Chapter 109: The Adorably Clumsy Snow Maiden

The meeting was brief, and Lin Shu departed after half an hour. The officials from the engineering department headed downstairs, chatting and laughing, leaving Jing Ke and Gao Jianli feeling quite puzzled.

"Master Ma, how on earth is a railway or highway supposed to be built through the Yanbei mountains? The peaks are high, the valleys are deep, and the forests are dense; it would be hard for workers even to climb them!"

Ma Bao was confused. Why did the Great King and Jing Ke both insist on calling his brother and him "Master Ma"?

"Minister Jing Ke, my meager martial arts skills are hardly worthy of the title 'Master'!"

Ma Guo also shook his head and spoke up, "Ministers, I’m sure you’ve heard that the Royal City, the docks, and the observation deck were all built by the Great King himself! It took less than a month. These Yanbei mountains shouldn't be too difficult."

Ma Bao chuckled and hurried off, eager to start construction on such a magnificent project.

"The Great King's carriage! So it really is true!" Understanding dawned on Gao Jianli, who bowed his head with a self-deprecating smile. He had previously dismissed it as mere rumor.

"Well, this is something else." Jing Ke smiled, choosing not to say more. Rumors regarding the royal family and their carriage were secrets not to be discussed lightly.

...

Parting is always filled with reluctance.

Little Yan’er took a step and looked back, unable to bring herself to leave the villa’s gate. Jing Ni felt the separation just as keenly.

"Go on, Yan’er. Mother has work to do as well."

Little Yan’er nodded. "Alright then! But Mother, you must remember to miss me."

"Yes, I certainly will!" Casting a glance at her husband, Jing Ni hurried back into the house.

Moon Goddess sighed. "My husband, please return home early."

"I will," Lin Shu replied, knowing full well he would likely be gone for some time.

*The moon rises over the Qin, the heavens sing the Nine Songs.* Compared to the stories set after the dawn, he preferred the tragic tales of the Han state.

The carriage moved slowly across the square, and the personal guards, having realized the situation, watched it pass with solemn respect. Outside, rumors spread about some "Young Master of the Northern King," but they didn't believe it. The Great King's daughter was only four, and there was no such son. Whenever the small carriage departed, the Great King would vanish for a time, and the large carriage was never seen again—the guards eventually realized the large carriage could simply change its size.

The main thoroughfare was busy with pedestrians and carriages, most rushing to leave the city for the harbor. The Feixue Pavilion had been established in the Royal City for a month now, becoming its most popular hotspot. There, no nobles or aristocrats dared to cause trouble, especially with the "sycophantic" and "drunkard" ministers watching over it. The young mistress of the pavilion had become the city’s leading socialite, experiencing a second bloom of youth.

The peaceful life was what Snow Girl had expected, yet she couldn't help but feel unaccustomed to it. She was admired by countless people, yet this was not the freedom she had yearned for. Watching the birds rise and fall outside her window, she envied them deeply. Summer was arriving, and the swallows, geese, and swans would soon return.

Without any profound, soul-stirring experiences, and having had no prior contact with him, Snow Girl couldn't truly muster much affection for Gao Jianli.

"Snow Girl!" The young mistress sighed softly. Only she knew that Snow Girl’s smiles were never truly happy.

"Mistress, I am fine." Snow Girl put on a natural smile once more.

*How could she be fine?*

"Snow Girl, it has been three years. I have taught you everything I can. I know you do not like Minister Gao. Why not take a break for a while? The empire spans thousands of kilometers; you could travel with a merchant caravan or head out to sea to see the world."

The mistress had been planning to give Snow Girl a long vacation, as she seemed increasingly troubled lately.

Snow Girl felt a spark of interest. She had heard that the sunrise over the sea was the most beautiful, that the far north was a world of ice and snow, and that on the boundless grasslands, the killing had ceased—where the wind blew through the grass, revealing the grazing cattle and sheep, and wild horses ran free... But to go alone would only be more lonely.

Snow Girl stood up, intending to decline, when she suddenly froze.

"That carriage! It’s him!"

"Is it the Northern King or Young Master Lin?" Snow Girl was confused. Some said the Northern King was over forty with a magnificent beard.

"Oh? That royal carriage!" The mistress was surprised; she had been in the Royal City for a long time and had never seen it before. "A pity I couldn't thank him in person." She no longer had to deal with the old lechers; now, she was the one choosing handsome young men, not the other way around.

"Mistress, shall I go and pay my respects?" The carriage was moving very slowly, as if out for a stroll. Snow Girl spoke impulsively.

The mistress paused, then nodded. "Very well, but act according to the situation." She seemed to understand; what young girl doesn't dream of love? She, too, was curious about that mysterious man—just how old was he?

"Yes!" Snow Girl blushed. She truly just wanted to thank him. If it hadn't been for him that night, she might not be here today. That night, his eyes had clearly shown he liked her, but since then, he acted as if he had forgotten her entirely, as if they had never met. Her ability to attract men was the only source of self-affirmation for the proud Snow Girl, but this time, she had met a rival who didn't care at all.

Fortunately, she was already dressed, so she hurried downstairs.

The journey would take some time, and Lin Shu was intentionally taking it slow to view the street scenes. "Alas, it's a pity there are no bullies mistreating the weak!"

Consort Yan laughed softly. "Husband, you really think anyone would dare be arrogant where your carriage is? Besides, there are no overt bullies in the Royal City."

Thinking of the tropes in novels, Lin Shu laughed and shook his head: life isn't filled with such caricatures; darkness is always hidden.

Snow Girl took small, hesitant steps, wanting to stop the carriage but feeling too shy.

*[Great King Lin, there is a young girl looking for you.]*

Shao Siming frowned. "Who is Heart Shadow?"

Consort Yan felt frustrated. What else was her husband hiding from her?

"Alas, Heart Shadow, you are becoming more and more prone to nonsense!" Lin Shu dismissed it as the main computer playing a joke.

*Hee~* With a soft laugh, a projection appeared inside the cabin. Seeing the shy Snow Girl in the projection, Lin Shu understood. *Oh! Don't tell me she's been charmed by my natural charisma!* Lin Shu was stunned, his mind flooded with memories. They say young girls love older men! In his past life, he had known a few girls and had some unspoken little stories, but in the end, he had always been rejected!

"Stop the carriage. Zhuanhun, please invite the young lady behind us to come aboard."

The carriage came to a sudden halt. Hearing the Great King’s command, the twin coachwomen understood.

*Why did it stop?* Snow Girl froze. She had acted on impulse; now, she was overcome with shyness!

Up in the pavilion, the mistress shook her head and smiled, sitting down to enjoy the show. Had it been seven years ago, she might have done the same! Who wouldn't yearn for the most exalted person in the land?

"Miss, please come aboard!" *Oh, a little beauty,* Zhuanhun thought, unable to help but take an extra look. Snow Girl hadn't noticed the coachwoman before. *How could he let a young girl drive his carriage for him!*

With a mix of anger and embarrassment, Snow Girl slowly stepped onto the carriage.

"Oh, this isn't right!" As soon as her foot touched the platform, she regretted it. What if they were alone in such a small space? It would be terrible if they accidentally brushed against each other.

"Snow Girl, come on in!" Lin Shu felt it was a pity she had come now, as he was leaving the Liaodong region today.

*Oh well! I hope he isn't like Gao Jianli!* With no other choice, Snow Girl lowered her head and stepped into the dim cabin. From the outside, it looked opaque, but as she crossed the small door, the floor beneath her feet was unexpectedly bright.

"Ah, where is this?" She was stunned to find herself in a spacious living room. "Oh, how embarrassing! Why am I dreaming of a man?"

"Wait, why are there two other ladies and that little girl here?"

*Is this a dream or reality? Or some legendary illusion?* Snow Girl blinked rapidly, unable to tell.

"Haha! Snow Girl, you aren't dreaming!" Lin Shu laughed and shook his head. These "loli" characters were always so cute!

*Hmph! Silly!* Shao Siming felt a bit uncomfortable; the Great King had forgotten that she, too, was once a cute little girl!

"Oh, when did my husband meet this little cutie?" Consort Yan shook her head, feeling both envious and jealous of her innocence and youth.

Little Yan’er smiled brightly, took a few steps forward, and pulled her sister to sit on the sofa. "Sister Snow Girl, we meet again. I am real, you know!"

That was it. Snow Girl’s face turned completely red. It was real!