Wang Qingyao returned from the old imperial concubine's residence. Before she even entered her courtyard, she heard cheers erupting. Upon entering, she saw Feng Jiangduo sparring with Qian Yu and Jiang Jing.
Feng Jiangduo wielded a tree branch, while Qian Yu and Jiang Jing held wooden swords.
Feng Jiangduo was more than a match for them individually, and even together, Qian Yu and Jiang Jing were no match for her.
Yinzhu cheered the loudest. "Princess is amazing! Princess is mighty!"
Bian Siyue's voice was also quite loud. "Go Xiao Yu, go Jing Jing!"
Wang Qingyao leaned against the door, watching for a while. Suddenly, she remembered that Feng Jiangduo's arm had only recently healed and couldn't withstand such vigorous, sweeping movements. She quickly called out to stop them.
Hearing her voice, Feng Jiangduo spun around and halted her movements.
Jiang Jing and Qian Yu immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness. "Princess Consort, please forgive us."
"Get up," Wang Qingyao said, then glared at Feng Jiangduo. "Your arm just healed, aren't you afraid of breaking it again?"
Feng Jiangduo replied, "It's fine."
Jiang Jing and Qian Yu were startled. They had just gotten up but immediately knelt again. "Princess Consort, please forgive us. Little Princess, please forgive us."
Yinzhu also ran over and knelt. "Your Highness, please don't blame them. It was all my idea. I forgot the little princess's arm just healed..." She trailed off, her voice growing quieter, filled with shame.
"Everyone, get up," Wang Qingyao said. "It's the New Year, and you're all kneeling on the ground like this. What does it look like? Am I that unreasonable? Let's forget about it this time, but don't let it happen again!"
Before anyone could speak, a voice from the side interjected, "Did I come at an inconvenient time? Cousin-in-law, are you dealing with family matters?"
Wang Qingyao turned to see Fang Yuan peeking her head in.
"Why are you here?" Wang Qingyao asked, motioning for Yinzhu and the others to rise.
Yinzhu and the others thanked her and got up, their faces flushed.
"Your Highness, we will take our leave," Huang Shiyu said softly.
Wang Qingyao nodded. Huang Shiyu and the other three bowed and withdrew.
Fang Yuan sidled up to Wang Qingyao and pouted. "You're back and didn't come to find me, so I had to come to you." Seeing Feng Jiangduo, she asked, "Who is this?"
Wang Qingyao led them to the flower hall to sit. After instructing someone to bring tea and pastries, she said, "We who are married can't compare to your freedom when you're unmarried. It's the New Year, and there are so many things to do in the manor, yet you're the most idle!" She continued, "This is the little princess from the Dingnan Prince's manor. I mentioned her in my letter."
Fang Yuan's eyes lit up. She had been sitting next to Wang Qingyao, but now she scooted her stool over to Feng Jiangduo and, with great familiarity, said, "Little Princess, can I call you Duo Duo older sister? I admire you so much. Can you teach me martial arts? I want to be like you, a chivalrous woman who roams the martial world with a sword!"
Feng Jiangduo actually disliked being called Duo Duo. The soft, lingering sound of the name didn't suit her. She preferred to be called "Xiao Jiang." However, the Prince of Dingnan liked to call her "Duo Duo" the most, and eventually, everyone else followed suit. She couldn't be bothered to correct them.
"No," she said, looking at Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan had never expected to be rejected. She widened her round eyes and said incredulously, "You're actually rejecting me, such a cute girl?!"
Feng Jiangduo: "..."
"Why, why?" Fang Yuan pressed.
Feng Jiangduo coldly spat out two words: "Too bothersome."
Fang Yuan was crestfallen, her round little face drooping.
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but laugh heartily. She pinched Fang Yuan's cheeks and said, "Don't be sad. The little princess is just like this. Last time I wanted her to teach me, she also heartlessly refused me."
Fang Yuan felt instantly comforted. Wang Qingyao then took out various small trinkets she had bought along the way for Fang Yuan to choose from, temporarily making her forget the indignation of being rejected.
Fang Yuan picked out many things. Wang Qingyao also gave her two large red envelopes. "New Year's money. One for you, and one for you to take back to Rui Ge'er. After the New Year, I'll visit your home again to see Rui Ge'er."
Zuo Yun's son was named Fang Rui, and he was less than two months old.
Mentioning Fang Rui, Fang Yuan's chatterbox opened. "...Such a tiny person, he yawns like a real person... He has everything on him, and he even has fingernails!"
Wang Qingyao laughed, and even Feng Jiangduo's gaze softened considerably. She suddenly wondered when she would have a child of her own, one who looked like her and also like Xiao Yun. A son or daughter would be fine, small and soft...
Wang Qingyao was suddenly startled by her own thoughts. Weren't she and Xiao Yun in a superior-subordinate relationship? When had she started looking forward to having children with him? Had she, without realizing it, begun to see Xiao Yun as a husband rather than a boss?
"Cousin-in-law," Fang Yuan leaned closer and asked slyly, "When will you have a little nephew for me?"
Wang Qingyao replied, "You're not a man, how can I have one for you?"
Fang Yuan paused for a second before realizing. "Ahhh, cousin-in-law, you're so lewd!" She covered her face in embarrassment.
Wang Qingyao burst into laughter.