Consort Wei was not surprised.
Wang Qingyao was indeed a scheming woman.
From yesterday, she had been meticulously laying her traps, deliberately letting her head maid reveal to Liu Xing that Consort Bian was the Prince’s favorite. Today, she escalated her tactics, further intensifying the conflict between herself and Consort Bian.
Her goal was to make Consort Wei and Consort Bian clash, so she could reap the benefits.
Consort Wei, believing she had seen through Wang Qingyao’s intentions, naturally would not let her scheme succeed.
"Stay calm," Consort Wei said. "Doesn't the Princess Consort want us to quarrel with Consort Bian? The more you act like this, the more pleased she will be. Find an opportunity to let me meet Consort Bian alone. We are new to the manor and don't know anyone. If we can win over the Prince's most favored concubine, will we still worry about not having a chance to get close to the Prince?"
Given the current situation, it was certain that Wang Qingyao would not favor her. If she found various excuses to avoid seeing her in the future and prevented her from entering Kangping Courtyard, then what opportunity would she have to make a move?
Consort Bian was a very useful ally.
Consort Wei naturally did not explain her plans clearly to Liu Xing. Liu Xing, thinking she wanted to ally with Consort Bian to deal with Wang Qingyao, nodded.
However, Liu Xing waited for nearly a month and did not get her chance.
She was horrified to discover that Consort Bian actually did not leave Kangping Courtyard!
Yes, Bian Siyue and Huang Shiyu were both very well-behaved and did not leave Kangping Courtyard without reason.
Of course, as concubines, they were provided with food and clothing and could entertain themselves in their leisure time. Now that Wang Qingyao had given birth to two children, their entertainment options were even greater. It was not a problem for them to stay in the courtyard for half a year, let alone a month.
Logically, a secondary consort was also required to pay respects to the main consort every morning and evening. However, Wang Qingyao used her confinement period as an excuse to exempt Consort Wei from the daily morning and evening greetings.
For the first few days, Consort Wei thought she was being polite and went to Kangping Courtyard early every day.
Later, she realized that Wang Qingyao genuinely did not require her to pay respects or serve her. A particularly robust maid in Kangping Courtyard would stand at the door like a guardian every time she arrived, saying that the Princess Consort was being considerate and told her to entertain herself.
Then she stopped going, thinking: If she doesn't need me to pay respects or serve her now, then I won't have a chance in the future! Even if she asks me to, I won't go!
After being rebuffed by Wang Qingyao, Consort Wei devoted all her attention to pleasing and serving the Old Dowager Consort.
She was adept at reading people's expressions and had a sweet tongue. The Old Dowager Consort grew more and more fond of her each day.
Even towards Consort Fang, Consort Wei would spend half a day with her when she had free time. Her temperament was calm, and she accompanied Consort Fang in chanting Buddhist scriptures and meditating without any impatience. Compared to Wang Qingyao and Feng Jiangduo, Consort Fang absolutely adored her.
However, Xiao Yun had still never been to Linglong Pavilion. Let alone spending the night, he had not even visited during the day.
Consort Wei did see Xiao Yun come to pay his respects at the Old Dowager Consort's residence every day. But it was just a brief encounter, and Xiao Yun treated her as if she were invisible.
"Don't blame A Yun," the Old Dowager Consort comforted her. "It's A Yun's first time being a father, and he's very excited. He spends his free time with the children. He only comes to see me out of obligation. Once the children are older, it will be fine, hahaha..."
Consort Wei thought to herself: He doesn't have time to come to my place, but he has plenty of time to go to Consort Bian's! It seems there's truth to the saying that proximity breeds favor! Living in a corner of Kangping Courtyard also has its advantages.
She did not pay too much attention, putting on a perfectly restrained expression with a hint of grievance, and said softly, "I understand. I don't blame His Highness."
The Old Dowager Consort patted her hand reassuringly. "Good child, I knew you were the most sensible."
While the Old Dowager Consort could maintain neutrality, Consort Fang could not hold back.
She had previously said she would no longer interfere in the affairs of Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun. But this time, it had nothing to do with Wang Qingyao. Taking advantage of Xiao Yun's visit to Jingwu Courtyard to pay his respects, she directly said, "You and Consort Wei have been married for many days, and you haven't even consummated your marriage. What is this?"
Xiao Yun was direct: "Then it's nothing."
"What do you mean by that?"
Xiao Yun stated clearly: "This marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, and I could not refuse it. But in this life, besides the Princess Consort, I will not touch any other woman! If Consort Wei behaves herself, I will certainly support her for life in the Prince An's manor. But if she does anything improper, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Xiao Yun's words were resolute, making Consort Fang both angry and anxious.
"What kind of magic potion did Wang Qingyao give you that makes you so protective of her?"
Xiao Yun thought of Wang Qingyao's bright and smiling face, and his eyes became gentle.
"Mother," he said, "think about Father. If Father treated you like this, would you be happy? As women, why must you force me to shuttle between multiple women? Can't I be devoted to one?"
Xiao Yun thought that by putting himself in her shoes, every woman would expect her husband to be devoted to her.
Who knew Consort Fang would say: "What's there to be happy about? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others for monopolizing a man? If you don't even arrange a concubine or a maid for your husband, aren't you afraid of being called jealous and unvirtuous?"
Xiao Yun: "..."