Chapter 44: It’s Snowing! Part 1

Things turned the page amid Miao Zhu’s acquiescence, and time arrived at the new week.

The pair of Blue-and-White Peacock Porcelain Plates that Ni Xiaoying had entrusted Mu Shanyi to deliver to Old Madam Mu delighted the old lady greatly. She specially invited the Sheng Family to Jinyuan for a Kunqu opera performance that weekend, and to show her emphasis, she even sent out invitations in advance.

As the Sheng Family’s prospective in-laws, the Miao Family was also on the guest list. For Miao Ling, this was an immense honor. The moment she received that elegant invitation from the Mu Family, she dialed Miao Zhu with uncontainable joy, urging her to perform well in front of Old Madam Mu and win as much of the old lady’s favor as possible.

The temperature that day hovered around zero degrees, and the afternoon sun was soft and lingering. Miao Zhu pursed her lips, her exhaled breath condensing into puffs of white mist in the air.

She had draped a long down jacket over her shoulders and stood outside the Cloud City Symphony Orchestra, listening to Miao Ling’s lecture while quietly signing for the Flash Delivery.

The last time she went to Jinyuan, Mu Shanyi had accepted the old lady’s jewelry on her behalf, so their relationship was already out in the open with Old Madam Mu. But this time at Jinyuan, she was going as Sheng Xingran’s fiancée.

No amount of good performance would help now. Even if Old Madam Mu had a broad mind, it would be hard for her to form a favorable impression of Miao Zhu.

And then there were Mu Qiren and Mu Zhiren, who had already met her…

Her slender white fingers turned red from the biting cold wind. Miao Zhu signed her name neatly and handed the pen back to the delivery person, who then passed the item to her.

It was a sealed gift bag, not too large, with very light contents inside.

That morning, she had received a weather push notification about snow over the weekend—this was Cloud City’s first snow of the year. Mu Shanyi had asked to meet when it snowed, and she had screenshot the forecast and sent it to Mu Shanyi. Mu Shanyi replied that there was a package needing her signature but didn’t say what it was.

Miao Zhu brushed off Miao Ling with a few words and temporarily escaped the endless barrage. She returned to the orchestra’s break room, took off her down jacket, and opened the gift bag.

Inside was a long, rectangular jewelry box.

Miao Zhu took out the box and casually opened it.

“Mia, teacher~ Xie Dasu said there’s a new cuisine place opening. Wanna go tonight—?” The knock sounded only once before Jiang Jingjing’s loud voice exploded alongside her pushing the door open, hitting Miao Zhu full in the face with enthusiasm.

Miao Zhu hurriedly snapped the jewelry box shut.

Time froze for a few seconds.

“…Uh, go check it out. What do you say? Got time to grace it?” Jiang Jingjing’s eyebrows danced.

Miao Zhu felt like she was in a steamer, nearly cooked: “What… what cuisine place?”

Jiang Jingjing: “They say it’s seafood teppanyaki.”

Miao Zhu: “Mm, sure, I’ll treat.”

Jiang Jingjing gave Miao Zhu a wink and considerately backed out of her break room.

Miao Zhu immediately stuffed the jewelry box into her bag, raised her hand to her face to soothe the scorching heat of her skin.

That brief glimpse when she opened it was enough to burn the contents into her mind.

On a dark red velvet base lay a shiny leash chain, very fine. One end held a pink diamond tongue piercing, the other connected to a white lace choker tied in a butterfly knot.

After work, she went with Jiang Jingjing and the others for teppanyaki. That evening, back at Moon Reflection Villa, Miao Zhu ran into Miao Ling.

Miao Ling was trimming flower materials, with a tablet playing Kunqu opera excerpts. She was immersed in rapture.

The invitation specified that the performance at Jinyuan that day would be Wandering in the Garden, Startled by Dreams. Miao Ling knew nothing about it, but she believed opportunities favored the prepared, so she started cramming in advance.

Having just finished with the peony in hand, she looked up pleasantly at Miao Zhu: “I’ve booked a Kunqu teacher. Do you have time tomorrow night? If so, come listen with me.”

Miao Zhu nodded obediently: “Xingran asked me to a movie, so I’ll turn her down first.”

Miao Ling immediately shot her a look, the message clear: she knew which was more important.

Miao Ling’s crash course continued until the weekend. That afternoon, the Miao Family arrived at Jinyuan. Miao Ling had timed it with Ni Xiaoying and deliberately arrived a bit early, waiting at the parking area outside the garden until the Sheng Family appeared, then entering with them.

“The sky’s so overcast.”

“Isn’t it? Forecast says snow tonight.”

“Who knows if it’ll actually come down.”

The two mothers linked arms affectionately and first chatted about Cloud City’s weather upon meeting.

Unlike the last time accompanying Mu Shanyi to Jinyuan, this time with Old Madam Mu hosting the banquet, there were dedicated people in the garden to guide everyone.

The guiding youth wore a Ming-style jacket and skirt, with a simple and elegant three-strand hairstyle, peach blossom makeup on her face, and a dignified, graceful demeanor.

This attire was clearly meticulously planned to match the day’s theme. As the group walked along the winding garden paths, it felt like they were traveling back to the dynasty when The Peony Pavilion was created.

Miao Ling couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh of admiration.

“It was Xingran’s idea. The old lady thought it fun, and we’ll all dress like this later before seeing her.” Ni Xiaoying’s pride was palpable.

Miao Zhu walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Sheng Xingran, a few steps behind the mothers. Hearing this, she turned her head to Sheng Xingran beside her, who mysteriously winked at her.

The guiding youth led them to a row of side rooms, each with a makeup artist waiting.

The room assignments were prearranged, with outfits matched accordingly.

Miao Zhu was assigned the one at the far end. As she stepped over the threshold, she saw a bright red mandarin-collar round-collar top hanging on the clothes rack by the window.

The makeup artist dressed Miao Zhu layer by layer: the horse-face skirt underneath was also bright red, and finally, she draped on the exquisitely embroidered rosy cape, completing the costume.