Since confirming her pregnancy, Shen Yuewei has been treated like fragile glass by Xiao Chengjing, and completely "kept" under his control. He has taken over all her business affairs with ruthless methods.

The expansion of "Shuyue Tea House" and "Chenji Silk Shop" unfolded at an astonishing speed under the leadership of Prince Jing. He was inherently intelligent, and his years of experience in the imperial court gave him a vision and perspective far beyond that of ordinary merchants. Coupled with the resources he possessed and the solid foundation laid by the Shen siblings, his operations were twice as effective with half the effort.

Banana-leaf yarn from Lingnan, exotic brocade from Sichuan, Pu'er tea from Yunnan, rock tea from Fujian… These rare goods, which originally required Shen Yuewei's personal efforts and extensive negotiations to secure their import, flowed smoothly into Jiangnan thanks to Prince Jing's secret letters, each bearing his personal seal and written with firm yet polite language. He integrated the Shen family's existing fleet and connections, opening up more stable and efficient land and water trade routes. Furthermore, leveraging his position, he made arrangements with the prefectures along the way, resulting in virtually no checkpoints or extortion along the route, greatly increasing efficiency.

In just a few months, "Shuyue Tea House" opened branches in Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Songjiang, boasting grand decor and a high-end positioning, specializing in fine teas and teaware, quickly becoming a new favorite among Jiangnan literati. "Chenji Silk Shop" extended its reach of new styles and fabrics to a wider range of towns along the Grand Canal, and even quietly set up a low-key yet luxurious showroom in the capital, catering exclusively to noblewomen and attracting a large following of women from aristocratic families.

Shen Wenbai, as the person in charge, was extremely busy. He was already skilled in business, and now with his brother-in-law, a powerful figure, backing him up and clearing obstacles, he was even more powerful. However, the expansion was too rapid, and many newly opened trade routes and shops needed capable people to oversee them, especially several important nodes in the north.

"Yuewei," Shen Wenbai said, bringing thick ledgers and maps to the main courtyard's warm pavilion. Looking at his younger sister, wrapped tightly in a fox fur coat by Prince Jing, with only her small face peeking out, he felt both heartache and amusement. "The branches in Jinling and Yangzhou are operating smoothly, but in Songjiang Prefecture, the newly opened shops are connected to the docks and warehouses, and the affairs are complex and cannot be handled by anyone but a trusted confidant. I'm afraid... I'll have to personally oversee things for a while." His tone was apologetic; after all, his sister was pregnant, and as her elder brother, he should take good care of her.

Xiao Chengjing was holding a small dish of freshly peeled candied walnuts, feeding them one by one to Shen Yuewei's mouth. Hearing this, he didn't even look up: "Second brother, just go ahead. I'll take care of Weiqing here, everything will be fine. Songjiang Prefecture is in a crucial location, connected to the sea route, I wouldn't trust anyone else with it. Just tell me what kind of manpower and money you need, second brother."

Shen Yuewei swallowed the sweet walnuts, looking at the weariness and determination in her brother's eyes, feeling a warmth mixed with guilt: "Second brother, you've worked hard. As for business matters, you and the Prince should make the decisions. In my current state, I can't help; I'm just a burden..."

"Nonsense!" Xiao Chengjing and Shen Wenbai interrupted her in unison.

Xiao Chengjing put down the plate, took her hand, and his phoenix eyes were filled with undisguised affection: "You are my life, my lucky star, how could you be a burden?" He looked at Shen Wenbai and said solemnly, "Second brother, go ahead and do whatever you want. Weiqing and I will protect the foundation of Jiangnan."

Seeing the deep, unwavering care in his brother-in-law's eyes for his sister, as well as the composure and responsibility befitting a superior, Shen Wenbai felt reassured. He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "With Your Highness's words, Wenbai has no worries! Please trouble Father, Mother, and Sister to take good care of Wan'er and the children."