Xiao Mo had indeed given Yun Zhu a birthday gift, but it wasn't intentionally so.
He had merely acquired a few rare items and sent them to both Old Consort Fang and Consort Fang.
Coincidentally, it was Yun Zhu's birthday that day, so Consort Fang suggested Yun Zhu pick one as a gift.
Yun Zhu demurred, saying these were specifically for the Consorts' filial piety from the second young master.
Xiao Mo casually picked out an item and gave it to her, so casually that he couldn't even remember what it was.
After hearing his explanation, Wang Qingyao smiled. It was as she suspected. The stories about him giving bracelets and hairpins must have been similar misunderstandings.
She glanced at Feng Jiangduo. Feng Jiangduo's expression remained neutral, but her gaze was no longer as cold as before.
Xiao Mo asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, why are you asking about this?"
Wang Qingyao chuckled and stated directly, "Yun Zhu likes you. She went to Dodo and stirred up trouble, making Dodo think you have feelings for Yun Zhu."
Xiao Mo's mouth fell open in surprise. Connecting Wang Qingyao's previous questions, he vaguely understood what Yun Zhu had said. He quickly looked at Feng Jiangduo, his mouth opening to explain.
Wang Qingyao interrupted him, "Don't explain. Dodo trusts you. It was I who had doubts, so I sought you out to ask."
Feng Jiangduo nervously pursed her lips and looked away.
Seeing Feng Jiangduo's trust, Xiao Mo became happy. He gazed at her affectionately for a moment, then looked at Wang Qingyao and asked aggrievedly, "Sister-in-law, why would you doubt me? Do you see me as such a two-faced person?"
Wang Qingyao replied, "Yes."
Xiao Mo was speechless.
Wang Qingyao poked her eyes with two fingers and said, "I'm watching. Be more careful in the future. It's none of your business whose birthday it is. Don't casually give things to people."
"Yes." Despite his dissatisfaction, Xiao Mo listened to Wang Qingyao.
Xiao Yun returned in the afternoon and excitedly called out to Wang Qingyao, "Look what I brought you!"
Wang Qingyao looked and saw four elderly women following him, carrying a large glazed mirror, taller than a person, between them.
"Oh," Wang Qingyao beamed, "So fast?"
"Of course," Xiao Yun said proudly, "It's something the Princess of Ding'an wants. How could I keep her waiting?"
He said it casually, but Wang Qingyao knew it must have taken considerable effort. Ancient times were not like modern times; such a pure glazed mirror, and one as tall as a person, was extremely rare. It was a feat for Xiao Yun to obtain one for her in such a short time.
The four women carried the mirror into the courtyard and retreated. Xiao Yun directed Coral, Pearl, Amethyst, and Emerald to carry the mirror into the bedroom.
"Shall we put it here?" he asked, pointing to the side of the dressing table.
Wang Qingyao nodded. The four women placed the mirror down. The mirror was made of glaze, not as clear as modern glass mirrors, but it was still quite discernible. The edges were wrapped in sandalwood, fashioned into a standing mirror. The sandalwood frame was inlaid with many precious gems.
It was in the style of the Prince of Ding'an.
Wang Qingyao stood before the mirror, happily turned around, and then looked at her own belly.
To her surprise, she saw nothing.
Not to mention a child, she couldn't see through to her veins, bones, or internal organs either.
What was going on?
She tried again, concentrating, but still saw nothing.
Could it be that her clairvoyant eyes could only see through others, not herself?
Wang Qingyao was somewhat disappointed.
Seeing her smile vanish so quickly, Xiao Yun asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like it? If you don't like it, I'll get you another one."
"No, I like it very much," Wang Qingyao said. "I'm just suddenly a little tired."
Xiao Yun was relieved. "It's alright. I've learned from Fang Zheng. Women get tired easily when they're pregnant. You should go and rest for a while."
As Xiao Yun spoke, he personally helped her to the chaise lounge for a nap and asked Jasmine to bring her a blanket.
Wang Qingyao was only a month pregnant and not yet sleepy. She asked with her eyes half-open, "When did you learn from Fang Zheng? Wasn't my pregnancy only diagnosed yesterday?"
"This morning," Xiao Yun said. "Before we left for Nanzhou, wasn't he investigating the Second Prince... no, the matter of Prince Rong falling from his horse? Didn't you suggest checking on Wei Yu at the time? He'd been wanting to talk to me but hadn't found the opportunity. Today, when I was free, I met him at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion."
Wang Qingyao's interest was piqued, and her eyes snapped open wide. "Did you find anything out?"
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yun couldn't help but pinch her chin. "Prince Rong's accident was indeed related to Prince Qi. Fang Zheng captured a beast tamer from Prince Qi's mansion. This beast tamer has confessed that Prince Qi ordered him to scare Prince Rong during the hunt at Mount Xiasong, and he still has the tiger skin."
Wang Qingyao frowned. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"The evidence came too easily. Both witness and physical evidence are complete, without any effort."
"Fang Zheng said the same thing. He felt the person appeared too coincidentally and too easily, so he hasn't reported it to the Emperor yet. He wants to investigate further."