At the end of October, the first snow of the year fell in Beijing. The snowflakes fell gently, like petals scattered by fairies in the sky.
Shen Ning was afraid of the cold, but she loved snow. She would bundle up in thick clothes and lean against the window to watch the snow fall, with a stove next to her where hot tea was being brewed.
"Young Miss, Green Plum and Miss Purple Beauty have arrived."
"Um?"
Shen Ning paused for a moment before sitting up straight: "Quickly, invite them in."
The two were quickly invited in, each holding a box.
"Greetings, Miss Shen."
Shen Ning quickly stood up: "What are you doing? Sit down."
"Sister Liuying, serve tea."
Green Plum and Purple Beauty exchanged a glance, then smiled and presented the box: "Miss, please don't be in a hurry. We are here today to deliver a gift."
The two of them were ordered by Qin Zhuo?
Two boxes were placed in front of Shen Ning. Green Plum winked mischievously, "Miss, aren't you going to open them and take a look?"
Shen Ning smiled helplessly, but still opened it as she wished.
The first box contained a pair of fox fur hand guards, which at first glance seemed unremarkable, but when Green Plum opened it, she found two pieces of warm jade embedded inside.
"Although I made these items, the fox fur and warm jade were given to me by the young master. Do you like them, young lady?"
Those blinking eyes seemed to fear that Shen Ning wouldn't understand the deeper meaning behind them.
Shen Ning glared at her, annoyed. This girl just knew how to tease her.
Zi Yan opened the box and found two jars of wine: "This wine is made with dozens of medicinal herbs such as deer blood, tiger bone, lingzhi, and snow lotus. It is especially good for warming the body in winter. If you drink half a cup every day, it can replenish your blood and warm you up."
They are all things that are good for her health, and they are quite valuable.
Shen Ning's expression was somewhat unnatural: "These... were sent by your young master?"
Green Plum: "No, I made it, especially for you, young lady."
Zi Yan: "Although the items belong to the young master, the medicinal wine was brewed by me. I only brought two jars over, the young master didn't know that."
Shen Ning: "..." Does she look like she's easy to fool?
Such an expensive item, is it something a maid can just give away whenever she wants?
"I appreciate your kind intentions, but this is too much for me to accept."
Green Plum's eyes widened instantly: "Does the young lady look down on us and think we can't afford such an expensive gift?"
Zi Yan looked dejected: "Does the young lady find us annoying and never want to see us again?"
"Huh?!" These two girls changed their expressions so quickly, they left Shen Ning completely bewildered.
"No, it's just that this...this..." She just felt that it might be a gift from Qin Zhuo. She already owed Qin Zhuo a favor, so how could she accept such an expensive gift from him?
But Green Plum and the others said that they gave it to her themselves, leaving her unsure how to refuse.
Zi Yan gave the medicinal wine to Liu Ying and told her to keep it safe. Lü Mei was even more domineering, taking the item out and putting it on Chen Ning's hand, acting as if she was giving it to her and she couldn't refuse.
The warm jade inside was warm to the touch, which made Shen Ning both laugh and cry.
"It was my rudeness. Thank you, Miss Green Plum. Please forgive me."
Green Plum kept a straight face, but just as she was about to speak, she broke into a laugh: "You should have done this earlier. I'm magnanimous, I forgive you."
Since it was rare for the two to visit together, Shen Ning naturally had to treat them well, inviting them to sit around the stove and brew tea together. At noon, they switched to using a pot instead.
In the afternoon, Shen Ning handed her book to them to read and play with, but the two of them became so engrossed in it that they completely ignored Shen Ning.
"......"
Is this book so magical?
The two were dumbfounded. Yu Zhu finally had a chance to stick close to Shen Ning: "Miss, the eldest aunt is here again."
This is the third time Shen Sui has come since the last time. The first two times, Shen Ning had her turned away by her, not wanting to come at all.
Shen Ning doesn't want to see her now. Gao Junyu hasn't been reinstated yet. The New Year is just around the corner, which means the Spring Examination. Everyone is busy. After the Spring Examination, new blood will flow into the court. With so many talented people available, who will remember him, this insignificant little civil official?
The couple is extremely anxious now. Shen Sui's attitude has improved when she visits, and this time she even brought a gift.
Is this a dead end?
"not see."
Just as Yu Zhu was about to leave, Shen Ning called her back: "Tell them Han Yin's identity and let them go find Shen Shu."
She didn't want to deal with these troublesome matters, so she just passed them on to Shen Shu.
Shen Shu is a kind-hearted person, so she certainly wouldn't mind helping her relative.
Yu Zhu smiled slyly: "I understand."
When Shen Ning turned around, Green Plum and Purple Beauty were still holding their books, motionless in their previous positions: "..."
However, it seems that she might be able to increase the number of copies of her book published, and perhaps she could actually make a profit from it.
The third day of the twelfth lunar month is the sixtieth birthday of Xie Taifu, the current Grand Tutor of the court. This year marks his full birthday, and the emperor has bestowed upon him a grand celebration.
The Shen family also received an invitation. Xie Taifu was Shen's father's mentor, and Xie Taifu had helped Shen's father a great deal in his smooth career in officialdom.
When Shen Shuyuan was alive, he would present his mentor with a generous gift every year on his birthday. In the years since his death, Shen Ning has continued to do so without fail, with meticulous attention to etiquette.
It wasn't that Shen Ning was particularly grateful to Grand Tutor Xie; these were all paths she had paved for Shen Yu.
Even if Grand Tutor Xie is a good man, he may not necessarily take care of his disciples' descendants. But there is still some affection between them. As long as Shen Ning manages things carefully and is courteous during festivals, she can let them know that the Shen family remembers Grand Tutor Xie, her late father and mentor.
Normally, Shen Ning would never use this favor, but would save it up little by little until Shen Yu grew up and became accomplished. If Shen Yu wanted to enter the court as an official, she would ask Grand Tutor Xie for help and guidance. Even if Shen Yu was not an outstanding person, with the help of Grand Tutor Xie, he would surely have a smooth career.
Unfortunately... Shen Yu was unable to use it in either his past or present life.
Even if she made a sled out of gold, the oxen wouldn't move, and she was powerless to do anything about it.
Shen Ning had already prepared a birthday gift; it couldn't be too expensive or conspicuous, nor could it be too insignificant to show a lack of sincerity.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Shen Ning dressed warmly and conservatively, and then went with Mo Lin and Liu Ying.
As the Grand Tutor of the court, ranking among the Three Dukes, the guests present today were all powerful and influential figures, high-ranking officials, and even a prince. Shen Ning was truly insignificant among these people.
Gifts were not given individually, but were handed over to a butler who was in charge of receiving gifts, and then the person was led to sit in the garden.
Forget about paying respects to the God of Longevity; today, everyone there is a distinguished person, and those who are not of high enough status don't even have the right to go up and pay their respects.
Because of the large number of people, the maids and servants could not go in, and Liu Ying and Mo Lin could only wait at the door.
Shen Ning didn't feel awkward going in alone, as she knew quite a few people there.
She was chatting with someone when Princess Qi arrived, beckoning her over. Princess Chang Le was standing next to her.
Shen Ning smiled slightly. The Qi Prince's Mansion was the investment she made with the least effort but the greatest benefit, earning her a lot of prestige.
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