Wei Yu's child was still safely carried within her.
Those who intended to act in secret either found no opportunity or no suitable scapegoat.
Wang Qingyao was self-aware.
Whether it was Lu Peishan, the Crown Prince's other consorts, or Wei Yu herself, if anything were to happen to Wei Yu's fetus, as long as Wang Qingyao was present, she would inevitably be implicated.
Given this, Wang Qingyao might as well not appear at all.
She paid no mind to the infighting within the Eastern Palace; in short, she wanted no part of it.
Wang Qingyao's excuses were also varied and ingenious.
"I have a cold."
"I sprained my ankle."
"I have pollen allergies."
"The almanac says I shouldn't go out these few days."
Any sensible person would realize that Wang Qingyao was making excuses and would let the matter drop, not to trouble her further.
Yet, the new Crown Princess was as persistent as a spinning top, difficult to deal with.
After Wang Qingyao refused four times, she personally came to invite her.
"Her Highness the Princess of Ding'an has refused me several times, and I am uneasy. I wonder when I offended the Princess, causing her to dislike me so much?"
Lu Peishan was dressed plainly. Even as the established principal consort, she wore few ornaments. Her nature was such that she disliked elaborate jewelry and decorations. Standing next to Wang Qingyao, who was adorned with pearls and jade, she did not appear as wealthy or imposing.
Wang Qingyao feigned surprise. "How could Your Highness think that? What enmity do I have with Your Highness?"
"Then why has the Princess of Ding'an repeatedly refused to attend banquets in the Eastern Palace?"
"Ah, to be frank with Your Highness," Wang Qingyao looked sincerely at Lu Peishan, "Firstly, I have a lingering fear of the Eastern Palace. Your Highness knows that my eyes were blinded last time. Secondly, I am afraid of Wei Fengyi's revenge. I am timid."
Lu Peishan was stunned for a moment, not expecting Wang Qingyao to be so direct.
However, she quickly forced a benevolent smile. "The Princess need not worry. I am in charge now, and the Eastern Palace has been thoroughly cleaned. Moreover, Wei Fengyi is currently focused on her pregnancy and has no energy to harm others. I assure you, nothing will happen. I learned martial arts from my uncle since childhood. With me here, not even a fly can get close to the Princess."
Lu Peishan's smile was generous, and her words and actions exuded a straightforwardness that set her apart from other noble ladies.
Her demeanor quickly won the favor of the maids in Kangping Courtyard.
It seemed that if Wang Qingyao refused again, she would appear too unreasonable.
Wang Qingyao smiled slightly. "Since that is the case, I would be impolite to refuse."
After Lu Peishan left, Zhenzhu quietly said, "Your Highness need not worry. With me protecting you closely, no one can harm you."
Open attacks were easy to dodge, but hidden arrows were hard to guard against.
Wang Qingyao's mind raced. On the day of the banquet in the Eastern Palace, she first went to Cishou Palace.
"It's not that I'm unwilling to go, but Wei Fengyi is carrying a child. If anything were to happen, and given our past grievances, I wouldn't be able to explain myself even with a hundred mouths. If the Empress Dowager has leisure, why not accompany me to the Eastern Palace? You haven't seen Wei Fengyi since she became pregnant, have you? Don't you want to see your future great-grandchild?"
The greatest reason the Empress Dowager liked Wang Qingyao was her honesty and straightforwardness.
The Empress Dowager, reclining on a chaise lounge, smiled. "If you are afraid, why did you plead with the Emperor to release Wei Fengyi?"
Wang Qingyao looked helpless. "I don't know why the Crown Princess insisted on inviting me!"
The Empress Dowager's smile crinkled her face. "You, you... Alright, I will accompany you this time!"
The Empress Dowager not only wished to protect Wang Qingyao but also because Wei Yu's child was the Crown Prince's firstborn. She feared any mishaps. A visit to the Eastern Palace would also serve as a deterrent to those with ill intentions.
Wang Qingyao bringing the Empress Dowager was something Lu Peishan had not anticipated.
Wang Qingyao's prediction was correct. Lu Peishan had indeed conspired with the Crown Prince to cause Wei Yu to miscarry at the banquet that day, and then frame Wang Qingyao for it.
Killing two birds with one stone.
However, she hadn't expected that although Wang Qingyao agreed to attend, she would bring the Empress Dowager along.
Furthermore, Wang Qingyao stayed by the Empress Dowager's side the entire time. Wherever the Empress Dowager went, she followed. When the Empress Dowager sat, she reclined by her legs; when the Empress Dowager stood, she supported her. She even followed the Empress Dowager into the latrine and changing room to serve her.
Lu Peishan could not find an opportunity to act.
Moreover, with the Empress Dowager present, she dared not make any rash moves.
The Empress Dowager inquired about Wei Yu's child a few times. Wei Yu behaved obediently before the Empress Dowager, answering truthfully and without any veiled sarcasm towards others.
However, Wang Qingyao noticed a blood bag tied around her abdomen.
Indeed, she had malicious intentions.
Wang Qingyao understood everything clearly.
"I was able to come out this time thanks to the Princess of Ding'an," Wei Yu said with a sincere expression. "In the past, I was young and foolish. Now I know my mistakes. I wonder if the Princess of Ding'an can forgive me?"
Wang Qingyao smiled sweetly. "If I hadn't forgiven you, I wouldn't have pleaded with the Emperor."
The Empress Dowager watched with a smile. As one aged, one enjoyed witnessing scenes of family harmony and mutual affection.
Wei Yu appeared relieved and raised her teacup, toasting Wang Qingyao. "I will use tea as a substitute for wine, and toast the Princess of Ding'an. Let bygones be bygones."
Wang Qingyao smiled and nodded, raising her teacup to toast Wei Yu in return, and drank it down in one gulp.
The hall was filled with a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere.
Lu Peishan also smiled and said, "It's good that everyone has cleared the air."
With this pretense of harmony, as they walked out towards the opera house, it was only natural for Wei Yu to approach Wang Qingyao.
"The Princess of Ding'an has already given birth to a son and a daughter, so you must be very experienced. No one in the Eastern Palace has yet given birth. If I have any questions, may I seek your advice, Princess of Ding'an?" Wei Yu's belly was not yet showing, but at this moment, she held her waist with one hand and caressed her lower abdomen with the other, as if she were seven or eight months pregnant.
Wang Qingyao smiled and nodded. "Of course."
After a few more steps, Wei Yu suddenly cried out, "Ouch!" and fell to the ground.
Everyone around was startled. The Empress Dowager quickly said, "Quickly, quickly help her up."
Wang Qingyao saw clearly. Her fall was very skillful. Her upper body landed squarely in the arms of a nearby attending maid. The "thud" was actually the sound of the maid's body hitting the ground.
However, no one noticed.
Wei Yu's face turned pale, and a pool of blood flowed from beneath her.
Someone exclaimed, "Ah, she's bleeding, she's bleeding!"
The maid glared angrily at Wang Qingyao. "Princess of Ding'an, why did you trip our Fengyi?"
Wei Yu weakly stopped her. "Don't speak nonsense. The Princess... the Princess certainly didn't do it on purpose."
Everyone looked at Wang Qingyao in surprise.
The Empress Dowager also showed a look of astonishment and confusion.
However, this was not the time to pass judgment. The Empress Dowager decisively said, "Quickly send for Imperial Physician Lu. Someone, bring a soft sedan chair, and first carry Consort Wei back to Changning Palace."
Wang Qingyao sneered. "Wait."