The Princess of Ding'an had gone blind, a piece of news that sent ripples through the capital.
Never before had the principal wife of a prince been afflicted with such a condition.
Sympathy, schadenfreude, and veiled ambition swirled around Wang Qingyao.
Yet, Wang Qingyao never expected the first person to cause her trouble to be her own dear mother-in-law, the Grand Consort Fang.
Grand Consort Fang was like a grasshopper in the fields, quiet and unobtrusive when undisturbed, but prone to hopping out at the slightest stir.
Upon hearing of Wang Qingyao's blindness, she could no longer contain herself.
After a brief investigation to confirm Wang Qingyao's sight was indeed gone, she arrived a few days later with a young woman in tow.
The girl bore a resemblance to Grand Consort Fang, her face a full moon, her skin like condensed white jade, her figure plump – the very picture of a virtuous young lady from a prominent family. However, weariness shadowed her features, a testament to her arduous journey.
Wang Qingyao fanned herself, remaining silent. Since she could no longer see, it was not her place to initiate the conversation.
However, Yin Zhu, with her sharp eyes, took in the newcomer at a glance. She leaned in and whispered a description of the girl's appearance into Wang Qingyao's ear, then softly added, "It seems Grand Consort Fang intends to present another concubine to the Prince. Your Highness, you need only hold firm and refuse. Without the principal wife's consent, can the Grand Consort force the issue?"
A smile played on Wang Qingyao's lips.
"Yaoyao," Grand Consort Fang began unceremoniously, "Upon hearing of your blindness, my heart has been filled with worry for you both. You are the Princess of Ding'an, destined to inherit the management of the Ding'an Prince's manor from me, and you have two children to raise. Now that your sight is gone, what is to be done? I have pondered this for days and finally selected a suitable young lady from a collateral branch of my own family..."
As Grand Consort Fang spoke, she nudged the young woman forward towards Wang Qingyao. Remembering Wang Qingyao's condition, she cleared her throat softly and continued, "This young lady I have brought here is the fourth daughter in her family, a legitimate child named Yu Niang. Her beauty is undeniable, and her temperament has been cultivated according to the standards for the matriarch of a noble household. She has managed her family's affairs since childhood, earning praise from all. But rest assured, her status will not surpass yours. She is merely here to assist you, to help you manage things when you are inconvenienced, lest you be bullied by those disloyal servants..."
Grand Consort Fang's words were veiled, stopping short of explicitly stating her intention for Yu Niang to become a concubine to Xiao Yun.
Wang Qingyao feigned ignorance, smiling, "Mother, I don't quite understand your meaning. Are you proposing to hire a housekeeper for me? However, from what you've said, this Miss Yu Niang is not yet married, which seems rather unsuitable. Furthermore, I have Granny Nian managing my quarters, and I don't require any other governess."
Upon hearing Wang Qingyao's words, Yu Niang looked up at her several times.
Grand Consort Fang grew impatient. "No, what I mean is... Yu Niang should become a secondary consort to Ayun."
Oh, a secondary consort, no less. A prince's secondary consort held a formal title.
Yu Niang's cheeks flushed, but she still bravely bowed to Wang Qingyao, pledging her loyalty, "Yu Niang is willing to share the burden with Princess Wang."
Wang Qingyao let out a soft chuckle but ignored Yu Niang's words. Instead, she turned towards Grand Consort Fang and said, "Mother, you are truly amusing. You speak of sharing my worries, but aren't you being a bit too hasty? By rights, I have only been blind for a few days, and the reward posters haven't even had time to cool. How do you already know my eyes cannot be cured?"
Yin Zhu stood beside her, her back straight. "Replying to Your Highness, it has been nine days."
Wang Qingyao nodded. "It has only been nine days since I lost my sight, and Mother believes my eyes are beyond cure? Even if Mother dislikes me, she should at least pretend for a year or so, shouldn't she? Nine days is hardly any time at all. Do you believe the Prince is heartless, or that I am easily bullied?"
Wang Qingyao fanned herself as she spoke, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Yu Niang looked at her in astonishment. The Princess had such courage to speak to her mother-in-law in such a manner!
In Yu Niang's entire life, she had never met a daughter-in-law who behaved like this.
Grand Consort Fang's earlier words were also an exaggeration; how could Yu Niang have been trained as the matriarch of a noble family?
Yu Niang hailed from a collateral branch of the Fang family, which had fallen on hard times. She lived by the lingering prestige of the Duke of Loyalty and Valor's household.
Her mother was frail, so Yu Niang had helped manage the household from a young age. The servants' flattery had filled her with ambition, making her believe she possessed unparalleled wisdom, no less capable than the matriarchs of noble families, only lacking a true stage to showcase her talents.
Grand Consort Fang had learned of such a girl and found her most suitable, so she had her brought to the Ding'an Prince's manor.
She knew Wang Qingyao spoke plainly, but having not interacted for a long time, she hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to be so direct.
She was momentarily speechless, then managed a strained smile. "Yaoyao, you misunderstand. Mother is not hasty; Mother is merely making preparations. If your eyes are cured in the future, then Yu Niang can be sent away."
Heh, Wang Qingyao scoffed inwardly. If she agreed today, it would be difficult to dismiss Yu Niang later.
It was easy to invite a god, but difficult to send one away.
"Mother, if I were to dismiss her now, wouldn't I be cursed to death? How about this: if Mother truly wishes for the Prince to take a secondary consort, why not speak to the Prince directly? We women believe our husbands are our heavens and our earths. If the Prince agrees, I will not utter a single word of objection."
Yu Niang, at this moment, felt the Princess of Ding'an was truly understanding.
This was, in essence, a tacit agreement.
What man would refuse an additional woman by his side?
Yu Niang believed her beauty, gentle nature, and excellent management skills made her an ideal candidate for a secondary consort. Moreover, she hailed from the Fang family, making her a distant cousin to the Prince, a relationship that was not inappropriate.
Though she had yet to meet Xiao Yun, Yu Niang's heart fluttered at the mere thought, her face glowing with anticipation.