Xiao Yun slept in the second day after drinking.
Wang Qingyao had already paid her respects to the Old Dowager Consort, but he was still asleep.
Wang Qingyao then instructed Manao to prepare a hangover soup for him.
Yinzhu reported at the door, "Your Majesty, Madam Huang wishes to see you."
She was now practicing martial arts with Qian Yu and Jiang Jing, and her relationship with Huang Shiyu and the others was good.
However, no matter how good their relationship was, deep down, she was still wary of these four women vying for favor with their Wangfei.
She could pass on a message, but seeing Wang Qingyao's inquiring gaze, she added, "It seems she has something to give Your Majesty."
"Let her in."
Huang Shiyu entered, carrying a parcel.
"Your Majesty, may you have peace."
Wang Qingyao smiled and asked, "What is it?"
Huang Shiyu handed over the parcel, "The four of us have made some needlework for Your Majesty. We hope you won't dislike it."
Zhenzhu brought the parcel to Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao, too lazy to use her clairvoyant eyes, waited for Zhenzhu to open it. Leaning closer, she saw intimate apparel, several pairs of socks, various talismans, and sachets, all for women.
She casually picked up a pair of socks and examined them. The stitches were fine, the workmanship exquisite, and the embroidered patterns were beautiful.
She praised with a smile, "This is really well done. Thank you for your hard work!"
Huang Shiyu was delighted to see her pleased.
At this moment, Xiao Yun's voice was heard from the inner chamber, beyond the screen and the green gauze door.
Huang Shiyu said hastily, "If Your Majesty has no other commands, this servant will take her leave."
Without waiting for Wang Qingyao's reply, she bowed and quickly departed.
Zhenzhu remarked, "Madam Huang is quite sensible."
Too sensible, in fact.
How could a concubine not vie for favor?
Xiao Yun's voice came from behind, "Who was here?"
Wang Qingyao lifted the green gauze curtain and walked in, "It was Madam Huang."
"What did she want?" Xiao Yun asked, his tone displeased as he dressed.
Wang Qingyao showed him the parcel, boasting, "Your four Madams made a lot of needlework for me! All for me, not a single piece for you!"
Xiao Yun heard the boast in her words and couldn't help but laugh, "They are quite discerning, only making things for the main wife. As for mine, you should be the one to make them."
Wang Qingyao's face immediately fell, "I don't know how."
"Learn then," Xiao Yun chuckled. "Forget about other things, but intimate apparel. Would you be willing for me to wear something made by another woman?"
Wang Qingyao thought to herself: Yes, very willing.
But she couldn't say that.
"How can that be? It was fine before, but now that you have a Wangfei, you can only wear what I make."
But she didn't know how! Wang Qingyao wailed inwardly.
Xiao Yun was very pleased to hear this. He embraced her waist and kissed her cheek, "You can learn from Yinzhu and the others..."
Wang Qingyao put on a pained expression, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace, "Mm."
Xiao Yun couldn't help but burst into laughter, "You can also tell them to make it, and you can just pretend to stitch a few times."
"Really?" Wang Qingyao was overjoyed.
Xiao Yun nodded, "I won't make it difficult for you. Your intention is enough for me."
Wang Qingyao: "Hehehe..."
She truly had no such intention and wouldn't mind whose underwear he wore.
"I've asked someone to make some hangover soup," Wang Qingyao said, following him to the outer room and touching the bowl. "It's still warm, drink it quickly."
Xiao Yun obediently finished the soup and put down the bowl, "Xiao Mo is leaving for Nanzhou tomorrow. Do you have any further instructions for him regarding that poison?"
Xiao Yun had already said everything he needed to. Wang Qingyao thought for a moment and shook her head, "Tell him to be careful. By the way, does he know martial arts?"
"No. But don't worry, he's traveling with a merchant caravan. There will be many people, so there won't be any danger."
The Old Dowager Consort only knew that Xiao Mo was going to Nanzhou for business. She had specifically written a letter to the King of Dingnan, entrusting him to look after Xiao Mo. This way, Xiao Mo's inquiries about the green poison at the King of Dingnan's mansion would be natural.
Although Wang Qingyao had nothing specific to instruct Xiao Mo, she had specially gone to Physician Lu to concoct some common medicines, based on some modern Chinese patent medicines.
She didn't understand pharmaceutical manufacturing, but she remembered the formulas for some common patent medicines. She recited them one by one to Physician Lu, who was again amazed and praised, "New talents emerge in every generation!"
Wang Qingyao sent Yinzhu to deliver the medicine to Xiao Mo's courtyard. When Yinzhu returned, she said, "Consort Dowager Fang also instructed Yunzhu to send some things, all large items. Although the Second Young Master accepted them, from his expression, I doubt he will take them."
"What did the Second Young Master say?" Wang Qingyao asked.
"He didn't say much, just thanked the Wangfei. As the Wangfei knows, the Second Young Master is a man of few words."
Wang Qingyao smiled and said nothing more.
On the eleventh of September, Xiao Mo set off for Nanzhou.
The twelfth of September was the anniversary of Master Xue's death.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun went to his grave early in the morning to keep vigil.
Master Xue had no descendants; his funeral was handled by the court. The tomb was decent, not a prime feng shui location, but not bad either.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun waited from morning till night, but not a single person appeared.
No one came to pay respects to Master Xue on his death anniversary!
Wang Qingyao found it incredible.