"Wait a minute! That box contains brocade fabric for An'an! Be careful not to damage your skins if you do!"

"Medicinal food! Is the packaging of the medicinal food secure? In that damp weather in Jiangnan, both Wei and An'an need to take supplements!"

"Oh dear! Master! Why did you put that set of 'Tales of the Strange and Unusual' into the box that contains 'Instructions for Women' and 'Biographies of Exemplary Women' again?! This is for Wei'er to cultivate her mind and virtue! Not for you to amuse yourself!" Mother Shen, quick as a flash, precisely pulled out a book with a fancy cover from the box that Father Shen had just closed, her eyebrows furrowed in anger.

Father Shen stroked his beard sheepishly, trying to maintain his dignity as the head of the family: "Ahem... Madam, you are mistaken. Wei'er is in Jiangnan; she can certainly learn from many sources... Besides, An'an should also hear some stories to enlighten her..."

"The Three Character Classic is for early childhood education!" Mother Shen interrupted mercilessly, tossing the "contraband" book far away. "Second daughter-in-law! Come and see, this tiger-head hat, this patchwork garment, and this rattle drum... wouldn't they be perfect for An'an? Her mother loved these things when she was little!"

Lin Qingwan, the second sister-in-law with a slightly protruding belly, was carefully protecting an exquisite sandalwood food box. Hearing this, she couldn't help but laugh and pointed to an enormous rattan box next to her that looked like it was about to burst: "Mother, you not only filled half a box with Wei's childhood toys, but you also stuffed in her little cloth shoes that she wore when she was three years old and were covered in patches? And this... this ink stick that's been ground down to half? This... Wei will probably be both laughing and crying when she sees this."

Mother Chen blushed slightly, then retorted confidently, "What do you know! These are all keepsakes! Wei'er has been away from home for so long, seeing these old things will surely warm her heart! An'an will also know what her mother was like when she was little! Quick, load it into the carriage! Wenbai! Keep an eye on your precious goldfish tank! Don't let the carriage shake it!"

Shen Wenbai was directing two burly servants to carefully move a celadon fish tank, about half a person's height, onto a specially made flatbed cart. Inside, several precious goldfish leisurely blew bubbles, and the water plants swayed. Hearing this, he turned around and smiled helplessly, "Mother, don't worry, I understand. This was Songdi (Shen Wensong) who repeatedly told me that An'an would definitely like it, and he spent a lot of money to find it." Although his younger brother Shen Wensong, who was staying in the capital, had not arrived in person, his heart was filled with gifts—rare books, ingenious toys, the latest cosmetics in the capital, and all kinds of pastries and candied fruits, a dazzling array, and the accompanying list was as thick as a memorial to the throne.

The commotion in the capital city finally subsided. Dozens of fully loaded carriages were ready to depart, the red ribbons tied to the carriage shafts fluttering in the early summer breeze.

Standing beside the first carriage, Madam Shen held the hand of her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Shen He, who had come especially to see her off. Her eyes were slightly red as she murmured, "Eldest daughter-in-law, I entrust Rui-ge'er to you! Take good care of him and don't let him get cold! After we leave, only you and Song-ge'er will be left in the manor, so please take good care of everything!"

Madam Shen smiled gently, holding her son Shen Rui, who had just woken up and was still a little dazed, in her arms: "Mother, don't worry, I understand. You, Father, Second Brother, and Second Sister-in-law can go to Jiangnan with peace of mind. Wenqing, Songdi, and I will take care of things in the manor. Rui-ge'er has wet nurses and maids, and I will keep an eye on him. You should take good care of Wei-mei and An-an, and give our little niece, whom we've never met, lots of love."

The eldest brother, Shen Wenqing, still wearing his imposing official robes from the Ministry of Justice, helped his father, Old Master Shen, into the carriage. He said calmly, "Father and Mother, please take care on your journey. Jiangnan is humid and warm, and my second sister-in-law is pregnant, so please slow your pace. I will handle everything in the capital; please don't worry. Please give our regards to Wei-mei and An-an." His eyes also held a longing for his sister and niece, but as the eldest son, he bore the weight of responsibility and could not travel far.

Father Shen nodded and patted his eldest son's arm: "Eldest son, you've worked hard. Please take care of things at the manor and in the capital." His gaze swept over Shen Wenqing and his wife who were left behind, and his youngest son, Shen Wensong, who was standing to the side, watching the convoy with longing eyes.

Shen Wensong scratched his head, leaned close to the car window, and shouted to his second brother Shen Wenbai and sister-in-law Lin Qingwan inside, "Second brother and sister-in-law! You must deliver the big box I prepared for An'an! It's full of good things! And a letter for Sister Wei! Tell her that I will definitely go to Jiangnan to see her when I have my day off!"

Lin Qingwan smiled and agreed, "Don't worry, Brother Song, I won't forget your precious box!"

Madam Shen took one last look around the mansion gate, her gaze lingering for a moment on the faces of her eldest son and daughter-in-law and her youngest son who remained behind. She took a deep breath, as if inhaling all the worries about the capital into her lungs: "Wei'er, An'an... Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, and Aunt are here!" She turned and got into the carriage, the curtain falling to block the farewell glances.