Chapter 42: The Prepared Dress

The next afternoon.

Shen Muyan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was reviewing documents related to Dongling District when Ning Qing knocked on the door, saying that Qin Yanzhou’s assistant, Lu Lin, had arrived.

She closed the folder, got up, and felt a bit confused.

Going downstairs, Lu Lin was standing upright, and when he saw Shen Muyan, he quickly stood up.

“Special Assistant Lu, what brings you here?” Shen Muyan asked, puzzled by the several gift boxes on the coffee table. They were of great value, and she already had a guess about the contents. However, she wasn’t entirely sure.

“Mr. Qin instructed me to prepare a dress. He said you would like it. Ms. Shen, please try it on,” Lu Lin said, his attitude even more respectful, as he was well aware of Qin Yanzhou’s feelings for Shen Muyan.

The servants opened the gift boxes one by one, revealing exquisite, colorful dresses.

What caught Shen Muyan’s eye most was a pearl headband lying quietly on a piece of velvet cloth. It was crystal clear, round and full, with a faint, shimmering light like fireflies. It was a top-notch piece, reminding her of a mysterious purchase at a British auction.

“Ms. Shen, this was specially brought from Switzerland by Mr. Qin. He said you would look stunning wearing it,” Lu Lin explained. “The dresses are also meant to be paired with this pearl headband.”

Qin Yanzhou had gone to such lengths… Her fingertips brushed against the pearls of the headband, a chord resonating within her.

She tried on a few dresses. They were all very beautiful. One had a square neckline and a low back, with a ribbon at the waist to adjust the fit.

The most unique feature was a delicate velvet butterfly embroidered on the skirt. It was a work of art, meticulously crafted to look like a real butterfly, ready to take flight.

As she moved, the skirt swayed, and the butterfly on the long, pure white dress, made with special materials, shimmered like flowing silver, dazzlingly brilliant.

Having completed his task, Lu Lin returned, his chest puffed out, and reported Shen Muyan’s joy and surprise to Qin Yanzhou.

“Ms. Shen said the dress is very nice. She likes it very much…”

Qin Yanzhou chuckled. Up until now, Shen Muyan had been upset about the jade necklace incident, but even if she was still angry, it wouldn’t be as severe in the future.

Now that he had appeased her, the rest would be easy.

The banquet would start at 7:30 pm. He would pick her up at 6:30. Throughout the entire day, Qin Yanzhou had barely raised his eyes, and his voice was calm and gentle. He was quite curious about how she would look in that dress.

Shen Muyan’s makeup artist understood her well. Today’s makeup was clear and alluring, highlighting her exquisite features and flawless complexion, making her even more captivating.

Her long hair was pulled back, adorned with silver beads and butterflies, echoing the design of the dress without overshadowing it or stealing the spotlight from the pearl headband.

“Sister, Mr. Qin is here.”

Shen Muyan had just finished dressing, looking elegant and graceful, just like always.

Going downstairs, Qin Yanzhou was waiting by the stairs. He picked up a half-finished book of poetry from the coffee table, his long fingers flipping through a few pages.

“Mr. Qin.”

Behind him, Shen Muyan’s voice, laced with joy, reached his ears.

She looked like a fairy just transformed from the fairyland, walking towards him, or a princess from a European royal family, nurtured in luxury, innocent and ethereal, with a hint of smoke and mist around her.

“Mr. Qin, how do I look?”

The young lady gracefully twirled like a noble swan, awaiting his response.

The dusk was falling, the room was as bright as day, the scattered light settled, making it impossible to look away.

“Very beautiful.”

Upon receiving his unreserved praise, she became even brighter, her eyebrows gently arched, a happy smile blooming on her face.

Today, Lu Lin drove a Maybach business model, with ample space in the back. Shen Muyan was delighted with her attire and planned to take some good pictures after the banquet.

However, she suddenly noticed that Mr. Qin was walking directly to the side, instructing Ning Qing to stay behind for a bit of rest.

“Ah, that’s a bit of a pity…”

The Xu family’s birthday celebration was grand, with guests from all walks of life in Shanghai. Shen Muyan was attending the banquet today, but mainly as Mr. Qin’s companion.

Besides, it was less troublesome.

Rumor had it that there was some internal conflict within the Xu family. Xu Ling, the eldest daughter, had gained power but held little influence, not even having decision-making power over single-digit projects, leading to a scene of chaos.

MGM Hotel, Grand Hall.

The majestic and magnificent sculptures of horses raising their hooves were imposing. Passing by the giant wine vats, the car drove in.

Lu Lin opened the rear door first, welcoming Qin Yanzhou out of the car. The Xu family members stood at the entrance, and upon seeing the special license plate, they quickly lined up on the steps to greet the guests.

“Mr. Qin, how dare we be remiss.”

Shen Muyan was about to get out from the other side, but as she was about to move, a pair of long, slender, well-proportioned hands reached out from beside her, hooking onto hers, signaling her to be led.

She simply went along with it, being led by Qin Yanzhou.

Therefore, when the Xu family elders saw Qin Yanzhou personally escorting a female guest, they were filled with shock.

They had never seen Shen Muyan before, so naturally, they didn’t know her background, and they dared not speculate. A woman who could be so close to the powerful Qin Yanzhou was definitely not simple.

But then, they saw her extremely beautiful face, and they couldn’t help but feel that she had a certain aura of authority.