Feng Jiangduo had been gone for a long time and hadn't returned. It was unclear if she was annoyed and would only show up for the banquet.
At this moment, a maidservant came to summon Wang Qingyao. "Princess Consort Ding'an, Princess Nangge requests your presence."
Wang Qingyao didn't think much of it and followed the maidservant with Zhenzhu.
The maidservant was quite dense, knowing nothing when asked, only leading the way. The path was quite long, and they gradually ventured into a more secluded area. Wang Qingyao's vigilance began to rise. Just then, the maidservant suddenly sprinted ahead and disappeared around a corner in the blink of an eye.
Zhenzhu chased a few steps before returning to Wang Qingyao's side, warily scanning their surroundings.
Wang Qingyao used her clairvoyant eyes to see the maidservant walking further and further away.
Nearby was the boundary between the inner and outer courtyards, separated by a wall. Beyond the wall was a small courtyard.
Wang Qingyao swept her clairvoyant gaze around and saw an unfamiliar man standing by the wall. Looking further, she discovered Xiao Mo standing on the other side of the wall.
Wang Qingyao was utterly bewildered. What was going on?
Just then, the sound of two people talking came from within the wall, and their voices were immediately familiar.
It was Xiao Yun and Feng Jiangduo.
"I've missed you so much, let me kiss you. You don't know that the Princess Consort is pregnant and won't let me touch other women, I'm about to die of frustration." This was Xiao Yun's voice.
"Your Highness, when will you tell the Princess Consort about us? I am a princess, after all. I can't just follow you without a proper title." This was Feng Jiangduo's voice.
"In a few more months, you know the Princess Consort is pregnant. I'm afraid she'll be stimulated and it'll be bad for the child. You also know she's jealous..."
"Hmph, do you only have her in your heart? Didn't you say you only loved me?"
"Of course I love you, darling, I only love you. How could I possibly love the Princess Consort, she's so lowly? If it weren't for the fact that she's carrying my child, I wouldn't even glance at her?"
"You just know how to coax me."
"Come, let me kiss you..."
What followed were sounds of ambiguous kissing and heavy breathing.
Zhenzhu's face turned ashen, and she held onto Wang Qingyao, not daring to utter a sound.
Wang Qingyao observed the man performing a one-man show within the wall with great interest. What skill! One person, playing both male and female roles, and mimicking their voices perfectly. Especially Feng Jiangduo's voice, which carried a hint of arrogance and coldness, truly identical.
Who had found such a person?
This move was quite vicious. The man I love most and my best friend are together.
If Wang Qingyao didn't have clairvoyant eyes, she would probably be so enraged that she'd miscarry by now.
Xiao Mo, without clairvoyant eyes, would likely misunderstand.
She looked at Xiao Mo again, but he had already left at some point.
She yawned. "Let's go."
They retraced their steps. Along the way, she picked a winter plum blossom and sniffed it with great interest.
Zhenzhu was trembling. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"
"I'm fine!"
Zhenzhu was on the verge of tears. "Your Majesty, please don't be sad. The young heir is important." She cursed Xiao Yun and Feng Jiangduo in her heart.
Wang Qingyao's heart stirred. Her husband was having an affair; she needed to appear sad and heartbroken now. If she acted as if nothing had happened, wouldn't that be letting down the schemer's painstaking efforts?
She tried to force out a few tears, but her acting skills were poor. She contorted her face and recalled sad memories, but she had lived too comfortably for the past year, with nothing particularly sad to recall. In the end, nothing came out.
This, in turn, terrified Zhenzhu. "Your Majesty, are you alright? Don't scare me."
Wang Qingyao gave up. She put on a stern face and walked towards the garden without a word. Upon returning, she lingered in the glazed greenhouse, lost in thought, feigning a look of utter despair and devastation. Her gaze swept over everyone, looking for anyone who might be secretly observing her.
Of course, with her absentminded appearance, everyone was secretly watching her.
She sat for a while, seemingly unable to bear it any longer. She refused to eat and took her leave from Wei Qing.
Wei Qing was surprised.
She held her head. "I'm feeling a bit unwell."
"Aren't you waiting for Princess Nangge?"
"She might want to stay longer."
After Wang Qingyao had left, Wei Qing murmured to herself, "What's wrong with Princess Consort Ding'an? She was fine earlier."
Wei Yu, beside her, said cheerfully, "Perhaps she found out something unpleasant."
Wei Qing suddenly looked at her. "What did you say?"
"Oh, I was joking." Wei Yu hugged Wei Qing's arm and pouted. "You know I don't like Princess Consort Ding'an. You're quite friendly with her now."
Wei Yu pouted, jealous.
Wei Qing pinched her cheek. "You, you're still childish."
Wei Yu laughed in defiance, her lips curling higher and higher. She was truly happy!
Feng Jiangduo returned a while later. She had encountered a young woman who knew martial arts and wanted to spar with her. Bored, she had indulged her and exchanged a few blows, purely to pass the time.
When she returned, Wang Qingyao was no longer in her original spot. Upon inquiring, she learned that Wang Qingyao had already gone home! She hadn't waited for her!
Feng Jiangduo was shocked, completely unaware of what had happened.
She already disliked such gatherings. Since Wang Qingyao had left, she decided to leave as well.
However, as she stepped out of the Rong Prince's manor, she saw Wang Qingyao waving at her from across the street.