The elderly sleep little, and the Old Imperial Consort woke up before five, specifically instructing them not to wake Wang Qingyao, allowing her to sleep a little longer.
By the time Wang Qingyao finished tidying up and went to the main house to pay her respects, Consort Fang and Xiao Yun, Xiao Mo were already there.
Xiao Yun, though he slept for roughly the same amount of time as Wang Qingyao, appeared energetic and refreshed.
Wang Qingyao, on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate. She had to wash her face with cold water three times to feel awake. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and without makeup, her complexion looked rather poor.
After paying her respects to the Old Imperial Consort and Consort Fang, the Old Imperial Consort beckoned her to sit beside her. Observing Wang Qingyao's face, she asked with concern, "Your complexion isn't very good. Are you not used to sleeping here?"
The Old Imperial Consort was an expert at opera. Wang Qingyao played along, feigning shyness and admitting, "I'm a bit unaccustomed to this bed."
The Old Imperial Consort chuckled, "You'll get used to it after a few more nights."
Compared to the Old Imperial Consort's warmth, Consort Fang was rather aloof.
This was Wang Qingyao's first time meeting her future mother-in-law. People often said that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law were natural enemies.
Honestly, Wang Qingyao was a little nervous, feeling like she was attending an interview. She sat up straight.
Consort Fang was, in a way, her half-superior. If she didn't like her, her life after officially joining the household would be difficult.
As expected, Consort Fang seemed to dislike her. Her expression was consistently distant, her tone was mild, and her gaze never lingered on Wang Qingyao. She certainly didn't engage in casual conversation.
Wang Qingyao's heart sank. Instantly, all the melodramatic mother-in-law-daughter-in-law dramas she had watched in modern times flooded her mind.
Alas, no job was easy.
Consort Fang didn't stay long before needing to leave. The Old Imperial Consort asked Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun to see her off.
At the courtyard entrance, Consort Fang told them to stop.
It was then that Wang Qingyao realized Consort Fang genuinely disliked her.
Consort Fang was also distant towards others. Although her expression was neutral towards Xiao Yun, her eyes held a deep affection.
Of course, Xiao Yun was her son, but Wang Qingyao was her future daughter-in-law. Shouldn't she love the person because of her son?
Clearly, Consort Fang did not love this crow.
A maid beside Consort Fang, taking advantage of Consort Fang's inattention, turned and softly said to Wang Qingyao, "Miss, please don't take it to heart. The Imperial Consort has been devoted to Buddhism for many years and is always indifferent to others; it's not directed at you."
Wang Qingyao raised her eyebrows in surprise. This maid was somewhat unusual.
After speaking, the maid gave Wang Qingyao a gentle smile before quickly returning to Consort Fang's side.
Consort Fang turned her head and said something to her, and a faint smile actually appeared on her face!
This was becoming quite obvious.
"Does your mother dislike me?" she asked Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun explained, "My mother feels your status isn't high enough..."
Wang Qingyao let out a cold laugh.
Xiao Yun continued, "But you don't need to mind her. She doesn't manage affairs in the prince's manor; she's solely focused on copying scriptures and chanting Buddhist prayers. Apart from paying respects to Grandmother, she basically doesn't leave her own courtyard. After you marry in, just put on a good show; there's no need for a deep mother-in-law-daughter-in-law relationship."
Wang Qingyao chuckled, "Pfft." It was good to have a boss who understood the situation.
If she didn't like her, so be it. Consort Fang wasn't the one paying her salary, and the Old Imperial Consort was still above her.
Xiao Mo also left after a while. The Old Imperial Consort dismissed all the servants, keeping only Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao to inquire in detail about the kidnapping incident from the previous night.
Wang Qingyao hesitated, glancing at Xiao Yun, unsure if she could reveal everything.
Xiao Yun reassured her with his eyes and then proceeded to recount the events of the previous night himself.
He didn't hide anything from the Old Imperial Consort about the Wei family and the kidnappers.
Wang Qingyao understood the Old Imperial Consort's status then.
After Xiao Yun finished, she supplemented the parts he hadn't been present for, and also recounted the previous kidnapping incident near the Sang family's entertainment district.
This matter was definitely related to her novel, "A Secret History of Palace Concubines' Tragic Love."
The Old Imperial Consort, who didn't listen to storytellers, was first taken aback by the title "A Secret History of Palace Concubines' Tragic Love," and only then began to inquire about the content.
Wang Qingyao vividly narrated the story to her. The Old Imperial Consort's expression became... well, very complex and difficult to describe.
Wang Qingyao's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively exchanged a glance with Xiao Yun, who also looked puzzled.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
The Old Imperial Consort coughed lightly, her expression quickly returning to normal. "Nothing, I just found it a bit melodramatic. How did a young girl like you come up with these... um... unbelievable plots?"
Wang Qingyao felt embarrassed and said softly, "I made them up. I've loved reading strange tales and folklore since I was young, and after reading so much, I started creating my own."
"Are you still writing it?"
Wang Qingyao shook her head. "Duke Zhongyong approached me last time and said it might bring about a fatal disaster, so he told me to stop. I haven't continued writing since."
"Duke Zhongyong approached you?"
"Yes."
Whether it was an illusion or not, Wang Qingyao felt there was a subtle meaning in the Old Imperial Consort's words, as if there was something she and Xiao Yun didn't know.
But the Old Imperial Consort clearly didn't intend to tell them.
She and Xiao Yun exchanged another look. Xiao Yun said, "Regardless of why the Wei family's steward wanted you, we can't let this slight go unanswered."
"What do you plan to do?" she asked. "We can't openly seek retribution."
Xiao Yun gave a cold smile. "Why not?"
After Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun had breakfast with the Old Imperial Consort, Xiao Yun first escorted Wang Qingyao back to the Prince's Manor.
Yinzhu was absent-minded, taking a step and looking back three times.
Wang Qingyao teased her, "Don't be reluctant. I'll be married next month, and I'll be living here permanently from then on."
Yinzhu's eyes reddened. "Miss, could you please ask about the guard who saved me last night? He... he took a kick for me to save me. I saw him spit blood... How is he now?"
Wang Qingyao just remembered; she hadn't checked on Jin Tiao yet.
If it weren't for Jin Tiao this time, Yinzhu would have long since perished. Wang Qingyao wouldn't have waited for reinforcements so soon.
This was a great kindness that deserved the most profound gratitude.