Chapter 2 The Baby Shower was Bustling
The baby shower on the second day was incredibly lively. From early morning, people began arriving with gifts, mostly exquisite items made of gold, silver, rhinoceros horn, and jade, along with delicate fruits and pastries.
The Wang family, being Wang Qingyao's maternal kin, had their female members arrive quite early.
Led by Madam Gu, Bai Junya, Wang Qingzhen, and Wang Qingzhu were all present, though Old Madam Wang was absent.
Madam Gu explained with gentle composure, "The Old Madam is not feeling entirely well. Fearing she might pass on any illness to the Princess Consort and the child, she decided not to come."
Wang Qingyao nodded, not overly concerned, and offered a few polite inquiries.
Wang Qingzhen gave her a knowing glance.
It turned out that Old Madam Wang, unable to control Wang Qingyao and aware that Wang Qingyao's status was higher than hers, realized she wouldn't gain any advantage by visiting the Prince Ding'an's manor. Thus, she feigned illness to stay away.
Whether she came or not was of no consequence to Wang Qingyao; it was even better that she didn't, saving Wang Qingyao the pretense of a deep grandparent-grandchild affection.
Wang Qingzhen complained, "I wanted to visit the manor to see my second sister and the baby much earlier, but Grandmother said I'm getting married soon and shouldn't be wandering around."
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu's weddings were scheduled for the same day in October.
Marrying off two daughters on the same day would surely be a celebrated event.
Wang Qingzhen's complaint was genuine, but her joy was equally real. When discussing matters related to her upcoming marriage, her face would involuntarily blush.
Wang Qingyao watched her with a smile, her gaze drifting to Wang Qingzhu, whose face also showed a hint of red.
Young ladies on the verge of marriage were filled with anticipation for the future!
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu harbored a deep animosity towards each other over a man. Although Wang Qingzhen preferred her current fiancé, Wang Qingzhu's silent actions had caused her considerable distress at home.
Now that they were out, Wang Qingzhen found Wang Qingzhu particularly irksome.
Since there were no outsiders in Wang Qingyao's room, she saw no need to feign sisterly affection with Wang Qingzhu.
Wang Qingzhu remained taciturn, but her attire was more vibrant than before, adorned with more jewelry. A confidence and a triumphant air, previously absent, now graced her features. She seemed eager to interject but couldn't find an opening.
She was destined to become the wife of the Earl, possessing a newfound confidence and backing, which explained her sudden departure from her formerly submissive demeanor.
Wang Qingzhen's jibes were veiled and sarcastic, but she hadn't resorted to any real confrontation. If a true conflict arose, Wang Qingzhu might not back down.
She likely felt her status was now superior to Wang Qingzhen's and saw no reason to yield.
Some people were like that; you might pity them, but it was merely because they hadn't yet found the opportunity to be arrogant.
Madam Gu said, "Daughters who are about to be married shouldn't wander about freely. The Old Madam was looking out for you."
Wang Qingzhen pouted but didn't argue.
Wang Qingzhu finally found an opening to speak, smiling faintly, "Mother is right. Third Sister is naturally restless; it must have been difficult for her to stay indoors for so long."
Wang Qingzhen unhesitatingly rolled her eyes, her face clearly displaying the unspoken sentiment: "None of your business!"
Wang Qingzhu, having transitioned from an unfavored concubine's daughter to the future wife of the heir to the Earl of Jinxiang, hadn't yet mastered smooth social interactions. Being met with Wang Qingzhen's glare, her face immediately flushed red.
Bai Junya, who usually played the peacemaker, was preoccupied today. She sat beside Madam Gu, silent, twisting a handkerchief in her hands, her mind elsewhere.
Wang Qingyao found it strange and looked at her several times, but Bai Junya didn't notice.
Wishing to speak with Bai Junya alone, Wang Qingyao asked Madam Gu to take Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu for a stroll.
Once they had left, she asked Bai Junya, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
Bai Junya's eyes reddened. She held back tears with great effort.
Wang Qingyao asked gently, "Did something happen at home? Tell me, perhaps I can help."
Bai Junya glanced at the cradle in Wang Qingyao's room, envy flickering in her eyes.
Wang Qingyao began to understand.
Bai Junya had married before Wang Qingyao but had yet to conceive, which was likely the cause of her sadness.
"This cannot be rushed," she comforted Bai Junya. "Relaxing might help you conceive. I was just lucky..."
Wang Qingyao felt that continuing would sound boastful. Who else could get pregnant within half a year of marriage, and have twins at that, a boy and a girl!
She truly was lucky.
Bai Junya nodded with teary eyes. Such comfort felt like scratching an itch through a boot; it offered no real relief.
"Elder Brother... did he say anything to you?" Wang Qingyao asked.
Bai Junya shook her head. "He didn't say anything. He even comforted me. It's Grandmother... she... she placed two beautiful maids in Zijing's room and said whoever conceived first would be elevated to the status of a concubine."
This was indeed typical of Old Madam Wang. Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow, somewhat speechless.
Although Prince Zijing was upright and kind, he was also rigid and pedantic. He would accept any gift from his elders, whether it was maids or bed companions.
As a man of his time in this feudal society, he likely wouldn't consider having an additional bed companion a major issue.
Bai Junya's expression indicated that those two maids had already been taken in.