The old Imperial Consort was truly open-minded. How many elders were as understanding as she was? Xiao Yun's eyes lit up, and he glanced at Wang Qingyao with a giggle. Although Wang Qingyao really wanted to go, she still put on a virtuous appearance and said hesitantly, "A'Yun still has official duties, it's not good to always ask for leave." She acted like a good wife. Xiao Yun knew her too well and stifled a laugh, "What leave? I have three days off, including the Mid-Autumn Festival." Oh, a national holiday. Wang Qingyao's eyes also brightened; now she could legitimately go out shopping.
Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, families and households exchanged gifts. The Ding'an Prince's mansion received many gifts, from relatives and from those below showing filial piety. Of course, the Ding'an Prince's mansion also sent gifts to people they frequently interacted with and to in-laws, treating the Wang family and the Zhongyong Duke's mansion equally. The old Imperial Consort specifically showed the gift list to Wang Qingyao. The long list made her heart ache. The Wang family didn't deserve it.
Xiao Mo also prepared a gift for Wang Qingyao. Unlike the usual simple and crude gold and silver jewelry, this time he sent a box of novelties, all imported goods shipped from overseas. Wang Qingyao flipped through them: a telescope, a kaleidoscope, a pocket watch, a music box... all sorts of exquisite items that ancient people had rarely seen. But Wang Qingyao was not an ancient person. These goods were exquisite, but too common for her. In her previous life, she had seen countless such things. She still preferred it when Xiao Mo sent her a box of gold and silver jewelry.
However, Yin Zhu and the others were extremely fascinated. They gathered around and looked for a long time. Even Zhizi showed interest, fiddling with this and that, very pleased. Xiao Yun, seeing Wang Qingyao's lack of enthusiasm, was a bit puzzled, "You don't like them?" Wang Qingyao quietly told him the reason in private. He suddenly realized, "Your world has everything, doesn't it?" Wang Qingyao didn't notice that he said "Your world" instead of "The world you dreamed of." She just smiled and said, "Of course, there are even more novel things than these." "Then tell me about them." Wang Qingyao became cautious at this moment. The more she said, the more mistakes she would make; the less she said, the fewer mistakes she would make. She chuckled, "I'll tell you another day when I have time." As for which day, she didn't know.
Since Xiao Mo had sent a gift, Wang Qingyao had to reciprocate, regardless of whether she liked it or not. Xiao Mo was not short of money, so Wang Qingyao dictated a few modern desserts and instructed Yin Zhu to make them and send them over. Yin Zhu returned quite happy, gesturing and saying, "The second young master liked them very much. He tasted each one and said he had never eaten such delicious pastries. Here, he also rewarded me with a kaleidoscope." Xiao Mo had a whole box of foreign goods. He enjoyed eating them and told Yin Zhu to pick whatever she wanted. When Yin Zhu was looking at Wang Qingyao's gifts, she liked the kaleidoscope the most, so she chose it without hesitation. The other maids were very envious. Manao said, "Princess Consort, I can also make pastries. Next time you send something to the second young master, Your Highness, send me." They all laughed heartily.
In the blink of an eye, it was Xiao Yun's holiday, and the two went out early in the morning, taking only Zhenzhu and Yuanbao. The streets were very lively. All the restaurants started selling new wine, and the colorful banners of the shops were redecorated, and the poles holding the wine flags were repainted. Residents rushed to drink the new wine. Xiao Yun had already booked new wine at Xinghua Tower. By noon, the wine flags of all the restaurants were taken down, indicating that the wine was sold out.
Wang Qingyao was not fond of alcohol, and with the unpleasant memories of getting drunk twice before, she was now very cautious. No matter how well Xiao Yun praised it, she only drank a cup to taste. If there were really wines like "one cup down" or "half cup drunk" as described in novels, then she would be unlucky. Xiao Yun saw her cautious appearance and understood. He asked the waiter to bring fresh seasonal foods like crabs, pomegranates, oranges, and tangerines. This suited Wang Qingyao's taste. She loved eating crabs the most. Xinghua Tower had many varieties, not only steamed crabs but also noodles and rice mixed with crab roe and meat. Wang Qingyao had watched food vlogs before and had long craved this dish. However, authentic ones were very expensive, hundreds of yuan a bowl, and she had never been willing to eat them. Now that she was the Princess Consort of Ding'an, her husband was rich, and she was considered a small wealthy woman, she finally indulged and ate a full large bowl. Xiao Yun was happy to see her eating with joy. He didn't eat as much, only a small plate of crab roe noodles. He only ate one crab.
"Let's go to the night market tonight," Wang Qingyao said. "I... I haven't been to the night market since I lost my memory." Xiao Yun opened his mouth to speak, but she added, "Don't use the excuse of sleeping at Hai Shi. How many times have you not slept at Hai Shi? You're being a double standard." Xiao Yun's cheeks turned red as he laughed, "We won't go today. It will be more fun to go after appreciating the moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival!" "Really?" "Would I lie to you?" And so it was settled. Wang Qingyao no longer insisted on going to the night market today and went to the shopping street in the afternoon. She didn't lack anything herself, so she bought gifts for the maids in the courtyard and for Nian Mama, considering it as holiday benefits.
They returned full of shopping bags in the evening. As soon as they reached the second gate, they saw Zhizi with an anxious face and tear stains. "Princess Consort, you're back," Zhizi's voice was choked with sobs. "Yin Zhu has been taken by the Imperial Consort. Hurry and save her!"