Because of the disgusting incident that suddenly occurred in Prince Rong's mansion, Xiao Yun was somewhat reluctant to let Wang Qingyao attend the banquet at Prince Qi's mansion the next day.
"How can we not go?" Wang Qingyao said, "What if they have more tricks up their sleeves? If I don't go, how will they get to play?"
Xiao Yun was amused by her words, "What if there's danger..."
"You should worry about yourself," Wang Qingyao said, "You're much more dangerous than I am."
Following the plot of a typical harem drama, wouldn't the schemer have to catch Wang Qingyao in the act of adultery themselves, so everyone could see that Prince Ding'an, who once swore he wouldn't touch other women, was involved with another woman?
Based on her experience from countless melodramatic palace novels, Wang Qingyao instructed everyone in the household to be careful the next day, especially with anything they ate or drank, and to be extremely cautious.
Feng Jiangduo: "Don't worry, have you forgotten where I come from?"
People from Nanzhou were skilled in making poisons and concoctions. Although Feng Jiangduo wasn't an expert in this area, she could still detect ordinary poisons in food.
However, to be safe, the next day, Wang Qingyao still sent someone to ask Imperial Physician Lu for a few bottles of calming and refreshing medicine, one bottle for each person.
Besides Zhenzhu, she brought Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi with her. She also asked Shan Hu to attend to Feng Jiangduo.
With such thorough preparations, they then went to Prince Qi's mansion.
Prince Qi's mansion had no mistress, so Prince Qi invited Wei Qing and Wei Yu to help entertain guests, with assistance from the Imperial Household Department. He did have a few concubines, but concubines were not allowed to be present at such events. Even the most favored concubine was not permitted to leave her own courtyard when dignitaries gathered.
Wei Yu seemed less enthusiastic at Prince Qi's mansion than she was at Prince Rong's. She was somewhat listless, but as an unmarried young lady, no one would scold her for being lazy. Moreover, with Wei Qing there, who had hosted many banquets at her own home, and now as the Princess Consort of Prince Rong, she had even more authority and was even more meticulous.
There were far more guests at Prince Qi's mansion today than there had been at Prince Rong's yesterday.
He was currently the first in line for succession, and it was highly probable that he would become the Crown Prince. It was only a matter of when the Emperor would issue the decree.
The carriages parked at the second gate were a spectacular sight. People could be seen everywhere as you walked, in gardens, by the lake, and in pavilions, with ladies from various families gathered in twos and threes. There were few with a higher rank than Wang Qingyao and Feng Jiangduo, and they all came forward to pay their respects.
This feeling was quite exhilarating, and Wang Qingyao straightened her back.
There were not many people around Wei Qing.
Everyone knew she was the Princess Consort of Prince Rong, and gaining favor with her was useless, as Prince Rong was not the Crown Prince.
Some people lamented that Prince Qi had not married a Princess Consort, and having this rare opportunity to enter Prince Qi's mansion, they couldn't find a chance to curry favor.
Wang Qingyao glanced around and saw two familiar faces.
How unlucky, Princess Yin Yue and Princess Jin Yang had actually come.
The two had just been at loggerheads in Huayang Palace the day before yesterday, and now they met again. The onlookers' enthusiasm immediately surged, and they slowly gathered around at a visible speed. The main hall was now much livelier than before.
However, to the disappointment of the onlookers, the two women merely exchanged disdainful glances and said nothing to each other.
Wang Qingyao sat to the side and looked around with her clairvoyant eyes.
Yin Zhu whispered, "Your Majesty, is this the shameless princess who wants to marry our Prince? Wasn't she said to be the most beautiful woman in the land? Why is her face so long? It's almost as long as a gold bar."
Gold bars also had long faces.
Wang Qingyao smiled, "It's her."
Wei Qing was reluctant to interact with the Princess of Xia, but Wei Yu, who had been listless earlier, was chatting happily with them and occasionally brought her into the conversation. Wei Qing forced a smile and stayed to chat for a while.
Before long, Prince Qi arrived, and the hall erupted with a chorus of "Your Highness Prince Qi." The young ladies blushed with excitement, wishing they could rush to the front to catch Prince Qi's eye.
Prince Qi walked directly towards Wang Qingyao and her companions. He wasn't there to talk to Wang Qingyao, but to Feng Jiangduo.
The three sons of Consort Wei were all handsome, and Prince Qi, when he put on the act of a charming young gentleman, did have some presence.
"The County Princess looks truly beautiful today."
Feng Jiangduo: "..."
"Are you accustomed to the hospitality of my mansion, County Princess? If you need anything, feel free to send my maids to do it for you."
"Oh."
"I've recently acquired a peacock for my mansion. If the County Princess is interested..."
"Not interested."
Wei Yu suddenly interjected, "Fourth Cousin, last time you sent your beast tamer to perform for me, I waited at home for a long time and he never came. Can you send him out this time? He's so skilled, he can tame tigers and lions, and even train wolves like dogs. I really want to see him!"
With her loud exclamation, everyone heard her. These were ladies confined to their inner chambers, naturally unfamiliar with beast taming. They immediately began to whisper amongst themselves, a mixture of fear and curiosity.
Princess Yin Yue also said, "Does Prince Qi's mansion actually have such a talent? Why not invite him out to perform for us? This Princess also wishes to see."
Prince Qi's expression suddenly changed, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Wei Sunhe had been missing for a long time, ever since that trip to the Wei family.
He had sent people to search for a long time but hadn't found him.