Night fell, in the main courtyard of the Shen family mansion.

The candlelight flickered red, and the brocade curtains hung low. Shen Yuewei, who was a shrewd strategist in the business world during the day, had now shed all her armor, revealing only the delicate tenderness of a young woman. She lay on the soft brocade quilt, her black hair cascading down her back, wearing only a thin, crimson nightgown that outlined her exquisite curves.

Xiao Chengjing knelt beside her, his large hands kneading her slender waist and sensitive back with an irresistible force. Though it was called a massage, his fingertips carried a raging fire, stirring up indescribable tingling sensations wherever they touched.

"Mmm..." Shen Yuewei couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her cheeks buried in her arms, her exposed earlobes red as if dripping blood. She knew that this was his punishment for her "neglect" during the day—using this tormenting yet intimate way to completely pull her back into his world and brand her with his unique mark.

“Weiqing talked with that Boss Wang for a full half hour today.” Xiao Chengjing’s deep voice sounded behind her ear, carrying a warm breath, like a feather gently scratching her heart. He leaned down and punished her by lightly biting her rounded shoulder, leaving a shallow tooth mark. “When he praised you for having ‘keen eyes and being no less capable than men,’ Weiqing’s smile was truly beautiful.”

"Your Highness...you..." Shen Yuewei was both ashamed and angry. She tried to turn around, but his large hand firmly pressed down on her waist, making her unable to move. His jealousy was so specific that he even remembered the words of praise she had given him clearly.

“And that Boss Zhang,” Xiao Chengjing’s hand slowly slid down her spine, causing her to tremble slightly, “when he handed over the spice samples, his fingers almost touched Weiqing’s hand.” His voice carried a dangerous undertone, his fingertips circling her sensitive lower back. “Weiqing, what do you say should be done?”

His "punishment" intensified, the kneading, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, gradually taking on a different flavor, carrying a burning passion, conquering and plundering. The ties of her nightgown had been loosened at some point, exposing her smooth skin to the cool air, only to be covered by his burning palms. Shen Yuewei's breathing became completely disordered, her soft sobs swallowed by his lingering kisses.

The flickering candlelight cast the intertwined figures within the brocade curtains onto the wall, their shadows swaying gracefully, creating an atmosphere of sensuality. Xiao Chengjing asserted his dominance through his actions, transforming the jealousy that had accumulated during the day into a passionate and tender possession. Under his forceful yet tender onslaught, Shen Yuewei could only crumble, succumbing to the web of desire he wove, willingly enduring this sweet "punishment."

Under the same bright moon, in the east wing of the Shen family mansion.

The window was half-open, and the silvery moonlight flowed quietly into the room. The twins were already fast asleep in the wet nurse's room next door. Lin Qingwan removed her hairpins and ornaments, wearing only a soft, moon-white nightgown. She sat before her dressing table, and by candlelight, carefully sketched details in an account book. The candlelight illuminated her gentle profile, revealing a focused and tender beauty.

After taking a bath, Shen Wenbai, wearing only his undergarments, brought in a bowl of warm milk and bird's nest soup. He walked behind his wife, gently placed the bowl on the dressing table, and naturally placed his hands on her slender shoulders and neck, kneading them with moderate pressure.

"Wan'er, take a rest. You've been busy at the shop all day, and you're still checking accounts at night. You've hurt your eyes." His voice was deep and gentle, filled with deep concern.

Lin Qingwan sighed comfortably, relaxed her body and leaned into her husband's arms, closing the ledger: "Almost done. The new batch of Shu brocade has excellent patterns, but the price is also high. We need to calculate how to price it appropriately. We can't lose money, but we also can't scare away customers."

Shen Wenbai lowered his head and placed a kiss on the top of her head: "My Wan'er is really becoming more and more like the mistress of the house. However, these matters can be left to the managers to worry about; your health is the most important thing." He picked up the milk pudding, scooped out a spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to her lips. "Here, drink it while it's hot."

Lin Qingwan obediently opened her mouth, and the warm sweet soup slid down her throat, its warmth reaching deep into her heart. Looking at her husband's focused and gentle eyes in the mirror, she felt a sense of peace and happiness. Married for many years and now with twins, his care and tenderness towards her had never diminished with time; on the contrary, like fine wine, it had only grown richer and more mellow.

“Wenbai,” she called softly, with a touch of emotion, “sometimes when I see Yuewei and the Prince’s… passionate and dramatic relationship, I feel that our ordinary life is just as good.”

Shen Wenbai put down his bowl, embraced her from behind, rested his chin on the top of her head, and said with a smile and contentment, "A passionate love story is their destiny. All I ask for is to grow old peacefully with you, Wan'er, tending our shop, watching our children grow up, in this water town of Jiangnan, with a gentle, flowing life." He paused, turned his head and lightly pecked her cheek, a hint of teasing in his voice, "Of course, occasionally... we should learn from the Prince and get a little jealous to add some spice to our ordinary days?"

Lin Qingwan was amused by him, turned around and lightly punched his chest: "You dare to try being as clingy as the prince? I don't have Yuewei's good temper to spoil you!"

The couple smiled at each other, a warm current of affection flowing silently in the quiet moonlit night.