Since handing over the items to Bian Siyue, Consort Wei had been in a state of heightened excitement.
Of course, she was also a little nervous.
After all, the death of a consort was no small matter.
However, the thought that if this matter succeeded, not only would she be officially recognized, but her grandfather and the rest of the Wei family would also look at her with new eyes, made her blood boil with anticipation.
She knew that at first, her grandfather had intended for Wei Yu to handle this matter.
But Wei Yu had messed it up.
If she could accomplish what even Wei Yu couldn't, wouldn't that prove she was more capable than Wei Yu?
As a disregarded illegitimate daughter of the Wei family, Consort Wei harbored a subtle desire to compete with Wei Yu.
She had been setting the stage for a long time.
When Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun had a falling out, and Xiao Yun moved to the outer study to sleep, she had not taken advantage of the situation to offer comfort, in order to maintain the image of a loving couple.
She wanted the world to know that Prince Ding'an and Princess Ding'an had a deep marital affection, and that Princess Ding'an would even sacrifice her life for Prince Ding'an.
At this critical juncture, if she attracted Xiao Yun's attention and caused a rift between Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun, the charade would be over.
Even the poison she had given to Bian Siyue had been carefully selected after repeated comparisons.
The poison was called "Gentle Powder." After ingestion, the poison would slowly permeate the entire body, like a gentle lover. It would take two hours to fully take effect, causing no pain at all. The person taking it would appear to have simply fallen asleep, with no outward signs of poisoning.
Why choose such a poison?
Because Princess Ding'an was committing suicide. Would someone committing suicide choose a poison that would cause them pain?
This would fit the narrative of suicide!
Furthermore, Princess Ding'an had just given birth to two children. Although she was willing to sacrifice her life for her husband, she couldn't bear to leave her two children. Therefore, she chose a slow-acting poison, allowing her to spend her final moments with her children.
Consort Wei believed she had thoroughly understood the mindset of someone committing suicide.
She was just waiting for Bian Siyue to administer the poison.
With her mind preoccupied, Consort Wei was too agitated to sleep that night and overslept the next day.
This had never happened before.
She hastily washed up and went to the Old Consort's courtyard, only to find that Wang Qingyao had arrived before her.
Unlike Consort Wei, who came to pay her respects daily, Wang Qingyao would sometimes come every two days, sometimes every three days. Now that the weather had turned cold, she was even more casual.
Consort Wei sometimes envied her. Whether she was a noble lady from a prominent family or a young lady from a humble background, no woman lived as freely as Wang Qingyao.
Crucially, the Old Consort was quite fond of her.
Even though Consort Wei served the Old Consort daily, the Old Consort's affection for her did not surpass that for Wang Qingyao.
Some people were simply blessed with good luck.
Inevitably, Consort Wei thought of her two legitimate sisters from the Wei family, Wei Qing and Wei Yu.
"What's wrong with Consort Wei today? You look unwell. Did you not sleep well last night?" Wang Qingyao scrutinized Consort Wei from head to toe, her eyebrows slightly raised as she asked with concern.
The Old Consort looked over and indeed saw Consort Wei looking haggard, with dark circles under her eyes.
Consort Wei explained, "I ate too much last night and had indigestion, so I didn't sleep well."
Wang Qingyao covered her mouth and chuckled, "Sister Consort, you're already this old, yet you're still greedy like a child!"
The Old Consort smiled, and Consort Wei also smiled as if embarrassed. The servants nearby also smiled.
For a moment, the room was filled with warmth, as if everyone was getting along harmoniously.
After the laughter subsided, the Old Consort inquired about Pingping and An'an.
Wang Qingyao recounted amusing anecdotes, and everyone laughed again.
Consort Wei cautiously observed Wang Qingyao's expression and casually brought up Xiao Mo.
She wasn't bringing him up randomly. Since Wang Qingyao was about to commit suicide, she would naturally want to finish all her pressing concerns before dying.
This would fit her persona.
Xiao Mo had been enfeoffed as Marquis Fuping by the Emperor and granted a residence. He had already thanked the Emperor in the palace and would move in once the Marquis Fuping residence was ready.
The Old Consort had wanted to host a banquet to celebrate, but Xiao Mo was unwilling.
Whether there was a celebration or not, he was still Marquis Fuping.
The Old Consort had to drop the idea.
When Consort Wei mentioned Xiao Mo, Wang Qingyao appeared to realize something. "Oh, I forgot to tell Grandmother. I've already made arrangements for the Marquis's residence. We can move in on an auspicious day."
Xiao Mo was unmarried.
As his elder sister-in-law, Wang Qingyao naturally had to take more care.
Fortunately, the Marquis Fuping residence granted by the Emperor was not an old, dilapidated house. It was already mostly renovated. A bit of cleaning and buying some furniture would be enough to move in.
What Wang Qingyao was concerned about was purchasing maids and servants.
This was not difficult.
Prince Ding'an's mansion had acquaintances among reliable matchmakers.
However, it was Wang Qingyao's first time doing such a thing, and she felt a bit like she was trafficking people.
The Old Consort had someone fetch the almanac. After flipping through it, she set the date for November 16th.
"This is a good day." After a pause, the Old Consort's brow furrowed with worry. "Amo's residence doesn't even have a mistress. Alas..."
The Old Consort thought of Feng Jiangduo. If it weren't for the opposition from Consort Fang, which had made Prince Ding'an seem like an enemy to them now, the wedding date for these two children would have been set.
Perhaps next year or the year after, she would be able to hold another grandchild.
The Old Consort was full of regret.
Consort Wei offered a suggestion: "Why not let Princess Nange move into the residence and visit Consort Fang daily to show filial piety? Perhaps that would move Consort Fang."
Wang Qingyao and the Old Consort exchanged a look and chuckled.
Letting Feng Jiangduo show filial piety to Consort Fang? Wang Qingyao was afraid they would end up fighting.
"Let's forget it," she said. "If she doesn't like her, she doesn't like her. Why should she change herself for someone else? Duoduo hasn't done anything wrong."
Consort Wei was shocked.
Was Consort Fang not someone important?
She was Feng Jiangduo's future mother-in-law!
Could she just ignore that?
For a moment, Consort Wei couldn't tell if she envied Wang Qingyao or thought Wang Qingyao was foolish.
Wang Qingyao comforted the Old Consort, "Let the young people sort it out themselves. They both have their own minds."
The Old Consort nodded.
In fact, Wang Qingyao secretly thought: Perhaps a little life would be created directly, hahahaha!
However, in such a strict environment as ancient times, such words could not be spoken.
She could only think about it.
After chatting for a while longer, Wang Qingyao suddenly looked at Consort Wei with a half-smile. "Speaking of which, Consort Wei, you've been in the mansion for so long, and I've never visited your Linglong Pavilion. I wonder if it's convenient today?"
According to her usual behavior, the tactful Consort Wei would have unhesitatingly said, "Of course, it's convenient."
But today, for some reason, perhaps because Wang Qingyao was smiling too brightly at her, she hesitated for a moment.
Wang Qingyao turned to the Old Consort. "Grandmother, doesn't Consort Wei like me? She doesn't even want me to visit her courtyard?"
The Old Consort: "..."