To some extent, Imperial Consort Wei was truly willful.
She knew perfectly well that Wei Qing was utterly devoted to the Second Prince, yet she still joked about it with Wang Qingyao, showing no consideration for Wei Qing's feelings or whether she might come to resent Wang Qingyao.
If one were to say she was being deliberate, her tone and expression when praising were so sincere, it didn't seem like an act.
Wang Qingyao let out a few dry chuckles and played along, "Then I shall have to visit Your Ladyship more often in the palace!"
"You said it yourself," Imperial Consort Wei appeared quite pleased.
As the two at the head conversed and laughed, the ladies and madams below began to stir with thoughts.
What did the Imperial Consort mean by her words?
It seemed, perhaps, as if the Imperial Consort was not entirely satisfied with her own family's two nieces?
Although Imperial Consort Wei had two direct nieces, everyone in noble circles knew of Wei Qing's affections for the Second Prince, and as the eldest legitimate daughter, she was the most suitable candidate.
What was the meaning of Imperial Consort Wei bypassing her and praising the Princess of Ding'an excessively?
Even if Wei Qing wasn't suitable, there was still Wei Yu, who was a little younger, but that wouldn't matter!
Could it be that the Imperial Consort was hinting that she wasn't looking for secondary consorts for her other sons, but a principal wife for the Second Prince?
With this thought, the complexions of the ladies and madams instantly bloomed like spring flowers, and each one began to feel excited and agitated, looking around at everyone else as if they were rivals.
Wei Qing also began to feel restless. Ever since the incident of the stolen jade pendant in Huayang Palace last time, Imperial Consort Wei's attitude towards her had subtly changed.
While she still showed the same affection as always, she no longer tried to match her with the Second Prince. Instead, she would subtly advise her to relax and not force things. When the matter was discussed at home, it seemed less certain than before.
Had Imperial Consort Wei truly given up on her?
On the surface, Wei Qing was a proud, celestial daughter that no one dared to offend. But in reality, she was fragile and sensitive. After years of striving, her efforts had come to naught, and she almost collapsed on the spot, her delicate face turning deathly pale.
Wang Qingyao returned to the previous topic, "Didn't Your Ladyship ask me who I liked most among these young ladies?"
She surveyed the room, and the young ladies whose gazes she swept over immediately straightened their backs, presenting their most beautiful selves. Finally, her gaze settled on Wei Yu.
"I like Miss Wei the Second the most. She is innocent and lively, with a simple heart. Such a maiden is truly rare."
Wei Yu did not know if Wang Qingyao was praising her or mocking her.
As for the matter of the jade pendant in Huayang Palace, others might not know what happened, but Wang Qingyao was perfectly clear!
Seeing Wei Yu's stiff smile, Wang Qingyao smiled slightly and continued, "Furthermore, Miss Wei the Second is Your Ladyship's own niece. If she were to become Your Ladyship's daughter-in-law, it would be a union of close kin, and there could be nothing better than this."
Silence fell upon the hall.
Both Wei Qing and Wei Yu wore expressions of awkwardness.
The principal wives for Prince Qi and Prince Wu already had their candidates, so the Wei family's daughters could not possibly become mere concubines. Thus, Wang Qingyao was referring to the Second Prince.
But the one who clearly liked the Second Prince was her elder sister...
Everyone watched with an expression of schadenfreude.
The drama of two sisters vying for the same man was common in plays!
Although Imperial Consort Wei disliked her own family being turned into a spectacle, what Wang Qingyao said was not entirely wrong. The Second Prince was about to be made Crown Prince, and the selection of the Crown Princess was a matter for the Wei family.
And the Wei family had only two legitimate daughters.
Wei Qing was too stubborn, and like the Second Prince, her heart and mind were filled with love, lacking the magnanimity and grace befitting a mother of a nation.
Wei Yu was young, and could be taught properly.
Imperial Consort Wei herself was also full of love, but she was not the empress; she was a favored consort, and there were things a favored consort could do that an empress could not.
Imperial Consort Wei thought this with a clear conscience.
She glanced at Wei Qing, who was on the verge of tears, and hardened her heart, "The Princess is right. I will speak to His Majesty about it as soon as I return to the palace."
It was still said in a joking tone, but everyone knew that Imperial Consort Wei had the ability to turn a joke into reality.
Wei Qing looked at Imperial Consort Wei in disbelief.
This was the first time Imperial Consort Wei had clearly expressed her choice for the Second Prince's principal wife.
She swayed precariously, almost falling from her chair.
Wang Qingyao cast a sympathetic glance at her, her resilience was truly poor!
Wei Yu remained composed, neither humbled nor flattered, still wearing a sweet, innocent smile, "Princess Consort, you jest. Everyone knows that the Second Prince is wholeheartedly searching for his true love. I do not have such good fortune."
Her half-joking, half-serious tone instantly eased the atmosphere in the hall.
Wei Qing's face also regained some color.
The Second Prince had long ago obtained the Emperor's grace to decide his principal wife himself. If he could refuse her, could he refuse Wei Yu? If he had feelings for Wei Yu, wouldn't he have already petitioned the Emperor for a marriage arrangement?
With this realization, Wei Qing's expression became much calmer.
Wei Yu looked at Wang Qingyao and continued, "I heard that His Majesty bestowed four beauties upon the Prince of Ding'an during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Such fortune is not granted to everyone. Even Prince Qi and Prince Wu were only granted two!"