Chapter 78: Plum Blossom Banquet

Chapter 78: Plum Blossom Banquet

In the depths of winter, a finely crafted and spacious carriage was equipped with a warm charcoal stove, its thick curtains shielding against the howling north wind.

While the carriage wasn’t as warm as spring, it was still quite cozy.

A low table was set with various pastries and tea, though the cold had made the pastries a bit stale.

Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan sat shoulder to shoulder, and for a moment, she couldn’t tell whether the warmth came more from the charcoal stove in the carriage or from the person beside her.

Since the magistrate's servants were driving outside, Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan kept their silence, only occasionally exchanging glances.

At the village entrance, another carriage was parked.

The carriage window opened, and a scarred hand lifted the curtain, reaching out to lightly tap on the carriage where Lu Mingchao was seated.

"Chaochao."

Hearing the voice, Lu Mingchao quickly pulled back the curtain and opened the window.

The cold wind rushed in, causing the flames in the charcoal stove to shrink as if afraid of the chill.

"Second Brother."

Lu Mingchao waved.

Lu Yao said, feigning nonchalance, "The magistrate's wife is truly kind-hearted, pitying our humble circumstances and the inconvenience of travel, sending someone to fetch us into the city."

"I’m truly honored by such kindness."

"Chaochao, when you meet the magistrate's wife, be sure to express your gratitude properly."

He was hinting that Lu Mingchao should stay alert, as something unusual was going on.

Lu Mingchao got the hint right away, giving a quick wink, "Of course."

Lu Yao closed the carriage window, and the wheels began to roll, crunching and creaking through the snow as they inched forward.

The snow was thick and the road slippery. Even though the carriage had been specially prepared with anti-slip measures, it still moved slowly and unsteadily.

Lu Mingchao mused that by the time they arrived at the magistrate’s residence, she might be rattled to bits.

The idea of "seeking plum blossoms in the snow" sounded classy.

But the process, she had to admit, was less than ideal.

It reminded her of modern times, where no one could suffer except for the carefully curated image on social media.

A rough life, but a carefully curated social media presence.

Social media: "Life is peaceful, perfectly framed, definitely coming back."

Reality: "Dead tired, never doing this again."

Lu Mingchao sighed softly, her meticulously styled hair bun making it difficult for her to find a comfortable position to rest.

The relentless howling of the north wind filled her ears, and the rhythmic crunching of the wheels through the snow created an almost soothing noise. Though annoying at first, over time, it oddly became quite soothing.

Lu Mingchao gave a restrained yawn, her eyes glistening with moisture, gazing at Xie Yan with a pitiful look and then pointing to her waist.

Xie Yan chuckled softly, reaching out to gently massage her.

After entering the city, he meticulously smoothed out the wrinkles on Lu Mingchao's dress.

The carriage slowly came to a halt, and Lu Mingchao stepped down from the carriage with Xie Yan's assistance, using a stepping stool.

Soon, maids and servant boys approached to welcome them.

The maid accepted the invitation and escorted Lu Mingchao to the women's section.

The banquet was held in the Lake Pavilion, and they walked through a waterside corridor adorned with embroidered mats, with the frozen lake on either side blanketed in thick snow.

In the distance, one could faintly make out a plum grove beyond the Lake Pavilion's walkway.

The distance and the pervasive snow rendered the scenery blurry and surreal, making eyes feel dry.

The three-story Lake Pavilion, with its flying eaves and brackets, stood in striking contrast to the white snow.

The maid went into the Lake Pavilion to announce their arrival, and shortly after, the magistrate's wife, draped in opulent robes and encircled by a group of women, came forward to greet them.

Lu Mingchao thought to herself, 'This situation feels a bit awkward.'

"Magistrate's wife, who might this young lady be? I don't believe I've seen her before."

Lu Mingchao wore a proper smile and curtsied to the magistrate's wife, saying, "This humble woman, Xie Lu, pays her respects to the madam."

"Thank you for your graciousness and consideration, madam."

The magistrate's wife smiled warmly and affectionately, "There's no need for formalities."

Then, quite naturally, she gently patted Lu Mingchao's hand and drew her close.

The women around the magistrate's wife discreetly made space, lavishing Lu Mingchao with endless compliments, extolling her as if she were a goddess.

Lu Mingchao's expression stayed composed, her smile unwavering.

She knew full well that these extravagant compliments were directed not at her, but at the magistrate's wife's hand resting on hers.

In the small county of Changhe, everyone showed due respect to the magistrate's wife.

However, at the plum blossom banquet, where officials, merchants, and scholars from Changhe County congregated, all sorts of characters were present.

"She's merely a hunter's wife; what's there to boast about?"

"She's out of place here."

The voices were neither too loud nor too soft, as if deliberately suppressing private complaints, yet the emotions inadvertently raised the volume.

A hunter's wife?

The women were shocked.

But seeing the magistrate's wife still affectionately holding Lu Mingchao's hand, their eyes flickered, and they pursed their lips, remaining silent.

Lu Mingchao's gaze drifted toward the source of the voice, looking at the somewhat familiar face, and she smiled sweetly, "Might I inquire about this madam's connection to the second son of the Sun residence?"

The magistrate's wife glanced at Lu Mingchao out of the corner of her eye.

She saw those clear and bright eyes slightly curved, filled with a smile, as if brimming with a dazzling pool of spring water.

The snowlight outside the Lake Pavilion reflected in her eyes, creating shimmering ripples of light.

Such eyes, truly full of life.

What a striking beauty indeed.

With such beauty, such temperament, and such grace, she should flourish in the capital city.

What a shame.

Yet, the Yongning Marquis family is rather odd; after raising her for so many years, could such a grand marquisate really lack the means to support her?

Gu Zhen had asked her to relay a message before returning to the capital, solely because her grandmother was a distant relative of the Gu family, tenuously connected by blood.

A connection she could never have hoped to establish in her lifetime.

A middle-aged woman, her hair adorned with a golden hairpin, huffed softly, "I am his mother."

"What, are you here to make amends?"

Madam Sun spoke with a hint of confidence.

While merchants don’t challenge officials, officials still rely on merchants’ wealth.

The Sun family’s business has been expanding, and while they seek the magistrate’s favor, the magistrate must also consider their influence.

"Ah, I see. That explains it." Lu Mingchao lowered her gaze, her smile shining like a constellation of stars, her voice gentle yet crisp.

Like the snow that drifted down silently last night.

Appearing soft and weightless, as if harmless.

But whether packed into a snowball or hardened into ice, it can strike with enough force to draw blood.

Lu Mingchao laughed genuinely, her laughter matching her inner feelings.

No wonder.

No wonder the second young master of the Sun family is so arrogant and clueless.

"Apologize?"

"Your son owes me an apology."

"However, today is the magistrate’s wife’s plum blossom banquet. Let’s not bring up personal matters and ruin the occasion."

Lu Mingchao’s tone remained steady.

Cheerful and straightforward, entirely justified.

Through these few words, the women in the Lake Pavilion also came to understand Lu Mingchao’s identity.

That young woman who recently filed a grievance, accusing the second young master of the Sun family of being unrepentant, forcibly taking common women, bullying the weak, and showing no regard for human life.

See the jade string.