According to custom, on the second day after receiving the imperial decree, the Old Madam was to escort Wang Qingyao into the palace to offer her thanks.
Nian Momo had already instructed her on the etiquette and rules of the palace.
From ancient times to the present, etiquette has largely been passed down through generations. Wang Qingyao, being in her thirties from the modern era, found it effortless to learn, prompting Nian Momo to exclaim she was a genius.
The First Madam had sent over a complete set of hair ornaments and four magnificent dresses early that morning.
Yinzhu had been fretting about what to wear that day the previous night. Upon seeing the First Madam’s delivery, she immediately felt a surge of gratitude towards her.
Wang Qingyao chose a slightly more understated outfit and wore only a few pieces of jewelry on her head.
Yinzhu was puzzled, "Miss, isn't this too plain? The First Madam sent so many things; we shouldn't disregard her kindness, should we?"
Wang Qingyao glanced at herself in the mirror as she spoke, "Doesn't the First Madam want me to be grateful to her? If she truly cared for me, she would have sent them yesterday. Why would she leave me worried all night? Besides, I usually dress plainly. If I suddenly adorned myself with gold and jewels, wouldn't I look like a nouveau riche?"
Yinzhu chuckled, then her smile faded as she asked, "What if the Old Madam and the First Madam blame us..."
"Let them blame us," Wang Qingyao said nonchalantly, "Who's afraid?"
To speak boldly, she was now both a county princess and the future consort of Prince Ding'an. As long as she didn't commit murder or adultery, who in this household could do anything to her?
However, this was merely her unilateral thought. In the eyes of the rest of the Wang family, she was still a weakling.
After a simple breakfast, Wang Qingyao hurried to the main gate to await the Old Madam.
After a considerable wait, the Old Madam finally arrived, escorted by the First Madam, Madam Bai, and the three young ladies from the eldest branch.
The Old Madam was dressed in the formal attire of a noble lady, looking solemn and dignified. Her discerning eyes swept over Wang Qingyao, and her expression immediately darkened, "Why are you dressed so shabbily? Didn't the First Madam prepare clothes and jewelry for you?"
Wang Qingzhen couldn't help but chuckle. Truly an uncouth bumpkin, dressed like this, not only would she be unfit to enter the palace, but she would also be an embarrassment to any prestigious family in Duanjing!
Wang Qingyao replied with downcast eyes, "They were only sent this morning. Your granddaughter had already dressed herself. If I were to change again, I feared I would be late, so I hastily picked a plainer outfit from the ones sent."
The Old Madam's sharp gaze swept over her clothes again. Indeed, while plain, the fabric was of excellent quality.
The Old Madam was well aware of the First Madam's intentions. In the past, she paid no attention because it didn't affect the Wang family's interests. However, entering the palace was no trivial matter; it concerned the Wang family's reputation and future. The First Madam's lack of judgment was truly a sign of her lack of grace!
The Old Madam gave the First Madam a displeased look. The First Madam clenched her hands within her sleeves and stepped forward to apologize, "It is this daughter-in-law's oversight."
Her gaze fell heavily on Wang Qingyao, who met it calmly, a perfectly fitting expression of guilt on her face, "Grandmother, please don't blame the First Madam. It was I who prepared early, fearing I would be late."
The First Madam's eyes were cold, but her voice remained as magnanimous as ever, "It's right for you to be cautious on your first trip to the palace."
Wang Qinglin then stepped forward, removed her bracelet and necklace, and handed them to Wang Qingyao, smiling gently, "This set of jewelry matches Sister Er's outfit. If Sister Er doesn't mind, please wear it to the palace."
The Old Madam's stern face finally broke into a smile, "Only Lin'er is sensible."
Wang Qingyao appeared "overwhelmed with gratitude," "This set of jewelry is so exquisite, how can I possibly accept it from Sister Da?"
Wang Qinglin's smile faltered. Did she mean "gift"? She had only meant to "lend" it, hadn't she?
The bracelet and necklace were a set. Not to mention being made of pure gold, the gemstones inlaid on them were incredibly valuable. They were specially crafted by skilled artisans for her coming-of-age ceremony, and they were her favorite set of jewelry.
How could Wang Qingyao lack such basic discernment?
But since she had already spoken so generously, it would seem petty to say "borrow" now.
Wang Qinglin's heart bled, and she forced a smile, "We are sisters, no need to be so formal."
Wang Qingyao, "Thank you, Sister Da, then I shall accept it."
Wang Qingzhen, seeing Wang Qingyao receive such a valuable item, her eyes turned red with jealousy.
After the Old Madam and Wang Qingyao had departed in the carriage, she immediately spoke up for Wang Qinglin, "Sister Er is truly audacious. Sister Da clearly meant to lend it, but she pretended not to understand and took it. I'm embarrassed for her."
Wang Qinglin felt the pain of her jewelry, yet she had to maintain a magnanimous facade, "It's not Sister Er's fault. She's different from us; she hasn't seen much of value since she was young, so it's understandable she'd want to keep it."
She returned to the main courtyard with the First Madam. As soon as the door was closed, the smile she had maintained all along vanished.
Madam Bai comforted her, "It's just a set of jewelry. Mother will have an even better one made for you another day."
Wang Qinglin bit her lip, "The jewelry is a minor matter. The key point is that Wang Qingyao dared to slander Mother in front of Grandmother. I truly never realized she was so bold before!"
Madam Bai's eyes darkened, and she let out a cold laugh, "Indeed, I didn't realize she had such cunning. From now on, don't be careless and let her catch any leverage."
Wang Qinglin dismissed it, "What, does she still want revenge for the broken engagement?"
"It has already begun. This morning was just a small tactic to leave you speechless."
Wang Qinglin snorted, "That was due to my carelessness."
"It's good that you know you were careless," Madam Bai said indifferently. "Wang Qingyao is foolish; you don't need to stoop to her level. Even if she becomes the consort of Prince Ding'an, without the support of her maternal family, how long can she be proud? If it weren't for the Grand Tutor decreeing some precious destiny for her, would Prince Ding'an's manor have taken notice of her? Her days in the manor won't be easy. And if, in the end, the curse on Prince Ding'an cannot be lifted, she might not even be able to keep her life..."
Wang Qinglin was shocked, "Didn't the Grand Tutor say..."
Madam Bai's expression remained calm, "The Grand Tutor only spoke of possibilities. Moreover, if a curse were so easily broken, it wouldn't be called a curse. We, as family, know better than anyone how precious Wang Qingyao's destiny is. Look, has your grandmother allowed her to resume her daily greetings?"
Madam Bai let out a mocking smile, and Wang Qinglin followed suit.
Wang Qingyao was believed to bring misfortune to her parents and was considered an ill omen. The Old Madam was wary of her and never allowed her near Rongtang Courtyard.
Even after the imperial decree for the marriage was issued, the Old Madam still refused to let her come to offer greetings. Otherwise, she would have departed from Rongtang Courtyard with the Old Madam that morning, and the events that followed would not have occurred.
Most people did not believe the decree of the Grand Tutor of Fengfu Kingdom.
This was because the Grand Tutor had never done anything worthy of trust.
Prince Ding'an's manor was merely trying anything, even a long shot.