"I didn't hear her say anything, perhaps there's another reason. Anyway, there's no need to wait any longer, let's go in quickly," Hongli said.
“Beechuk, let’s go back and check on Consort Fu.” Fucha Mingyu said, “She must have come very early this morning and caught a cold from the bumpy journey. We should stay by her side to take care of her.”
"No need," Hongli quickly replied. "Mother specifically told us to enjoy the plum blossoms properly. She has many maids around her, and besides, she might still be resting. Going there would only disturb her rest."
“In that case, Sister Mingyu, let’s go inside and admire the plum blossoms. Then we can pick some plum blossoms for Mother to take back and put in a vase. It will surely please Mother,” said Bechuk.
So Hongli went in with Mingyu and Bechuk, while Hongzhou insisted on staying to wait for Xueying and Wuxiha.
The fine snowflakes fell from the sky like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, and landed on people like feathers. With a gentle shake, they fell sparsely.
The plum garden occupied five or six acres, and plum trees of similar size were everywhere. Seeing that Mingyu was finally able to spend time with Hongli, Biechuk didn't want to stand beside them like a third wheel.
"Fourth brother, I want to go take a look over there. Why don't you accompany Sister Mingyu?" Biechuk glanced at Mingyu and smiled.
Hongli naturally knew that this was Biechuk creating an opportunity for him and Mingyu to be alone, so he said, "Then you mustn't get lost. I have a flute here. Take it. If you can't find us, play the flute and I'll come find you."
Seeing Mingyu nod, Bechuk had no choice but to accept Hongli's flute, and then said, "This plum garden is not that big, how could we possibly get lost? However, this flute is quite nice, let me borrow it and play it."
"If you like it, why not give it to you?" Hongli said.
With a smile, Bie Chuke helped his maid and went in another direction, leaving only Hongli and his maid Mingyu behind.
"Princess, Fourth Prince, I just remembered, I forgot to get you a hand warmer. Shall I go and get it for you?" Seeing this, Zi Dai also wanted to avoid the situation.
“Okay, go ahead. It’ll get cold without a hand warmer,” Hongli said.
Fucha Mingyu naturally understood, and blushed slightly as she said, "Fourth Prince, why don't we go and see these plum blossoms together, and pick some for the concubine?"
Hongli then went with Fucha Mingyu into the depths of the plum grove.
Meanwhile, Wuxiha and Xueying had already reached the door and saw a person standing there. From a distance, it looked like Hongli.
Xueying's heart pounded, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on Wuxiha's hand, wondering who he was waiting for here.
"Is that Hongli?" Ushiha asked.
"Why are you here all alone? Bechuk and the others came out before us," Xueying said.
The two walked in, and the sound of their footsteps startled the person waiting at the door. When he turned around, it was Hongzhou.
Xueying was taken aback, sighed slightly in her heart, and then met Hongzhou's amazed gaze.
“Your back view is exactly like Hongli’s. I thought it was Hongli.” Wuxiha raised his hand and pinched Hongzhou’s face.
"Fourth sister, stop pinching my face. I'm not a child anymore." Hongzhou was so embarrassed by Wuxiha's pinching that he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Oh dear, you're acting all grown-up with me. You're always younger than me, so naturally I can pinch your cheeks," Ushiha laughed.
“Hongli has already gone in with Biechuke and Sister Mingyu, so let’s go in too.” Hongzhou knew he couldn’t win against his fourth sister, so he changed the subject.
"Has Mother arrived?" Ushiha asked.
“The concubine isn’t coming. I was just saying I’d pick some red plum blossoms for her to take back and put in a vase,” Hongzhou said.
“Since Bechuk will pick them, let’s go inside,” Ushiha said.
"On such a beautiful day, one should quietly appreciate the plum blossoms alone; that's when they're at their most beautiful. Why don't we part ways here and go our separate ways? We can meet at the entrance when we turn back later." Xueying looked at the red plum blossoms blooming on the branches, her entire mind focused on them.
Upon hearing her say this, Hongzhou quickly replied, "Why don't I accompany you? If you get lost, I can guide you out."
"Alright, so you just want to be alone with Xueying, right?" Wuxiha smiled and rolled his eyes at Hongzhou. "Then I'm leaving. You two enjoy yourselves."
After saying that, Ushiha took the lead and went into the plum garden, leaving Xueying and Hongzhou behind.
"Xueying, shall we go that way?" Hongzhou said.
"Hongzhou, I want to admire the plum blossoms alone," Xueying said directly, refusing to walk with Hongzhou. She had already explained things to Hongzhou, but he still wouldn't give up. Ever since their safe return from the kidnappers, Xueying had found an opportunity to clarify things with Hongzhou. However, Hongzhou seemed unwilling to give up, even more persistent than before, as if determined to move Xueying.
“Xueying, then I’ll stand behind you at a distance and follow, so as not to disturb your plum blossom viewing, okay?” Hongzhou said.
The boy's persistent gaze made Xueying reluctant to refuse. Although she had already rejected him, she had no choice but to accept his kindness in order to make him feel better.
"A'Luo, you wait here for me. I want to walk around by myself," Xueying said to her maid.
"Alright, if you feel cold, Gege, please don't eat anything too cold." A'luo handed a flat-bottomed hand warmer to Xueying.
Amidst the snow-covered landscape, Xueying, clad in a white cloak, walked through the pristine whiteness, like a celestial being descended to earth. Her slightly aloof features perfectly complemented the red plum blossoms against the snow, and the touch of magenta tassels framing her face further accentuated her ethereal beauty.
"Fifth Prince!" Xueying turned around and said to Hongzhou, who was following behind her, after walking for a while.
"Xueying!" Hongzhou exclaimed excitedly when he saw her suddenly turn around and call him.
"I want to paint. I wonder if Fifth Prince could go back and get paper and brushes for Xueying? The scenery of searching for plum blossoms in the snow is so beautiful! I want to paint this beautiful scene!" Xueying said.
"Okay, I'll go back and get it now. When I get back, where can I find you?" Hongzhou was about to turn around and go back to get it, but then he suddenly remembered this and asked.
"I have a short flute here. I'll play it when the time comes. If you hear it, just follow the sound," Xueying said, taking a short flute out of her bosom.
"Alright! Wait a moment, I'll go back and get you some paper and pen right away," Hongzhou said happily. Although Xueying refused to accept him, he would do anything for her, no matter what she asked for.
As Hongzhou turned and hurriedly walked back, he did not notice that Xueying was staring at his back in a daze.
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