Xiao Yun clearly hadn't discovered Wang Qingyao's true nature.
He had always believed that Wang Qingyao loved him deeply.
"Drunk words speak the truth" was the most reliable saying.
He had never spent a night with any of the four concubines, and even when Wang Qingyao was indisposed, he slept in the same bed with her. He was content just holding her and chatting, doing nothing else.
The maids, Yin Zhu and the others, were pleased, saying that the Prince's heart belonged only to the Princess Consort.
Nian Momo, however, was somewhat worried. What man only had one woman in his chambers? Even if he didn't promote concubines, he should at least have maids for intimate services. When the Princess Consort was pregnant and recovering, unable to attend to the Prince, having someone he could rely on would prevent him from straying.
Nian Momo, wholeheartedly looking out for Wang Qingyao, said to her while Xiao Yun was at work, "Your Highness, please don't take offense at my bluntness. We are happy to see the Prince dote on you. However, given his status, if he only stays with you day and night, it will not only lead to gossip from outsiders but also incur the displeasure of Grand Consort Fang and the Old Consort, who will deem you jealous and unkind. It has been so long, and the four ladies in the West Garden have yet to attend to the Prince."
Wang Qingyao was also troubled. "Momo, it's not that I don't want to. I don't want to be on duty 356 days a year without rest, but as you can see, the Prince simply won't go. If I persuade him too much, he gets unhappy, thinking I don't care about him."
Nian Momo was stunned. She had never encountered such an unusual man! She had seen men with no maids for intimate services, but that was usually because the principal wife was extremely dominant and jealous, forcing her husband to comply.
It was truly rare for a prince to be unwilling to sleep with other women!
Nian Momo was unsure whether to be happy or sad.
Wang Qingyao, however, was in a difficult position.
Grand Consort Fang somehow got wind of the news that since the four concubines moved into Kangping Courtyard, Xiao Yun had not favored any of them.
This was a serious matter, as jealousy was a grave offense.
Grand Consort Fang immediately sent for Wang Qingyao to come to Jingwu Courtyard and began with, "Princess Consort, you are too ignorant!"
Wang Qingyao, unaware of what had happened, was reprimanded and naturally felt displeased.
Hadn't their mother-son relationship improved after she had taken care of Grand Consort Fang when she was ill?
Wang Qingyao instinctively assumed that Yun Zhu was instigating trouble again. Her eyebrows shot up, and she glanced at Yun Zhu.
Yun Zhu looked frightened and instinctively took a step back.
Grand Consort Fang said irritably, "Why are you looking at her? It has nothing to do with her."
Wang Qingyao said carelessly, "It has nothing to do with Yun Zhu. I thought she was speaking ill of me to Mother again!"
Yun Zhu: "..."
"Don't change the subject," Grand Consort Fang said. "I heard that the four concubines in your courtyard have not yet been assigned to attend to the Prince. If this gets out, what will happen to your reputation?"
Oh, so that was the reason.
Wang Qingyao shifted into a more comfortable position. "Mother, who told you?"
"That's not the point..."
"How is it not the point?" Wang Qingyao looked at Grand Consort Fang earnestly. "Only the four concubines and my personal maids and nannies know about such private matters. If it has spread outside, have you planted spies in our courtyard?"
She didn't deny that Huang Shiyu and the others hadn't been assigned to attend to the Prince.
Grand Consort Fang wished she could plant spies, but her resources were limited, and Xiao Yun was not someone to be trifled with, so she couldn't. Seeing Wang Qingyao's evasiveness, she said, "Do I need to plant spies? Kangping Courtyard has so many servants, and people talk. If you don't act properly, won't they gossip behind your back? Besides, if they haven't been assigned to attend to the Prince yet, don't those four have any grievances? Won't they complain?"
Although Wang Qingyao wasn't experienced, she could tell that Huang Shiyu and the other three were different from ordinary concubines. They didn't seem to covet Xiao Yun much, preferring to avoid him. None of them took Xiao Yun to heart.
Grand Consort Fang assumed that Huang Shiyu and the other three, like everyone else, were speaking carelessly!
Wang Qingyao decided not to argue with her about who said what and sighed. "Mother, you've misunderstood me. I would arrange it if I could, but the Prince refuses?"
"Why would the Prince refuse?" Grand Consort Fang clearly didn't believe her. What cat doesn't steal fish? Even Xiao Yun's father, the previous Prince of Ding'an, had taken two maids for intimate services while she was pregnant!
Wang Qingyao looked around, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously, "The Prince seems... not very capable... with other women."
"Ah?!" Grand Consort Fang covered her mouth, looking as if she had been struck by lightning, and was speechless for a long time.
Wang Qingyao continued earnestly, "If Mother doesn't believe me, she can ask the Prince. I'm also hoping the Prince will favor all four concubines so they can share the burden with me." As she said this, she rubbed her lower back, as if she had been serving Xiao Yun for too long and her back ached.
Grand Consort Fang: "..."
Was this bragging?
"It's best to be tactful when Mother asks the Prince," Wang Qingyao added. "Don't hurt the Prince's pride as a man."
Grand Consort Fang: "..."
Wang Qingyao didn't care which woman Xiao Yun slept with, but being proactive versus being passive was different, especially since she had been scolded! It wasn't her style to be scolded and not retaliate!