law of the Earl of Wenyuan. She has already given birth to four sons."
Wang Qingyao paid her respects while glancing at her belly. The fetus was full-term and due next month. It would be a beautiful little girl.
She smiled, "It's a girl."
"Really? Don't fool me! My belly is so pointed and protruding; experienced midwives said it's a boy!" Madam Xue said she didn't believe it, but her face was already beaming with joy.
Wang Qingyao replied, "It's truly a girl, I'm not fooling you."
The credibility of her saying it was a girl with just a glance was indeed low.
Everyone knew that Madam Xue already had four sons and had been eagerly hoping for a daughter. They all thought Wang Qingyao was just trying to make Madam Xue happy by saying it was a girl. After all, if it turned out to be a boy, no one would hold her accountable.
However, on such a joyous occasion, and with Wang Qingyao being the future Princess of Ding'an, with Madam Huang favoring her, no one would be tactless enough to contradict her at this moment.
Thus, everyone stood up to congratulate Madam Xue on her wish coming true. Madam Xue smiled from ear to ear and immediately removed a gold bracelet inlaid with rubies from her wrist, intending to give it to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao smiled, "It's not too late to give it to me after Madam gives birth next month!"
She was so confident.
Madam Huang looked at her face several times, unable to determine whether she truly understood medicine or was just spouting nonsense.
At this moment, a maid hurried in and announced, "Madam, the Old Imperial Consort, Prince Ding'an, and the Second Young Master Xiao have arrived."
Everyone rose and, led by Madam Huang, went to the hall entrance to greet them.
The Old Imperial Consort was Xiao Yun's grandmother. In her fifties, her hair was not a bit gray, and she looked spirited and cheerful. Xiao Yun and Xiao Mo, one in white and the other in black, both wore magnificent and formal brocade robes, standing on either side of the Old Imperial Consort.
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but purse her lips, recalling ominous phrases like "Black and White Double Fiends" and "Black and White Impermanence."
Xiao Yun's gaze lingered on Wang Qingyao's face for a moment before quickly shifting away.
Wang Qingyao glanced at Fang Yuan and then gave Xiao Mo a meaningful look: See? Isn't this man good?
Fang Yuan's eyes widened: Are you kidding me?
Madam Huang welcomed the Old Imperial Consort into the parlor. After the Old Imperial Consort took her seat at the head, her gaze fell upon the four young ladies of the Wang family, "Which one is the second young lady Wang? Come to me so I can have a look."
Oh dear, Grandma is going to see her future granddaughter-in-law.
Wang Qingyao stepped forward and performed a curtsy, "Greetings, Old Imperial Consort."
"Come," the Old Imperial Consort beckoned her, "Come here, let me have a good look."
Wang Qingyao walked up to her.
The Old Imperial Consort smiled and looked her up and down, "Hmm, a well-formed child." She then took her hand and asked what books she had read and what she liked to do in her free time.
This time, Wang Qingyao was experienced. She mentioned a few innocuous books and then said, "I usually like to read and practice calligraphy."
Xiao Yun glanced at her and smiled, as if to say, "You clearly like gambling and writing storybooks."
The Old Imperial Consort then asked, "I heard from the Empress Dowager that you understand medicine?"
Wang Qingyao chuckled nervously, "I only know a little, not worth mentioning."
Madam Huang then smiled, "Second young lady Wang is too modest. Just now, she confidently declared that Sister Xue would definitely have a daughter!"
"Oh, is that so?" the Old Imperial Consort's interest was piqued.
"Indeed?" Madam Huang said, "Without lifting her clothes to check her belly, without taking her pulse, just by a simple glance through her clothes, she determined it!"
Madam Huang's tone was both novel and exaggerated, as if she truly admired and respected Wang Qingyao, finding her incredibly capable.
Everyone followed her lead and praised Wang Qingyao volubly.
Wang Qingyao: "Hehehe..."