The old imperial consort, having just regained her composure, took a sip of tea as if nothing had happened. But upon hearing Wang Qingyao's words, she choked again.
"Please drink slowly, Your Highness, slowly," said Nanny Jing, quickly grabbing a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and then patting her chest in a perfunctory manner.
Seeing that the old imperial consort was not standing up for her and was merely playing dumb, Consort Wei vaguely sensed that the old imperial consort also quite liked Wang Qingyao. Perhaps it was related to her having just given birth to two children for the Xiao family.
With no one to defend Consort Wei, she became more subdued afterwards, seemingly dedicating herself solely to serving the old imperial consort.
As for Bian Siyue, Consort Wei made no further moves.
She merely sent her some good things every few days, and then, with feigned sympathy, lamented her current status and position.
It had to be said that Consort Wei was a master of the "boiling frog" tactic.
To completely subvert someone, one had to use subtle tactics, chipping away day after day, until the hatred and resentment in their heart grew deeper and deeper, forcing them to vent.
Bian Siyue said to Wang Qingyao, "This Bian Siyue is too terrifying. If I were truly the Prince's legitimate concubine, I might not be able to resist defecting to her."
With her naturally relaxed and generous nature, after such a long time together, she felt no restraint in front of Wang Qingyao and would say anything.
Wang Qingyao liked her straightforward personality and never reprimanded her, so others had grown accustomed to it.
Even Xiao Yun said, "I feel like Madam Bian is more like your concubine."
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Xiao Yun: "I can't command her; she only listens to you."
Wang Qingyao laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.
One day in late August, Xiao Yun had a minor accident.
That day was originally for Xiao Yun, Xiao Mo, and Wang Qingyao to visit Feng Jiangduo's new residence.
When visiting a new home, one must bring a gift. Xiao Yun and Xiao Mo went to the newly established Prince Dingnan's mansion after finishing work at the Ministry of Revenue.
Xiao Mo and Feng Jiangduo had an unusual relationship, so his gift was meticulously prepared.
Xiao Yun, however, was different. He saw flowers being sold on the street and, thinking of how Wang Qingyao loved flowers and plants, carefully picked a bouquet for her.
Then, he casually chose a bunch of bright red flowers as a housewarming gift for Feng Jiangduo.
Xiao Mo gave him a disdainful look, scoffing that Duoduo wouldn't like such garish red flowers.
It was already autumn, and the weather was turning cold, the leaves turning yellow. No one knew how a large hornet had appeared among the flowers.
Xiao Yun was close by and was stung fiercely on the nose.
This type of hornet had a mild venom. After treatment at a nearby clinic, the venom was removed, but Xiao Yun's nose swelled up like a bulbous nose, red and swollen, and shiny.
This was not a major issue, and Xiao Yun did not specifically inform Wang Qingyao. He still went to Prince Dingnan's mansion with Xiao Mo.
Wang Qingyao looked at his nose, comparable to Jackie Chan's, and tears of laughter streamed down her face.
Even Feng Jiangduo, who was usually stoic, showed clear amusement.
Xiao Mo, being disloyal, saw the woman he admired smile and joined in the laughter.
Xiao Yun: "You two heartless people, I was stung while buying flowers for you."
As he spoke, he handed the flowers to the two of them.
He then acted pitifully and coquettishly towards Wang Qingyao, "My husband is injured, why aren't you even a little bit concerned, my lady? You just keep laughing and laughing..."
Wang Qingyao finally managed to stop laughing and gently touched his nose. The moment she touched it, he yelped. Wang Qingyao, struggling to maintain a serious face, almost burst into laughter again. She pinched her thigh hard to hold back and then, with concern, asked for the details.
Xiao Yun recounted the incident.
Coming from modern times, Wang Qingyao considered this level of injury to be nothing.
Even she herself, when she bumped into something or got a small scratch, never paid much attention.
Unlike women in ancient times who pursued flawless skin, they would apply all sorts of medicine for even a minor abrasion, fearing scars.
Therefore, Xiao Yun's bee sting, even after treatment, made her concern seem somewhat superficial.
The housewarming banquet was attended by only the four of them.
Given Feng Jiangduo's personality, after being in the capital for so long, she had made no new friends besides the ladies of the Zhongyong Duke's mansion.
However, even if she were willing to exchange a few words with Fang Yuan or Zuo Yun, an intimate event like a housewarming banquet, inviting guests to her home, was something she was unwilling to do.
There were few servants in the mansion, and the banquet table was not elaborate, consisting of simple dishes.
The four of them drank, chatted, and laughed, and time flew by until nightfall.
"It's time to go home."
Wang Qingyao stood up. Xiao Yun reached out to help her, but she pushed his hand away. "It's fine, this little bit of wine is nothing. My tolerance is very good."
Xiao Yun was taken aback, and the hand he had extended slowly retracted.
"Do you know what wine we were drinking just now?"
"What?"
"It was Jade Marrow."
Wang Qingyao found the name familiar and frowned in thought, but couldn't recall it.
"What about Jade Marrow?" she asked.
"Nothing," Xiao Yun replied. "It's just a very famous wine. I thought you knew."
"I don't know," Wang Qingyao said indifferently.
Xiao Yun did not continue the conversation.