The next day, Wang Qingyao told the Old Imperial Concubine that the Xiao family's grandfather had dreamt of her again.
The Old Imperial Concubine believed every word she said.
Firstly, there was the prophecy from the Imperial Preceptor of Fengfu Kingdom. Secondly, why would the old Prince not dream of others, but only of Wang Qingyao? It was precisely because she could break the Xiao family's curse. Even the old Prince acknowledged her.
"What did the old Prince say to you?"
"Grandfather said we should take advantage of the fifth day of the tenth month to offer incense and pay respects to his deceased colleagues."
The Old Imperial Concubine was taken aback. "Why is that?"
"I don't know, Grandfather didn't say. I thought perhaps heavenly secrets cannot be revealed, and it's not a difficult task. Since Grandfather dreamt of it, we, as juniors, should fulfill his wish."
The Old Imperial Concubine was moved to tears. "Good child." After a moment, she asked, "All his deceased colleagues?"
"Yes."
The Old Imperial Concubine counted on her fingers. She knew of seven or eight, and there were more she didn't know of, perhaps twenty or so.
"Good child, you've worked hard!"
The Old Imperial Concubine immediately ordered the servants to prepare the sacrificial offerings. They were already being prepared, but now they just needed twenty to thirty more sets.
Such a large-scale preparation of sacrificial items quickly attracted the attention of other families. Even when the servants went to purchase them, the shopkeepers would curiously ask a few questions.
As the news spread among the servants, everyone pretty much knew about it. This way, on the fifth day of the tenth month, it wouldn't seem so abrupt for Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun to pay respects to the old Prince's colleagues.
In late September, the residences of the Fourth and Fifth Princes outside the palace were completed. They both sent out invitations one after another, inviting officials and nobles to their housewarming parties.
It was heard that Consort Wei would also be attending.
Everyone couldn't help but sigh at Consort Wei's enduring favor! Throughout history, it was a luxury for consorts sent to the palace to return to their maternal homes, let alone visit their sons' residences.
Ding'an Prince's manor also received an invitation.
The Fourth and Fifth Princes were now Prince Qi and Prince Wu, and the housewarming parties could not be taken lightly.
As the two princes were not yet married, there was no mistress of the manor to manage affairs. The Emperor specially sent people from the Imperial Household Department to assist. However, Prince Qi had conveyed a message to the Emperor, stating that he had invited Miss Kang Yu Tong from the Kang family to help, so he would not need people from the Imperial Household Department.
Even before Kang Yu Tong was married, Prince Qi entrusted such an important matter to her to arrange, which showed his high regard for her.
For a time, everyone was spreading such rumors.
However, Wang Qingyao felt that Prince Qi had ill intentions.
"Kang Yu Tong is still a young girl. How can she manage such a grand banquet alone? If any mistakes happen, wouldn't Prince Qi push all the blame onto her?"
Xiao Yun smiled. "Naturally, she won't be managing it alone. Isn't there the Kang family? If it's handled well, everyone will only praise her. No one will mention that the Kang family helped. However..."
He smiled meaningfully.
"What is it?"
"If it were someone else saying it was to earn a good reputation for their future wife, I might believe it. Prince Qi,呵呵, I doubt it."
Wang Qingyao recalled Prince Qi's overly enthusiastic yet fake long face and couldn't help but ask, "He's not planning to harm the girl, is he?"
"It's very possible."
Although the three princes were all born to Consort Wei, for the position of the Emperor, let alone brothers, even fathers and sons, mothers and sons, could engage in fratricide. Prince Qi felt he was superior to the Second Prince in every way. For years, he had cultivated his connections and eagerly schemed. How could he easily hand over the position of Crown Prince?
Although Kang Yu Tong was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, and the Minister of Rites was a first-rank official, this Minister Kang was from a humble background and had no roots in the capital. Although he had been in office for over twenty years, compared to deeply rooted aristocratic families, he was insignificant.
Why would Prince Qi like such a princess, such a maternal family?
"Prince Qi frequently visits the Wei family, often sending gifts to the two legitimate daughters of the Wei family."
Wang Qingyao chuckled. "Everyone knows what Prince Qi is up to. The Emperor probably knows his private actions as well, otherwise, why would he arrange such a seemingly good but inwardly shabby marriage for him?"
"Prince Qi is indeed too high-profile and doesn't know how to conceal his sharpness."
"What about Prince Wu?"
Compared to the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, Princess Mu Jin was even less significant. She was merely an orphan, without a father or brother, living with her widowed mother. Let alone a prince, even an ordinary family would not benefit from her.
"Prince Wu," Xiao Yun paused. "He's not much older than the seventh prince, but his mind is deep and unfathomable. On the surface, he appears innocent and unconcerned with anything, but who knows what he's truly thinking?"
Wang Qingyao exclaimed, "Oh, you see quite clearly. You know people's characters inside out."
Xiao Yun was quite proud. "With a little observation, you can know a person's true nature. No matter how well they hide it, they will reveal their flaws. However, Princess Mu Jin and Prince Wu had a connection in their childhood. The Emperor bestowed this marriage. I wonder if he values this connection, or if he deliberately chose a maternal family that would not assist Prince Wu?"
Wang Qingyao swallowed. Heh, she had also hidden her true nature. Would she be discovered?