Chapter 2 — Red Plum Blossoms in the Snow

I have already taken a husband, and as for the Bui estate, I lost interest in it long ago.

Having delivered those words, I did not bother to gauge their reactions and turned to leave. I had assumed that would be the end of the matter, but it seemed Bui Minh Vien did not believe a word I said. The very next day, he sent another shipment of blueprints and gifts. I simply ignored them, instructing Luc Chi to pile them all in a corner without so much as a glance. Two days later, a messenger arrived from the Prince’s estate with a formal invitation.

The young master has returned to the capital, and he is hosting a banquet tonight to celebrate his homecoming. He has specifically requested that you return to join us.

The banquet was spread out in the main hall. The moment I stepped across the threshold, the bustling chatter in the room ceased abruptly. Every eye was locked onto me. Three years ago, the scandal at the Bui household had echoed through the entire city; among the noble families gathered here, who had not heard the whispers and rumors? I did not look left or right, walking straight toward the center of the hall, but there were those who were determined not to let me be.

Why are you here?

Bui Minh Vien and Chu Tinh Dao were both present, and upon seeing me, their faces darkened with visible displeasure. He was clearly aware of the mocking, speculative gazes directed at us. If not for the necessity of maintaining appearances, I suspected he would have ordered his men to bind me and cast me out. He took a half-step forward and lowered his voice, his tone sharp.

If you have come to your senses, I will not hold the events of the other day against you. However, you truly should not have come today.

Chu Tinh Dao chimed in with a practiced smile, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the surrounding tables to overhear. Indeed, Sister has been away from the capital for so many years that you must have forgotten the rules of conduct. Such banquets are the domain of the mistress of the house; concubines should not be seen in public. You should return home early to avoid bringing shame upon the Bui family.

She sighed softly, as if genuinely concerned for my reputation. Bui Minh Vien nodded, reaching out as if to seize my wrist. Come along, I will have the servants escort you back.

I violently shook off his touch the moment his fingers brushed my sleeve.

Bui Young Master, I believe you are under a grave misunderstanding.

I retreated half a step and met his gaze steadily. I am here today for official business.

Taken aback by the public rebuke, Bui Minh Vien stiffened. He furrowed his brows, his voice laced with growing impatience. What business could you possibly have? Did you not come here for my sake? Do not think you can hide your true intentions from me.

He glanced around, a sneer curling his lips. Or perhaps you realize the Bui estate is beneath you, and you wish to use your old, seductive tricks to latch onto someone else? Given your past reputation, who else in the capital would be willing to marry you? My willingness to take you into my household was already an act of ultimate grace and duty. You—

If I wish to cling to someone else, what is it to you?

Seeing his stunned, disbelieving expression, I cut him off. Whom I choose to cling to, whom I marry, or whether I am a wife or a concubine in the future—how does any of that concern you, Bui Young Master?

Bui Minh Vien’s face turned deathly pale. It concerns me because I am your husband, and because in the future, you will belong to the Bui family!

The moment the words left his lips, a hand reached out to block the space between me and Bui Minh Vien. Immediately after, a voice filled with cold, mocking amusement echoed from behind me.

What was that? Why was I unaware that the Consort of my Vinh Xuong Prince’s estate had suddenly become someone belonging to your Bui family?

The moment those words were spoken, the crowd that had been eager for a spectacle fell into a deathly, suffocating silence. Bui Minh Vien’s hand remained suspended in the air, the anger on his face evaporating, replaced by a ghastly, hollow complexion.

His Highness, the Heir Apparent?

He stammered the title, his eyes wide with terror. What manner of lineage did the Vinh Xuong Prince’s estate possess? It was the direct bloodline of the founding Emperor’s own brother—a family before whom all the nobles of the court had to bow their heads. And Xiao Thua Tac, titled Heir Apparent while still in his youth, had led armies to the western front at sixteen, crushing the nomadic invaders so thoroughly that they dared not approach the borders for three years. He was a branch of nobility so high that every noble daughter in the capital would have broken her own neck trying to reach for him. Yet, such a man was currently holding me by the waist. Xiao Thua Tac’s eyes were sharp, carrying a smirk that did not reach his eyes as he looked lazily at the shell-shocked Bui Minh Vien.

Bui Young Master, why are you standing there frozen? You have yet to answer my question. Since when did my consort become someone who belongs to your Bui family?

Chu Tinh Dao instinctively retreated behind Bui Minh Vien. But the words she had spoken earlier about concubines not being permitted to show their faces still hung in the air, sounding now like a grotesque joke. The status of the legal wife she had calculated and schemed so hard to obtain was nothing compared to my position as a consort. Bui Minh Vien opened his mouth, but for a long time, he could not force a coherent sentence out.

Does… does Your Highness recognize the wrong person? She is clearly, she is my…

Xiao Thua Tac tilted his head to look at me, the sharp, frigid intensity in his gaze melting instantly. His voice grew three parts softer. A Huynh, tell him.

Hearing the intimacy in the way he addressed me, my ears burned a deep crimson. I remembered the first time we met in Thanh Chau, when he had chased after me for three whole days just to ask for my name.