In late spring, willow catkins drifted past the corner towers of the Marquis's Mansion like snowflakes. Jiang Wan sat by the window, lost in thought as she stared at a yellowed copy of the *Essential Arts for the People*. The peach blossom specimen tucked between the pages had long since faded, yet she still remembered what Lu Jingyuan had said three days prior: "When your birthday arrives, I will take you to a wonderful place." As her fingertips brushed the spine of the book, she suddenly chuckled, unaware that the tips of her ears had turned a deep shade of crimson.
"My lady is daydreaming and giggling again!" Lüluo entered the room carrying a bowl of bird's nest porridge, deliberately clattering the dishes. "I've seen you staring at that book for days. Could it be that you’re waiting for an invitation from the Heir?"
"You certainly have a lot to say." Jiang Wan closed the book, her gaze sweeping over the pile of birthday gifts on the table—coral ornaments from Prince Zhenbei's Estate, embroidered handkerchiefs from Miss Li—yet the dark blue silhouette she sought was nowhere to be found.
Chapter 98