The snow stopped during the night. The accumulated snow on the road had not yet been cleared. Upon leaving the Qinyu Palace, everywhere one looked, it was a vast expanse of white.

Due to the slippery road, many maids behind the concubines extended their arms, allowing their masters to place their hands on their own arms and move forward. Seeing this, Ning Zhuangyan, who was standing beside Chu Qitong, also followed suit by extending her own arm in front of Chu Qitong.

Chu Qitong glanced at the raised left arm of Ning Zhuangyan, recalling the wound on her left shoulder. She shook her head and gently pushed down Ning Zhuangyan's raised arm.

"Princess, let me assist you." Ning Zhuanyan saw that Chu Qitong declined her offer, so she straightforwardly raised her voice and said. Naturally, her words caught the attention of many concubines. Chu Qitong glanced at Ning Zhuanyan with some helplessness and finally placed her hand on Ning Zhuanyan's wrist.

The distance from Qingyu Palace to Meiyuan is quite far. When Chu Qitong came to pay her respects, she didn't expect to come to Meiyuan to appreciate the flowers, so she didn't bring a hand warmer. At this moment, her hands were a little cold, and she couldn't help but cover them with her sleeves.

Ning Zhuangyan didn't miss Chu Qitong's subtle actions. She glanced at the concubines walking ahead, making sure no one intended to turn back at that moment. Swiftly, she took hold of Chu Qitong's hand in her own.

When Chu Qitong felt Ning Zhuangyan withdrawing his hand, Ning Zhuangyan lowered his voice and said, "Don't panic, let me use my internal energy to warm your hands." As Ning Zhuangyan's words fell, Chu Qitong really felt the warmth flowing from Ning Zhuangyan's palm to her own hand. That warm sensation made Chu Qitong unconsciously yearn for more.

Chu Qitong used to only know that some martial artists in the martial world could use internal energy to keep themselves warm, but she never thought that internal energy could also be used to warm someone else. She couldn't help but look at Ning Zhuangyan in surprise. Ning Zhuangyan smiled and said to Chu Qitong, "Don't ask about the painting. I'll tell you when I have time."

They arrived near the Plum Garden while talking, and suddenly smelled the cold fragrance emanating from within. Ning Zhuangyan released Chu Qitong's hand and adjusted the cloak on her body as she said, "Huahua, I won't be able to warm your hands here anymore. you can keep your hands in your sleeves for now."

Just as Lady Ning said, the red plum blossoms in the Plum Garden have all bloomed. The already vibrant red flowers appear even brighter against the backdrop of the white snow. The old servant who was dozing off against the plum tree in the garden suddenly awoke at the arrival of so many important guests. She hurriedly ran over and said, "This servant pays her respects to all the ladies."

Consort Wen waved her hand at the old servant and said, "I heard that the plum blossoms have bloomed. I have brought my sisters here to appreciate the plum blossoms. Since you are on duty in this plum garden, you must be familiar with the routes inside. How about you guide us?"

The words of Empress Wen made the old maidservant's wrinkles all gather up in a big smile on her face. She was particularly excited and bowed to Empress Wen, then patted her own chest and said, "Your Majesty, I have been guarding this Plum Garden for ten years. If you let this old servant lead the way, you have found the right person. Please rest assured, this old servant will surely take you on the best and most beautiful path to see the most vibrant flowers."

Listening to the last boastful words from the old servant, even Chu Qitong couldn't help but furrow her brows. However, Empress Wen seemed particularly pleased with this old servant. She waved her hand towards the old servant and gestured with her eyes for her to lead the way ahead.