Although the Jiangnan region in winter lacks the biting chill of the north, it still carries a damp, cold feel. Fine snowflakes, like cotton wool, silently cover the black tiles and white walls, withered lotus leaves and willows, transforming the entire Jingwang Mansion into an elegant ink painting. However, inside the mansion, it is warm and cozy, bustling with activity, filled with the lively and warm atmosphere of welcoming the New Year.
Shen Wenbai and Lin Qingrou were living a carefree and happy life. At this moment, they were chatting and drinking tea with Xiao Chengjing around a small red clay stove in the warm pavilion. The stove was simmering with mellow yellow wine with ginger slices and red dates, and the aroma of the wine was wafting through the air.
"The marriage between Jin-ge'er and Yu-jie'er has saved us parents a lot of worry." Lin Qingrou took a sip of hot tea, looking at her two children building a snowman with Ning-jie'er and Yan-ge'er in the courtyard outside the window, with a satisfied smile on her face. "It's all because the children got along well in the capital and fell in love with each other. When they came back and told us, both families met and felt that it was a match made in heaven, so the engagement was arranged smoothly."
Shen Wenbai stroked his short beard, his eyes filled with pride and open-mindedness: "Our family doesn't follow those rigid rules of arranged marriages. The children chose their own partners, they know each other well, and their personalities match—that's better than anything else. That boy Jin'er has his eye on the third daughter of the Duke of Wei's family. She's straightforward, quick-witted, and a good homemaker. As for Yu'er..." He glanced at the figures quietly admiring the plum blossoms in the pavilion outside the window, his tone softening, "...she chose Xiao Ze, the heir of the Marquis of Yongding. That boy is upright and steady, talented, and has nothing but praise for Yu'er."
Xiao Chengjing smiled and said, "I've met Xiao Ze a few times, and he's indeed quite good, inheriting his father's style. Huaiyu has good taste. I heard he sent a letter before the New Year, saying he'd come to Jiangnan to pay his respects to his parents-in-law?" He looked at Shen Wenbai.
“Exactly.” Shen Wenbai nodded. “I reckon they should arrive in the next couple of days. This child is thoughtful; knowing that Yu-jie’er is spending the New Year with us in Jiangnan, she specially took leave to come over.”
Just then, Butler Fu entered with a beaming smile and announced, "Second Master, Madam, Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness, Young Master Xiao Ze, the heir of the Marquis of Yongding, has arrived! He's waiting in the front hall!"
"Oh? You've arrived so quickly!" Lin Qingrou stood up in surprise. "Please come in! It's cold outside, please come directly to the warm pavilion!"
A short while later, a series of steady and powerful footsteps approached. The curtain was lifted, and a young gentleman dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a black sable fur coat walked in. He was tall and straight like a bamboo shoot, with a handsome face and a gentle and dignified demeanor. He was none other than Xiao Ze, the heir of the Marquis of Yongding. He first respectfully bowed to Xiao Chengjing, Shen Yuewei, Shen Wenbai, and Lin Qingrou, saying, "Xiao Ze greets Prince Jing, Princess Jing, Uncle Shen, and Aunt Shen."
"Get up, get up! We're family, no need for formalities!" Shen Yuewei greeted him with a smile, becoming more and more satisfied with her future nephew-in-law.
"Ze'er, you must be tired from your journey," Lin Qingrou said with concern. "Jiangnan is damp and cold, sit down and have a cup of hot wine to warm yourself up."
Xiao Ze thanked her, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the corridor on the other side of the warm pavilion that led to the plum garden. There, a slender figure was leaning against a pillar, seemingly attracted by the commotion, and turned slightly to look over.
This person was none other than Shen Huaiyu. She wore a light blue padded jacket and skirt, with snow-white fur trim on the collar and cuffs, which made her small face appear as white as jade. Her jet-black hair was adorned with only a simple white jade plum blossom hairpin, giving her an elegant and refined look. When she saw Xiao Ze's gaze, two rosy clouds instantly rose on her cheeks, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow, delicate and beautiful. She quickly lowered her eyelashes, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, her fingers unconsciously twisting the silk sash at her waist, unable to hide her shyness and joy.
Xiao Ze's gaze fell upon her and he couldn't look away. The weariness from his journey seemed to vanish instantly, leaving only a gentle smile and undisguised longing in his eyes. He apologized to his elders and then walked towards the corridor.
The elders in the warm room exchanged smiles, tacitly averting their gaze to continue drinking tea and chatting, pretending not to have seen anything, giving the young couple some space.
Xiao Ze walked up to Shen Huaiyu and stopped a step away. A cold wind swirled through the corridor, carrying fine snow and the scent of plum blossoms, yet the atmosphere seemed to freeze, carrying a silent warmth.
“Huaiyu…” Xiao Ze’s voice was low and gentle, with a hint of barely perceptible tension and hoarseness from the long journey, “I…I’m here.”
Shen Huaiyu finally looked up, her watery almond-shaped eyes meeting his deep, smiling gaze, her heart pounding like a drum. She softly hummed in agreement, her voice barely audible, carrying the gentle sweetness characteristic of women from Jiangnan: "...Was the journey smooth? Were you cold?"
"I'm not cold. Just thinking about seeing you warms my heart." Xiao Ze looked at her slightly red nose from the cold and felt a pang of pity. He took off his black mink coat, which was still warm from his body, and draped it over Shen Huaiyu's shoulders with a very natural movement. His fingertips inadvertently brushed against the delicate skin on the side of her neck.
Shen Huaiyu stiffened slightly, but didn't flinch. She felt a warmth mixed with his refreshing, pleasant scent instantly envelop her, making her cheeks burn even hotter. She pulled her large fur coat tighter around herself and whispered, "I'm not cold...you wear it..."
“I’m dressed warmly, it’s alright.” Xiao Ze looked at her, who appeared even more petite wrapped in his fur coat, and his heart melted. His gaze fell on the simple white jade plum blossom hairpin in her hair, and his smile deepened. As if by magic, he took out a slender brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to her: “When I passed through Jinling, I saw a plum blossom hairpin and thought… it suited you very well.” He paused, his voice becoming even softer, “The plum blossoms in Jiangnan are in full bloom.”
Shen Huaiyu took the brocade box, opened it, and found a plum blossom hairpin made of pure gold and kingfisher feathers. The craftsmanship was extremely exquisite, the petals as thin as cicada wings, and the stamens adorned with tiny pearls. It shimmered and sparkled in the snow, far more luxurious than her own plain jade hairpin. She felt both sweet and shy, and looked up at Xiao Ze, her eyes shimmering: "...Thank you, Brother Ze, it's...it's very beautiful."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com