The Emperor saw that Wang Qingyao had chosen these four, each with their own distinct qualities, even considering their potential for offspring and showing no reservation. His gaze finally held a hint of approval: she was indeed a sensible child.
Of the remaining eight, the Emperor personally selected four, bestowing upon them the title of "Beauty" and bringing them into his harem.
The other four were divided between the Fourth and Fifth Princes, two each. They would be sent to Prince Ding'an's manor on the day of departure.
Everyone knew the Second Prince's disposition; he was a man seeking true love, so no one dared to force any women upon him.
Wang Qingyao and the other two emerged from the palace, and upon their return, they were seven. The palace had dispatched additional carriages to transport people, luggage, and gifts, all heading towards Ding'an Prince's Manor in a grand procession.
The Old Imperial Concubine and Wang Qingyao shared a carriage. The Old Imperial Concubine was comforting her, saying, "Although these were bestowed by the Emperor, no ranks were specified. They will live in the back courtyards, and Ah Yun can merely visit them once or twice to fulfill his obligations. You are the principal wife; if you do not wish to see them, then do not."
"As for offspring, until you bear a legitimate son, they will continue to take contraceptive decoctions."
Wang Qingyao disagreed, "Medicine has its poisons; if their foundations are damaged, it will be detrimental. Our Ding'an Prince's Manor already has a scarcity of heirs. Let's not concern ourselves with legitimate or illegitimate; any child born will be a child of our Xiao family."
The Old Imperial Concubine looked at her in shock. Wang Qingyao's expression was serious, showing no sign of sarcasm.
"As for their ranks, since they are entering the Xiao family's household, we cannot have them living without proper titles. What were the ranks of the Prince's concubines again?"
Wang Qingyao recalled Xiao Yun mentioning it to her once. There were secondary consorts and concubines, and what was below that?
She frowned slightly, thinking very seriously.
The Old Imperial Concubine, unable to discern her true intentions, tentatively suggested, "Perhaps they can all be first granted the title of 'Ruren,' and then once they bear heirs..."
"Alright," Wang Qingyao lightly patted her own thigh. "I think those two with the wide hips have great potential. They might soon bear heirs for the Prince."
The Old Imperial Concubine chuckled.
Was the Princess Consort perhaps too virtuous?
Something unusual must be afoot!
The Old Imperial Concubine silently worried for Xiao Yun.
Although Wang Qingyao and the others had not yet arrived at the Prince's manor, the news of the Emperor bestowing four beauties had already been relayed by the Old Imperial Concubine, who had arranged for places to be prepared for the four beauties to reside in.
The Old Imperial Concubine had assigned them quarters in a pavilion miles away from Kangping Courtyard, thinking it best to keep them out of sight.
However, seeing Wang Qingyao's attitude, she began to waver.
Within the Prince's manor, there were those who rejoiced and those who worried.
The entire Kangping Courtyard was quite indignant, feeling that the Emperor was being unreasonable. The Prince and Princess Consort were newlyweds, and he immediately bestowed four beauties, clearly intending to make things difficult for the Princess Consort.
Consort Fang's mood was more complex. She was pleased that the Emperor had bestowed women, meaning Wang Qingyao would have to accept them, however reluctantly.
Yet, at the same time, she remembered Xiao Yun's words from last time: the Imperial Preceptor of Fengfu Country had said he could only have Wang Qingyao as his woman for his entire life, otherwise the curse would not be lifted!
Consort Fang was conflicted and anxious, pacing nervously in her chambers.
Yun Zhu comforted her, "Your Ladyship, perhaps what the Prince said last time was merely to appease you, and there is no such matter?"
Consort Fang paused.
Yun Zhu continued, "If it were truly as the Prince said, then tonight, when the Emperor bestowed these women, he could have simply refused. You know how much the Emperor dotes on the Prince, how could he disregard his life?"
Consort Fang considered it and found her words to be very reasonable.
"Why would Ah Yun lie to me? He could have just told me directly if he was unwilling."
Yun Zhu said, "The Prince is naturally willing. Which man wishes to be confined to just one woman? But the Princess Consort is unwilling! It seems the Prince truly cherishes the Princess Consort, unwilling to cause her even the slightest bit of sadness."
As Yun Zhu spoke, her tone carried a hint of envy.
These words pierced Consort Fang's heart like knives. She recalled Xiao Yun as a child, his soft, sweet face pressed against hers, affectionately calling out, "Mother, Mother..."
But in a blink of an eye, his eyes and heart were filled with another woman. To appease her, he had even lied to her.
Consort Fang felt a deep sorrow.
Yun Zhu quickly said with a look of guilt, "Your Ladyship, please do not be sad. It was my fault for speaking out of turn. The Princess Consort's feelings are understandable. After all, she and the Prince are newlyweds. Besides, which woman is willing to share her husband with others? The Princess Consort's actions only show that she cares for the Prince!"
Yun Zhu had now mastered the art of speaking. Although Consort Fang disliked the Princess Consort, the Princess Consort was ultimately her superior. If she constantly spoke ill of the Princess Consort, it would make her appear ill-mannered and narrow-minded.
By first saying something negative and then following up with something positive, it sounded like an objective evaluation.
No one could fault her.
Indeed, Consort Fang, after hearing her words, said indifferently, "You are kind, even speaking up for her. Unwillingness is unwillingness; it can be kept in one's heart. If it is displayed, it is jealousy."
In ancient times, jealousy was one of the seven grounds for divorce.
Yun Zhu lowered her head submissively, "Everything that happened before was my fault. The Princess Consort is right to admonish me."
Consort Fang snorted coldly.