Susu had already placed her hand on the door, waiting for Wang Qingyao and Princess Mujin to approach before opening it to let them in.
Princess Mujin, as the future mistress of the house, felt it was proper to let Wang Qingyao enter first. She moved aside, gesturing for Wang Qingyao to go ahead.
However, Wang Qingyao stopped at the doorway.
She meticulously scanned the room with her clairvoyant eyes and discovered Wei Yu hiding behind a screen with two maids, all three covering their mouths and noses with towels.
In a conspicuous spot within the room, a small auspicious beast incense burner was placed, emitting wisps of white smoke.
As expected, their intentions were not good.
Susu, with a smiling face, looked at Wang Qingyao, "Princess Consort, what is it?"
Princess Mujin also looked at her with confusion.
Wang Qingyao frowned, then suddenly clutched her stomach in feigned pain, "My stomach hurts."
Zhenzhu quickly stepped forward to support her, and Wang Qingyao swiftly gave Zhenzhu a meaningful glance. Zhenzhu understood.
"If the Princess Consort is unwell, you should go in and rest. I will send someone to fetch a doctor."
Princess Mujin also moved to help support Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao held her hand, "No, I need to go to the privy. Where is it?"
Susu was taken aback; this was clearly beyond her expectations.
Before she could answer, Princess Mujin said, "I know where it is, I'll take you."
With that, she led the way, and Zhenzhu, supporting Wang Qingyao, immediately followed.
Susu shifted her feet, wanting to follow and stop them, but had no valid reason. She could only watch them leave with her eyes.
Once outside, Wang Qingyao pulled Princess Mujin to a secluded spot and squatted down.
Princess Mujin was greatly alarmed, "Princess Consort..."
She then saw that Wang Qingyao showed no signs of stomach pain at all.
"Hush!" Wang Qingyao gestured for her to be quiet.
Princess Mujin was completely bewildered, not knowing what was happening.
After crouching in the secluded spot for a while, they saw Wei Yu emerge from the entrance of the guest room courtyard.
Susu followed behind her, saying something respectfully.
Wei Yu looked around for a moment, then said a few more words before they went back inside.
Only then did Wang Qingyao pull Princess Mujin and quietly walk away.
"What is going on? Why was Miss Wei Er there?" Princess Mujin asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing good, in any case," Wang Qingyao cautioned her, "Later, you will go to your own carriage and change your clothes. Remember, do not leave the banquet. No matter who tells you to go out, do not leave!"
The trick of getting her clothes wet had been played once, and it wouldn't happen a second time.
However, there was no guarantee against other "accidents."
Princess Mujin didn't quite understand Wang Qingyao's meaning, "Why?"
It was tiring to talk to someone obtuse. An intelligent person, connecting the current situation with Wang Qingyao's words, could have guessed some of it.
Princess Mujin, however, hadn't grasped it at all and wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Wang Qingyao couldn't explain too clearly.
After all, the other party was a prince. If Princess Mujin, with her muddled mind, were to blurt something out, wouldn't Wang Qingyao be accused of slandering a prince?
Wang Qingyao could only say euphemistically, "It's for your own good. If you want to preserve your reputation, listen to me!"
Princess Mujin's face turned pale with fright, and she nodded repeatedly, "I'll listen to you, I will definitely listen to you."
The two parted ways to change. When Wang Qingyao returned to the banquet after changing, she did not see Princess Mujin. Instead, Wei Yu had returned.
After waiting for a while longer, Princess Mujin still hadn't returned. When asked, others said Princess Mujin had not returned at all.
Wang Qingyao's heart sank, "Oh no."
Madam Mu, unable to see her daughter, came to ask Wang Qingyao. Upon learning they had gone to their carriages to change, she also became worried.
Given the short distance, Princess Mujin should have returned long ago. Moreover, she had two maids with her. Even if something had delayed her, she should have sent one of them back to report.
Madam Mu, uneasy, was about to go out to look for her.
Her quiet departure would not have drawn much attention, but Wei Yu had been watching them. Seeing Madam Mu about to leave, she immediately walked over and said in a voice audible to everyone around, "What's wrong, Madam Mu? Oh, why hasn't Princess Mujin returned yet? Did something happen? Do you need us to help you look?"
Madam Mu truly wanted to tear Wei Yu's mouth apart. She forced herself to remain calm, "Miss Wei Er is too thoughtful. Just now, the Princess Consort of Prince Ding'an said they were going to the carriages to change clothes. The Mu family's carriages are parked far away, and Mujin is slow, so it's delayed."
"Is that so?" Wei Yu smiled innocently, looking unconvinced. "Then where is Madam Mu going?"
"I feel a bit stifled and want to take a walk."
"I also feel a bit stifled. Shall I accompany Madam out for a walk?"
Madam Mu: "No need, I'm not used to having company."
Wei Qing, seeing Wei Yu insist on getting close to Madam Mu, was also a little puzzled. She quietly tugged Wei Yu's arm, signaling her to stop.
Wei Yu glanced back at her with a smile, looking as if she wanted her to watch a good show.
Wei Qing, for some reason, suddenly felt a chill creep up her legs.
While Wei Yu was engaging Madam Mu in a verbal sparring match, Wang Qingyao quietly withdrew from the banquet hall with Zhenzhu.