The abstinent prince, practicing Buddhism, is seduced by a voluptuous beauty into breaking his vows.

The Xie family's plum garden is located in the west of the city.

When Su Yaoyao's carriage arrived, there were already many carriages parked outside the garden.

Xie Yu had been waiting for a long time in front of the vermilion gate.

He had specially changed into a brand-new royal blue brocade robe today, and his hair was tied up with a jade crown.

The eighteen-year-old general stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes still carrying the youthful spirit that had not yet faded. But when he stood there, he exuded an aura of imposing presence that could not be ignored.

Upon seeing the Su family's carriage, Xie Yu's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to greet it.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Jiang Wan Ning stepped out first. Upon seeing Xie Yu, her eyes curved into crescent moons: "Brother Xie Yu!"

Xie Yu nodded with a smile, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the carriage.

A pale white hand reached out from behind the carriage curtain.

Then, Su Yaoyao bent down and stepped out of the carriage.

She wore no makeup today, dressed simply, yet her radiant face and breathtaking figure outshone all the vibrant flowers in the garden.

"Thank you, Young General." Su Yaoyao curtsied, her voice clear and melodious.

Xie Yu's ears turned slightly red, and he quickly returned the greeting: "Miss Su, there's no need for such formalities. Please come in, the plum blossoms are all in bloom, oh, everything is ready."

He led the two inside, but his steps were unusually slow—his youthful thoughts of wanting to say more to Su Yaoyao, yet not knowing what to say, were written all over his face.

Jiang Wan Ning saw this and secretly smiled.

Plum Garden truly lives up to its reputation.

Upon entering the garden, one is greeted by a sea of ​​red clouds.

Many guests had already gathered in the garden, chatting and admiring the plum blossoms in twos and threes.

Seeing Xie Yu personally lead Su Yaoyao in, many eyes were cast over—some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with... ill intent.

"That's the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yongning's family? She's truly beautiful..."

"I heard she recently broke off her engagement with the Second Prince..."

"He dares to show his face in public after breaking off the engagement? Tsk, he's shameless."

"Shh—keep your voice down, didn't you see the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist? Those belong to His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Whispers could be faintly heard.

Jiang Wan Ning puffed out her cheeks in anger, but Su Yao Yao remained calm, pretending not to hear.

As I walked under an old plum tree, I suddenly heard a high-pitched female voice:

"Oh, isn't this Miss Su? What's wrong? The Second Prince doesn't want you, and the Crown Prince ignores you, so you've come to climb the social ladder by marrying into the Xie family?"

Su Yaoyao looked up.

It was Li Yan speaking again.

Xie Yu's face darkened: "Miss Li, watch your words!"

Li Yan covered her mouth and chuckled, "General Xie, don't be angry. I was just curious. After all, Miss Su just broke off her engagement with the Second Prince, and then she went to the Buddhist temple and came to the Xie residence... Anyone who didn't know better would think she was in a hurry to find a new husband!"

These words were quite harsh, and several noble ladies nearby covered their mouths and chuckled.

Su Yaoyao looked at Li Yan quietly, then suddenly smiled.

"Miss Li's words are interesting." Her voice was gentle. "I terminated my contract with the Second Prince because he had an intimate relationship with my half-sister. How come, in Miss Li's mouth, it's my fault?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the few snickering noblewomen:

"Or does Miss Li believe that women should be submissive and accept their fate, even if their fiancé is having an affair, they should still keep quiet?"

Li Yan's face turned pale: "You, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"Whether I'm lying or not, Miss Li knows perfectly well." Su Yaoyao stepped forward, her gaze turning cold. "As for Miss Li, she keeps talking about 'climbing the social ladder' and 'finding a new partner.' Anyone who didn't know better would think you were quite knowledgeable about these things."

"You—" Li Yan trembled with anger.

"That's enough!"

A clear shout rang out.

Xie Yu's face was ashen as he stared coldly at Li Yan:

"Miss Li, the Xie family's plum blossom viewing banquet does not welcome gossips. Please leave."

Li Yan's eyes reddened: "General Xie, I..."

"Show him out," Xie Yu said without any politeness.

Two old women immediately stepped forward and gestured for Li Yan to enter.

Li Yan was both ashamed and angry. She glared at Su Yaoyao and ran away crying.

The surroundings quieted down.

Xie Yu turned to look at Su Yaoyao, his eyes filled with apology: "I'm sorry, I made you suffer. Don't take what they said to heart..."

"It's alright," Su Yaoyao shook her head. "I didn't mind."

But in her heart she was thinking, "Li Yan, I'll remember you."

She walked to the pavilion, gazing at the red plum blossoms in the distance amidst the snow, and suddenly asked softly, "General Xie, you said before... you had news of my brother?"

Xie Yu's expression turned serious: "Yes."

He took out a paper package from his pocket and handed it to her with both hands: "This is... something Brother Su asked someone to bring to you."

Su Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

She took the oil paper package, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Inside was a letter and... a pendant carved from a wolf's tooth.

The wolf tooth was polished very smoothly, with a small character "窈" carved on it. The craftsmanship was rough, but you could see the carver's care.

She unfolded the letter.

"My dearest sister, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. The borderlands are bitterly cold, and plum blossoms never bloom. I hunted a white wolf, took its tusks, and spent three days carving this pendant. Though crude, it may ward off evil. I wish it to protect my sister's safety."

"I heard you've reached marriageable age, and I regret that I cannot return home. The Liu family is cunning and treacherous; you must be careful. If you suffer injustice, do not suffer in silence. I am earning military merit at the border so that one day I can stand up for you."

"P.S.: My brother is investigating Mother's past. You must not act rashly and take care of yourself."

"The winds are fierce at the border, and though this letter is short, my feelings for you are deep. My dear, I miss you."

At the end of the letter, she drew a simple little figure—the kind her older brother often drew for her when she was little, representing "her brother is here."

Su Yaoyao held the letter in her hand, and tears rolled down her cheeks without warning.

In her past life, she also had an older brother. After their parents died early, her brother raised her single-handedly.

But later, my brother fell ill and passed away.

She remembered her brother holding her hand and saying before he died, "Little sister, live well..."

After being transported to this world, she kept telling herself to be strong, to be shrewd, and to protect herself.

Now, she has an older brother.

A brother who, even in the harsh, cold borderlands, still remembered to carve a wolf fang pendant for her and told her to take care of herself.

"Miss Su..." Xie Yu panicked, frantically reaching for his handkerchief. "Please, please don't cry..."

"I...I just..." Su Yaoyao's voice choked with emotion, "...missed my brother..."

Xie Yu's heart softened, and his voice unconsciously softened: "Miss Su, rest assured, with the Xie family here, no one at the border will dare to make things difficult for Brother Su..."

Su Yaoyao nodded, carefully folded the letter, and put it into her bosom along with the wolf tooth necklace strung with a red rope.

"Thank you." She looked up through her tear-filled eyes, smiled slightly, and looked at Xie Yu. "I'm alright now..."

Bathed in the glow of the red plum blossoms, her eyes were slightly red, her long eyelashes glistened with tears, and her eyes shimmered with moisture.

It possesses a breathtakingly fragile beauty.

Xie Yu's heart skipped a beat.

As if possessed, he raised his hand and gently wiped away the undried tear stains on her cheek.

His fingertips were warm, and when they touched her slightly cool cheek, they both paused for a moment.

Outside the pavilion, snow falls silently, and the fragrance of plum blossoms wafts in the air.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out:

"It seems I've arrived at the wrong time."

(My darlings, my new book is now available! Please add it to your bookshelves and urge me to update! Let me know someone is reading it. I'll keep updating!)