Wang Qingyao emerged after changing her clothes. Wei Yu, with her large eyes, looked her up and down and chuckled, "I thought Sister Wang Er had such a good appetite, but you're quite slender."
The outfit was a fitted waist, flowing cloud-brocade palace dress. The waistline was raised a couple of inches, making anyone who wore it appear to have long legs and a small waist.
The dress was about seventy percent new, an old garment Wei Qing no longer intended to wear. When she gave it to Wang Qingyao, Wei Qing had said, "I originally intended to bestow it upon a servant. You can wear it back without issue."
Wang Qingyao's expression remained unchanged. "Oh."
Hearing Wei Yu say this now, she merely responded with an "Oh."
Wei Yu then put on a curious expression. "Does Sister Wang Er usually eat this much?"
Seeing everyone looking at her, she smiled sheepishly and explained, "I don't mean anything else, I'm purely curious."
In truth, Wang Qingyao didn't eat a great deal, but compared to Wei Qing and Wei Yu, it was indeed quite a lot.
She didn't mind and smiled. "Mm."
"Aren't you afraid of getting fat?"
"Of course I am," Wang Qingyao said with a grin. "That's why I exercise more. I consume as much as I eat, maintaining a balance of energy, and then I won't gain weight."
This explanation was novel. The Second Prince looked at Wang Qingyao with curiosity. "Do you exercise every day?"
Wang Qingyao thought for a moment. A stroll counted as exercise, so she nodded.
The Second Prince looked enlightened. "No wonder your skin is fair with a rosy hue. You look healthier than most girls."
Wang Qingyao almost wanted to cover his mouth.
This remark not only offended Wei Qing and Wei Yu but also included all the other girls. The Second Prince was quite skilled; his casual words had created so many enemies for her.
To make matters worse, Consort Wei chimed in, "One should exercise more. It's also beneficial for future childbirth."
Wei Qing shot a resentful glance at Wang Qingyao. Wei Yu, however, didn't seem angry and nodded thoughtfully.
After chatting for a while, everyone began to feel a bit tired.
Consort Wei also needed to rest.
Wei Qing and Wei Yu had their own chambers to rest in. The Second Prince's residence was not far away. Only Wang Qingyao had nowhere to go. Consort Wei was about to order someone to prepare a room for her to nap, but she refused.
"I'll sit for a while. When the palace attendant returns with my clothes, I'll go home after changing."
Consort Wei disagreed. "It's midday. If you walk all the way to the palace gate, won't you be sunburnt into charcoal?"
The Second Prince spoke up. "I'll escort Miss Wang Er later. She's not familiar with the palace, so I'll take her along shaded paths."
Consort Wei considered for a moment. "Very well."
Wei Qing glared at Wang Qingyao again, her eyes darting like daggers.
This time, Wang Qingyao met her gaze, her eyes seeming to say, "If you have the guts, glare at the Second Prince! You only bully me!"
Wei Qing's face turned green with anger.
And so it was settled.
Wang Qingyao bent her knees, about to respectfully see Consort Wei off, when she suddenly heard Wei Yu exclaim, "Eh, Sister, where's your jade pendant?"
Wei Qing touched her waist, and her face instantly changed. The jade pendant was gone.
She first looked at Wei Yu with surprise. Wei Yu appeared anxious. "That's a jade pendant from Grandfather!"
"Is it Hetian芙蓉 jade?" Consort Wei asked.
Wei Yu nodded.
It turned out that when daughters of the Wei family were born, Grand Tutor Wei would bestow upon them a Hetian芙蓉 jade carved with their names. Wei Yu had one, and Consort Wei also had one.
This Hetian芙蓉 jade was rare and exceptionally precious. For women to wear it could beautify the complexion, nourish qi and blood, and prolong life.
Now, Consort Wei's face also showed urgency. "Quickly, think carefully. Did it fall somewhere?"
Wei Qing hesitated for a moment, then frowned and thought for a while. "I can't recall."
"Quickly, search the main hall, side halls, and the flower hall thoroughly."
At Consort Wei's command, the palace attendants meticulously searched all the places Wei Qing had been, but still found nothing.
The Second Prince said, "Could it have been lost on the way to Huayang Palace?"
Wei Yu shook her head. "I saw the jade pendant hanging properly on Sister's waist during the meal!"
So it must have been lost sometime after the meal.
But it wasn't in Huayang Palace!
Wei Yu suddenly had a realization. "Could it... have been stolen?"
Her words stunned everyone. Consort Wei's eyes sharpened, and she said angrily, "There's a thief in my Huayang Palace!"
She had been all smiles and gentleness before, like a neighborly elder sister. Now, her face was stern, her expression like frost, fully displaying her noble consort's dignity.
All the palace attendants in the grand hall knelt down.
With a thief in Huayang Palace, Consort Wei naturally had to conduct a thorough search.
She immediately ordered all entrances to be sealed and gathered all the servants attending in the halls. She then sent her trusted confidantes to search them one by one, even having them disrobe.
The result was still nothing.
"Nothing?" Consort Wei's finely arched eyebrows furrowed, and confusion showed in her eyes.
Wei Yu mumbled, "It might not necessarily be a palace attendant..."
Consort Wei raised an eyebrow and looked at her. Wei Yu, however, looked at Wang Qingyao. "Miss Wang Er, I'm not suspecting you, but this jade pendant is too precious..."
Just moments ago, she was "Sister Wang Er," and now it was "Miss Wang Er"!
The Second Prince scoffed. "Wei Yu, what nonsense are you spouting? How could Miss Wang Er take Wei Qing's jade pendant?"
Wang Qingyao smiled understandingly. "It's alright, Second Miss Wei is just too anxious. But she has a point. A thief isn't necessarily a palace attendant. All of us here, except for First Miss Wei, are suspects!"
Having said that much, Wei Qing bit her lip and stepped forward. "Miss Wang Er, I believe you are not that kind of person. To prove your innocence, please allow Aunt Ju Ke to search you."
Aunt Ju Ke was a trusted female official serving Consort Wei.
Hearing Wei Qing's words, she didn't move. She held her breath and stood beside Consort Wei, awaiting her command.
Wang Qingyao was not angry. "It's only right. But you can't just search me. Second Miss Wei must also be searched, and the Second Prince too."
"Absurd!" Wei Yu shouted. "How could I steal my sister's jade pendant? And the Second Prince certainly wouldn't."
Wang Qingyao smiled dismissively. "Hearts are hidden beneath faces. Who knows?"
Saying this, she no longer paid attention to the Wei sisters and lowered her head, facing Consort Wei, awaiting her decision.
Consort Wei's round face was now devoid of any smile, her brow filled with gloom.
"Search everyone."
When Consort Wei gave the order, Aunt Ju Ke bowed her head and invited the two ladies into the inner chamber. For the Second Prince, a eunuch was called to conduct the search.
Wei Yu strode forward confidently. To show her innocence, she quickened her pace. Before she even entered the inner chamber, there was a "thud" as something slipped from her waist and fell to the ground.
"Oh dear, my jade pendant," Wei Yu exclaimed with a delicate cry. She picked up the pendant and rubbed it lovingly with her palm. When she saw the inscription on the back of the jade, her expression changed drastically.