Wang Qingyao stepped out of the Wang family's main gate and indeed saw a large carriage. Yuan Bao was sitting on the carriage shafts. Upon seeing her, he was about to jump down to pay his respects when he saw her wave a "hi" and nimbly climb onto the carriage herself, entering the compartment.
Yuan Bao thought, "How amiable the future princess consort is. I wonder why the prince is investigating her? He seemed rather displeased with the investigation results this morning."
Today's carriage was more spacious than yesterday's. In the center sat a small pearwood table, upon which was placed a black, three-tiered plum blossom patterned food box.
When Xiao Yun heard the movement outside, he opened the food box and began taking out the breakfast items one by one.
Wang Qingyao, full of energy, said, "Good morning, Your Highness."
"Good morning, Miss Wang."
Xiao Yun looked up to greet her and was momentarily stunned by her attire.
Her clothes were newly made, as were her hair ornaments and jewelry. There was a blush on her cheeks, and her lips were painted with rouge. She looked considerably more beautiful than usual.
A saying popped into his mind: A woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her.
Seeing him staring at her, Wang Qingyao cupped her face with both hands and swayed, "Do I look good? I specifically put on makeup this morning. You are a dashing and charming young prince, and I, as your companion, cannot be too shabby, can I? Don't you think we look like a golden couple?"
Playful, cute, and carefree.
Xiao Yun calmly assessed her in his mind.
This did not align with the background of the second daughter of the Wang family at all.
Yuan Bao had not been able to uncover anything useful.
Wang Qingyao had a weak presence in the Wang family. All Yuan Bao could find were superficial details like her parents' death, her being an orphan, and her broken engagement with the Tian family.
As for her temperament and the contradictions within her, he would have to start with her maids.
With this thought, he asked, "Why have I never seen you bring a maid out with you?"
"I only have two maids," Wang Qingyao replied. "It's not enough staff. Besides, I find it troublesome. I have hands and feet, and I can do everything myself."
As the legitimate daughter of the Wang family, to only have two maids in total?
Xiao Yun's perception of the Wang family's cruelty and shamelessness was once again refreshed.
"Let's eat breakfast," his tone softened unconsciously.
Regardless of how suspicious Wang Qingyao might be, her pitiable situation was undeniable.
Wang Qingyao looked at the small table. There were six items for breakfast: a basket of xiaolongbao, a plate of crystal steamed dumplings, a plate of scallion oil crisp cakes, a bowl of tofu pudding, a small bowl of hot milk, and a plate of quail eggs cut in half.
Although there were many items, each portion was small and exquisite.
Wang Qingyao devoured the food like a whirlwind, quickly finishing her breakfast.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yun had only just finished one xiaolongbao.
He was stunned by Wang Qingyao's speed and appetite, and silently put down his chopsticks.
Wang Qingyao realized belatedly, "Is this breakfast for both of us?"
Xiao Yun: "No, it's for you alone."
Wang Qingyao felt ashamed, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't know you hadn't eaten yet."
"It's alright, I had a bite before leaving."
Although Xiao Yun had a bite before leaving, when they got off the carriage near Da Xiangguo Temple, he still found a small shop and had a bowl of wontons.
They arrived early today, and the temple was indeed not as crowded as yesterday.
The three of them browsed and found the guanpu stalls.
There were several at first glance. Some were small-scale, only betting on exquisite trinkets or daily necessities.
The largest one already had several people queuing. The prizes ranged from last place to first place, all in real silver.
Xiao Yun went closer to inquire and returned excitedly to tell Wang Qingyao that the grand prize was one thousand taels of silver.
One thousand taels was not much to Xiao Yun; the main thing was that it was free money, and anyone would be excited.
Wang Qingyao silently calculated. One thousand taels of silver was equivalent to two million taels in modern times, still a bit short of five million.
She nodded calmly, "Let's warm up first."
Her composed and calm demeanor made Xiao Yun doubt if this was truly her first time playing guanpu.
Wang Qingyao knew how to hide her skills. At several small guanpu stalls, she deliberately did not guess all the correct items. Even so, using her clairvoyance to win prizes, she acquired much more than ordinary people. Soon, Yuan Bao's hands and arms were piled high with bags.
Xiao Yun instructed, "Yuan Bao, take these things back to the carriage first."
He and Wang Qingyao then went to the largest guanpu stall.
The stakes here were also higher than elsewhere, one tael per try.
The rules were clearly written in large black characters, standing in front of the stall: The player draws seven balls from a wooden box. Four red balls, three yellow balls, two white balls, and one green ball constitute the first prize, with a reward of one thousand taels of silver. Four red, three yellow, two white, and one green; guessing any three sets correctly is the second prize, with a reward of one hundred taels of silver. Guessing any two sets correctly is the third prize, with a reward of one tael. Guessing only one set correctly is the fourth prize, with a reward of ten copper coins. There is also a special prize: if any of the second, third, or fourth prizes include a green ball, an additional ten taels will be awarded.
This meant that even if only one set was guessed correctly, but if that set was the green ball, one would receive ten taels and ten copper coins.
It was this special prize that made this guanpu stall so popular, with everyone wanting to try their luck.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun waited in line for about half an hour before it was their turn.
After paying, Wang Qingyao used her clairvoyance to look into the large wooden box filled with balls. Small balls of red, yellow, and white colors filled about half the box, but there was no sign of a green ball. After a careful inspection, she discovered there was only one green ball.
She glanced at the stall owner, a burly man in his thirties. In the chilly weather, he wore only a thin shirt, yet his nose was glistening with sweat.
Seeing a pretty young girl staring at him, he immediately put on a smile and said amiably, "Is this your first time playing, miss? Have you read the rules? You just need to draw seven balls, it's very simple."
Wang Qingyao, dressed in fine silk and jade, clearly looked like a young lady from a wealthy family. Such pampered young ladies or noblewomen played for novelty and fun, not caring how much money they spent.
They were the easiest to earn money from.
The stall owner had been smiling happily, a smile that radiated from his heart.
Until Wang Qingyao drew four red balls, his smile faltered for a moment before quickly recovering. The announcer beside him loudly proclaimed, "This lady has good luck! She has already drawn four red balls. If she doesn't draw another red ball, she's guaranteed at least ten copper coins."
Then, Wang Qingyao drew three yellow balls. The announcer exclaimed, "Ah, three yellow balls! This lady has excellent luck, her prize money accumulates to one tael!"
The onlookers, both those watching and those queuing, let out envious murmurs.
Although the stall owner was still smiling, his smile was no longer as genuine. He sized up Wang Qingyao from head to toe. Her appearance was no different from other young ladies of noble families, but her expression, that confident certainty, that feeling that everything was within her grasp, sent an involuntary chill down his spine.
Could it be that strange?
When Wang Qingyao drew two white balls, the stall owner's eyes nearly popped out. He couldn't smile anymore.
It was too uncanny. Not only were the colors and quantities correct, but they were drawn in order!
The announcer shouted, "Heavens, two white balls! The prize money is now one hundred taels. If she draws one more green ball, this lady will be today's grand prize winner, one thousand taels of silver!"
More and more people gathered. Some who were queuing even abandoned their spots and squeezed to the front to watch Wang Qingyao draw the last ball.