Yun Zhu had come to deliver Grand Consort Fang's gifts to Xiao Yun's four new consorts.
While this was not inherently wrong, especially after the incident where she had framed Yin Zhu, her acting as if nothing had happened was rather presumptuous. Although Wang Qingyao had accepted the scapegoat provided by Grand Consort Fang, Yun Zhu, the "real culprit," should have at least kept a low profile. At the very least, she should have been more discreet and avoided frequenting Kangping Courtyard.
The people in Kangping Courtyard looked unfavorably upon Yun Zhu, their gazes sharp as if shooting arrows.
Yet, Yun Zhu, thick-skinned and all smiles, remained composed.
Yin Zhu, upon seeing her, felt as though she could eat her alive, her eyes rolling to the heavens.
Wang Qingyao asked Yin Zhu to summon Huang Shiyu and the other three. Yun Zhu conveyed Grand Consort Fang's message, which essentially urged them to be obedient and to bear heirs for the Xiao family as soon as possible. She then presented four identical gifts: a bolt of fine silk, a golden lock symbolizing eternal fortune, a pair of gold-topped emerald hairpins, and a red gold wire-wrapped bracelet.
These were considerable gifts, clearly intended to bestow honor upon the four consorts.
Huang Shiyu and the other three accepted the gifts and knelt to thank Grand Consort Fang with downcast eyes.
However, when no one was paying attention, Wang Qingyao noticed Bian Siyue roll her eyes.
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but curve her lips.
Grand Consort Fang had shown favor to the concubines, yet had slighted the principal wife. Her urging the concubines to bear heirs before the principal wife had even conceived was a pointed message. Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to say, "Be obedient and diligently serve the Prince and Princess"?
While Wang Qingyao didn't mind concubines bearing children first, it was different when spoken by others versus herself.
It wasn't just Bian Siyue who wanted to roll her eyes; Wang Qingyao felt the same urge.
After receiving the gifts, Huang Shiyu and the other three were about to return to the West Garden when Yun Zhu, unable to resist, interjected, "May I know which consort will be attending to the Prince tonight? I need to report back to Grand Consort."
Yun Zhu directed this question to Wang Qingyao, her eyes sparkling as if in provocation.
The marks of Wang Qingyao's slap were still visible on her face, even through the powder.
Wang Qingyao compared Yun Zhu's face to Yin Zhu's and realized Yun Zhu had been far more brutal. Perhaps it was due to her experience; despite Wang Qingyao's own force, Yin Zhu's face appeared more severely injured than Yun Zhu's.
She cast a half-smile at Xiao Yun and asked, "Does the Prince have a preference?"
Xiao Yun glared at Yun Zhu. "Why are you meddling in such matters?"
Yun Zhu feigned a wronged expression. "Grand Consort ordered me to ask."
"If Grand Consort ordered you to eat shit, would you do it?"
Yun Zhu: "..."
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but burst into laughter. As she laughed, the attending maids also chuckled.
Huang Shiyu and the other three also showed faint smiles.
Yun Zhu felt utterly mortified, her face flushing crimson.
The Prince hadn't been like this before; he had been quite polite to her.
She recalled Xiao Yun exposing her for putting beef in the noodles. Had his attitude changed because of that?
But how had he found out?
Yun Zhu couldn't fathom it even now.
She lowered her head, not daring to retort. Xiao Yun continued, "From now on, you are forbidden from entering Kangping Courtyard. Are there no other servants in Jingwu Courtyard? Why are you always the one sent here!"
This was a blatant humiliation. Yin Zhu looked at Xiao Yun with admiration.
Yun Zhu lowered her head, seething with anger.
She was Grand Consort's savior!
Was this how Xiao Yun treated his own mother's savior?
She raised her head indignantly and met Xiao Yun's gaze. "I don't know what I've done wrong, Your Highness, for you to treat me this way?"
"You are too ugly. Seeing you makes me sick," Xiao Yun said matter-of-factly.
Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow, recalling how she had called Madam Tian ugly. Indeed, Xiao Yun gave her a meaningful glance, as if to say, "I learned this from you."
Wang Qingyao pursed her lips and smiled faintly.
Xiao Yun also offered a gentle smile.
Their interaction, to Yun Zhu, felt as though they were critiquing her appearance right in front of her.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Xiao Yun became even more annoyed. "What? Are you dissatisfied with me?"
Xiao Yun was generally a down-to-earth Prince, but when he assumed his princely demeanor, his imposing presence and aura were like a different person.
Yun Zhu visibly trembled. "This servant dares not."
She practically fled Kangping Courtyard, certain she would never return.
"Your Highness is mighty," Yin Zhu said with a grin, giving Xiao Yun two thumbs up.
Wang Qingyao also laughed. "Aren't you afraid she'll report you to Grand Consort?"
Xiao Yun scoffed. "Mother dislikes you, not me. Am I, her own son, less important than a mere servant?"
"Get out of here," Wang Qingyao playfully kicked him. "What if she blames me for everything?"
"Let her blame you. Are you afraid of her? You aren't even afraid of Mother, and besides, I'm here. Can I let you be wronged?"
"That's true," Wang Qingyao said with a smile, linking her arm with Xiao Yun's and walking towards the room. Remembering Huang Shiyu and the others were still there, she turned back and instructed, "You may all leave."
The four bowed respectfully and withdrew.