For several days starting from the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, banquets were held at the residences of the three princes.
Wang Qingyao had originally been looking forward to visiting relatives and attending various family banquets in January, not knowing she would encounter the issue with Princess Yin Yue.
However, ever since she had a falling out with Princess Yin Yue, she had become somewhat apprehensive. After all, she was pregnant and considered precious! What if Princess Yin Yue, in a fit of rage, got into a scuffle with her and harmed the child?
Hesitating, Xiao Yun advised her not to go and to rest at home to nurture her pregnancy.
She thought for a moment, "I'll go to Prince Rong's mansion first to see. If Princess Yin Yue still shows up uninvited, I won't go out for the next couple of days. Wei Qing told me yesterday that she didn't invite the princess of Xia, and Wei Qing also found them rather disagreeable."
Xiao Yun had no choice but to let her go, but he watched her even more closely. Even with Zhen Zhu protecting her, and now the addition of the martial arts expert Feng Jiang Duo accompanying her, he still stayed by her side, never leaving. He held her hand from the moment she alighted the carriage, constantly reminding her to watch her step. Those who didn't know Wang Qingyao was pregnant assumed Xiao Yun was exceptionally doting on her.
Everyone knew that Prince Ding An's mansion had no other concubines apart from the four beauties bestowed by the Emperor initially. There were even rumors that the Prince of Ding An had not touched them to this day! Now, it seemed to be true.
Some female guests cast envious and jealous glances. Which man, let alone one in a high position, would dote on his wife like this in public? Prince Ding An certainly didn't seem to fear being laughed at.
Not many people attended Prince Rong's banquet; all had received invitations. To Wang Qingyao's surprise, Bai Jun Ya arrived with Wang Qing Zhen, Wang Qing Zhu, and Han Sui Qin. Upon inquiry, she learned that Prince Rong had invited Prince Wang Jing and Wang Da, and they were the female family members of the Wang family. Wang Da had not remarried yet, so the Wang family's daughters could only come with their elder sister-in-law.
Wang Qingyao happened to have something to tell Wang Qing Zhen, so she called her over. Wang Qing Zhen was flattered and overwhelmed.
"Second Sister..."
Wang Qingyao did not respond. She looked at Wang Qing Zhen with a stern face, leaving her flustered and unsure of what she had done to displease Wang Qingyao.
"Stay away from Prince Qi," Wang Qingyao said in a low, stern voice. "He is not someone you can provoke. Don't end up dead without knowing how, and worse, implicating your family!"
Wang Qing Zhen's heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed. She opened her mouth, wanting to retort. How could she not provoke Prince Qi? She was beautiful, gentle, considerate, and talented, no less than Wang Qingyao. If Wang Qingyao could become the official Princess Consort, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to become a secondary consort, would it?
However, she dared not. She had always bullied the weak and feared the strong. Wang Qingyao was now the Princess Consort, and even Concubine Ying had told her not to offend Wang Qingyao. How could she dare to argue?
"Yes, I understand," she said softly, lowering her head obediently.
Seeing her demeanor, Wang Qingyao knew she hadn't taken her words to heart. She sighed and added, "Don't dismiss my advice. I'm doing this for your own good."
"Yes, I'll listen to everything Second Sister says." She put on a docile act.
Wang Qingyao was almost angered to the point of fainting. She waved her hand, "Go, go. I won't bother with you anymore."
Wang Qing Zhen then rejoined Bai Jun Ya. She and Han Sui Qin were close, often whispering to each other and giggling. Her own sister, Wang Qing Zhu, was not as intimate with her. Wang Qing Zhu was as quiet as ever, trailing behind like an aggrieved young wife. Bai Jun Ya, unable to bear it, pulled her aside and tried to engage her in conversation, but it was futile. Wang Qing Zhu only responded with "mm" and "ah," as if forced, and Bai Jun Ya had to give up helplessly.
The princesses of Xia had indeed not come. Wang Qingyao was relieved and told Xiao Yun not to follow her, allowing him to go mingle with Prince Rong and the others. She herself went to the garden with Feng Jiang Duo.
It was still cold in January. Wei Qing had people erect several glazed greenhouses in the garden, which were warm and allowed for enjoying the scenery. Through the glass, one could see a row of red plum trees in full bloom. It would have been even more picturesque with a sprinkle of snow.
Wei Qing said, "It will be even more beautiful in the spring. I've planted many flowers, and I'll invite you all again then." She had gained some weight after marriage and now looked like a plump young matron, radiant and glowing, clearly nourished by love.
Wei Yu, her sister, also helped entertain guests. Wei Yu frequented Prince Rong's mansion and was very familiar with the layout and the servants. She handled the reception with ease, currently directing servants to change hot tea for the ladies.
Other young ladies from the Wei family also came and sat with their mother, who was also the mother of Wei Qing. This eldest madam, Wei Qing's mother, was the one who had previously threatened Wang Qingyao through a message. Seeing Wang Qingyao now, she seemed a bit guilty.
Wang Qingyao smiled generously at her. Wei Qing, curious, asked, "You know my mother?"
"No, I just think she's pretty."
Wei Qing was speechless. Wei Yu, disliking the closeness between Wei Qing and Wang Qingyao, found an excuse to pull Wei Qing away after they had spoken for only a few sentences.
Feng Jiang Duo felt bored sitting there. She couldn't appreciate the artistic merit of the flowers and plants, nor was she good at conversation. Some people tried to strike up a conversation with her, but their attempts were thwarted by her "don't bother me" aura before they could even speak. There were also those who were thick-skinned and tried to make awkward small talk, indirectly trying to promote unmarried men from their families. Feng Jiang Duo felt like she was sitting on pins and needles and finally couldn't stand it anymore. "I'm going out for a walk."
Wang Qingyao burst out laughing.