The Marquis of Yongning's family, though grand in title, possessed little actual wealth, having long since become a mere shell. They subsisted solely on the dowries of daughters and the betrothal gifts of sons, living off their dwindling inheritance.
With numerous sons and daughters, they were not given much individual attention. Beyond the eldest legitimate children, the Marquis of Yongning likely didn't even know the names of his later illegitimate daughters.
Could Old Madam Wang truly have set her sights on such a family?
Manao chuckled, "Even so, she is still a young lady of the Marquis of Yongning's household. Besides, the Wang family's elder brother is already quite old... I've heard others speak of the seventh young lady from the Marquis's household; she is both talented and beautiful, truly outstanding even among the many young ladies of the Marquis's household!"
The beautiful mistress of the Marquis's household, young and vibrant, would likely give Concubine Ying a headache for quite some time.
After bathing and changing, Wang Qingyao had a simple bowl of bird's nest and white fungus soup before going to pay her respects to the Old Grand Consort.
Meanwhile, Feng Jiangduo was led to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion.
According to the rank of a county princess, the Old Grand Consort assigned Feng Jiangduo four senior maids, eight second-tier maids, and sixteen junior maids.
Feng Jiangduo's face darkened as she looked at the sea of heads filling the courtyard. She casually pointed to the two senior maids at the front, "You two stay. The rest may leave."
Those not chosen were expected to find other duties within the courtyard, beginning their assigned tasks.
Feng Jiangduo waved her hand, "Not just leave, but go back where you came from. I don't need you here."
Upon hearing this, the others panicked and knelt down in unison.
One of the two senior maids asked, "Did they do something to anger the county princess?"
Feng Jiangduo replied, "No, I simply don't require so many people to serve me. The two of you are enough."
The kneeling individuals remained still. The senior maid then said, "They were assigned to serve the county princess. If they return like this, they will be punished..."
Feng Jiangduo felt that the rules of the Ding'an Prince's household were truly numerous. After a moment's thought, she said, "I will speak to the Old Grand Consort myself."
The two senior maids, one named Feiyu and the other Feibiao, then assisted Feng Jiangduo with her bath and change of clothes, and escorted her to the Old Grand Consort's courtyard.
The Warm Fragrance Pavilion was close to the Old Grand Consort's courtyard, and Feng Jiangduo bathed more efficiently than Wang Qingyao. By the time Wang Qingyao arrived, Feng Jiangduo was already seated beside the Old Grand Consort, her hand held warmly, being affectionately called "Duoduo" with great warmth and intimacy.
Consort Fang also arrived, sitting beside them with a smile, looking gratefully at Xiao Mo's savior and occasionally interjecting words of praise.
Although Feng Jiangduo had a naturally cool demeanor, it did not mean she was incapable of interacting with those she was not familiar with.
As the young county princess of the Ding'an Prince's household, she possessed all the necessary etiquette, rules, and ways of dealing with people; it simply depended on whether she was willing to engage.
The Old Grand Consort and Consort Fang were Xiao Mo's relatives, and Feng Jiangduo was willing to be close to them.
For a time, the gathering was filled with pleasantries and a harmonious atmosphere.
Upon seeing Wang Qingyao enter, Feng Jiangduo stood up at the opportune moment, "Wangfei of Ding'an."
She had lived and eaten with Wang Qingyao throughout her journey. Despite her reserved nature, they had already become close friends.
Moreover, Wang Qingyao had long since decided that Feng Jiangduo was her future sister-in-law, and treated her with even more affection. Their usual way of addressing each other was by name.
Feng Jiangduo's sudden formality made Wang Qingyao understand immediately.
"Duoduo," she beckoned, and Feng Jiangduo slowly walked to her side, standing together. "You arrived quite early. Are you satisfied with the Warm Fragrance Pavilion that Grandmother arranged for you? If not, we can change it."
Feng Jiangduo replied, "I am satisfied. It's just that there are too many people serving. I've already spoken with the Old Grand Consort, and she agreed to have them withdrawn."
The Old Grand Consort chimed in with a smile, "This child has no airs of a county princess."
At this moment, Xiao Mo also arrived. The Old Grand Consort quickly called him to her side, inspecting him from head to toe to ensure he was not injured. Seeing that he was whole and unharmed, she let out a long sigh of relief.
After the Old Grand Consort had examined him, Consort Fang also called him over for a look.
Although Xiao Mo was an adopted son of the Xiao family, both the masters and servants of the household treated him and Xiao Yun equally.
After paying their respects, Wang Qingyao and the others sat down to share the day's observations and events.
When Wang Qingyao spoke of Xiao Mo falling off the cliff, everyone gasped and covered their mouths.
Previously, Wang Qingyao had only briefly mentioned it in a letter and had not provided such specific details. Apart from the Old Grand Consort, no one knew that Xiao Mo's danger had involved falling off a cliff.
Consort Fang exclaimed in surprise, so this was how Feng Jiangduo saved Xiao Mo! How perilous! This was saving a life at the risk of her own!
Consort Fang's gratitude towards Feng Jiangduo immediately rose to another level. She felt that the见面礼 (meeting gift) she had given earlier was too meager and resolved to prepare a more substantial gift upon her return.
"It is thanks to the young county princess's selfless rescue that I was able to regain my life," Xiao Mo said calmly, glancing at Feng Jiangduo. A fleeting brilliance flashed in his eyes.
Feng Jiangduo's expression remained unchanged, but her gaze softened.
Unnoticed by anyone, Yun Zhu, standing behind Consort Fang, keenly caught the interaction between the two. Her eyes immediately turned cold and sharp.