“What did A-Heng hide?” Old Madam Mu overheard and asked with interest.
Mu Zhiren blurted, “A pretty sister!”
Mu Shanyi lowered her gaze, sweeping it over Mu Zhiren—that look was hard to describe, but not good. Though bold, Mu Zhiren didn’t push it and slipped away silently along the wall.
Mu Shanyi returned to the room. Before Old Madam Mu could ask more, she explained proactively, “It’s Miao Zhu. We have something to do later.”
“Miao Zhu, the little girl who grew up with Xingran?” Old Madam Mu was over eighty, her hair all white, but her spirits were high and her mind sharp.
Mu Shanyi said calmly, “Yes, her.”
“Their family’s rice cakes and dumplings are delicious.” Old Madam Mu beamed fondly. “Go on if you have things to do. I won’t keep you for dinner.”
Mu Shanyi politely bid farewell to the two Zheng elders and went to pick up Miao Zhu at Jade Magnificence Tower.
Miao Zhu’s mind still looped the highlights of Mu Zhiren’s root-digging. She chattered about it all the way to Mu Shanyi, and when she got to Mu Zhiren being carried out still worrying about her roots, she finally couldn’t hold back. “It was really funny.”
“Xiao Zhi is A-Qi’s sister. She comes to the garden during holiday breaks.” Listening to Miao Zhu’s laughter, Mu Shanyi’s lips curved unknowingly. “A-Qi has another sister your age, raised in Jinyuan. She’s even rowdier than Xiao Zhi—Old Madam’s peacocks hide when they see her.”
When Mu Shanyi spoke of her family, there was a natural closeness in her demeanor. And for the girls raised in Jinyuan to be so lively, Old Madam must be a very approachable elder.
“I thought Jinyuan’s atmosphere would be really strict.” Miao Zhu flushed. Sheng Xingran always came back from East Garden looking grim, and Miao Zhu’s own West Garden essay had cemented a “painful” impression in her mind. Over time, it was hard to think well of Jinyuan or Old Madam Mu.
“Changed your mind now?” Mu Shanyi’s tone lifted.
“Yeah.” Miao Zhu spread her hands, wind slipping through her fingers, a sense of wild freedom rising in her heart.
Back at the car, Mu Shanyi opened the passenger door when Mu Qiren hurried up. “Sister A-Heng, message from Old Madam.”
Mu Shanyi turned. Mu Qiren held a Purple Sandalwood Inlaid Jewel Double-Layer Jewelry Box. Steadying her breath, she said solemnly, “Old Madam says, ‘Miss Miao, don’t take offense. We had guests today; next time we’ll host you properly. The things in the box suit Miss Miao’s name—just wear them for fun.'”
Miao Zhu blinked in surprise. Mu Shanyi took the jewelry box and opened it on the spot.
On the black velvet lining of the upper layer of the jewelry box sat a Bamboo Node Emerald Bracelet and a pair of Hollow Bamboo Leaf Emerald Gold Earrings. The lower layer coiled with an Emerald Long Bead Necklace.
The wooden box itself was already exquisitely luxurious, but the treasures inside exuded a soft, understated patina, unlike the glossy sheen of newly made pieces. Miao Zhu guessed they were all heirlooms passed down through the years.
Mu Shanyi asked, “The Old Madam sent this without even meeting her?”
Mu Qiren nodded. “It’s from the Ming Dynasty. She sent it—will you accept it?”
Miao Zhu quietly played the role of listener. Mu Qiren’s words weren’t hard to understand.
These were antique jewelry pieces handed down from the Ming Dynasty—naturally priceless. Though Old Madam Mu had sent them for her, their relationship wasn’t that close. The real point of the matter lay in Mu Shanyi’s attitude.
Old Madam Mu was testing Mu Shanyi, probing how much weight Miao Zhu carried in her heart, whether she was qualified enough to accept this box of jewelry.
If it were just a casual relationship, Mu Shanyi would naturally refuse on her behalf.
Did Mu Shanyi understand?
Mu Shanyi closed the jewelry box.
“Once it’s been offered, there’s no reason to return a gift meant for the younger generation.” She handed the jewelry box to Miao Zhu. “It’s the Old Madam’s kind intentions.”
Mu Qiren was startled for a moment, but with Mu Shanyi accepting the jewelry box, the matter came to a close. She shifted to another topic. “Sister A-Heng, how has Xiao Hui been lately? I’ve asked her to meet, but she keeps saying she doesn’t have time.”
“She’s been buried in the new lab, working hard lately.” Mu Shanyi held the car door as she watched Miao Zhu get in. “It’s been almost a month since I last saw her.”
The racing heartbeat from accepting the jewelry lasted only an instant. But when Mu Qiren mentioned the name “Xiao Hui,” Miao Zhu snapped back to clarity.
The reckless passion she’d felt for Mu Shanyi over these past days began to ebb.
Mu Qiren knew Xiao Hui and acknowledged her relationship with Mu Shanyi.
Xiao Hui was someone Mu Shanyi had considered dating seriously as a girlfriend—and she might already be Mu Shanyi’s girlfriend by now. Miao Zhu could understand that Xiao Hui and Mu Shanyi shared social circles, but what was Mu Qiren’s intention in bringing up Xiao Hui right in front of her?
A reminder? A warning?
The rosewood jewelry box weighed heavily in Miao Zhu’s hands.
She was truly happy with Mu Shanyi, no doubt about that. Mu Shanyi accepting the jewelry box on her behalf had sent her vanity soaring. But she hadn’t forgotten how she and Mu Shanyi had started, nor why she was with Mu Shanyi in the first place.
She didn’t need the reminder.
