Wang Qingyao could see that Aunt Ying had not given up on the idea of Wang Qingzhen marrying a prince.
Her cousin, separated by a room, had both parents present. If she was determined to become a concubine to someone else, Wang Qingyao couldn't stop her, nor did she care to.
Upon returning, she mentioned it to Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun exclaimed, "Your aunt is quite ambitious." He added, "The Emperor will likely bestow marriages and residences around the Mid-Autumn Festival. The three princes of Consort Wei are all grown; it's no longer fitting for them to reside in the palace."
With the bestowal of marriages and residences settled, the matter of establishing a Crown Prince would also be put on the agenda, or at least there would be clear indications.
The Xiao family did not take sides and felt indifferent about this.
However, everyone generally believed that the second prince was the most likely candidate for the position of Crown Prince.
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but smile when she thought of the second prince, who seemed intent on finding true love and cared more for beauty than for the throne.
Noticing the smile in her eyes, Xiao Yun reached out and took her soft, smooth hand. "What are you smiling about?" he asked.
Wang Qingyao then spoke about Bai Shi's pregnancy.
Xiao Yun exclaimed again, "The women around your eldest uncle are all extraordinary."
Wang Da had many women. Now that his legal wife was also seeking other men, it could be considered retribution for him.
Wang Qingyao felt a sense of schadenfreude.
"Wang Da will likely visit the estate in the next few days. Keep a close watch on his movements and report back."
"Why?" Xiao Yun thought Wang Qingyao was planning something.
After playing the role of a noble lady in the Wang family for half the day, Wang Qingyao shed her pretense in her own room, leaning against Xiao Yun to rest without any regard for her image. "No reason, I just want to hear some gossip."
Xiao Yun chuckled, finding her both adorable and generous, willing to share everything with him, unlike other wives who maintained a formal distance, lacking intimacy.
Thinking this, his heart grew sweeter. He smiled and said, "Alright, I'll have my people watch closely and make sure you know everything that happens."
Wang Qingyao detected the teasing in his words and playfully hit him.
In the evening, someone from the Old Grand Consort's residence came to invite Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun over.
It turned out that Dingnan Wang had replied.
The Old Grand Consort showed them the letter. Upon seeing it, Wang Qingyao exchanged a glance with Xiao Yun and couldn't help but laugh.
Dingnan Wang's calligraphy was truly... beyond compliment.
Xiao Yun had once said Wang Qingyao's handwriting resembled a dog's scrawl; Dingnan Wang's was similar.
In the letter, Dingnan Wang stated that Tian Yu was indeed being watched by an expert, but his granddaughter had apprehended the person. The culprit was now imprisoned in Dingnan Wang's manor. To ensure safety, he had also dispatched two other experts to secretly protect Tian Yu.
Dingnan Wang's granddaughter?
"It's that girl Feng Jiangduo," the Old Grand Consort explained with a smile. "She's a few years older than Yao Yao and has loved wielding weapons since she was young. She's more like a boy than Dingnan Wang's grandsons."
Wang Qingyao asked with great interest, "Is her martial arts skill very high?"
She had witnessed Steward Ji's martial arts prowess. If Feng Jiangduo could capture Steward Ji, it meant she was also an expert.
The Old Grand Consort nodded. "Not weak. She accompanied Dingnan Wang onto the battlefield when she was about ten. Among Dingnan Wang's grandchildren, she is his favorite."
Wang Qingyao pictured in her mind a valiant and heroic girl, much like Mulan.
She resolved to befriend her if the opportunity arose.
"What do you plan to do with Steward Ji?" the Old Grand Consort asked. "Do you want to directly..."
She made a throat-slitting gesture.
A chill ran down Wang Qingyao's spine. The Old Grand Consort was a ruthless woman.
Xiao Yun looked at Wang Qingyao, clearly expecting her to make the decision.
As the primary victim, she had the most say.
After five seconds of thought, she said, "Can we interrogate him severely to find leverage against Grand Tutor Wei?"
"People like Steward Ji are tight-lipped. Dingnan Wang's letter also stated that he didn't reveal a single word even after interrogation."
They were all ruthless people.
Wang Qingyao lacked experience in dealing with such matters. Since Steward Ji refused to say anything, keeping him alive seemed pointless. However, having grown up under socialist ideology, she genuinely couldn't utter the words "kill him."
"Let's keep him imprisoned for now. He might be useful later," she said.
Xiao Yun looked at her tenderly and said with understanding, "You're just too soft-hearted."
When faced with a situation, Wang Qingyao appeared fierce and formidable, but in reality, she was kinder than most people he had met. She hesitated to kill someone, even someone who deserved to die.
This was likely related to the world she grew up in, Xiao Yun mused naturally.
Since Tian Yu would not die, Grand Tutor Wei's scheme to frame Wang Qingyao by using Tian Yu's death would fail.
He wouldn't be able to concoct any other trouble in the short term.
This matter could be set aside for now.
The Old Grand Consort then inquired about Xiao Yun's family enemies.
Xiao Yun exclaimed with a smile, "Grandmother, it's only been a few days. You're too impatient."
"Naughty boy," the Old Grand Consort said, lightly tapping his head. "I'm impatient for your sake. The Xiao family's curse doesn't affect me."
"Yes, yes, it's all for me. I'll investigate quickly."
"You don't need to rush so much," the Old Grand Consort changed her tune. "Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. The restaurants have started selling new wines, and crabs and many fruits are now in season. You two young couples can go out and have some fun."