Wang Qingyao later told Xiao Yun about this.
Xiao Yun sneered, "Still want to be legitimized? Dream on!"
In the Great Sheng Kingdom, a concubine could not and was not allowed to be legitimized.
No matter how noble a side consort's status was, she was still just a concubine.
However, if Consort Wei managed to whisper in the Emperor's ear for a few days...
Xiao Yun sneered again, "Do you really think the Wei family is omnipotent? Even if the Emperor is truly foolish and issues a decree to legitimize her at Consort Wei's instigation, I will still dare to disobey!"
He gazed at Wang Qingyao tenderly, "You are my only Princess Consort, and you are the only one who can be my Princess Consort."
Wang Qingyao was not moved at all. She flicked his forehead with a knuckle, "Are you courting death, daring to call the Emperor foolish... cough cough..."
Xiao Yun paid it no mind.
He was accustomed to acting as he pleased, relying on the Emperor's favor.
Wang Qingyao suddenly thought that Xiao Yun had been favored by the Emperor since childhood, and the Emperor seemed to be exceptionally lenient and doting towards him.
Why was that?
Was it because he knew his empress was the true culprit behind the Xiao family's curse, and thus felt guilty? Or was it because he knew he wouldn't live long, so he indulged him exceptionally? Or was it merely to put on a show for the world?
Wang Qingyao still remembered the Emperor's dismissive glance when he first summoned her to the palace.
It was the look of a senior relative who doted on their juniors but was genuinely dissatisfied with their intended spouse.
Regardless of the reason, Xiao Yun had gained considerable tangible benefits from this favor, whether it was genuine or feigned.
The Xiao family was the wealthiest in the Great Sheng Kingdom, partly due to the wealth accumulated by their ancestors and Xiao Mo's business acumen. On the other hand, it was also because of his status as Prince Ding'an that the court offered many preferential treatments.
Wang Qingyao tilted her head, wondering why the Empress Dowager was so persistent in targeting the Xiao family.
Even after reading countless melodramatic palace novels, she still couldn't grasp the intricacies of it.
Xiao Yun was even more bewildered. Wang Qingyao was an observer, but he had truly and personally experienced the Empress Dowager's affection for him.
If it were all fake, he felt a pang of sadness just thinking about it.
Yet, the Empress Dowager always remembered Wang Qingyao's two children—they were the first pair of great-grandchildren to be born to the Empress Dowager, who was very fond of them. Whatever good things she received, she would immediately send someone to Prince Ding'an's mansion.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun found themselves in a predicament, neither able to accept nor refuse, making it hotter than a burning potato, practically a hand grenade.
Every time, Wang Qingyao's clairvoyant eyes would analyze the molecular structure of those items.
But there were no issues.
After Eunuch Changshou died, all clues came to a dead end. It seemed that with his death, the curse that had plagued the Xiao family for generations had finally dissipated. The supposed mastermind did not relax their vigilance due to the Xiao family's "relaxation," nor did they take the opportunity to attack Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun lived well, without even a hint of an accident.
The murderer made no move, and they heard no more news about the Green Demon.
It wasn't until Prince Dingnan wrote a letter that they began to suspect the Empress Dowager.
Wang Qingyao, having completed her confinement period, resumed her daily morning and evening greetings at the Old Grand Consort's residence, which inevitably meant encountering Consort Wei.
To facilitate Consort Wei's secret communication with Bian Siyue, Wang Qingyao would thoughtfully leave them ample time and instruct the servants in the courtyard to turn a blind eye.
Consort Wei, while performing her courtesies to Wang Qingyao with impeccable manners and showing no outward displeasure, spoke words laced with innuendo.
"Logically, I should be attending to the Princess Consort in Kangping Courtyard daily. However, on the few occasions I went, the Princess Consort's maids blocked me from entering, saying the Princess Consort did not wish to see me. I believe there must be some misunderstanding."
In the presence of the Old Grand Consort, her expression conveyed a hint of grievance mixed with a show of magnanimous forbearance, making her seem quite pitiable.
If Grand Consort Fang were present, she would likely have exploded immediately.
Moreover, Consort Wei was clever. She did not lie in front of the Old Grand Consort. She stated these matters, which could be easily verified, truthfully without embellishment.
It was a direct report of a grievance.
Wang Qingyao glanced at her and said indifferently, "Oh, there is no misunderstanding. I simply do not wish to see you."
Consort Wei was stunned. Her expression was exactly the same as when Wei Yu had heard Wang Qingyao's direct rebuttal.
As a young lady from a distinguished family, meticulously educated, how could she so openly display her hostility?
Princess Consort, you are the principal wife, the matriarch! To openly declare your dislike for a concubine like this, people outside will say you are jealous and unvirtuous!
Consort Wei, with genuine concern, considered Wang Qingyao's situation.
Then, her eyes reddened, her face paled, she bit her lower lip, and looked helplessly at the Old Grand Consort.
The Old Grand Consort, who was drinking tea, choked upon hearing this. Mama Zheng was patting her back to help her breathe, and did not even spare Consort Wei a glance.
Consort Wei withdrew her gaze in disappointment.
"Does the Princess Consort have some misunderstanding about me?"
Wang Qingyao: "No misunderstanding. I simply do not like my husband's concubine."
Consort Wei: "!!!"
Was that something that could be said so directly?
In front of her great-grandmother?!
She was bestowed the marriage by the Emperor's decree!!
The Old Grand Consort: "Pfft..."
She spat out her tea again.