The news of the eldest son's new concubine spread like wildfire throughout the Wang family. It was particularly intriguing because the concubine hailed from the Cold Fragrance Courtyard. While it wasn't strictly against the rules for an uncle to fancy a maidservant of his niece, it was hardly a matter of honor.
The Old Madam summoned Madam Bai and berated her. Madam Bai couldn't very well say that Wang Qingyao had deliberately brought the maid to Wang Yang. Besides, even if she had, if Wang Yang hadn't been interested, it wouldn't have happened. Ultimately, it was Wang Yang's lust and lack of self-control.
"If my lord likes her, what can I do?" Madam Bai complained inwardly, thinking, *Don't you know what your son is like?*
The Old Madam, putting on airs, said, "Since you know the young masters have preferences, why didn't you send her directly to your own courtyard, but to the Cold Fragrance Courtyard? Aren't you in charge of managing the household's servants?"
Madam Bai's eyes blazed, and she felt as if she would spit blood. Did she have such a biased mother-in-law? She clenched her fists, endured, and bowed her head submissively, "It was my oversight."
The Old Madam was pleased with Madam Bai's obedience and lectured her at length before waving her away.
The staff of the Cold Fragrance Courtyard also heard the news. Yin Zhu was momentarily confused. Weren't they supposed to deal with Chun Lan? How did she end up becoming the eldest son's concubine? Yin Zhu knew a little about the ambitions of Chun Lan and the other three. After pondering for a while without understanding, she put aside her pride and quietly asked Nian Momo.
Nian Momo said, "Although Chun Lan is detestable, she was merely following orders. The true instigator behind the scenes was the First Madam. No matter how virtuous the First Madam is, she wouldn't be happy about her own husband taking a concubine."
Yin Zhu suddenly understood. Nian Momo appraised Yin Zhu, "You seem like a clever girl, why can't you figure this out? You and Zhi Zi are the only usable maids by the young lady's side. Zhi Zi is a silent one, and you..." She looked very disappointed, as if worried about the caliber of the Cold Fragrance Courtyard's maids. Yin Zhu then felt dejected.
Wang Qingyao did not go to the Li Jing Courtyard to practice calligraphy that day. She thoughtfully left time for Madam Bai and her daughter to scold her, and no one from the Li Jing Courtyard came to summon her. The next day, at the exact hour of Chen, an hour later than usual, she went to the Li Jing Courtyard again.
However, a maid from the Li Jing Courtyard informed her that Wang Qinglin was ill and, fearing contagion, instructed her to practice calligraphy in her own courtyard for the next few days. With that, she handed Wang Qingyao a copy of the *Thousand Character Classic*, which Wang Qingyao flipped through; it was a work of cursive calligraphy by Monk Huaisu.
The maid continued, "The Eldest Young Lady has instructed that the Second Young Lady should copy this *Thousand Character Classic* during these days, and she will inspect it when she recovers from her illness."
Wang Qingyao said "Oh" and casually asked, "What illness does the Eldest Sister have? Has a doctor been consulted?"
"It's just a common cold. A doctor has seen her and prescribed medicine. There's no major issue, so the Second Young Lady need not worry."
After Wang Qingyao left the Li Jing Courtyard, Wang Qinglin opened her door. She was upset, not only because Wang Qingyao had provided a woman for her father, but also because of the incident with Madam Tian being beaten. Tian Yu was in a bad mood, and on such an important day, he hadn't asked her out. She gazed in the direction Wang Qingyao had left and said coldly, "A princess consort with no knowledge, I don't believe she can establish herself in the Wang mansion. Practice your wild cursive! Practice your wild cursive your whole life!"
Wang Qingyao returned to the Cold Fragrance Courtyard and casually tossed the *Thousand Character Classic* into a corner. A moment later, she picked it up again and placed it with the calligraphy books she had bought on Zhuangyuan Street earlier. Whether it was wild cursive or regular script, both were worth her learning. She wouldn't look down on the work of a master just because Wang Qinglin deliberately made her practice wild cursive to vex her. Wang Qingyao was serious about practicing calligraphy. Although only a few days had passed and the results weren't significant, Wang Qingyao privately felt she had improved much more than before. *Now Prince Ding'an won't say my handwriting looks like a dog's crawl, will he?* she thought.
Speaking of Prince Ding'an, as if summoned, he arrived at the Wang family's residence for a visit. Xiao Yun had come to find Wang Qingyao. He had been lurking near the Wang residence for two days and hadn't managed to catch Wang Qingyao leaving the house. Compared to her daily visits to the casinos before, not leaving the house for two days was indeed unusual. Xiao Yun was very interested in her "sensing skill" and wanted to understand it in more detail. Moreover, he had arranged for someone to beat Madam Tian and hadn't yet sought her praise.
Since Wang Qingyao wasn't coming out, he had no choice but to come to her. Xiao Yun was a person of great importance. His visit to the Wang family brought immense glory and honor. The Old Madam and the First Madam came out together to welcome him, kneeling and offering greetings.
Xiao Yun said, "No need for such formalities. This Prince is here to see the Second Young Lady Wang."
Silence fell all around. The customs in the Great Sheng Dynasty were open; it wasn't considered improper for engaged couples to go flower viewing, dine, or stroll together. However, Prince Ding'an and Wang Qingyao had never met before. Their engagement had only been set a few days ago, and Wang Qingyao herself wasn't a beauty of unparalleled allure. She was even less skilled in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In short, they felt Wang Qingyao had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Prince Ding'an's decision to marry her was completely out of necessity. To say he fancied her or liked her would be sheer madness or blindness.
The Old Madam was delighted by Prince Ding'an's unusual taste. After a brief moment of surprise, she happily ordered someone to fetch Wang Qingyao. Although Xiao Yun was a prince, he was also the future son-in-law of the Wang family. It was his first visit, and proper etiquette must be observed. He waved his hand, and Yuan Bao presented the gifts he had prepared.
"I came in a hurry and didn't know what everyone liked, so I just bought a few things. A small token of my appreciation, I hope you won't find it lacking." The Xiao family's reputation for being as rich as a nation was well-known throughout the Great Sheng Dynasty. The gifts Xiao Yun sent were naturally not ordinary. The Old Madam looked at the piles of gifts, nearly as tall as a person, and her mouth curved up to her ears. "You have made the Prince spend too much."
Just then, Wang Qingyao arrived. Xiao Yun's eyes lit up. He pulled out an exquisite box from his sleeve and eagerly presented it to her, "Guess what it is? If you guess correctly, I'll give it to you?"
Wang Qingyao was speechless. Was this person lacking in wit, or was he deliberately setting her up? She had told him to keep it a secret, and yet here he was, testing her again in front of everyone. Wang Qingyao, thinking quickly, used her clairvoyant eyes to scan the box. With a blush, she said, "Did you buy that pigeon-egg-sized luminous pearl? Why spend so much, I just glanced at it..." Her cheeks were flushed, a mixture of shyness and joy. In a corner unseen by others, she winked at Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun was stunned for a moment, then he understood. He had been too excited and had forgotten to help her keep her secret! "Ahahaha," he said, following Wang Qingyao's lead, "Second Young Lady is truly clever. You guessed it right away. It's yours."
Wang Qingyao shyly accepted the box and opened it. Inside was indeed a pigeon-sized luminous pearl. Even in broad daylight, it emitted a soft glow, clearly indicating its considerable price. The Old Madam watched the two of them display their affection and felt utterly content, a smile of a doting aunt on her face. She turned to Madam Bai and said, "Look at these two children!" Madam Bai couldn't bring herself to smile. *Has Prince Ding'an never seen a woman before?*
Wang Qingyao took out the luminous pearl and played with it for a moment. *Hmm, it's a good thing. I won't need a lamp to go to the toilet at night.* "Keep it safe," she said, handing it to Zhi Zi behind her.
Xiao Yun got straight to the point, "Are you free today? I'll take you out to play." Before Wang Qingyao could answer, the Old Madam eagerly interjected, "Yes, yes, she's free. Hehe."
Wang Qingyao said, "Old Madam, you've forgotten. I still have to practice calligraphy today! Although Eldest Sister is ill, I dare not slack off on the homework she assigned."
"It's alright, Grandmother will give you a day off," the Old Madam said, her face full of loving smiles. Anyone who didn't know better would think she doted on her second granddaughter immensely.