Xue Mingyi looked Xin Jiuwei up and down, her gaze lingering for a moment on her simple clothes and the only jade hairpin. A mocking smile appeared on her lips: "Sister Xin's attire... is indeed fresh and unique. However, the plum blossoms in Meixuewu are blooming so profusely. Sister, being so plain, wouldn't you be wasting the beauty of this garden full of spring?" She deliberately emphasized the word "plain," carrying a clear sense of belittling.
A noblewoman nearby immediately covered her mouth and chuckled, "Sister Xue is right. Miss Xin, are you perhaps just here from Yingzhou and don't know the customs of our capital? At this plum blossom viewing banquet, which of you ladies didn't come dressed in your finest?"
“Indeed, this jade hairpin is nice, but it’s a bit too plain. If Miss Xin doesn’t mind, I have a spare gold and kingfisher feather hairpin here, which you can borrow to add some luck?” Another noblewoman chimed in hypocritically, her eyes full of anticipation.
Xin Kui was so angry that her face turned red. She wanted to go forward and argue, but Xin Jiuwei stopped her with a look.
Xin Jiuwei maintained a calm smile, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in their words. She raised her eyes, her clear gaze meeting Xue Mingyi's: "Miss Xue, you are mistaken. The plum blossom's nobility lies in its resilience against snow and frost, its refined elegance. To compete with it adorned in jewels would be inferior, an overshadowing of its beauty. I know my humble appearance and dare not vie with the flowers. I wish only to emulate the plum blossom, appreciating its beauty with a pure heart, without disturbing its tranquility. As for etiquette..." She paused, her tone still gentle, yet carrying a subtle sharpness, "I believe that appreciating flowers is about sincerity, not about ostentatious attire. Miss Xue and the other ladies' elegant attire is certainly an added bonus. My own approach is simply a matter of personal preference."
His words, neither humble nor arrogant, not only highlighted the plum blossom's virtues but also subtly criticized the other party's shallowness in judging people by their appearance. Furthermore, they demonstrated his own attitude of not competing or vying for attention, yet not tolerating any disrespect. The line, "With the beauty of a willow, I dare not vie with other flowers for splendor," was particularly poignant.
The surrounding chatter subsided. Some of the noble ladies who had been watching the spectacle showed surprise in their eyes. They hadn't expected this seemingly delicate woman from Yingzhou to have such sharp and measured words.
Xue Mingyi's smile froze, and a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes. She had intended to give Xin Jiuwei a hard time and embarrass her in front of everyone, but she didn't expect to be countered so effectively, making her appear aggressive instead.
"Heh, Sister Xin, you have quite the eloquence." Xue Mingyi forced a smile, but her tone turned cold. "I just wonder if the elegance of 'Pure Heart Viewing the Scenery' can withstand the ravages of the four seasons in the capital? Sister, you come from a quiet place like Yuncheng in Yingzhou... You must be careful not to be blinded by the prosperity of the capital, and even more so, don't... stand in the wrong place and get into trouble you shouldn't." Her words were full of innuendo and threats, clearly venting her resentment towards Xiao Xun and her jealousy towards Xin Jiuwei.
Xin Jiuwei's heart skipped a beat. Xue Mingyi's words were no longer just directed at her personally, but also subtly pointed to Xiao Xun, and even carried an allusion to the events in Yuncheng (after all, the Xue family had once been part of the Second Prince's faction). It seemed that although the Second Prince had fallen, the remnants of his power and his unwilling followers had not completely disappeared. This Xue Mingyi was one of those who had jumped out.
Just as she was about to speak, a cheerful voice, tinged with laughter, interrupted:
"Sister Mingyi, what you're saying makes it sound like our capital is a den of dragons and tigers?" A young woman dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, with a bright and elegant demeanor, walked over. She was Lin Jingshu, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Anguo's family and the niece of Princess Zhao. She was on good terms with Princess Zhao and also had a good impression of Xin Jiuwei.
Lin Jingshu walked to Xin Jiuwei's side, affectionately took her arm, and said to Xue Mingyi with a smile, "Sister Xin is a distinguished guest of the Sixth Prince's residence. With His Highness protecting her, what trouble could she possibly get into? As for you, although your begonia red dress is beautiful today, it seems... somewhat hard to tell whether the flowers are enhancing your beauty or your beauty is overshadowing the flowers?" Her words were half-joking and half-serious, cleverly easing the tense atmosphere and also subtly mocking Xue Mingyi's arrogance.
Xue Mingyi's face turned pale after being choked by Lin Jingshu's words. The Anguo Duke's Mansion held a prominent position, and Lin Jingshu was a favorite of Princess Rongchang. She dared not offend her easily, so she could only snort coldly, "Sister Lin is joking." After saying that, she glared at Xin Jiuwei and walked away with her group of followers in a huff.
Lin Jingshu patted Xin Jiuwei's hand and whispered, "Don't pay attention to her. The Xue family is like grasshoppers after autumn; they won't be able to jump around for much longer. She's just jealous that you've won the Sixth Prince's favor. In the future, just stay away from her in these kinds of situations."
Xin Jiuwei smiled gratefully at Lin Jingshu: "Thank you for helping me out, Sister Lin."
The minor disturbance subsided temporarily, but Xin Jiuwei knew in her heart that Xue Mingyi's appearance and provocation were only the beginning. Although the Second Prince had fallen, the deeply entrenched forces in the capital would not easily admit defeat, and those who envied her and saw her as a thorn in their side would not disappear. In particular, those noble ladies from aristocratic families who harbored fantasies about Xiao Xun would see her as their greatest obstacle. The road ahead seemed calm, but in reality, it was fraught with thorns. And she had to learn to gain a foothold in this prosperous yet treacherous capital.
After the plum blossom viewing banquet ended, they returned to the Prince's residence. Xin Jiuwei briefly recounted Xue Mingyi's provocation at the banquet to Xiao Xun, her tone calm and without any hint of grievance or complaint.
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Xun's eyes, and he coldly uttered only three words: "A clown." He pulled Xin Jiuwei's hand and made her sit beside him, his tone carrying an undeniable force: "If anyone dares to be so blind again in the future, there's no need to tolerate it. Remember, you have me behind you. In this capital, no one can touch you in the slightest."
His words were like the strongest support, instantly dispelling the unease Xin Jiuwei felt due to the unfamiliar environment. Leaning against his strong arm, feeling the reassuring aura and warmth emanating from him, she softly hummed in agreement.
“Your Highness,” she raised her head, a hint of determination in her eyes, “Vera doesn’t want to hide behind Your Highness forever. Viera… wants to learn something.”
She wanted to learn how to better deal with the sharp wit of those noble ladies, how to manage household affairs, and everything that would give her more confidence to stand by his side.
Xiao Xun looked down at the earnestness and stubbornness in her eyes, and his heart stirred. He admired her resilience and ambition. He pondered for a moment, "Very well. I will have You Ye find a few reliable matrons to teach you manners and household management. You can also keep in touch with Princess Zhao and Miss Lin." He paused, then added, "You don't need to learn those hypocritical ways; just be reasonable, know what's going on, and stay true to yourself. With me here, you only need to be yourself."
Just be yourself.
These five words moved Xin Jiuwei more than any sweet words. She buried her face in the warm crook of his neck, absorbing that unique sense of security and pampering.
Outside the window, the cold wind still blows.
Inside the warm pavilion, the flickering candlelight illuminated their embracing figures, creating a cozy and tender atmosphere.
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