When they returned to the Ding'an Prince's manor, the four beauties alighted from the carriage at the second gate. Standing there, they instantly drew everyone's attention.
They were truly beautiful.
Wang Qingyao felt a sense of pride: she had chosen them all.
Xiao Yun sidled up to Wang Qingyao, coughed lightly, and was about to say something when Nanny Jing approached. "Old Grand Consort, the four... um..." She couldn't find a suitable term for a moment. "The four young ladies will temporarily reside in the Purple Bauhinia Pavilion. I've had it prepared; it has two floors, perfect for the four young ladies to rest."
The Old Grand Consort looked at Wang Qingyao with a questioning gaze.
Wang Qingyao recalled the location of the Purple Bauhinia Pavilion for a moment and said with dissatisfaction, "Ah, the Purple Bauhinia Pavilion, isn't it too remote? It won't be convenient for the Prince to visit."
Nanny Jing: "Cough, cough, cough..."
Xiao Yun looked at her in surprise.
The Old Grand Consort said, "They are only staying there tonight. You can see where is suitable tomorrow."
Wang Qingyao nodded, beckoned the four beauties closer, asked for their names. The lead dancer was named Huang Shiyu, the pure one was Bian Siyue, and the two well-built ones who looked good for childbearing were Qian Yu and Jiang Jing.
They all had proper names, no stage names, and sounded pleasant.
Wang Qingyao took two in each hand and said kindly, "You can make do in the Purple Bauhinia Pavilion tonight. I'll see where you can stay tomorrow."
The four women's faces showed the apprehension of arriving in a new environment. Upon hearing Wang Qingyao's words, they all whispered in unison, "Yes, Princess Consort."
Then, they had someone lead them to the Purple Bauhinia Pavilion.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun returned to Kangping Courtyard. The moonlight was thick and bright, casting a silvery glow over the land. Wang Qingyao looked up at the sky and suddenly remembered that Xiao Yun had promised to take her to the night market on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Wouldn't this be the perfect time to go?
Xiao Yun had been secretly observing Wang Qingyao's expression. Seeing her suddenly stop, he reached out to take her small hand. "What's wrong?"
Wang Qingyao said, "Let's go to the night market?"
Xiao Yun: "..."
He looked at her strangely. "You're still in the mood for the night market?"
Wang Qingyao froze for a moment, carefully trying to understand Xiao Yun's thoughts.
She could probably understand a little.
For men in ancient times, having three wives and four concubines was normal. Even upright men like her elder brother, Wang Qingjing, had a concubine before he was married.
For ancient men, sleeping with a concubine or a beauty was a very common thing.
Men held supreme status, and women were subservient to them, their primary use being to satisfy men's physical needs and produce offspring.
However, there were always some men who were a bit particular.
Like Xiao Yun.
Whether he slept with other women was one thing, but his wife happily sending him to other women's beds was another.
Women couldn't be too virtuous; they needed to show a little jealousy and temper tantrums appropriately to indicate their care for their men.
This was also a manifestation of loving one's husband.
Wang Qingyao had been too virtuous, showing no signs of anger, which was why Xiao Yun was angry.
What wife would happily share her husband with other women? Not crying, not making a fuss, not sulking, and still having the mood to go to the night market?
Xiao Yun glared at Wang Qingyao.
He clearly remembered her looking so excited when she was choosing the four beauties.
Wang Qingyao's eyes darted around. "Even if I'm not in the mood, we still have to go. We need to let others know that I am an understanding, tolerant, and generous principal wife. After all, these are beauties bestowed by the Emperor. If this behavior reaches the Emperor's ears, it will earn us a lot of points!"
"So, everything you've done since the Emperor bestowed the beauties is an act?" Xiao Yun asked, confused.
"Of course," Wang Qingyao nodded earnestly. "Do you think I would deliberately pick ugly ones? Besides, none of those twelve beauties were ugly. If I have to pick, I might as well pick ones who are good at childbearing. Didn't Mother want to give you a concubine last time for the sake of heirs? Now that her wish is granted, and I didn't throw a fit or threaten to hang myself in opposition, wouldn't she be overjoyed? She might even change her opinion of me!"
Hearing Wang Qingyao say this, Xiao Yun remembered the time when Consort Fang tried to give Wang Qingyao a concubine, and Wang Qingyao had retorted on the spot and then complained to him.
It was still about giving women, but Wang Qingyao was so generous and virtuous this time, wasn't it because they were bestowed by the Emperor?
Xiao Yun comforted himself.
"Don't worry," he said. "Even though they are gifts from the Emperor, if I don't want to touch them, no one can force me. I think the Purple Bauhinia Pavilion is quite good, far from us. We can just provide them with good food, drink, and clothing there and pretend they don't exist."
"That won't do," Wang Qingyao said. "Then people will suspect that I am jealous and hogging you, not giving other women a chance. Do I still want my reputation?"
"Then what do you suggest?"
"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Let's go to the night market first."
Wang Qingyao didn't believe Xiao Yun wouldn't touch those four women. Oh, perhaps not immediately. After all, they were newly married, and Xiao Yun was quite satisfied with her currently. He might not want to sleep with other women for a while. But who knew what would happen later when the novelty wore off, or if she had her period, etc. Having these four substitute employees was actually quite good.