Consort Wei was also very efficient. She went to the Emperor that very day to request a marriage decree. The Emperor was also very pleased. Not only did he grant the marriage, but he also bestowed the title of Prince Rong upon the Second Prince, and the mansion granted to him was even larger than those of Prince Qi and Prince Wu.
Upon hearing that this matter was Wang Qingyao's doing, his prejudice against her vanished. He felt that although this young lady's background was not noble, she was kind-hearted, intelligent, and resourceful. She was just too direct in her speech and prone to offending people.
The Emperor considered things very thoughtfully. He did not reward Wang Qingyao with gold and silver jewelry, but instead bestowed upon her a Dragon's Lair token.
A Dragon's Lair token was a token made of pure gold. It did not possess the same power as a pardon from death.
However, it allowed one to enter and exit the imperial palace at any time. When displayed outside, it was also a symbol of status, as if the Emperor himself were present. If one accidentally spoke or acted incorrectly, and it was not a matter of rebellion, the Dragon's Lair token could offer some protection.
While the Emperor bestowed the Dragon's Lair token, the Empress Dowager and Consort Wei rewarded her with tangible gold and silver.
Wang Qingyao felt this matter was truly worthwhile, having gained so many benefits with just a few words.
"See if there's anyone else in Duanjing who needs psychological counseling? I think I'm quite suited to be a confidante."
Although Xiao Yun did not understand some of the individual words she used, he grasped the general meaning.
"That won't do. You are the Princess Consort of Prince Ding'an. Who would dare ask you to counsel them? They would have to be worthy! Only a few in the palace are worthy!"
A flash of inspiration struck Wang Qingyao: "This is actually a good business. Let's open a psychological counseling center. We can guarantee confidentiality. Even if we're not that professional, we can still offer a listening ear. Not bad, not bad. When Xiao Mo returns, I'll discuss it with him properly."
The more Wang Qingyao thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
Xiao Yun didn't know how her thoughts suddenly shifted to doing business.
He poured cold water on her idea: "No need to discuss it with Xiao Mo. I think it's not feasible. Think about it, if it were you, would you confide in a stranger? If the information were leaked, what could you do to that person? Could you have the authorities arrest them?"
Indeed, ancient times were different from modern times. In modern times, psychological counselors who leaked client information would face legal repercussions.
There were no such laws in ancient times.
It seemed it couldn't be done.
Wang Qingyao was a little dejected.
Xiao Yun found it amusing. He reached out and stroked her face, "Alright, don't be unhappy. You're so smart. As we travel south, you'll surely think of many good ways to make money."
Although Wang Qingyao and the others were ostensibly going to Yun Gui, they were actually going to Nanzhou. It was not far from Yun Gui to Nanzhou, so no one would be suspicious if they went to Nanzhou for a visit.
What about Tian Yu? His mother, Mrs. Tian, waited for a long time without receiving news of her son being assassinated. She thought Grand Tutor Wei had sent people to protect Tian Yu. When she could no longer hide it from Lord Tian and told him, she learned that there were many doubts surrounding the matter. She then wrote to Tian Yu and only then did she learn that Tian Yu had indeed been assassinated but was rescued by people from Prince Ding Nan.
However, these people from Prince Ding Nan were notified by Prince Ding'an to protect Tian Yu.
Mrs. Tian then realized she had been tricked by Grand Tutor Wei.
But she couldn't understand why the dignified Grand Tutor would deceive her and slander Wang Qingyao.
Naturally, she couldn't go and ask Grand Tutor Wei, who was the future Emperor's maternal grandfather. She could only consider herself unlucky.
Lord Tian probably glimpsed something, that it was merely a case of gods fighting and lesser beings suffering. Grand Tutor Wei likely had some grudge against Wang Qingyao.
He secretly told Mrs. Tian, "Once the new Emperor ascends the throne, the prosperity of the Xiao family will come to an end."
Grand Tutor Wei did not seem like a magnanimous person.
Mrs. Tian had originally wanted to shamelessly mend her relationship with Wang Qingyao, but after hearing this, she no longer dared to go.
This time, upon hearing that Prince Ding'an and his consort were going to Yun Gui by imperial decree, she considered asking Wang Qingyao to help her bring something to Tian Yu. However, she was too proud to ask directly and lacked the courage. She agonied over it at home, and Wang Qingyao remained unaware.
Their departure for Nanzhou was almost finalized, and everything was arranged. Kangping Courtyard remained as peaceful as ever, with no one stirring up trouble. However, Bian Siyue, upon hearing that they were going to Nanzhou, was as envious as Fang Yuan and drooled with desire.
Xiao Yun had a group of his usual companions to bid him farewell. The Wang family learned of this and even sent Wang Qingzhen to invite Wang Qingyao, saying they wanted to bid her farewell.
This was Wang Qingzhen's first visit to Prince Ding'an's mansion. She was quickly mesmerized by the mansion's opulence and fawned over Wang Qingyao everywhere, hoping that Wang Qingyao could show her a bright future.
Although Wang Qingzhen had previously sided with Wang Qinglin in stepping on Wang Qingyao a few times, she had not harmed her. Wang Qingyao was willing to elevate her, but seeing her demeanor, she felt disdain. The pretense of sisterly affection was out of the question, and her future depended on her own fortune; Wang Qingyao did not want to interfere.
Wang Qingzhen was sent by Old Madam Wang to invite Wang Qingyao. Old Madam Wang would not tell Wang Qingzhen her intentions, but Concubine Ying had glimpsed something and asked Wang Qingzhen to remind Wang Qingyao.
"A distant cousin has recently moved into the mansion. She is the granddaughter of my grandmother's maternal cousin's grandson. She is very beautiful."
Wang Qingyao understood. But at this critical juncture, with Xiao Yun about to leave, Old Madam Wang still wanted to foist a woman upon him? What was she thinking?