Since her use of clairvoyant eyes at the Prince of Wu's manor, Wang Qingyao had been feeling weak and listless. The physician diagnosed her with a deficiency of qi and blood, prescribing rest and recuperation.
While others were unaware of her condition, Xiao Yun suspected a part of it.
"Was it caused by sensing Mu Jin County Princess that time? You were quite far away then..."
Wang Qingyao thought so too. Previously, she had only used her clairvoyant eyes at close range. That time, however, she had been far away, and she had experienced dizziness and blurred vision. It seemed that while her clairvoyant eyes were fine at close distances, using them from afar had side effects.
She nodded. Xiao Yun then said, "We won't sense things from a distance anymore."
She obediently nodded. She was never a particularly altruistic person; her own health was paramount. What if she didn't listen and ended up exhausting herself to death? Just like Ruoxi, who worried too much and fretted over everything.
She wasn't that kind of person; she was rather selfish.
Xiao Yun added, "We'll postpone visiting your grandfather's colleague on the fifth of October. Your health is more important."
Just moments ago, feeling rather selfish, Wang Qingyao immediately sat up straight. "No, the invitation has already been accepted."
"It's not like you're intentionally refusing."
"How can such a significant matter as grandfather's dream be canceled because of a minor illness?" Wang Qingyao argued.
Xiao Yun helped her lie down. "Then I'll go alone."
"What's the point of you going? One day's delay means one more day of danger for you. Can you bear to make me a widow?"
Xiao Yun and she stared at each other. After a moment, he conceded, "We'll see what the doctor says on the fifth. If the doctor says you can't travel, you must obey."
"Alright." Wang Qingyao agreed readily this time.
Tonic poured into Kangping Courtyard like a flowing stream. The doctor visited daily to check on her, but Wang Qingyao dared not take any supplements without consulting him first.
Fang Yuan visited her once. She was still in mourning and couldn't attend any tea parties or flower banquets, so visiting her was a way to catch up.
Zuo Yun was due to give birth next month. The Fang family had prepared everything, all eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new life.
"The little quilt is red, and the little clothes are all red, pink, and yellow. They look so cute."
"Grandfather has prepared a full set of jewelry!"
"Eldest brother is already thinking of names. I heard him arguing with grandfather because he wanted to name the child Fang Ren, hoping she would be a resilient woman in the future, but grandfather said it sounded too harsh... For a girl, names like Fang Rou, Fang Mei, or Fang Ya would be better..."
"They say nieces resemble their aunts. Do you think my sister-in-law's daughter will be as beautiful and lovely as me when she's born?"
Fang Yuan, unable to go out and play, had been cooped up for a long time. Once she started talking, she couldn't stop, chattering for over half an hour without tiring.
Wang Qingyao: "Hehehe, have some water."
Zhizi served honeyed pear water, which Fang Yuan sipped slowly.
The four concubines, Huang Shiyu and the others, came to pay their respects to Wang Qingyao. Technically, concubines were supposed to attend to the principal wife when she was ill. However, Wang Qingyao's illness was not severe, and she had plenty of maids, so their attendance was not necessary.
Yet, they insisted on coming to pay their respects every morning and evening. Seeing a guest in the room, they sensibly didn't linger. After paying their respects and seeing that Wang Qingyao had no further instructions, they left.
Fang Yuan, having grown up under a feudal system, did not particularly like men taking concubines, but if it happened, she wouldn't think much of it. She merely glanced at them and offered no opinion.
Wang Qingyao, taking advantage of her current weakened state, urged Xiao Yun to visit the rooms of the other three concubines.
Xiao Yun refused, stating righteously, "The principal wife is ill. If I were to entertain other women, wouldn't I appear too heartless and unrighteous?"
"I'm not on the verge of death..."
Xiao Yun covered her mouth. "Don't speak nonsense."
Wang Qingyao removed his hand and gazed into his eyes. "I'm serious. This is the perfect time. As the principal wife, I cannot attend to you. It's normal for you to spend the night with a concubine; no one will gossip."
Perhaps seeing the sincerity in Wang Qingyao's eyes, Xiao Yun fell silent.
After a moment, he slowly said, "Sometimes I feel like you don't care about me much..."
Here we go again!
Was it time for a soul-baring conversation?
Wang Qingyao felt weak and uncomfortable. Her coaxing was not as sincere as usual. "You just overthink things. Other couples are the women who overthink; why is it reversed in our family?"
"Isn't it because you haven't given me enough security?"
Wang Qingyao: "..."
"You're so annoying," she said. "I want to sleep. Stop bothering me and sleep wherever you want."
Saying this, she turned her back to him, refusing to look at Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun said nothing, and then the sound of the door being shut forcefully echoed.
Wang Qingyao thought, the boss is angry.
She only dared to be this bold while ill. Normally, she would have tried to appease the boss with kind words.
Perhaps it was because Xiao Yun usually treated her too well that she had become increasingly presumptuous, to the point of not even respecting him.
Did she still want her rice bowl?
Wang Qingyao reflected on her behavior and felt she had gone too far. She quickly got up, intending to chase after Xiao Yun.
To her surprise, she saw Xiao Yun standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at her with a smile.
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she angrily lay back down, turning away.
He was too wicked. All merchants are unscrupulous; no, bosses are all vampires...