He Ruofang felt her actions were flawless, leaving no room for suspicion.
In reality, even if Wang Qingyao suspected her, there was no evidence.
Now that Old Madam Wang was buried, returned to dust, there was no chance for a comeback.
However, it wasn't entirely without recourse.
Wang Qingyao thought of a plan, but it was risky and relied entirely on luck. If it failed and alerted He Ruofang, Old Madam Wang's death would forever remain a mystery.
As June arrived and the weather grew hotter, after a heavy downpour, the people Xiao Yun had sent to investigate He Ruofang's background returned.
Xiao Yun brought them directly before Wang Qingyao.
It turned out to be Jin Tiao.
Xiao Yun had sent him to gather information.
After greeting them, Jin Tiao quickly glanced at Yin Zhu, whose face flushed with a rare shyness.
Wang Qingyao observed this and sighed, "A daughter grows up and leaves the nest. My prize cabbage is finally going to be taken by a pig."
She momentarily lost her train of thought, considering the ages of Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi.
By the time she refocused, Jin Tiao had already begun his report.
"...He is from Liang County, the eldest legitimate daughter of the family. She is very famous in Liang County; anyone you pull off the street would know this eldest daughter of the He family. However, He Ruofang's younger sisters are all married, yet she remains unmarried. Princess Consort, Your Highness, can you guess why?"
Jin Tiao paused for dramatic effect.
Yin Zhu silently rolled her eyes.
Xiao Yun pondered for a moment: "Does she have a hidden illness? Did her beloved die, leaving her heartbroken? Do her elders dislike her and deliberately delay her marriage?"
Xiao Yun rattled off several possibilities.
Jin Tiao shook his head, casting expectant eyes towards Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao's eyes brightened: "She likes women?"
Jin Tiao's previously bright eyes dimmed. The Princess Consort, despite her blindness, still had her usual wild imagination!
Jin Tiao marveled.
"None of those," Jin Tiao revealed the answer in a gossipy tone. "She is a jinx to husbands. She has already caused the deaths of two fiancés, so no one in Liang County is willing to marry her now. Even if she were as beautiful as a celestial being, she wouldn't be able to find a husband."
A jinx?
Wang Qingyao didn't care about such things.
But the ancients believed in them fervently.
Xiao Yun's expression changed, and he patted his chest with lingering fear: "Old Madam Wang of the Wang family had impure intentions. When she brought He Ruofang to Duanjing, how could she not know that He Ruofang was a jinx? She intended to kill me and then have He Ruofang seize the Xiao family's assets!"
This was not an impossible scenario.
A blind Princess Consort, a short-lived Prince, and the death of the Old Madam, with Madam Fang being indifferent, He Ruofang could easily charm Wang Qingyao and control the two children, effectively making the Ding'an Prince's manor hers.
Wang Qingyao hadn't expected Old Madam Wang to have such ambitions.
Jin Tiao said earnestly, "Princess Consort, you absolutely cannot be soft-hearted and let this woman into our manor. If the Prince dies because of her curse, you'll become a widow!"
Xiao Yun: "I thank you."
Jin Tiao smiled shyly: "You are too kind, Your Highness."
Xiao Yun: "..."
Jin Tiao continued, "Furthermore, I investigated He Ruofang's maternal family. Her maternal grandfather was a well-known local physician who owned several pharmacies. Therefore, He Ruofang likely possesses medical skills."
This aligned with Wang Qingyao's observation of silver needles on He Ruofang.
Wang Qingyao was now certain that it was He Ruofang who had used silver needles to alter Old Madam Wang's pulse, deceiving Imperial Physician Lu.
"What is her temperament?" Wang Qingyao asked.
"Neighbors all praise her as beautiful, kind-hearted, dignified, and graceful."
Wang Qingyao nodded, not taking it to heart.
In ancient times, women were kept within the inner chambers, rarely venturing out. Any public display would naturally showcase their best qualities.
Beautiful and kind-hearted?
Heh, ruthless is more like it!
"You may withdraw," Xiao Yun waved his hand, signaling Jin Tiao to leave.
Jin Tiao cast a reluctant glance at Yin Zhu before departing.
Xiao Yun was in a quandary. Originally, he thought that if she were to become an adopted daughter, he would simply provide a generous dowry and marry her off far away, severing all ties with the Xiao family.
But He Ruofang had the reputation of being a jinx.
If this were to be exposed, the Xiao family would be blamed.
Would he have to support He Ruofang for life?
Xiao Yun was not that generous.
"I have an idea," Wang Qingyao said.
Xiao Yun's eyes lit up.
Ever since Wang Qingyao mentioned having the Old Madam adopt He Ruofang as her goddaughter, He Ruofang had been eagerly awaiting someone from the Xiao family to escort her to the Ding'an Prince's manor.
However, she waited for nearly half a month, and the Xiao family made no move.
He Ruofang gradually grew restless.
Just as she was about to go to the Ding'an Prince's manor and knock on the door, Wang Qingyao personally came to fetch her.
"We've been preparing a courtyard for you to live in all this time, but for some reason, there have been constant accidents. Last night, I even dreamt of Grandmother. She looked at me with resentment but said nothing. I thought, perhaps Grandmother felt I was neglecting you by having you live elsewhere. So, the Old Madam and I discussed it, and decided it would be best for you to stay in the Old Madam's courtyard. I wonder if you would be willing?"
He Ruofang's smile froze upon hearing that Wang Qingyao had dreamt of Old Madam Wang. A flicker of fear crossed her eyes.
"I... I am willing," He Ruofang stammered, her lips trembling. "Princess Consort... Princess Consort's eyes are not convenient. Sending someone... would have been sufficient; you didn't need to come personally..."
Wang Qingyao gently held her hand: "How could that be? Grandmother values you. If I didn't come personally, she would be displeased."
He Ruofang forced an awkward smile, a smile that looked more like a grimace.