Xiao Yun did not see them heading towards the western garden, assuming they had returned to the Zijing Tower.
"You seem to get along quite well with them," Xiao Yun said, a hint of sourness in his voice.
Wang Qingyao, while locking the silver into a box, replied, "I find all four of them to be of good character. Having them move in will add some liveliness. When you're on duty, I'll have some company."
Xiao Yun was shocked. "Move in?"
Wang Qingyao nodded. "Yes, I've asked them to move into the western garden. They're staying there now."
Seeing Xiao Yun's expression darken, she quickly added, "However, I've instructed Yin Zhu and Shan Hu to guard the entrance. They are not to come over without my permission. And you are not allowed to sneak over either."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yun's mood immediately brightened.
"I wouldn't dream of going over," he declared.
"I'll be sure to remember you saying that!" Wang Qingyao said with a half-smile, perfectly embodying a jealous woman who didn't quite trust her husband.
Xiao Yun's happiness only grew.
The Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed, and it was the season for crabs. Xiao Yun recalled how Wang Qingyao had eaten many crabs when they went out shopping a few days prior.
"I'll have someone send over a basket of crabs tomorrow. You like them, don't you?" He paused, then added, "But don't eat too many. Crabs are inherently cold."
"I know, I know," Wang Qingyao said. "I won't eat them alone. I'll send some to Grandmother, Mother, and Xiao Mo as well."
There were also the four concubines. If everyone shared, it would be about right.
Of course, Wang Qingyao didn't dare voice this last thought to Xiao Yun, only considering it in her mind.
Xiao Yun embraced Wang Qingyao as they sat down. Wang Qingyao then inquired about the treason case that had implicated Huang Shiyu and the other three families.
Xiao Yun pondered for a moment. "Ah, that was the rebellion case of Prince Ming from the previous emperor's reign. I only learned about it later when I read the historical records. Prince Ming was the previous emperor's own brother. Those four families were either implicated or misled into assisting Prince Ming in certain matters, but they weren't truly involved in the rebellion." He paused, then whispered, "The previous emperor was extremely sensitive about rebellion. He wanted to kill anyone even remotely connected."
Wang Qingyao scoffed, "Which emperor isn't sensitive about rebellion? What are you saying?"
"It's different. The previous emperor was exceptionally, extraordinarily sensitive. Never mind actual rebellion like Prince Ming's; even the slightest hint of it, or something he merely suspected or imagined, he could fabricate charges and have them executed."
These words were bordering on sedition, and Xiao Yun himself felt a pang of unease after saying them, fearing that walls might have ears.
Wang Qingyao was silent for a moment before asking, "Then Huang Shiyu and the others were quite wronged."
They had all been ladies of noble families, only to be thrown into a treason case and become prisoners. Even if their lives were spared, they were reduced from official daughters to members of the pleasure quarters, forced to sell themselves and live miserable lives.
Huang Shiyu and the other three were somewhat fortunate. As they were intended as beauties for the emperor, they had only undergone rigorous training since childhood and remained pure. The other girls in the Jiaofang Division were not so lucky, forced to entertain and sell themselves to the powerful, and at any moment, they could lose their lives.
Wang Qingyao sighed, a sense of sympathy welling up within her as a fellow woman.
"Huang Shiyu and the other three were granted to you as concubines. Are they still considered part of the pleasure quarters?"
"Originally, they were just playthings bestowed by the emperor, and there was no need to officially release them from the Jiaofang. Who knew you and Grandmother would decide to officially recognize them as concubines? Naturally, they would have to be released from the Jiaofang. This concerns the reputation of our Ding'an Prince's manor. I'll have someone handle it tomorrow."
Wang Qingyao felt an inexplicable sense of relief. She recalled reading novels where even if women from the pleasure quarters were released and became commoners, their status remained low and humble, yet they still desperately wished to be freed.
Huang Shiyu and the other three must have felt the same way, right?
"You seem quite concerned about those four?"
Wang Qingyao sighed. "Women are a vulnerable group, especially in your world. It's quite normal for me to be concerned."
Xiao Yun let out a cold chuckle. "We'll see how concerned you are when they start causing you trouble, trying to seduce me in various ways, and playing all sorts of mind games. Then, I'll see if you can still be concerned."
Xiao Yun was quite adept at flattering himself.
Wang Qingyao also chuckled. "We'll deal with things as they come. If they dare to play mind games with me and try to steal my man, don't blame me for not being polite. I am the principal wife, and crushing them would be as easy as crushing an ant."
Xiao Yun feigned a shiver. "You change your tune so quickly. I'm so scared."
"Get lost," Wang Qingyao said, playfully punching his chest with a laugh.
Xiao Yun dramatically collapsed onto the chaise lounge, pretending to be gravely injured and refusing to get up. Wang Qingyao then proceeded to tickle him, and they both burst into laughter.
Just as they were enjoying themselves, Ma Nao lightly knocked on the door. "Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, Miss Yun Zhu from Jing Wu Courtyard has arrived."
The smiles vanished from both Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao's faces simultaneously.
"What does she want?"
How dare she show her face?!
If one were to say why Yun Zhu could remain by Grand Consort Fang's side for so many years without falling from grace, it was because she was bold, meticulous, and thick-skinned. It had only been two days since the incident with Yin Zhu, and the wounds on her face hadn't even fully healed, yet she dared to barge in and cause trouble at Kang Ping Courtyard again.
Did she really think everyone in their Kang Ping Courtyard was easy to bully?