On the day the Wang family held a farewell banquet for Wang Qingyao, Xiao Yun accompanied her.
Old Madam Wang was quite shocked, while Wang Da was very pleased. Just as they were about to leave, he made a last-minute decision to stay and called Wang Zijin back.
Wang Zijin had originally made plans for the day, but remembering Wang Qingyao's impending journey, he had asked Bai Junya to come the day before to see Wang Qingyao off on his behalf.
Bai Junya and Wang Zijin's wedding date had been moved up to the end of the year, leaving only about two months. Bai Shi's sudden return with a child made her feel rather awkward.
The rush to bring their wedding forward was precisely because Bai Shi had been sent away to the estate, leaving the vast Bai family without anyone proper to manage affairs.
Now that Bai Shi, the mistress of the household, had returned, and was also pregnant, Bai Junya worried if their wedding date might be postponed.
She wasn't particularly concerned about the management of affairs.
However, Wang Zijin had privately assured her that the wedding date would remain unchanged, as Bai Shi, being pregnant, would not have the energy to manage the household.
The diners were all family, so there was no pretense of separating men and women.
They sat together at a lively table.
Bai Shi did not attend. Wang Da, assuming Wang Qingyao was unaware of Bai Shi's pregnancy, mentioned it.
"Your paternal aunt is with child and has been suffering greatly from morning sickness lately, so we didn't ask her to come."
Wang Qingyao feigned appropriate surprise. "That's truly congratulations to my uncle. I will certainly give the little nephew a generous red envelope then."
Wang Da beamed, unable to contain his joy.
No one disliked a child born in their later years; it also demonstrated his continued vigor and prowess.
Wang Zijin knew of Bai Shi's past transgressions against Wang Qingyao. Hearing them chat so casually made him feel somewhat uneasy.
At this moment, Old Madam Wang said to the beautiful young woman standing beside her, "Suiqin, you may sit down too."
Wang Qingyao had noticed the young girl named Suiqin as soon as she entered.
Her small, fair, almond-shaped face, beneath her brows, were bright, elegant phoenix eyes. Her raven hair cascaded like dark clouds. Upon closer inspection, she possessed a graceful and gentle beauty.
Not only men, but Wang Qingyao herself found herself looking at her a few extra times.
Clairvoyance aside, Wang Qingyao had seen enough naked bodies to no longer be the innocent maiden she once was, and her interest waned.
Suiqin curtsied gracefully to everyone and sat beside Old Madam Wang.
The wrinkles on Old Madam Wang's face deepened with every smile, making her resemble a witch from a fairy tale.
She said with a smile, "Yao Yao, you haven't met Suiqin yet, have you? She is your cousin."
With Old Madam Wang's introduction, Suiqin stood up and bowed to Wang Qingyao, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Her posture was graceful, her voice soft, and her entire being seemed as gentle as water, yet in a way that was not off-putting.
Wang Qingyao nodded with a smile.
Old Madam Wang chuckled. "Why call her Your Highness? Call her cousin. Calling her Your Highness is too distant. Isn't that right, Yao Yao?"
Wang Qingyao did not answer her question, but instead smiled and asked, "May I ask which family Miss Suiqin belongs to? I've never met her before."
This question clearly indicated their unfamiliarity, and it was natural for her to be distant from this cousin she had never met.
Old Madam Wang explained, "She is not from Duanjing; she is from Jiangling Prefecture. She is the granddaughter of your maternal great-uncle of the Han family."
Wang Qingyao had naturally never met this great-uncle and had no idea who he was, let alone his granddaughter. However, since she had come to Duanjing to seek refuge with Old Madam Wang and was staying at the Wang residence, she was considered a young lady of the family, and Wang Qingyao felt obliged to show her courtesy.
Wang Qingyao nodded and addressed her as "cousin."
Wang Qingzhen said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Second Sister, you wouldn't believe it, but Cousin Suiqin is now the most favored young lady by Grandmother in our household. Even I can't compare!"
Her slightly jealous demeanor drew laughter from everyone. Suiqin lowered her head, revealing the soft curve of her neck, and seemed to smile faintly.
The meal was harmonious. After they finished eating, everyone sat and chatted for a while. The Old Madam did not rush to promote Suiqin, and Suiqin maintained an air of serene tranquility, answering questions when asked and never saying anything to draw undue attention.
Wang Qingyao found it subtly strange.
This young lady was quite different from the seductive temptresses she had seen in domestic and palace intrigue dramas.
As it was getting late, Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun stood up to take their leave. Old Madam Wang suddenly said, "Yao Yao, Grandmother has a few words she wishes to speak with you privately. Is that permissible?"
Old Madam Wang's posture was remarkably humble. She was Wang Qingyao's grandmother, and even though Wang Qingyao was now a princess, she was still her grandmother. If Wang Qingyao were to put on airs of a princess in front of her, it would be considered unfilial.
However, before Wang Qingyao could reply, Xiao Yun took her hand and said, "I will accompany you."
He then looked at Old Madam Wang and asked, "May I be privy to these words?"
Although the customs of the Great Sheng Dynasty were relatively open, few people would openly hold hands and display affection in front of others, especially elders. However, Xiao Yun did it with such natural ease and sincerity, as if this was his usual behavior towards Wang Qingyao, that it did not seem out of place.
The young ladies present, Wang Qingzhen, Wang Qingzhu, Bai Junya, and even Han Suiqin, all looked on with envy.