He mused that the woman might not yield. Although he had no idea what she had been up to, he knew her well enough to guess that his imperial brother would be the one to back down, and in a way that would leave him worse off than before.
Right now, many in Yanjing City were interested in Yun Xiao. If she were to make a statement, there would be a queue from the city walls to the end of the street of men wanting to marry her. At that point, he wondered who would be more anxious.
Shangguan Lin said nothing, nodding his assent. "Yes, your imperial brother will attend to it immediately."
With that, he turned and left. In the great hall, Shangguan Yin was still in a quandary. If Yun Xiao were allowed to leave the palace freely, how dangerous would that be? He was firmly against her request.
With the new year approaching, Yun King's mansion, like others, was in a flurry of activity. Preparations for New Year's goods, cleaning, tidying the mansion grounds, and washing various utensils. Curtains, bedding – everything needed to be cleaned.
Thus, in Yu Xuan, Yun Xiao was woken up early by Wanwan, who dragged her out for a stroll in the mansion grounds. The cleaning of the rooms was left to Qiao'er and a few young maids.
The weather today was clear and bright. Although the sun had not yet risen, the surroundings were crisp and clean. Thick frost clung to the branches, and the snow that had fallen two days prior had yet to melt, creating a vast, white landscape as far as the eye could see.
Throughout the mansion, people were bustling about. Some were sweeping and tidying, while in the distance, the steward occasionally directed the work.
After a brief stroll, Yun Xiao felt hungry. Just then, her brother Yun Zhen sent someone to summon her to his place for a meal. The two turned and walked towards her brother's courtyard. His courtyard had been cleaned two days prior, with bright windows and clean surroundings, exuding a fresh atmosphere.
In the dining hall, the siblings ate in silence. Yun Zhen, while eating, observed his sister and then spoke gently.
"Xiao'er, did you sleep well last night?"
Yun Xiao nodded as she bit into a two-colored pastry, glancing up at Yun Zhen. She wondered if her brother thought she would be too worried and anxious to sleep, hence the early summons for breakfast. It was quite amusing, but his concern was touching.
"I'm fine, brother."
"Good, then that's good." They continued to eat their breakfast. Yun Zhen seemed to remember something and looked up. "By the way, tomorrow is still the Plum Blossom Festival. Do you want to go?"
"Plum Blossom Festival?"
Yun Xiao looked at Yun Zhen with a hint of confusion. By now, she had finished her meal. Beside her, Wanwan offered a cup of clear water and a cotton cloth, waiting for her to wash her hands. After she had washed her hands, she poured tea and stood by, waiting.
Yun Zhen smiled.
"The Plum Blossom Festival, if you really think about it, isn't exactly a festival. It's just that with the new year approaching and the plum blossoms in full bloom, people gather together for amusement. However, all the prominent young ladies and gentlemen of Yanjing will appear on this day. In previous years, the titles of the most talented woman and the most beautiful woman were generally bestowed at such grand events."
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao frowned. "Isn't this just a twisted matchmaking event? If someone takes a liking to someone else, then people will come to propose marriage?"
Yun Zhen's lips curved slightly as he smiled. "You could say that."
Yun Xiao felt it was rather uninteresting. She had never been one to seek the spotlight, nor did she have any intention of being matched. Therefore, there was no need for her to go. However, she narrowed her eyes and looked at Yun Zhen. "Brother, you could try it. Perhaps you'll find an unexpected beauty?"
Yun Zhen sighed inwardly. He truly had no desire to marry at this time. Time could help process some things, but as he was now, he felt incapable of loving anyone.
As the siblings were talking, a servant walked in from outside the hall and said respectfully, "Young Master, Master wishes for you and Miss to come over?"
"Mm."
The two raised their eyebrows. Why had their father returned from the imperial court so early and summoned them with such urgency? Had something happened?
They immediately rose, leading Wanwan, and walked straight into the main hall of Yun King's mansion.
In the main hall, Yun Mo was pacing back and forth. His resolute and sculpted features were etched with anxiety, and he kept rubbing his hands. It seemed he was truly troubled by something. As soon as his son and daughter walked in, he rushed to Yun Xiao's side, took her hand, and said with great solemnity.
"Xiao'er, you should get married. Don't mention any conditions."
"What do you mean, Father?"
Yun Xiao blinked her eyes, confused. They were clear and exceptionally beautiful, with small dimples on her cheeks, making her even sweeter.
"During the morning court today, several ministers petitioned the Emperor to take a consort soon. The Emperor did not refuse. If you truly anger the Emperor, then perhaps he..."
Although the Emperor loved Xiao'er, he was not an ordinary man. He was the Emperor, and no matter how much he loved her, his pride would not be compromised. If the two of them continued to quarrel and reach a stalemate, would it not harm them both?
Upon hearing her father's words, Yun Xiao's expression turned somewhat cold. A faint smile touched her lips, devoid of warmth, and her narrowed eyes gleamed with a subtle light.
Shangguan Yin, oh Shangguan Yin, you've provoked me. Very well, in that case, let's have a contest.
Let's see who compromises more easily. With that thought, the smile lines around her lips deepened. She looked up at Yun Mo to comfort him.
"Alright, Father, don't worry. Xiao'er knows what to do. Since he didn't refuse, what else is there to say?" Yun Xiao finished, then turned to look at Yun Zhen. "Let's go to the Plum Blossom Festival together tomorrow. I don't believe that without the Emperor, I won't find a man with whom I'm compatible."
Yun Zhen's face fell. It seemed Xiao'er was truly at odds with the Emperor. They could clash, but she must not really push things to the brink. The Emperor was truly something, knowing Xiao'er's personality and still creating such situations. Let's see who ends up at a disadvantage.
In the main hall, Yun Mo truly didn't know what to say. In short, Xiao'er would not marry easily, and that was that.
Yun Xiao, however, no longer seemed troubled. She looked at Yun Mo. "Father, the weather is nice today. Why don't you go and bring Elder Mother back? Let our family reunite."
Yun Mo was taken aback. He had been worried about his daughter, but the topic had turned to him again. His expression became somewhat uncomfortable, and he turned to look elsewhere, remaining silent for a moment. Yun Xiao, however, would not allow him to evade the issue and spoke earnestly.
"Father, I want to see Elder Mother tonight. I will instruct the steward to prepare a meal. Let our family have a good dinner together."
With that, she walked out. Yun Mo turned to look at her retreating figure and murmured softly, "Do I really have to go?"
Yun Zhen knew that his father was somewhat reluctant to save face, so he leaned closer and said gently, "I'll go with you, Father."
"Good."
Yun Mo finally made up his mind. The father and son let go of Xiao'er's matter. In any case, what was meant to happen would happen, and what was not meant to happen would be resolved. There was no point in them being anxious; Xiao'er simply wouldn't pay them any mind.
In the evening, Yun King's mansion was extremely lively.
The Yun King's Consort was brought back. Originally, she was unwilling to return, but Yun Zhen told her that if she didn't come back, he would spend his entire life with her in the nunnery.
Finally, out of love for her son, she returned to Yun King's mansion. Now, her heart was clear. Many people and things were just fleeting.
Take Ji Yu, for instance. Although she had hated her and grieved for a lifetime, in reality, Ji Yu had passed away long ago. While she had found love, she had also lost many things.
No one in this world could have everything. At least she still had the chance to be by Yun Mo's side, and was this not also Ji Yu's pain?
Once the heart opened up, there was nothing left to quarrel about.