Xiao Yun, believing he had uncovered Wang Qingyao's shocking secret, magnanimously allowed her to ask him any questions.
However, he genuinely had few secrets.
Wang Qingyao pondered for a moment before asking, "How much assets do you have?"
Xiao Yun: "..."
"I don't know, I haven't counted."
This answer was truly ostentatious, implying one was so wealthy they couldn't even count their assets.
"Are you a virgin?"
Xiao Yun: "..."
His face turned green.
"Ahem, yes."
"If your mother and I fell into the water at the same time, who would you save first?"
Xiao Yun: "..."
What kind of nonsensical questions were these?
Just as Xiao Yun was about to answer, Wang Qingyao made a "shushing" gesture: "Someone's coming."
Outside, three men in black, dressed similarly to Jin Tiao, appeared.
Wang Qingyao described their appearances to Xiao Yun, and indeed, they were three of his personal guards.
So, Wang Qingyao mustered all her strength and shouted towards the well opening: "Help! Help! We're here, we're here!"
The bottom of the well was enclosed, and the sounds bounced off the walls, creating a loud echo, but not much could be heard outside.
"You shout too!" Wang Qingyao nudged Xiao Yun with her elbow.
Xiao Yun chuckled, then brought his thumb, index finger, and middle finger together, placed them to his lips, and blew forcefully.
Instantly, a sharp whistle pierced the air, spiraling upwards and soaring into the sky!
Those outside the well immediately heard it and knelt by the well opening, calling out, "Your Highness?"
Xiao Yun replied loudly, "Yes, we are down in the well."
One person stayed by the well while the other two went to find a rope. The rope was lowered into the well, and Wang Qingyao was pulled up first, followed by Xiao Yun.
Seeing that both were unharmed, the three guards breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why are there only three of you? Where is Jin Ding? Is he injured?"
Wang Qingyao pursed her lips. Jin Ding, what a peculiar name. How could these burly men tolerate such a name?
"Your Highness, rest assured, Jin Ding is unharmed. Jin Tiao was seriously injured, so Jin Ding took him back first."
Xiao Yun was relieved.
It turned out that Jin Tiao had escaped while Steward Ji was not paying attention. Just as Steward Ji was about to catch up, he encountered Jin Ding. With his last breath, he conveyed the precise location of the residence to Jin Ding before passing out. Jin Ding immediately set off fireworks to summon the others.
However, Jin Tiao was severely wounded, and his words were intermittent and unclear. Jin Ding only understood about half of what he said, which was why it took the other three some time to find the residence.
The group escorted Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao back to the Ding'an Royal Manor.
It was already the stroke of Chou (丑时), around two in the morning, and the manor was silent.
Only at the second gate, a person holding a lantern waited anxiously; it was Concubine Jing, the most trusted attendant of the Old Dowager Consort.
Seeing Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao return safely, Concubine Jing breathed a sigh of relief and immediately led Wang Qingyao to the Old Dowager Consort's courtyard.
Although the Old Dowager Consort had already retired for the night, she had made all the arrangements.
Wang Qingyao's room was in the east wing. Yin Zhu, holding a dim candle, waited with a heart full of anxiety. The moment she saw Wang Qingyao enter, tears flowed like a broken dam: "Miss..."
She hugged Wang Qingyao and wept profusely, her snot and tears smearing all over Wang Qingyao.
She then checked Wang Qingyao from head to toe for any injuries. Seeing a few minor scrapes on her face and hands, she cried again with heartache.
"Alright, stop crying, I'm fine, aren't I?"
Yin Zhu still cried: "I almost thought I wouldn't see you again. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't have lived either."
Wang Qingyao laughed carelessly: "There's no need. I'm not a man, why would you follow me in death?"
"Miss!" Yin Zhu was both embarrassed and anxious, and her tears finally subsided a little.
She helped Wang Qingyao bathe and change. Xiao Yun sent over a bowl of chicken soup with silver noodles, which was still warm and ready to eat upon opening.
Wang Qingyao hadn't eaten much at the Lotus Banquet and had been through a lot all night. She was ravenously hungry.
The chicken soup noodles arrived at the perfect time. She picked up her chopsticks and quickly finished them, not even leaving a drop of the soup.
She ate with great satisfaction, a thin layer of sweat forming on her back and face. Well, that bath was wasted.
However, she was too tired to take another bath. Yin Zhu then had a cloth wrung out to wipe her down. By the time everything was done, she was almost asleep. She lay down on the bed, and the moment her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber.
Wang Qingyao slept soundly, but after only a few hours, she was woken by Yin Zhu.
"Miss, it's time to pay respects to the Old Dowager Consort."
In summer, the sun rose early. Wang Qingyao squinted and glanced out the window, seeing the sky was bright and the birds were chirping.
She mumbled sleepily, "What time is it?"
"It's the stroke of Mao (卯时)."
It was only six o'clock.
Wang Qingyao wailed and rolled around in bed. Relying on her strong will and professional dedication, she managed to sit up.
Others didn't know she had been in danger last night and had slept less than four hours.
The Old Dowager Consort had set up the stage for her, and she couldn't let her down.
All the servants in the courtyard were watching her, the future Princess Consort.
She had to perform well.