Jiang Yu wore a long white fur robe, her hair tied in a high ponytail. Her glossy black hair was tucked into the roomy hood, making it look from a distance as though she had arranged it into some peculiar bun. She looked crisp and capable.
A small red suitcase stood beside her. Li Neng, the Plush Bear, lay draped over its handle, gazing longingly through Qingqiu Mansion's broad wooden fence at the lovely Flower Sprites in the garden.
Su Man stood at the mansion's entrance, quietly keeping Jiang Yu company in the cold wind across the stream.
Hearing footsteps, the two witches turned toward the street at the same time.
Zheng Qing immediately noticed a large black butterfly resting on Jiang Yu's robe near her shoulder blade. Its wings rose and fell slightly in the sunlight, flashing brilliant colors, while its threadlike antennae seemed distinctly visible even from far away.
Almost immediately, the young wizard felt the Little Fox in his arms begin to stir restlessly.
He lowered his head. At some point, the Little Fox had opened her eyes wide. Her ears stood erect as she stared eagerly at the black butterfly, her soft pink paws opening and closing as if she had already caught it in another dimension.
"Happy New Year, Jiang Yu!" Su Shijun cheerfully greeted the visitor. "What brings you here? I don't see you carrying a hammer."
Zheng Qing instinctively glanced at the little suitcase beside the witch. At the last Under the Moon Ball, Jiang Yu had viciously struck him with a wooden hammer before dancing with him.
That blow had left him utterly dazed.
Just like now, her arrival left him somewhat dumbfounded.
Jiang Yu pursed her lips. Courteous yet somewhat distant, she replied in a measured tone, "Happy New Year, Councilwoman