「In the boudoir」
When Lady Ni entered, Ni Manxue was still earnestly engaged in her embroidery. The warm winter sun streamed through the window, shining upon her daughter's rosy cheeks, making her face appear even more fair and flushed.
She was embroidering mandarin ducks, each stitch and thread imbued with silent emotion—truly the image of a maiden pining for love.
To think, after the New Year, she would turn eighteen.
To think, she would soon be married off!
To think, she could no longer see her whenever she pleased.
Lady Ni still felt a pang of reluctance.
Ni Manxue looked up. "Mother, what brings you here?"
"It's so cold outside; why aren't you wearing a cloak?"
Miss Ni put down her needlework and quickly pulled her mother inside.
Seeing her mother's eyes were somewhat red, Miss Ni hurriedly asked, "Mother, what's wrong?"
Lady Ni quickly wiped away her tears. "Nothing... nothing. I'm just... happy!"
Miss Ni looked puzzled. "Happy?"
