Shen Zhao imagined the scene of Lu Qi being kicked off the bed by her son, and burst out laughing. Then she felt embarrassed and quickly covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Han'er seemed drawn by Shen Zhao's laughter, twisting her little body towards her. Shen Zhao quickly put down the rattle-drum and held out her hand: "Han'er, come to Auntie?"

Han'er reached out her chubby little hand and curiously touched Shen Zhao's round belly, then looked up at her and suddenly uttered a single word: "Brother...brother..."

Shen Zhao and An An were both stunned.

"Oh my!" An'an exclaimed in surprise, "You knew Auntie was carrying a little brother!"

Shen Zhao was both surprised and delighted. Looking down into Xiao Yu'er's clear eyes, her heart melted: "Han'er is so smart! How did you know it was a brother? What if it was a sister?" she teased the little one.

Han Jie'er just grinned and repeated, "Brother...brother..." Her little hand patted Shen Zhao's stomach.

The warm room was filled with the laughter of children learning to speak and the gentle chatter of two mothers.

She quietly leaned closer to An'an and whispered, "Sister-in-law, do you think... Lu Qi will end up like my brother, getting kicked out of bed by his son?"

Looking at Shen Zhao's bright, mischievous, and expectant eyes, An An couldn't help but burst into laughter: "I think it's highly likely!"

Waterway then land, land then water again. I've seen the dawn breeze and waning moon over the willow-lined banks, and walked through the bustling marketplace under the stone bridge. I've cured farmers of heatstroke, saved villagers from accidental ingestion, and politely declined countless simple gifts.

A month has passed quietly.

As the boatwoman pointed to the increasingly clear, seemingly endless expanse of lotus leaves where the water met the sky, she smiled and said, "Sir, Madam, we're just ahead of Pingjiang Prefecture. In another half a day, we'll be able to dock!" Xiao Chengkang and A Yuan stood at the bow of the boat without prior arrangement.

It was the season when lotus flowers were in full bloom. Layers upon layers of emerald green lotus leaves covered the wide river surface, stretching as far as the eye could see. Pink and crimson lotus blossoms stood gracefully, swaying gently in the breeze on the vast expanse of blue water, sending forth a refreshing fragrance. Countless small boats carrying lotus-picking girls darted among the lotus leaves, their songs and laughter carried far on the water.

"Jiangnan..." A-Yuan murmured, gazing at this magnificent scene she had only heard of in storytellers and vaguely seen in her dreams. The shimmering water reflected in her clear eyes, rippling outwards. The weariness of her journey seemed to be washed away by the boundless lotus leaves and fragrance of the water.

Xiao Chengkang stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe fluttering slightly in the damp wind.

The boat slowly glided into the depths of the lotus leaves, startling a few roosting waterbirds. A-Yuan reached out, her fingertips gently brushing against a large lotus leaf close at hand, cool water droplets rolling off. She turned to look at Xiao Chengkang, a faint yet genuine smile curving her lips: "Brother Kang Kang, we've arrived."

Xiao Chengkang's gaze shifted from the boundless lotus pond to her profile, which was made even more beautiful by the water droplets.

"Yes," he replied, his voice low and gentle, carrying a sense of peace and joy that came with the journey. "We've arrived."

The small boat pushed aside layers of lotus leaves and steadily sailed towards the bustling dock with its white walls and black tiles, where the sounds of people were gradually rising. The fragrance of lotus blossoms filled the air, and the shimmering water gently embraced the two figures standing side by side at the bow, drawing them into the embrace of Jiangnan.