As May arrived, the weather grew warmer day by day, carrying the scent of summer.
Wang Qingyao dreaded ancient summers the most. Without air conditioning, the days were bearable, but during the hottest periods, sleeping at night became almost impossible.
And this year, there were two more children to consider.
It was only early summer, and she was already worried.
“Don’t worry,” Xiao Yun said. “If you really can’t stand the heat, you can take the children to a summer resort for a while in June or July.”
“Will you come with us too?” Wang Qingyao asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.
Xiao Yun had to report to the Ministry of Personnel and couldn’t always accompany Wang Qingyao, but a few days’ stay was possible.
Upon hearing this, Wang Qingyao’s enthusiasm waned.
“We’ll see then.”
After the Dragon Boat Festival, another invitation arrived at the Ding’an Prince’s manor from the Eastern Palace. The Wei family had somehow acquired a cat for Wei Yu, who, on a whim, decided to host a cat-petting party, inviting a few close friends to enjoy the feline company.
Frankly, Wang Qingyao admired Wei Yu.
She seemed born to host parties, capable of turning anything into an occasion.
Fortunately, these were small gatherings. Otherwise, the Censorate would have long impeached the Crown Princess for extravagance.
This time, Wei Yu invited those she considered her closest confidantes.
Princess Rong, Wei Qing; the future Princess Zhuo County, Lady Mu Jin; Princess Nangge, Feng Jiangduo; the heir of Duke Zhongyong, Zuo Yun; the daughter of Duke Zhongyong, Fang Yuan; and Wang Qingyao, the Princess Ding’an.
Except for Wei Qing, the others were all Wang Qingyao’s friends.
At first glance, this group seemed peculiar, as if assembled specifically for Wang Qingyao.
But this was the Eastern Palace, not the Ding’an Prince’s manor, and Wang Qingyao was not the main guest today.
Wei Yu had someone bring out the cat.
The cat was pure white, with long, dense fur. One eye was emerald green, the other golden yellow, giving it a noble and elegant appearance.
Wei Yu named the cat Feilian.
“This cat can bring good luck,” she said softly, cradling the cat.
Fang Yuan, who adored fluffy animals, couldn’t help but reach out. Zuo Yun gave her a look, and she sheepishly withdrew her hand.
Wei Yu smiled. “It’s alright. It’s meant for everyone to play with. Feilian has a gentle temperament and won’t scratch. Madam Shizi need not worry.”
As she spoke with a smile, she placed Feilian into Fang Yuan’s arms. Fang Yuan was overjoyed, hugging and petting the cat enthusiastically.
Wang Qingyao observed her surroundings discreetly.
There were no suspicious people or objects.
It was remarkably clean.
Quite unlike Wei Yu’s usual style.
Among everyone present, only Fang Yuan was young and playful.
While others might have liked cats, they restrained themselves in the formal setting of the Eastern Palace, offering only a brief touch to show their interest. Feng Jiangduo had a look of disdain when she petted the cat, causing it to flinch slightly. As a fellow aloof beauty, Feng Jiangduo clearly outranked Feilian in coolness.
Wang Qingyao had once liked cats. However, ever since Fang Yuan’s stepmother, Madam Huang, had used a cat to plot against her, she had become rather indifferent to them, unwilling even to touch them.
“I’ll just look. I don’t really like cats,” she stated plainly.
Wei Yu chuckled. “I thought girls all liked these soft, cuddly little creatures.”
Wang Qingyao: “Hehehe…”
After the cat-petting session, Wei Yu proposed that everyone compose a poem related to cats, or if they preferred, draw a cat.
She had tables brought out, one for each person, arranged in two rows with a slight separation. She then confirmed who would be drawing and who would be writing poems, and had the necessary brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and drawing supplies delivered.
Wang Qingyao neither wanted to write a poem nor draw. After some thought, since Wei Yu wasn’t causing any trouble, she decided to draw a cartoon cat.
To her surprise, Feng Jiangduo could compose poetry.
Despite spending her days practicing martial arts, Feng Jiangduo possessed excellent calligraphy skills and a talent for writing.
She had expected Fang Yuan to choose drawing as well, but Fang Yuan, influenced by Zeng Huai, now considered herself a literary prodigy, capable of composing quatrains and regulated verse with ease and a desire to try her hand.
Thus, in the end, Wang Qingyao was the only one who chose to draw.
Wei Yu’s round face showed dimples. “I’ll draw with Princess Ding’an.”
Wang Qingyao felt it was unnecessary.
She still couldn’t fathom Wei Yu’s intentions.
Genuine cat-showing was out of the question. Even if she wanted to show off, the guests were too limited to make it impressive.
She pondered as she drew.
To enhance the ambiance, Wei Yu had even summoned musicians to play in the hall, creating a light, pleasant melody.
Amidst the melodious strumming of the zither, Wang Qingyao drew a cartoon cat, reminiscent of the Black Cat Detective.
She was focused and meticulous. Besides the music, she thought she heard a faint, unusual sound, like wood cracking.
It was barely perceptible.
By the time she noticed, it was too late.
Feng Jiangduo cried out, “Yaoyao, be careful!”
Wang Qingyao instinctively looked up. The beam above her had split in two and was collapsing. A shower of wood chips flew into her eyes, causing her to squint and feel a sharp sting.
She cried out and closed her eyes.
Someone pulled her aside; it was Wei Yu.
The beam crashed to the ground with a bang, kicking up a larger cloud of dust.
Fortunately, Wei Yu had pulled her in time, and Wang Qingyao was unharmed.
Everyone stood frozen, staring at the mess.
This was the Eastern Palace, and this was the quality of its construction?
“Everyone, quickly, let’s get out,” Feng Jiangduo urged. “Don’t just stand there; what if the house collapses!”
Her reminder spurred them into action, and they rushed out.
Wang Qingyao’s eyes burned intensely, as if a fire were raging within them, and tears streamed uncontrollably.
She couldn’t open her eyes.
Wei Yu had held her hand all along, only releasing it once they were outside.
In the chaos, Wang Qingyao heard Wei Yu whisper into her ear, “Wang Qingyao, from now on, you will be blind!”