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  Chapter 25

  Ming Xuan turned around and saw a young man standing behind her. He had a clear and handsome face, slightly thin, wearing a cyan straight robe, with no precious decorations on his body, but he had a noble and elegant demeanor, warm and refined like an old beautiful jade. Under the red plum tree, he stood there with a gentle smile, as if he had entered a water ink painting, so beautiful that people dared not look directly at him.

  Her heart skipped a beat, slightly flustered, she nodded, "Its this one."

  The mans mouth curled up, and his clear eyes lingered on the plum blossoms in front of him. Suddenly, he smiled and walked forward, plucking another branch. He said softly, "Brother Zi Cun said to compose poems with plum blossoms as the theme, I lost the wine game and was punished to come pick plums."

  He raised the plum branch in his hand, "This branch is mine."

  A red cloud quietly climbed up the mans jade-like face, revealing a crystal clear flush. His soft and low voice was as if he was explaining, yet also as if he was hiding his tension. Although it was clearly cold weather, the surroundings were filled with a warm and ambiguous atmosphere, even the icy wind was blown away, not feeling the slightest bit of chill.

  Ming Xuan thought to herself, this man should be Yan Qingye.

  She had a glimmer of hope in her heart, this man looked even better than she had imagined, with such pure eyes, he shouldnt be that kind of cunning and deceitful person. With his humble background, his character, appearance, and learning were not bad at all. This marriage was truly satisfying and fortunate for her. But she thought so in her heart, under this ambiguous and awkward atmosphere, she didnt know what to say for a moment, so she could only lower her eyelids and said softly, "Thank you."

  As expected, no sooner had the words fallen than a deep and playful voice came from the bamboo pavilion not far away, "Qing Ye, can Mei Zhu be chosen? Zi Ji and others have all made preparations, just waiting!"

  Yan Qingyue responded with a sentence, "Im coming."

  He slightly bowed to Ming Xuan, then turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he turned back and said with some embarrassment, "Its cold outside, if...if things are done, go back to the house early."

  This tone is as if he knows everything.

  Ming Xuan nodded, "Uh-huh."

  She gazed at the fading figure in the distance, and the heavy stone in her heart was finally put down. She thought to herself, since Yan Qingyan had shown such intention, he must have meant it for himself too? Looking at him just now, although he seemed shy, his words and actions didnt seem like those of someone meeting for the first time. Had he met Ming Xuan before?

  Just then, Yan Jie suddenly jumped out from somewhere, laughing and hooking her arm around hers, raising an eyebrow at her, "Saw him earlier? How was it? Still satisfied? Big Brother is quite fond of this Yan Gongzi!"

  Ming Xuan turned his face to look at her, and the corners of his mouth curved up quietly, "Not bad."

  She wasnt a typical seventeen-year-old girl, and love at first sight wouldnt happen to her. A brief encounter couldnt determine a persons character, but it was undeniable that Yan Qingye had given her a good first impression. Being able to avoid being married off as a substitute for someone else was already a blessing, and getting a husband like Yan Gongzi was even more fortunate. If they got along well after marriage, she would be willing to devote her true heart to loving him.

  Xuans sister laughed and clapped her hands, the red plum in her hand swaying with the movement, dancing in the wind. "Indeed, it is still my Xuan sister, who likes what she likes, not like ordinary women who are coy and pretentious!"

  Returned to Ning Xiang Garden with sister Huan, all sisters started appreciating plum blossoms and composing poems.

  Ming Xuan had indeed memorized many famous lines of poetry about plum blossoms, but her personality wouldnt allow her to plagiarize and pass off others poems as her own so brazenly. For the time being, she couldnt come up with anything decent, so she might as well admit defeat willingly. With this thought in mind, she no longer felt anxious and instead watched Lin Xuan and the others furrow their brows in contemplation while she herself casually drew a plum blossom painting on paper.

  A few strokes, yet they capture all the beauty.

  Yu Jie felt helpless when she saw it, but when she collected the poems of her sisters and sent them to Qinglang Institute, she still brought Ming Xuans ink plum blossom painting along.

  In a moment, Master Zhu sent a servant girl back with an answer, "The master says that Mei Xue Zheng Chun is the best."

  Ming Xuans face showed a hint of pride, she indeed had more talent in poetry and literature than others. This time, she had put her heart and soul into it, so she should have won first prize. She secretly glanced at Fang Jin Yan, seeing that there was no displeasure on her face, but rather an expression full of admiration and envy. Her heart felt a sweetness, thinking that as long as Fang Jin Yan would say a few good words to her, Lady An Guo Gong would likely agree sooner.

  She was the most competitive person and did not want to lose to Mingyu, who had always looked down on her, in matters of marriage. Although Jianan Bo had a bad reputation outside, he was after all a first-class earl, and Mingyu would be his concubine in the future, but as long as she was granted a title, she would become the wife of a third-class earl.

  Everyone congratulated Ming Hua first and then asked which one of the maidservants was ranked last.

  The little girl replied with a hint of regret, "Master said that the ink plum blossom painting didnt have any poem on it, which went against the rules, so it could only be ranked last. However, the painting was extremely well done and he liked it very much. If this young lady doesnt mind, Master would like to give her the painting as a gift."

  Although the words were sincere, they sounded like a comfort to those who had failed. Ming Xuan couldnt help but glance at Ming Hua with some schadenfreude, thinking that even if she wrote poetry carelessly, she wouldnt necessarily lose to Zhus illegitimate children, so why bother scribbling randomly?

  Ming Xuan didnt mind at all, and smiled as she said to the maid, "This is just a trivial thing, its not worthy of Brother Biaos praise. If he wants it, he can take it, use it to paste on the wall or prop up the table leg, whatever."

  She calmly admitted defeat to her sisters in the house, "Within a month, I will personally make and deliver embroidered pouches to each of your homes. I only hope that none of you will despise my lack of skill and turn around to mock me."

  After chatting for a while, the maid beside Madame Fang came over to invite, "Madam asked me to come and ask the young ladies if she can also join in the fun. Can we set up lunch in her courtyard so that she can bask in the glory of the Fifth Miss along with everyone else?"

  Yuanniang was ranked fifth among the girls in the auxiliary countrys mansion, and all the servant women called her Fifth Miss.

  This old lady has some meaning, speaking with a tone that is really like entreating. The people in the house are all younger generations, and when Madame Fu Guo says so, they naturally all agree, and they all say yes in unison.

  Yuan Jie was helpless, the lunch had already been arranged in Ning Xiang Garden, it must be that her grandmother was anxious to know the result, so she found an excuse to look for them. She glanced at her and said, "Tell grandma that well come over now."

  The old woman smiled and nodded in agreement before withdrawing.

  Ming Xuan followed the group to the house of Fu Guo Gongs wife. Taking advantage of no one noticing, Fu Guo Gongs wife secretly pulled her hand and asked questions. She thought that this matter was all arranged by her aunt, so there was no need to hide anything, and she poured out what she had been thinking in a low voice. She lightly bit her lip and said, "Yan Gongzi is naturally good, but big sisters days are numbered, and Ninth Sister will be married off within a hundred days. My matter is urgent, Im afraid the Yan family will think its not dignified..."

  No matter what, rushing into marriage is always somewhat unpleasant.

  Like the families of people with status nowadays, from engagement to marriage, most of them take about a year. It not only shows that both families attach great importance to this marriage, but also have enough time to prepare for the dowry and gifts. Unless its a rush wedding or something unexpected happens, they wont get things done within three months.

  Yans family is only a fifth-grade official, but its also an official position. Marrying into a higher-ranking family was already prone to gossip, and they got engaged so hastily...

  The lady of the auxiliary country gently stroked Ming Huans shoulder, "As long as you like that young man from the Yan family, there is no need to worry about anything else. Just prepare your dowry at home and get married safely."

  She grasped Ming Xuans hand and sighed, "All of your sisters have entered the imperial court or noble families, but you can only be matched with a scholar. The Yan familys social status is low, this marriage is indeed a humble one. But dont blame your grandmother, she has done her best. And dont blame your uncle either, he was willing to give up the precious Dan Shu Tie Quan to save your father back then, unfortunately... Although the Empress Dowager gained wealth and power because of this, the Emperors will is not something that can be easily guessed."

  Ming Xuans heart skipped a beat, and her aunts words seemed to be saying that the Noble Consorts wealth and glory were due to Fathers affairs back then? These words she had never heard before, and naturally, she was filled with doubts. But this wasnt the time to ask about them, so she could only suppress her confusion and reply in a low voice, "The Yan family is very good, I dont resent them, really dont resent them."

  She was reborn, pursuing a peaceful life. Although her sisters in the family were married well, under the prosperous and noble families, there were many hidden struggles, far less than the freedom and peace of small families. Moreover, if she got married, her mother Lus dowry would definitely be given to her by her grandmother, she had money in her hands, and behind her was the support of Yongning Hou Mansion, how could her life not be good?

  The lady of the auxiliary country saw that her eyes were sincere, and there was no pretence at all. It seemed like she was truly satisfied with the Yan family. For some reason, her heart felt a slight pang of sourness. She stroked Ming Xuans hand and repeatedly said, "Good child!"

  If there werent any suitable grandchildren in the family, she would have taken this good child as her own a long time ago and wouldnt be feeling so heartbroken now. She thought to herself that even she was feeling this way, when the real wedding day arrived, Madam Zhus heart would be even more unbearable.

  Ming Xuan stayed at the Auxiliary National Palace until 4 pm before bidding farewell with her sisters.

  She returned to Yongning Houfu and went straight to Antaiyuan with Linxue to talk to Old Lady Zhu. After the old lady dismissed everyone, only the three of them and Sheng Yiniang were left in the house. After asking Mingxuans intentions, she said with a mix of happiness and sadness, "If youre satisfied, then grandmother will arrange it."

  After chatting for a while, the old lady suddenly thought of something and her face turned solemn. She spoke in a low tone to Ming Xuan, "Xuan sister, theres something you should know. Today, Ping Zhang sent two thank-you gifts through his subordinate, specifically stating that they were meant for you."

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