**The Capital: The Grand Wedding at the Shen Family Mansion, a Feast for the Senses**

The Shen residence was brightly decorated and filled with guests. Red silk was stretched from the gate to the main hall, and the deafening sounds of gongs, drums, and suonas nearly shook half the capital. Today was the auspicious day of Shen Wenqing, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, marrying He Mingshu, the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a marriage bestowed upon them by the Emperor himself—a truly unparalleled honor.

The groom, Shen Wenqing, dressed in a bright red wedding suit, stood tall and straight, his usually serious face now beaming with joy. The bride, He Mingshu, adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, her slender figure gracefully stepping over the fire basin with the help of the wedding attendant. The handsome groom and beautiful bride, a perfect match made in heaven, drew admiration and blessings from the guests.

Dressed in a brand-new crimson imperial robe, Madam Shen's face was beaming as she moved among the guests, accepting congratulations from all sides. She chatted amiably, handling everything with grace and poise, displaying the demeanor of a matriarch. However, in the brief moment it took her to turn and accept a cup of hot tea, a glimpse of a potted pomegranate tree in full bloom in the corner of the hall (symbolizing many children and blessings) caught her eye, and her smile faded slightly. A barely perceptible hint of moisture and longing flashed across her eyes.

Wei'er… her most beloved daughter, now far away in Jiangnan, pregnant, unable to witness her brother's wedding, unable to wear the magnificent gown her mother had meticulously prepared, embroidered by the same embroiderer as He Mingshu's wedding dress. This regret, like a tiny thorn, pierced her heart, especially clear amidst the clamor of the hall. But Madam Shen quickly composed herself, her smile returning, warmly embracing an elderly lady who had come to offer congratulations: "Madam Wang, please take a seat! Please enjoy a few more cups of celebratory wine today!" She suppressed that longing deep within her heart, greeting the guests with an even more enthusiastic smile—this was the glory of the Shen family, and Wei'er's future support; she could not lose her composure.

As the second son of the Shen family, Shen Wenbai was naturally extremely busy with his elder brother's wedding. He had to ensure that all the exquisite robes and servants' attire provided by "Yunshang Pavilion" for the wedding went perfectly, and he also had to help his father socialize with business tycoons and dignitaries from all walks of life. Dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, he was tall and slender, with both the shrewdness of a businessman and the refined elegance of a noble young master, moving with ease among the crowd.

As the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, Lin Qingwan was naturally among those invited. Today, she wore a new "after-rain sky blue" soft gauze dress from Shen Wenbai's "Yunshang Pavilion," looking fresh and elegant, standing out among the vying noble ladies. She didn't deliberately seek out Shen Wenbai, but simply sat quietly among the ladies, occasionally exchanging a few words with familiar young women, her gaze always unconsciously following his busy figure.

Halfway through the banquet, Shen Wenbai finally got a moment to catch his breath and went to the corridor for some fresh air. As he turned around, he saw Lin Qingwan standing there, leaning on the railing and gazing at the chrysanthemums in full bloom in the courtyard.

"Miss Lin." Shen Wenbai stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke with a hint of gentleness that was barely perceptible to him.

Lin Qingwan turned around and smiled slightly: "Young Master Shen, you've worked hard. The manor is truly bustling today. Congratulations on the perfect match between Minister Shen and Miss He."

"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Lin." Shen Wenbai looked at her beautiful and gentle profile in the sunlight, recalling the lavish praise she had given to "Yunshang Pavilion" in her letter and her assessment of him as a "fool," and his heart stirred slightly. He hesitated for a moment, then took out a small object wrapped in a plain brocade handkerchief from his sleeve: "The other day, the caravan brought back some new and ingenious trinkets from the south. This... is a small rabbit carved from a local fragrant wood that is said to have calming properties. It's said that placing it by the pillow can help one sleep. I've heard that Miss Lin has been copying scriptures and praying for the Empress lately, often until late at night. Perhaps... it might come in handy?" His handing it over was a little stiff, and his ears turned slightly red.

Lin Qingwan looked at the adorable wooden rabbit, then at the usually composed and capable but now somewhat flustered Second Young Master Shen, and felt a gentle touch on her heart, a warm current quietly spreading through her. She reached out and took it, her fingertips accidentally brushing against his palm, and both of them trembled slightly.

"Thank you, Second Young Master Shen. You're... very cute." Lin Qingwan's voice was soft, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "Young Master... are you familiar with the business in Jiangnan? My father has a protégé at the Jiangnan Textile Bureau, perhaps..."

Standing in the corridor, away from the hustle and bustle of the hall, the two chatted about a small wooden rabbit, their conversation gradually shifting to the silk, weaving, and trade routes of Jiangnan… Shen Wenbai spoke eloquently, his eyes gleaming with a burning passion for the business world; Lin Qingwan listened quietly, occasionally offering a insightful question or two, demonstrating her considerable knowledge. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on them, creating a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere. A feeling of mutual appreciation quietly blossomed amidst their business discussions and mutual concern. Shen Wenbai discovered that this daughter of a high-ranking official possessed not only refined manners but also a keenness and wisdom that rivaled any man's; Lin Qingwan, in turn, saw that this businessman, whom she jokingly called a "fool," harbored a profound understanding of the world, and his focus and enthusiasm were particularly moving.