The Prince Jing's residence has long since shed its initial pristine state, exuding an air of dignified leisure. Pavilions and towers are nestled among increasingly lush flowers and trees, with flowing water and chirping birds, conveying a sense of tranquil peace and contentment.

On the east side of the Prince's Mansion, the "Tingtao Pavilion," originally used to handle vast commercial affairs, is now deserted. The "Jiangnan Textile Bureau" and "Sihai Trading Company," jointly established by Shen Yuewei and Shen Wenbai, have long been renowned throughout the land, their business networks as solid as a mountain. In Shen Yuewei's words, "Money has legs; it will come to you." She and her second brother, Shen Wenbai, have long since freed themselves from the drudgery of official duties, living a truly leisurely and wealthy life of "sitting back and enjoying the fruits of others' labor."

Sure enough, Shen Wenbai and his cheerful and bright wife Lin Qingwan packed their bags a few days ago and boarded a ship for a long voyage, ostensibly to "rediscover their youthful spirit and see the magnificent landscapes." Before leaving, she casually tossed out a sentence: "I entrust Huaiyu and Huaijin to my sister and brother-in-law."

Thus, the twin siblings Shen Huaiyu and Shen Huaijin were cruelly abandoned by their parents, but they weren't sad at all, since they had always grown up here anyway.

Shen Huaiyu is quiet and loves to wander around the herb garden with her cousin An'an; Shen Huaijin is lively and playful, and she and Kang Kang and the "mischievous" twins play around in the palace, damaging many of An'an's medicinal herbs.

In the private school of the Prince's Mansion's West Garden, the sound of reading aloud had just ceased. The warm afternoon sun shone gently on the corridor covered with wisteria.

"Mother! Mother! Look what I caught!" A figure dressed in a light blue brocade robe, with two little buns on her head, rushed into the waterside pavilion where Shen Yuewei was, like a little cannonball. It was Ningning, the elder of the twins, her little face flushed, holding up a crookedly woven grass cage as if presenting a treasure. Inside, a bright green katydid was hopping around restlessly.

Close behind her was her twin brother, Yan Ge'er, who was running slower and panting heavily. He was clutching a few foxtail grasses in his hand and shouting, "Ningning, you cheated! We agreed to catch them together, why are you running so fast!"

Shen Yuewei was sitting on a soft couch by the window, flipping through a book. Hearing the sound, she looked up, her eyes full of gentle smiles. She put down the book and reached out her hand: "Slow down, be careful not to fall. Oh, Ningning is really good, catching such a big one. Yan-ge'er, is your grass weaving finished?"

"Hmph, Ningning is good at catching bugs, but I'm good at weaving!" Yan Ge'er said defiantly as he came over and clumsily twisted the few foxtail grasses together.

At this moment, a taller, more composed boy also entered. He was Kang Kang, the second son of Shen Yuewei and Xiao Chengjing. He was holding a book in his hand. Looking at his younger siblings making a ruckus, he shook his head helplessly, walked to Shen Yuewei's side, and bowed respectfully: "Mother."

"Kang Kang is out of school?" Shen Yuewei patted his head. "Where are Huaiyu and Huaijin?"

“Cousin Huaiyu was called to help out at the herb garden by her older sister, and Cousin Huaijin said he was going to the martial arts arena to spar with the guard,” Kang Kang answered clearly.

No sooner had the words left her lips than a clear, melodious voice, like a mountain spring, came from the doorway with a hint of laughter: "Mother, are you spoiling these two little devils again?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

A young girl dressed in a pale white brocade dress walked gracefully towards them. Her figure was slender and graceful, like a newly blossoming magnolia, standing tall and elegant. Her black hair, like clouds, was loosely tied up with a simple white jade hairpin, with a few stray strands falling beside her smooth forehead. Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting; most captivating were her eyes, clear and bright, as if containing the most vibrant spring waters of Jiangnan, yet possessing a calmness and wisdom beyond her years. This was An'an, now a sixteen-year-old young woman.

She carried a delicate wicker basket containing several freshly picked herbs, still glistening with dew, their faint fragrance spreading as she approached.

"Big sister!" Ningning and Yange immediately dropped the insects and grass and rushed over, each grabbing one of An'an's legs.

An'an chuckled and squatted down, first pinching Ningning's cheek: "Going to bother the bugs in the garden again?" Then she patted Xiao An's head: "Did Yan-ge practice his calligraphy well today?" Her voice was gentle, yet it carried a natural and convincing warmth.

"It's not a nuisance, it's for Mother to see!" Ningning argued.

"I've practiced, I've practiced!" Yan Ge'er nodded vigorously, but his eyes were a little unfocused.

Shen Yuewei looked at her eldest daughter, her eyes filled with pride and satisfaction. An'an's beauty was not the kind of aggressive glamour, but a unique temperament that radiated from within, blending the elegance of the Jiangnan water towns with the benevolence and refinement of a healer. She was calm and gentle, making people forget the mundane world upon seeing her.

"An'an's back? Are you done with the medicine garden?" Shen Yuewei asked.

“Hmm,” An’an stood up and placed the medicine basket on the low table beside her, her movements gentle and practiced. “I picked some fresh mint and perilla to make some herbal tea for my cousin Huaiyu to soothe her mind and improve her eyesight. She’s been complaining of dry eyes while reading these past few days.” As she spoke, her gaze naturally fell on Shen Yuewei’s face, examining her carefully. “Mother, did you stay up late again last night? You have some dark circles under your eyes. Remember to put the calming sachet I made for you by your pillow.”

Shen Yuewei chuckled, "You little rascal, your eyesight is sharper than the imperial physician's. It's nothing, I just lost track of time yesterday while looking at the account books." Looking at her daughter's focused expression, she couldn't help but tease, "Our An'an's medical skills are getting better and better, she's almost becoming the family's little imperial physician. Maybe she'll open a 'Anhe Hall' in the future, practicing medicine to help the world?"

An'an's cheeks flushed slightly, a girlish shyness in her eyes, but her tone was earnest: "Mother is teasing me. I just feel that plants have feelings, and their medicinal properties are subtle. I'm happy that they can help my family maintain their health and relieve minor ailments. Opening a clinic... I'm still far from that." She picked up a sprig of mint from her medicine basket, gently twirling the leaves between her fingertips, feeling its cool aroma, her eyes focused and gentle. "All things in the universe have their own way of interacting and restraining each other. To be able to glimpse even a fraction of their mysteries is already a blessing."

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