Her Majesty Consort Wei was surprisingly cute!
She had a baby face, bearing some resemblance to her niece, Wei Yu. Despite having three children, she looked no older than twenty, exceptionally well-preserved. The collagen in her face showed no signs of depletion; instead, motherhood had added a maternal charm that young girls lacked.
She regarded Wang Qingyao with a smile full of affection, casually ordered a seat for her, and even invited her to sit closer. Delicious food and drinks were promptly served by the palace maids.
Wang Qingyao possessed clairvoyant eyes, but they couldn't read hearts. At this level, she had no way of discerning whether Consort Wei's sincerity was genuine or feigned.
"I've long heard about your love story with Prince Ding'an," Consort Wei said, holding a small silver fork and smiling as she ate a fruit platter. "I've been wanting to meet you for ages."
Consort Wei's baby face had a slightly plump, rosy appearance. From the moment Wang Qingyao entered the hall, her mouth hadn't stopped moving, either eating or talking.
Wang Qingyao blinked in surprise. Her and Xiao Yun's... love story?
Seeing Wang Qingyao's bewildered expression, Consort Wei quickly explained, "Oh, you know, Prince Ding'an's heroic rescue on the Lantern Festival, you fell for him, heaven took pity, the Emperor bestowed marriage, and true love conquered all..."
"Ah?!" Wang Qingyao's mouth opened wide, then closed after a moment. She pursed her lips and chuckled awkwardly, "Hehehe, Your Majesty remembers it very clearly."
"Naturally," Consort Wei said, quite animated. "I love watching young people in love the most. Such a beautiful age! It reminds me of when the Emperor and I were young..."
A reminiscent expression flickered across Consort Wei's face.
Wang Qingyao thought to herself: Is Consort Wei shipping me and Xiao Yun?
Under Consort Wei's enthusiastic questioning, Wang Qingyao was again compelled to recount a few "sweet" everyday anecdotes with Xiao Yun.
Consort Wei laughed heartily, her face beaming with an aunt-like smile.
At this moment, a palace attendant announced the arrival of the three princes.
The three princes were the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Princes, all born to Consort Wei. Looking at her three sons, Consort Wei showed a hint of displeasure. "Didn't I tell you not to come to pay respects? Running around in this heat."
The Fifth Prince, grinning, sidled up to her, popped a slice of pear into his mouth, and said as he ate, "It's fine, it's just a short walk, we won't get heatstroke, will we?"
"So dirty, you didn't even wash your hands." Consort Wei lightly tapped his hand, then busied herself ordering palace maids to bring water for the three to wash their hands.
"This is Miss Wang Er, Prince Ding'an's future wife," Consort Wei introduced Wang Qingyao to the three princes.
Only then did Wang Qingyao find an opportunity to formally greet the three princes.
The Fourth Prince smiled, "Mother, we already know her. We even attended the Lotus Banquet together last time."
Mention of the Wei family's Lotus Banquet brought back the near-death experience caused by Steward Ji, and Wang Qingyao's expression soured slightly.
The Second Prince's expression always soured when anything related to Wei Qing was mentioned. Upon hearing the Fourth Prince mention the Lotus Banquet, his face became noticeably uneasy.
Consort Wei, oblivious, glanced towards the door. "Hmm, Qing'er sent a post yesterday saying she'd be visiting the palace today. Why isn't she here yet?"
"Wei Qing is coming?" The Second Prince started to get up, but was stopped by someone summoned by Consort Wei.
"Qing'er isn't a flood or a fierce beast, why are you avoiding her?"
The Fourth Prince chuckled, "Mother, don't you know Second Brother? In his eyes, Qing'er is more terrifying than any flood or fierce beast."
The Fifth Prince burst into laughter. Consort Wei glared at the Second Prince. "You sit down obediently."
The Second Prince had no choice but to sit down obediently. The Fourth and Fifth Princes chatted for a while before leaving together. The Second Prince fidgeted as if on pins and needles. Wang Qingyao found it amusing and secretly suppressed a smile.
The Second Prince then said, "Mother, please don't try to force things. Not everyone falls in love at first sight like Miss Wang Er and A'yun. You should read fewer storybooks."
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Consort Wei cast him a reproachful glance. "You mind your own business. Your father doesn't even mind me." She paused, took a sip of tea. "Besides, what do you know, you're just a child. While love at first sight exists, there's also plenty of love that grows over time. You and Qing'er were childhood sweethearts, inseparable. Why can't you two end up together? If you acted faster, I could be holding a grandchild this year."
The Second Prince's face turned red from Consort Wei's scolding. He whispered, "Mother, please stop. Miss Wang Er is still here!"
The Fourth and Fifth Princes walked out of Huayang Palace together, heading towards their residences near Donghua Gate.
Generally, after princes reached adulthood, the Emperor would grant them mansions and they would move out of the palace.
However, due to the Emperor's affection for Consort Wei, he couldn't bear to be separated from his flesh and blood. Thus, all three princes continued to live within the palace even after reaching adulthood, only moving out upon marriage.
The Eastern Fifth Residence housed only these three brothers. Other underage princes resided in the Western Fifth Residence.
The Fourth Prince began to pant after only a few steps. The Fifth Prince teased him about his lack of exercise and added, "Mother always tries to set up Second Brother and Cousin Qing'er. Actually, I think Fourth Brother and Cousin Qing'er are a better match."
The Fourth Prince suddenly stopped under the shade of a tree, his eyes widening in surprise. "You really think so?"
"Of course," the Fifth Prince replied with innocent sincerity. "Fourth Brother is tall and strong, witty and humorous. Cousin Qing'er is happier when she's with you. As for Second Brother, he only ever makes Cousin Qing'er angry."
The Fourth Prince agreed wholeheartedly. His eyes darted around for a few moments, then he said to the Fifth Prince, "Little Five, I just remembered I have something to attend to. You go ahead."
The Fifth Prince, unsuspecting, continued on his way. Once he was far enough, the Fourth Prince turned a corner and retraced his steps, heading along the road in front of Huayang Palace towards Xuanyou Gate.
As expected, not long after, he "happened upon" Wei Qing and Wei Yu.
"Fourth Cousin," Wei Yu waved enthusiastically at him.
"Are you here to see Mother? What a coincidence, Miss Wang Er is here too."
Upon hearing Wang Qingyao's name, Wei Qing's smile faded considerably.
"Second Brother was going to leave with us, but when he saw Miss Wang Er, he refused to go. I don't know why he has so much to talk about with others?"
Wei Qing's pretty face instantly fell. Wei Yu gave the Fourth Prince a look, signaling him to stop talking.
Only then did the Fourth Prince seem to realize he had said something wrong. He quickly said, "Qing'er, don't take it to heart. How could Second Brother like Miss Wang Er? And don't take what I said at the Lotus Banquet to heart..."
Well, that only made things worse. Wei Qing had already forgotten what he had said, but his reminder brought it all back.
"So what if they're engaged? Second Brother is destined to become... As long as he wishes, there's nothing he can't achieve. Besides, A'yun is cursed, he won't live past twenty-five, and then..."
Wei Qing's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. She stopped paying attention to the Fourth Prince and hurried towards Huayang Palace.