In the back garden of the Prince Jing's mansion in Jiangnan, dappled sunlight filters through the wisteria trellis. Nine-and-a-half-year-old An'an has blossomed into a graceful young woman, her features bearing both her mother's gentle grace and her father's composed demeanor. She sits on a stone bench, a thick copy of "Commentary on the Waterways Classic" open on her lap, her slender fingers tracing the river patterns on the pages, her expression focused.

Three-year-old Kang Kang clung to his older sister like a little tail that he couldn't shake off. His chubby little hands mimicked his sister's actions, pointing seriously at the winding lines on the pages of the book, and asking in a childish voice, "Sister, where does this...this river flow to?"

“This is the Yangtze River,” An’an pointed patiently. “It flows down from the snow-capped mountains in the west, passes through many, many mountains, flows to here, and then flows into the sea in the east.” She turned her head to look at her younger brother’s innocent yet earnest little face, and couldn’t help but pinch his soft cheek. “Kang Kang is so smart, he even knows the Yangtze River!”

Upon receiving the praise, Kang Kang immediately grinned, revealing a few small white teeth, and proudly shook his head: "Kang Kang is smart! Just like Daddy!"

In the pavilion not far away, Shen Yuewei leaned back in a chaise lounge covered with thick cushions, a thin fleece blanket draped over her. Her lower abdomen was noticeably protruding, and she gently stroked it with one hand, her face radiating the warm glow and languidness characteristic of mid-pregnancy. Xiao Chengjing sat beside her, using a small silver fork to pick up a peeled, seedless, and juicy piece of honeydew melon and offer it to her lips.

"Try it, it's freshly delivered from the farm. They say it has a sandy texture and is very sweet." His voice was deep, and his movements were natural.

Shen Yuewei took a bite from his hand, the sweet juice filling her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "Mmm, it's sweet." Her gaze fell on her daughter quietly reading under the flower trellis and her young son clinging to his older sister. Her smile deepened. "In the blink of an eye, An'an has grown up so much. She can even read to Kang Kang now. Kang Kang is also sensible. He knows to stick to his older sister to learn things."

Xiao Chengjing's gaze lingered on the siblings, his deep eyes filled with unwavering tenderness. He put down his silver fork, placed his large hand on her swollen belly, feeling the occasional fetal movements, and said with a barely perceptible sigh, "Yes. When this little one comes out, An'an and Kang Kang will be older brothers and sisters."

Shen Yuewei placed her hand on his large hand and asked softly, "Your Highness, do you think it will be a younger brother or a younger sister this time?"

Xiao Chengjing lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead: "It's all good. As long as it's our child, it's all good." He paused, then added, "However, Kang Kang seems to really want a little brother to play war games with him."

Shen Yuewei chuckled, "He's always following his second sister-in-law Jin'er around like a little soldier, so naturally he wants a 'soldier' ​​of his own." She stroked her belly, her eyes gentle, "I actually hope it's a daughter, so An'an can have a companion, and I can teach her to read and write, and dress her up..." Just then, as if in response, the little one in her belly suddenly kicked powerfully.

"Ouch!" Shen Yuewei exclaimed softly, then laughed, "Look at this little guy, he's really strong! He's bound to be lively!"

Xiao Chengjing immediately looked at her stomach with concern, gently stroking it with his large hand: "Did it hurt?" His anxious look warmed Shen Yuewei's heart.

Nine-year-old Pei Qingyun (Princess Zhaohua), dressed in a pale yellow spring gown and with her hair styled in delicate double buns adorned with tiny pearl tassels, sat on a swing, holding a book of poems and softly reciting them. Sunlight filtered through the new green leaves, illuminating her serene and beautiful figure. Her features still faintly retained the refined elegance of the eldest princess in her youth, but now possessed an added touch of scholarly grace.

"Yun'er, look what I caught!" A chubby-cheeked boy in a royal blue brocade robe rushed into the garden like a gust of wind. It was Shen Rui, who was also nine years old. He carefully held a brightly colored butterfly in his hands and presented it to Pei Qingyun like a treasure, his little face full of excitement and pride. "It was in that flower bush over there! I chased after it for a long time before I caught it! Here, it's for you!"

Pei Qingyun put down her book and looked at the beautiful creature with slightly trembling wings in Shen Rui's palm. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her soft voice carried a hint of disapproval: "Brother Rui, the Master said that butterflies have their own world. If you catch it and lock it up, it will be unhappy." She stretched out her fair fingers and touched the butterfly's wings very gently. "Look at it, it wants to fly."

Shen Rui's excitement instantly vanished. He looked at the butterfly, then at Pei Qingyun's clear and earnest eyes, scratched his head, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Then... what should we do?"

Pei Qingyun got off the swing and walked to a cluster of roses in full bloom. She waved to Shen Rui and said, "Brother Rui, put it here. There are flowers and sunshine here, it will be happier."

Although Shen Rui was a little reluctant, she obediently squatted down and carefully placed the butterfly among the rose bushes. The butterfly lingered on the petals for a moment, then fluttered its wings and flew away gracefully.

"It flew away!" Shen Rui said, somewhat disappointed.

“Yes,” Pei Qingyun looked up at the direction the butterfly had disappeared, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “It went to find its friends, how wonderful.” She turned to Shen Rui, her big eyes blinking. “Brother Rui, shall we go find the letter that Sister An’an sent? She said that many flowers we’ve never seen before have bloomed in Jiangnan, and she even drew pictures of them! Shall we look at them together?”

Shen Rui immediately forgot about the butterfly and his eyes lit up: "Okay! Let's go read the letter! Sister An'an's drawing is the best!" He naturally reached out and took Pei Qingyun's little hand, "Come on! Let's go to my study!"

The two children, hand in hand, skipped and hopped towards the study. The sunlight stretched their shadows long; their childhood friendship, like tender buds just beginning to bloom in a garden, was pure and beautiful. Under the eaves, Princess Xiao Minghua and her husband, Pei Wenqing, stood side by side, watching this scene with smiles.

“Look at Rui Ge’er, he’s got a bit of his father’s ’silly’ spirit in front of Yun’er.” Xiao Minghua teased her husband with a smile.

Pei Wenqing smiled gently, looking at his daughter's small figure with loving eyes: "Yun'er takes after you, calm and reasonable, and has managed to keep that mischievous Rui'er in check. It seems this 'childhood betrothal' was a good match."

Xiao Minghua nestled against her husband's shoulder, watching the two children disappear around the corner of the corridor, and whispered, "Yes. I only hope they can be like us, supporting each other, knowing each other, and living in peace and joy."