When Xiao Yun learned of this later, he didn't feel like his head was turning green. He merely thought Wang Qingyao was meddling too much, even interfering with the lover of her husband's concubine.
Though he found it peculiar, he still sent someone to investigate.
It turned out this cousin was not Huang Shiyu's direct cousin, but the son of her maternal uncle's family. Because they lived nearby, they had childhood affections. This cousin held a minor post in the Ministry of Rites. Currently, he was not only married to a lovely wife but also had two concubines.
Xiao Yun informed Wang Qingyao of the results. Wang Qingyao pondered for two days before summoning Huang Shiyu and carefully telling her about the matter.
Huang Shiyu was a little disappointed, but not overly so.
After all, she was of a certain age, and he couldn't wait for her indefinitely. Hadn't she agreed to become a concubine to Prince Ding'an?
She was lost in thought for a moment and said, "I understand."
She was a young lady of an official family. Although her family had fallen, her innate pride remained. Becoming Prince Ding'an's concubine was out of necessity, but she couldn't bring herself to voluntarily become a concubine to her cousin.
Forget it, she thought.
Wang Qingyao comforted her, "Look on the bright side. There are plenty of men in the world. If there's no Takeshi Kaneshiro, there's still Daniel Wu. If you find a man you like in the future, just tell me, and I'll arrange everything perfectly for you."
Xiao Yun happened to return and heard the names Takeshi Kaneshiro and Daniel Wu.
Clearly, these were two men's names. He casually asked, "Who are these two people?"
Wang Qingyao first sent Huang Shiyu back to the West Garden, then said, "Where we are from... I mean, the world I dream about, they are stars from that world. They are exceptionally handsome, good-looking, and charming."
Wang Qingyao used three "exceptionally"s, and her face held a hint of yearning and nostalgia.
Xiao Yun immediately became jealous. "Are they as handsome, good-looking, and charming as I am?"
"Of course not," Wang Qingyao replied without hesitation.
Xiao Yun didn't believe her at all.
"What is a star?"
"They are people who perform singing, dancing, or acting for others. They usually have outstanding appearances and are highly sought after."
Xiao Yun said "Oh" and thought, aren't they just actors? He then dismissed it.
The eighth day of the third month was Han Suqin's wedding day. She married from the Wang family and had recognized Wang Da as her adoptive father, receiving even more favor than a legitimate daughter of the Wang family. Wang Qingyao, as the second aunt of the Wang family, naturally had to give a betrothal gift, and it couldn't be a meager one.
She instructed Zhizi to open the storeroom and personally selected two bolts of fine silk, a set of pure gold jewelry, and a box of perfectly round South Sea pearls of the same size. Seeing that the weather was good, she personally delivered them to the Wang family on the sixth.
Han Suqin was naturally overjoyed. Although she was adept at pleasing everyone in the Han family, their financial situation meant they couldn't give her many good things. Wang Qingyao's gift set was actually worth more than what the Han family collectively gave. The box of pearls of the same size alone was very rare.
Old Madam Wang was also very pleased with the betrothal gift and even felt a sense of pride, thinking that Wang Qingyao was trying to curry favor with Han Suqin, who was the future Queen of Qi.
With this thought, she felt she had surpassed Wang Qingyao. The matter of being humiliated by Wang Qingyao at the end of last year resurfaced in her mind. She felt that one day she would get her revenge and make Wang Qingyao regret it.
Wang Qingzhen glanced at the betrothal gift and felt a bit jealous. She privately said to Wang Qingyao, "Second sister is quite generous. She's just an outsider. Is second sister trying to flatter her because she's climbed to a high position?"
Since Wang Qingzhen had received Wang Qingyao's comfort last time, her heart knot had untangled, and she had recovered in a few days. Under the guidance of Concubine Ying, she could even force a smile and exchange pleasantries with Han Suqin. Though not genuine, it was sufficient. She had become even closer to Wang Qingyao, truly treating her as a sister.
Wang Qingyao said, "Why would I flatter her? I'm just giving a betrothal gift according to custom. She's now half a daughter of the Wang family, so the gift naturally can't be stingy. Besides, the Xiao family is the wealthiest in Dasheng. Anything I casually take out is a good item; I still have better ones."
Her words made Wang Qingzhen unable to help but laugh.
Wang Qingyao added, "Don't worry, when you get married, my gift will be even better."
Wang Qingzhen's smile immediately faded.
After all, she was still a young girl. Even after being enlightened, she hadn't achieved complete enlightenment. She still felt a bit of unwillingness and regret.
If it weren't for Han Suqin, she would have been the one marrying on the eighth of the third month.
As this thought arose, Wang Qingzhen quickly suppressed it, managed a smile, and said to Wang Qingyao, "Then I thank second sister in advance."
Wang Qingyao sat in the Wang family for a while and then left.
It was spring, and many vendors were selling fresh flowers on the street, their cries echoing. Not only could they be heard in the bustling market, but the lingering sounds also reached the nearby alleys.
Wang Qingyao watched for a while from her carriage and then instructed Zhenzhu, who was accompanying her, "Tell the coachman to stop. I want to get down and stroll."
It would be too much of a waste not to experience such a beautiful spring.