The next day was the Qi King's mansion's housewarming banquet.
Xiao Yun chose a coral bonsai, over a person tall, as a congratulatory gift for the Qi King. The coral was carved from gold and jade gemstones, opulent indeed, though with a touch of nouveau riche flair.
Xiao Yun and the Qi King had a casual relationship, so he naturally wasn't inclined to spend much thought on picking a gift for him. He tied a red ribbon around it and had two men carry it to the Qi King's mansion. It attracted quite a few glances along the way.
There were many young people at such an event, and the families who received invitations sent the younger generation.
The older generation did not come to join the fun.
The Qi King's mansion was located in a bustling area, with the Wu King's mansion just across the street. Both mansions occupied several hundred mu of land, built with grandeur and magnificence.
The Emperor must have had the idea of enfeoffing a king long ago. It had only been a little over a month since the Mid-Autumn Festival when the mansion was granted, so there wasn't enough time to build a royal mansion. It was clear that construction had started much earlier.
Imperial guards were stationed outside the mansion's gates, as Consort Wei had also arrived.
Xiao Yun accompanied Wang Qingyao into the second gate to meet Consort Wei. The hall was crowded. Apart from the two Wei sisters, Wang Qingyao recognized few others.
Except for Consort Wei, everyone else's rank was lower than Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun. They all rose to greet them.
Wang Qingyao saw clearly that Wei Qing and Wei Yu looked very reluctant. But who could they blame? She was the Princess Consort of the Ding'an King.
"Why isn't Fangyuan here?" she asked Xiao Yun in a low voice, while elegantly and gracefully smiling at everyone.
Xiao Yun whispered back, "The Huang clan just passed away. No matter how bad she was, she was Fangyuan's mother in name. They must observe three years of mourning."
Wang Qingyao exclaimed, "Then Fangyuan cannot marry Zeng Huaicheng within three years?"
Xiao Yun nodded, "That's not a major issue. Fangyuan is still young; it's fine to keep her at home for a few more years."
Consort Wei saw them whispering and revealed a maternal smile, beckoning Wang Qingyao, "Sit by my side."
Wang Qingyao smiled and sat down. This was the future Empress Dowager, so it was important to maintain a good relationship.
Xiao Yun paid his respects to Consort Wei and then took his leave to the front courtyard. Most of the princes were present today, including the Seventh Prince, whom Xiao Yun hadn't seen in a long time and missed dearly.
Consort Wei held Wang Qingyao's hand and asked her a few questions. Then she introduced the young ladies sitting around her to her.
The lady standing beside her, with a melon seed face and wearing a crimson dress, was Kang Yutong, the legitimate eldest daughter of Minister of Rites, Lord Kang.
She was the one who had organized today's banquet. Even now, she was very busy. Consort Wei called her over, asked a few questions, praised her a bit, and then let her go back to her duties.
Kang Yutong was tall and slender. After being praised, she stood even straighter, her face full of pride.
Another young lady sitting there, with a stern expression and a square face, was Princess Mujin.
Princess Mujin's looks were average, and she dressed very plainly. Compared to the radiant and dazzling Kang Yutong, she appeared dull and unappealing.
Even when Consort Wei asked her questions, she answered concisely, not saying an extra word.
It was evident that Consort Wei seemed a little disappointed.
All the young ladies around her were unmarried. Below them were the sisters-in-law and mothers of these young ladies.
Wang Qingyao sat beside them, feeling somewhat out of place.
Everyone praised the Qi King's mansion for its grandeur and magnificence, then praised Kang Yutong for her intelligence and capability. Finally, the conversation turned to the three princes, especially the Second Prince.
The current situation was quite clear: the Second Prince was the future Son of Heaven, and it was only a matter of time before the Emperor officially appointed him Crown Prince.
As for the Second Prince's principal wife, although the Emperor had not revealed any news, it was highly likely to be one of the two Wei sisters.
Others didn't need to think about the position of principal wife, but there were still secondary consorts, concubines, and ladies-in-waiting, and so on.
Even if one became a favored concubine, if the Second Prince ascended the throne in the future, their prospects would be limitless!
Consort Wei clearly had this in mind and even asked Wang Qingyao.
"Which of these young ladies do you think is good? Who do you like the most?"
Wang Qingyao found it difficult to answer such a question!
Everyone's gaze fell on Wang Qingyao's face. Wang Qingyao decided to be direct, "Your Majesty, are you looking for a wife for the Second Prince?"
Everyone: "..."
Wasn't this matter supposed to be handled subtly and tactfully?
Consort Wei was taken aback, then laughed in a clear voice, "I like listening to you speak, you're interesting and direct! Oh, if you weren't already married to the Ding'an King, I would have wanted to snatch you up as my daughter-in-law."
Everyone: "..."
Consort Wei's words were also straightforward. Apart from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, she didn't need to consider anyone else's feelings.
Wang Qingyao smiled and said earnestly, "That probably won't work. None of the three princes are my type."
Consort Wei was taken aback again, then burst into even more hearty laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"Princess Consort Ding'an, you are truly amusing. If there were someone as interesting as you in the palace, I wouldn't be so bored!"
The more Consort Wei praised Wang Qingyao, the more displeased Wei Qing's expression became. Especially when she heard Consort Wei say she wanted Wang Qingyao as her daughter-in-law, her face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
Although Wei Yu wore a smile of innocent charm, the smile didn't reach her eyes, as if shrouded in a layer of frost.