Wang Qingyao was not concerned with the Bai clan; her interest was purely born of curiosity and gossip.
Xiao Yun had arranged for people to lie in wait outside the manor. Their sole purpose was to ensure Bai Shi and Wang Qinglin did not leave, and to know who they met. They had no interest in what transpired within.
Aunt Ying, now in charge of the Wang family's domestic affairs, could easily place her people around Bai Shi and Wang Qinglin.
Wang Qingyao knew this implicitly and did not ask how Aunt Ying obtained the information. Instead, she inquired, "Is the child the eldest uncle's? When did the eldest uncle go to the countryside?"
Aunt Ying recognized Wang Qingyao's shrewdness from this question.
Aunt Ying offered a knowing smile. "My lord did not go to the countryside."
This implied that the child Bai Shi carried was not Wang Da's.
Wang Qingyao returned Aunt Ying's knowing smile. "This is getting interesting."
But why would Aunt Ying specifically share this information with her?
Bai Shi was already utterly defeated and posed no threat to Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao had no need to use this matter to suppress her. Bai Shi was no longer a threat.
However, Aunt Ying's situation was different. Bai Shi's continued existence was more useful to her than her death. Did Aunt Ying not understand this?
Aunt Ying lowered her voice. "The First Madam wishes to return using this matter. She has already sent word that the Eldest Young Lady's face has improved greatly and has invited my lord to see it."
Once Wang Da arrived, Bai Shi would undoubtedly use all her wiles to keep him overnight. As long as Wang Da touched her, or believed he had, she could frame him for the child in her womb.
Aunt Ying did not want Bai Shi to return, nor did she want her to die. If this matter were exposed, Bai Shi would surely perish.
Once Bai Shi was gone, Wang Da would surely remarry. If another principal wife took her place, Aunt Ying's comfortable life would be over.
Therefore, Aunt Ying had come to Wang Qingyao for advice.
Frankly, Wang Qingyao did not want Bai Shi to return. If Bai Shi died, and Wang Da remarried, it would have no bearing on Wang Qingyao.
However, Aunt Ying's visit today was not only to seek advice but also to subtly convey her willingness to cooperate.
Wang Qingyao had just had a falling out with Old Madam Wang. In the future, if anything significant happened within the Wang family, having Aunt Ying as an informant would prevent Wang Qingyao from being too passive.
With this in mind, Wang Qingyao pondered for a moment and said, "It's simple. Find a way to cause the First Madam to miscarry."
Aunt Ying hesitated. If Bai Shi's child were lost, the matter would be silently buried. Such a significant leverage would be completely unused, and Aunt Ying felt a pang of reluctance.
Wang Qingyao smiled faintly. "There are gains and losses. Aunt, you must have a long-term perspective."
Aunt Ying's body trembled. She respectfully lowered her head. "Your Majesty's teachings are wise. This servant knows what to do."
Wang Qingyao smiled. It was easy to converse with intelligent people.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Aunt Ying's face, as if she had more to say but found it difficult to express.
"Aunt, if you have something to say, please speak freely."
Aunt Ying then whispered, "The Third Young Lady has reached marriageable age. I beg Your Majesty to help her."
The Third Young Lady was Wang Qingzhen. Wang Qingzhen was a year younger than Wang Qingyao and indeed of an age to be considered for marriage.
Did Aunt Ying mean for Wang Qingyao to act as a matchmaker?
Wang Qingyao was not particularly enthusiastic about this. She frowned and asked, "Does Aunt have suitable candidates in mind?"
Aunt Ying shifted bashfully before vaguely replying, "Several princes..."
Wang Qingyao's eyebrows twitched. Hmph, her ambitions were not small.
Seeing Wang Qingyao's displeased expression, Aunt Ying quickly added, "I dare not hope for a principal wife. A secondary consort or concubine would also be acceptable."
Wang Qingyao was astonished. This was the first time she had encountered a mother eager to have her daughter become a concubine.
But then again, Aunt Ying herself had managed her position as an aunt so successfully, not losing out to the principal wife. Naturally, she saw no harm in being a concubine.
"Aunt Ying," Wang Qingyao adopted a solemn expression, "the marriages of princes, even for secondary consorts and concubines, are decided by the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, or the Imperial Consort. It is not something I, the Princess of Ding'an, can decide."
Aunt Ying gave a sheepish laugh. "I am not asking Your Majesty to decide, merely to introduce her."
If the princes themselves took a liking to her, and then requested it from above, there would be no reason for them to refuse, especially if it were not a significant position, right?
Once she entered a prince's household, would she not fear future prosperity?
Wang Qingyao saw Aunt Ying's persistent delusion and felt a growing dislike.
Furthermore, Aunt Ying only mentioned princes without specifying which one she favored, clearly indicating she was only interested in their status. This made her seem even more materialistic.
Seeing Wang Qingyao's silence, Aunt Ying continued, "I hear several princes get along well with the Prince of Ding'an. Perhaps the Third Sister could stay at the Prince of Ding'an's manor for a few days... If she bets on the right horse, it would also be beneficial for His Highness and Your Majesty in the future..."
Under Wang Qingyao's stern gaze, Aunt Ying's voice grew progressively softer.
"Aunt Ying," Wang Qingyao said displeasedly, "the princes all reside in the palace and have not yet established their own residences outside. Even if they have companions, they are only low-ranking individuals like bed warmers. Why should Third Sister involve herself in such a commotion? She is now considered the legitimate daughter of the Wang family's eldest branch. Would it not be better for her to marry a respectable wife?"
Aunt Ying was about to say more, but Wang Qingyao waved her hand. "You need not say more. I will not agree to this matter. Do not try to use me."
Although Aunt Ying was disappointed, she dared not say more, fearing that angering Wang Qingyao would leave her with no opportunity at all.