Yu Niang felt she was about to become the side consort of Prince Ding'an.
She had already mentally planned how to serve Wang Qingyao and express her loyalty.
She had no intention of replacing Wang Qingyao; she knew very well that her position in the inner quarters was directly tied to Wang Qingyao's.
Becoming Prince Ding'an's favored consort and becoming Wang Qingyao's right-hand woman in managing the inner quarters were clearly different paths, with the latter offering greater security.
Consort Dowager Fang had not expected Wang Qingyao to be so agreeable this time.
She had anticipated a lengthy negotiation, as all her previous attempts to provide concubines for Xiao Yun or to raise his children had failed.
Indeed, now that Wang Qingyao was blind, she lacked confidence.
Even if Consort Dowager Fang hadn't offered Xiao Yun a side consort, Wang Qingyao herself would likely have promoted a maid to secure his favor.
Consort Dowager Fang had no interest in managing the prince's estate; she simply disliked Wang Qingyao and pitied her son.
When Wang Qingyao lost her sight, Consort Dowager Fang secretly felt it was divine retribution.
However, Consort Dowager Fang's excitement was extinguished when Xiao Yun returned.
"Side consort?" Xiao Yun refused without even glancing at Yu Niang, "I don't need one. Mother, wherever you found her, send her back."
Consort Dowager Fang was stunned.
Yu Niang was also dumbfounded. In this day and age, were there men who disliked having too many women around?
Yu Niang instinctively felt that Xiao Yun wasn't interested in her. Her initial confidence and ambition evaporated, replaced by self-doubt and insecurity.
Consort Dowager Fang frantically signaled to Yu Niang, hoping she would show some spirit and capture Xiao Yun's attention.
But at this moment, Yu Niang couldn't even muster the energy to present herself. Standing still, she lacked any grace, her head bowed and shoulders slumped, looking worse than a mere maid.
Consort Dowager Fang had no choice but to rely on herself.
"Why don't you need one? Yao Yao can't see. How will she serve you properly in the future? Managing the estate and attending social functions will also be inconvenient. As a side consort, she holds a higher status and can serve you in Wang Qingyao's stead, helping you manage the prince's estate, which will also lighten your burden."
Upon hearing the word "substitute," Xiao Yun's face darkened. However, considering his mother's status, he patiently explained, "Mother, you worry too much. With so many maids in the estate, are you afraid there's no one to serve me? Furthermore, managing the estate relies on skill and character. Even if Yao Yao can't see, she can still manage it flawlessly. Besides, she isn't without capable helpers..."
Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi instinctively straightened their chests, their gazes fixed on Consort Dowager Fang.
Consort Dowager Fang retorted, "A maid is still just a maid, incomparable to a side consort. Can a maid represent the princess in social engagements?"
Xiao Yun was amused to the point of anger. "A maid can't, but can a side consort? Mother, you come from the Duke of Zhongyong's household and received a fine upbringing. Don't you know that no matter how esteemed a side consort is, she is still a concubine? For families like ours, how can we allow a concubine to appear in public and interact with the principal wives of other families? Who are we disrespecting by doing so?"
Consort Dowager Fang was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she mumbled, "There are always special circumstances. Everyone knows that our Prince Ding'an's consort is blind... cannot see. I believe they wouldn't mind..."
"Even if Yao Yao cannot see, she can still attend social functions. Mother, don't you know that the blind, apart from their sight, have heightened other senses? Even without vision, they are no less capable than normal people. Moreover, Yao Yao has dedicated attendants, so her blindness is not an issue."
Xiao Yun offered many explanations, all stemming from his unwillingness to take a concubine or establish a side consort.
Seeing that Xiao Yun was unyielding and impossible to reason with, Consort Dowager Fang turned to Wang Qingyao. "Yao Yao, you are a good child. Mother knows you also wish to support a side consort to help you. If you don't like Yu Niang, you have two other ladies in waiting in your courtyard, or your trusted maids. Whichever you prefer is fine."
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly. "Mother misunderstands. I do not wish for one."
Consort Dowager Fang: "..."
Only now did she realize that it wasn't Wang Qingyao being self-deprecating and easy to persuade, but rather that Wang Qingyao knew Xiao Yun would never agree.
Consort Dowager Fang was enraged. What kind of spell had Wang Qingyao cast on her son? Even with her blindness, Xiao Yun still refused to take a concubine?
Anger flared in Consort Dowager Fang, and her words became reckless. "Wang Qingyao, don't push your luck! You're blind, and the Xiao family is letting you continue as Prince Ding'an's consort, you should be grateful. Clinging to A'yun like this is rather shameless!"
Consort Dowager Fang, despite her noble background, was now arguing like a shrew from the marketplace.
Wang Qingyao found it rather bothersome. Consort Dowager Fang wasn't inherently bad, but she and Wang Qingyao simply didn't get along. She always carried an air of superiority, wanting to dominate her daughter-in-law, yet Wang Qingyao was not easily bullied.
At times like these, marrying a good husband was crucial.
Wang Qingyao tossed her fan aside, covered her face, and leaned onto Xiao Yun's shoulder, sobbing.
"A'yun, listen to what Mother is saying. Didn't you always tell me Mother was a lady of good breeding, sensible and well-educated? How could she say such things! *Sob sob sob*, I'm so sad, so heartbroken, I don't want to live anymore..."
Xiao Yun naturally knew she was acting.
However, since Consort Dowager Fang held a prejudice against Wang Qingyao and was impossible to reason with, he played along. While comforting Wang Qingyao, he turned to Consort Dowager Fang and pleaded, "Mother, I beg you, please stay in your courtyard and practice your Buddhist devotions. Do not interfere in the affairs of my courtyard. Your son still wishes to live a peaceful life..."
As Xiao Yun spoke, his eyes reddened.
Consort Dowager Fang stood frozen.
At that moment, a maid ran in. "Consort Dowager, the Old Consort Dowager requests your presence."
Clearly, the Old Consort Dowager had heard about the events in Kangping Courtyard and had sent for Consort Dowager Fang to reprimand her.
See, although Consort Dowager Fang was Wang Qingyao's mother-in-law, she was also the Old Consort Dowager's daughter-in-law!
If she acted like a mother-in-law towards Wang Qingyao, she had to be prepared to face her own mother-in-law's authority.
Wang Qingyao thought gleefully.