The air had grown noticeably cooler after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The maids and servants in the Yue Commandery Prince’s manor had already donned thin padded vests.
He Rufang was wearing a rose-purple gown patterned with peonies that day.
Rose-purple was a difficult color to wear well; it could easily make one look old.
But He Rufang had fair skin and an elegant demeanor. The rose-purple, instead of aging her, made her stand out, exuding an even greater sense of nobility.
It also meant she was unlikely to be seen in the same outfit as anyone else.
Her makeup was done by Yin Zhu.
Before Wang Qingyao’s eyes had gone blind, she had already taught Yin Zhu modern makeup techniques.
He Rufang had a good foundation, so Yin Zhu applied a "barely-there" makeup look on her.
Beneath the luxurious clothes and jewelry was a face that was naturally flawless, like a water lily untouched by dust.
Extreme opulence and extreme simplicity.
Intertwined, they created a dazzling and astonishing beauty.
Coupled with He Rufang’s deliberately maintained aloofness, she seemed like a fairy who had accidentally fallen from the heavens, sacred and inviolable.
As she walked towards the main hall, the servants she passed couldn’t help but cast admiring glances her way.
The young maid leading the way also kept looking back.
He Rufang, however, seemed oblivious, focusing solely on helping Wang Qingyao walk.
Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, someone had already announced their arrival.
Knowing Wang Qingyao could not see, Wei Qing rose to personally greet them.
Seeing He Rufang beside Wang Qingyao, Wei Qing paused.
"And who is this…?"
"This is Miss He," Wang Qingyao introduced concisely, not mentioning her relationship to her or He Rufang’s family background, which was rather intriguing.
He Rufang, thinking considerately that a family recognition banquet was still being held and Wang Qingyao found it inconvenient to say so directly, bowed to Wei Qing and offered her greetings, neither subservient nor arrogant.
Wei Qing was perplexed, her searching gaze sweeping over Wang Qingyao’s face, unsure of her intentions.
It was a dangerous matter for any married woman to be accompanied by such a stunning beauty.
Wei Qing asked herself if she had such confidence in Prince Rong.
Moreover, Wang Qingyao was now blind.
Or was this Miss He the concubine Wang Qingyao had found for Xiao Yun, meant to solidify her own position?
Wei Qing’s thoughts raced, but her expression remained impassive as she led Wang Qingyao into the main hall.
As the group entered, the previously boisterous hall fell into instant silence.
All eyes turned to He Rufang’s face.
Astonishment, surprise, jealousy, envy…
Every conceivable emotion was present.
Wang Qingyao was satisfied.
He Rufang stood quietly by Wang Qingyao’s side, not showing any smugness despite stealing the spotlight.
Wang Qingyao glanced at the main seat. Wei Yu was indeed seated at the head.
*Hmph, wasn't she supposed to have a cold?*
Wang Qingyao curled her lips into a faint, sarcastic smile.
She had long suspected that Wei Yu intended to make trouble during Xiao Qi’s housewarming banquet.
Wei Yu had gone to great lengths to blind her, not so that she could live the rest of her life in darkness without dignity.
Wei Yu, and the Wei family, wanted Wang Qingyao dead.
After waiting for so long, the Wei family had finally found a suitable opportunity.
The Princess of Ding’an died at the Yue Commandery Prince’s housewarming banquet!
What a sensation this would cause in the capital!
Even if the Princess of Ding’an died accidentally – losing her sight, an accidental death was all too common.
Even if it was an accident, the Yue Commandery Prince would not escape unscathed.
At that time, would the Prince of Ding’an, who had lost his beloved wife, still be able to maintain his brotherly affection with the Yue Commandery Prince?
The Prince of Ding’an and the Yue Commandery Prince turned against each other.
The Emperor had always doted on the Prince of Ding’an. With the Prince of Ding’an occasionally whispering in the Emperor’s ear, what future could the Yue Commandery Prince have?
Even if Consort Chen was favored, what of it?
With Wang Qingyao’s death, the Eldest Prince would also disappear without a trace.
Three birds with one stone, a perfect plan.
Wang Qingyao had long guessed that Wei Yu or the Wei family would make a move, which was why Wei Yu had found an excuse to avoid hosting the housewarming banquet.
She wanted to ensure she had no suspicion whatsoever.
As for Wei Qing…
From the moment she married Prince Rong, she had been abandoned by the Wei family.
From now on, her fate depended on her own luck.
If Wang Qingyao’s death were somehow linked to her, the Wei family would not clear her name.
Since the Wei family had gone to such lengths for Wang Qingyao, how could Wang Qingyao disappoint them?
He Rufang’s beauty stunned the entire hall, and it took a long while for everyone to recover.
The words He Rufang had spoken at Old Madam Wang’s funeral had only circulated within a small circle. Due to the difference in social circles, they had not reached the higher echelons of noblewomen.
Wei Yu and the others were unaware of her true identity.
However, what else could it be when a blind princess was suddenly accompanied by a beautiful young girl?
Everyone, like Wei Qing, assumed He Rufang was specifically brought by Wang Qingyao to secure her favor.
Wei Qing arranged for Wang Qingyao to be seated, and He Rufang sat behind her.
Wei Yu raised her eyebrows, a gloating smile appearing on her face. "Princess of Ding’an, who is this young lady…?"
Wang Qingyao quickly stood up, feigning surprise. "Is it the Crown Princess? Has the Crown Princess recovered from her cold?"
Wei Yu coughed twice. "It’s no longer a problem."
"The Crown Princess’s illness recovered so quickly," Wang Qingyao said with a gentle smile, bowing in greeting.
He Rufang also stood up and bowed.
Wei Yu ignored the sarcasm in Wang Qingyao’s words and looked at He Rufang, asking again, "This young lady brought by the Princess of Ding’an looks unfamiliar. May I ask which family’s daughter she is?"
Wang Qingyao smiled gracefully. "She is a cousin from my maternal family, currently staying at the manor to keep me company."
Wei Yu let out a meaningful "Oh": "The Princess of Ding’an’s cousin is truly beautiful. I have never seen such a beautiful young lady in all my years."
She spoke with a smile, her laughter innocent and carefree, as if she were truly praising He Rufang and was ignorant of worldly affairs.
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly. "Is that so? It’s a pity my eyes are blind, I don’t know how my cousin possesses such captivating beauty!"
"It doesn’t matter if the Princess of Ding’an cannot see, as long as the Prince of Ding’an can," Wei Yu said venomously.
The hall fell silent.
Wei Qing shot Wei Yu a displeased glance.
Wei Yu, as if not seeing it, continued, "Such beauty, even I, a woman, am moved by it, let alone a man like the Prince of Ding’an. Princess of Ding’an, if I were you, I would let the Prince of Ding’an take your cousin as a concubine. You are blind anyway, and the Prince of Ding’an will eventually take a side consort. Taking your cousin would not only strengthen family ties, but your cousin could also stay with you forever. Don’t you think this arrangement is excellent?"
Since Wang Qingyao was not expected to survive the day, Wei Yu unleashed her malice to her heart’s content.
The hall was so quiet that only the sound of staggered breaths could be heard.
Although the Princess of Ding’an might have had such intentions, saying it so openly was like rubbing salt into her wounds.
Had the Crown Princess forgotten how the Princess of Ding’an lost her sight?
Everyone felt awkward and a little excited.
The Princess of Ding’an was not one to be bullied. Was a confrontation about to erupt?
People secretly glanced at Wei Yu, then at Wang Qingyao.
Wei Qing glared at Wei Yu with a furious expression.
This was too much! Truly too much!
Wang Qingyao leisurely smoothed the wrinkles on her skirt and said faintly, "The Crown Princess truly has a magnanimous heart. It is indeed the Crown Prince’s good fortune to have married the Crown Princess. I do not possess such generosity. Even if my eyes were blind, I would not actively take a concubine for my husband."
Wei Yu was stunned by Wang Qingyao’s words, overlooking the other meaning in her statement.
Was Wang Qingyao not afraid of being called jealous for saying such a thing?
Others also showed expressions of surprise.
No woman wanted to share her husband with another, but only the Princess of Ding’an dared to say it out loud.
"The Princess of Ding’an is truly not virtuous at all," Wei Yu pouted, adopting the posture of the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace to lecture Wang Qingyao. "As women, the most important thing is to be virtuous and benevolent, generous and kind, to prioritize our husband’s preferences in all matters, and never to be a jealous shrew!"
Wang Qingyao offered a knowing smile. "Your Highness the Crown Princess is truly generous! I heard the Crown Prince greatly favors the newly enfeoffed Consort Lu in the Eastern Palace. I imagine the Crown Princess and Consort Lu get along very well…"
Wei Yu’s expression changed, and a surge of anger welled up in her chest. "Naturally."
She said.
But her tone did not sound like they got along well at all; it sounded more like she was bringing up an enemy.
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly.
Despite knowing she was blind, Wei Yu seemed to see a look of pity on her face.
The anger in her chest intensified.
How dare a blind person like Wang Qingyao pity her?
"The Crown Prince arrives, the Prince of Ding’an arrives, the Yue Commandery Prince arrives."
Suddenly, a herald’s voice called out from outside.