Xiao Mo was unwilling to say more, and the Crown Prince felt too embarrassed to continue asking, leaving the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
Wang Qingyao pretended to be dizzy and lowered her head, secretly chuckling.
Wei Yu offered a sweet smile, "Marquis Fuping is still keeping it a secret from us. This is a bit like something from a storybook..."
This carried a hint of ill intent.
What were storybooks about?
They were about talented scholars and beautiful ladies, poor boys falling for rich girls, princesses falling for dissolute young men, and the like. Matches that were not well-matched, elopements, secret engagements, and so on. In any case, they were not mainstream reading material.
Xiao Mo had only recently become Marquis Fuping and was not yet accustomed to the title. Upon hearing Wei Yu address him as "Marquis Fuping," he didn't react immediately.
A moment later, he said faintly, "Miss Wei the Second misunderstands. It's not about keeping secrets; it's just that nothing is set in stone yet, and it wouldn't be proper to ruin the young lady's reputation."
After saying this, Xiao Mo felt a jolt of realization.
He and Feng Jiangduo could not marry for the time being. If their parents remained at odds, it could take years to reach a resolution.
He knew Feng Jiangduo would not marry anyone else, and he would not marry anyone else. Therefore, they could not avoid any contact during these years.
What if it led to gossip?
Although Feng Jiangduo and he didn't care, Prince Dingnan and Consort Dowager Fang did.
This would only make both sets of parents even more displeased.
Xiao Mo felt melancholic.
Wang Qingyao's dizziness had subsided, and she looked at Wei Yu, "It sounds like Miss Wei the Second has read quite a few storybooks?"
Wei Yu's smile faltered slightly, "I've read a few in my spare time, just to pass the time."
"Has Miss Wei's wedding date with His Highness the Crown Prince been set?"
Wang Qingyao swiftly changed the subject, so abruptly that Wei Yu was momentarily stunned. After a pause, she displayed a shy expression.
The Crown Prince said, "It has been set. It will be after the spring thaw, when the weather warms up a bit."
Wang Qingyao cupped her hands in a salute, "Then allow me to congratulate you both."
The Crown Prince chuckled twice.
They were not exactly friends, and Xiao Mo, as the host, was a man of few words. Wang Qingyao and Wei Yu were also at odds. The atmosphere was rather subdued.
For a time, no one spoke, and the only sound was the gurgling of tea being brewed on the nearby stove.
Wang Qingyao silently picked up a chopstick and speared an orange to roast over the fire, releasing a crisp, fragrant aroma.
The Crown Prince glanced into the distance, "Has Ayun been gone for a rather long time?"
Wang Qingyao, while roasting the orange, replied, "The preparation of that honey water is quite complex. My head doesn't feel dizzy anymore, so it's fine if I don't take the medicine."
She glanced at Yin Zhu, who was standing nearby, "Go to the next room and tell His Highness that I'm fine now."
Yin Zhu replied, "Yes."
She took a couple of steps, then felt it didn't quite fit the current situation, and quickly scurried away.
Wang Qingyao thought to herself: This girl knows how to act.
She peeled the orange and ate two segments. Wei Yu went to get a teacup. Somehow, she lost her grip, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering. The tea also spilled everywhere.
Indeed, in such a quiet environment, the sound of the broken teacup was exceptionally crisp and pleasant.
Wang Qingyao stared at Wei Yu, noticing the slight upward curve of her lips and a cold glint in her eyes.
Wang Qingyao cried out in distress, saying with a wronged tone, "Ah, this teacup was very expensive. Miss Wei, how could you be so careless?"
Wang Qingyao knew that the Crown Prince was intent on winning over the Xiao family and was particularly indulgent towards her, as well as Xiao Yun and Xiao Mo, with a hint of appeasement in his indulgence.
As expected, upon hearing her words, the Crown Prince glanced at Wei Yu with displeasure and said reproachfully, "You were too careless."
Wei Yu, being spoken to by the man she admired, did not seem wronged. Instead, she appeared to be in good spirits, tilting her face up charmingly and saying, "Oh dear, my hand just slipped. Tomorrow I will find an identical one to replace it for Marquis Fuping."
Xiao Mo said coldly, "Thank you, Miss Wei."
He did not refuse at all.
Just then, the sound of fighting suddenly erupted from outside the wall.
Wei Yu's expression changed.
The others clearly heard the sounds of fighting as well. Wang Qingyao stood up in a panic, "What's wrong? What's happening outside?"
The Crown Prince's guards immediately surrounded them, protecting the Crown Prince and Wei Yu.
Xiao Mo said to Wang Qingyao, "Sister-in-law, stay here and don't move. I'll go out and see."
He knew that Zhenzhu, who was by Wang Qingyao's side, knew martial arts, so he didn't specifically call for anyone to protect her and rushed out himself.
Xiao Mo returned shortly, accompanied by Xiao Yun.
It turned out that Xiao Mo had encountered Xiao Yun just as he stepped out of the垂花拱门 (chuí huā gǒng mén - a type of ornate archway).
Seeing the large contingent in the courtyard, Xiao Yun smiled and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince need not worry. The assassins outside the wall have already been apprehended by the Dali Temple officials. His Highness is now safe."
The Crown Prince frowned, "Assassins?"
With a wave of his hand, the surrounding guards dispersed.
Xiao Yun said, "Yes. Just now, I was returning to the Prince's mansion to fetch medicine and inadvertently discovered a group of people acting suspiciously and surveilling the Marquis Fuping's residence. I surmise they learned of Your Highness's presence here and intended to assassinate you. Fearing for Your Highness's safety, I hastily sent someone to notify Fang Zheng to bring men to capture the assassins... These assassins were of average skill, with only one being highly proficient in martial arts. Fortunately, with the help of Princess Nange, we managed to subdue them."
The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief, "Have they all been caught?"
Xiao Yun showed a look of regret, "They have been caught, but unfortunately, they were all suicide agents and swallowed poison to kill themselves."
Wei Yu let out a soft "Ah."
Everyone's gaze collectively turned to her. She blushed and said timidly, "It's too frightening. So many people died all at once."
"A'yu, don't be afraid, it's all over now," the Crown Prince comforted her gently, then murmured to himself, "Who wanted to kill me?"