Rumors about Prince Ding'an's deep affection for his consort had reached Old Madam Wang's ears numerous times. She was aware that despite Wang Qingyao's blindness, Xiao Yun had not taken any other women. However, given her status as his paternal grandmother, she believed she held authority over him in matters of filial piety. If she threatened to die, Wang Qingyao, as a granddaughter, would surely agree.
The cousin she mentioned was the granddaughter of a distant cousin of hers. This distant cousin was not from a prominent family, and Old Madam Wang had long since ceased contact with her. The cousin's granddaughter was named He Rufang, a renowned beauty in their region, but unfortunately, she had a reputation for being a jinx. He Rufang's first fiancé had died in a river accident while traveling with friends shortly after their engagement. Her second fiancé had died of illness less than a month after they exchanged betrothal gifts. Despite He Rufang's celestial beauty and mastery of the arts, no one dared to propose to her, nor would anyone take her as a wife. Even as a concubine, no one was willing to take such a risk. Her younger sisters had all married, leaving her the only one at home.
She was, however, a woman with high aspirations. Having been doted upon since childhood, she could not bear to see her beauty go to waste, confined to her home as an old maid. It was at this juncture that Prince Ding'an's public notices seeking medical help for his consort were posted throughout the Great Sheng empire. She overheard her elders discussing the consort, only to discover she was the granddaughter of Old Madam Wang's distant cousin. An idea sparked in her mind.
He Rufang's grandmother contacted Old Madam Wang and introduced He Rufang. Ever since Wang Qingyao lost her sight, Old Madam Wang had harbored this thought, but lacked a suitable candidate. He Rufang's appearance was like finding a pillow when one was sleepy. It was a perfect match.
"You have a cousin," Old Madam Wang said, "whose personality is the complete opposite of yours. She is the legitimate eldest daughter of her family, and she has helped her parents care for her younger siblings since childhood. She is steady, generous, and handles matters with great skill. Everyone in the family praises her."
Wang Qingyao listened quietly, a faint smile on her lips, but she did not respond. Seeing her lack of reaction, Old Madam Wang tentatively said, "Bring your cousin back to the Prince's mansion..."
Wang Qingyao feigned surprise, "What would I bring my cousin back to the Prince's mansion for?"
"Doesn't grandmother fear you'll be bullied? Your cousin is older and can support you. Then grandmother can rest assured."
Wang Qingyao chuckled, "I don't quite understand what grandmother means. It wouldn't be a major issue for an unmarried young lady to stay at the Prince's mansion for a few days as a guest. But as for support, how can a guest offer support? Grandmother, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed for saying such a thing..."
As if to punctuate her words, Pearl and Silver Zhu covered their mouths and giggled. Old Madam Wang, angered and embarrassed, her voice involuntarily laced with fury, said, "I mean for the Prince to take her in!"
*Hmph, finally she said it!*
Wang Qingyao's expression turned even more astonished, "Does grandmother mean for my cousin to become a concubine?!"
Old Madam Wang's face showed a hint of discomfort, and she nodded slightly, "Mm."
"That won't do," Wang Qingyao flatly refused. "Cousin is the legitimate eldest daughter, how can she be a concubine? How could grandmother have such an idea? Even if her family has fallen on hard times, she shouldn't debase herself to become a concubine!"
"Becoming a concubine to the Prince is not the same as becoming a concubine to an ordinary person," Old Madam Wang dismissed her concerns. "Besides, isn't there you? With your support and guidance, she wouldn't be like other concubines."
Wang Qingyao asked strangely, "Didn't grandmother just say she wanted my cousin to support me? How, in the blink of an eye, do you want me to support her? Is grandmother perhaps confused in her illness, speaking so incoherently?"
Old Madam Wang was so angered by Wang Qingyao that her liver ached. She knew Wang Qingyao would not agree easily. Did she think she would give up with such nonsensical arguments? Old Madam Wang sneered inwardly, but outwardly put on a sorrowful expression.
"Grandmother knows you don't want to share the Prince with anyone else. But your cousin has no intention of competing for his favor. It is grandmother who worries about you. Knowing I don't have long to live, I want to pave the way for you... This is grandmother's only wish. Yaoyao, please grant grandmother this wish, otherwise, grandmother will not rest in peace when she departs!"
Old Madam Wang trembled as she reached out, intending to grasp Wang Qingyao's hand to perform a show of familial affection. However, Wang Qingyao was "blind" and could not respond to her outstretched hand. Old Madam Wang glanced at Madam Gu, who reluctantly placed Old Madam Wang's hand onto Wang Qingyao's.
Old Madam Wang clasped Wang Qingyao's hand tightly, tears streaming from her cloudy eyes. "Grandmother truly worries about you! If you don't agree, how can grandmother face your parents in the afterlife!"
Wang Qingyao stood up and, with a slight push, placed Old Madam Wang's hand back onto the quilt. "Grandmother, please don't speak such disheartening words. When I was in the Prince's mansion, I prayed day and night for grandmother's long life. Grandmother, please rest assured, I will immediately send for an imperial physician to examine you. I guarantee they will cure grandmother's illness."
Old Madam Wang: "It cannot be cured. Grandmother knows her own condition..."
Wang Qingyao interrupted her, "Grandmother is being self-defeating again. How can one make a judgment before the imperial physician has even examined you? Grandmother, please rest assured, I will send someone to fetch Imperial Physician Lu immediately!" With that, she called for Silver Zhu and Pearl to return.
"Hey, hey, hey..." Old Madam Wang leaned half her body out of bed. "No, Yaoyao, hey, Yaoyao, listen to grandmother..."
Silver Zhu had already helped Wang Qingyao and swiftly walked away.