Consort Dowager Fang watched Wang Qingyao leave with a worried frown.
Yun Zhu comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. What the Princess Consort said might not be true. Do you remember what the Prince said last time? He said the Grand Tutor of Fengfu warned him that he couldn't get close to other women, or his life would be in danger. Why is it different when it comes to the Princess Consort? It seems none of it is true, and they are just fooling others. Your Majesty needn't take it to heart."
She remembered it clearly, and thinking of this matter made Consort Dowager Fang feel uneasy again. Neither her son nor her daughter-in-law were easy to deal with. She just wanted to leave a descendant for the Xiao family as soon as possible.
Consort Dowager Fang sighed, "They are all deceiving me. I can't force Ayun to consummate the marriage. Really, why is Ayun such a henpecked husband that he doesn't even dare to favor a concubine!"
Consort Dowager Fang felt heartbroken, especially since Wang Qingyao's background was not very good.
Yun Zhu offered her a suggestion, "It's not that the Prince dares not, he just doesn't have the opportunity. If the Princess Consort could be sent away, and not spend the night in Kangping Courtyard, wouldn't the Prince be able to spend the night in other women's rooms? Among the four concubines, there must be one the Prince likes."
Consort Dowager Fang's eyes lit up, "I have it! I'll pretend to be sick, call the Princess Consort to nurse me, and then keep her in Jingwu Courtyard for a few days, wouldn't that work?"
Yun Zhu also thought this was a good idea and added, "It would be best to call the four concubines over to instruct them. If they are intimidated by the Princess Consort's power and dare not serve the Prince, Your Majesty should tell them that you will support them and they shouldn't fear the Princess Consort."
Consort Dowager Fang smiled with satisfaction, "You always think things through."
Immediately, she used the excuse of wanting to see the four concubines and summoned them to Jingwu Courtyard.
Huang Shiyu and the other three were all outstanding in appearance and demeanor. Consort Dowager Fang was very pleased upon seeing them.
She first bestowed a few pieces of jewelry upon the four, then said, "Since you are the Prince's concubines, you must prioritize serving the Prince and continuing the lineage. As for the Princess Consort," she paused, "she is newly married and doesn't understand many things. As her mother-in-law, I should guide her. I like you four very much, and I will support you no matter what you do."
Her words were ambiguous, and Huang Shiyu and the other three exchanged glances, remaining silent.
"Do you understand what I mean?" Consort Dowager Fang asked finally.
Huang Shiyu nodded, answering for the four, "We understand."
Consort Dowager Fang nodded with satisfaction and then let them return to Kangping Courtyard.
As the four entered the West Garden, Qian Yu asked, "What does the Consort Dowager mean by this?"
Bian Siyue sneered, "What else could she mean? She wants us to compete for the Prince's favor with the Princess Consort? I've never seen such an old woman. Isn't it good for a son and daughter-in-law to be in love? She has to instigate others to be jealous!"
Jiang Jing asked, "Should we report this to the Princess Consort?"
Huang Shiyu replied, "Of course, we must report it. The Princess Consort has been greatly kind to us. We must not hide anything from the Princess Consort, do you understand?"
The other three nodded and said in unison, "We understand."
Huang Shiyu then reported the matter to Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao merely smiled upon hearing it and didn't take it to heart.
The next day, Consort Dowager Fang "fell ill," suffering from headaches and insomnia. Wang Qingyao and the Old Dowager visited her. The doctor could not find any specific cause and only prescribed some tonifying medicine.
Wang Qingyao naturally stayed to nurse her. Xiao Yun came to visit after work upon hearing that Consort Dowager Fang was ill.
Consort Dowager Fang grasped Xiao Yun's hand and said, "There's no serious ailment. The doctor said I need more rest, but I can't be left alone at night. I want the Princess Consort to stay and accompany me tonight."
Xiao Yun was stunned, feeling that Consort Dowager Fang's words were strange.
She had summoned the four concubines yesterday, and today she was asking Wang Qingyao to spend the night in Jingwu Courtyard. How could Wang Qingyao not understand?
Consort Dowager Fang was creating opportunities for the four concubines!
She winked at Xiao Yun. Xiao Yun was bewildered, completely unaware of what was happening.
She wanted to escort Xiao Yun to the door, but Consort Dowager Fang, wary of her saying anything forceful to Xiao Yun in private, held her hand tightly, as if she couldn't be separated from her for a moment.
Xiao Yun became even more bewildered, but seeing Wang Qingyao's relaxed and smiling expression, he knew she wasn't at a disadvantage. He didn't say anything and returned to Kangping Courtyard alone.
Consort Dowager Fang finally felt relieved.
Of course, one night was too little. There were four concubines in the West Garden; how could they all get a turn?
Consort Dowager Fang kept her there for four nights, not allowing her to return to Kangping Courtyard even during the day. If anything was needed, someone was sent to Kangping Courtyard to fetch it.
Wang Qingyao understood her little scheme and cooperated fully.
On the fifth day, Consort Dowager Fang's "illness" finally "recovered," and Wang Qingyao was finally able to return to Kangping Courtyard.
As soon as she returned, she found Yin Zhu and asked, "How was it? How was it?"
She looked very excited.
Yin Zhu was taken aback, "How was what?"
"That is, during the days I was away, whose room did the Prince visit? Was it shared equally, or was there a single favorite?"
Wang Qingyao looked full of gossip.
Yin Zhu almost thought she was acting strangely. After a while, she said, "He didn't go anywhere."
"Nowhere?"
"Yes," Yin Zhu nodded and said proudly, "The Prince slept alone in the main room every night! I was afraid the four of them would try to seduce the Prince while Your Majesty was away, so I guarded the door all night. I have dark circles under my eyes."
Wang Qingyao looked closely and saw that Yin Zhu indeed had severe dark circles and puffy eyes, and seemed to have lost weight.
"Oh dear, you worked hard. Here, this golden hairpin is for you."
Yin Zhu happily accepted the golden hairpin and patted her chest with great spirit, "It was no trouble, no trouble. Fortunately, those four concubines were sensible. While Your Majesty was away, they didn't even leave their rooms. Usually, they would at least move around in the garden."