The sky was already dark, and the snow was falling heavily again.
Shen Muqing walked Mo Lixia back up the mountain. He carried a lantern in one hand and held an umbrella over her head with the other, his shoulder completely covered in snow.
When they reached the gate, Shen Muqing stopped.
He hesitated for a moment, then reached into his robe and pulled out a small wooden box.
"Lixia... this is for you," he stammered, shoving the box into her hands. "Happy New Year."
Before Mo Lixia could respond, he turned and practically ran down the mountain path, disappearing into the snowy night.
Mo Lixia watched his retreating figure, a small smile touching her lips.
Back in her room, she opened the box.
Inside lay a wooden hairpin. It was carved from peach wood, simple but polished until it was smooth and shiny. At the end, a single plum blossom was carved with painstaking detail.
Mo Lixia gently traced the petals with her finger.
"Silly scholar," she whispered.
She placed the hairpin on her vanity, next to the modern mirror she had made.
Outside, the firecrackers popped in the distance, celebrating the arrival of the New Year.
Mo Lixia lay on her warm kang bed, listening to the festive sounds.
"Master, Happy New Year," she murmured into the darkness. "I hope you are well in the next world."
She fell asleep with a peaceful heart.
The next few days were filled with visits.
In the village, it was custom to visit elders and neighbors during the New Year.
Mo Lixia prepared red envelopes for the village children and small gifts for her neighbors.
Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu came to visit, bringing gifts of pork and dried vegetables. Mo Lixia returned the favor with her homemade almond cream and some medicinal herbs for their health.
Everyone who received the almond cream was amazed.
"Lixia, this is incredible!" Aunt Liu exclaimed, touching her face. "My skin feels so smooth, like a young girl's!"
"It really works!" another neighbor chimed in. "My chapped hands are healed after just two days!"
Word spread quickly. Soon, women from the neighboring villages were coming to ask for Mo Lixia's "miracle cream."
Mo Lixia realized she had stumbled upon a goldmine.
She spent the rest of the winter making more batches of almond cream, adding different scents like rose, jasmine, and osmanthus.
She even designed simple but elegant ceramic jars to package them.
By the time spring arrived, Mo Lixia had a small but steady stream of customers.
She was no longer just the "little doctor" on the mountain. She was now a budding businesswoman.