Bai Shi didn't know where she had gone wrong. She had considered every minor detail, like choosing a less-traveled path and not having her maid follow her, but she had never anticipated a chivalrous hero appearing out of nowhere to rescue her.
What a meddler! Ruining her good deed.
Upon returning, Wang Qingyao sent a message to Xiao Yun through a carrier pigeon, detailing the encounter with the bandits.
She was "frightened," naturally requiring a couple of days of rest at home, making her unable to attend the wine appointment the next day.
The following morning, Xiao Yun arrived with a painter from the Duanjing Prefecture Magistrate's office. It was only then that the rest of the Wang family learned that Bai Shi and Wang Qingyao had encountered bandits the previous day.
Old Madam Wang abruptly stood up, anxiously asking, "Did the bandits touch you?"
Wang Qingyao rolled her eyes internally but feigned a frightened expression. "I... I didn't get out of the carriage. They didn't even see my face. Eldest Madam got out to deal with the bandits to protect me. I don't know if she..."
Old Madam Wang immediately frowned and looked at Bai Shi, as if she had become unclean.
Bai Shi almost spat blood. How could someone so young be so malicious?
With Xiao Yun present, Bai Shi dared not show hostility towards Wang Qingyao. She quickly explained, "We only spoke, there was no physical contact. Shuangshou was also present."
Shuangshou was the coachman.
Old Madam Wang immediately sent someone to summon him.
Shuangshou was still shaken by the bandit incident from the previous night. Seeing the officials, his heart settled considerably. He animatedly recounted the events, lavishly praising the hero, Jin Tiao, for his formidable martial arts, unparalleled righteousness, and selfless spirit.
Wang Qingyao thought to herself, "I wonder if he'll still think that way after he knows the hero's name?"
When Old Madam Wang heard that neither Bai Shi nor Wang Qingyao had been physically involved with the bandits, she relaxed, her heart at ease, and sat down.
Her daughter-in-law and granddaughter were attacked, and the old madam's first concern wasn't their safety but their so-called purity. Tsk, tsk...
Xiao Yun cast a meaningful glance at Old Madam Wang.
At this point, Old Madam Wang realized she had overstepped. She adjusted her posture, put on a dignified air, and "kindly" asked them, "Are you injured at all?"
Bai Shi shook her head.
Wang Qingyao replied, "No."
Old Madam Wang patted her chest, sighing with relief. "Thank the Buddha you're not injured."
Such pretense, Wang Qingyao rolled her eyes again in her mind.
Although the bandits were masked, portraits still needed to be drawn. Xiao Yun personally oversaw the matter, and the Duanjing Prefecture Magistrate did not dare to be negligent. The accompanying artist was quite skilled. Based on the descriptions from Bai Shi and Shuangshou, he managed to draw a likeness.
Bai Shi sneered inwardly, "The bandits were masked. What's the use of drawing them, even if it's accurate? Would bandits wear masks when they're out on the street? They're trying to catch ghosts!"
She didn't take it seriously at all.
The artist took the portrait back to report. Xiao Yun escorted Wang Qingyao back to Lengxiang Courtyard. Wang Qingyao gave him six portraits.
Xiao Yun glanced at them; they were all unmasked, showing clear faces.
The portraits were drawn with burnt charcoal. It was a drawing technique he had never seen before. The faces seemed to come alive, as if they were real.
He asked doubtfully, "This drawing technique is new to me." He hadn't seen any master paint like this.
Wang Qingyao had a ready explanation. "I learned it from an ancient book."
"The ancient book?"
"It's lost."
Xiao Yun: "..."
Xiao Yun, who had previously believed Wang Qingyao wouldn't lie to him, now felt a strong sense of being deceived.
He looked at Wang Qingyao with a complex expression several times. Wang Qingyao thought, "Heh heh heh, suspected again."
Xiao Yun considered inviting her for another drink, but it wasn't possible for now. First, they had to catch the bandits.
Lijing Courtyard.
All the mirrors in Wang Qinglin's room were removed, and even the washbasin was replaced with a wooden one.
She refused to let the doctor examine her face. Bai Shi claimed it was a skin allergy, and the doctor's diagnosis was vague. The doctor only prescribed some soothing ointments, saying it would heal in a few days.
But Wang Qinglin knew it wouldn't heal.
When she had the "Mad Wind Powder" administered, she had already inquired. It would never heal, and she would have to live with this mottled, ugly face for the rest of her life.
Her intention was to ruin Wang Qingyao. She had used a sufficient amount, but who would have thought this powder would end up on her own face?
While her courtyard wasn't as secure as a fortress, it was more than enough to guard against Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao's courtyard only had two usable people, and they weren't particularly capable. How could they have bypassed so many watchful eyes and quietly switched the makeup powder in her room?
Wang Qinglin suspected a mole among her staff. She observed them coldly for two days, finding fault with everyone. Her temper worsened, and anyone who so much as glanced at her face would either have something thrown at them or be subjected to a torrent of abuse.
Everyone in Lijing Courtyard lived in fear. The maids and servants walked along the walls, afraid to breathe.
Wang Qinglin stared at the canopy of her bed, filled with despair.
Her life was ruined.
No one would marry a disfigured woman.
At this moment, she missed Tian Yu. He had been so obedient to her. Even if he wasn't the top scholar, the top three were still officials. He was willing to work hard, and with the Wang family's support, he might have had a future.
She had believed her plan was foolproof. She had believed Wang Qingyao would be disfigured. She had believed she would marry into the Ding'an Prince's mansion.
She had left herself no fallback.
She had personally pushed Tian Yu towards Bai Junzhu.
She regretted it so much her intestines were turning green.
She had cried enough these past two days. Her eyes were red, swollen, and dry. She could no longer squeeze out any tears for Tian Yu, only feeling regret.
She had underestimated Wang Qingyao.
How could she have stumbled over her?
Ever since the Imperial Astrologer Feng Fu had divined Wang Qingyao's fate, she had become different from her former self.
Wang Qinglin thought Wang Qingyao's change was related to gods or Buddhas. She sat up in bed with a thud. "Go call Eldest Madam over."
When Bai Shi entered, she saw Wang Qinglin lying on the bed, her face covered with a handkerchief, motionless. Only her eyes were visible, wide open, devoid of any spirit.