Soon, the doors and windows of Kangping Courtyard were adorned with brand new couplets.
Wang Qingyao watched in the courtyard, holding a hand warmer, her heart filled with emotion.
This time last year, she had just transmigrated. She never expected a year to pass in the blink of an eye.
"The little county princess is here," a maid announced.
Feng Jiangduo, clad in a fitted outfit, strode in with a brisk pace.
She walked a bit faster, her footsteps distinctive, recognizable at a single hearing.
Wang Qingyao looked up and saw her holding a dagger. As soon as she entered, she said, "I heard you are pregnant. I brought this for you."
She handed the dagger to Wang Qingyao, but Nian Momo quickly took it, preventing Wang Qingyao from touching it.
When someone was pregnant, people usually gifted gold, silver, or jewelry. No one had ever heard of gifting a dagger.
A dagger was a weapon, how inauspicious.
Wang Qingyao saw Nian Momo's displeased expression and knew she was being superstitious again.
She smiled at Feng Jiangduo, "This dagger must be a treasure. Thank you."
Feng Jiangduo smiled faintly and said, "This dagger is forged from thousand-year-old cold iron, incredibly sharp. It was a birthday gift my grandfather specifically sought out for me."
"Oh," Wang Qingyao exclaimed, "It's that valuable? Will Prince Dingnan be unhappy if he finds out?"
"No."
Wang Qingyao instructed Zhizi to fetch a large red packet and said, "Here, this is for you as lucky money."
Feng Jiangduo felt embarrassed to accept it. "We are of the same generation."
"It's alright. Haven't you heard that an elder sister-in-law is like a mother?"
Feng Jiangduo's face flushed slightly as she accepted the red packet. "Thank you."
After a while, she said softly, "Yesterday, Yunzhu, from the Grand Consort's side, came to Nuanshang Pavilion."
Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow. "What did she come for?"
"To deliver a plate of pastries from the Grand Consort to me."
"What did she say?"
Wang Qingyao hit the nail on the head.
If Consort Fang didn't know about Xiao Mo and Feng Jiangduo, then her sending pastries to her son's savior would be normal.
But she clearly knew, and had even shown displeasure. Under such circumstances, could she be so kind as to send Feng Jiangduo pastries? Could it be poisoned?
"The pastries she sent were candied plum blossoms," Feng Jiangduo said in a flat tone, her emotions unreadable, as if recounting an unimportant event.
"She said these candied plum blossoms were her favorite, and she made them the best. Later, Xiao Mo tasted them once in Jingwu Courtyard and fell in love with them, often asking her to make them. To thank her, he often gave her gifts, like hairpins, bracelets, and sachets. On her birthday, Xiao Mo even specially gave her a Western trinket. She didn't expect Xiao Mo to remember her birthday and praised him for being considerate of his servants, saying whoever marries him will be blessed."
Feng Jiangduo finished speaking, her expression still calm.
But if one looked closely, they would notice her lips pressed slightly, her eyes cold, and her demeanor more indifferent than usual.
Wang Qingyao was secretly shocked.
Yunzhu's actions were clearly those of a "green tea" woman, deliberately trying to sow discord and misunderstanding with Feng Jiangduo.
Given Feng Jiangduo's temperament, she wouldn't question Xiao Mo. Once she believed it, she would slowly distance herself from him.
But why would Yunzhu do this?
Was it solely because Consort Fang was unwilling for Feng Jiangduo to marry Xiao Mo?
Wang Qingyao stroked her chin, pondering deeply.
She recalled the two instances where Yunzhu had framed her and Yin Zhu. At the time, she thought Yunzhu was seeking revenge because she had insulted her. And since Yin Zhu was her personal maid, she was also targeted.
Thinking about it now, it didn't seem quite right.
Yunzhu's revenge against Wang Qingyao was minor, and even if successful, it wouldn't have caused significant harm. At most, Consort Fang would dislike her a little more.
But Yin Zhu, she designed to frame Yin Zhu for pregnancy, which was pushing Yin Zhu to her death. If successful, Yin Zhu would at best be expelled from Prince Ding'an's mansion, and at worst, lose her life. It was much more ruthless than framing her.
Something must have happened then that made Yunzhu hate Yin Zhu.
What could it be?
Wang Qingyao racked her brains, and then, connecting it to what Yunzhu had said to Feng Jiangduo, her eyes suddenly lit up.
She remembered.
The day before Yin Zhu was framed, she had instructed Yin Zhu to deliver a plate of modern pastries to Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo liked them very much and rewarded Yin Zhu with a kaleidoscope or something similar.
The next day, Yin Zhu was framed by Yunzhu!
Could it be that Yunzhu liked Xiao Mo?
She framed Yin Zhu not because Yin Zhu was Wang Qingyao's personal maid, but because Xiao Mo had given Yin Zhu a gift, and she was jealous and envious!
Wang Qingyao was overjoyed by this significant discovery.
Who would have thought that Yunzhu was so cunning?
She had even suspected Yunzhu had designs on Xiao Yun, but it turned out to be Xiao Mo.
"Did you ask Xiao Mo?"
"I didn't. When he came to see me, he saw the candied plum blossoms on the table and asked if Yunzhu had sent them. He said they were delicious and asked me to try some. What else do I need to ask?"
Feng Jiangduo's sadness and hurt were not visible on her face, only a palpable low pressure emanated from her.
Wang Qingyao said, "You must ask. In a relationship, the worst thing is guessing. If there are any issues, hiding them will easily lead to misunderstandings. Ask clearly. If it's really what you think, beat him up, and I'll find you a more handsome husband."
Feng Jiangduo's lips curved, and for the first time, a faint smile appeared.
Wang Qingyao sent someone to invite Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo also knew about Wang Qingyao's pregnancy and arrived with a box of toys: rattles, clay sound balls, nine-link puzzles, tangrams, cloth tigers, spinning tops, and so on. In short, a whole chest full.
Seeing Feng Jiangduo there, he wasn't surprised and naturally sat beside her.
Feng Jiangduo didn't move and glanced at Wang Qingyao.
"Sister-in-law, what do you need me for?"
Wang Qingyao didn't mention what Yunzhu had said to Feng Jiangduo, but asked a few questions.
"Do you like eating candied plum blossoms very much?"
"They're alright."
"Do you know who in our mansion makes them the best?"
Xiao Mo found it inexplicable but still answered earnestly, "Several maids in Mother's courtyard can make them. Mother likes them the most, and I've eaten them a few times with her. They taste good, but I don't know who makes them the best."
Wang Qingyao said, "Oh."
Xiao Mo asked, "Sister-in-law wants to eat candied plum blossoms?"
"No, I was just asking." Wang Qingyao smiled and continued, "Have you ever given Yunzhu gifts?"
Xiao Mo became even more bewildered, looking a bit lost. "No."
"Like hairpins, bracelets, sachets..."
"No," Xiao Mo replied decisively.
"Do you know when Yunzhu's birthday is?"
Xiao Mo said, "Why would I need to know her birthday?"
"She said that on her birthday, you specially gave her a Western trinket!"
A look of confusion appeared on Xiao Mo's face. After a moment, he suddenly said, "Oh."