Chapter 280: Red Plum Defying Snow

During the banquet.

Heavy snow drifted, the outside was bone‑chillingly cold, yet the palace interior was warm as spring.

The charcoal brazier crackled, the table was laden with exquisite dishes, and fragrance filled the air.

Xu Yanchuan walked through the snow; just as he stepped into the hall doorway, sharp‑eyed Minghui shouted, "Uncle!"

He darted forward and plunged into Xu Yanchuan's arms.

The cold, stern expression on Xu Yanchuan's face instantly melted, giving way to a gentle smile.

With one hand he lifted Minghui, nudging the little fellow's forehead affectionately with his chin, prompting Minghui to giggle.

Hui Guifei stood up.

Xu Yanchuan, still holding Minghui, met her gaze.

Both of them were slightly startled.

The cold, battle‑hardened look in Xu Yanchuan's eyes rippled with an almost imperceptible sheen.

He quickly lowered his eyelids, masking all emotion, yet his arm around Minghui tightened unconsciously.

Hui Guifei watched Xu Yanchuan holding Minghui, and her cheeks flushed faintly.

He was leaner, yet far more mature.

Instinctively she straightened her back, trying to maintain her usual composure.

But the slight upturn of her lips and the flickering in her eyes betrayed her inner unrest.

No one said another word; they merely stood a few steps apart, exchanged a brief silent gaze, then looked away.

All the fluttering feelings were hidden within that brief, restrained meeting of eyes.

Clever little Minghui glanced at his uncle, then at Hui Niangniang, his grape‑sized eyes sparkling with mischief.

Clutching a licorice stick candy, he offered it to Xu Yanchuan's lips: "Uncle, sweet!"

Xu Yanchuan lowered his head slightly, took the candy from Minghui's hand, and took a gentle bite.

Minghui smiled contentedly.

He took a bite himself.

Then he turned the candy toward Hui Guifei, saying in a baby‑like voice, "Your turn."

"My turn."

"Your turn."

"Hehe, we'll be friends forever."

Hui Guifei stared at the candy before her, hesitated, and under Minghui's expectant gaze, finally leaned down slightly and, in a swift, symbolic gesture, tapped the candy.

"Is it sweet?" Minghui asked, looking up with his little face.

Wan Tang was stunned, thinking, "This…"

Someone else had already eaten it, yet Hui Guifei wanted to?

And it was Xu Yanchuan's first bite.

After a moment of bewilderment, Wan Tang quickly recovered.

She smiled and arranged, "Come, make way, the final dish is arriving."

Wan Tang sat at the head seat; to her left was the gentle‑eyed Xu Yanchuan holding Minghui, and to her right, the rarely serene Hui Guifei.

Wan Tang turned her gaze to the ever‑respectful Xiao Luzi standing nearby and said warmly, "Xiao Luzi, I'm delighted today; I prepared an extra portion while cooking."

"Go, summon those who usually serve me diligently to the Side Hall for a lively feast."

Hearing this, Xiao Luzi jerked his head up, his eyes instantly reddening.

He fell to his knees with a thud, his voice choked and wildly excited, "How can the Lady command this?"

"What status do we Nubi have, how could we be worthy of the Lady's own cooking?"

"Just being able to smell the fragrance from the Lady's hall is a tremendous blessing; how could we dare…"

In the inner palace, it is common for the Master to bestow gold, silver, and jewels, but to personally cook a meal for the servants—especially when the esteemed Consort herself prepares it—is an unheard‑of grace.

It signifies not only a reward but also a closeness and consideration that treats them as family.

Wan Tang felt moved and said softly, "Rise."

"Today, rank matters not; only bonds matter."

"You have served me wholeheartedly; I remember it in my heart."

"Hurry, don't let the food get cold."

"Nubi… Nubi thank the Lady's heavenly grace!"

Xiao Luzi bowed heavily, then wiped his tears with his sleeve and fled, overwhelmed with emotion.

He hurried to attend to those palace staff who likewise could not believe their ears.

In the main hall, Wan Tang listened to the faint sounds, her smile deepening.

She picked up jade chopsticks, personally served Xu Yanchuan, then poured wine for Hui Guifei, saying softly, "Come, let our family eat together."

Xu Yanchuan looked at the dishes in his bowl, his gaze complex, then turned into a low voice, "Thank you, Sister."

Hui Guifei also nodded slightly, whispering, "Much thanks."

Minghui watched his uncle and Hui Niangniang, his eyes curving into crescents with laughter.

He held a tiny spoon, scooping a heaping spoonful of rice, striving to bring it to his mouth.

【Haha, I feel like Wan Tang did it on purpose—just to distract everyone and give them some space for themselves?】

【Although that possibility can't be ruled out, there are plenty of reasons to send everyone out, even a single sentence would suffice. Yet Wan Tang didn't do that; the dishes were all made by her, weren't they?】

【Fortunately, the Dog Emperor cannot come to Yangxin Hall today; now the Mo Family's lingering grievance snow, Huang Feihu is currently in Yangxin Hall.】

【He has strongly demanded that the Hundred Thousand Army under his command revert to its original name, Mo Family Army. Moreover, with a noseful of snot and tears, he apologizes to the Duke.】

I'm only afraid that Chu Yunzheng is also having a headache right now; if Huang Feihu isn't soothed, it will become a disaster again.

Hahaha, I'm so happy. Wan Tang is finally no longer a parasitic vine clinging to others to climb up.

The Mo Family Army is Wan Tang's backing, the Ning family's friendship is her support. Not to mention the Hundred Thousand Army led by Xu Chengyuan, which now sincerely respects Xu Yanchuan.

There are three Tiger Talismans, and Wan Tang can fully command two of them. Her strength far surpasses that of the former Xu Chengyuan.

That's only the surface; now Wan Tang's enterprises, the silver she earns herself, can sustain a two‑hundred‑thousand army—hardly difficult. She doesn't need any support from the Ministry of Revenue at all.

Wan Tang is about to eat.

Hearing the words in the barrage, worry grew in her heart.

On the surface, the current situation is naturally more favorable.

It's just that Huang Feihu is still acting too hastily; appearing now would only make Chu Yunzheng alarmed and take precautions.

That said, when Wan Tang faces Chu Yunzheng now, she indeed has more confidence.

When Su Yanci is present, Chu Yunzheng can still hold an extra trump card.

Now…

Wan Tang's mouth twitched upward.

I truly can't imagine what would happen if I smoothly seized the Ministry of Revenue in my hands.

"Sister."

Xu Yanchuan finally can utter that address without any hesitation.

He points at the pizza and hamburger on the table: "These dishes have unique shapes, yet their flavors are truly exquisite."

Wan Tang hears this, and her brows and eyes instantly curve into a gentle crescent.

I used to hear in the barrage that this is called 'white man's rice', and thanks to the locals' adaptation, it has this flavor.

I didn't expect it to be so popular; she replies softly, "As long as you like it, I'll make it for you often."

Hui Guifei eats quietly, occasionally lifting her eyes, her lips involuntarily curving slightly upward.

Minghui sits on his uncle's lap, sometimes pointing at a dish for his uncle to pick, other times eagerly scooping up what he finds tasty.

Shaking, he insists on feeding Hui Niangniang at the edge of her mouth: "Hui Niangniang, eat!"

Xu Yanchuan carefully shields Minghui in his arms, afraid to drop him.

At the same time he has to cope with the youngster's endless commands, looking a bit flustered.

Hui Guifei watches his embarrassed look, finally can't help but let out a soft laugh.

Her younger brother returns, a close friend is by her side, a little girl curls at her knees, the lights are welcoming, and the food warms the stomach.

All the conspiracies, scheming, and bloody strife seem to be sealed off outside this warm hall.

She lifts the teacup, takes a gentle sip, and feels a warm current flow from her throat all the way to the deepest part of her heart.

Outside the window, fine snow falls silently; inside, the charcoal fire crackles, and laughter drifts lazily.

In this moment, time is tranquil and perfect.

Only time urges people on.

The father‑in‑law who led Xu Yanchuan into the palace is already urging from outside: "General Xu, it's getting late."

Wan Tang hurriedly stands, for the first time shouting angrily to the outside: "Wait!"

"Sister, it's not his fault either." Xu Yanchuan stands, his voice gentle: "The Northern Border war is tightening; I shouldn't have returned in the first place."

"Having parted today, the next meeting may only be when I return in triumph."

Wan Tang, angry, her voice suddenly hoarse: "If the Northern Border were a soft target, why wait for you to pacify it?"

"It's fine." Xu Yanchuan smiles lightly: "With you, sister, supplies are ample, troops strong, we will be invincible in battle."

Wan Tang nods heavily.

Her eyes are full of hopeful light.

She advises, "To quell the Mo Family loyalists' fury, Chu Yunzheng will certainly let you inherit your maternal grandfather's position."

"I only ask you to protect yourself, not to seek glorious war merits. Before long, you'll become the youngest Duke."

"You'll also be the only one who can stand on equal footing with the Duke of Ning."

Wan Tang's tone is impassioned.

Xu Yanchuan smiles purely: "Sister, but I am also a person of Fengqi."

"I also wish to protect my home and country, and the people of Fengqi, a peaceful land without war."

The father‑in‑law outside urges again.

Xu Yanchuan reluctantly puts Minghui down.

He turns and walks outward.

Hui Guifei sits there like a wooden post, and in an instant, the branches and leaves wither.

Xu Yanchuan walks into the Fēng xuě, not glancing at anyone.

"Heh…" Hui Guifei lets out a bleak laugh, lowers her head, and suddenly feels the delicacies before her have lost any flavor.

Creak!

Shei thought the door would open again.

A thin layer of snow presses on Xu Yanchuan's head.

He holds a red plum in his hand; its branches are uniquely shaped, bearing marks of a small knife's polishing, and at the tip two plum blossoms are twin—one a bud about to open, the other in full radiant bloom.

Hui Guifei slowly stands, looking at him.

Xu Yanchuan's smile, cleanly pressing through the white snow, he reaches out, taking off the Pearl Hairpin that originally belonged to Answering.

He pins the red plum onto her hair.

"The Pearl Hairpin is delicate and fragile, unable to withstand a single blow."

Only the red plum stands proudly amid the wind and snow.

The red plum dyed the tip of Hui Guifei's ears crimson, and she shyly lowered her head.

Xu Yanchuan took two steps back, gave a slight bow, turned and left, his figure vanishing into the wind and snow.

Night deepened, and the wind and snow battered the window.

Wan Tang leaned by the window, her fingertips clutching the Secret Letter sent by Li Ping'er.

The handwriting on the letter was blinding.

"The downfall of the Mo Family could not have been caused by Xiao Sihai alone; behind it must lie a colossal authority that even the Late Emperor was blinded by."

Her mind was a tangled mess when the palace doors were suddenly slammed open.

Chu Yunzheng burst in, a chill surrounding him, his dragon robe dusted with snow, his eyes clouded with gloom.

He forced her onto the couch without a word, kissing roughly, his movements nothing but a venting kind of possession.

Wan Tang's fingertips trembled with pain, yet she bit her lip to hold back a whimper.

"Um." Wan Tang let out a muffled hum.

With each thrust, Wan Tang felt a tearing pain in her body, tears streaming down from the corners of her eyes.

【Dog Emperor, I really want to choke him to death; is he a cow? To torment Tangtang like this.】

【I've always wanted to see the paid scene; now that I have, I want to drag the male lead out of the TV and beat him up.】

【It's because we got humiliated by Huang Feihu; reluctantly, we have already agreed to restore the Mo Family Army's name. Once Xu Chengyuan returns in triumph and becomes a Duke, the Mo Family Army will naturally belong to the Mo Family. Think about it—what position will Wan Tang hold then?】

【A toy you once held in your hand suddenly standing on your shoulder—can you stay calm?】

The Barrage immediately erupted in insults.

Wan Tang still lay there, silently enduring it.

Until Chu Yunzheng finally calmed down.

He lay heavily atop Wan Tang, her body already a sheet of ice.

He turned over and lay down, slightly frowning as he felt moisture on the pillow.

Only then did he extend his slender fingers to wipe the corner of Wan Tang's eye.

He asked, "Did you cry?"

The tone was terrifyingly bland.

He wasn't puzzling over why Wan Tang cried; it seemed merely to affirm a fact.

Wan Tang was in such pain that every movement made her sweat cold.

She could only smile and say, "I, the Subject, my body is just too frail."

Chu Yunzheng's voice remained cold: "Since it hurts, why didn't you say?"

"Everything of mine belongs to the Emperor, so I naturally leave it to the Prince to handle."

She kept her composure; though her voice warped with pain, she still said, "Thunder and rain are both heavenly blessings; the Emperor's actions must have your reasons."

"I, the Subject, have no regrets or grievances."

In the darkness, one could not see the light in Chu Yunzheng's eyes, but his laughter could be heard.

He scooped Wan Tang into his arms in one swift motion.

Only then did he soften his voice: "I, the Emperor, miss you so much."

"Look at my two useless princes, eager to have my Tangtang bear a son who can share my burdens..."