CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135: YONGNING MANOR

Five days later, Yongning Manor.

In the mountains, the green had already turned to red, mist was swirling, and the cold was biting.

As soon as Shen Qinglan stepped out of the carriage, a gust of cold air hit her face, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

County Magistrate Pei’s lips had turned purple and he kept rubbing his hands, saying, "Heaven has mercy. Knowing that there is a major disaster this year, it’s late for snow to fall."

With every breath the people took, white mist emerged from their mouths and nostrils.

"Old Tang!"

A middle-aged man who had been waiting at the mountain gate waved as soon as he saw them disembark.

"Old Xuan." Old Tang laughed heartily and walked over.

Shen Qinglan and County Magistrate Pei quickly followed.

The middle-aged man, referred to as Old Xuan, also laughed heartily and looked at Old Tang, asking, "It’s been a long time, how have you been?"

Old Tang laughed and said, "Thanks for your concern, all is well!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Old Xuan looked at County Magistrate Pei and Shen Qinglan, smiling as he asked, "You two must be County Magistrate Pei and Miss Shen, right?"

County Magistrate Pei responded politely, "Yes, that’s me."

Shen Qinglan slightly nodded towards Old Xuan.

Seeing that Shen Qinglan’s face was turning red from the cold, Old Xuan quickly said, "Let’s go inside quickly. The mountain is different from the lowlands; don’t catch a cold!"

If they kept standing there, Young Master and his wife would definitely blame him later.

The four of them entered the gate one after another, and Shen Qinglan raised her eyes to take in the surroundings.

The vast courtyard had color only in the green pines and bamboo; the other trees showed only branches with no leaves.

After passing through the bamboo grove, they saw behind it a group of winter-sweet flowers about to bloom.

Shen Qinglan raised an eyebrow, noting that the "Three Friends of Winter" were all planted together.

Just past the plum forest into the covered corridor, they saw a woman waiting in the tower.

"Why are you here?" Old Xuan raised an eyebrow at the woman.

"Only you can be here? Why not me? What kind of logic is that?"

The woman finished speaking and gave him a pretend angry glare.

"Madam Xuan!" Old Tang greeted the woman with a smile.

Madam Xuan hurriedly greeted Old Tang and County Magistrate Pei, then looked at Shen Qinglan with a smile and asked, "And this is Miss Shen?"

Old Tang nodded, "Yes."

Madam Xuan exclaimed with delight, hurriedly stepped forward to take the package from Shen Qinglan’s hands onto her shoulder, then grabbed her hands with concern, saying, "Look, these little hands are frozen stiff, let’s get inside and warm them by the fire."

Shen Qinglan was startled by her sudden warmth, initially stiffened, but relaxed a little upon realizing there was no malice.

Madam Xuan said to Old Xuan, "You all go ahead; I’ll take Miss Shen to see the mistress."

"The mistress?" Shen Qinglan looked confusedly at Old Tang.

Old Tang gave an awkward laugh, "Uh... Miss Shen, you go with Madam Xuan to the manor owner’s wife for a while, Young Master will pick you up later."

Shen Qinglan frowned slightly, feeling something was off, but couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

"Let’s go, miss, it’s cold outside, don’t catch a chill!"

Madam Xuan, glancing at Shen Qinglan as they walked, smiled with deepening crow’s feet.

She looked young, but her features suggested she would grow into an exceptional beauty.

Her eyes were clear and bright, not like someone who would be cunning.

Young Master’s eye for people indeed wouldn’t be wrong!

"Why haven’t I seen Young Master Duan?" Shen Qinglan asked.

Logically, if Duan Yunfei knew she was coming, even if he couldn’t personally welcome her, he should have sent Xuan Ming or Xuan Ying to receive her.

"Young Master is with our eldest master now," Madam Xuan explained with a smile, "he just went over there and might return a little later."

Shen Qinglan didn’t know who this eldest master was, but thought perhaps Duan Yunfei was preoccupied, which is why he hadn’t come to greet her.