"Alright, Your Majesty, pick it for An'an." The Empress agreed with a smile, carrying her closer to the flower stand. However, the flower spikes grew extremely tall, and even when the Empress held An'an and stood on tiptoe, they were still a long way from reaching them.

An'an's face immediately fell, and her little mouth pouted slightly.

The Emperor Emeritus, who had been standing silently by, watching his granddaughter "fuss" with his beard, suddenly had a glint in his eyes, as if he had finally found his chance to shine. He straightened his back, took a few steps forward, and said in a steady voice with a hint of barely perceptible smugness, "This little thing is no trouble for your Grandmother." He walked up to An'an, knelt down slightly, and presented his broad, sturdy back to her. "Come on, An'an, climb onto Grandpa's shoulders. I guarantee you can reach them!"

An'an's eyes lit up instantly. She looked at the Empress, then at Shen Yuewei, and after receiving an encouraging smile from her mother, she cheered and rushed towards the Emperor Emeritus without hesitation. The Empress carefully lifted her up and placed her on the Emperor Emeritus's shoulder. The Emperor Emeritus firmly grasped his granddaughter's two little ankles and said in a low voice, "Hold on tight!" Then he slowly straightened up.

The view suddenly rose higher, and An'an let out a delighted scream, her little hands tightly gripping the Emperor Emeritus's hair. The Emperor Emeritus, however, seemed completely unconcerned, steadily supporting her as if she were a rare treasure, walking step by step to the full cluster of wisteria blossoms.

"A little to the left, Grandpa! A little higher!" An'an excitedly directed, leaning forward and stretching her arms as far as she could. Finally, her little fingers touched the soft petals, and with a strong snap, she plucked the heavy, sweetly fragrant flower spike, holding it high. The wisteria blossoms swayed gracefully in her hands.

"I got it! Grandpa Emperor, you're amazing!" An'an excitedly waved her prize, her laughter like silver bells filling the entire courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the wisteria leaves, falling on the Emperor Emeritus's face, which was slightly sweaty but full of pride and smiles, and also on the little figure on his shoulder who was jumping for joy, making the purple of the flower spikes look exceptionally bright.

"Slow down, An'an, be careful!" Shen Yuewei stood up with Xiao Chengjing's help. She looked at her daughter riding on the Emperor Emeritus's shoulders in such a "majestic" manner, feeling both amused and worried.

The Empress walked to Shen Yuewei's side, naturally reaching out to take her other arm. A smile of undisguised satisfaction graced her face as her gaze lingered on the old man and the child. She said softly, "Let them play around. An old man and a little child, they make a perfect pair." She looked at Shen Yuewei's pregnant belly, her eyes softening further. "This child is blessed. Even before birth, so many people love and long for him. How are you feeling? Is the little one behaving well? Has he been too much of a handful?"

A gentle evening breeze carried the last vestiges of the wisteria's fragrance and the enticing aroma of sweet and sour wine wafting from the kitchen. An'an, perched on the Emperor Emeritus's shoulders, clutched the heavy bunch of wisteria blossoms in her hand. Suddenly, she lowered her head, leaned close to the Emperor Emeritus's ear, and announced in her sweet, childlike voice, still carrying the scent of the flowers:

"Grandpa Beard! Tomorrow! Take An'an boating! To see the big lotus flowers! Grandma will come too!"