The winter sun, warm and pleasant, streamed into the carriage from the half-opened window. Yun Zhen, leaning back inside, lazily opened his eyes. He glanced outside at the long queue and, accustomed to it, paid it no mind. He continued to feign sleep, speaking with casual ease.
"It's not that this family is so high-profile, it's just that the young masters and ladies of the capital are too bored. On these occasions, the crowds are overwhelming. They originally intended for everyone to enjoy the plum blossoms, but if it doesn't end well, they have to be extremely diligent."
Yun Xiao responded with a sound, lowering the curtain. She considered Yun Zhen's words and found them to be reasonable. Sometimes, good intentions don't yield good results, and caution is indeed necessary.
However, thinking about the long queue ahead, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
Despite it being winter, she could feel sweat beading on her forehead while sitting in the carriage.
Wan Wan, on one side, handed her a cup of tea, offering it to her mistress with a soft voice. "Miss, have some tea. We can wait slowly."
Yun Xiao fell silent, deciding to wait. But after taking only a couple of sips, she heard the rapid sound of horse hooves on the bluestone path. Soon, they galloped past their carriage, followed by shouts of anger from ahead.
Yun Xiao frowned. How could someone be so ill-mannered? She handed the teacup in her hand back to Wan Wan and lifted the curtain to look ahead.
She saw that at the entrance of Plum Blossom Mountain Villa, a group of people were tightly gathered, each one looking imposing, as if they possessed great ability. Upon closer inspection, however, they were merely a band of servants relying on their master's influence.
The person leading them looked somewhat familiar. With a slight frown and a moment of thought, she recognized him as Shen Jin'an, the son of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel.
Seeing this fellow instantly ruined her appetite. On such an elegant occasion, to have such a person spoil the mood. Moreover, he understood nothing of appreciating or admiring plum blossoms; he was merely here to ogle.
As Yun Xiao was deep in thought, the sounds of noisy argument drifted from ahead.
"What are you people? How dare you not send an invitation to my young master? You're looking for death."
Dozens of servants dismounted and surrounded the villa's main gate, preventing anyone behind them from entering, creating a chaotic scene.
The villa also had dozens of servants at its gate. One of the managers bowed respectfully and said,
"Young Master, it is not that our master did not invite you. It is simply that for the Plum Blossom Festival, only unmarried young masters and ladies are invited. As Young Master Shen already has a wife, he is not on the invitation list."
As soon as the manager finished speaking, the surrounding servants from the Shen estate began to howl. Shen Jin'an sat high on his horse, his face filled with arrogance, like a peacock fanning its unsightly tail, provoking annoyance.
Yun Xiao hadn't expected such shamelessness. They had already stated the reason, yet he remained indifferent.
From ahead, the shouts of the Shen estate servants could be heard again, their stance unwavering.
"What concern is it of yours that my young master has a wife? By not sending my young master an invitation, you are clearly looking down upon him. Today's plum blossom viewing will not proceed smoothly."
After the servants finished speaking, many people's faces darkened.
However, regarding Shen Jin'an, everyone was afraid to speak their mind despite their anger. Among those present today, none were of imperial lineage, so who would provoke him without reason?
Shen Jin'an held grudges, and Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel was always protective of his own, which would only lead to further trouble.
Though angry, no one spoke.
Yun Xiao had initially not intended to attend this Plum Blossom Festival, but since she had come, she would certainly not allow anyone to spoil the occasion. Her expression turned cold, and she was about to speak, but someone preempted her. It was from the carriage in front of them.
A clear, melodious, yet frigid voice rang out.
"Shen Jin'an, do you think everyone fears you? Move aside immediately, or don't blame this young lady for being impolite."
The voice sounded familiar. Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and looked over.
She saw a pretty, delicate young girl jump down from that carriage. As soon as the girl landed, she nimbly placed the footrest, and then a beautiful woman, like a flower, elegantly descended from the carriage.
She wore a flowing, floor-length gown, her slender waist appearing delicate and fragile. Her face, like a hibiscus, held a mixture of clarity and overwhelming charm. A cold expression covered her face. After dismounting, she coldly glared at Shen Jin'an, who was perched arrogantly on his horse.
With this woman's appearance, many people gasped in admiration, for she was Sima Bingxin, the daughter of Prime Minister Sima Qingyun.
Sima Bingxin had been crowned the most talented woman by public acclaim at last year's Plum Blossom Festival. She was not only talented in literature but also possessed beauty that rivaled flowers.
Now, seeing Sima Bingxin step forward, many of her admirers emerged, alighting from their carriages and guarding her from behind. Together with the servants of the Sima household, they appeared to be a match for the Shen family.
The two groups of people glared at each other menacingly, poised for an imminent clash.
At this moment, the owner of Plum Blossom Mountain Villa, having received a report from his servants, rushed over. Standing at the main gate, he clasped his hands together to mediate.
"It is my fault. Please forgive me, Young Master Shen. I thought you disliked elegant and refined affairs; it is my transgression."
Yun Xiao observed the owner of Plum Blossom Mountain Villa. He was thin and slightly stooped, but his spirit was vigorous, showing no signs of old age. A cheerful disposition emanated from his features, which was quite rare.
The matter should have ended here, but someone like Shen Jin'an never knew when to stop. He remained on his horse, grumbling incessantly and refusing to back down.
The owner of the villa was at a loss. He respectfully asked, "How does Young Master Shen wish to resolve this matter?"
Shen Jin'an glanced askance at Sima Bingxin below, his eyes filled with greed, and a sinister smile on his lips. He spoke loudly.
"Give this young master three kowtows, and I shall forgive your transgression this once. Otherwise, tomorrow, I will send men to tear down this Plum Blossom Mountain Villa."
Shen Jin'an's arrogant command was met with a clamor from the dozens of servants behind him.
"Yes, kowtow, kowtow!"
The officials' sons and daughters, led by Sima Bingxin, all turned red with anger. They shouted, "Shen Jin'an, you scoundrel! What right do you have to bully people? Is it just because your father is the Minister of Personnel? Bullying others like this will bring you no good fortune!"
However, most of these sons and daughters of officials were physically weak. Even if they wished to deal with Shen Jin'an, they dared not approach. Those with some ability were mostly less influential than Shen Jin'an and dared not step forward to help, lest they invite trouble upon themselves.
Shen Jin'an glanced dismissively at the crowd, easily spotting the fear in everyone's eyes, including Sima Bingxin, who was afraid of the people they had brought.
The Shen family's servants were no ordinary men; they were skilled practitioners. They flexed their muscles and surged towards the main gate, preparing to forcibly drag the old man away for a lesson. The manager and servants of Plum Blossom Mountain Villa stood in their way, and it looked as though the two groups were about to engage in a fight.
Yun Xiao's cold eyebrow twitched. She leaped from the carriage, drifting out like a light piece of plum blossom, dazzlingly beautiful. Many people gazed at her in a daze until she slowly landed, stopping before Shen Jin'an's horse. Her face was bright, her expression serene, and her smile chilling.
She was like a red plum blossom in the snow, exuding a subtle fragrance, stunningly alluring.
"Stop."