Even though Fang Yuan was already involved with Zeng Huaiyi, Madam Huang never gave up on her marrying Huang Xuanming.
Fang Yuan had been raised by her, and she understood her perfectly: naive, easily trusting, and easily swayed. If Fang Zheng hadn't kept such a close eye on her, even if the entire Fang family opposed it, she would have long ago made Fang Yuan devoted to Huang Xuanming, vowing to marry no one else.
Fang Yuan was the only daughter in the Fang family, the eldest legitimate daughter, doted on by Duke Zhongyong, Fang Xiuqi, and Fang Zheng. If she were to cry, make a scene, or even threaten to hang herself to marry Huang Xuanming, would they still refuse to indulge her?
Even if they did, it wouldn't matter. Once the deed was done, there would be no room for turning back.
Fang Yuan pleased her so much that she rushed over as soon as Huang Xuanming beckoned. How could she, as a mother, not help her?
"Father, what are you doing?" Fang Yuan, unwilling to engage with Madam Huang, turned to Fang Xiuqi and said, "I'm not going back. I have something else to do later."
Fang Xiuqi was so enraged that anger surged through him. Even at this point, she had no shame?
"What could you possibly have to do?" Fang Xiuqi said angrily. "We'll talk about it when we get home."
Just then, Wang Qingyao came bouncing down the stairs. She ran affectionately to Fang Yuan's side and chided, "Why are you running so fast? I can barely keep up with you!"
"Miss Wang Er!" Fang Xiuqi looked at Wang Qingyao in surprise, his expression identical to Zeng Huai's when he saw her.
Madam Huang: "!!!"
"Young Master, Madam," Wang Qingyao greeted them sweetly, her smile blooming like a flower.
Fang Xiuqi's lips trembled as he released Fang Yuan's hand. At this moment, he realized he had misunderstood Fang Yuan.
He breathed a sigh of relief. He knew it; their Fang family was a prestigious lineage, how could Fang Yuan do something scandalous?
Madam Huang's expression was priceless, her look of astonishment more exaggerated than seeing a ghost, her eyes wide as saucers, her mouth agape as if it could swallow an egg.
"Madam seems unhappy to see me," Wang Qingyao said.
Fang Xiuqi felt that Madam Huang was being particularly exaggerated today. He quickly tugged her arm and smiled at Wang Qingyao, "Miss Wang Er is joking. We just thought it was a coincidence."
Wang Qingyao and Madam Huang had a prior conflict, but in a few days, they would be relatives. He couldn't let the misunderstanding deepen.
Thinking this, Fang Xiuqi added, "I heard the cold water here is particularly delicious, so we came to try it. Are you here for the same reason?"
Wang Qingyao replied with a smile, "No, Fang Yuan and I, along with Young Master Zeng, are going to the night market and decided to have dinner here first."
"Zeng Huai is here too?" Fang Xiuqi was surprised again.
Madam Huang looked at Wang Qingyao, then behind her. Zeng Huai was slowly walking over.
"Young Master, Madam," Zeng Huai politely greeted them.
Fang Xiuqi assumed the posture of a father-in-law, hands clasped behind his back, and nodded kindly, "Huai'er."
Madam Huang was still unwilling to give up. She stared at Fang Yuan and asked, "We happened to see Xuanming leaving when we arrived. Didn't you run into him?"
"Ah, Young Master Huang!" Fang Yuan said, looking at Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao naturally picked up the conversation, "We did. I even invited him to eat with us! But it seems he had something urgent at home, so he left in a hurry."
Fang Xiuqi nodded in agreement, "He was indeed in a hurry."
Madam Huang's face turned ashen, as if she had swallowed a fly.
It was this Wang Qingyao again! Ruining her plans time and time again!
Hatred flickered in Madam Huang's eyes.
Wang Qingyao pretended not to notice and bid Fang Xiuqi farewell enthusiastically. As they walked away, Zeng Huai asked, "Miss Wang Er, did you know that the Young Master and Madam were eating downstairs long ago?"
Wang Qingyao nodded.
Fang Yuan asked curiously, "How did you know?"
Wang Qingyao, of course, couldn't tell her she had seen it with her clairvoyant eyes. She just smiled mysteriously and said, "I guessed."
Fang Yuan: "..."
Later, when Fang Zheng found out about this, he scolded Fang Yuan thoroughly. If it weren't for the fact that Wang Qingyao was about to get married, Wang Qingyao would probably have been scolded a few times too.
Xiao Yun sent a message to Wang Qingyao: "Behave yourself. You're getting married in a few days."
Indeed, it was only a few days away. Granny Nian, who had previously turned a blind eye, now took on the authority of a managing governess and forbade Wang Qingyao from stepping out of the Wang residence.
Bai Junya also instructed the gatekeepers not to allow the second young lady to leave freely anymore.
Although Bai Junya had not yet married into the family, she had diligently managed Wang Qingyao's wedding preparations during this period without a single mistake, which made those who had previously looked down on her dare not be presumptuous.
Time flew by, and it was July 11th, the day before the wedding. Wang Qingyao's dowry was sent to the Ding'an Prince's mansion.
This was a true "ten-mile red dowry." Of course, there was some embellishment to this "ten-mile red dowry." The dowry provided by the Wang family itself was neither too much nor too little according to custom. The bulk of it was the betrothal gifts from the Ding'an Prince's mansion, all of which the Wang family let Wang Qingyao take with her.
In addition, there were gifts from three imperial consorts, displayed at the front, attracting countless onlookers.
Everyone said that the Wang family truly cherished Wang Qingyao, having kept none of the betrothal gifts. Only a family that held their daughter in high esteem and was wealthy themselves would do such a thing.
Even Yin Zhu privately felt that Wang Da was generous and praised him several times.
Wang Qingyao, having benefited, couldn't speak ill of Wang Da, but she knew clearly that Wang Da was concerned about his reputation and had the grand vision of "no pain, no gain." That's how he convinced the Old Madam to let her take all the betrothal gifts.
After the Wang family sent off the dowry and returned, Xiao Yun sent four maids to accompany them. They were the same four maids from the Qingming outing: Zhenzhu, Manao, Feicui, and Shanhu.
Xiao Yun knew she had few maids in her courtyard and feared she would be overwhelmed on the wedding day, so he sent four maids to help.
Yin Zhu sighed, "The future son-in-law is so thoughtful."
Wang Qingyao hadn't even married yet, and she was already calling him "future son-in-law."
However, Wang Qingyao was also happy. Having someone arrange everything perfectly saved her the trouble, so she was naturally pleased.
The only drawback was that Granny Hua, assigned by the Old Madam, also arrived. As soon as she came, she arrogantly began assigning tasks to everyone.
Wang Qingyao said to her, "Granny Hua, you've just arrived. You're not familiar with the personnel in my courtyard yet. Let Granny Nian make the arrangements. We'll discuss your duties once we get to the Prince's mansion."
Wang Qingyao spoke vaguely, and Granny Hua assumed that once they reached the Prince's mansion, Wang Qingyao's courtyard would be under her management, so she stopped causing trouble.