Wang Da and Old Madam Wang were indeed preparing to betroth Wang Qingzhen to Pang Yan.
However, Weng Zhicheng was also a promising prospect, and it would be a pity to give up on him just like that. Thus, Wang Da and Old Madam Wang put their heads together and decided to offer Wang Qingzhu as well.
Wang Qingzhu was no longer young, only a year younger than Wang Qingzhen. Aside from her quiet disposition, she was also a beauty.
It was just unknown whether Weng Zhicheng would fancy Wang Qingzhu.
Therefore, on that particular day, Wang Da not only invited Pang Yan but also asked Wang Zijing to invite Weng Zhicheng over to play.
As a result, Wang Qingzhu, who was materialistic and loved wealth, got an idea.
Among the Wang family's sisters, Wang Qingzhu had always been even more marginalized than Wang Qingyao. Like a shadow, she first followed behind Wang Qinglin, and after Wang Qinglin died, she followed behind Wang Qingzhen.
She was like a verdant vine, lacking personality and not standing out at all, needing to grow by clinging to others.
But when it came to her marriage, she suddenly became assertive.
From a weak vine, she transformed into a rose with thorns.
Wang Qingyao was marrying the Prince of Ding'an, and Wang Qingzhen was about to marry the future Earl of Jinxiang. Why should she only be relegated to a mere official in the Ministry of Works? How could that be fair?
She didn't compare herself to Wang Qingyao, but couldn't she compare herself to Wang Qingzhen?
They were both daughters of concubines. Why couldn't she marry a prince?
All of Wang Qingzhu's lifelong grievances turned into courage that day.
She dressed up meticulously and, before Pang Yan could meet Wang Qingzhen, she "accidentally" encountered him first.
Pang Yan was tall and burly, not particularly handsome, but he possessed the steely demeanor of a soldier. He liked to help the weak and had a natural protective instinct towards them.
Therefore, when he saw Wang Qingzhu, that damned heroic protective instinct flared up.
Coupled with Wang Qingzhu's deliberate seduction and hints about her "difficult situation," Pang Yan was immediately ready to play the hero.
In fact, although Wang Qingzhu was a daughter of a concubine, her life had always been quite good.
Her birth mother was weak and didn't know how to compete for favor. Madam Bai didn't pay much attention to her and never deliberately suppressed her.
Now that Madam Gu had entered the household, she would not treat her poorly either.
As long as she didn't get stuck in her own head, her life as a young lady of an official family was quite comfortable.
Although Pang Yan later met with Wang Qingzhen, firstly, Wang Qingzhu had made a strong first impression on him. Secondly, Wang Qingzhen was not a weakling; she was beautiful, assertive, and opinionated, which did not evoke Pang Yan's protective instincts.
Pang Yan expressed his thoughts to Wang Da.
Wang Da was shocked, as he favored Wang Qingzhen more and hoped she would marry into a noble family, so that she could gain a title without her husband's efforts.
Unfortunately, Pang Yan did not fancy Wang Qingzhen.
However, fancying Wang Qingzhu was just as good.
They were both his daughters.
As for Wang Qingzhen, she was naturally passed on to Weng Zhicheng.
"Aren't you angry with her?" Wang Qingyao asked Wang Qingzhen. "She stole your marriage prospects?"
Wang Qingzhen's expression was quite complex, a little angry, but not much. More was shyness and a touch of haughtiness.
"Of course, I'm angry. First, Han Suqin poached my suitor, and now my own sister has intercepted him. This is probably my fate."
Wang Qingzhen sighed as she spoke, feigning worry and touching her forehead.
"However," she looked up and smiled shyly, "if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have met Master Weng. Master Weng is much better looking than that Pang fellow..."
A reminiscent look appeared on her face, and she seemed quite smitten.
Wang Qingyao never expected Wang Qingzhen to be a face-con. Didn't she value status and position more before?
She supposed the incident with Han Suqin had alerted her. Riches and glory were fleeting, only beauty remained unchanged.
"Is he as handsome as our Prince?"
"Naturally..." Wang Qingzhen stopped herself halfway through, "Of course, the Prince is more handsome."
Wang Qingyao burst into laughter.
As she laughed, she remembered that Weng Zhicheng came from a single-parent family and asked, "Have you met his mother? Is she easy to get along with?"
Wang Qingzhen nodded. "She's a very good person. It wasn't easy for her to raise Master Weng alone, so I will have to be filial to her in the future."
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Heh, such high aspirations.
Wang Qingyao certainly wouldn't educate her with modern ideas. After all, this was ancient times, and it was only natural for a daughter-in-law to be filial and even serve her mother-in-law.
"If Weng Zhicheng bullies you in the future, I'll still back you up."
Wang Qingzhen smiled sweetly. "He won't bully me."
"Tsk tsk tsk," Wang Qingyao clicked her tongue.
Time flew by in laughter and chatter. In the blink of an eye, it was June. Wang Qingyao's belly was already enormous, the kind where she couldn't see her toes even when standing.
The weather was hot, and pregnant women couldn't use ice. They weren't allowed to drink cold water, and fruits and melons weren't chilled either. Only a few maids took turns fanning her, without a moment's rest.
Old Madam Tai then assigned several more maids to her courtyard, fearing she would get tired or overheated.
At this time, Wang Qingyao deeply missed modern air conditioning.
Every summer, Wei Qing would host a Lotus Banquet. This year, as she was married, the task of hosting the Lotus Banquet fell to Wei Yu.
Wei Yu was the future Crown Princess, and everyone scrambled to curry favor with her. Wei Yu also changed the tradition of the Lotus Banquet from previous years, inviting not only single men and women but also married noble ladies.