Prince Qi had no choice but to continue speaking a few more words after Feng Jiangduo refused to take the bait. Then, he left.
Wang Qingyao and Feng Jiangduo exchanged a look.
Wei Yu spoke in a childish voice, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Princess Nangong puts on quite a show. Even Prince Qi isn't good enough for her. I wonder what kind of man could possibly catch the Princess's eye?"
The words were rather impolite, but paired with Wei Yu's innocent face and sweet voice, they sounded like a child's casual inquiry.
Feng Jiangduo was not familiar with Wei Yu and had no prior interactions with her. Upon hearing this, she frowned and glanced at her, saying, "It's not for Miss Wei to worry about."
Wei Yu tilted her head, appearing innocent and carefree, and giggled, "I bet that man must be the finest man in the world, handsome and dashing, a true dragon among men..."
Feng Jiangduo simply stopped responding.
Wei Yu did not seem embarrassed.
Wei Qing, being more sensitive, said, "We've all been sitting for too long. Why don't we go for a walk?"
Thus, they dispersed in twos and threes, with new guests occasionally coming over to greet Wei Qing.
Bai Junya arrived with the two Wang sisters and Han Suiqin.
Wang Qingzhen was dressed even more splendidly today than yesterday. She wore a crimson silk robe with wide sleeves over a crimson silk skirt. Adorned with pearls and jade, she was the epitome of luxury, making Wang Qingzhu and Han Suiqin beside her appear dull in comparison.
Many eyes were already turned towards her, and Wang Qingzhen subtly revealed a hint of pride.
Seeing her like this, Wang Qingyao knew that she had not heeded yesterday's words at all.
"Zhenzhu," Wang Qingyao instructed, "tell the brother watching Wang Qingzhen to keep a close eye on her today and prevent her from doing anything foolish."
"Yes."
Bai Junya saw Wang Qingyao and offered a helpless smile, leading the three girls forward to greet her.
Wang Qingyao glanced at Wang Qingzhen, who lowered her head, not daring to meet her gaze.
Wang Qingyao didn't say anything and found a pavilion in a high spot to sit. Looking at the female guests again, Princess Yin Yue was no longer in the crowd. Princess Jinyang was present, occasionally casting furtive glances at Wang Qingyao.
January was cold, and the Rong Prince's mansion had built a glazed greenhouse. The Qi Prince's mansion, however, was more extravagant. They had laid underground heating pipes. It was afternoon, and with the sunlight and the underfloor heating, it felt like early spring.
Due to the underground heating, many flowers in the garden had mistaken the season and had already begun to bloom in succession, creating a breathtaking spectacle at first glance.
Naturally, some seized the opportunity to flatter, spewing compliments as if they were free. It was as if the more they spoke, the more likely Prince Qi, wherever he might be, would hear them.
The Qi Prince's mansion was large. Wang Qingyao searched with her clairvoyant eyes and found Princess Yin Yue hiding in a cave within a rockery.
What was she doing? Playing hide-and-seek?
Wang Qingyao dared not look further. Using her clairvoyant eyes on such a large scale was too draining, and she was pregnant. Any disturbance to the fetus would be a loss.
Even so, she still felt a twinge of pain in her stomach and quickly composed herself, focusing on the present.
Besides Princess Yin Yue, Wang Qingzhen and Han Suiqin were also missing from the garden. Bai Junya's face showed anxiety as she instructed her maids to go and search for them.
Wang Qingyao stood up and said to Feng Jiangduo, "Let's take a walk around."
The two walked towards the outside of the garden. Princess Jinyang, with sharp eyes, quickly followed.
"Princess Consort, may I have a word?"
This was an attempt to stall for time.
Wang Qingyao was not in a hurry. Feng Jiangduo was with her, Xiao Yun had Yuan Bao and the hidden guards, and even Wang Qingzhen had people watching her. If something were to happen even under these circumstances, it would only mean that the enemy was too cunning, and they were too incompetent.
"Please speak, Princess."
"Actually, my sister is not a bad person. She's just been spoiled since childhood and has a somewhat impatient temper. She... she and Prince Ding'an..." She hesitated for a moment, as if it were difficult to speak, "She insists on marrying Prince Ding'an because they are deeply in love..."
Although Princess Jinyang lowered her voice, she did not deliberately avoid the crowd. The words drifted out in fragments, and those nearby heard them, showing expressions of surprise.
Wang Qingyao looked at Princess Jinyang with amusement.
"In the future, when you become family, please treat Yin Yue kindly."
Wang Qingyao smiled, "Princess, your words are misplaced. In our Great Sheng, a concubine is only half a mistress. Before the main wife, she must consider herself a servant and can be casually given away like worthless goods. If Princess Yin Yue truly enters the gates of Prince Ding'an's mansion, she will not be considered family with me."
Oh, the tension escalated, and smoke filled the air.
Sensitive ladies pricked up their ears. Wei Yu's eyes revealed a cold smile.
Originally, she had intended to keep Xiao Yun for Feng Jiangduo. With yesterday's convincing conversation, Wang Qingyao already had a knot in her heart regarding Xiao Yun and Feng Jiangduo. If she were to witness another vivid performance today, she might be so enraged that she would lose her temper, and perhaps even miscarry!
However, she later discovered by chance that Princess Yin Yue was also plotting something. To prevent any accidents from their plans clashing, she deliberately approached Princess Yin Yue. Both had a common enemy, and they quickly became confidantes, "good friends."
Princess Yin Yue also wanted to have a fait accompli with Xiao Yun!