The day after Consort Fang arrived, Wang Qingyao had completely "recovered."
"Being angered for a while has opened my Ren and Du meridians."
November 28th was an auspicious day, and the housewarming banquet at Xiao Mo's Fuping Marquis Manor was held on this date.
Xiao Mo disliked noise, so it was a small banquet, and he did not invite outsiders.
Even Fang Zheng and his family were not invited, only a few people from within the household.
Consort Fang claimed illness and did not attend. The Old Dowager Empress came for a while, drank two cups of warm wine, and then left, saying she wouldn't disturb them and that the young people should have fun.
Her words carried a deeper meaning.
What fun could Xiao Yun, Wang Qingyao, and Xiao Mo alone have?
Not long after the Old Dowager Empress left, Feng Jiangduo climbed over the wall and presented Xiao Mo with a dagger as a housewarming gift.
Wang Qingyao thought about it; Feng Jiangduo seemed to particularly like giving daggers. Her last gift to her had also been a dagger.
Did she give daggers to everyone?
Seeing Feng Jiangduo, Xiao Mo's mouth slowly spread into a grin: "You're here, why bring a gift?"
Oh, he's learned to be polite.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun chuckled.
Feng Jiangduo: "Stop the nonsense, I don't have much time. My grandfather watches me closely. If he knew I secretly came to see you, he'd be angry again."
Xiao Mo showed a troubled expression: "It's all my fault for making you suffer."
"Yes, you're right."
Wang Qingyao, Xiao Yun: "..."
Since Xiao Mo and Feng Jiangduo could rarely meet, Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun decided not to be third wheels.
With such a large estate as the Fuping Marquis Manor, they didn't have to stick together.
"Let's go see what dishes are in the kitchen."
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun found an excuse to slip away. Just as they had taken a few steps, someone came to report.
"The Crown Prince and the second daughter of the Wei family have arrived."
Huh, uninvited guests?
A cold wind suddenly blew past her ear. Wang Qingyao turned her head to see that Feng Jiangduo had already disappeared. She had likely climbed back over the wall, her speed so great that Wang Qingyao, even with her clairvoyant eyes, could only see the corner of her fluttering robe.
She vanished in an instant.
Xiao Mo felt both anger and resentment.
"I didn't invite the Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince and Wei Yu arrived hand in hand, followed by a eunuch holding a golden statue of the God of Wealth, over half a meter tall, shining brilliantly.
"Don't blame me for coming uninvited," the Crown Prince said with a hearty laugh. "It's just that I obtained such a good item and thought only Mo would be worthy of it, so I brought it over for this housewarming banquet. Mo, you won't mind my presumption, will you?"
Xiao Mo's inner thought: Mind? Get lost.
Outwardly: "Your Highness, you jest. I'm overjoyed!"
Xiao Yun: "It is an honor for our Xiao family to have Your Highness visit the Fuping Marquis Manor."
These words were quite hypocritical. If they truly felt honored, why didn't they send an invitation to the Crown Prince?
Heh heh heh, the official world is so hypocritical!
After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Mo ordered people to move the golden God of Wealth to the storeroom.
Wei Yu apologized to Wang Qingyao again regarding the matter of Consort Wei: "...Seeing that the Princess of Ding'an has recovered so well, I am relieved."
Wang Qingyao: "Heh heh heh..."
The Wei family had plotted against Wang Qingyao several times. The moment Wang Qingyao saw anyone from the Wei family, her nerves would reflexively tense up.
To be safe, she used her clairvoyant eyes to scan Wei Yu and the Crown Prince.
Nothing seemed amiss.
However, she remained uneasy and subtly glanced around, even further afield.
As expected, she discovered something suspicious.
It was effortless for her to see things up close, but when she looked at distant objects, she felt a bit dizzy.
She stumbled a few steps. Xiao Yun quickly helped her to sit down and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Wang Qingyao subtly squeezed his palm. Xiao Yun's eyes flickered.
"I feel a bit dizzy, perhaps I haven't fully recovered."
Wang Qingyao leaned on his shoulder to rest and, taking the opportunity, whispered into his ear: "It seems there are assassins ambushing outside."
Shock flashed in Xiao Yun's eyes, but his expression remained unchanged: "Why don't you go back and rest for a while?"
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly and shook her head: "It's fine, I'll be better after sitting for a while. It's Mo's housewarming banquet; I can't spoil the mood."
Xiao Mo: "It's alright, Sister-in-law, you should go back first."
Wang Qingyao insisted on staying, so Xiao Mo had no choice but to relent.
Xiao Yun said with deep concern: "I'll send someone to fetch a doctor, and I'll go back to get your usual medicine."
Wang Qingyao nodded.
The few serving maids stood by with bated breath, knowing that Wang Qingyao had been faking her illness before and didn't have any "usual medicine."
However, since their mistress had said so, they could only obey.
But not knowing what their mistress was planning, they could only stand there.
Xiao Yun stood up, intending to leave.
The Crown Prince said: "Just send a maid to fetch it. Why do you have to go yourself?"
Xiao Yun smiled: "Your Highness may not know, but this medicine is bitter. The Princess always complains about the bitterness and can only take it with the special honey water I personally prepare. I'm not just getting the medicine; I have to prepare the honey water too."
His words made the Crown Prince laugh.
"Yun and the Princess are truly affectionate."
Wang Qingyao shyly covered her face with a handkerchief. Concealed by the handkerchief, she quickly exchanged a glance with Xiao Yun, conveying information.
"Speaking of which, Mo is the same age as Yun. Does Mo have someone in mind?" The Crown Prince was truly gossipy; Xiao Mo's romantic interests had nothing to do with him.
Marriage alliances were the most common means for ancient noble families and even royalty to establish connections. Xiao Mo frowned, sensing the Crown Prince's intention.
He said, "Yes."
The Crown Prince waited for him to reveal who it was, but after saying that one word, there was no further explanation.
Truly concise.
He had to patiently ask: "Which family's daughter is it?"
Xiao Mo: "It's not easy to say."
The Crown Prince: "...Perhaps you could tell me? Have you encountered any difficulties? Maybe I can lend you a hand."
Xiao Mo: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but it's not necessary."
The Crown Prince: "..."