Dongling Kingdom was a small country to the east of Great Sheng.
Despite its small size, it was rich in resources and strong in national power.
It was said that Dongling Kingdom valued martial arts, and everyone, regardless of gender, began learning martial arts at the age of three.
The common people were civilians in times of peace and soldiers in times of war.
Moreover, each of them could fight a hundred, brave and skilled in battle.
Especially the younger brother of the King of Dongling, Prince Xin, was a god of war in Dongling Kingdom.
Therefore, although Dongling Kingdom was small, no one dared to invade it.
The sudden visit of the envoy from Dongling Kingdom confused not only the Crown Prince but also Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun.
With a large portion of the guests gone, the warm room banquet at Prince Yue's manor could no longer proceed.
Although Wei Qing earnestly invited everyone to be seated, many were absent-minded, fearing that the visitors from Dongling Kingdom had ill intentions, and hastily took their leave and returned home.
Wang Qingyao had been hoping that Wei Yu's plan would be used to counter any moves, but before the plan could be executed, Wei Yu was summoned to the palace by the Emperor.
It was truly uninteresting.
Wang Qingyao was also unhappy to stay any longer.
Wei Qing watched Wang Qingyao, wanting to speak but hesitating, and in the end, said nothing, watching helplessly as Xiao Yun helped her leave.
Wang Qingyao and He Rufang rode in the same carriage, while Xiao Yun rode his horse.
Wang Qingyao's expression was solemn. He Rufang, observing her expression, hesitated several times and dared not speak.
She only suspected that Wang Qingyao had intended to offer her to the Crown Prince from the beginning.
However, she was afraid that her guess was wrong.
After a long while, Wang Qingyao spoke slowly.
"The Crown Prince is not a good match. You need to think carefully."
He Rufang's heart skipped a beat, and she felt incredibly fortunate that she had not spoken carelessly just now.
The Crown Prince's favor towards He Rufang, though she said nothing outwardly, had already made her overjoyed beyond measure.
If one observed closely, one could see her nostrils slightly flared and her hands trembling slightly.
These were signs of extreme excitement and anticipation.
In He Rufang's opinion, marrying the Crown Prince, even as a concubine, was akin to a phoenix ascending to the branches, an unparalleled honor.
Who was the Crown Prince?
He was the future Son of Heaven, the future Emperor!
Even if she were merely a minor concubine by the Crown Prince's side now, she would be bestowed a title upon his ascension to the throne!
If she were lucky, like Noble Consort Wei, she might even give birth to the next heir...
He Rufang's imagination ran wild, her thoughts a whirlwind. As for Wang Qingyao's words, "The Crown Prince is not a good match," she scoffed, considering it the least important issue.
Since ancient times, what emperor had ever been a good match?
To attain supreme power and glory, one should not expect the devotion of an ordinary couple.
There was a price for everything.
He Rufang thought very clearly. Moreover, were ordinary couples truly devoted?
One only needed to look at Wang Da.
However, she was deeply touched that Wang Qingyao would offer her such seemingly disloyal but honest advice.
The Princess of Ding'an was genuinely looking out for her!
If it were someone else, wouldn't they be eager to offer her up?
"Princess," He Rufang said softly, "I know you are good to me. But not every man in this world is like the Prince, devoted and deeply in love, with only his wife in his heart. Therefore, I think, since I cannot be sure of my future husband's affection, I should at least be sure of the glory he can bring me."
Indeed, it was exactly as Wang Qingyao had predicted.
The fact that He Rufang could connect with Old Madam Wang based on a reward poster indicated that she was not someone content with mediocrity.
Furthermore, she was a beauty.
A beauty could not tolerate mediocrity.
If she could kill Old Madam Wang to climb higher, she would not be content to be subordinate to Wei Yu even if she entered the Eastern Palace.
Wang Qingyao did not expect her to do anything specific; she was merely planting a seed, which would eventually prove useful.
Wang Qingyao sighed, "The Crown Prince already has a Crown Princess. If you marry him, at best, you will only be a secondary consort. Although he is the Crown Prince, you will ultimately only be a concubine. Alas, with your looks and talent... Although I haven't seen your face, I know from others' descriptions how devastatingly beautiful you are. It would be too much of a waste for you to be merely a concubine..."
He Rufang was silent for a moment: "The Crown Prince's concubines are different from others', especially in the future..."
She was referring to the future when the Crown Prince ascended the throne.
"The imperial harem is treacherous, concubines scheme against each other, and serving the ruler is like accompanying a tiger. If you regret it later, it will be too late," Wang Qingyao advised her.
He Rufang raised her head, her beautiful face bathed in the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the carriage.
She had always been confident in her appearance.
With her looks, wouldn't it be easy to win the favor of the entire harem?
"Thank you for your concern, Princess. But the path is made by walking. I am confident..."
"Since that is the case, I shall not persuade you further, but..."
Wang Qingyao did not say the rest, and He Rufang did not take it to heart.
When she returned to Prince Ding'an's manor and met the Old Grand Consort, she understood what Wang Qingyao had left unsaid.
"Although I like you very much and have always wanted to recognize you as my adopted daughter, now that you have caught the Crown Prince's eye..." the Old Grand Consort said cautiously, "If it were before the adoption ceremony, it would be fine. But the adoption ceremony has not yet been held, and you are not yet my adopted daughter.
Now, the news of the Crown Prince's favor towards you has surely spread throughout the capital. If we were to hastily hold the adoption ceremony now, it would make it seem as if Prince Ding'an's manor is trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince and seek advancement. If this reached the Emperor's ears, he might think that the Xiao family is colluding with the Crown Prince.
Even if the Princess were to bring you to the banquet, it would appear less than pure. What if someone with ulterior motives were to make a fuss about it..."
The Old Grand Consort's expression was solemn, her brow furrowed.
Wang Qingyao nodded faintly beside her: "That is precisely the reason."
He Rufang was stunned. She had not expected that a simple adoption and the Crown Prince's favor would involve so many intricate calculations.
She looked at the Old Grand Consort: "Your Highness's fondness for me is my good fortune. Even without this formality, I have long considered Your Highness my adopted mother in my heart."
The Old Grand Consort patted her hand and said with affection, "You are a good child."