Consort Lian did not expect Wang Qingyao to be so ruthless. For a moment, she dared not beg for mercy and remained stunned on the ground.
The rough servant dragged her outside, and soon screams could be heard.
Wang Qingzhen cautiously glanced at Wang Qingyao, swallowed, and picked up her teacup to pour herself some water.
She also hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to be so ruthless and decisive.
Fortunately, she had not made an enemy of her.
The twenty heavy blows were delivered quickly. Before long, a servant came in to report that it was finished.
"How do you wish to proceed?" Wei Qing gave Wang Qingyao ample face.
Wang Qingyao said, "Please trouble Princess Rong to send a few people to escort Consort Lian back to the Marquis of Jinxiang's mansion, and also send someone eloquent to inform the Marquis of Jinxiang of this matter."
Wei Qing gave the order.
The farce finally came to an end.
Wei Yu, who had been watching the show for a long time, couldn't help but exclaim, "Princess Ding'an, what kind of family has your sister married into? Tsk tsk tsk, such rules, I've never seen anything like it in my life!"
She was in a good mood, and her tone was light.
Seeing Wang Qingyao encounter such troublesome affairs made her extremely happy.
Wang Qingyao replied indifferently, "If Miss Wei the Second wishes to know, you can go to the Marquis of Jinxiang's mansion and ask."
She was not angered.
Wei Yu found it uninteresting. She glanced at the sweet potato, already roasted to a glistening state, and said with disgust, "Sister, where did you get these things? I wouldn't dare to eat them!"
Wei Qing said, "You're just being fussy."
She beckoned everyone to sit down again.
She personally poured Wang Qingyao a cup of tea and smiled, "The matter in the palace the other day was all a misunderstanding. Princess Ding'an, please don't take it to heart."
Wang Qingyao was willing to give Wei Qing some face, and also smiled, "Yes, it was just a misunderstanding. I've long forgotten it."
Wang Qingyao was clearly being perfunctory with Wei Qing, but unfortunately, Wei Qing did not understand.
Wei Qing then winked at Wei Yu, signaling her to also apologize to Wang Qingyao.
Wei Yu's expression soured, and she suddenly stood up, "I'm going to change my clothes."
Her willingness to come was already a great honor to Wang Qingyao. Did she still expect her to apologize to Wang Qingyao?
Dream on!
She was the future Crown Princess!
Did Wang Qingyao deserve it?
Wei Yu flicked her sleeves and left haughtily.
Wang Qingyao glanced at Zhenzhu without a change in expression. Zhenzhu quietly followed.
Wei Qing apologized to Wang Qingyao, "...Please don't take it to heart. Ah Yu has been spoiled since childhood. In fact, she's not a bad person. She's innocent and romantic, just a bit mischievous and arrogant."
Wang Qingyao chuckled twice.
Wei Qing was still too naive.
Some people, outwardly arrogant and disdainful, were actually kind-hearted. Like Wei Qing.
And some people, outwardly innocent and romantic, ignorant of worldly affairs, were actually more wicked than anyone else. Like Wei Yu and Consort Wei.
Consort Wei had genuinely liked Wang Qingyao at first, Wang Qingyao could feel it.
But unfortunately, for the sake of her family, she had stood on Wang Qingyao's opposing side.
Wang Qingyao still felt a sense of regret when she thought of it.
The sweet potatoes were roasted, emitting an alluring aroma.
Wang Qingyao used tongs to pick them up and place them on a plate. When they were no longer too hot, she broke one in half, and a puff of steam rushed out.
Just as she was about to take a bite, she caught sight of Wei Qing's maid also picking up a roasted sweet potato for her. The sweet potato was cut in half, and the maid was scooping it into her mouth bite by bite with a small silver spoon.
Wang Qingyao silently put down her sweet potato and, following suit, used a silver spoon to dig into hers.
Although it wasn't as satisfying as biting into it directly, it was certainly more elegant.
Wei Qing put down her sweet potato after a few bites, took a sip of tea, and turned to Wang Qingyao, saying, "It's quite delicious."
Wang Qingyao nodded. The sweet potato was small, and she ate the entire thing.
A maid nearby helped peel the roasted oranges and placed them on a plate in front of her.
The oranges were still emitting heat. Wang Qingyao picked up a piece with a small fork and was about to put it into her mouth when she suddenly heard a scream from not far away.
"Ah!"
The sound was devoid of emotion, but it was loud and sharp enough.
It was loud enough for everyone in the garden to hear.
Wei Qing frowned.
Others also showed surprised and confused expressions, looking in the direction of the scream.
"Go and see what's happening?" Wei Qing ordered the maid beside her.
The maid nodded and quickly walked out.
After about the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew, the maid returned, her face panicked and complex.
"Your Highness, Your Highness..." she stammered, unable to form a complete sentence, "Second Miss, Second Miss she..."
This matter involved Wei Yu.
Wei Qing stood up abruptly.
"What happened to Second Miss?"
The maid looked embarrassed. She couldn't bring herself to say it. After a few more stutters, Wei Qing lost her patience.
"Take me there."
She hurried towards the direction of the scream.
The guests hesitated for a moment. Seeing Princess Ding'an follow, they also followed. No one noticed that Zhenzhu had quietly returned to Wang Qingyao's side.
Wang Qingyao and Zhenzhu exchanged a glance. Zhenzhu nodded almost imperceptibly.
The maid led the way, and Wei Qing walked with great haste, her face full of anxiety.
The maid stopped by a secluded small courtyard and lowered her head, "Your Highness, Second Miss is inside."
She dared not go further.
The small courtyard was quiet, appearing even more desolate and dilapidated in the cold winter wind.
This courtyard had always been empty, uninhabited. Why would Wei Yu come here for no reason?
Wei Qing hesitated.
She sensed something was wrong.
And who had let out that scream?
Just then, voices could be heard from inside the house.