Wang Qingyao's veiled words left the Old Imperial Concubine and Consort Wei momentarily stunned.
After the initial shock, Consort Wei quickly forced a smile. "Your Highness, you jest. How could I not like you? I was just a bit surprised... After all, I've been in the manor for quite some time, and not only you, but even His Highness has never visited my Linglong Pavilion. I was so overjoyed that I lost my composure..."
Consort Wei, having recovered, skillfully deflected the situation back to Wang Qingyao, portraying herself as pitiful.
If this tactic were used against others, they would likely panic and scramble to explain themselves.
But Wang Qingyao was no ordinary person.
She looked at Consort Wei and said nonchalantly, "His Highness doesn't visit because he doesn't like you."
Consort Wei: "..."
Was this something that could be said directly in front of elders?
What happened to the principle that the principal wife should not be jealous?
The Old Imperial Concubine: "...Ahem, since Yao Yao wishes to visit Linglong Pavilion, then go and sit for a while. You young people should connect more..."
Although the Old Imperial Concubine's initial intention in having Xiao Yun take Consort Wei was to avoid the Fifth Princess, now that she was married into the family, she also hoped for peace in Xiao Yun's inner court and harmony among his wives and concubines.
Consort Wei then followed the Old Imperial Concubine's lead and invited Wang Qingyao to Linglong Pavilion.
Thus, Wang Qingyao went with her.
Linglong Pavilion was a standard courtyard. It wasn't large, but with Consort Wei's decorations, it exuded a touch of luxury amidst its refinement.
Consort Wei invited Wang Qingyao to take the seat of honor, but Wang Qingyao did not rush to sit. Instead, she walked around with interest, looking at everything, using her clairvoyance to see through all the hidden items.
Consort Wei was truly cautious; there were no unsavory items hidden in the room.
Only gold and silver treasures.
Wang Qingyao was somewhat disappointed.
She sat down at a low table, and Consort Wei ordered exquisite tea and pastries to be served.
Wang Qingyao leisurely enjoyed the tea and pastries, engaging in casual conversation with Consort Wei.
"What kind of incense is burning in Consort Wei's chambers? It smells so pleasant."
"It's just ordinary Moon麟 incense. If Your Highness likes it, I have some more, and I can give it to Your Highness to use."
Wang Qingyao nodded. "Then I thank Consort Wei."
Consort Wei then instructed Liuxing to fetch it, packed it into a delicate black lacquered nanmu box, and handed it to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao had Yin Zhu put it away and took another sip of tea with a smile.
Consort Wei didn't know what Wang Qingyao was up to, so she had to patiently engage in pleasantries with her.
Besides the incense, Wang Qingyao successively praised the golden phoenix hairpin on Consort Wei's head, the jade bracelet on her wrist, the paperweight on the table, and the vase on the multi-treasure shelf...
Consort Wei could still maintain a smile initially, but as Wang Qingyao unceremoniously accepted everything, her expression grew darker and darker.
Liuxing was indignant and several times wanted to speak up for Consort Wei, but was scared back by Zhenzhu's murderous gaze.
Later, Yin Zhu quietly reminded her, "Your Highness, I can barely carry any more."
Only then did Wang Qingyao stop.
She had eaten quite a lot. In this short time, she had drunk more than half a pot of tea and eaten several pastries.
She also smiled and explained to Consort Wei, "I woke up too early this morning and didn't even have time for breakfast."
Consort Wei: "Hehehehe..."
Wang Qingyao, having eaten and drunk her fill and taken many good things, finally prepared to leave.
She stood up.
Consort Wei breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to see her off.
Who knew that before Wang Qingyao had taken a few steps, her body suddenly went limp, and she collapsed.
Zhenzhu was quick-witted and caught Wang Qingyao, preventing her from falling to the ground.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Wang Qingyao showed no reaction, no expression of pain on her face, and her complexion was peaceful.
It was as if she had fallen asleep.
Consort Wei's eyelids twitched, and she suddenly had a bad premonition.
"Your Highness!" Yin Zhu, holding many items in her hands, saw her mistress faint, and her grip loosened, scattering the items on the floor. Fragile items were naturally reduced to "shattered remains."
Liuxing showed a look of distress.
Consort Wei could no longer care about heartache. Sweat beaded on her palms, and her feet felt as if they were cast in lead. She wanted to step forward to check, but she was somewhat timid. A surge of anger kept rising in her chest, causing her heart to ache.
Yin Zhu let out a mournful cry and rushed to Wang Qingyao's side.
"Your Highness, don't scare me, Your Highness! Your Highness, wake up!"
Zhenzhu remained calmer. She reached out and felt under Wang Qingyao's nose. With a look of grief and surprise, she said, "Your Highness is not breathing."
"Ah!" Yin Zhu let out a heaven-shattering, earth-shattering scream.
Consort Wei's legs went weak, and she collapsed onto the chair.
The surge of anger in her chest finally erupted, sweeping away all the certainty in her heart.
All that remained was endless despair and fear!
How could this be?
How could it be like this?
Consort Wei had calculated everything, but she never expected Wang Qingyao to die in her courtyard, in her room!
Now, even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she couldn't clear her name!
As if to confirm her thoughts, Yin Zhu's hand trembled as she pointed at Consort Wei, shouting angrily, "It was you, Consort Wei, you poisoned our Princess! Your heart is truly venomous! Her Highness had no enmity with you, yet you poisoned her! You wicked woman!"
Consort Wei was speechless. "I didn't, I I I..."
Was she that foolish?
If she had wanted to harm Wang Qingyao, why would she have done it on her own territory?
But Yin Zhu didn't listen to her at all. After scolding her with heartbroken grief, she yelled that she was going to find the Old Imperial Concubine to seek justice and expose her true colors before running out.
Consort Wei wanted to stop her but couldn't.
She pinched herself hard, forcing herself to calm down.
She quickly analyzed the situation in her mind. Wang Qingyao was dead. She had completed the task her grandfather had assigned her. However, this matter now involved her. She was not an ordinary concubine; she was a consort personally bestowed by the Emperor, a second-rank noble lady on the imperial registry. Her aunt was Noble Consort Wei, her sister was the future Crown Princess, and her grandfather was the Grand Tutor and Prime Minister...
She calmed down.
With so many powerful backing, the Xiao family would not easily fall out with her.
Moreover, they had no evidence at all.
She gave Liuxing a look, signaling her to sneak out quietly to fetch reinforcements.
Liuxing understood and, when no one was paying attention, quietly slipped out through the back door.
Not long after, the Old Imperial Concubine heard the news of Wang Qingyao's death, was greatly shocked, and rushed over with her entourage.
By this time, Zhenzhu had laid Wang Qingyao flat on the ground, with a white cloth covering her face.
When the Old Imperial Concubine saw this, she almost fainted.
"Yao Yao, Yao Yao." Tears streamed down her face.
Granny Jing supported her as she sat down. "Your Highness, please accept my condolences."
"Old Imperial Concubine," Yin Zhu knelt before her with a thud, "it was Consort Fang, that wicked woman, who poisoned our Princess. Old Imperial Concubine, you must seek justice for our Princess!"