Old Mrs. Wang's feelings toward Wang Qingyao were complicated.
On one hand, Wang Qingyao was the best-married daughter of the Wang family, possessing noble status and high prestige. The Wang family's future prospects would inevitably depend on her.
On the other hand, Wang Qingyao was also the most rebellious among Old Mrs. Wang's granddaughters. Disobedient and headstrong, she had her own ideas. Old Mrs. Wang couldn't control her, and had even suffered at her hands before.
In such circumstances, Old Mrs. Wang hated her to the bone but could do nothing about it.
Every time she saw Wang Qingyao, she felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a hundred flies.
On this joyous occasion, Old Mrs. Wang could only seize upon these vague notions of virtue and the like, gently reprimanding Wang Qingyao a few times to alleviate the bitterness in her heart.
Who could have imagined that Wang Qingyao would hand her such a perfect opportunity on a silver platter?
Truly considerate.
"Absurd! What do you mean, 'one man, one woman for a lifetime'? Don't all men have three wives and four concubines? You are truly ignorant!"
"How did Grandmother teach you at home? How have you become even more foolish after marrying?"
How long had it been since Old Mrs. Wang had so freely berated Wang Qingyao?
The pent-up frustration that had long been brewing in her heart seemed to vanish into thin air at this moment.
A hint of joy even crept onto her face, etched with the lines of age.
Wang Qingyao was, after all, the Princess of Ding'an. With so many people present in the hall, being scolded so unceremoniously by Old Mrs. Wang made everyone else feel embarrassed for her.
The onlookers cautiously glanced at her, only to see that her expression remained calm, showing no trace of shame or anger.
She looked at Old Mrs. Wang and slightly curved her lips, "Grandmother is right. I told the Prince the same thing, but he just wouldn't listen to me. Grandmother also thinks he's ignorant, doesn't she? Grandmother is an elder. When the Prince comes to pick me up later, why doesn't Grandmother scold him again? Perhaps then he'll listen."
Old Mrs. Wang froze, her face becoming unnatural. She chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe... How can I criticize the Prince?"
"Why can't you?" Wang Qingyao smiled sweetly. "I, the Princess of Ding'an, can speak my mind. Why can't you? The Prince will be here soon. Grandmother, prepare yourself."
Old Mrs. Wang became flustered, "No, I I..."
Wang Qingyao had already arranged with Xiao Yun that she would not attend the banquet. After the sedan chair left, Xiao Yun would come to pick her up and take her home.
Xiao Yun was coming from the Ministry of Personnel, and some acquaintances in the front courtyard detained him for a chat. Then, Wang Da rushed over to pay his respects. All these delays added up.
By the time he reached the vicinity of the main hall where everyone was gathered, someone spotted him and called out loudly, "The Prince of Ding'an has arrived."
Although there were strict distinctions between men and women, the Prince of Ding'an held a noble status, and it was permissible for him to enter the inner court at Wang Qingyao's maternal home.
Given Wang Qingyao's earlier words, upon hearing that the Prince of Ding'an had arrived, everyone turned their gaze towards him. Some offered greetings, others bowed, creating a lively scene.
Old Mrs. Wang's heart fluttered. She also stood up, but then remembered that she was Wang Qingyao's paternal grandmother and thus also a grandmother to the Prince of Ding'an. She then resumed her seat with dignity, waiting for the Prince of Ding'an to pay his respects to her.
Xiao Yun entered the hall, kindly told everyone to dispense with the formalities, and looked at Wang Qingyao, asking casually, "What are you all chatting about so lively?"
Wang Qingyao replied softly, "Grandmother is scolding me."
The hall fell silent again.
The Princess of Ding'an truly spoke without mincing words.
Too direct! So direct!
This was a blatant complaint!
As expected, Xiao Yun frowned upon hearing this.
Old Mrs. Wang, unsure whether to sit or stand, forced a smile and said flusteredly, "Yao Yao is just joking!"
Xiao Yun did not look at her and asked Wang Qingyao, "What was she scolding you about?"
Ignored, Old Mrs. Wang's old face suddenly flushed red.
Wang Qingyao recounted the events that had transpired and added, "She also wants to scold you! You'd better listen carefully!"
Old Mrs. Wang was so frightened that her face turned pale. She could no longer sit still and stood up, humbly explaining, "I was just joking! I didn't mean it like that..."
Only then did Xiao Yun look at her properly, his expression displeased. "Old Mrs., your reach is quite long, to be meddling in the affairs of this Prince's household!"
Xiao Yun was a gentle prince, without airs, always speaking in the first person "I." However, when displeased, "I" would become "this Prince," and his amiable demeanor would recede, revealing the authority and dominance of a superior.
Old Mrs. Wang's knees trembled. She stammered, "No, I I I..."
The facts were laid bare, and she couldn't explain. After a few attempts to speak, she choked, her face flushed red, utterly at a loss.
Xiao Yun let out a few cold laughs and, taking Wang Qingyao's hand, prepared to leave.
Wang Qingyao remembered to bid farewell to Old Mrs. Wang.
"Old Mrs., the two children are still at the Prince's mansion. The Prince and I will take our leave now without staying for the meal."
Old Mrs. Wang, her face flushed red, mumbled a "Mm" sheepishly, "Have a... have a good journey."
Some astute individuals noticed that the Princess of Ding'an and the Prince of Ding'an had not addressed Old Mrs. Wang as "Grandmother" from beginning to end!
This was indeed thought-provoking.