The old man accompanied them into the mountain manor. Upon entering, they were met with plum blossoms everywhere, scattering in the gentle breeze, a vast expanse like a sea of plum flowers, incredibly beautiful. Yun Xiao couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful."
Li Ruoyun, standing beside her, nodded in agreement, "Yes, more beautiful each year."
Yun Xiao glanced at her, realizing she had participated in this gathering for more than just one year. She wondered if attending such gatherings annually was interesting.
The old man, grateful for Yun Xiao's intervention, insisted on treating them to tea.
Song Qingyu felt it inappropriate to accompany them and bid them farewell, going off to admire the plum blossoms herself. Only the thick-skinned Li Ruoyun trailed closely behind, following them to have tea with the old man.
The Plum Blossom Mountain Manor was divided into front, middle, and rear courtyards, with the main residence situated in the middle. The front featured an exceptionally vast sea of flowers. Surrounding the main residence in the center, an eight-trigram formation was established, causing the plum blossoms to rotate on their own, winding and twisting before eventually leading outwards. Consequently, it was said that ordinary people could hardly enter the main residence of the Plum Blossom Mountain Manor.
The main residence was not particularly large, comprising only five intricately carved and painted houses that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
In front of the main house stood a small, exquisite pavilion where someone was brewing tea. The faint, lingering fragrance occasionally wafted out, drawing people to a halt from afar.
Yun Xiao walked over involuntarily. The old man smiled and said, "These are plum blossoms from previous years, dried and stored underground. They are brewed with snow water that is at least five years old, which is why they are exceptionally fragrant."
"The old man truly knows how to enjoy life."
Yun Xiao sighed. Living alone in such a place, didn't the old man feel lonely and desolate? Although the entire garden was filled with the fragrance of plum blossoms in winter, it took three seasons to attain this brief, delicate scent. Truly, he was infatuated with plum blossoms.
The group sat down in the pavilion. Inside the small pavilion, it was as warm as spring, with the aroma of tea filling the air.
A set of fine Mùyú stone tea ware was neatly arranged on the table. The young attendant brewing the tea, with nimble hands, poured the tea and then retreated to the side.
The old man then invited Yun Xiao, Yun Zhen, and the others to sample the tea.
Li Ruoyun, without hesitation, reached out and took a cup, downing it in one gulp.
The old man remained impassive, raising his eyebrows slightly in a gesture of displeasure, as if the tea had been wasted. Li Ruoyun, oblivious, smacked her lips, "I don't feel anything, and it's a bit bitter."
Yun Xiao gently held the tea bowl, sipping it not like drinking water but rather taking a small mouthful, swirling it in her mouth, and then slowly swallowing. Only then did the tea's fragrance emerge. It was indeed clear, sweet, and palatable. She couldn't help but take another sip, marveling.
"Indeed, this is an exceptional tea, rarely found. I suspect it is made from plum blossoms treasured for many years."
"The young lady is truly refined."
Having spoken, he turned to the young attendant behind him, "Xiao Bao, in the future, send this young lady a jar of tea leaves and another jar of snow water."
"Yes, Master."
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao considered it a great gift and thanked him profusely. Having nothing of her own to offer, she quickly presented a jade pendant she carried. "Old man, if you don't find it too forward, please accept this, as a memento."
The old man did not accept it. Yun Zhen smiled and said,
"Old man, please accept it. Perhaps it may help you in the future."
These words carried a profound implication. The old man, being a shrewd individual, understood immediately. He no longer declined, looking up to appraise Yun Xiao, and indeed, a dazzling radiance emanated from her brows. The red glow illuminated her face, indicating that this person's future status would be incredibly noble. He thanked her with a smile.
After enjoying some more tea, Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen took their leave from the main residence of the Plum Blossom Mountain Manor. As they departed, the young attendant named Xiao Bao indeed presented the gifted tea leaves and snow water, along with a set of rosewood tea ware.
Yun Xiao instructed Wan Wan to collect them. The group exited the main residence and simply wandered around the outside of the Plum Blossom Mountain Manor. Many people pointed and gestured at them along the way.
Within the estate, it was common to see people engaged in friendly competitions of chess, calligraphy, painting, or playing the Guqin. They gathered in groups, creating a lively atmosphere.
However, as Yun Xiao walked by, many people's gazes followed them.
Li Ruoyun, walking at the very back, held her head higher and higher, as if those people were looking at her, brimming with pride. Eventually, she couldn't help but murmur behind Yun Xiao.
"Cousin, let's go to the poetry gathering. Cousin will surely win first place and become the foremost talented woman of Yan Jing."
"What do I want that for?"
Yun Xiao was not interested. After strolling around for a while, she grew somewhat weary. Frankly speaking, while the plum blossoms were beautiful, the crowds tarnished their original purity. Not everyone could appreciate these plum blossoms.
As they walked and talked, Yun Xiao suddenly heard someone playing a Guqin, and she stopped. Li Ruoyun behind her immediately became interested.
"Cousin, let's go take a look, let's go take a look."
Yun Xiao paid her no mind. Moreover, she was already tired of Li Ruoyun's incessant chatter. She simply looked up at Yun Zhen and said, "Let's go take a look. After we're done, we'll head back to the manor. There's nothing much else to see."
"Mm-hmm, alright."
Yun Zhen nodded, and the group walked over. The area, which had been packed shoulder-to-shoulder, automatically parted to make way when Yun Xiao and her companions approached. Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen did not stand on ceremony and went to see who was playing the Guqin. Frankly speaking, the Guqin skills were merely average, truly disrespecting the plum blossoms.
Unexpectedly, the person playing the Guqin on the temporarily erected stage was Sima Bingxin, the daughter of Prime Minister Sima.
Her face was filled with intoxication, her eyes slightly closed. She played with such self-absorption that she was lost in her own world. The crowd below watched, occasionally offering sparse applause, which was entirely out of respect for Prime Minister Sima.
Yun Xiao smiled faintly and shook her head, preparing to turn and leave. Unexpectedly, Sima Bingxin suddenly opened her eyes and saw Yun Xiao shaking her head, looking dismissive as she prepared to depart.
Her expression turned cold, and irritation surged. She abruptly pressed down on the Guqin strings, looking at Yun Xiao's retreating back with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"Isn't this Miss Yun? Could it be that Miss Yun is also interested in the Guqin? I wonder if you would grace us with your expertise."
Sima Bingxin stood up and spoke slowly, her demeanor exceedingly arrogant. As soon as she spoke, many in the audience showed disdain in their eyes. Although Sima Bingxin was beautiful, she had always been proud, like a showy peacock. How could she compare to Miss Yun's elegance and composure?
Yun Xiao utterly disdained to pay Sima Bingxin any mind. She gave her a cold glance, preparing to leave.
Seeing this, Sima Bingxin became enraged. Wasn't this Miss Yun the daughter of the Prince Yun's manor?
Thinking of how the Emperor favored this ugly girl, she felt indignant. Why was it that she, such a beautiful woman, could not capture the Emperor's heart, while an ugly girl held his affection? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she blurted out,
"Is Miss Yun afraid, or incapable?"
As soon as her words left her mouth, and before Yun Xiao could speak, Wan Wan behind her could no longer tolerate it. She handed the tea ware and tea leaves to Liu Xing and Jing Yun, stepped forward boldly, and said coldly,
"You dare to challenge my lady with such petty tricks, truly embarrassing yourself. Today, without my lady needing to act, let me, Wan Wan, spar with you."