Under a pair of skilled hands, a Ling Yun bun hairstyle was completed, framing the bright eyes and brows of the young girl.
So beautiful.
The young girl twirled twice in front of the large bronze mirror and asked the Little Traitor, "Am I pretty? Among the people you know, who do you think is the prettiest?"
Even in her vanity, she did not forget to compare herself.
The Little Traitor glanced at her, seeing the young girl’s bright eyes and white teeth, and said softly, "In my eyes, you are the prettiest." This was the truth.
"Haha." Ye Zhi laughed happily.
Everyone knew that the Little Traitor was famously proud and too proud to flatter—if he said you were beautiful, you truly were.
Amidst her joy, she was also rational: "I think Qinglian is the prettiest, hehe."
Still remembering to compliment the Little Fairy.
When happy, people feel joyful inside and out, and Ye Zhi wasn’t afraid of the cold, looking completely delighted.
She ran behind the screen to change clothes. The Little Traitor initially said he would wait outside, but not wanting him to bear the cold wind and snow outside, she said, "I’m behind the screen, you can’t see me, no need to go out."
Ming Yan helped Ye Zhi dress in several layers, and the young girl slowly came out.
Wearing too many clothes made her look a bit bulky, but it did not hinder her demeanor.
With the Purple Jade Warm Smoke Hand Warmer in hand, the three of them headed towards the main hall.
Servants had cleared the accumulated snow, leaving only a thin layer on the road, with footprints stamped one by one into the snow.
Main Hall.
It was already filled with many people.
Old Mrs. Ye, who seldom went out, sat solemnly in the main seat.
Beside her were Mr. Ye Yuan and his wife, followed by Ye Lin.
Ye Zhi felt something was wrong, realizing the mishap, and glanced at Ming Yan in surprise, her expression clearly asking: Why didn’t you tell me Grandmother was here too?
Ming Yan, having been at the Ye Mansion for several months, had heard all the gossip from Ah Tao and knew about Old Mrs. Ye. Hastily, she whispered to the young girl, "Miss, I didn’t know either. When I went to find you, Old Mrs. Ye hadn’t arrived yet."
Ye Zhi patted her hand, "No worries."
She walked straight up to Old Mrs. Ye, curtsied, and greeted, "Grandmother, I wish you peace."
The Little Traitor also greeted her with a respectful nod.
With two children as precious as carved jade bowing in greeting, Old Mrs. Ye’s anger subsided somewhat, though she still admonished, "Ah Zhi must not laze in bed in the future. Today’s visit to Longhua Temple takes only a couple of hours, don’t be spoiled."
Ye Zhi, not daring to act rashly in front of her elders, showed a hint of guilt in her eyes, "Grandmother is right, Ah Zhi has learned her lesson and will not dare again."
Since Ah Zhi was late, she had already missed breakfast time.
Her stomach growled with hunger, but she could only endure it.
The group went outside the mansion, boarded the carriages, and prepared to head to Longhua Temple.
In front of the stone lions at the Ye Mansion’s gate, three carriages awaited, pulled by sleek, shiny bay horses. The carriages were roomy, wrapped in exquisite silk on all sides. The intricately carved windows were covered with a light blue chiffon, preventing any view inside the carriages, adding a sense of mystery.
Ah Tao returned just in time in front of the gate. With a glance from Ye Zhi, the two, who always communicated well, boarded the same carriage.
In Ye Zhi’s carriage were Ming Yan, Ah Tao, and the Little Traitor, making four in all.
The carriage set off, slowly making its way down the long street, the wheels making a soft "squeak" as they rolled over the snow.
The horse hooves clattered softly against the ground, solidly stamping the snow.
Ye Zhi said happily in the carriage, "Ah Tao, you finally made it! Hungry? Get out those snacks you bought. It was lucky I craved pastries from the Imperial Capital Building yesterday and sent you to buy some today, such a coincidence."
The round-faced girl proficiently opened the packaging, handing over the warm pastries, "Yes, Miss, here you go."