Fang Zheng had Zuo Yun feign illness and then asked Xiao Yun to invite the Feng Fuguóshī to their home to examine the feng shui.
The Guóshī, having been instructed by Xiao Yun, declared that Zuo Yun and Huang Shi's horoscopes were incompatible, and they could not meet before the birth, nor could Zuo Yun even use anything belonging to Huang Shi.
Zuo Yun was carrying the first child of the Zhongyong Gong's mansion, and the heir apparent of Zhongyong Gong was quite anxious. Upon hearing this, he took it seriously and forbade Huang Shi from sending anything to Fang Zheng's courtyard anymore.
Fang Zheng also returned all the items that had been sent previously.
Zuo Yun could finally sleep soundly again.
When Zuo Yun spoke of these matters, she specifically found a reason to send Fang Yuan out.
Fang Yuan only knew that Huang Shi was hypocritical and did not genuinely care for her. As for the sordid things Huang Shi had done, neither Fang Zheng nor Zuo Yun told her.
"She's still a child."
"Aren't you afraid Huang Shi will coax Fang Yuan to side with her again?"
Zuo Yun smiled, "I am afraid, which is why my husband has placed someone by Fang Yuan's side to prevent her from having too much contact with Huang Shi."
She sighed again, "Fang Yuan was raised by Huang Shi and has called her mother sincerely for many years. Even if she knows Huang Shi isn't sincere, looking back at all these years, she still has feelings for her. Fang Yuan is also easily swayed. At the time of the incident, she could harden her heart, but over time, how could she withstand Huang Shi's sweet talk and tearful pleas for pity?"
Zuo Yun's face was full of worry.
She was pregnant and worried about this and that. Wang Qingyao felt tired just watching her and patted her hand, smiling, "Once she's married, Huang Shi's influence won't extend to her in-laws' home."
Zuo Yun immediately smiled, "My husband said the same thing. It seems clever people have similar ideas."
Wang Qingyao showed a slight smile of pride for being praised, "Have you found a suitable candidate?"
"What do you think of Zeng Huai?"
Oh, great minds truly think alike.
Wang Qingyao recalled her previous clairvoyant glimpse of Zeng Huai and smiled mischievously, "Young Master Zeng is quite good. Fang Yuan will be very... happy if she marries him."
"Why are you smiling like that..." Zuo Yun pondered for a moment before finding the right word, "lecherously?"
"No, you're mistaken." Wang Qingyao propped her chin up and denied it.
Suddenly, Fang Yuan came running back, "Thump, thump, thump, thump! What are you whispering about?"
Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi brought in sliced fruits and cold water.
Earlier, Wang Qingyao had used Zhi Zi's skill in making cold water to lure Fang Yuan away.
Zuo Yun, being pregnant, could not have cold water and only picked at the fruits.
Even the fruits, she dared not eat too much, stopping after two slices.
Fang Yuan had just eaten a bowl of papaya juice in the small kitchen and was now craving something else. She picked a bowl of lychee paste and started eating again.
Wang Qingyao, while eating ice-snow cold rice cakes, said, "We're talking about your marriage!"
Fang Yuan's face immediately turned red, and she shyly said, "It hasn't been decided yet!"
This meant they were already discussing marriage? Wang Qingyao looked at Zuo Yun with admiration. Impressive, such speed.
Zuo Yun beamed with pride.
Fang Zheng always acted decisively. He thought Zeng Huai was a good match and personally went to inquire.
Unlike Zhongyong Gong. Zhongyong Gong also thought Zeng Huai was a good match, but considering himself an enlightened parent, he insisted on waiting until the two were in love.
As a result, Huang Shi seized the initiative and introduced Huang Xuanming to Fang Yuan.
Zeng Huai did not immediately agree just because Fang Yuan was the young lady of Zhongyong Gong's mansion.
He said, "If the young lady is willing, I am willing. If the young lady is not willing, I am not willing."
In short, everything would be subject to Fang Yuan's will.
Then Fang Zheng went to ask Fang Yuan, specifically relaying Zeng Huai's words to her.
Fang Yuan listened, stunned for a long time, and then said, "I will do whatever the family decides."
This meant she agreed.
Wang Qingyao listened, dumbfounded. Just like that?
Although she had initially wanted to matchmake Fang Yuan and Zeng Huai, Fang Yuan's decision seemed too hasty.
Shouldn't they have a sweet romance first, get to know each other, and then decide whether to get married?
Fang Yuan and Wang Qingyao stared at each other. Seeing Wang Qingyao's slightly dissatisfied expression, Fang Yuan was startled, "Does Zeng Huai have an illness?"
Zuo Yun also became nervous.
Wang Qingyao quickly waved her hands, "No, he's not ill. I just think it's a bit hasty for you to marry Zeng Huai without getting to know him."
Fang Yuan: "I know him. He lived in our house for several years and even tutored me."
Never mind, she wouldn't say any more.
This was ancient times, not modern times, where there wasn't so much time to wait for mutual affection before discussing marriage. With parental orders and matchmakers' words, getting to know each other before marriage was already much better than many arranged marriages.
She then thought of herself.
Wasn't her marriage to Xiao Yun decided by an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager?
Fortunately, Xiao Yun was not difficult to deal with and was good-looking.
If he were as unpleasant as the old lecher who died of sudden sexual intercourse, her "job" would have been incredibly difficult.
Wang Qingyao had not seen Xiao Yun for many days and thought of him at this moment. That evening, she wrote a letter and had Lightning deliver it to the Ding'an Prince's mansion to remind him of her existence.
They hadn't seen each other for a month; she didn't want Xiao Yun to forget her.
The letter was about trivial matters, rambling like casual conversation.
A while later, Lightning flew back, but there was no reply.
Wang Qingyao was puzzled when she saw a figure leap over the wall through the wide-open window.
She was surprised; this was not what she had expected.
Was the boss too enthusiastic and came in person?
Didn't he care about that custom?
The person had already tiptoed to the window and handed her a scroll, "Miss, this is from His Highness."
It wasn't Xiao Yun.
This person was one of Xiao Yun's four hidden guards. For his dignity, Wang Qingyao did not ask his name.
She nodded, took the scroll, and the hidden guard quickly disappeared into the night.
She opened the scroll and couldn't help but laugh and cry.
It turned out to be a self-portrait of Xiao Yun.
A note was tucked inside the painting: "Are you missing me?"
So narcissistic.