The long corridor and bluestone paths, as well as various places in the courtyard, had been cleaned by the servants. Only the back courtyard still held accumulated snow. A few plum trees stood against the wall, their branches laden with blossoms, truly a breathtaking sight in the world of white crystal, beautiful in their pride, beautiful in their radiance.
Yun Xiao couldn't help but recall Wang Anshi of the Northern Song Dynasty’s work: "A few branches of plum by the wall, blooming alone in the bitter cold; known not to be snow, but for their hidden fragrance." What a brilliant line, "but for their hidden fragrance," it truly painted a vivid picture.
"Come, let's dine in the pavilion."
There was an Eight Treasures Pavilion in this back garden. The interior had been cleaned. Dining and admiring plums within the pavilion would undoubtedly be an uplifting experience.
At Yun Xiao's command, Wanwan had already darted away swiftly, immediately giving instructions for the young maids to tidy the pavilion and prepare breakfast.
Soon, inside the Eight Treasures Pavilion, a brazier was placed, and a glazed screen was brought over to block the biting cold wind, leaving only one side open for plum viewing.
A brocade tablecloth was spread on the stone table, and embroidered cushions were placed on the stools.
Although she was alone, embroidered cushions were placed on all four seats. Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows slightly but paid it no mind. She beckoned for Wanwan to sit down and eat. With a table full of dishes, she had little appetite to eat alone, so it was better to dine together.
Unexpectedly, the usually generous Wanwan became coy and hesitated to take her seat.
Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the pavilion. It was Yun Zhen's voice.
"Xiao'er, isn't it a bit unfair to be hiding here admiring plums alone and not invite your brother along?"
As Yun Zhen's footsteps approached, Yun Xiao concentrated slightly. She knew it wasn't just one person, but two, three, four people. She couldn't help but glare fiercely at Wanwan.
She had wondered why the silly girl was acting so demure. It turned out she had already sent someone to invite these people. How vexing! But since the people had already entered, she couldn't directly kick them out, though her expression turned somewhat cold.
Yun Xiao's gaze, like a deep, cold pool, scanned the surroundings. She wanted to see who dared to come to the Yun King's mansion!
The first to enter was her brother Yun Zhen. Following him was Prince Li, Ji Qingge, then the Northern Emperor Yan Yu. However, the last one was Shangguan Lin.
This scoundrel still dared to come to the mansion! Yun Xiao's face was as unpleasant as it could be. She glared menacingly at Shangguan Lin. Seeing him reminded her of Murong, who had forgotten him. He had better wait. Even if she found his symptoms and cured him, he wouldn't be able to marry her peacefully.
Yun Xiao snorted coldly. In fact, she had tossed and turned all night and had come to a realization.
First, Murong Yingxue was lying. The Six Vein Divine Heart did not kill people; it only caused a feverish head and then fainting. As for why this happened, she was still investigating.
Second, she was considering how to force Murong Yingxue to reveal the truth.
Four handsome men walked into the pavilion from outside. Along the way, they had stunned many maids in the King's mansion. Unfortunately, the woman in the pavilion at the moment lowered her head to eat, too lazy to even glance at them.
Yun Zhen chuckled a couple of times. Xiao'er's current silence was giving him, her brother, some face. Otherwise, she would have made them all roll out.
Moreover, everyone in the pavilion knew this woman's temperament. Provoking her would lead to no good consequences for anyone. Helplessly, no one wanted to leave, so they brazenly took a seat.
One, two, three, all seats were occupied. Only Yun Zhen was left standing, and he immediately ordered Wanwan to bring another chair.
In the octagonal pavilion, several men of distinct bearing, their dark eyes like water, all stared at Yun Xiao. Finally, the Prince of Li, from Xiliang Kingdom, dressed in a peacock cloak, spoke. His voice was as gentle as the warm breeze of early spring.
"Xiao'er, cousin has come to see you. Are you feeling unhappy in your heart?"
Yun Xiao's eyebrows twitched. She looked up at Ji Qingge, pondering the meaning of his words.
Finally, she understood. This person thought she was sad and heartbroken, or perhaps weeping profusely, and that was why she hadn't seen them.
Yun Xiao felt both exasperated and amused. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Yan Yu, on the other side, preempted her. His voice was a little rough.
"Yun Xiao, if you are grieved by memories, why not come to our Northern Dynasty as a guest? I believe time can help you forget all sorrow."
As soon as the Northern Emperor finished speaking, Prince Li, Ji Qingge, became enraged. He glared coldly.
"Why go to the Northern Dynasty? That place, with its constant consumption of sheep's milk and mutton, is too pungent. Xiao'er wouldn't like it."
"What did you say?"
The Northern Emperor's face immediately turned unpleasant, like a provoked hedgehog, his hackles almost raised.
Yun Xiao looked from one to another, her face filled with coldness. Which of them saw her as sad or upset, so much so that she needed to forget elsewhere? She was trying to help Murong recover!
However, as soon as she opened her mouth, someone else spoke first. It was Shangguan Lin, sitting opposite her. He stood up abruptly, pointing furiously at Prince Li, Ji Qingge, and the Northern Emperor Yan Yu, his face contorted with anger.
"What do you intend to do? To dare to poach my Imperial Brother's woman right in front of me? You must know that Yun Xiao is the woman deeply loved by my Imperial Brother. What do you two intend to do?"
As soon as Shangguan Lin spoke, Ji Qingge and the Northern Emperor Yan Yu united against him, glaring at him simultaneously.
"Prince Lin truly dares to speak. Isn't it Emperor Yin who has hurt Xiao'er's (Yun Xiao's) heart?"
Shangguan Lin retorted fiercely, pointing at Ji Qingge and Yan Yu: "Imperial Brother acted unintentionally. He will remember soon."
Last night was the best example. The moment he saw Yun Xiao, he became agitated, his face flushed, and he fainted on the spot. Therefore, there must be some reason for this. Was Murong Yingxue lying?
Why did he faint, especially when facing Yun Xiao?
The three began to argue in the pavilion. Yun Zhen quickly tried to mediate. These people held extremely important positions, and it was imperative that harmony not be broken because of Xiao'er.
People say beautiful women are the cause of calamity. Who would have thought their Xiao'er also had the potential to be a calamity? If she truly wanted to stir up trouble, it would likely be effortless.
Conversely, if she wanted to bring peace to the four nations, it would also be effortless. Therefore, Yun Zhen truly did not know if this was a blessing or a curse.
Yun Xiao looked at the scene before her, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, her expression unpleasant, her pupils chillingly cold. She snorted internally, these idiots, did they see her as sad? She abruptly stood up, flicked her hand, and walked out of the pavilion. Even breakfast couldn't be peaceful.
"Annoying. Wanwan, let's go."
Taking the lead, she left with a flick of her hand. In the octagonal pavilion, the four men simultaneously stopped arguing and looked at the person who had already descended the stone steps. One of them spoke: "Is she sad, or not sad?"
"Don't know."
The other three nodded in unison. Yes, they didn't know if she was sad or not sad; they simply couldn't tell.
Ji Qingge was the first to react and followed Yun Xiao out: "Xiao'er, wait for me."
"Wait for me too."
Shangguan Lin, fearing that Ji Qingge would poach his Imperial Brother's woman, followed closely behind without yielding an inch.
Yun Xiao stood on the stone path and suddenly turned around. Her dark, vitreous eyes flashed with a cold, bloodthirsty glint: "Try following me again, and all of you, stay away from me."