Wang Qingyao actually found Fang Xiuqi both foolish and selfish. If he didn't want a child from a second wife, he should have stated it earlier. At the very least, seeing how hard Madam Huang tried to conceive, he should have explained himself.
If he had considered Madam Huang even a little, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
Moreover, he underestimated Fang Zheng. With Fang Zheng's methods and capabilities, could he be easily shaken by just any infant?
Fang Xiuqi had far too little confidence in his own son.
After leaving Zuo Yun, Wang Qingyao went to find the Grand Consort Fang.
With the passing of the Duchess of Zhongyong Gong's mansion and the heir's wife being pregnant, the Grand Consort Fang, as an already married elder aunt, was expected to help entertain guests and manage affairs.
As the Grand Consort Fang's daughter-in-law, Wang Qingyao was required to attend to her.
Regardless of how they interacted within the Ding'an Prince's mansion, they had to present an image of filial affection outside.
"Mother," Wang Qingyao called out softly, approaching her.
The Grand Consort Fang nodded at her, her eyes red and her expression sorrowful.
When Madam Huang married into the Fang family, the Grand Consort Fang was already married and didn't have much affection for Madam Huang. However, Madam Huang was adept at social graces and often visited the Ding'an Prince's mansion to chat with the Grand Consort Fang in previous years. Only after the Grand Consort Fang became devoted to Buddhism did she stop visiting frequently.
The Grand Consort Fang felt a pang of regret as she recalled past events.
Wang Qingyao heard her murmur, "Eldest sister-in-law was always in good health. What kind of illness was so severe that she passed away so suddenly?"
The Grand Consort Fang was quite naive.
The Ding'an Prince's mansion had always been managed by the Old Grand Consort. The Grand Consort Fang, having not been involved in managing affairs or socializing for years, found it quite taxing to deal with the stream of mourners.
Fortunately, she had the capable Yun Zhu by her side, who acted on behalf of the Grand Consort Fang and carried herself with the air of a hostess.
However, as soon as Wang Qingyao arrived, the responsibility was transferred to her.
Yun Zhu said, "Your Highness Consort, you've finally arrived. There are too many matters, and my status is limited, making it difficult to handle many things!"
Her implication was that she had been so busy, and Wang Qingyao had been hiding somewhere slacking off, instead of being by her side to serve.
Wang Qingyao dabbed at the corner of her eyes. "My cousin-in-law was overcome with grief. I just went to see her. Her emotions were unstable, and I feared she might miscarry, so I stayed to comfort her for a while longer."
The Grand Consort Fang sighed, "Is she alright?"
Wang Qingyao linked her arm and walked with her, saying, "I offered some words of comfort, and she has calmed down. Alas, my aunt's passing was too sudden."
The Grand Consort Fang was not accustomed to such intimacy with Wang Qingyao, but outside, she had to give her some face.
The two walked arm in arm, talking, while Yun Zhu followed behind with her head bowed, a faint cold glint flashing in her eyes.
According to custom, the body had to be kept for three days before burial.
The Grand Consort Fang decided to stay at the Zhongyong Gong's mansion for these few days.
When Wang Qingyao returned that evening, she informed the Old Grand Consort and Xiao Yun about Madam Huang's affairs.
It was the first time the Old Grand Consort had directly witnessed Madam Huang's wickedness and exclaimed, "What kind of wife did Old Fang choose for his son? She nearly caused his line to end!"
Xiao Yun scoffed, "Tsk tsk, Madam Huang was too extreme. If she didn't want children, she didn't want children. Aren't stepchildren just like biological ones? Won't they still support her in the future?"
Affected by the curse, Xiao Yun had little expectation for offspring.
Before he knew that his father and grandfather had died from poisoning, he believed that each generation only lived to twenty-five. Why not have descendants? Couldn't they adopt a child of a different lineage and treat them as their own? Wouldn't that break the curse?
He and Xiao Mo had been close since childhood, and he felt that the Xiao family line should be continued through Xiao Mo.
The Old Grand Consort and Wang Qingyao looked at him in unison, "There is a difference, and they weren't raised from childhood."
This wasn't entirely true. Fang Yuan had been raised by Madam Huang from childhood and was essentially no different from a biological child. However, Madam Huang harbored resentment and had deliberately eroded this mother-daughter bond.
Now, facing Madam Huang's death, Fang Yuan felt no sadness or grief. She was likely even relieved that she wouldn't have to live in constant anxiety anymore.
There were many speculations outside about Madam Huang's death, as there had been no prior indication. However, no matter how outsiders speculated, the few who knew the truth kept their mouths shut, refusing to reveal even a hint of information.
Therefore, in everyone's minds, Madam Huang remained the virtuous, benevolent, and capable woman.
This was the greatest comfort to her – her ugly side was never exposed, even in death.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun returned to Kangping Courtyard hand in hand. Yin Zhu dutifully reported the day's activities of the four concubines.
"They embroidered all day and were very quiet," Yin Zhu said with some disappointment. She had read many stories in novels about concubines causing trouble and vying for favor.
Wang Qingyao chuckled. It was late, and the lights in the West Garden were already extinguished. She presumed those four were asleep.
When the concubines were not troublesome, it made the main wife's life more comfortable.
Wang Qingyao's clairvoyant eyes were not of much use anymore. She only occasionally looked at beautiful women. She no longer looked at handsome men; after all, she was a married woman, and seeing other men's naked bodies was not entirely appropriate. However, if an exceptionally outstanding man appeared, it wouldn't hurt to take a peek.
But for now, no such man had appeared.
"By the way," Xiao Yun said, "there's news about your eldest aunt."