The evening was spent with Bian Siyue keeping watch, and another dreamless night passed.
The next day, news arrived from Concubine Ying, concerning Madam Bai's fake pregnancy. Concubine Ying had not stopped Madam Bai from returning to the Wang family, not due to a lack of ability, but because she wanted to utterly crush Madam Bai, leaving her no possibility of recovery.
Concubine Ying also mentioned another matter. Originally, Wang Qinglin was supposed to return with Madam Bai this time. Unexpectedly, last night, Wang Qinglin got up to relieve herself, stepped on something, and fell, breaking both her legs.
A doctor was summoned to the estate overnight. In this rural area, there were no excellent physicians, so her legs were merely bandaged.
Madam Bai wanted to take Wang Qinglin back to Duanjing for treatment, but Wang Qinglin's legs had just been broken and could not withstand the bumpy journey. Any slight movement caused her excruciating pain.
After much deliberation, Madam Bai left Wang Qinglin alone on the estate and departed with the people who had come to fetch her.
Although Madam Bai had told Wang Qinglin before she left to take good care of her injuries and that she would send someone to fetch her back to the Wang family once she was well enough to endure the journey, her daughter had just broken her legs, and Madam Bai left for her own future, which was truly disheartening.
Concubine Ying wrote in her letter that after Madam Bai left, Wang Qinglin had not uttered a single word. She lay with her eyes open, staring at the canopy of the bed, her face devoid of expression, as if she were dead. Wang Qingyao would no longer have to worry about Wang Qinglin's revenge.
After reading the letter, Wang Qingyao sighed, her heart filled with an indescribable feeling.
Wang Qinglin was completely ruined and posed no further threat to her.
Xiao Yun was truly efficient, swift, and clean. She had slept through it, and it was all settled.
By the tenth day of the tenth month, when they were to depart for the hunt, Wang Qingyao no longer had nightmares and her complexion had returned to its former state. Conversely, Xiao Yun, who had slept in the outer study for several days, looked exceptionally haggard and resentful.
Wang Qingyao was the only female member of the Ding'an Prince's household attending. The Old Grand Consort was too old to endure the exertion, and the Grand Consort Fang habitually did not participate in such events.
The day before their departure, Fang Yuan, along with her maids and luggage, moved into the Ding'an Prince's mansion.
Wang Qingyao gathered the four concubines and the servants from Kangping Courtyard to give them instructions, essentially telling them to guard Kangping Courtyard well and not allow any unrelated individuals to enter.
She specifically kept Bian Siyue and the other three. As concubines, they were considered semi-masters. If anyone shamelessly forced their way in and caused trouble, they were to display the authority of a master. Especially Bian Siyue, who was a favored concubine, so a bit of arrogance and high-handedness was expected.
Bian Siyue giggled and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured."
The hunting grounds were at Xiānsōng Mountain, not far from Duanjing City. However, the Imperial Consort's procession moved slowly, taking almost a full day to arrive. By the time they reached the hunting grounds, it was already dusk. As it was a royal hunting ground, many palaces of various sizes had been built on the mountain.
The Emperor and Imperial Consort Wei resided in Xiānsōng Garden, the largest palace, with courtyards in both the front and back. Others did not have such favorable treatment. Several princes and lords were assigned to smaller palaces, with only a front courtyard, and the area behind led directly to the mountain path.
This was still considered good. Some nobles and officials were only allocated two or three rooms, similar to modern hotels, where several families shared a courtyard and could speak face-to-face by opening their doors.
Even more were accommodated in tents.
Wang Qingyao, however, was quite envious. Wasn't this just camping in the mountains? How interesting!
The scenery in the mountains was different from the city, with rocks and trees everywhere. As it was late autumn, the landscape was not lush and green but a tapestry of gray and green. Clear streams meandered throughout, and mountain springs tinkled.
It was a good place, but a bit cold. Even colder than in the city.
If they had come in spring or summer, it would have been a different scene.
Wang Qingyao, full of excitement, pulled Fang Yuan along for a tour of the surroundings.
Since Madam Huang's death, Fang Yuan had not been out to play. She was even more excited than Wang Qingyao. If not for her status, she would have let out a roar into the vast mountains.
It wasn't just them who came out to explore; other young ladies and maidens also emerged. Those who knew each other exchanged information and found out where everyone was staying.
Wei Qing and Wei Yu, accompanying Imperial Consort Wei, lived in Xiānsōng Garden, enjoying the best accommodations among all the young ladies.
Wang Da was a Minister of Revenue with a rank of正三品 (Zheng San Pin). Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu had also come. Upon seeing Wang Qingyao, they ran up affectionately to call her "sister." Their living quarters were quite far from Wang Qingyao's, separated by other princely, ducal, and marquis households, making it difficult for them to reach this vicinity.
Wang Qingyao spoke with them for a while and learned that Old Madam Wang had also accompanied them.
Wang Qingyao was surprised. Old Madam Wang, at her age, had come for the hunt. She truly wasn't afraid of exertion.
Wang Qingzhen whispered mysteriously to her, "Mother has returned. She visits Grandmother every day to pay her respects. Grandmother doesn't want to see her, so she came out with Father to relax."
Old Madam Wang was indeed vengeful, showing no regard for Madam Bai.
Wang Qingyao twitched the corner of her mouth, appearing interested.
Wang Qingzhen became somewhat smug and continued, "Sister, guess why Mother came back?"
"Why?" Wang Qingyao asked cooperatively.
"She's pregnant!"
Wang Qingzhen acted as if she had revealed a shocking secret. After speaking, she looked at Wang Qingyao, expecting to see her surprised reaction. To her surprise, Wang Qingyao merely responded with a faint "Oh," and said nothing more.