It had been less than a month since Wang Qingyao married Xiao Yun, and at this time, returning to her maiden home, newlyweds, full of affection, a husband should naturally accompany her.
Yet, Wang Qingyao returned alone.
Old Madam Wang was immediately displeased. To show her sincerity, she had specially asked Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu to help her to the second gate to greet her, and she had stood there for a long time, her legs aching.
But the Prince of Ding'an had not accompanied her back to the Wang family, so her performance was in vain.
As expected, she was useless. She had not been married for even a month and had already incurred her husband's displeasure.
Indeed, Old Madam Wang had always felt that Wang Qingyao lacked everything, and her marriage into the Prince of Ding'an's manor was entirely due to the prophecy of Feng Fuguóshī. It was only natural that the Prince of Ding'an did not like her.
Seeing Old Madam Wang's unhappy expression, which she made no effort to hide, Wang Qingyao immediately felt uncomfortable.
This old woman was giving her absolutely no face.
She was now a Princess. Although Old Madam Wang was her grandmother, the imperial law superseded family law. Since Old Madam Wang was being impolite, Wang Qingyao saw no need to show her deference. She merely called out "Grandmother" without performing the customary bow.
Old Madam Wang became even more displeased.
In her eyes, even if Wang Qingyao became Empress, she would still be her granddaughter, a weakling held in her palm, unable to move.
With both Wang Qingyao and Old Madam Wang wearing stern expressions, Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu dared not show any extraneous emotions. They both held their breath, focused their gazes, and dared not utter a word.
"Why didn't His Highness accompany you back?" Once they returned to the courtyard and were seated, the old madam, suppressing her anger, put on a smiling face and asked kindly.
Wang Qingyao replied with official politeness, "His Highness is busy with state affairs."
"Even if he's busy, he could spare some time to accompany you, couldn't he? You are newlyweds; how could he bear to let you return alone?"
Listen to what she was saying; truly disrespectful for an elder.
The two unmarried girls, Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu, blushed instantly.
Wang Qingyao feigned shyness and said, "How can a man linger in the arms of a woman? His Highness's busyness with state affairs shows he is highly valued by the court. This is a good thing; aren't you happy for him, Grandmother?"
She looked at Old Madam Wang with an expression of "innocent purity" and confusion.
Old Madam Wang: "Heh heh, while that may be true, His Highness is different from others. The most important thing is for you to quickly bear heirs for the Xiao family."
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu blushed even deeper.
Wang Qingyao pouted playfully, "Grandmother, Third Sister and Fourth Sister are still here."
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu shyly lowered their heads.
Old Madam Wang glanced at them and said, "You two go out and play for a while. Your second sister and I have more to discuss."
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu obediently withdrew.
Only Wang Qingyao, Old Madam Wang, and a few maids accompanying Wang Qingyao remained in the room.
Since she was returning to her maiden home, she had brought not only Pearl but also Silver Vermilion and Gardenia. Three was an unlucky number, so she added Carnelian. A total of four maids stood elegantly behind Wang Qingyao, and Old Madam Wang's mind began to stir.
She asked, "Does His Highness have any concubines?"
Wang Qingyao rolled her eyes internally: She really meddled in everything.
"His Highness has no concubines."
At this moment, Old Madam Wang did not think Wang Qingyao was capable of winning over Xiao Yun. Instead, she thought her petty and ignorant.
"That's where you are wrong. How can a man's chambers be without concubines? You have a few days each month when you are indisposed. Rather than waiting for him to fancy some vixen later, it's better to have some of your own people."
Old Madam Wang said, appraising Silver Vermilion and Gardenia from head to toe.
The main reason Silver Vermilion and Gardenia were sent to serve in the Cold Fragrance Courtyard was that neither of them was particularly attractive, appearing ordinary and unremarkable. They could not compare to the maids in other courtyards.
Old Madam Wang shook her head in disappointment.
At this moment, she missed the four beautiful maids Bai Shi had chosen for Wang Qingyao.
One had to admit that Bai Shi had foresight.
Pearl and Carnelian were slightly better looking and slender, but neither could be considered beautiful. Moreover, both of them belonged to the Prince of Ding'an's manor. It was better to have Wang Qingyao's own maids.
When Old Madam Wang looked at Silver Vermilion and Gardenia, Wang Qingyao knew what she was thinking.
Silver Vermilion and Gardenia somewhat understood Wang Qingyao's character and did not feel afraid. They still stood straight, their gazes unwavering.
Wang Qingyao said politely, "I don't need Grandmother to worry about matters in my chambers."
What?!
Old Madam Wang seemed unable to believe her ears and stared at Wang Qingyao in shock, "What did you say?"
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly and leisurely took a sip of her tea, "Grandmother, has your hearing deteriorated so badly? I said I don't need Grandmother to worry about matters in my chambers!"
After speaking, she looked at Old Madam Wang with a smile.
Only then did Old Madam Wang realize that Wang Qingyao possessed an air of grace and nobility.
How long had it been since she became a Princess, yet her demeanor had changed so drastically from before?
Old Madam Wang choked on her breath, and it took her a while to recover. Enraged, she exclaimed, "How dare you speak to me like that?"
No matter how much Wang Qingyao had changed, in Old Madam Wang's eyes, she was still the same weak and incompetent Second Miss Wang.
Old Madam Wang did not care whether she was a Princess or not!