Wang Daziran was also very pleased, his face beaming like Wang Qingyao's own father, looking gratified and delighted, almost to the point of tears welling up in his eyes.
Old Madam Wang was not as happy. Her expression stiffened, and she forced a smile, "Does Your Highness fear I'll eat Yao Yao? It's just some private matters..."
Xiao Yun said, "Since Yao Yao and I are husband and wife, there's nothing that can't be heard in private. Please don't laugh at this old woman, but I miss Yao Yao terribly whenever we're apart."
Wang Qingzhen pursed her lips and smiled, "Your Highness is truly devoted to Second Sister."
Old Madam Wang's face darkened. Relying on her status as an elder, she was about to utter some words of refusal when she heard Wang Da say, "Your Highness is right, what is there that Your Highness cannot hear?"
He then looked at Old Madam Wang, gave her a look, and said, "Mother, although Your Highness is a prince, he is also your grandson-in-law. Don't be so distant."
Since Wang Da had said so, Old Madam Wang couldn't insist further and followed Wang Da's lead, "Your Highness, please don't blame this old woman for being presumptuous later."
Xiao Yun smiled without acknowledging her words, thinking to himself: if the old woman dared to say anything unpleasant, he wouldn't indulge her.
With Xiao Yun present, Old Madam Wang's scheme couldn't be fully executed. However, since the words had been spoken, she had to see it through.
She then dismissed everyone else and kindly lectured Wang Qingyao on a few things, which were nothing more than respecting elders, honoring her husband, and bearing children for the Xiao family soon.
Wang Qingyao listened respectfully, nodding in agreement from time to time, appearing to take it all in.
Old Madam Wang thought of her previous defiance and arrogance, and her anger flared up. She desperately wanted to tear off Wang Qingyao's pretense in front of Xiao Yun, to let Xiao Yun see her true colors.
Old Madam Wang changed the subject and spoke of the four concubines in the Western Garden of the Xiao family: "As the principal wife, you must remember not to be jealous. You must be generous, kind, and possess the demeanor of a matriarch. A few days ago, your grandmother heard some unpleasant rumors about you..."
Old Madam Wang paused here, expecting Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun to inquire about the rumors.
To her surprise, Wang Qingyao merely looked at her with innocent eyes, and Xiao Yun remained silent.
She waited for a while, but neither of them responded. Although the effect was diminished, Old Madam Wang pressed on, "The rumors say that the Princess of Ding'an is jealous and harsh, that she doesn't allow concubines to serve the Prince of Ding'an, and even when she's unwell, she keeps the prince to herself..."
The rumor Old Madam Wang fabricated was quite convincing, with detailed descriptions that greatly enhanced its credibility.
It was also possible that it wasn't fabricated, as the four women in the Western Garden had indeed never been intimate with him.
However, others didn't believe it was the man's unwillingness, but rather that the principal wife was too strict and jealous, lacking generosity.
Old Madam Wang thought so too. She also stubbornly believed that Xiao Yun must resent Wang Qingyao for not being able to enjoy the feast within reach, and that the affection displayed in public was all an act.
Upon hearing this, Wang Qingyao's expression remained unchanged. She said earnestly, "Grandmother, you've misunderstood. These are not rumors; they are true. I did exactly that."
Old Madam Wang, hearing the first half of the sentence, thought Wang Qingyao was going to explain something and was feeling smug. When she heard the rest of her words, her face showed astonishment!
How could Wang Qingyao dare? How could she dare say such things in front of Xiao Yun?
Looking at Xiao Yun again, he was gazing at Wang Qingyao with doting affection, showing no signs of displeasure.
Old Madam Wang was stunned. It was only at this moment that she had to admit that this unworldly prince, Xiao Yun, was so infatuated with the ill-fated star of her family that he could see no one else.
This made her plan rather difficult...
Old Madam Wang's expression turned stern, "Yao Yao, that is where you are wrong. As the principal wife, you should be generous and advise the Prince to distribute his favor..."
Xiao Yun impatiently interrupted her, "Old Madam, you worry too much. I am not a stud horse, why should I distribute my favor?"
Old Madam Wang's face became incredibly colorful in an instant, displaying every hue from red to purple, along with a touch of bewilderment.
Wang Qingyao couldn't hold back and let out a "poof" of laughter.
In such a setting, her laughter was already inappropriate, and to actually laugh out loud was truly slapping Old Madam Wang's face. Old Madam Wang's expression was beyond description.
As they left, Wang Da and Wang Jing saw them off. Midway, they encountered Bai Shi, who was out for a stroll.
Bai Shi, now "pregnant," put on quite a show. Even for a simple walk in her own garden, she was accompanied by six or seven servants, all unfamiliar faces, recently chosen to attend to her.
Upon seeing Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun, Bai Shi merely bent her legs slightly, as if to pay her respects to the Prince and Princess of Ding'an.
Wang Qingyao glanced at her belly with her clairvoyant eyes and confirmed it was fake.
She looked at Bai Shi with a half-smile and said, "Eldest Aunt, long time no see."
Bai Shi smiled as if nothing were amiss, her hand resting on her fake belly, supporting her waist, looking as if she were seven or eight months pregnant. "It has indeed been a while. How have you been lately, Princess?"
She wore a smile on her face, but there was no hint of mirth in her eyes. Upon closer inspection, one could even see hidden resentment.