Liuxing was surprised and confused.
Prince Ding'an clearly had four concubines, yet he only doted on one!
But wasn't it rumored outside that Prince Ding'an was deeply in love with and doted on the Princess Consort Ding'an?
Could it all be just rumors?
Was it not the Princess Consort Ding'an who drove away the other two concubines, but that Consort Bian?
Liuxing was filled with doubt and uncertainty, but her face showed only the appropriate level of surprise: "Consort Bian must have some extraordinary qualities to receive such devoted affection from the Prince, right?"
"Indeed," Yin Zhu's lies became more fluent as she spoke, "Consort Bian is not only beautiful, but she is also skilled in all the arts, from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. Moreover, she has a good disposition. In short, she is good at everything. Not only does the Prince like her, but our Princess Consort also likes her very much."
Liuxing was awestruck.
It was easy for a concubine to be liked by her husband, but to be liked by the principal wife as well, what level was that?
Liuxing forced an unnatural smile: "I really can't wait to meet this Consort Bian!"
Yin Zhu: "Heh heh..."
Liuxing, forcing herself to make small talk with Yin Zhu for a few more awkward moments, then hurried back to Linglong Pavilion.
After watching her leave, Yin Zhu called over a maid guarding the door and instructed, "Watch carefully, no one from Linglong Pavilion is allowed in."
She went inside to report to Wang Qingyao.
At this moment, she regretted her sharp tongue and looked apologetically at Bian Siyue, "Consort Bian, I'm truly sorry. I just wanted to disgust that so-called Consort Wei."
Bian Siyue didn't mind at all. Instead, she seemed a little excited, "Ah, does this mean I can actively look for trouble with Consort Wei?"
Yin Zhu: "..."
Wang Qingyao glanced at Xiao Yun and teased, "On such a joyous occasion, you, the groom, are leaving your beautiful bride alone. How can you bear it?"
Xiao Yun: "Whoever wants to go can go. It has nothing to do with me. I won't go today, I won't go tomorrow, and I'll never go in the future."
"Aren't you afraid Grandmother will have an opinion?"
"Grandmother can decide to take concubines for me, but she can't force me to consummate the marriage, can she? At most, I'll be lectured a few times. I won't go, and I still won't go. She can't do anything to me. Besides, doesn't she like Wei Yun? She can dote on her herself."
Wang Qingyao smiled, her heart filled with sweetness.
In the social environment of ancient times, Xiao Yun's actions touched her deeply. Sometimes she wondered, if Xiao Yun had taken a bed warmer or something, would she forgive him or not?
It was quite a dilemma.
After all, in ancient times, a bed warmer was just a plaything, specifically for the master's release, with a status similar to that of an ordinary maid.
However, as a modern person, Wang Qingyao found it difficult to accept. Wasn't this similar in nature to visiting a prostitute?
Fortunately, Xiao Yun didn't give her the chance to agonize over it. He always chose her resolutely.
"By the way," Yin Zhu said, "that maid also stuffed a lot of gold ingots into my hand!"
As Yin Zhu spoke, she opened her handkerchief and distributed a little to each of the maids in the room, still looking dissatisfied, "This little bit is not enough to go around."
Xiao Yun burst into laughter and said generously, "The people in our Kangping Courtyard don't care about such small sums. This month, the monthly allowance for the maids and wet nurses in Kangping Courtyard will be increased by ten taels each!"
As the news spread, cheers erupted from inside and outside the room.
Bian Siyue shamelessly asked, "What about me and Shiyu? Your Highness, you can't be biased, can you? I'm acting as a shield for the Princess Consort, so I should get more!"
Bian Siyue acting as a shield was not a one-time occurrence. In the past, she had been secretive about it, but now almost everyone in Kangping Courtyard knew, so she no longer cared and could even joke about it.
Wang Qingyao smiled and said, "Yes, yes, Siyue should get more."
"Alright, I'll do as you say," Xiao Yun said, looking at her dotingly.
Over at Linglong Pavilion, Liuxing relayed the information she had gathered to Wei Yun.
Wei Yun was as surprised as she was.
After all, they had heard rumors about Prince Ding'an's affection for the Princess Consort several times.
They hadn't expected that Consort Bian would be involved!
After her initial surprise, Wei Yun felt relieved.
This meant that Prince Ding'an was no different from other men. Since he could be captivated by Consort Bian, he would surely fall under her charm in the future. She didn't have to worry about him being infatuated with the Princess Consort Ding'an.
"That maid said Consort Bian not only pleased the Prince but also pleased the Princess Consort!"
Wei Yun sneered, "How many principal wives and concubines truly get along with each other? From the Princess Consort's pregnancy to her confinement, the Prince only doted on Consort Bian. Do you think the Princess Consort wouldn't mind? She's just putting on a generous facade to please the Prince."
"As for Consort Bian, hah, people are never satisfied. She is so favored by the Prince, yet she is only a concubine. I, on the other hand, am a Consort from the moment I arrived. Do you think she has no resentment in her heart?"
The promotion of concubines was in the hands of the principal wife, Princess Consort Ding'an.
Wei Yun slightly raised the corner of her lips. It seemed things were much easier than she had imagined.