The wedding of Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun was set for July twelfth.
In early July, dozens of betrothal gifts from the Ding'an Prince's manor, adorned with large red silk ribbons, were delivered to the Wang family with music and fanfare, attracting a crowd along the way.
Everyone knew the reputation of the Ding'an Prince. Some lamented that the bride would be widowed within a few years, while others secretly discussed the oppressive nature of imperial power.
Even more people eagerly anticipated seeing if this "bringer of misfortune," as decreed by the State Preceptor, could truly lift the curse on the Xiao family.
The betrothal gifts from the Ding'an Prince's manor were first piled at the second gate. All the servants in the Wang manor, whether busy or not, gathered to have a look.
Bai Junya, in charge, did not scold them. This was a joyous occasion, bringing honor to both the Ding'an Prince's manor and Wang Qingyao.
Yinzhu and Zhizi also ran over to look. After a while, they hurried back to tell Wang Qingyao what the Ding'an Prince's manor had sent.
"...South Sea pearls, twenty in a box, each one round and uniform in size, a full chest."
"Various jewelry and ornaments, all in styles I've never seen before."
"That coral bonsai is as tall as a person!"
"I heard that it takes four to five months to weave a bolt of Shu brocade. Guess how many bolts the Ding'an Prince's manor sent? Eighteen bolts!"
Yinzhu exclaimed dramatically, gesturing with her hands.
The others laughed, a scene of festive joy.
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu also came to join the fun, their gazes filled with envy.
Such betrothal gifts were worthy of marrying a princess.
Wang Qingyao's mind was filled with three words: "We're rich!"
Bai Junya, with her people, checked the items against the list. After a long while, she ordered them to be moved into the storeroom.
For a family like the Wangs, the betrothal gifts were meant to be taken by the daughter, and the dowry had been prepared long ago.
This was the Wang family's first time marrying off a daughter, and Wang Qingyao had no parents. Her dowry would only consist of the public share, with no shops, estates, or land.
Wang Qingzhen privately said to Concubine Ying, "The dowry isn't worth much, and the Old Madam is reluctant to contribute. It's like comparing heaven and earth to the betrothal gifts. I'm afraid my second sister will be looked down upon by the Ding'an Prince's manor after she marries."
Her tone was entirely schadenfreude.
She thought of Wang Qingyao, an orphan from the second branch, with nothing, who had previously been insignificant, yet had climbed step by step to the position of Princess Consort of Ding'an.
Wang Qingzhen was not without jealousy.
Concubine Ying, however, said, "A family like the Ding'an Prince's manor wouldn't care about the amount of a daughter-in-law's dowry."
Only impoverished and fallen families would obsess over a bride's dowry.
Wang Qingzhen stubbornly retorted, "The master may not care, but do the servants not care either? Servants are the best at flattering the powerful and stepping on the weak..."
Concubine Ying glanced at her, and her voice gradually lowered, her crimson lips curling up.
She was not as beautiful as Wang Qinglin, but she possessed a charm. Her long, narrow eyes held a seductive quality, and with a little effort, it seemed she could steal one's soul.
Concubine Ying looked at her daughter and said softly, "Don't be like Wang Qinglin, always opposing your second sister. She is now the future Princess Consort of Ding'an. Being on good terms with her will only bring you benefits, not harm."
"I know," Wang Qingzhen said coyly.
"Now, in our eldest branch, there are only you and Wang Qingzhu who are useful daughters. Wang Qingzhu is a pushover, so ignore her. In the future, any good marriage prospects will fall to you."
Wang Qingzhen blushed, lowering her head shyly. This series of actions made her even more charming, adding a touch of girlishness, both pure and alluring.
Concubine Ying gently stroked her head. "...Several princes have reached marriageable age. Your father is a third-rank official in the court, so being a secondary consort would be acceptable..." She lowered her voice further, "If you are extremely lucky, you could even become a noble consort in the future."
Wang Qingzhen's eyelids twitched, and she suddenly looked up.
Concubine Ying's eyes sparkled with longing. "...I heard that Noble Consort Wei was also a concubine's daughter before, and now... she will have even more fortune in the future..."
One thing Concubine Ying did not know was that although Noble Consort Wei was a concubine's daughter, she was raised by her legitimate mother from a young age. Her legitimate mother had no daughters and doted on her, so she was no different from a proper legitimate daughter.
The Ding'an Prince's manor had sent betrothal gifts to the Wang family, and the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in the palace had also bestowed gifts to celebrate. Noble Consort Wei had also sent something, a pair of auspicious jade pendants and a pair of Ru kiln vases depicting blooming flowers and prosperity.
It was necessary to go to the palace to express gratitude.
The next day, Wang Qingyao went to the palace, dressed festively in a red gauze dress embroidered with gold thread, which made her skin appear like fine jade.
It was extremely hot, though it was better outside. Inside the carriage, Yinzhu fanned her and placed a bowl of shaved ice.
Once inside the palace, she could not ride in a carriage. Her rank was not high enough for a palanquin, so she had to walk. Although a palace maid held an umbrella for her, walking all the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation left her drenched in sweat, her face flushed red from the sun.
Fortunately, Wang Qingyao had the foresight not to wear much makeup that day, otherwise, a smudged face would have been another troublesome matter when meeting the Emperor.
The Emperor bestowed upon her a pair of jade Ruyi scepters, which were similar in value, merely a gesture of formality.
Wang Qingyao knew that the Emperor did not like her. During this audience to express gratitude, he showed no pleasant expression. After a few perfunctory words, he dismissed Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao was quite annoyed. She had walked such a long way, and the Emperor didn't even offer her a cup of water. He was truly stingy.
Her treatment at the Empress Dowager's was different. The Empress Dowager, out of affection for Xiao Yun, held her hand and talked for a long time. She even treated her to special iced water from the Imperial Kitchen.
The iced water in the palace was not like that outside. It was not chilled with ice, but simply iced. The duration of the icing also had specific rules.
It couldn't be helped; the masters in the palace were pampered and paid attention to health preservation.
But it was still comfortable to drink in the heat of summer.
Finally, it was time to visit Noble Consort Wei.
Speaking of which, this was the first time Wang Qingyao had met this favored consort who held sway over the six palaces. Before meeting her, she had already envisioned her appearance.
She must be extremely beautiful, like Daji or Yang Guifei, captivating the empire, otherwise, how could she retain the Emperor's heart?
As for her personality, daughters of the Wei family were all somewhat spoiled, and having been a favored concubine for so many years, she might be arrogant and difficult to serve.
Wang Qingyao felt a little apprehensive.
Xiao Yun had just offended the Wei family. Would Noble Consort Wei take her as a target?
In the sweltering heat, a chill suddenly ran through her body.
When she entered Huayang Palace and paid her respects to Noble Consort Wei in the main hall, she was immediately astonished.