Finally, a weight lifted from her mind, Wang Qingyao lay sprawled on the bed, feeling immensely relieved.
She could finally have the large bed all to herself again!
Yet, she tossed and turned, finding herself unable to sleep.
It wasn't that she was upset about Xiao Yun sleeping in another woman's bed.
It was that she had grown accustomed to having someone beside her when she slept, and returning to sleeping alone felt a little strange.
Habit, Wang Qingyao mused, was a terrible thing.
She didn't know when she finally fell asleep.
In the morning, Xiao Yun had breakfast with Bian Siyue and then went directly to the Ministry of Revenue.
When Bian Siyue came to pay her respects to Wang Qingyao according to custom, Wang Qingyao was still asleep.
The young maids looked at Bian Siyue with disdain.
Granny Nian went in to wake Wang Qingyao. Seeing her groggy eyes and dark circles underneath, she said with concern, "Your Highness, please don't worry. She's just a concubine. Every man has one or two concubines, let alone a Prince."
Wang Qingyao, not having slept well, felt a bit sluggish. She nodded vaguely at Granny Nian's words.
Granny Nian called for Zhizi and the others to help her wash up. After drinking a bowl of fresh milk, she finally felt a bit more awake, though her expression remained listless.
When Bian Siyue came in to pay her respects and saw Wang Qingyao's state, her heart began to pound. Had she misunderstood? Did the Princess not know the Prince was just acting?
This thought made her anxious, and she longed to explain the situation immediately.
However, with others present, she couldn't do so directly.
She had specifically styled her hair as a married woman today, and her makeup was heavier than before. Her flushed cheeks gave her a truly "newlywed" appearance.
Could Xiao Yun have taken the act too seriously? Wang Qingyao wondered.
She didn't feel particularly jealous or uncomfortable, just thought, "Hmph, men!"
Bian Siyue paid her respects to Wang Qingyao, and Wang Qingyao, as per custom, bestowed many gifts upon her, also instructing her to serve the Prince well in the future.
Bian Siyue nodded obediently, not acting arrogant or challenging the Princess despite receiving favor.
After all the formalities were completed, Bian Siyue still showed no sign of leaving. She walked behind Wang Qingyao and began to massage her shoulders and back, acting as if she were there to serve her.
"Your Highness hasn't had breakfast yet, have you? Let this servant serve you."
"I don't need anyone to serve me for meals. You haven't eaten either, why don't we eat together?"
Bian Siyue: "..." The Princess didn't seem particularly sad?
While the maids in the room were out setting the table, Bian Siyue quickly leaned closer to Wang Qingyao and whispered, "Your Highness, please rest assured, the Prince and I did nothing last night."
Wang Qingyao froze and looked up at her. Bian Siyue's face was beaming, devoid of any resentment.
This was somewhat different from what Wang Qingyao had expected.
Even if she had accepted the roles assigned by the main wife and husband out of necessity, shouldn't she have felt some reluctance? And then later, caused trouble, taken the act seriously, and made it a done deal...
Weren't all the melodramatic novels she used to read written like this?
Why did Bian Siyue seem eager for more?
As she was contemplating, she heard Bian Siyue continue excitedly, "Your Highness, whatever you need me to do, just tell me. I'm a great actress!"
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Wang Qingyao felt that everyone she encountered after her transmigration was an oddball.
Wang Qingyao invited Bian Siyue to eat with her, but Bian Siyue insisted on standing and serving.
"This way, it shows that even though I've received favor, I remain proper and humble, not arrogant..."
Bian Siyue enthusiastically assigned herself a role.
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Indeed, as Bian Siyue attentively and considerately served her meal, the other maids in Kangping Courtyard felt much more at ease, their hostility towards her lessened.
Before long, someone arrived from Jingwu Courtyard. It turned out that Consort Dowager Fang had learned that Xiao Yun had spent the night in Bian Siyue's room and had specifically summoned her over for a reward.
Bian Siyue lowered her voice, "Your Highness, what role should I play later?"
Wang Qingyao actually thought about it seriously. "Be a bit arrogant, like a favored concubine. That will make Consort Dowager Fang feel better."
"Okay!" Bian Siyue rubbed her hands together, eager to begin.
Upon arriving at Jingwu Courtyard, Consort Dowager Fang first held her hand and inquired about her well-being, praising her profusely and bestowing many gifts.
Bian Siyue yawned, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Consort Dowager Fang chuckled, "You must have been tired last night, right?"
Bian Siyue then nodded shyly, "I overslept this morning and didn't even have time to pay my respects to Your Highness. Fortunately, Your Highness is benevolent, not only did she not blame this servant but also sent many gifts and instructed me to serve the Prince well in the future."
Consort Dowager Fang snorted, "She knows her place." She then added, "If she bullies you, come tell me, and I'll back you up! The most important thing is to ensure the Wei Xiao family has heirs."
Bian Siyue: "Hehehe, Your Highness is too kind to this servant. How could she bully me?"
Consort Dowager Fang: "..."
After Bian Siyue returned, she offered all the gifts to Wang Qingyao, but Wang Qingyao refused to accept them, telling her to keep them.