无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Jiang Ning was an exception since the royal family was the largest.

If Jiang Yuan and Jiang Yan were also chosen initially, they wouldn’t have to wait for Jiang Yi’s marriage to find husbands.

Leaving the Purple Forest Garden, Jiang Ning looked up at the sky.

It was snowing again.

For some reason, though she usually enjoyed carefree days, today she felt uneasy. There was a sense of pent-up frustration in her heart that she couldn’t vent.

Furthermore, feeling physically uncomfortable only dampened her mood even more.

She lazily slept half the day, woke up for lunch, saw the snow outside getting heavier, yawned, and planned on going back to sleep.

Dongxie hurried in and handed her an invitation, saying with a smile, “Miss, this was just sent in.”

Jiang Ning took a look; it was from Wenren Zong.

He invited her to the Lakeview Pavilion to enjoy the snow and eat perch.

“Will Miss go?” Huang Ying asked.

“Yes.”

Though she felt lazy, her mood was not good.

Staying at home was stifling.

It was better to go out and have a good time, eat something delicious.

She had Huang Ying open the wardrobe, picked out a beautiful dress, put on a bright red leather cape, and red boots. Although she couldn’t stand upright and run, she looked like a bundle of fire in the snow.

After carefully dressing up, she rode out in a sedan chair.

As usual, she only took Xiaoman with her.

Though not very clever, Xiaoman had the strength of ten people and was very well-behaved, never speaking out of turn.

Jiang Ning pampered her like a sister, and her affection for her was no less than that for Huang Ying.

Because she knew Xiaoman could protect her, even if she went out eight times out of ten with only Xiaoman, none of the maids in the courtyard were jealous. Instead, they all took care of her and treated her like a gluttonous younger sister.

Xiaoman happily followed the sedan to Lakeview Pavilion.

The Riverview Pavilion was a restaurant built by the lake, most famous for steamed perch. It was quite popular among the noble and distinguished people of Chang’an City, and one had to book in advance to dine there.

Jiang Yi had always wanted to open a restaurant that could rival the Riverview Pavilion.

Jiang Ning’s visit could also be considered a reconnaissance.

The sedan stopped at the entrance, where Wenren Zong was already waiting.

Xiaoman lifted the curtain to help Jiang Ning out. Wenren Zong saw her in a red dress, looking stunningly beautiful, and showed an amazed expression.

“I was just considering picking you up but was afraid you might not like it,” he said gently with a smile.

“I wouldn’t mind being picked up, but I wouldn’t be unhappy if you came to get me.”

“Ningning looks very pretty today.”

“Really?” Jiang Ning smiled.

“No, to be precise, Ningning looks good in anything. Come, the road is slippery, be careful; let me help you—”

He reached out to help Jiang Ning, who did not refuse. Together they went to the second-floor private room and sat by the window.

Turning her head, she could see the snowy lake view.

The vast whiteness of the sky and earth evoked a sense of desolation in her.

Xiaoman went to chase a cat, and Jiang Ning warned her not to go too far and to come back for food later. She agreed, then disappeared from sight.

“This Xiaoman is like a child,” Wenren Zong laughed.

“She is a bit naive, but she has a good temperament.”

“That’s also a blessing.” Wenren Zong asked, “Would you like me to send someone to follow her?”

“No need, she is very obedient. I told her not to go far, and she won’t. Besides, her martial arts skills are exceptional. Ordinary people can’t defeat her.”

“No wonder you usually only take her when you go out.”

“I don’t like having a large entourage.”

“Coincidentally, neither do I.” Wenren Zong poured her a cup of tea then looked at her face, staring until Jiang Ning felt embarrassed..