Wang Qingyao, perhaps because she was about to become a mother, had become more soft-hearted than before.
Han Suiqin also carried a life within her. If she hadn't known, it would have been one thing, but now that the plea had reached her, she truly couldn't pretend not to know.
She would consider it a good deed for her unborn child.
Han Suiqin cried for a while, her makeup smudged and her hair disheveled. Wang Qingyao called for hot water and had her re-dress before leaving again.
The bride had already been brought in, and the wedding hall was lively. Wang Qingyao watched for a while before returning to the Wangfu.
As soon as she entered Kangping Courtyard, Nian Momo rushed to greet her.
"Wangfei, something has happened."
"What is it?"
Nian Momo frowned, organizing her thoughts. "Nan Ge County Princess beat Miss Yun Zhu."
Wang Qingyao paused, looking at her in disbelief.
Although Feng Jiangduo appeared cold and unapproachable, she was a reasonable person. She wouldn't hit someone without reason.
Yun Zhu must have provoked her.
"Where did she hit her?"
"Her face. It's very obvious, swollen and even bleeding."
"Do you know why?"
Nian Momo shook her head. "I'm not sure, but everyone saw Miss Yun Zhu run out of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion with an injured face. The Grand Consort was very angry and probably said some unpleasant things. Nan Ge County Princess... she left."
Wang Qingyao's brow furrowed. "What do you mean she left?"
"She ran away from home."
Wang Qingyao understood. Grand Consort Fang had driven Feng Jiangduo away.
"Where is Xiao Mo?"
"Nan Ge County Princess had left with the Second Young Master originally. Later, she returned alone. It hasn't been long since the incident, and the Second Young Master hasn't returned, so he doesn't know about this. As for the Old Grand Consort... she probably doesn't know either."
Wang Qingyao pondered for a moment, then took people to the Ministry of Revenue to find Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun was pleasantly surprised to see Wang Qingyao. It was the first time Wang Qingyao had come to find him here.
Officials at their level in the Ministry of Revenue had wives who were all titled ladies. Any matters were handled by sending servants from home.
It was usually the younger officials who were unmarried or newly married whose sweethearts or new wives would visit, to chat or bring food.
The atmosphere in the entire Ministry of Revenue was as if it were steeped in honey.
Come to think of it, Xiao Yun was a little envious.
He hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to come this time.
He held her hand, his face full of proud and tender smiles.
"Why are you here? Are you missing me?"
Wang Qingyao ignored his affectionate gaze and said with a frown, "Duoduo has been driven away by her mother. Send a few people to look for her, but don't alert anyone."
"What happened?"
"It's a long story. Let's find her first."
Xiao Yun's personal guards were all capable. Finding someone in Duanjing was more than enough. Soon, they brought back news: Feng Jiangduo was at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion.
The Apricot Blossom Pavilion offered both dining and lodging.
After leaving Ding An Wangfu, Feng Jiangduo had gone directly to the Apricot Blossom Pavilion to stay.
Wang Qingyao received the news and felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Although Feng Jiangduo was still young, she was very rational and didn't act unreasonably like in melodramatic novels.
Wang Qingyao had expected her to hide or return directly to Nanzhou.
Instead, she had openly taken up residence at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, which was a property of the Xiao family.
Xiao Yun also sent someone to inform Xiao Mo.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Mo arrived at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion around the same time.
Feng Jiangduo was not surprised to see them and even quipped, "You're quite efficient."
"What exactly happened?" Wang Qingyao asked.
Feng Jiangduo glanced at Xiao Mo and said calmly, "It's nothing. I didn't like what that Yun Zhu said, so I slapped her a couple of times."
Xiao Mo's face darkened. "What did she say?"
Feng Jiangduo was silent for a moment, then said, "She said I was shameless, entangled with both Xiao brothers."
What?
In a flash, Wang Qingyao remembered the glib man beside Wei Yu.
They were using the same tactic again.
A few days ago, Grand Consort Fang had gone to Da Xiang Guo Temple to pray, and likely "accidentally" overheard something.
Xiao Mo's expression was grim.
"You come back with me first."
Feng Jiangduo sneered, her lips curling. "She also questioned my right to stay at the Wangfu. Coming back with her Second Young Master without a proper title, and then refusing to leave the Wangfu. What kind of well-bred young lady would do such a thing? She said a lot. Although she was intentionally provoking me, it wasn't entirely without reason. Later, Grand Consort Fang summoned me and lectured me, saying much the same thing."
She paused. "Although I, Feng Jiangduo, am not a noble lady, I am not someone who can be bullied at will. If you Xiao family members look down on me, I don't need to grovel."
Her expression and tone were calm, but it was clear she was angry.
Wang Qingyao corrected her, "It's not all of us Xiao family, just one Grand Consort Fang. Besides her, our entire Xiao family likes you very much."
Xiao Mo nodded in agreement.
Feng Jiangduo remained noncommittal. "You two go back. I'll stay at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion."
Xiao Mo: "It's not safe for a young lady like you to stay out alone..."
Feng Jiangduo smiled. "I've slept outdoors before. I'll be fine."
This was true. With Feng Jiangduo's skills, no one would dare bother her even if she stayed at an inn.
But Xiao Mo was still worried.
So, he rented the room next to Feng Jiangduo's.