The Crown Prince had taken an interest in He Rufang, and the Old Dowager no longer intended to recognize her as an adopted daughter. Naturally, she could no longer reside in the Ding'an Prince's mansion.
Wang Qingyao arranged for her to be escorted back to the Wang family.
Although Wang Da was in mourning at home, he was privy to all the news from the capital.
He soon heard about the Crown Prince's interest in He Rufang, and his face lit up with joy. If he hadn't been in the period of mourning, he would have burst into laughter and sung a song on the spot.
Wang Da felt as if the Wang family's ancestral graves had been blessed with good fortune, always managing to overcome dangers and ascend to new heights.
When Prince Qi was still well, Han Suiqin was his consort.
When Prince Qi met with misfortune, the position of Crown Prince fell to Prince Wu.
As a result, the Crown Prince then took an interest in He Rufang.
Even though she was not the primary consort, he was the Crown Prince.
Even if He Rufang was now in the Eastern Palace, merely a minor Fengyi.
But once the Crown Prince ascended the throne and bestowed titles upon his harem, with the Wang family and the Ding'an Prince's mansion supporting her, how low could He Rufang's rank possibly be? With her peerless beauty, the Crown Prince would not treat her poorly.
If she were to bear a prince in the future, even greater fortune might not be impossible!
When He Rufang returned to the Wang family, Wang Da, to show his regard, had her reside in the newly renovated Ruyue Courtyard.
Ruyue Courtyard was renamed by Wang Da only after He Rufang caught the Crown Prince's eye.
Initially, it was called Lijing Courtyard, the residence of Wang Qinglin.
Later, after Wang Qinglin died, Han Suiqin moved in, and Lijing Courtyard was renamed Suixi Courtyard.
Even later, when Prince Qi met with misfortune and Han Suiqin was imprisoned, the plaque of Suixi Courtyard was taken down.
Although the courtyard was well-located, spacious, and luxuriously decorated, as all the Wang family's elder granddaughters married and Gu Shi had no more children, the courtyard remained vacant.
Now, renamed Ruyue Courtyard for He Rufang to live in, it was quite fitting.
"You will live here from now on," Wang Da said. "Your maternal family is far away. From this day forward, the Wang family is your maternal family. You should consider it your own home."
He Rufang understood perfectly why Wang Da was being so kind to her.
She smiled slightly, proud and confident, "Thank you, Uncle."
"By the way," Wang Da asked cordially, "did the Old Dowager mention when the adoption ceremony will be held?"
Wang Da felt it would have been more appropriate for He Rufang to marry from the Ding'an Prince's mansion if the Old Dowager was going to adopt her as a goddaughter.
He didn't know why the Ding'an Prince's mansion had sent He Rufang back to the Wang family.
However, this was a benefit to the Wang family.
The Wang family currently had no unmarried elder granddaughters, and Bai Junya was close to giving birth, so they couldn't spare much energy for other matters.
He then instructed Gu Shi to interact more with He Rufang and foster a closer relationship.
However, although Gu Shi was around the same age as He Rufang, their generational difference was a full generation, and it might be awkward for them to interact.
He Rufang explained calmly, "Her Ladyship the Old Dowager said that I will soon be marrying into the Eastern Palace. If she were to adopt me as a goddaughter now, it might be seen as the Xiao family currying favor."
Wang Da paused.
After He Rufang caught the Crown Prince's eye, he had also considered adopting her as a goddaughter. However, since the Old Dowager intended to do so, he naturally couldn't compete with her.
Now that the Old Dowager had withdrawn her intention, he couldn't proceed either.
"Heh heh," he chuckled dryly. "That is indeed the case. The Old Dowager's considerations are indeed thoughtful."
He Rufang did not stay long at the Wang family. The eighth day of the ninth lunar month was an auspicious day, and she was carried into the Eastern Palace in a small sedan chair.
As she was entering as a concubine, and the Wang family had recently lost their matriarch, no banquet was held.
In late August, Bai Junya gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The celebration for his third day of life was also not a grand affair; only congratulatory eggs were sent to familiar families.
Wang Qingyao and Wang Qingzhen visited once and brought many gifts.
Wang Qingzhu, being pregnant, was not allowed to go out by her mother-in-law, the Madam of Jinxiang Earl's Mansion. She was obedient. Although she couldn't come in person, she sent many gifts.
Wang Qingzhen looked enviously at Bai Junya's legitimate son, holding him and refusing to let go.
She and Wang Qingzhu had married around the same time, and now Wang Qingzhu was pregnant with her second child, while she had no news yet.
"Have you seen a doctor?" Bai Junya asked her quietly.
She nodded. "The doctor said I'm fine. Perhaps it's because I'm too anxious that I haven't conceived."
Wang Qingyao nodded. "Haste makes waste. Children are a matter of fate; you can't rush it."
"Of course, you're not anxious," Wang Qingzhen felt disheartened, and her temper flared. She sneered, "One of you gave birth to twins, and the other had a son on the first try. It's easy to say when you're in a good position."
"Sister-in-law is still in her confinement month. Are you deliberately trying to upset her by saying this?" Wang Qingyao scolded her.
Knowing she was in the wrong, she pouted, her eyes red, and said nothing.
Bai Junya said, "Alright, alright. We are all sisters. Zhen'er, listen to your sister-in-law's advice. If you truly cannot conceive, you must make plans early."
Wang Qingzhen stared blankly. She understood Bai Junya's meaning.
If the primary wife cannot conceive, she might elevate a concubine, leading to the mother's removal and the child's upbringing.
This was a common occurrence.
However, Wang Qingzhen couldn't bring herself to do it. She and Weng Zhicheng had been deeply in love since their marriage, their bond stronger than gold. She couldn't bear to have someone else inserted between them.
"Ahem," Wang Qingyao coughed lightly. "Perhaps you should have your husband see a doctor?"