Western Mountain. Plum Garden.
Ning Xin Hai stopped the carriage at the entrance to the Plum Garden and called into it, "Miss, we've arrived at Western Mountain."
The carriage curtain was lifted, and the two pretty maids, Tao Hong and Liu Lü, quickly climbed down.
Liu Lü lowered the mounting stool, while Tao Hong took Cui Xiaoxin's hand and helped her down from the carriage, reminding her as she did so, "Miss, the snow on the ground is slippery. Watch your step."
"It's nothing." Cui Xiaoxin replied softly.
Li Mu Yang stood to one side, watching, still holding the Picture of Plum Blossoms Proudly Facing the Snow he intended to give Cui Xiaoxin.
Cui Xiaoxin had brought only one carriage to Western Mountain to admire the snow. Tao Hong and Liu Lü served her inside, busying themselves with pastries, fruits, hand-warming censers, and the like. Uncle Ning was responsible for driving the carriage. Li Mu Yang did not need to drive it, but he had no chance to ride in it either, so he could only hurry along beside the carriage.
Fortunately, the weather was cold and the road slippery, so the carriage did not move quickly. Li Mu Yang would not fall behind.
Cui Xiaoxin wore a white everyday robe beneath a black cloak. The stark contrast between black and white lent her an even more delicate charm.
Having sat in the carriage for so long, her feet were somewhat stiff when she stepped down. She walked slowly in place, the Cloud-Treading Boots on her feet crunching against the pristine snow. She raised her eyes to survey the boundless world and said with a smile, "It's beautiful. Western Mountain is beautiful, and it's most beautiful when the snow falls."
Uncle Ning glanced at Li Mu Yang and advised her,