This is truly quite the picture of domestic tranquility.
Although Wang Qingyao had anticipated it, she couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Why was her transmigration so different from others? No concubines or mistresses to spar with!
Consort Dowager Fang soon received the news as well.
"Not a single one?
"Not a single one," Yun Zhu reported back with a grave expression.
Consort Dowager Fang never expected such a result; her four days of feigned illness had been entirely in vain.
She stared blankly for a moment, then sighed, "I can't believe that in just over a month, the Princess Consort has gained such deep authority. Those four Ruren fear her this much! I told them I would back them up, yet they still didn't dare!"
Consort Dowager Fang was exasperated by their lack of ambition.
Naturally, she couldn't fathom that in this world, there were men who only wished to be devoted to their wives, and women who only desired a peaceful life.
And so, all the blame fell upon Wang Qingyao.
Yun Zhu muttered to herself, "I never thought the Princess Consort was so formidable." Then she offered a suggestion, "How about... using medicine?"
"Absolutely not," Consort Dowager Fang immediately refused, her tone turning stern. "Such underhanded tactics should never be mentioned again!"
Yun Zhu hastily knelt. "Your Ladyship, please forgive me. I was too anxious and resorted to such a desperate measure!"
She lowered her head, appearing very frightened.
Consort Dowager Fang stared at her bowed head for a moment, then suddenly said, "Yun Zhu, how do you know about these strange concoctions? That medicine you gave Yin Zhu last time..."
Even she, as a consort dowager, had never heard of something that could alter one's pulse.
Let alone her, even others had barely heard of it.
Even Imperial Physician Lu only recalled such a medicine after Wang Qingyao mentioned it.
But then again, how would Wang Qingyao know about such a medicine?
Consort Dowager Fang's mind was active, and her thoughts immediately turned back to Wang Qingyao.
Yun Zhu kept her head down, filled with regret. She had been too hasty. Consort Dowager Fang, being from a noble family, naturally disdained such sordid methods.
She forced out a few tears, then looked up with a pained expression. "Your Ladyship, you know that the reason I happened to appear at Daxiangguo Temple to save you was because my brother and sister-in-law were forcing me to become a concubine to a wealthy old man in town. I didn't want to, and I had no way out, so I went to the temple to ask the Buddha for guidance."
"Those medicines... I overheard my brother and sister-in-law talking about them. They originally intended to use them on me..."
Yun Zhu cried as she spoke. Consort Dowager Fang felt extremely guilty and quickly helped her up. "Please stop crying. It's all my fault for bringing it up."
Yun Zhu, supported by Consort Dowager Fang, stood up and said with a choked voice, "Your Ladyship, please don't say that. Yun Zhu doesn't deserve it."
After crying for a while longer, she finally stopped.
In the evening, as soon as Xiao Yun returned, he reached for Wang Qingyao's hand, stroking it repeatedly. When no one was looking, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You're finally back. I've been so bored these past few days."
Wang Qingyao glanced at him with a sidelong look, a smile playing on her lips. "Don't you have four beauties in the West Garden? If you're bored, go find them!"
She said it playfully, and Xiao Yun didn't take it to heart. He smiled and nibbled her ear, saying, "Didn't you say it yourself? I can't get hard looking at them, so what's the point of finding them?"
Wang Qingyao's face flushed. She looked around; the maids in the room had all withdrawn at some point, and the door was closed.
"It's not even completely dark yet!" she playfully pushed Xiao Yun, but her seductive eyes roamed over his entire body like spider silk.
Xiao Yun could barely stand it. However, mindful of Wang Qingyao's reputation, he kissed and caressed her, finally letting her go.
Wang Qingyao's face was flushed. She shyly adjusted her clothes and hair.
Xiao Yun lifted her chin. "I'll show you proper affection tonight."
Wang Qingyao chuckled and lifted his chin. "Come on, who's afraid of whom?"
Xiao Yun's gaze changed again.
Wang Qingyao quickly stood up, afraid he might give in to his beastly desires.
"Zhizi, serve dinner!"
Xiao Yun had no choice but to give up.
The intimacy that night was beyond words, lasting until deep into the night.
Wang Qingyao, resting her head on Xiao Yun's arm, said softly, "This can't go on forever. If it doesn't work this time, Mother will think of other ways. It's better if we strike first."
Xiao Yun felt utterly comfortable, his thoughts a beat slower. After a moment, he finally understood. "You have a plan?"
"Yes." Wang Qingyao turned sideways, her finger drawing circles on his chest. "Those four Ruren are just sitting there. Why don't you pretend to favor one of them? That way, Mother won't always pick on me, and no one outside will call me jealous or say you're henpecked."
Xiao Yun caught her restless hand and kissed it. "Is it necessary? Who dares to speak ill of you outside, and I'll have them beaten!"
Wang Qingyao laughed heartily. "Just pick one, so Mother can calm down a bit."
After a little more coaxing, Xiao Yun finally agreed, but he left the choice to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao thought for a moment. "Let's choose Ruren Bian. She has a rather 'white lotus' aura."
Xiao Yun: "Whatever." He didn't care who it was.
Wang Qingyao thought to herself: A domineering prince and a contractual concubine, oh, this is so much like a romance novel! It would be even better if the pretense became reality!