These words from Consort Fang were truly unpleasant, almost as if she were deliberately picking a fight and trying to humiliate someone.
Given her upbringing and temperament, especially when facing someone of the Little County Princess's status, she shouldn't have said such things.
Wang Qingyao pondered for a moment and realized this matter was inseparable from that girl Yun Zhu.
This Yun Zhu girl was also very strange, as if she couldn't stand to see others happy. As a maid, she constantly found fault with her mistress.
What did it matter to her who her mistress married?
Wang Qingyao directly told Feng Jiang Duo, "Among the people in our mansion, be wary of Yun Zhu by Consort Fang's side. She has the most schemes."
Feng Jiang Duo nodded, recalling Yun Zhu's action of supporting Consort Fang. She hadn't thought much of it then, but now that Wang Qingyao mentioned it, she felt Yun Zhu seemed to be preventing Consort Fang from speaking.
A maid, so bold as to overrule her mistress, and what's more, the mistress actually listened. This was indeed not to be underestimated.
"I understand."
It was already the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month, nearing the end of the year. Although Wang Qingyao didn't need to personally handle everything in the mansion, she still had to learn to manage.
For example, what New Year's gifts to send to each family and how to reciprocate were all matters of etiquette.
Additionally, the revenue and harvest from the various shops and estates were managed by Xiao Mo, but she also needed to learn to read account books, to understand the overall financial situation.
Wang Qingyao had been an accountant in her previous life, so she could grasp ancient account books with a little effort, which greatly pleased the Old Consort.
There were also new clothes for everyone in the mansion, from the masters to the servants, which needed to be prepared a month in advance.
While the Old Consort managed the household affairs of the Ding'an Prince's mansion, the Kangping Courtyard was managed by Wang Qingyao.
In the past, Wang Qingyao had read novels about harem struggles where everyone vied to manage the male lead's courtyard. Now that she was managing one, she found it wasn't much to manage.
With ample funds, servants performing their duties, and clear rewards and punishments from the master, there were few troublesome incidents day by day, making it quite relaxed.
The servants who caused trouble were usually due to the master not providing enough money or not knowing how to utilize their staff.
If the governess of Kangping Courtyard were replaced by that Granny Hua, it would likely be chaotic every day.
Wang Qingyao hadn't had time to take Feng Jiang Duo out to play recently, so she said, "After the New Year, I'll take you around to see the sights."
Feng Jiang Duo replied, "No need. Xiao Mo will take me out to play then."
Wang Qingyao scoffed, "At that time, for banquets and poetry gatherings, you'll still have to accompany me. Your Xiao Mo won't be able to take you to those places."
"I don't go to those events."
"You still need to make a brief appearance, so that everyone in Duanjing knows that the Little County Princess of Dingnan Prince's mansion has arrived in Duanjing."
Feng Jiang Duo nodded.
As they were talking, someone from the Old Consort's side came to summon Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao asked Feng Jiang Duo to wait a moment and hurried over.
The Old Consort had called Wang Qingyao not for any serious matter. Seeing her arrive, she took her hand and asked mysteriously, "What's going on between A'Mo and that child Duo Duo?"
The aged Old Consort's face was filled with gossip and excitement.
Wang Qingyao asked, "You already know?"
The Old Consort exclaimed, "Is it true?! I heard from the people below that as soon as A'Mo woke up this morning, he ordered someone to cut the winter plum blossoms, camellias, and Christmas cactus flowers from the garden and personally deliver them to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion."
My goodness, Xiao Mo is quite romantic!
Wang Qingyao felt a pang of envy and said, "They truly are... well, Xiao Mo said it was love at first sight!"
The Old Consort exclaimed again, almost clapping her hands, "The eternal iron tree has blossomed!"
"Indeed! I never expected these two ice blocks to fall for each other!"
The Old Consort's face was flushed with joy, her mouth wide in a smile. She then asked for details.
Wang Qingyao picked and chose what to tell. Regarding the Dingnan Prince, she said, "However, the Dingnan Prince is not very pleased. He worries that the Xiao family's curse will spread to Xiao Mo. Isn't he being ridiculous? Even if there is a curse, how could it be contagious!"
Wang Qingyao said this with a laugh, but the Old Consort's expression suddenly changed, revealing a look of worry.
Wang Qingyao quickly suppressed her smile and asked, "Grandmother, what's wrong? Could this curse really be contagious?"
The Old Consort forced a smile, "No, no, how can a curse be contagious? I just feel sorry for you..." She reached out and stroked Wang Qingyao's cheek, "You are a good girl. It's a compromise for you to marry A'Yun. If A'Yun truly..."
The Old Consort couldn't finish her sentence, her eyes welling up with tears.
Wang Qingyao placed the Old Consort's hand on her face and softly said, "Grandmother, please don't worry. The Imperial Preceptor said that I can break the Xiao family's curse, and A'Yun will be fine, A'Mo will be fine, and we will all be fine."
The Old Consort nodded tearfully.
Following the current line of thought, assuming the son surnamed Zhao came from Nanzhou to Duanjing, if he had settled in Duanjing all these years, and considering age restrictions, his household registration should be traceable.
Xiao Yun was temporarily acting as the Minister of Revenue. As it was nearing the New Year, he did not have people work overtime and would wait until after the holiday to resume work, ordering a check of household registrations.
Although it felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, as long as one was patient, the needle could eventually be found.