Letters from the Capital (Part Two): Letters from the Shen Family

> My daughter Yuewei:

> It's as if we've met in person. The weather in Jiangnan is hot and humid; please take good care of yourself and be mindful of your diet and daily life. Your eldest brother, Wenqing, has recently gained the Emperor's favor. His Majesty has entrusted him with handling a far-reaching case of embezzlement of military funds. If he can resolve this case well, his future will be even more secure. Your second brother, Wenbai, is doing very well in business. He recently received a large order from the palace and is extremely busy, but he hasn't forgotten to send you some newly acquired medicine for pregnancy and several bolts of fine silk through a reliable merchant caravan. I hope you will accept them with pleasure.

> There's something else that makes your mother happy, and I wanted to tell you. Your eldest brother... seems to have a different interest in Miss He Mingshu, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, He. A few days ago at the Princess's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, I saw Wenqing speak with Miss He for a long time, and he returned with a smile on his face. Miss He is dignified, well-mannered, and renowned for her talent; if things were to come to fruition, it would be a perfect match. This matter is still uncertain, and your eldest brother is shy, so please don't spread it around.

Everything is fine at home, don't worry. I only hope my son is safe and well and returns home soon.

> — Mother character

As Shen Yuewei read the letter from home, a genuine smile spread across her face. Her eldest brother, Shen Wenqing, was thriving in the Ministry of Justice (his promotion in the letter should be Vice Minister of Justice), with a bright future ahead of him. Now, he even had a woman he admired—He Mingshu, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review! This was truly wonderful news. Her second brother's business was booming, yet he hadn't forgotten to care for her. This warmth from the capital added a touch of brightness to her days in Jiangnan.

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**The Third "Visit": An Umbrella in the Rain**

Time: Three days later, the weather suddenly changed in the afternoon, and a torrential downpour began.

Location: On her way back to "Jinwei Ji" after finishing a small business deal at a nearby embroidery workshop.

The downpour came unexpectedly. Chun Tao's umbrella swayed precariously in the wind and rain, and the mistress and servant were somewhat disheveled in the narrow alley.

Just then, an inconspicuous blue cloth carriage stopped at the alley entrance. The curtain was lifted, revealing Xiao Chengjing's calm face: "Get in."

Shen Yuewei hesitated for a moment, but the rain was too heavy, so she didn't care about anything else and got into the car with Chun Tao's help.

The car was spacious and dry, with a heater radiating warmth. Xiao Chengjing handed over a dry, soft cotton towel: "Wipe yourself off."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Yuewei accepted the gift and wiped the water droplets from her temples. Chun Tao tactfully shrank into the corner.

The carriage moved slowly through the rain. Xiao Chengjing didn't speak, only quietly watching the dense rain curtain outside the window. Shen Yuewei was also silent; inside the carriage, only the patter of rain hitting the roof and the soft crackling of the charcoal fire in the heater could be heard.

The atmosphere wasn't awkward; instead, there was a strange tranquility. Shen Yuewei secretly glanced at him. The contours of his profile were exceptionally clear in the dim light. His long eyelashes drooped down, concealing his usual sharpness and revealing a rare gentleness.

“It rains a lot in Jiangnan,” he suddenly said, his voice deep and pleasant amidst the rain. “Next time you go out, remember to check the sky.”

"Mmm," Shen Yuewei responded softly.

The carriage stopped at the back gate of "Jinwei Ji". Xiao Chengjing got out of the carriage first, opened a large oil-paper umbrella, then turned around and extended his hand to her.

Shen Yuewei hesitated for a moment as she looked at the hand with its distinct knuckles. The shadows of her past life swept through her mind, but the figure waiting in the rain with an umbrella before her was completely different from the cold indifference in her memory.

She finally placed her hand in his palm. His palm was warm and dry, with thin calluses. He steadily helped her out of the car, tilting most of the umbrella towards her, his own shoulder instantly getting wet from the rain.

"Go in." His voice remained calm.

Shen Yuewei looked at his wet shoulders, opened her mouth, but finally only whispered, "Your Highness should go back quickly, be careful not to catch a cold." After saying that, she helped Chun Tao and quickly entered the courtyard.

Xiao Chengjing stood in the rain, watching her hurried departure. He looked down at his hand that had just supported her; the fingertips seemed to still retain her slightly cool body heat… a barely perceptible tremor. A very faint smile curved his lips as he turned, got into his car, and drove away.

Shen Yuewei returned to the warm house, but her heart remained restless for a long time. The warmth of his palm still seemed to linger in her hand. His repeated "visits," his clumsy concern, his silent protection, the umbrella tilted in the rain... these small things, like a gentle stream, silently eroded the ice that had been built up in her heart by memories of her past life.

She walked to the window, looked at the continuous rain outside, gently placed her hand on her pregnant belly, and whispered, "Baby, do you think... Mother should try... to look at him again?" The sound of the rain outside the window seemed to echo the turmoil in her heart.