Pingping was certainly not foolish; he was merely too composed.
Xiao Yun called it "wisdom disguised as foolishness."
The day after the first birthday banquet, He Rufang visited Kangping Yuan with gifts to see Wang Qingyao.
"Your Highness Consort, yesterday was the first birthday banquet for the young prince and princess. Although currently I have no direct relation to the two children, in the future I will be their..." He Rufang paused, searching for the right word, "...great aunt. Therefore, I had prepared the birthday gifts for the children early on. It's just that yesterday..."
He Rufang fell silent for a moment, a look of hurt and grievance appearing on her face. However, she quickly forced a smile, saying, "Let's not dwell on it. Your Highness Consort, please take a look at these gifts. Do you think the young prince and princess will like them?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she instinctively covered her mouth. "I apologize, Your Highness Consort. I forgot you... cannot see."
After Wang Qingyao became "blind," her eyeballs did not turn into the vacant stares of ordinary blind people. They remained dark and lively.
Thus, from the outside, she appeared no different from a normal person.
In fact, she truly was no different.
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly, unbothered, and gestured for Zhizi to accept the gifts.
"Thank you, Miss He," Wang Qingyao said. "On behalf of Pingping and An'an, I thank them for their future great aunt. Actually, by rights, we should have invited Miss He yesterday as well. However, yesterday's birthday banquet was a family affair, and no outsiders were invited.
I do not mean to imply that Miss He is an outsider. In the hearts of the Xiao family, we have long considered Miss He as one of our own. It is just that those outside are unaware of this.
Miss He might not know that many people wished to use Pingping and An'an's first birthday banquet to curry favor with the Prince, but they were all refused by him. Even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were refused by the Prince, who cited the occasion as a family banquet.
The Old Imperial Concubine has not yet formally acknowledged your kinship. Outsiders merely consider Miss He to be temporarily residing in our household. If, for a family banquet like the first birthday celebration, an outsider like Miss He were invited, what would those outside think? Would they feel the Prince looked down upon them? What would the Crown Prince and Crown Princess think of the Prince?
The intricate calculations involved, Miss He, you are from out of town and are unaware of the schemes and machinations that occur in the capital..."
He Rufang was taken aback.
Yesterday, the Prince of Ding'an's manor had held a birthday banquet, which was described as a family affair.
He Rufang, considering herself part of the Xiao family, had dressed up elaborately early that morning.
The day before, Nian Momo had assigned her the task of copying Buddhist scriptures, ostensibly for self-cultivation.
So, she had adopted an elegant pose, copying scriptures while waiting to be invited.
However, no one came to invite her until the banquet was over.
She lived in the Old Imperial Concubine's courtyard, yet it felt as though she had been forgotten.
She didn't even know when the Old Imperial Concubine had left.
She had felt uncomfortable all day, but her ingrained pride prevented her from approaching rashly. Thus, she had come the next day with gifts to test Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao's words were something she had never considered.
Upon careful reflection, she found them to be quite reasonable.
In an instant, she felt ashamed of her petty thoughts.
How could she have doubted the Old Imperial Concubine or the Consort of Ding'an's manor?
The Old Imperial Concubine had been so kind to her!
He Rufang feigned an understanding demeanor. "I understand everything. I understand completely. How could I possibly cause you any trouble?"
"Miss He is indeed understanding," Wang Qingyao praised.
He Rufang smiled shyly, her beauty becoming even more radiant.
While admiring her beauty, Wang Qingyao said, "In August, the Prince of Yue's manor will be holding a housewarming banquet. You will accompany me then."
He Rufang was overjoyed, her delight evident on her face. "Good."