无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

The snow has let up a bit.

The tiny, delicate snowflakes float gently down, with hardly any wind. It’s not too cold.

The Wenren residence is vast and beautiful.

There’s a lake in the backyard, surrounded by many weeping willows. Right now, the lake is frozen, and snow drifts across the ice, creating a vast expanse of white. It’s simply stunning.

Scattered groups of people are admiring the snow around the lake.

Across the lake, there are a few pavilions, from which faint laughter can be heard. It seems that the male guests are gathered there.

Xiaoman pushes Jiang Ning along the lake for some time before they spot Wenren Thirteen walking towards them, holding an umbrella.

Today, he is dressed in a narrow-waisted robe with arrow sleeves, a jade belt around his waist, and his hair bound with a jade crown. He looks very much like a refined and elegant young nobleman.

Quite different from his usual scholarly official appearance.

He holds the umbrella over Jiang Ning’s head and, with a flourish, offers her a paper-wrapped package.

Jiang Ning smiles, “How did Thirteenth Young Master end up here?”

“I saw Miss Jiang from afar on the other side, so I thought I’d come over to check upon her since it’s snowing.”

Among the guests, there is only one person in a wheelchair: her.

It’s easy to attract attention.

“What’s this?” Jiang Ning asks.

“Snacks,” Wenren Thirteen says softly with a smile. “I don’t know if it suits Miss Jiang’s taste, but the banquet won’t start for a while yet, so have something to eat.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Jiang Ning looks at the snacks on her lap and thinks that Wenren Zong truly is a gentle, considerate, upright, and competent person.

“Let’s not stay out in the snow. I’ll take you somewhere quiet and away from the wind to rest. There won’t be anyone there to disturb you.”

He assumes that Jiang Ning doesn’t want to be with the other young ladies, which is why she’s out here on her own.

Jiang Ning nods in agreement.

As promised, Wenren Zong brings her to a quiet, wind-sheltered pavilion where they can still enjoy the snowy scenery by the lake without feeling cold.

He orders servants to bring a brazier and tea, along with fruits.

Jiang Ning tells Xiaoman to go and eat. Xiaoman grabs a handful of fruits and squats outside the pavilion, munching happily without any fear of the cold.

Wenren Zong moves the brazier closer to Jiang Ning’s feet and asks, “Are you still cold?”

Jiang Ning shakes her head, “I’m not cold. Thank you, sir. I would actually be fine without the brazier.”

“It’s alright, young ladies are often more sensitive to the cold.”

“You seem quite knowledgeable about that.”

“I have a younger sister, and she’s always cold like that too.” Wenren Zong smiles, pouring her a cup of warm tea. “Drink something warm.”

As Jiang Ning takes the tea, her fingers brush against his hand.

“Your hands are so cold?” Wenren Zong gently touches her fingers. “And you say you’re not cold.”

“That’s just how I am,” Jiang Ning says, holding the teacup. “I don’t feel cold even when my hands and feet are cold.”

Wenren Zong gently places his hand on the back of hers, murmuring softly, “You’re still cold, nonetheless.”

Jiang Ning glances at his hand.

His hand is quite warm.

But he quickly withdraws his hand, apparently realizing that it might be inappropriate.

“Would you like some fruit?” he asks.

“Yes, please.” Jiang Ning smiles.

Wenren Zong hands her a round fruit. She takes a bite as he also shows a smile, sitting down beside her and gently patting her head.

“May I call you by your name?” he asks.

“Of course,” she replies.

“Ningning?”

“Whatever you like.”

“Then you shouldn’t call me ‘sir’ anymore,” Wenren Zong looks at her sideways. “Call me by my name.”

“Alright, then… Thirteen.”

“The snow today is truly beautiful,” Wenren Zong looks out at the lake. “It’s the best snowfall so far this winter.”

“It is quite beautiful,” Jiang Ning agrees, nibling on the fruit. “However, the banquet will begin shortly, and I should be there. Xiaoman, let’s go back and watch the performances..”