**Jiangnan·Prince Jing's Mansion**

The news naturally reached Jiangnan as well. Shen Yuewei, rubbing her increasingly heavy belly, sat in her small study, a long list spread out in front of her. Chunxing was grinding ink beside her, while Lin Qingwan sat on a soft chair opposite her, holding her sleeping daughter, occasionally adding a few words in soft voice.

“Sister Qingrou is at the border, where it’s freezing cold. Thick furs are the most practical. I remember there are still a few fine purple lambskins and silver fox pelts in the warehouse?” Shen Yuewei wrote on the list.

“Yes, Your Highness. There are also a few newly made lynx fur coats and gray squirrel coats that haven’t been worn yet. The materials are all of the finest quality. I think Your Highness is too old to wear them now, so why don’t we send them to Madam Lu as well?” Chunxing quickly chimed in.

“Yes, add everything.” Shen Yuewei nodded. “Medicinal herbs are even more important. For the prescription that Doctor Chen wrote to stabilize the pregnancy and strengthen the body, have the pharmacy prepare ten doses of the best herbs according to the prescription. Also, prepare more of the specialties from Jiangnan, such as donkey-hide gelatin, dried longan, lotus seeds, and lily bulbs… These are all warming and nourishing. Sister Qingrou doesn’t have a good appetite, so pack several jars of candied fruits, dried bamboo shoots, and dried plum vegetables from Jiangnan to whet her appetite.”

Lin Qingwan gently patted the child in her arms and said softly, "Sister Yuewei is very thoughtful. I think we should also prepare some soft cotton cloth and clothes for the child. It may be difficult to find good ones at the border. I recently acquired a few bolts of soft cotton cloth from Songjiang. It is absorbent and gentle on the skin, perfect for making undergarments for my unborn nephew. Also, I have a few fine cotton-padded jackets that An'an wore when he was little that he hasn't worn much. The material is top-notch and they are soft after washing. Should I send them over as well? For children, it doesn't matter if they are new or old; comfort is the most important thing."

"Second sister-in-law is more thoughtful than I am!" Shen Yuewei's eyes lit up. "I've kept all of An'an's little clothes, perfect! Chunxing, go and sort out everything in my camphor wood chest, pick out some thick and soft ones. Also," she remembered something, a mischievous smile on her face, "fill a few jars with our family's homemade plum wine! Sister Qingrou can't drink it, but Prince Lu can! Let him warm up, and save him from being so anxious all the time."

The two women chatted back and forth, their list growing longer and longer. Chunxing ran in and out, directing the maids to carry out boxes and baskets of goods for inventory and packing. The storeroom doors were wide open, revealing mountains of silks, satins, furs, medicinal herbs, and dried goods from both the north and south. The air was filled with the unique aroma of camphor, herbs, and dried fruits.

After finishing his official duties, Xiao Chengjing strolled to the door of his small study, where he was greeted by a bustling scene. His wife, heavily pregnant, was energetically directing operations with composure, and even his usually gentle sister-in-law was actively participating, completely unaware of his arrival. He leaned against the doorframe, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of supplies before settling back on his wife's face, slightly flushed and radiant from her busy work. She was carefully inspecting a bolt of soft cotton cloth, her profile gentle and focused.

After watching for a while, the usual calm and composure on Prince Jing's handsome face slowly faded, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and a clear trace of... discomfort flashed across his deep eyes.

He stepped inside, his boots making a soft sound on the floor.

"Your Highness." Chunxing and Lin Qingwan quickly bowed.

Shen Yuewei then looked up and saw it was him. A smile bloomed on her face: "Chengjing, you've come at the right time. Take a look and see if everything prepared for Sister Qingrou is complete. Second sister-in-law is so thoughtful, she even prepared clothes for the little baby."

Xiao Chengjing walked to her side, his gaze sweeping lightly over the long list and the chests filling the room. His tone was flat, "Your Highness and Second Sister-in-law have truly gone to great lengths. Anyone who didn't know better would think this was a shipment of provisions for the border army." He paused, his gaze falling on Shen Yuewei's slightly protruding belly. His voice lowered, carrying a barely perceptible hint of bitterness, "I just wonder, how many chests has Your Highness prepared for our soon-to-be-born 'little provisions'?"

Even Lin Qingwan, who was holding the child beside her, could hear the jealousy in his words. She suppressed a laugh and lowered her head, pretending to comfort the child.

Shen Yuewei was taken aback at first, then reacted. Looking at her husband's expression—clearly caring but pretending to be aloof—she couldn't help but chuckle. She put down the list, gently tugged at Xiao Chengjing's sleeve, tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling, with a hint of coquettishness: "Oh, Your Highness, what are you saying? Our child is naturally thought of daily by Your Highness and me, his mother. Why would we need to prepare special trunks? Qingrou is far away in a harsh land, without any close relatives or elders by her side. Preparing more is also to share the burden for Prince Lu, Madam Luo, and Madam Lu. Your Highness is broad-minded and will certainly not mind these things, right?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, like a freshly steamed glutinous rice cake from Jiangnan, with a hint of cunning, easily piercing through Xiao Chengjing's feigned indifference.

As she tugged at his sleeve, Xiao Chengjing met her smiling, slightly ingratiating gaze. The subtle jealousy in his heart dissipated like a burst bubble, leaving only helplessness and indulgence. He took her slightly cool, soft hand in return, squeezed it, and chuckled, "You're so good at talking. Busy as you are, take care of yourself, don't overwork yourself." This was tacit approval of this large-scale "supply transport."

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