The signboard of "Shuyue Tea House" gleamed warmly under the blazing sun, its doors thronging with customers. Shen Yuewei's tea house was no longer what it used to be; she had not only taken over two adjacent shops and combined them, but also established a dedicated tea plantation and tea-roasting workshop outside the city. With old customers brought in from "Shenji" silk shop, along with newly acquired tea merchants, tycoons, and literati, the aroma of "Shuyue" tea had quietly permeated half of Jiangnan, and the name of the Shen family had become increasingly renowned.

Fame brings trouble, especially for a young woman of such talent and beauty, with substantial wealth, and seemingly widowed. Rumors circulated about a past relationship with a nobleman in the capital, but years passed without any sign of him, leading many with keen interest to believe the rumors were just that—rumors. Consequently, a steady stream of suitors arrived, some seeking information, others even sending matchmakers to propose marriage. These included wealthy merchants from Jiangnan, retired officials' sons, and even tea merchants from other provinces who had come specifically to hear of her.

Shen Yuewei remained indifferent to all of this, simply saying, "My heart is with my young daughter, and I have no time for anything else," and politely saw them off. However, her polite refusal was misinterpreted by some self-important individuals as a coy attempt to play hard to get.

That afternoon, in the "Pine Breeze Pavilion" on the second floor of the tea shop, Shen Yuewei was discussing the pricing of the new season's Longjing tea with several major tea merchants. Outside the window, boats ply the canal, and the summer heat is oppressive. Chun Tao tiptoes in, whispers a few words in Shen Yuewei's ear, and looks somewhat troubled.

Shen Yuewei frowned almost imperceptibly for a moment, then quickly regained her composure and gave the tea merchants an apologetic smile: "Please have a seat, everyone. I must excuse myself for a moment."

Downstairs in the lobby, a young gentleman dressed in a brocade robe and holding a folding fan was fanning himself, followed by two servants carrying red lacquered gift boxes. This man, surnamed Li, came from a prominent silk merchant family in Suzhou, and had some business dealings with the Shen family's old shop. He considered himself dashing and debonair. Seeing Shen Yuewei descend, his eyes lit up. He closed his fan, cupped his hands, and smiled, saying, "Master Shen, I apologize for disturbing you. I've heard you love tea, and my father recently acquired half a jin of imperial 'Pre-Rain Lion Peak' tea, which he specially ordered me to deliver for your tasting." His eyes were burning with undisguised admiration and determination.

Before Shen Yuewei could speak, Chun Tao stepped forward, her voice clear yet distant: "Young Master Li is very kind. However, my young lady just said that the tea shop has its own superior new tea and would not dare to take away someone else's favorite. Besides, my young lady is busy, so if you have no business dealings, please feel free to do as you please." Having served Shen Yuewei for many years, she had long since learned to maintain proper boundaries, protecting her mistress without offending anyone too much.

The young master Li's smile froze, then he forced a smile and said, "Miss Chun Tao, you are mistaken. It is an elegant matter to present fine tea to a beautiful lady. Master Shen..." He was about to say more, but his gaze was fixed on Shen Yuewei's elegant and refined profile.

Shen Yuewei had no intention of getting entangled. She simply nodded slightly, her voice calm and unwavering: "I appreciate Young Master Li's kind offer. However, according to the rules of the teahouse, we do not accept private gifts. Chun Tao, see the guest out." She turned to return upstairs, her demeanor composed yet carrying an unyielding aloofness.

This scene, along with the resentful look in Young Master Li's eyes and the two glaring red lacquered gift boxes, was all witnessed by a figure hidden in the shadows of the teahouse opposite the tea shop. It was Xiao Chengjing's secret guard left in Jiangnan to protect Shen Yuewei and her daughter, codenamed "Shadow Seven." He expressionlessly wrote down what he had seen and heard, along with several other recent marriage proposals, on a small roll of thin silk, which he then tied to the leg ring of a carrier pigeon.