Chapter 341: Small Banquet

Jiang Liangjin's gaze paused slightly; the bucket was filled with white snow.

In a daze, he remembered the winter when he was ten, when C Shi had a snowfall.

At that time, Mu Youyu was seeing snow in C Shi for the first time; she was ill, unable to go out, and lay staring at the window for a long time.

Seeing her aggrieved, he had someone fill a bucket with snow and send it to her room so she could play indoors.

That day, Jiang Liangjin earned Mu Youyu's praise of "A Jin is the best," though he was scolded by several brothers for it.

Mu Youyu blinked, looking at Qing Wei with a puzzled expression.

"What are you doing?" Mu Xianqi didn't understand his friend's action, raising his eyebrows slightly, "Could it be that you're afraid my sister will crave snow at night, so you prepared it as a snack?"

The gazes of several people around fell on them.

Mu Youyu's mouth twitched slightly.

Jiang Liangjin immediately added in a solemn tone, seriously: "Snow isn't edible."

Mu Youyu: "I know, I know."

She likes eating cold, icy things, but that doesn't mean she'll eat snow.

Qing An pointed at Qing Wei toward Ruo Ya, then tapped his own head.

This made Ruo Ya's lips curl slightly; she barely held back laughter.

Qing Wei ignored the gazes around, directing the attendant to place the bucket aside: "Mingxi wants to play with snow? It's late today, so let's play indoors first and go out tomorrow."

Everyone:?

"You're quite thoughtful." Song Yusui said lightly, "I thought you'd wait until tomorrow and simply buy her a whole snow mountain."

Qing Wei glanced at him: "Already arranged."

Mu Xianqi silently withdrew his gaze: "Fine, just like him."

Mu Youyu cooperatively asked: "Can we really play indoors?"

She still wanted to go outside.

Qing Wei waved his hand: "Of course!"

Ruo Ya sat at the head, watching the harmonious scene before her, raising her hand to signal: "Alright, let's eat first, then play after the meal."

Hardly had dinner ended when Mu Youyu eagerly pulled Jiang Liangjin to the carpeted snow patch in the corner.

Qing An had already had someone bring over small snowman molds, colorful little hats, and buttons, and was watching from the side.

As Mu Youyu's little hand touched the cold snow, Jiang Liangjin grabbed it.

"Don't touch it directly with your hands," he said, pulling a pair of gloves from his pocket and putting them on her.

Mu Youyu obediently held out her hand for him to adjust; after the gloves were on, she pulled him to the snow pile, crouched, and rolled a round little snowball.

Staring at the snowball in her hand, she suddenly exclaimed: "Ah, my Glutinous Rice is still hungry!"

Jiang Liangjin laughed: "Let's bring it down."

Hearing this, Ruo Ya tilted her head slightly: "Who is Glutinous Rice?"

Qing An raised his chin proudly: "It's our family's new member, Youbao's little treasure."

Ruo Ya didn't understand at first, until Mu Youyu hurried upstairs and came down holding a fluffy little cat.

Around its neck hung a metal plate engraved with the intricate insignia of the M Guo royal family.

Looking at that insignia, Ruo Ya helplessly rubbed her forehead, finally understanding the meaning: "You gave your royal badge to it?!"

That is the symbol of royal status and power, something countless nobles strive for but cannot obtain.

Qing An: "Yes, Glutinous Rice is Youbao's cat; naturally it deserves the best."

Ruo Ya watched the cat obediently rub Mu Youyu's palm, and finally softened her tone: "Forget it, there are spares in the vault; as long as you like it."

Mu Youyu finally understood why there were two badges in the room: one belonged to Qing An, and the other was taken by him from the vault.

After a good night's sleep, the next day the heavy snow stopped, leaving overcast skies.

Mu Youyu was awakened early, put on a red cotton outfit, and wore fluffy ear muffs, bundling herself up tightly.

After tidying up and going downstairs, yesterday's snow had been completely cleared away.

"A Jin, good morning." Mu Youyu naturally walked to Jiang Liangjin's side, glanced around, and saw that almost all the brothers were present, except Mu Xianqi.

He had been called away by a friend, saying he would definitely return in the evening to keep her company.

Jiang Liangjin took her hand: "Good morning, let's eat first."

After breakfast, everyone drove to the western snow mountain; the entire mountain was indeed deserted, save for dedicated attendants and guards stationed throughout.

The ski slopes and so on were all fully set up.

As soon as Mu Youyu got out of the car, she ran about happily, stepping on the snow with her little leather shoes.

Qing An followed closely behind her, afraid she might fall or bump into something, while the brothers spread out around, shielding her in the middle.

Jiang Liangjin stayed by her side the whole time, holding a camera to take her pictures.

The morning passed in a flash; as noon approached, everyone prepared to return to the Imperial Palace for a meal.

Qing An suddenly remembered something, stopping in his tracks: "Sister, I almost forgot—there's a small banquet at the Earl's Mansion today at noon, basically just noble families, not formal."

"It's just a gathering to eat and chat; want to go have fun? It's a good chance for you to meet people in the circle."

He had received the invitation earlier; he hadn't originally planned to go, but thinking his sister was bored cooped up in the Imperial Palace, he decided to bring her out for a stroll to see the noble circles of M Guo.

He could also show off to his friends.

Mu Youyu was having fun; upon hearing there was something new, she immediately nodded and agreed: "Sure, sure, let's go!"

She casually took off her gloves and handed them to Jiang Liangjin; the boy accepted them and passed them to the waiting bodyguard nearby.

Mu Xin frowned slightly, about to say it was too rushed and she might tire, but seeing his sister already pulling Jiang Liangjin's hand toward the car, he had no choice but to follow.

The brothers also followed suit.

The group drove to the Earl's Mansion, which is located in the noble district at the heart of M Guo city, its architecture elegant.

The courtyard was covered with white snow, adorned with exquisite ice sculptures.

The Earl's banquet was not grand, yet it was exquisite; the courtyard was spread with a red carpet and flowers arranged.

The nobles attending the banquet wore splendid attire, gathering in small groups to chat, the atmosphere leisurely.

The nobles present turned their heads, their gazes falling on a few people, and they began to whisper.

"His Highness Qing An is here too? Good heavens!"

"Who is that lady? She's so beautiful, with pink hair, she looks so familiar……"

"She doesn't look like someone from here; I've never seen her in noble circles—could she be a young lady from another country's aristocratic family?"

"His Highness Qing An is actually standing with her; it seems her status is not ordinary……"

"Ah! That's Song Yan!"

"That blue-haired young man has an outstanding demeanor; his features seem somewhat familiar."

Mu Xin rarely appears in public occasions of M Guo's nobility; even when he does, he is surrounded by bodyguards, and aside from royal family members, almost no one can get close to him.

He always sends subordinates to handle affairs; most of the nobles present have only heard his name, never seeing him in person.

Mu Xi had just been participating in an international piano competition in Z Country a few days ago, with news spreading everywhere, yet no one would have thought this heaven-sent prodigy would suddenly appear at a small banquet in M Guo.

Jiang Liangjin was even more unfamiliar.

As a frequent visitor to M Guo, Song Yusui also studies there, and through Qing An's connection, he knows many locals.

As soon as he appeared, he was surrounded by many acquainted nobles, exchanging pleasantries.