The Prince of Dingnan wavered, harboring the firm belief that "these two will eventually fall out," and thus agreed to Wang Qingyao's request.
The Heir Apparent and his Consort looked at Wang Qingyao in surprise, finding the Consort of Ding'an to be quite interesting and capable, managing to persuade the stubborn Prince of Dingnan.
Xiao Yun also wore a smile of shared pride.
Although Feng Jiangduo had agreed to go to Duanjing, she was still injured, and packing her belongings would take time and effort.
Ever since agreeing to Feng Jiangduo's departure to Duanjing, the Prince of Dingnan had been directing his household staff to pack numerous large and small chests for her.
One might have thought the young princess of the Dingnan Prince's manor was getting married!
However, Feng Jiangduo herself was a minimalist; she could set off with just her long sword on her back and was impatient with such trivialities.
It was only after much persuasion from the Prince of Dingnan that she agreed to take some change of clothes.
Wang Qingyao said, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Everything can be bought in Duanjing. If anything is missing, it can be purchased immediately. We have already sent a letter back to the Ding'an Prince's manor to arrange accommodation for the young princess."
The Prince of Dingnan let out an arrogant "hmph," expressing his disdain for Wang Qingyao's subtle display of wealth.
After these few days of interaction, Wang Qingyao felt that the Prince of Dingnan did not resemble the mastermind behind any malicious curse.
If someone had offended the Prince of Dingnan, given his temperament, he would have retaliated on the spot.
Wang Qingyao had also discussed it privately with Xiao Yun, who remained skeptical.
"Some people are two-faced. The less likely it seems, the more suspicious it is."
"I believe he is convinced about the Xiao family's curse, even suspecting Xiao Mo. If he were the one who administered the poison, wouldn't he know that Xiao Mo wouldn't die?"
Xiao Yun sneered, "See, his objective has been achieved. Someone as naive as you has been easily deceived. Besides, Xiao Mo had already inquired about the green poison from him, alerting him."
Xiao Mo had asked the Prince of Dingnan about the green poison, and the Prince, though surprised, had answered truthfully.
"This poison is called Green Demon. It's a very ancient poison, long lost. Why are you asking about it?"
Xiao Mo relayed the Prince of Dingnan's words verbatim to Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao.
"I said I happened to read about it in a book and was curious, so I asked casually. The Prince of Dingnan didn't suspect anything."
Xiao Yun felt that while the Prince of Dingnan outwardly showed no suspicion, he must have guessed that Xiao Yun and the others had uncovered the truth about the curse. After all, no one would suddenly inquire about a long-lost poison.
"Will the Prince of Dingnan kill me here in the manor?" Xiao Yun was very worried. "This is the Prince of Dingnan's territory!"
"It's possible," Wang Qingyao teased him. "Since the Prince of Dingnan is already suspicious, he will surely use the curse as an excuse to kill you, so you can't continue investigating the Green Demon. And I still haven't gotten pregnant. If you die, the Ding'an Prince's manor will have no heir. Xiao Mo can then take over the Ding'an Prince's manor, and with Feng Jiangduo marrying Xiao Mo and controlling the manor, their children, though unable to inherit the title, could inherit the Xiao family. From then on, the Xiao family will be in the palm of his hand, the Prince of Dingnan! Wow, revenge served cold, how satisfying!"
Xiao Yun listened, dumbfounded, a chill running down his spine.
"If I were the Prince of Dingnan, I would do exactly that. We've been staying in the Prince of Dingnan's manor for several days. If the Prince of Dingnan wanted to make a move, he would have done so already."
Xiao Yun clutched his throat, "Could I have already been poisoned?"
Wang Qingyao chuckled and pinched his arm, "Don't scare yourself. According to Grandmother's previous account, the Green Demon's effects are not instantaneous, nor would it take days to manifest. This only proves that the Prince of Dingnan is not the culprit."
Xiao Yun was somewhat convinced, his expression showing signs of wavering.
"Why don't we directly ask the Prince of Dingnan for clarification? Xiao Mo's inquiry was unclear, and we didn't get any useful information."
Xiao Yun hesitated, "What if it was him? What if he gets angry and attacks directly?"
"That's even simpler," Wang Qingyao said with a smile. "Later, you mustn't eat or drink anything. The Prince of Dingnan wouldn't dare to act directly."
That made sense. The Prince of Dingnan wasn't stupid. Killing the Prince of Ding'an directly, with so many eyes watching, the Emperor wouldn't spare him!
Thus, it was decided. Wang Qingyao sent someone to invite the Prince of Dingnan.
Soon, the Prince of Dingnan's booming voice arrived before he did: "What is it? I've already agreed for Duo Duo to go with you..."
Upon entering the courtyard and seeing the solemn expressions of Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun, the man over six feet tall shivered slightly.
"Why so serious all of a sudden? Does Xiao Mo have some hidden ailment?"
Xiao Yun secretly rolled his eyes, wanting to retort. Wang Qingyao stopped him in time.
"Your Highness, Xiao Mo's earlier inquiry about the Green Demon was not out of idleness, but because this poison is related to the Xiao family's curse."
The Prince of Dingnan did not understand Wang Qingyao's meaning and looked bewildered.
When he entered, Wang Qingyao had already scanned him with her clairvoyant eyes. He was not carrying any extraneous items.
He was safe.
"Why would the Green Demon be related to the Xiao family's curse?" the Prince of Dingnan asked.