Wan Wan finished speaking, and Sima Bingxin on the stage was already livid, not expecting a mere maid from Prince Yun’s mansion to be so audacious.
Yun Xiao did not reprimand her. She remained expressionless. Wan Wan knew her master approved of her stepping forward. She didn’t bother with Sima Bingxin, leaping onto the high platform and walking towards the zither stand. She slowly knelt before the zither and began to play.
Her ten slender fingers danced, and the ethereal melody of the zither drifted, vast and distant, as if traveling from ancient times, carrying a purity that cleansed the soul. The crowds around the plum blossom grove’s high platform grew larger and more congested.
Everyone’s faces were filled with enchantment, their bodies swaying involuntarily, completely immersed in the music.
Upon hearing the music, Sima Bingxin knew she was outmatched. Just a little maidservant’s zither skills were so outstanding, let alone her master behind her.
As the melody ended, Wan Wan stood up. The plum blossom forest was surrounded by a dense mass of people, their applause like thunder.
Without anyone needing to say it, Sima Bingxin knew she had lost, and lost to someone’s mere young maid. Her face turned ashen, and she couldn’t utter a word. Her title as the top talent of last year was likely gone.
Yun Xiao, however, was too lazy to bother with these onlookers. When Wan Wan came down, she led her people out of the Plum Blossom Villa, got into Prince Yun’s carriage, and returned to the mansion.
She had only two words to offer for this Plum Blossom Festival:
Boring.
Fortunately, she received a bottle of tea and snow water from the old man, which were indeed good things.
She had originally taken the matter lightly, merely a casual outing. But the next day, the entire Jingyan City was abuzz.
The top talent of this year was still the daughter of Prince Yun’s mansion, Yun Xiao.
Early in the morning, Wan Wan conveyed this news to Yun Xiao. Yun Xiao looked bewildered. When had she ever displayed any talent? If anyone had, it was Wan Wan; that title of top talent should have gone to her.
“Wan Wan, that should have been yours. I didn’t display any talent. The power of rumor is truly immense.”
The two of them chatted and laughed in the Jade Pavilion, not taking it seriously. However, by noon, they realized the seriousness of the situation.
Prince Yun’s mansion was teeming with people, all of them matchmakers coming to propose marriage.
In Jingyan City, every high-ranking official with an unmarried son had sent matchmakers to Prince Yun’s mansion to arrange marriages. Not only was Yun Mo powerful and influential, but his daughter was also the top talent of Jingyan, and most importantly, she was skilled in martial arts.
In any aspect, she was the most coveted marriage prospect at present. Regardless of her past grievances, she was now a talented woman.
Therefore, the Yun family experienced unprecedented liveliness. The butler sent someone to inform Yun Xiao. Yun Xiao couldn’t help but frown, her expression cold, her face chilling, showing no interest whatsoever.
“Send them all back.”
The butler wore a pained expression, accepted the order, and went forward.
The news quickly reached the palace. Shangguan Yin’s handsome features were darker than the deep midnight, his demeanor frigid and profound, a killing aura radiating from him. His eyes flickered with bloodthirsty intent. He sneered inwardly.
Someone dares to covet my woman? They’re seeking death.
At the head of the hall, Shangguan Lin and Zhui Yue exchanged glances, and then simultaneously looked at the Emperor. Their faces simultaneously conveyed:
You brought this upon yourself. Why provoke her? You clearly care about her, yet you insist on doing all this. That woman has always been receptive to gentle persuasion, but with force, it will only worsen.
“Your Majesty, what about this matter?”
Zhui Yue spoke cautiously. The Emperor let out a cold snort.
“What did she say? Is she interested in anyone in particular?”
“Not at all,” Zhui Yue thought for a moment before replying. Miss Yun was indeed not interested in anyone.
Hearing this, the coldness on Shangguan Yin’s handsome face finally softened. Though still cold, the bloodlust in his eyes receded considerably, replaced by a helpless desire to properly punish that woman. He waved his hand and instructed Zhui Yue.
“Go back and continue watching. Report any developments.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Zhui Yue breathed a sigh of relief, fortunate that his master wasn’t blaming him. He quickly retreated. In the grand hall, Shangguan Lin glanced at his Imperial Brother and slowly inquired, “How should this matter be handled?”
“How to handle it? She can only marry me. No one else will have her,”
Shangguan Yin said fiercely. If that girl were standing before him now, he would surely snap her neck. How dare she attract so much attention and cause such a stir? It was utterly excessive.
“Guards,” he commanded. Fu Hai rushed in, kneeling respectfully, awaiting orders.
Shangguan Yin spoke with a blank expression: “Immediately proceed to Prince Yun’s mansion and deliver an imperial decree. The daughter of Prince Yun’s mansion, Yun Xiao, is virtuous and talented. The betrothal ceremony will be held on the sixth day of the first lunar month, and the wedding on the fifteenth. She will be granted the title of Empress Yixian.”
Fu Hai was stunned but quickly accepted the order and went to Prince Yun’s mansion to deliver the decree.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall, Shangguan Lin pursed his lips and chuckled. He had known all along that his Imperial Brother would be the one to compromise in the end. It was because he loved that woman too deeply. The moment he heard someone was coveting his woman, he became anxious.
Shangguan Yin cast a cool, sidelong glance at his younger brother, seeing the ill-intentioned smile. Shangguan Lin couldn’t help but shiver and quickly said, “Imperial Brother, it’s nothing. Your brother has matters to attend to.”
“How can it be nothing? The betrothal ceremony is on the sixth day of the first lunar month. You and the Ministry of Revenue will handle this. There must not be the slightest error. You should know that Xiao’er holds grudges easily. If you don’t handle it well, coupled with my amnesia incident last time, she will definitely settle the score with you.”
Shangguan Lin’s face immediately turned bitter, but he had no choice but to obey.
“Your brother obeys the decree.”
“Go, go,”
Shangguan Yin’s mood inexplicably improved, and he waved his hand with a smile.
Since he had promised Yun Xiao freedom, perhaps he should collect a small interest. As Shangguan Yin pondered, an idea suddenly struck him. If Xiao’er were constantly pregnant, even if she wanted to go out, she wouldn’t have the strength.
He thought this method was truly excellent. The Emperor’s distinguished and charming features became even more dazzling.
Once the imperial decree was issued, no one in the entire Jingyan City dared to approach Prince Yun’s mansion anymore. Who would dare to compete with the Emperor for a woman? Moreover, the content of the decree clearly indicated the Emperor’s extreme fondness for this woman, having bestowed a title upon her before she even entered the palace.
The officials in the court also dared not speak. Why? Because the Empress’s lineage was noble. Although she had married the false emperor before, she was later deposed. And she had feigned madness all along to escape the clutches of the false emperor.
Now, she and the Emperor were a match made in heaven. There was nothing to challenge, so the entire Jingyan City became lively.
The Emperor’s wedding, especially within such a short timeframe, meant that many things were not ready. Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department were fully mobilized to ensure the wedding affairs were held perfectly.
In the Jade Pavilion of Prince Yun’s mansion, Yun Xiao was playing with the imperial decree, leaning lazily on the couch, reading it over and over. Her face was filled with a smile. Imagining Shangguan Yin issuing the decree with a grim expression, she found it amusing.