The gates of the Yun King's mansion were adorned with bright, festive lanterns. Servants bustled about, their faces beaming. The King's family was reunited, and even the servants felt a sense of joy.
Truthfully, the King's Consort was not an evil person. Aside from doting on Li Ruoyun and tolerating her actions, she herself was not inherently bad. However, with Miss Li no longer in the mansion, there was nothing for them to fear.
The family of four sat in the main hall, radiating joy. Young maids served dishes from the four corners.
For the first time, the Yun King's Consort truly observed Yun Xiao. Though not a stunning beauty, she was incredibly cute, much like her mother. Looking at Yun Xiao and her mother now, the Consort could no longer feel any hatred. Instead, a wave of guilt washed over her. Since Yun Xiao's mother passed away, she had never shown her a kind face. Now that Yun Xiao had forgiven her, it was her duty as the elder aunt to care for her.
The Yun King's Consort raised a cup of wine and respectfully stood, toasting Yun Xiao.
"Xiao'er, I was wrong in the past. I hope you can give me a chance to make amends."
Yun Xiao rose to her feet. Truthfully, she was not a person who easily forgave others, especially considering how many wrongs her aunt had committed against the simple-minded girl she once was. In her previous disposition, she wouldn't have forgiven her, but would have instead worsened her plight and severely punished her.
However, she knew that if she truly married, her father would have few people around him. He would need someone to talk to, someone to accompany him. The Yun King's Consort was the perfect candidate.
"It's alright. The past is in the past. If you truly wish for my forgiveness, from now on, treat Father a little better. That will be enough for me."
Yun Xiao spoke with a smile. Yun Mo's heart warmed; his daughter was always the most considerate. He raised his wine cup, signaling Yun Zhen to rise. "Come, let's have a toast as a family. From now on, let us live in harmony. Let the past be the past."
"Good."
The four wine cups clinked, making a crisp sound. The Yun King's Consort turned to look at Yun Mo, her eyes filled with tender affection. Yun Xiao saw this, and her heart finally found peace. Her decision was the right one.
Laughter and soft whispers filled the main hall, occasionally drifting out into the dark night sky, swirling around. The Yun King's mansion was filled with happiness.
In stark contrast to the joy in the Yun King's mansion, the imperial palace was shrouded in gloom.
In the Qing Xiao Palace, the Emperor, seated on his throne, listened to the report from his close guard, Zhuí Yue. His expression grew increasingly grim. He hadn't expected that the morning's concubine selection would have no effect on Xiao'er. She ate well, slept well, and had even fostered harmony between the Yun King and his Consort. What about him? He was alone in the cold palace. If he weren't angry, he would have gone to her long ago. But the conditions she had proposed made him disagree. His exceptionally handsome features were cast in a somber hue, and he remained silent.
Just then, the eunuch Fu Hai entered with a report.
"Your Majesty, a maid from the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace reports that the Princess is refusing to eat and is threatening to starve herself."
Shangguan Yin heard this and became furious. This woman truly infuriated him to the extreme. He wished he could immediately send her to the Northern Dynasty for marriage, but that matter wouldn't likely be finalized until after the new year. She was clearly someone who feared death, yet she threatened him with it every few days. His face darkened, and he coldly commanded, "Let her be. Pay her no mind."
The Emperor was in a bad mood, and anyone with eyes could see it. Fu Hai dared not say another word. He quickly hurried out and relayed the Emperor's words back to the maid who had come to report, without alteration.
When Hua Zhi heard this, she felt helpless. The Emperor wouldn't pay her any mind, yet the Princess kept threatening to die. Wasn't she asking for trouble? However, she dared not say anything and could only return with trepidation, expecting to be scolded or beaten.
In the Qing Xiao Palace, Shangguan Yin, due to his anger, did not even partake in dinner. He turned and retired to his chambers to rest…
On the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, it was still the Eastern Qin's renowned Plum Blossom Festival. Thirty li outside the city lay a Plum Blossom Villa, where plum blossoms of every variety—white, red, and winter plum—covered the grounds. The owner was an elder in his sixties, an ardent admirer of plum blossoms. Having no wife, children, or descendants, he cared for these plum trees as if they were his own life. Every year, on the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, he would send out invitations to the noble young lords and the daughters of prominent families in Yan Jing City to visit the Plum Blossom Villa to admire, taste, and praise the plum blossoms. On this day, many would earn accolades such as talented scholar, great beauty, or noble young master.
Early in the morning, the streets of Yan Jing City were thronged with carriages. One by one, luxuriously decorated carriages passed through the streets, heading directly for the Plum Blossom Villa. Fragrant hair adorned with shimmering silk, their graceful silhouettes blurred.
Yun Xiao was also dressed in her finest today. Driven by a desire to compete, she wanted to see who would yield first between her and Shangguan Yin, so she had dressed up with particular care. Her upper garment was a moon-white, front-opening jacket with butterfly clasps. The cuffs and hem were embroidered with plum blossoms, their delicate red hues accentuating the moon-white jacket, making it appear exceptionally elegant. She wore a pleated skirt the color of water grass, and her feet were clad in small yellow leather boots. Her demeanor was graceful, and her every move complemented the fresh and elegant colors, exuding an scholarly aura, as if she were naturally a talented woman, composed and refined, transcending the mundane. Her hair was styled in a simple bun, with a palace-made plum blossom pinned to her temple, accentuating her raven-black hair and radiating a lustrous sheen.
Wanwan, watching her, couldn't help but exclaim, "Miss, you look so beautiful in these! There's an indescribable charm... what is it? Ah yes, it's exceptionally elegant!" Wanwan had to search for a while to find the word "elegant." Yun Xiao glanced at herself again and finally smiled in satisfaction.
"Let's go."
Her brother was already waiting outside the door, having sent someone to call for her. The two women walked out one after another. On the long corridor, Liu Xing and Jing Yun were stunned. They rarely saw their mistress dressed like this. It was a completely different image from her usual sweetness; she appeared strikingly elegant. Jing Yun whistled playfully, and the four of them walked towards the mansion gates.
Along the way, many servants stared at them with unwavering attention. Yun Xiao knew she had achieved the effect she desired. "Shangguan Yin, you just wait for my move!"
On the carriage, Yun Zhen was also elegantly refined. For the first time, the siblings looked alike. They exchanged glances and smiled at each other. Yun Zhen instructed the driver outside, "Let's go."
The carriage slowly set off, making its way towards the Plum Blossom Villa. When they arrived, a long line of vehicles was parked on the wide bluestone path in front of the villa's entrance. Everyone was submitting their invitations in order before entering the villa, a very strict and serious process. Yun Xiao leaned out to take a look and couldn't help but mutter, "They're really quite ostentatious. What kind of family is this?"