Xin Jiuwei understood immediately and deliberately asked, "What's making you so serious, brother?"

Xin Yunzhou took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind: "I...I like Xin Kui, and I want to marry her."

Although she had expected it, hearing her brother confess still made Xin Jiuwei laugh: "Brother finally said it?"

"You...you knew all along?" Xin Yunzhou's eyes widened in surprise.

Xin Jiuwei smiled, pursing her lips: "The way my brother looks at Xin Kui is impossible to hide."

Xin Yunzhou scratched his head sheepishly, "Is it that obvious?" He paused, then his expression became serious again, "I'm sincere. Xin Kui is kind, hardworking, and has excellent embroidery skills..."

"Brother, you don't need to explain to me," Xin Jiuwei interrupted him softly. "As long as you treat her sincerely, I will naturally support you."

Xin Yunzhou breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Sister... thank you. As for Father..."

"I'll talk to Father," Xin Jiuwei patted his hand, "but as for Grandfather, my brother will have to speak to him himself."

Xin Yunzhou nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, Xiao Xun invited you to the plum garden this afternoon, saying there's a surprise."

"A surprise?" Xin Jiuwei raised an eyebrow. "What's he up to now?"

Xin Yunzhou shrugged. "That guy's being all mysterious, he won't tell me." He blinked. "But I saw he's prepared a lot of things, like he's going to..."

"What do you want?" Xin Jiuwei asked curiously.

"Hehe, you'll see when you get there." Xin Yunzhou kept everyone in suspense, then laughed and left.

In the afternoon, Xin Jiuwei came to the plum garden alone. The warm sunshine of the past few days had caused most of the plum blossoms in the garden to bloom, their red and white petals mingling with a subtle fragrance. She strolled along the path and suddenly caught a sweet scent. Following the fragrance, she saw Xiao Xun busy with something in a small pavilion deep in the plum grove.

Approaching quietly, I noticed a small stove in front of him, where he was steaming some kind of pastry. He was so focused on controlling the heat that he didn't even notice Xin Jiuwei walking up behind him.

"What are you doing?" Xin Jiuwei suddenly asked.

Xiao Xun was startled, but when he turned around and saw it was her, his eyes immediately filled with a smile: "You've come at the perfect time, it's just out of the pot."

He lifted the lid of the steamer, and a sweet aroma carrying the scent of plum blossoms wafted out. Inside the steamer were several translucent pastries, shaped like plum blossoms, which were quite lovely.

"Plum blossom cake?" Xin Jiuwei exclaimed in surprise, "You made it yourself?"

Xiao Xun nodded, picked up a piece with his chopsticks, and held it to her lips: "Try it."

Xin Jiuwei took a small bite, the sweet taste melting in her mouth with a faint plum fragrance. Her eyes widened in surprise: "Delicious! How did you make this?"

"I learned it from the imperial chef." Xiao Xun said with a hint of pride, "Knowing you love sweets, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, a snowflake landed on Xin Jiuwei's nose. They both looked up at the same time and saw that snow had begun to fall again. The fine snowflakes drifted down through the plum branches, shimmering in the sunlight.

"It's snowing..." Xin Jiuwei reached out and caught a few snowflakes.

Xiao Xun took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders: "Don't catch a cold."

Xin Jiuwei pulled the cloak, still warm from his body, tighter around herself and suddenly asked, "I heard from my brother that you're going back to the capital in a few days?"

Xiao Xun nodded: "There are some things that need to be taken care of." He paused, "But don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Xin Jiuwei looked down at the plum blossom cake in her hand and whispered, "I...I'll wait for you to come back."

These words were spoken very softly, yet they made Xiao Xun's eyes shine brightly. He carefully took her hand: "Wei'er, I..."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted them. Turning around, they saw Xin Kui rushing over, her face filled with anxiety.

"Miss! Young Master! Something terrible has happened!" she gasped, "People from the Prince of Ruyang's residence have arrived, saying they want to see the Master!"

Xin Jiuwei and Xiao Xun exchanged a glance, both frowning. Xue Yingxue was indeed unwilling to let the matter rest...

"Let's go back and take a look," Xin Jiuwei said in a deep voice, as she casually wrapped up the unfinished plum blossom cake and stuffed it into her sleeve.

The three hurried back to the Xin residence. In the front hall, Xin's father was talking with a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes. The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but there was a subtle undercurrent.

"Father." Xin Jiuwei stepped forward and bowed, her gaze sweeping over the stranger. "And this is..."

"Wei'er has arrived," Xin's father introduced with a smile. "This is Steward Zhou from the Prince of Ruyang's residence."

Manager Zhou rose and bowed, his attitude almost excessively respectful: "I have long heard of Miss Xin's beauty and talent; seeing her today, I can confirm that her reputation is well-deserved."

Xin Jiuwei was wary inside, but her expression remained unchanged: "Steward Zhou, you flatter me. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Manager Zhou rubbed his hands together and said with a forced smile, "It's like this... My Princess Consort... ah, I mean, Miss Xue had a misunderstanding with the Second Miss at the silk shop the other day, and the Princess Consort specially sent me to apologize..."

Xin Jiuwei raised an eyebrow, surprised that the other party had come to apologize. She looked at her father and saw a hint of surprise in his eyes as well.

"Steward Zhou, you flatter me," said Xin's father. "My daughter and Miss Xue had only a quarrel; why should the Princess Consort take it to heart?"

Steward Zhou waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, the Princess said that Miss Xue is young and impetuous and has offended many people. Please forgive her, Lord Xin and Second Miss." As he spoke, he gestured for his attendant to present a brocade box, "This is a small token of the Princess's appreciation. Please accept it, Second Miss."

Xin Jiuwei took the brocade box, opened it, and found a pair of exquisite jade bracelets, of excellent quality. She was even more puzzled: why was the Princess Consort of Ruyang being so humble?

Just as he was wondering what was going on, he suddenly heard Xiao Xun cough lightly. Only then did Steward Zhou notice him, and upon seeing his face clearly, his expression changed drastically. He hurriedly knelt and bowed, saying, "I didn't know the Sixth Prince was here! I deserve to die!"

Xiao Xun waved his hand dismissively: "No need for formalities."

Steward Zhou rose tremblingly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Xin Jiuwei then realized—the other party had rushed over to apologize after hearing that Xiao Xun was at the Xin residence!

After seeing Steward Zhou off, Xin's father summoned Xin Jiuwei and Xiao Xun to his study and inquired in detail about the silk shop. After listening, he shook his head and smiled wryly, "This Xue Yingxue isn't even officially married yet, and she's already so arrogant. What will she be like when she becomes the Crown Prince's consort?"

"Father, there's no need to worry," Xin Jiuwei comforted him. "With Xiao Xun around, I doubt the Prince of Ruyang's mansion would dare to do anything."

Father Xin glanced at Xiao Xun, hesitating to speak. Xiao Xun understood, cupped his hands, and said, "Rest assured, Lord Xin, I will not let Wei'er suffer any injustice."

The way he called out "Wei'er" was so natural and affectionate that a knowing glint flashed in Xin's father's eyes, but he didn't say anything more, only nodding: "With Your Highness's words, I can rest assured."

After dinner, Xin's father called Xin Jiuwei to his study alone. He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Wei'er, I think your relationship with the Sixth Prince..."

Xin Jiuwei's heart skipped a beat, but then she saw her father's gentle expression: "Father, I..."

"You don't need to explain," Father Xin waved his hand. "I'm not that kind of old-fashioned person. The Sixth Prince is of upright character and treats you sincerely; I'm very reassured."