Volume 1: Phoenix Hidden in the Northern Domain Chapter 6: First Glimpse of the New Residence

  Beiyuan Xue Mountain, perennial snow and ice do not melt, high and inaccessible, cold and icy to the bone. The region is particularly vast, with countless paths and human footprints erased, a glance reveals a boundless white expanse without edge or root. The north wind whispers, rain and snow swirl, at times like pear blossoms unfolding across the sky, at others like goose feathers pouring down, beautiful enough to mesmerize the eyes.

  Vibrant red velvet carpet suddenly appeared, becoming the only splendor in the world, rising like a startled swan, passing by like a red dragon, unfortunately no one saw this rare and magnificent scene.

  Xueyuan Manor

  Zhu Miao wore a pale green, flowing dress with narrow sleeves and a small, embroidered jacket with feathers. A red sash was tied around her waist amidst the lush greenery. From afar, she saw the approaching sedan chair with its red canopy and her face lit up with joy. She hurried forward, smiling, and asked: "Has the mistress's bride arrived?"

  The sedan chair landed softly, quietly dispersing the delicate white snow around it. Shu Xiu said, "It's up to you now."

  "Don't worry." Zhu Miaoqi's face lit up with joy, and she lifted the curtain of the flower sedan chair. Her smile froze on her face as she exclaimed in surprise: "This bride is...!"

  Tang Nian's eyes lit up as soon as the sedan curtain opened, and she saw a woman with a face that was about twenty-five or six years old. The woman had a pale complexion, clear eyebrows, and her hair was styled in a flying moon bun. Her eyes were bright and sharp, yet gentle and elegant, making people's eyes light up at first sight.

  Zhu Miao paused for a moment, changed the subject and turned to Shu Xiuzhu with a frown, "Where's the canopy?"

  Shu Xiuzhu said: "Something unexpected happened."

  Zhu Miao looked at him, saw him nodding, and immediately regained his composure. He smiled warmly at Tang Nian and said: "The new bride must be tired from the journey, I am Zhu Miao, the general manager of Xueyuan Mountain Villa. I will take you to your new home." As he spoke, he extended his hand in front of Tang Nian.

  Tang Nian's eyes flickered, and the woman in front of her was surrounded by a faint gray-green mist all over her body, probably due to frequent contact with medicinal pills. Without saying anything else, she handed it over to her hand and walked out of the flower sedan chair.

  Zhu Miao's heart was once again filled with surprise, for she had never seen such an obedient bride before. She took out a red silk handkerchief and said, "Please accept this humble gift, Mother of the Master."

  Tang Nian shook her head slightly, but before closing her eyes, she took a glance around. All she saw was the snow-covered pine wood in front of her, with towers and buildings made of jade, like a beautiful painting in ink and wash, hazy and unclear as if shrouded in clouds and mist.

  Seeing Tang Nian's cooperation, Zhu Miao's eyes showed a hint of softness and gentleness. As he tied the blindfold around her eyes, his movements were light and gentle. Supporting her as they walked, he spoke in a slow and soft voice: "I suppose the young mistress had already heard rumors about Snow Swallow Manor before she got married. I won't deceive you, all twelve previous mistresses have indeed left. These marriages were privately arranged by us servants for Master's sake, as we didn't want him to be lonely. Master is also broad-minded and let us do as we pleased."

  "How can I survive?"

  Zhu Miao didn't expect her to suddenly speak up and ask such a straightforward question. She was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, "You're the first person to ever ask me that question, I won't deceive you, the young master is indeed different from ordinary people, if you want to live, you have to like the young master, and even more so, get the young master to like you."

  Tang Nian's face didn't show any changes, but her heart skipped a beat. What difference does it make whether he said it or not?

  Zhu Miaoqi possibly also found the problem with her words, lightly coughed and smiled: "Just say it like that, you want to be clever but can't be self-righteously clever."

  Tang Nian looked at her sideways through the silk curtain, then fell silent. She had asked many questions, but didn't get any really useful information.

  Zhu Miao saw that her expression didn't change, but her cheeks slightly and naturally puffed up, probably even she herself hadn't noticed, couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile. This time's hostess bride is more interesting than the previous ones, just don't know if Master Zhu will like it.

  Alas.

  Zhu Miao sighed silently, looking at the masters who were all so old yet had no interest in women, not even a little bit, it was really making this group of servants anxious.

  The new house arrived, but Zhu Miao Jie didn't untie the silk ribbon from Tang Nian's eyes. Instead, she fed her a dan medicine and said: "This is not poison, it will just make you weak for a day. Don't worry, this is also for your own good. Among the previous twelve main wives, there were those who were clever and didn't eat this medicine, but ended up dying tonight. Those who ate the medicine, on the other hand, survived the night. I'm telling you the truth because I think you're likable."

  Tang Nian swallowed the medicine and sat on the bed with her support. Upon hearing this, she asked curiously, "Why?"

  Zhu Miaoqi smiled lightly and gently pushed her onto the bed, saying with a hint of profundity: "This is what happens when you're too clever for your own good." Feeling that Tang Nianian was unusually obedient and genuinely considerate of his tastes, Zhu Miaoqi went on to explain further, "Today is our wedding day, so Master Zhuang will come visit us tonight out of respect. If you just lie still and don't make a sound, at least you won't provoke him, right?"

  Thus, Tang Nianian gave the still unseen master of Xueyingshan Manor a personality that was prone to sudden changes in mood. Having said his piece, Zhu Miaoqi left behind a single sentence "take care" before walking out.

  After the door closed, Tang Nian stretched out her hand and pulled down the silk band on her eyes, opening them to take in her surroundings. With Greenie around, even a three-day poison like Soul Dan had no effect, let alone Zhu Miao's Soft Dan, which was even more ineffective against her. The more toxic it was, the more Greenie liked it, and she became even more excited.

  The new house was filled with exquisitely handmade furniture, and the air was faintly scented with the cool fragrance of Qingmu wood. The smell was very refreshing to the nose. After Tang Nian measured it for a while, she put the red ribbon on again and lay quietly.

  Time passes unnoticed in quiet contemplation, and the moon has risen high in the dark sky.

  Under Tang Nian's complete unawareness, the carved door of the new house opened silently. A pair of black and white cloud-embroidered boots stepped in, with moon-white hemmed clothes sweeping across the threshold, floating alongside the white-soled boots as they moved.

  "Master, master! Poison... poison... poison! Want poison!"

  Tang Nian was completely startled awake by the sudden sound from Lu Lu, and the longing that came from Lu Lu was as deep as her current exclamation, causing her body to tremble involuntarily before she sprang up. She opened her mouth to speak, but was blocked by an object that suddenly collided with her mouth.

  Really?

  Long, cool, fine and smooth...

  Tang Nian's eyes blinked, and her agile tongue licked, drawing the shape of the object in her mouth more vividly.

  "Poison... want poison... Master, want poison..." The soft and coquettish words of the green creature made Tang Nian suddenly wake up.

  Isn't she now on the new bed in the Xueying Villa? What's that in her mouth? How did she suddenly bump into this thing? And this shape, why does it feel... so familiar!

  "Delicious?" A clear and cool male voice came suddenly.

  Tang Nian's small mouth slightly opened, and in front of her eyes, a glint of light appeared, it was the silk ribbon on her eyes that had been taken off.

  The soft glow of the night pearl in the room was gentle and hazy, and the man standing beside her bed was as still as a virgin. Tang Nian's eyes snapped open, filled with shock.