Upon arriving at Zhaohua Pavilion, Xue Ning spotted the man who stood out among the crowd at first glance through the swirling snow.
Despite the bitterly cold weather, the snowflakes falling on her skin felt scalding hot.
"The New Year is approaching. Now that the Shizi has returned from his official duties, will you be staying in the capital this time?"
The man's voice was cool and detached. "Yes, I'll rest for a few days before returning to the Ministry of Justice."
Hearing the men's conversation from afar, Xue Ning felt her entire body stiffen, her chest tightening painfully.
Though it had only been a few days since they last met, in truth… she hadn't seen him for four or five years.
In his youth, Su Zhan was exceptionally handsome, with sharp eyebrows that seemed to sweep toward his temples.
Simply sitting there, he resembled a masterpiece carved by divine hands.
Today, the Xuanyi Marquis Mansion was hosting a grand banquet, with guests coming and going between the front hall and the rear courtyards.
The noble ladies and wives were currently gathered at Zhaohua Pavilion to watch the opera.
Naturally, the performers on stage couldn't compare to the beauty of those seated below.
The gazes of all the young maidens secretly lingered on Shizi Su Zhan.
Su Zhan had just reached adulthood and had achieved the remarkable feat of topping three imperial examinations consecutively, making him the most sought-after marriage candidate in Dongjing City.
Today, Madam Jiang was celebrating her birthday and had invited numerous noble young ladies from the capital, partly to help him select a suitable wife.
The person he cherished most, Princess Xiuning Xie Ningtang, was also present today, seated right beside Madam Jiang.
In her previous life, knowing that Madam Jiang intended to arrange a marriage for him, Xue Ning had feigned illness to avoid joining the others. Instead, she had specifically instructed Bao Chan to slip the aphrodisiac into Su Zhan's wine.
When Su Zhan succumbed to the drug's effects and was helped into the nearby Zhaohui Pavilion,
she secretly slipped into the room.
That was the day she and Su Zhan shared their first time.
Though the man was too rough, causing her pain, she gritted her teeth and refused to cry out.
Instead, she obediently waited for Madam Jiang to notice their disappearance and discover her entangled with Su Zhan.
Madam Jiang had watched her grow up, treating her like her own daughter since childhood.
That day was the first time she saw disappointment in Madam Jiang's eyes.
Her reputation for lacking self-respect also spread from that moment onward.
Despite inheriting her parents' finest features and possessing breathtaking beauty,
any respectable, educated family in Dongjing City was unwilling to marry a girl who had willingly degraded herself.
Afterward, her marriage to Su Zhan was settled.
Su Zhan was the heir to the Marquis's residence, bearing the responsibility for the Su family's honor and future.
As for her, her parents and brothers had long perished on the battlefield, leaving her a helpless orphan who offered him no advantage.
Madam Jiang was utterly disappointed in her, and everyone in the Su family looked down upon her.
Even Su Zhan, who had grown up with her as something of childhood sweethearts, saw his feelings for her change.
Being siblings would have been the best outcome, yet she stubbornly insisted on more.
The result of her insistence was earning his heartless disdain.
During the years she was married into the Su family, her life grew increasingly difficult day by day. After Madam Jiang's death, no one showed her any kindness.
Though she and Su Zhan appeared to be a harmonious and respectful couple, the bitterness within was something only she truly understood.
"Ningning, what brings you here?"
Madam Jiang noticed her first, smiling and beckoning her over.
Xue Ning snapped out of her memories, suppressing the ache spreading in her chest. She quickly walked through the corridor and, with reddened eyes, approached Madam Jiang.
"Madam…"
Madam Jiang and her mother had been close friends since childhood, sharing the deepest bond.
Her parents died in battle at the frontier, and the Xue clan, coveting the military merits of the Xue family, vied to take her in.
It was Madam Jiang who, overcoming all opposition, brought her from a branch of the Xue family and raised her in the Marquis's residence. Later, it was also she who forced Su Zhan to marry her.
Unfortunately, not long after, Madam Jiang fell seriously ill and passed away.
Su Zhan blamed her for Madam Jiang's death, but having grown up under Madam Jiang's care, how could she have harmed her?
Looking at this person who had once loved her most dearly, Xue Ning's eyes grew warm and bitter, and she felt like bursting into tears.
But now was not the time for her to reminisce with Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang took her hand and, seeing her red-rimmed eyes, asked worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell? Are you better now, Ningning?"
"Madam, I slept for a while and feel much better. I heard Brother Lu has returned—"
Xue Ning quickly glanced at Su Zhan sitting ahead and saw him raise the cup in his hand.
Yes, that was the cup of wine!
Xue Ning's pupils contracted, her body tensed instantly. Without another word to Madam Jiang, she rushed to Su Zhan's side and, in front of everyone, snatched the cup from his hand.
Not only was Madam Jiang stunned, but the people below the stage, witnessing her unexpected action, also looked at her with strange expressions.
After all, Xue Ning was a noble lady raised in the Marquis's residence. How could she do something so… unbecoming in such a setting?
The man sitting in the chair instantly raised his eyes to look at her.
Amid the swirling snowflakes, she met his dark, sharp phoenix eyes.
Xue Ning's face paled, but her hand clenched the cup tightly.
Su Zhan stared directly at Xue Ning. The young girl wore a bright yellow padded dress, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, her beauty radiant. Yet, her usually watery eyes seemed to burn with a fire, carrying an indescribable meaning.
His heart stirred slightly, puzzled. He extended his slender, well-defined hand, his cool and indifferent gaze seeming to reproach her for her lack of propriety.
"What are you doing, A-Ning?"
He casually tried to take the wine cup back.
Xue Ning would not let him have his way.
Ten years of marriage, yet they were like strangers.
The fire before her death had burned her heart and liver with pain, but it had also burned her awake.
Regret flooded over her like a tide, engulfing her completely.
She had sworn in the sea of flames that if she were given another chance, she would stay far away from Su Zhan, never again trying to get close to him, to love him, and never again becoming his wife.
Suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes, she took a slight breath and flashed a bright smile, assuming an expression of concern for his well-being.
"It's been many days since I last saw Brother. Brother must not drink."
As she spoke, she playfully scolded him and, without drawing attention, poured the wine onto the snowy ground.
Then she snatched the wine jug beside him and childishly hugged it to her chest. "Madam also said Brother should drink less. A-Ning is only thinking of Brother's health."
At these words, Madam Jiang smiled affectionately.
"On such a snowy day, it's fine to let your brother drink a couple of cups of warm wine to warm up."
"Madam didn't say that earlier. Besides, this wine has been sitting here for who knows how long and is already cold. If Brother drinks cold wine, his hands will tremble when he writes later."
Su Zhan's thin lips lifted slightly—not quite a smile, but with an air of elegance amid his cool demeanor, extremely pleasing to the eye.
She was still young and radiantly beautiful. A few playful words from her amused the noble ladies and madams in the pavilion.
It was merely a younger sister caring for her elder brother, after all.
It's just that the child is a bit foolish, publicly embarrassing her elder brother.
The older ladies smiled and made a few teasing remarks before letting it pass.
The noble ladies craned their necks, hoping to see Xue Ning in an awkward situation, though most wished to befriend her.
After all, she was raised in the Su family, treated like a daughter by Madam Jiang, and Su Zhan was her nominal elder brother.
By pleasing her, they would naturally have more opportunities to visit the Su family and meet the Shizi in the future.
At this moment, Princess Xiuning also turned slightly and gave Xue Ning a faint smile.
Yet amidst the countless conversations and cheerful laughter,
no one noticed that Xue Ning’s small hands, clutching the wine pot, were trembling uncontrollably.