The night of the Lantern Festival was ablaze with lights and bustling with activity throughout the capital city.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun, along with Pingping and An'an, stepped out for a stroll as a complete family of four.
Pingping, ever steady and composed, showed little outward reaction to the myriad of novel and exciting sights. Only upon closer inspection could one discern his quiet delight.
An'an, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of emotion, her "wows" punctuating their journey. She wanted everything she saw, and soon, her wet nurse was laden with a large pile of trinkets.
Wang Qingyao, a touch worried, confided in Xiao Yun, "Isn't Pingping a bit too aloof?"
A mother's slightest concern could easily escalate. At this moment, Wang Qingyao was already fretting that Pingping might be suffering from autism or some other social disorder.
Xiao Yun, holding Wang Qingyao's hand and a half-eaten candied hawthorn in the other, chuckled at her words. "A man's aloofness adds to his charm."
Wang Qingyao scoffed at him.
Many people were out and about for the Lantern Festival, and Wang Qingyao encountered quite a few familiar faces.
There were Fang Zheng and Zuo Yun, Fang Yuan and Zeng Huai, and Wang Qingzhen and Weng Zhicheng.
Upon meeting, they joined forces. Rui Ge, who doted on his younger siblings, was held by his wet nurse, yet he reached out with one hand to hold Pingping's and with the other to hold An'an's.
Pingping coldly shook him off, and An'an's drool coated Rui Ge's hand.
Rui Ge's bewildered expression sent the adults into peals of laughter.
The group played a round of guessing lantern riddles and then adjourned to Xinghua Tower for a late-night supper before parting ways.
The two children had already fallen asleep on their wet nurse's shoulders, overcome with drowsiness.
Wang Qingyao asked Xiao Yun, "While we were eating, what were you men discussing in hushed tones, like it was some secret?"
Xiao Yun smiled, ruffling her hair and deliberately creating static electricity in her long, unbound tresses.
Wang Qingyao swatted his hand away.
He spoke softly, "The Emperor wishes to assemble a core team to assist the Crown Prince in governing in the future. For now, it will be presented as a group dedicated to discussing state affairs and offering counsel to His Majesty."
Oh, Wang Qingyao's eyelids twitched. Was this the precursor to the Grand Secretariat?
It seemed Fang Zheng and the others were among the Emperor's considered candidates.
However, assisting the Crown Prince…
Hmm, why did she feel so reluctant about it?
Xiao Yun continued, "You should have some idea. Your elder brother and your brother-in-law will likely be part of it. Fang Zheng and I are considered external members, especially since we both hold noble titles. Fang Zheng will also be the Duke of Zhongyong in the future."
Wang Qingyao blinked. She felt that, given this arrangement, if Xiao Yun regained his rightful status, he could completely contend with the Crown Prince.
She didn't voice her thoughts, but Xiao Yun knew what she was thinking.
"Zi Jing and Zeng Huai are doing well in the Hanlin Academy and are highly regarded by the Emperor; they were chosen by His Majesty himself. Weng Zhicheng was my recommendation. Zuo Yun's elder brother was recommended by Fang Zheng. Can you guess who the last one is?"
"Who?"
"Tian Yu."
Wang Qingyao's mouth fell open. Tian Yu! Wasn't he in Yunnan and Guizhou?
"You brought him back?"
Her surprised expression was amusing. Xiao Yun embraced her waist, tickling her a few times, and laughed, "How could I have brought him back? He's been performing well in his official capacity. The Ministry of Personnel made personnel changes last year, and I had him transferred back to the capital."
"Would Wei Chong agree?"
Xiao Yun let out a "ha": "He doesn't know it was my doing. He probably thinks Tian Yu has a grudge against our family, and bringing him back to annoy us wouldn't be a bad thing, so he agreed."
"You're playing favorites, aren't you? All the candidates are people you're related to or have connections with."
"The Emperor is doing this intentionally. He wants to chip away at the Wei family's power, step by step, so that the regime isn't monopolized by the Wei family after the Crown Prince ascends the throne."
In truth, the Wei family already held considerable sway.
Grand Tutor Wei was a dominant figure, with disciples spread throughout the land.
However, he was old and wouldn't live many more years.
Xiao Yun added, "Fortunately, Grand Tutor Wei's two grandsons are incompetent, otherwise it would be even more troublesome."
Wang Qingyao's appearance at the Lantern Festival had not gone unnoticed. Within a few days, the various noble families in the capital, and even the imperial court, knew that the Princess of Ding'an had made a full recovery.
January was traditionally a time for families to host New Year's banquets in rotation, and even within the palace, there were constant banquets of all sizes.
Wang Qingyao had been confined for over ten days and had missed these festivities. Now that she was healed, invitations for New Year's banquets poured in, numbering over a dozen.
Even Consort Wei from the palace sent an invitation.
This was a considerable honor.
Xiao Yun casually tossed Consort Wei's invitation onto the table. "If you don't want to go, then don't. The Wei family has had an inauspicious start to the year, and Consort Wei is undoubtedly hoping to curry favor with you. Don't give her that opportunity; let her stew in frustration!"
Wang Qingyao burst into laughter. "I'll go. I definitely have to go. If I don't, how can I possibly repay the Wei family for what they've done to you and me?"