In the Jiangnan courtyard, the fragrance of osmanthus still lingers, and life flows peacefully like a stream. However, the appearance of one person quietly stirs up a subtle ripple.

Jinweiji's business is booming, and it has become a leader in the Jiangnan silk industry. In addition to the existing ladies and young women, a special "regular customer" has recently joined them - Zhou Wenxuan, a newly appointed scholar.

Zhou, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He had a handsome face, a refined demeanor, and spoke with great elegance. He wasn't buying for his female relatives, but rather he was particularly interested in the uniquely designed and exquisitely patterned fabrics of "Jinwei Ji," especially admiring Shen Yuewei's designs that blended the scenery of Jiangnan with the artistic conception of literati paintings. He frequently visited the shop, either admiring the fabrics closely or discussing the symbolism of the patterns with Manager Wang. He was also quite generous with his purchases, buying a considerable amount of fine fabrics, saying he wanted to send them back to his hometown for his mother and sisters to make clothes.

Gradually, he had opportunities to converse with Shen Yuewei. He discussed poetry and painting with unique insights, possessed a deep knowledge of the scenery and customs of Jiangnan, and revealed a sincere appreciation for Shen Yuewei's design talent in his words. He never overstepped his bounds, always maintaining a gentle and polite demeanor, with a clear and upright gaze.

"Master Shen's 'Jiangnan in the Rain' pattern, with just a few strokes of blue-black ink, perfectly captures the misty, ethereal atmosphere of a small bridge over a flowing stream. It's truly a masterpiece!" Zhou Wenxuan exclaimed sincerely, pointing to a new design hanging in the shop.

Shen Yuewei smiled and said, "You flatter me, Scholar Zhou. It's just some simple business to make a living."

"You're too modest, sir," Zhou Wenxuan shook his head, looking at her with an open and honest gaze. "To run a business with such elegance and ingenuity requires a profound understanding and vision. You are not only a shrewd businessman but also a man of exceptional talent, truly admirable." His praise was heartfelt, without a hint of intimacy.

Shen Yuewei took it as a casual courtesy and thanked him politely. Her mind was entirely focused on the new orders at the shop and on An'an, who was crying for milk at home. She did not notice the occasional, barely perceptible appreciation and concern that flashed in the eyes of this scholar Zhou, nor did she notice that every time he came, his gaze would linger on her for a few more minutes, with a gentle focus.

Chun Tao, however, keenly sensed something. She noticed that Zhou, the scholar, was always very polite when he came, and his gaze towards the young lady was exceptionally clear and gentle. Once, she even saw Zhou sitting by the window in the teahouse opposite the shop, his eyes lingering on the young lady busy in the shop. That gaze... was definitely not the gaze one would give to an ordinary shopkeeper.

"Miss..." On this day, when there were few people in the shop, Chun Tao stammered as she sorted out the fabrics.

"Hmm?" Shen Yuewei was looking down at the accounts without raising her head.

"Um... Scholar Zhou seems to... really like the fabrics from our shop, huh?" Chun Tao probed.

“Yes, Scholar Zhou has good taste and discerning eye; he’s a good customer,” Shen Yuewei replied casually.

"He...he seems to have feelings for you, Miss..." Chun Tao's face flushed red, but she couldn't bring herself to say the rest. She was afraid she was overthinking things, and even more afraid that saying it would only cause her mistress more trouble. Her mistress was doing so well now, with An'an, her shop, and a comfortable and carefree life. Why should she get involved in these feelings? Besides, her mistress might not even be without His Highness the Crown Prince in her heart.

Shen Yuewei finally raised her head and looked at Chuntao with some confusion: "To me? To me what? You have a high opinion of the fabric I designed? Isn't that a good thing?" She didn't think of anything else at all.

Looking into her young mistress's clear, open, and untainted eyes, Chun Tao swallowed back the words she was about to say, and said awkwardly, "No...nothing. I just think that Scholar Zhou is a very nice person." Well, it's better that her mistress doesn't know. Anyway, Scholar Zhou is a well-mannered person; he probably won't do anything out of line.

An'an grew up day by day, becoming more and more adorable, like a delicate porcelain doll. When Shen Yuewei held her in the yard to bask in the sun, she would often tease her, "An'an, An'an, what's our little An'an's name?"

That day, Zhou Wenxuan came to the shop again and bought several pieces of elegant brocade suitable for book covers. Just as he was paying, Chun Tao came into the shop carrying An'an, looking for her mother. An'an saw Shen Yuewei and immediately stretched out her little hand, babbling, "Mother! Mother!"

Zhou Wenxuan watched this heartwarming scene, his gaze lingering on An'an's lovely face for a moment, a gentle smile in his eyes: "Your daughter is truly lovely and radiant. May I ask... what is your name, young lady? It would be nice to address you."

Before Shen Yuewei could answer, Chuntao spoke first, her voice clear and loud, carrying a subtle sense of announcement: "Reporting to Scholar Zhou, our young lady's surname is Xiao, and her given name is 'Yue,' bestowed upon her by His Highness the Crown Prince! 'Yue' is a divine pearl, precious and auspicious!"

“Xiao Yue…” Zhou Wenxuan was slightly taken aback, then quickly regained his composure, his smile remaining gentle and polite, though a faint hint of understanding and relief flickered deep in his eyes. “A good name! Easy to pronounce and with profound meaning. The little princess will surely be as beautiful as a pearl and blessed with great fortune.” He nodded slightly to An’an, his attitude respectful.

Shen Yuewei glanced at Chun Tao but didn't reprimand her for being so talkative. The name Xiao Yue was given to her by the Crown Prince himself before he left Jiangnan, signifying "the apple of his eye." Chun Tao's mention of it now was perhaps meant to make this Zhou scholar understand something. Shen Yuewei understood, but only found it somewhat amusing and didn't take it to heart.

Zhou Wenxuan paid the money and left without lingering. But as he turned, he casually remarked to Shen Yuewei, "The day after tomorrow, there will be a small gathering of Jiangnan literati at the 'Lanyue Tower' in the west of the city, where we'll appreciate chrysanthemums, enjoy tea, and discuss poetry and painting. I've heard that you, Master Shen, are quite accomplished in painting. If you have some free time, why not come and chat? Perhaps it will offer some new inspiration for the shop's design." His tone was frank, his eyes clear, as if he truly intended to exchange ideas on art.

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