After Du Ping’er finished speaking, she hesitated for a moment. “I heard… in prestigious households like the Prince’s residence, they might not even allow concubines to bear children first. Ah, I’m both happy and worried that you’ve become a lady. It’s truly troubling…”
Yao Chengcheng quickly stopped her. If this continued, the conversation would become increasingly absurd.
“Mother, don’t overthink it. Isn’t it better to eat well, drink well, and enjoy life? I called you aside specifically to tell you that you can now hold your head high at home. Don’t always be timid in everything you do. There’s no need to be afraid—I’m here for you.”
Madam Du was timid by nature. Even in the small household of the Yao family, she lived in constant fear. Since she herself was a concubine, she naturally worried even more about Yao Chengcheng.
But regarding this issue, Yao Chengcheng couldn’t explain it to her and could only offer comfort. With Madam Du’s temperament, although she wouldn’t fare too poorly under Madam Wu’s authority, she wouldn’t fare too well either.
Du Ping’er nodded. “Mother is doing fine.”
As time was almost up, Yao Chengcheng couldn’t keep the Yao family waiting indefinitely. After whispering a few more words to Du Ping’er, she led her back.
Madam Wu smiled somewhat insincerely. “Chengcheng, what heartfelt words were you sharing with your mother?”
Yao Chengcheng replied, “Nothing much. I just asked about her health. By the way, Father, after the meal, you should all leave. Your daughter is doing well here. The Prince is cultivating in seclusion, and I’m afraid of disturbing him.”
The Yao family was taken aback. They hadn’t even warmed their seats yet.
Yao Duoduo couldn’t help but say, “Little sister, how can you give us the cold shoulder like this? Don’t forget your roots just because you’ve become a lady. That’s not good.”
“What do you mean by forgetting my roots? This Prince’s residence isn’t my home either. Everything must prioritize the Prince. Isn’t that right, Father?”
Put on the spot by his daughter like this, how could Yao Baowang say otherwise?
He could only nod in agreement.
However, he was reluctant to leave the Prince’s residence. It truly looked grand and splendid…
Yao Chengcheng ordered the meal to be served, eager to send them off as soon as possible. Seeing her like this, Yao Duoduo had already clenched her fists several times. “Little sister, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you. Among so many candidates that day, why were you the one chosen? What method did you use?”
After Yao Duoduo spoke, the others also turned their attention to Yao Chengcheng. Yes, they were all very curious.
“Sister, what do you mean by ‘method’? I just stood there, the Prince found me attractive, and that’s why I was chosen.”
“…You’re lying!”
Yao Duoduo suddenly stood up. “Brother Ziche clearly told me the Prince had no intention of selecting any candidates at all! You deliberately tricked me out of my spot!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Wu suddenly realized something. “That’s right, Duoduo, why didn’t you go?”
“Mother…” Yao Duoduo was on the verge of tears. “She used some trick. Brother Ziche clearly said…”
Yao Chengcheng interjected, “Brother Ziche? You keep mentioning ‘Brother Ziche’ left and right, which shows how close you two are. For you to come and participate in the selection now—that’s not appropriate, sister.”
The Gu family were old friends of the Yao family. The Gu family held a higher official rank than the Yao family, and although their background wasn’t particularly distinguished, Gu Ziche himself was ambitious and had passed the imperial examination at a young age. The two Yao sisters had once secretly competed for his attention, but Yao Duoduo was clearly closer to him. That was why, upon learning that the Prince’s selection held no hope, she chose not to participate—a gesture of her feelings toward Gu Ziche.
But who could have imagined that Yao Chengcheng was chosen!
Yao Duoduo had been feeling as if her heart were frying in oil lately, and now, seeing Yao Chengcheng so high and mighty, she simply couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Tell me honestly, what tricks did you use!”
Yao Chengcheng didn’t indulge her either: “What tricks? If I used tricks in front of the Prince, wouldn’t my hands be chopped off in the next moment? Use your brain, will you! You chose to curry favor with Gu Ziche and didn’t come, and now you regret it. Does your dear Ziche brother know?”
Yao Duoduo: “…You!”
This wretched girl, when did she become so sharp-tongued!
The Yao family members were also stunned. Madam Wu’s face darkened: “Chengcheng, no matter what, Duoduo is still your elder sister. How can you speak to her like that?”
Yao Chengcheng sneered and only looked at Yao Baowang: “Father, whatever happens within our family is one thing, but I think this is the Prince’s residence. It’s not appropriate to argue here, with so many people watching. What do you think?”
Yao Baowang felt utterly overwhelmed. When it came to family matters, he usually preferred to muddy the waters, but today, for some reason, his younger daughter kept pushing him. Reluctantly, Yao Baowang spoke up: “Madam Wu, mind the occasion.”
Madam Wu’s face paled, and she glanced at Yao Chengcheng unwillingly: “Yes…”
Earlier, when Yao Chengcheng had called Du Ping’er over alone, she had felt uneasy. Although Duoduo wasn’t her biological daughter either, Duoduo was registered under her household. If only Duoduo had been chosen… She hadn’t even known about this matter before…
Now, seeing Yao Chengcheng as if she had become a different person, and then looking at Madam Du, Madam Wu suddenly felt that her position as the head wife…
Being scolded by the master again, she naturally felt humiliated.
Yao Chengcheng observed the expressions of the entire family and found it laughable. Only Yao Xin kept eating and drinking, like a useless fool.
Yao Chengcheng lost interest and directly had Chunyan bring the prepared gifts. Truthfully, she didn’t even want to give gifts, but these were prepared by Aunt Liu and represented the Prince’s residence’s face.
“Let’s end it here today, Father. What do you think?”
Yao Baowang now broke into a cold sweat every time he heard the word “Father.” “Yes, yes, that’s fine…”
Madam Wu glanced at Du Ping’er’s box and felt it was slightly larger than hers, pursing her lips silently.
Du Ping’er’s eyes were only on her daughter, and she seemed reluctant to leave when she stood up.
Suddenly, Fuman walked over from not far away, deliberately raising his voice: “Madam—”
Everyone turned to look. Yao Baowang, of course, had seen Fuman before, and his eyes lit up.
“This must be Eunuch Fu—”
Unexpectedly, Fuman didn’t even glance at him. Instead, he smiled and walked up to Yao Chengcheng: “The Prince has just finished his work and said the pastries Madam made were delicious.”
Yao Chengcheng was taken aback, instantly feeling several pairs of eyes fixed on her.
Yao Duoduo’s eyes burned with jealousy, and Madam Wu was much the same.
Only Yao Chengcheng knew that Fu Yuanzheng was lying.
Bobojii hadn’t given any Satisfaction Points—he hadn’t eaten them!
Yao Chengcheng smiled and waited for him to continue. Fuman finally turned to Yao Baowang and smiled: “The Prince said that he should have met with Lord Yao today, but unfortunately, it wasn’t convenient. The imperial physician is still waiting. He only asked me to relay a message: Lord Yao’s family values are commendable, and Madam is excellent. However, the Prince’s residence has its own rules. From now on, Madam may not be able to return home often, but the Prince will take good care of you, as well as the young Madam.”
After Fuman finished speaking, Du Ping’er was stunned, but Yao Baowang was overjoyed—
“Of course, of course! Thank you, Prince! Please convey my gratitude to His Highness. This humble official will certainly remember his words. For my daughter to have caught the Prince’s eye is a blessing for her and our entire family!”
Fuman offered a shallow, insincere smile. “Then I shall see you out on behalf of the Prince…”
Yao Chengcheng stood where she was, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.
The Prince’s words… Yao Baowang understood them, and she understood them too.
It was clearly a warning to the Yao family, as well as a show of support for her…
Did the Prince know what had just happened?
Yao Chengcheng suddenly turned around, scanning her surroundings anxiously.