The wet nurses waited by the door, specifically for Wang Qingyao to return from the washroom.
After waiting for a long time, Wang Qingyao finally returned.
However, she appeared as fragile as a willow in the wind. Upon entering, it was discovered her face was pale, and she needed a maid to help her walk.
The wet nurses' hearts sank: Could it be that the Princess Consort was truly unwell?
She greeted Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao waved her hand weakly, "Granny, you may dispense with the formalities. I am feeling unwell, and I fear I might pass on my illness to Grandmother. I will not go in for now."
The wet nurses could only sigh and watch her enter the adjacent room.
Wang Qingyao was helped in by Zhenzhu, still appearing weak and listless, as if half-dead.
"What's wrong?" the Old Imperial Concubine immediately stood up, anxious.
Consort Fang also said, "Weren't you fine just now?"
Xiao Mo remained silent, only looking at her with concern.
The Old Imperial Concubine walked to Wang Qingyao's side, reached out to touch her forehead, and murmured to herself, "She doesn't have a fever!"
Wang Qingyao turned her head and, where no one could see, winked at the Old Imperial Concubine.
The Old Imperial Concubine was taken aback.
Wang Qingyao spoke in a soft, sweet voice, "I don't know what's wrong. I had just gone out and hadn't seen Grandmother yet when I suddenly had a stomachache. Perhaps I caught a chill last night, or perhaps I indulged too much in the cold and ate an extra bowl of iced water..."
The Old Imperial Concubine understood and said gently, "Since you are not feeling well, let your maids escort you back to the Prince's manor!"
Wang Qingyao appeared hesitant, as if she were worried about the Old Imperial Concubine and Consort Fang.
The Old Imperial Concubine patted her hand, saying kindly, "It's alright, we have plenty of attendants. You, on the other hand, should rest well when you get back and have someone call for a doctor."
Only then did Wang Qingyao hum in agreement and nod.
In the adjacent room, Old Madam Wang heard that the wet nurses had let Wang Qingyao go and was furious.
"What 'feeling unwell' and 'pale face,' she's faking it all. This girl is a cunning sprite! Don't be fooled by her appearance!"
The wet nurse said, "Even if the Princess Consort is faking it, her words were reasonable. Could I have forcibly dragged her over?" She then earnestly advised, "Old Madam, it's not easy for the Wang family to have a Princess Consort. It's a blessing from heaven, a matter of bringing glory to the ancestors. Instead of trying to build a good relationship with the Princess Consort, you're thinking of harming her? If the Princess Consort gets angry, how will things be in the future..."
Old Madam Wang sneered, "She's the one who refuses to get along with me. The last time you were sick and not by my side, you didn't see her smug look of triumph. If I don't keep her in check, she'll be riding over me, her grandmother!"
The wet nurse sighed. The Princess Consort had no parents since childhood, and Old Madam, her grandmother, refused to raise her. She had never contributed anything, so why would the Princess Consort want to be close to her?
But Old Madam Wang wouldn't listen to these words. She only knew that her dignity had been challenged!
Wang Qingyao couldn't hear their conversation, but she could see Old Madam Wang's displeased expression, clearly very angry.
She returned to the Ding'an Prince's manor in good spirits.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Wang grew angrier the more she thought about it and ordered the wet nurse to go invite Wang Qingyao again.
"Invite her in front of the Old Imperial Concubine and Consort Fang, and say that even if she's sick, it doesn't matter, as Grandmother is very concerned!" In the last sentence, Old Madam Wang's tone was tinged with a hint of gritted teeth.
The wet nurse had no choice but to go again.
The result was that she was told the Princess Consort was unwell and had already returned to the Prince's manor.
Old Madam Wang was so angry that she smashed the teacup on the table.
By the time the Old Imperial Concubine and the others finished the prayer ceremony and returned with the little lion, Wang Qingyao was already lively and energetic.
The Old Imperial Concubine knew she was faking it, but to put on a show, she and Consort Fang still went to see her.
"I'm fine now. Nian Momo made me a bowl of midday tea, and I felt better shortly after drinking it."
Old Imperial Concubine: "It's good that you're alright."
Consort Fang also nodded with relief.
Yun Zhu had accompanied Consort Fang out today. This time, she was particularly well-behaved, not saying a word unless her mistress spoke.
She had observed the entire incident. Although she didn't have a clear understanding, she vaguely felt that the Princess Consort seemed to have a poor relationship with her own grandmother.
This was a significant discovery.
She didn't gossip to Consort Fang but quietly buried this discovery in her heart, waiting for the day she could deliver a fatal blow to Wang Qingyao.
In the evening, Wang Qingyao told Xiao Yun about the matter.
Xiao Yun frowned, "You can't always pretend to be sick. What will you do if she calls for you again next time?"
Wang Qingyao was nonchalant, "Even if I pretend to be sick every time, what can she do? Perhaps rumors will even spread that she's cursed me."
Xiao Yun laughed and pinched her cheek, "You're playing dirty!"
He had drunk some wine and still smelled of alcohol. He held Wang Qingyao in his arms, and they were both enveloped in the scent of wine.
Wang Qingyao said, "Didn't you not drink before?"
Xiao Yun: "I used to think there was a curse and feared dying young. Now that I know it was poison, I'm not so disciplined."
"You should still drink less. Too much alcohol is bad for your health."
Xiao Yun nodded and kissed her on the forehead.