Wei Qing thought Wang Qingyao recognized Concubine Lian, and looking at Wang Qingyao's expression, it was certainly not friendly.
There must have been some past conflict.
She quickly reviewed in her mind; she didn't recall inviting anyone who had a feud with Wang Qingyao.
Oh, there was one: Wei Yu.
Wang Qingyao slowly withdrew her gaze and nodded, "Yes, that lady is the concubine of the illegitimate eldest son of Marquis Jinxiang."
Introducing Concubine Lian was quite a mouthful. Pang Yan was merely the illegitimate eldest son of Marquis Jinxiang, not even the heir. It was precisely because of this illegitimate status that Marquis Jinxiang had repeatedly requested the emperor to grant him the title of heir, but the emperor's attitude remained ambiguous.
Wei Qing was stunned for a moment before she could fully grasp the identity of "the concubine of the illegitimate eldest son of Marquis Jinxiang."
She was furious.
A mere concubine, not even considered a legitimate mistress, dared to openly enter her Prince Rong's mansion and sit with them, the noble ladies!
What audacity!
Wang Qingyao had announced Concubine Lian's identity without deliberately lowering her voice, so everyone in the garden heard.
Expressions of surprise or disdain appeared on everyone's faces.
Several ladies seated at the same table as Concubine Lian even stood up, took a few steps back, and looked her up and down with displeasure.
Concubine Lian hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to recognize her.
And to reveal her identity so openly.
Seeing the disgusted and contemptuous glances from others, her face instantly turned crimson.
She also stood up, blushing, and explained, "Our madam had a miscarriage and couldn't come, so she sent me to attend the banquet on her behalf."
Hah, what a clever scheme. She not only shifted the blame to Wang Qingzhu but also revealed Wang Qingzhu's miscarriage.
Given Wei Qing's status, she had no interest in whether Wang Qingzhu had a miscarriage or not.
However, among those present were Wang Qingzhu's cousins and sister-in-law. Wang Qingyao and Wang Qingzhen knew about this, but Bai Junya did not.
And Bai Junya herself was pregnant, just past three months. Upon hearing this, she frowned and unconsciously touched her lower abdomen.
Wang Qingyao looked at the feigning Concubine Lian and asked coldly, "Did your madam send you here?"
Concubine Lian opened her mouth, about to answer, when Wang Qingyao sternly continued, "You'd better think carefully before you answer. We have the Princess Consort, the County Princess, the Heir's wife, and the future Crown Princess here. If you dare to lie..."
She glared, and Concubine Lian flinched, sweat trickling down her forehead.
Concubine Lian never imagined that while others at the banquet hadn't yet dared to offend the Princess Consort of Ding'an, she would be the first to be put in an embarrassing situation.
She knelt down with a "thump," her head bowed, feeling extremely uneasy, unsure how to answer.
If she admitted to stealing the invitation...
No, she couldn't admit it.
Although Concubine Lian was a concubine, she had always lived like a principal wife. She couldn't utter such a shameful confession.
If she insisted that Wang Qingzhu had sent her, what could the Princess Consort of Ding'an say?
Would she send someone to Marquis Jinxiang's mansion to question Wang Qingzhu?
Even if they did send someone to ask...
Wang Qingzhu and she had always been at odds, always putting on airs of a principal wife. But she didn't understand Pang Yan. Relying on her status as the principal wife would only make Pang Yan dislike her more.
At that time, all she had to do was get Pang Yan to say a few kind words to Wang Qingzhu, and Wang Qingzhu, wanting to please Pang Yan, would have to accept it obediently.
Concubine Lian felt her plan was well thought out and mentally reviewed the possible scenarios several times.
Only then did she raise her head, putting on a look of delicate grievance, "Replying to the Princess Consort of Ding'an, this servant dares not lie. It was indeed our madam who sent me."
Sarcasm flickered in Wang Qingyao's eyes.
This Concubine Lian indeed had some nerve. Despite her intimidation, Concubine Lian could still say with a straight face that Wang Qingzhu had sent her.
Did Concubine Lian think that everyone in the world was like Pang Yan, at her beck and call?
Wang Qingyao sneered, "Your madam sent you? Then do you think what your madam did was right?"
Concubine Lian was stunned. Why were the Princess Consort of Ding'an's words always beyond her expectations?
Sending a concubine to attend a banquet was naturally wrong!
And gravely wrong!
Concubine Lian couldn't possibly not know this.
Since she knew it was wrong, yet dared to come, it could only mean she was incredibly bold and completely disregarded the noble ladies present!
But if she said she didn't know, well, that would be too fake; it was impossible not to know.
Concubine Lian broke out in a cold sweat, her face turning paler by the second. After a long pause, she bit her lip and said as if making a desperate gamble, "This servant knows it's wrong, but I dare not disobey my madam's orders."
Hah, she dared to push the blame onto Wang Qingzhu again!
Wang Qingyao was truly provoked at this moment.
It was true that Wang Qingzhu was not very capable, but bullying had now reached her own family. Who could tolerate this?
Concubine Lian, seeing Wang Qingyao's ashen face and silence, couldn't help but feel smug.
What else could the Princess Consort of Ding'an do? Would she scold her own sister? Even if she did, what difference would it make to her?
Wang Qingzhen couldn't hold back first and exclaimed, "Nonsense! Everyone knows Pang Yan dotes on his concubines and neglects his wife! In your household, you're the one who gives orders; how could anyone else possibly command you? How did my sister's child die, don't you know? And you dare to stand here and demand she take the blame for you!"
Disliking Wang Qingzhu was one thing, but in the eyes of outsiders, two people with the surname Wang couldn't be easily separated. She couldn't just stand by and watch Wang Qingzhu be slandered.
And by a concubine, no less!
Wang Qingyao's lips curved slightly, "Fourth Sister, please remain calm."
Wang Qingzhen shot Concubine Lian a glare and fell silent.
This matter didn't really concern others, so they just watched.
Wei Yu wanted to interject with some sarcastic remarks, but Wei Qing had instructed her not to cause trouble today, so she merely watched the unfolding drama with great interest.
Wang Qingyao looked at Concubine Lian, who was kneeling on the ground, and said coldly, "Lady Lian is ignorant of the rules and disrespectful. Drag her out and give her twenty heavy blows!" She then turned to Wei Qing, "I'll have to trouble you, Princess Rong."
This matter could be serious or minor. Wei Qing could see that Wang Qingyao deeply disliked this Concubine Lian and wanted to vent her anger for her sister.
She had organized this banquet precisely to mend the relationship between the two families, and this was a perfect opportunity.
"Guards, drag this lowly servant out and beat her soundly!"
Concubine Lian's face instantly turned as pale as paper.
Several strong wet nurses stepped forward, grabbed Concubine Lian, and dragged her out. Concubine Lian cried out, "Your Highness, spare me, Your Highness, spare me! It was truly our madam who sent me, it has nothing to do with me, please let me explain!"
"Wait." Wang Qingyao waved her hand.
Concubine Lian's face lit up with joy, and she prostrated herself, weeping, "Your Highness, please see justice..."
Wang Qingyao coldly interrupted her, "What is your status that you dare to explain to me? Who gave you the courage to speak to me so familiarly!"
Saying this, she turned to Wei Qing, "It was my mistake, arguing with a mere servant for so long. I should have dragged her out and beaten her soundly from the beginning!"
Wei Qing nodded in agreement.
Wang Qingyao glanced at the rough wet nurses and said indifferently, "Don't beat her to death, leave her with a breath. Since she likes to run around so much, her legs might not be needed anymore!"