The back garden of Prince Jing's mansion has become a veritable "children's camp" in recent days.

Shen Yuewei's due date was drawing near, her body felt heavy, and her movements were much slower. Xiao Chengjing had moved almost all non-essential official business to his study in the mansion, just so he could be there to look after her at all times. At this moment, he was sitting behind his desk by the window, several maps of the waterways of Jiangnan spread out in front of him. His slender fingers moved slowly across the maps, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he were deep in thought. However, every now and then, his gaze would involuntarily drift to the flower trellis not far outside the window.

A thick Persian velvet carpet lay out there, and Shen Yuewei reclined on a large chaise lounge piled high with soft cushions. Behind her was a lumbar pillow, specially chosen by Xiao Chengjing and filled with sun-dried buckwheat hulls. One hand gently stroked her prominently pregnant belly, while the other held a book, though she didn't seem to be reading much. Her eyes held the languor typical of late pregnancy and a hint of barely perceptible fatigue. Her gaze gently followed the playful figures of several children in the garden.

Six-year-old An'an had become the undisputed leader of the children. Dressed in a light, pale yellow dress, her two little buns swayed merrily as she ran and jumped, leading two adorable little bundles of joy—the twins from her second brother's family, three-year-old Shen Huaiyu (the girl) and Shen Huaijin (the boy)—in a game of "cops and robbers." An'an, of course, was the imposing "general," wielding a slender willow branch that served as her sword.

"Jin'er! Run! Yu'er, hide behind the rockery!" An'an's little face was tense, but she was very decisive. "This general will cover the rear!" She imitated her father, holding the "sword" horizontally in front of her, her little chest puffed out high.

Shen Huaijin (the boy) was the most lively. Upon hearing this, he immediately giggled and stumbled forward with his short legs. He lost his balance and fell flat on his bottom with a "plop." He didn't cry; he quickly got up, dusted off his little hands, and continued running, muttering incoherently, "Run! Run!"

Shen Huaiyu (the girl) was much quieter. After hearing An'an's words, she immediately took small steps and obediently ran behind a Taihu stone, only peeking out half of her face. Her big eyes blinked as she looked at the "battlefield," and she was tightly clutching a small cloth rabbit in her hand.

Xiao Chengjing looked up from the map and saw An'an, trying to "cover" Jin'er, trip over a flower vine, her small body swaying. His brow furrowed, and he almost got up. But An'an steadied herself, turned back to her mother on the recliner, grinned, and made a "I'm fine" face. Shen Yuewei returned a gentle, encouraging smile. Only then did Xiao Chengjing slowly lean back in his chair, pick up the warm tea beside him, take a sip, but his gaze never left her.

Just then, Lin Qingwan came over carrying a tray with several plates of freshly steamed, delicate lotus-shaped pastries and a few cups of warm milk. She walked to the recliner and said softly, "Sister Yuewei, are you tired? Have some snacks?" Then she called out to the flower stand, "An'an, bring your younger brother and sister over to rest and have some snacks!"

An'an cheered and immediately dropped her "sword," grabbing Jin'er, who had just run back, with one hand and reaching for Yu'er behind the rockery with the other: "Let's go! Let's have some snacks!"

The three little ones swarmed around the blanket. An'an, like a little adult, first took a lotus-shaped pastry and handed it to her mother: "Mommy, eat first!" Then she shared it with her younger siblings. Jin'er grabbed some and stuffed it into her mouth, her mouth full of crumbs. Yu'er, on the other hand, ate in small, delicate bites, looking very dainty.

Lin Qingwan looked at her two darlings with eyes full of tenderness. She picked up a handkerchief and naturally wiped the crumbs from Jin'er's mouth, then tidied Yu'er's slightly messy braids.

Shen Wenbai strolled over as well. He had just finished checking accounts with the shop manager and was feeling quite relaxed. He moved closer to his wife, watching their daughter obediently eating her snacks, and couldn't help but nudge Lin Qingwan with his elbow, lowering his voice with a hint of self-satisfaction: "Wan'er, look at our Yu'er, her eating manners, her quiet demeanor, just like yours! So good! Jin'er, with her mischievousness, tsk, she must have taken after me when I was little!"

Lin Qingwan glanced at him sideways, a smile playing on her lips, and deliberately said, "Oh? Just like you? I seem to remember Mother saying that when you were a child, you were a well-known 'little playboy' in the capital, climbing trees to steal bird nests and going down to the river to catch fish and shrimp, never stopping for a moment? Jin'er is much better than you were back then, at least she knows how to get up by herself when she falls down."

Shen Wenbai wasn't annoyed at being exposed. Instead, he chuckled and leaned closer, almost touching his wife's ear, lowering his voice to a more suggestive tone: "So... does my wife prefer my 'spoiled' childhood self, or do she prefer my current... um, 'steady' self?" He deliberately emphasized the word "steady" with a meaningful tone.

Lin Qingwan blushed slightly and playfully pushed him away, saying, "You're so unruly! The child is here!" The shy look in her eyes made Shen Wenbai's heart flutter, and his smile widened.

Watching her second brother and sister-in-law's intimate interaction, oblivious to everyone else, and then glancing at Xiao Chengjing beside her, whose gaze remained fixed on her with concern, Shen Yuewei's smile deepened. Xiao Chengjing had already put down the map and walked over, naturally sitting on the edge of the recliner. He placed his large hand on Shen Yuewei's slightly swollen calves, gently kneading them with just the right amount of pressure, and asked in a low voice, "Are you feeling better? Still very sore and swollen?"

"Mmm, much better." Shen Yuewei sighed comfortably, resting her head gently on his strong arm, enjoying this silent tenderness. An'an, while munching on a lotus-shaped pastry, blinked her big eyes at her parents, her little face full of affection.