Wang Qingyao was awakened by Yin Zhu's torment, her body jolted, her face patted, and her ears buzzed.
"Alright, alright, I'm up," she said, sitting up with a yawn, her resentment overflowing.
As Yin Zhu gently wiped her face with a warm towel, she coaxed, "You can sleep in later when we get back."
After washing her face, Wang Qingyao felt a little more awake. Although she was still yawning incessantly, she was no longer drowsy. Yin Zhu and Zhizi helped her dress and wash. Nian Momo said, "It's actually the perfect time to get up. When you become the Princess of Ding'an, you'll have to rise at this hour to pay respects to the Old Dowager and the Dowager, and manage the household. It's good to get used to it now."
Wang Qingyao put on a mournful face.
May was already quite hot, and the morning sun was outrageously bright, illuminating even the secluded Cold Fragrance Courtyard.
Yin Zhu picked out a light smoke-colored skirt for her, a pale pink one, but she still missed the short sleeves and hot pants of modern times.
If she was already so afraid of the heat, how would she endure the peak of summer?
She wouldn't marry into the Ding'an Prince's Mansion until July. She had seen dramas; ancient palaces and wealthy families used ice. She definitely wouldn't have access to it now and would have to rely on Xiao Yun.
At this moment, she wished she could marry sooner, yet she also resented the Emperor for arranging the wedding date so poorly. Either two months earlier or a month later, but it had to be in July, the hottest month of the year.
The Emperor's choice of date was not only for auspiciousness; it also considered Xiao Yun's curse, wanting him to leave descendants early. Furthermore, it allowed the Ministry of Rites time to prepare for the wedding. Six months was already very rushed, and the Ministry of Rites was likely cursing the Emperor in their hearts.
Wang Qingyao, with Zhizi, went to Rongtang Courtyard. She hadn't eaten breakfast, only taking a sip of strong tea to refresh herself before setting off. Despite her haste, she was still the last to arrive. Bai Shi and Wang Da, along with Wang Qinglin, Wang Qingzhen, and Wang Qingzhu, had already arrived and were chatting with the Old Madam.
Wang Qinglin wore a white veiled hat and sat quietly, yielding her usual seat next to the Old Madam to Wang Qingzhen. Wang Qingzhen nestled beside the Old Madam, amusing her with interesting stories that made her laugh heartily.
Upon seeing Wang Qingyao enter, the Old Madam's smile faltered. Recalling what Wang Da had said, she forced a smile and said unnaturally, "Second girl is here."
Wang Qingyao paid her respects according to custom. Through the veil, Wang Qinglin's cold eyes fixed on her. She thought Wang Qingyao couldn't see her expression and let her resentment flow freely.
Wang Qingyao saw Wang Qinglin's expression clearly and smiled slightly, bringing up a sensitive topic: "What's wrong with Eldest Sister? Why are you wearing a veiled hat indoors?"
Wang Qinglin gnashed her teeth inwardly and replied calmly, "My skin allergy hasn't fully healed yet. The doctor ordered me not to be exposed to wind or sunlight."
There was no wind or sunlight indoors. Wang Qingyao didn't expose her.
Wang Da was somewhat displeased. He had reprimanded Wang Qinglin similarly just now, but Bai Shi had said that Wang Qinglin had just applied ointment and couldn't be exposed to even the slightest breeze or light.
She had seemed almost recovered yesterday when she spoke with Wang Da. How could she be like this now?
The Old Madam, suppressing her discomfort, chatted with Wang Qingyao for a few moments before eagerly dismissing her. To avoid showing favoritism, she also asked everyone else to leave.
Everyone stood up and took their leave.
Wang Qingzhen sidled up to Wang Qinglin, acting coy and spoiled, "Eldest Sister, you haven't come to play with me in a long time. Why don't you come to my place for a bit? I just got a new set of embroidery patterns, perfect for making sachets."
Wang Qinglin coldly refused, "I have some matters to attend to in my room. Another day."
Wang Qingzhen looked disappointed. The group walked out together, with Bai Shi and Wang Da in front and the children following behind. The maids lifted the thin gauze curtains. Just as Wang Da stepped out, a gasp erupted from behind them.
It turned out that Wang Qingzhen had somehow twisted her ankle and, instinctively, had pulled Wang Qinglin's arm, accidentally dislodging her veiled hat.
The first gasp came from Wang Qingzhen, who had twisted her ankle. The second was from Wang Qinglin, followed by the gasps and choked breaths of others.
Everyone saw Wang Qinglin's face, mottled with white and black patches, as if sunlight filtering through leaves had fallen on muddy ground, both disgusting and ugly.
Everyone collectively stepped back, afraid of accidentally contracting something. Even the maids and servants at the door showed terrified expressions, as if Wang Qinglin had contracted a deadly contagious disease.
Wang Qinglin stared blankly for a few seconds, then realized her face was exposed. She let out a loud scream, forgetting about the veiled hat, and rushed out, covering her face.
"Lin'er, Lin'er!" Bai Shi picked up the veiled hat and called out anxiously from behind, chasing a few steps before turning back to glare fiercely at Wang Qingzhen.
Wang Qingzhen looked innocent and timidly said, "I, I... I didn't do it on purpose."
She had "twisted" her ankle and was being supported by Wang Qingzhu. When Wang Qinglin's face was revealed, Wang Qingzhen's heart had also skipped a beat. She truly hadn't expected Wang Qinglin's face to become so ghastly.
She was both happy and scared. Glared at by Bai Shi, her heart pounded with panic, and she looked to Wang Da for help: "Father, I really didn't do it on purpose. I didn't know Eldest Sister..."
Wang Da was still in shock. After a long moment, he realized that this monstrous face belonged to Wang Qinglin, his most beloved legitimate eldest daughter!
He looked at Bai Shi in disbelief and grabbed her arm, "What on earth happened? Didn't you say it was a skin allergy and it was almost healed?"
Bai Shi's mouth hung open, her lips moving, unsure where to begin.
She couldn't possibly mention the makeup powder. If she did, it would lead to a thorough investigation, which would inevitably uncover her and Wang Qinglin.
That wasn't the main concern. Wang Qingyao was an orphan. No one in the Wang family would stand up for her. Would Wang Da divorce his wife for her? She was afraid Wang Qingyao would use this opportunity to make a scene and then coax the Prince of Ding'an to champion her cause.
Before Bai Shi could ponder further, the Old Madam from behind asked, "What happened?"
She had heard the commotion but hadn't seen Wang Qinglin's face.
The maids at the door lowered their heads, not daring to reply.
The Old Madam had a嬷嬷 support her as she walked over. Her gaze swept over Bai Shi and Wang Da's faces, and she asked sternly, "What is it? Where is Eldest Girl?" Seeing Bai Shi holding the veiled hat and Wang Qinglin's absence, she knew this matter involved Wang Qinglin.
Wang Da's head was spinning. The memory of Wang Qinglin's face just now sent goosebumps all over his body. He didn't know where to start.
Finally, Wang Da instructed the children to return first, while he and Bai Shi remained in Rongtang Courtyard.
Wang Qingzhen, now supported by her own maid, deliberately walked slowly. As Wang Qingyao passed her, she called out, "Second Sister."
Wang Qingyao stopped and looked at her.
Wang Qingzhen put on a look of lingering fear, "What happened to Eldest Sister? Why has her face become like this?"
Wang Qingyao shrugged, "I don't know either."
"It's all my fault. How could I have just happened to pull Eldest Sister's veiled hat off?" she said, her tone self-reproaching, but with little guilt in her eyes. Her lips couldn't help but curl upwards.
She was trying to curry favor with Wang Qingyao!
She had played a significant role in making Wang Qinglin look foolish.
Wang Qinglin's embarrassment was something Wang Qingyao was happy to see.
However, Wang Qingzhen's actions weren't for her sake, so she merely smiled and didn't continue the conversation. She nodded slightly and left.