Within a few days, imperial decrees arrived from the palace, two in total.
The first was an imperial edict from the Emperor, bestowing upon Wang Qingyao the title of Mingyao County Princess.
The second was an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager, arranging a marriage between her and Prince Ding'an, with the wedding date set for six months later, in July.
As for the title of County Princess, Wang Qingyao understood that the palace deemed her low status unworthy of Prince Ding'an, hence bestowing the title to elevate her standing.
Old Madam Wang, leading her, received the decrees and beamed, her face creased with joy.
After the palace attendants departed, the old madam summoned her to the side hall for a stern lecture. The gist of it was: you are a daughter of the Wang family; even as a princess consort, you must remember your family's kindness and prioritize their interests.
Wang Qingyao nodded respectfully, though inwardly she rolled her eyes, thinking, "Shameless."
As soon as she returned to Lengxiang Courtyard, Yin Zhu's tears began to flow uncontrollably. "My lady, your life is so bitter..."
Zhuzi, who usually spoke little, suddenly said softly, "Isn't this a good thing?"
Yin Zhu looked at her in surprise. Zhuzi, uncharacteristically talkative, continued, "Prince Ding'an is wealthier than a nation. If my lady becomes Princess Ding'an, she will have power, influence, and wealth. Isn't this a good thing? Do you think my lady's life is good now?"
Wang Qingyao stepped forward and clasped her hand, saying excitedly, "Great minds think alike."
Yin Zhu blinked, Zhuzi's words seemed to hold some truth, but...
"But if Prince Ding'an doesn't live past twenty-five, and my lady has to become a widow at such a young age, how is that a good thing?"
Zhuzi scoffed coldly, "A man is just a man. If he's gone, he's gone."
Wang Qingyao reached for her other hand. "Zhuzi has vision!"
Yin Zhu stared at the two of them, dumbfounded, unable to accept such progressive thinking.
Wang Qingyao laughed heartily and pinched her cheek. "Yin Zhu, are you missing a man?"
Yin Zhu's face turned crimson, and she turned away, refusing to speak to her.
The mistress and maids bickered for a while when suddenly they heard noisy footsteps and voices from the courtyard.
Lengxiang Courtyard had been deserted for over a decade, with few visitors. Before Wang Qingyao and her maids could react, several young ladies from the Wang family's eldest branch entered the main room, clustered together.
They had come to congratulate Wang Qingyao.
At the forefront, with an oval face, was Wang Qinglin, the only legitimate daughter of Madam Bai, the first wife.
To her left stood the third young lady, Wang Qingzhen, and to her right, the fourth young lady, Wang Qingzhu. Both were born to concubines and always followed Wang Qinglin's lead.
This was Wang Qingyao's first time meeting the three young ladies from the eldest branch.
Wang Qinglin was dignified and radiant, Wang Qingzhen was delicate and charming, and Wang Qingzhu was simple and adorable. Each possessed her own beauty.
Wang Qingyao habitually scanned the three of them with her clairvoyant eyes.
Wow, she hadn't expected these three to be so well-endowed at such a young age...
"Second sister, you have a nosebleed," Wang Qinglin said, surprised.
Yin Zhu quickly handed Wang Qingyao a handkerchief. Ever since the incident and waking up, her lady had developed a habit of nosebleeds, for reasons unknown.
Wang Qingyao wiped her nose and smiled at Wang Qinglin as if nothing had happened. "It's nothing, I saw something I shouldn't have."
Wasn't she just looking at the three of them? What did she mean? They shouldn't have come?
The third young lady, Wang Qingzhen, showed a hint of displeasure.
Born to the most favored concubine of Minister Wang, she was spoiled and wore her emotions openly.
In contrast, the fourth young lady, Wang Qingzhu, seemed a bit slow-witted. She didn't seem to grasp Wang Qingyao's "hidden meaning" and looked at the suddenly displeased Wang Qingzhen with confusion.
Only Wang Qinglin's expression remained unchanged. She had someone present a congratulatory gift: a golden hair ornament.
"Second sister, you have double happiness today. I am truly happy for you. This golden hair ornament is my favorite piece of jewelry, and I give it to you today. I hope you won't dislike it."
Her words were so pleasant, but Wang Qingyao didn't believe this ordinary-looking golden hair ornament was her favorite.
However, before she could speak, Wang Qingzhen sneered, "Second sister would never dislike it. She's probably never seen such a valuable piece of jewelry before, right?"
As she spoke, she appraised Wang Qingyao with ill intent.
Wang Qingyao was poor, with no jewelry on her head or body, dressed plainly.
"Third sister!" Wang Qinglin chided Wang Qingzhen.
Wang Qingzhen giggled and said coquettishly, "I was just joking, second sister. You won't be angry, will you?"
Wang Qingyao also smiled. "I'm not angry."
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu then presented their gifts. Wang Qingzhen offered a sachet, pink and slightly worn. Wang Qingzhu gave a pair of golden earrings.
Wang Qingyao picked up the sachet and glanced at it. "Who made this? The stitches are so coarse, it's so ugly, and it's old. How could you have the nerve to give it as a gift?"
Her blunt disdain made Wang Qingzhen's face turn red.
This sachet was made by her maid, and she had casually picked it up.
Someone as insignificant as Wang Qingyao wasn't worth her effort in preparing a gift.
The education she had received since childhood was to accept gifts with a pleased expression, regardless of whether she liked them. Where did Wang Qingyao get the nerve to show such disdain openly?
She glared at Wang Qingyao angrily, "You..."
Wang Qingyao mimicked her giggle. "I was just joking, third sister. You won't be angry, will you?"
Wang Qingzhen became even more furious. She couldn't believe Wang Qingyao dared to retaliate against her so directly! Who did she think she was?
"Eldest sister," she said to Wang Qinglin, her voice full of grievance, "Look, second sister is indeed angry. I shouldn't have called her ignorant. I was just speaking my mind..."
"Oh, a master," Wang Qingyao thought inwardly, "Going green tea so quickly!"
But she wasn't one to be easily outdone.
She sighed and looked at Wang Qingzhen. "Third sister, it was my fault. I lied."
Wang Qingzhen's face showed a smug expression at her quick capitulation. Hmph, trying to compete with her!
Wang Qingyao continued, "I wasn't joking. This sachet is indeed ugly and old. Even a dog wouldn't want it!"
Wang Qingzhen: "!!!"
Wang Qinglin looked at Wang Qingyao with surprise several times. In her impression, this second sister was weak, incompetent, and timid. She hadn't even dared to confront her when her fiancé was snatched away. How had she suddenly become a different person?
She recalled what Madam Bai had told her yesterday. Could it be that because she had been granted a marriage, she had become lawless and fearless of anyone?
Her gaze suddenly turned icy. She looked coldly at Wang Qingzhen. "Since your second sister dislikes it, you should give her another gift."
Wang Qingzhen dared not disobey and shot Wang Qingyao a resentful glance. "Yes."
Wang Qingyao instructed Zhuzi to accept the hairpin and earrings, and then gave them each another sachet. Compared to Wang Qingzhen's sachet, these two were meticulously stitched, with lifelike embroidery, and were very exquisite.
Wang Qingzhen's complexion, which had just improved, instantly turned ashen.
Wang Qingyao was definitely doing this on purpose!
Not long after the three of them left, people from various courtyards came to offer congratulations. Some were envious, some were sympathetic, some were fawning, and some were probing and observing.
Wang Qingyao remained neither humble nor arrogant, accepting gifts and reciprocating, allowing no one to discern her thoughts.
But one thing was certain: from this day forward, her Lengxiang Courtyard would no longer be deserted.