Song brocade, with its distinct warp and weft, was primarily used for mounting calligraphy and paintings. Yan Ning once saw many brocades presented to the palace by the Su family in the Emperor's Sanxi Hall.

Now, Su Qi specially used soft silk thread and went to great lengths to weave the fabric for Yan Ning's cheongsam, spending a lot of time and effort, but only managed to obtain two bolts. Yan Ning knew that it was Su Jin's letter that had caused the Su family to go to such lengths, so she accepted it without any qualms. She had a winter outfit made, and the rest would be made for new clothes in the spring.

Yan Ning only tried on the cheongsam after receiving it, which was also the day Fukang'an mocked her for her lack of literacy. She looked closely at the bronze mirror and felt that it smelled too scholarly. Since she had no knowledge of literature, she dared not take it out again and embarrass herself in front of others.

Sitting down at the dressing table, Yan Ning flipped through the untouched box of delicate floral ornaments and jade hairpins. A golden hair ornament, resembling both a flower and a bird, adorned her forehead. Golden tassels covered her sideburns, concealing her updo, which was originally a stray strand of hair that Fukang'an jokingly called a "beauty's bun."

Her eyebrows were thick but sparse and lightly colored, making them easy to apply color to; the snail-shell ink was blended into a light black on her arched brows. She lightly wiped her lips with peony juice, then suddenly remembered that although the natural fragrance dissipated quickly, she asked Zhuxiang to bring a small porcelain bottle that had once contained balm and dew, and poured in a little peony juice. Clutching the porcelain bottle in her sleeve, she felt uneasy. She had never seen any other members of the Fucha family outside of the Fucha household. She didn't know what the people of this enormous family were like, and the words of the three women she had just heard had already angered her.

As Zhu Xiang helped Yan Ning fasten her cloak, she muttered to herself, "The general originally said that the lady did not need to go, but now that he sees her so stunningly beautiful, he must be overjoyed!"

Zhu Xiang's words were reassuring, putting Yan Ning's anxious heart at ease. She had only spoken out of spite for what she had heard from those women earlier that day, but even though the Fucha mansion was large, wasn't he the only one whose life was truly connected to hers?

Therefore, Yan Ning ordered Zhu Xiang to take off her cloak and put on Fu Kang An's sable cape to keep warm.

The snow has stopped, but the dark clouds still obscure the moon. Though the snow is thick, it blocks out even a sliver of moonlight, leaving everything pitch black.

Four maids held lanterns in front of the road, and Yan Ning continued to walk along the road, her steps uneven. Zhu Xiang held Yan Ning's arm tightly, ignoring what she was stepping on and the fact that her shoes were filled with snow that melted and then froze.

Several times, Yan Ning cried out in pain as Zhu Xiang helped her up, but she only lowered her head and said softly, "This servant was worried that Madam would fall!"

Seeing that Zhu Xiang was worried about her, Yan Ning felt even closer to her and let her hold her tightly.

The old lady disliked the desolation of the mansion in winter, so she ordered that one or two plum trees be planted wherever trees drooped. Wherever one walked, the faint fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air. The lamps carried by the maids were covered with oiled paper to protect them from the wind and snow, but this also blocked most of their light. One could only see the road ahead, not the blooming plum trees all around.

Passing by Pengxian Garden, they happened to meet Peng Ruo, who was carrying a zither. She was accompanied by only one maid. The maid was holding a lamp, and the light was so dim that it was difficult to even see the path.

She first saw Yan Ning, who was holding the zither and curtsied. Her thin clothes slipped slightly due to the zither, revealing a glimpse of her neck. Her cloak lay flat on the ground, further emphasizing the graceful figure of a Han woman.

Yan Ning stopped in her tracks. The maids had lit the lamps very low, and a glimpse of spring's beauty entered Yan Ning's eyes. During the day, she had only felt that Peng's Han-style clothing exuded a graceful and ethereal aura, but now she felt that he was somewhat frivolous.

Even though she's a concubine's daughter, she's still the daughter of the Salt Transport Commissioner. Why look down on me like that? Yan Ning thought to herself, but then said something else entirely.

“Miss Peng is dressed so thinly. If she catches a cold, how will she be able to return to Fujian when spring comes and the flowers bloom?” Yan Ning asked Ju Xiang, who was standing to the side, to help her up. She spoke softly.

Peng rose again and walked with Yan Ning. Compared to Yan Ning's wealthy and luxurious background, her delicate and spirited demeanor was more like that of a girl from a modest family.

"Does Madam think that Pengruo's trip to the capital this time is something he can come and go from?" she asked Yan Ning in return.