Crown Prince Xiao Chengjing's longing was like the gentle rain of Jiangnan, continuous and endless, manifesting as boxes of precious items delivered to the small courtyard: rare furs from the north, to make winter clothes for An'an; newly fired sweet-white glazed tea sets from the imperial kiln, their bodies as thin as paper, their sound like the chimes of jade; even several booklets of flower and bird paintings treasured by court painters, clearly intended for designing patterns for Shen Yuewei. The accompanying letters were even more deeply affectionate, each word expressing his autumn thoughts in the capital and his concern for the mother and daughter.

> Wei'er Qingqing:

> Autumn has fallen deep in the capital, with frost and heavy dew. I read in your letter that the warm sun still shines over Jiangnan, the fragrance of osmanthus lingers, and I hear of the joy of Yue'er's first steps and the opening of a branch store. My heart yearns for it all, and I wish I could have wings. Whenever I sit alone in the Eastern Palace, only your portrait (painted by the secret guards) and the brocade pouch containing Yue'er's first hair can slightly ease my longing.

> Your Majesty need not worry about my wishes. Lady Luo is gentle and refined, a lady of a noble family, but she is not the one my heart desires. The only one fit to be the Crown Prince is you. That scoundrel Lu Zheng always causes trouble, which is both laughable and frustrating, but it also saves me a lot of trouble. Thinking of this, I even find that brute somewhat endearing.

Enclosed with this letter are several bolts of newly presented Yun brocade from the Imperial Household Department. Their color is warm and lustrous, and they seem to float like clouds when touched. Perhaps they can be used to make new clothes for you and Yue'er. Also included is a box of pearls from the South China Sea, each one round and lustrous, with an inner radiance. You may use them to set into jewelry or adorn Yue'er's hat, just for your amusement.

> The Cold Dew season is heavy in Jiangnan; add layers in the mornings and evenings to avoid catching a cold. Yue'er is just learning to walk; she needs careful supervision. I eagerly await your reply; every word is precious.

> — Written by Jing on an autumn night in the Eastern Palace

As Shen Yuewei read the letter, stroking the smooth, cool brocade and the glittering pearls, her heart was not entirely unmoved. That deep longing from the capital was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating gentle ripples. But she quickly suppressed these ripples, putting the brocade away in the storeroom. She had a skilled craftsman inlay a pair of delicate pearl flowers into the pearls, which she placed in An'an's hair, making the little girl look even more adorable. Her thoughts, however, were more focused on Zhou Wenxuan's invitation.

Zhou Wenxuan's invitation was sincere: "There's a 'Peach Blossom Manor' on the outskirts of the city, owned by a friend. The manor is full of fruits and vegetables, and autumn is the season when the fruits are fragrant. There's also a babbling brook and a wide meadow, perfect for a spring outing and relaxation. I've heard that the little princess can already walk, why not bring her out to experience the charm of the countryside? The manor offers farm-style meals, which, though simple, are fresh and unique." His words were earnest, mentioning only the rural scenery and the child, without a trace of intimacy.

Looking at the clear autumn weather, Shen Yuewei thought that An'an was confined to the small courtyard all day and should go out to see the world, so she readily agreed: "That would be great, thank you for your trouble, Scholar Zhou."

The carriage left the town, a tapestry of vibrant autumn colors unfolding along the way. Upon arriving at "Peach Blossom Village," it indeed presented a picturesque pastoral scene. The village houses were rustic and simple, surrounded by vast vegetable patches and orchards. Golden persimmons hung heavily from the branches, and bright red apples weighed down the twigs. In the vegetable gardens, radishes were lush and green, and cabbages were crisp and fresh. A clear stream meandered through the meadow, its banks dotted with wild chrysanthemums, and several plump ducks swam leisurely.

As soon as An'an got out of the car, she was captivated by the vast expanse of land and the novelty around her. Pointing her little finger at the ducks quacking in the distance, she excitedly cried out, "Ah! Ah!" and struggled to get down from Chun Tao's arms.

"Slow down, slow down, my little darling!" Chun Tao carefully put her down. An An, wearing the little cotton-padded jacket made by Shen Yuewei, waddled like a little duck towards the stream, full of curiosity about everything.

Zhou Wenxuan had already made all the arrangements. He didn't deliberately approach Shen Yuewei, but instead acted like a dutiful guide, gently introducing the area: "This is the orchard. The apples, pears, and persimmons are all ripe, and you can pick them as you like. The radishes and cabbages in the vegetable garden over there are all freshly picked by the farmers. The stream is shallow, and you can see the pebbles at the bottom, so it's fine for the little princess to play in the water, but someone needs to keep a close eye on her."

He personally led An'an to the stream, squatting down to teach her to use a small stick to poke at the pebbles in the water and watch the little fish and shrimp swim. An'an was having a great time, splashing water with her little hands, the spray wetting the hem of Zhou Wenxuan's robe, but he just laughed heartily, not caring at all. He also picked a few ripe red cherry tomatoes, washed them with clean water, and handed them to An'an and Chun Tao: "Try them, they're grown on the farm, sweet and sour."

Shen Yuewei strolled through the orchard, basking in the warmth of the autumn sun and the fragrance of the fruit. Watching Zhou Wenxuan patiently playing with his daughter, her affection for him grew even stronger. He was a man of measured words and actions, considerate and thoughtful. His love and patience for An'an were genuine, and he always maintained a respectful distance, like a friend, without a trace of frivolity. Being with him was like basking in the warm autumn sun—natural, comfortable, and without any pressure.

At noon, in the village courtyard, we enjoyed a farm-style meal prepared by the villagers: stir-fried seasonal vegetables, stewed chicken with mushrooms, freshly steamed multigrain buns, and a large bowl of vegetable and tofu soup with egg drop soup. The ingredients were fresh, and the cooking methods were simple, yet they had a unique flavor. An'an had a great appetite and ate half a bowl of soft chicken and rice.

After dinner, An'an, tired from playing, fell into a deep sleep in Chun Tao's arms. Zhou Wenxuan then suggested sitting in the pavilion by the meadow and brewing a pot of tea. The pavilion offered a wide view, with rolling autumn mountains in the distance and golden meadows and busy farmers harvesting nearby.

"I brought the little princess out today, and she seems very happy," Zhou Wenxuan said with a smile, looking at the sleeping An'an.

“Yes, she’s usually confined to the courtyard, it’s rare for her to run around like this.” Shen Yuewei smiled, looking at her daughter with tender eyes.

“Children are naturally drawn to nature.” Zhou Wenxuan poured Shen Yuewei a cup of tea. “Ms. Shen is a capable businesswoman. ‘Jinwei Ji’ has many branches and a rising reputation. She is truly a heroine among women. However, looking at your brow, there seems to be some weariness. Although the work in the shop is heavy, you also need to balance work and rest.” His tone was filled with sincere concern.

Shen Yuewei was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to be so observant. She had indeed been extremely busy lately, managing several shops while also taking care of An'an, who was just learning to walk, and her energy was inevitably somewhat depleted. She sighed softly, "Scholar Zhou has a keen eye. The shops are just getting on track, there are countless things to manage, and Yue'er is at that very age where she's causing a ruckus, so it's true that I'm finding it difficult to be in two places at once."

“My lady is a woman of great talent, though not invincible,” Zhou Wenxuan said gently. “I am not skilled in the ways of commerce, but I am quite familiar with the scenery and people of Jiangnan. If you don’t mind, I can act as your guide in the future, taking you and your daughter to some quiet and elegant places to relax. For example, the red leaves at Hanshan Temple in the west of the city, or the reed marshes by Taihu Lake, both are beautiful in autumn. It’s just a small gathering of friends to enjoy the scenery and have no other intentions.” His gaze was open and clear, and his words were sincere, only mentioning friendship and the joy of nature.

Looking into his sincere eyes, Shen Yuewei felt a warmth in her heart from the pure kindness and respect he conveyed. She picked up her teacup and took a small sip: "I appreciate your hospitality, Scholar Zhou. If I have the time, I will certainly come to your aid." She accepted this kindness as naturally and openly as she accepted the warm autumn sun.

Listening from the side, and observing Zhou Wenxuan's consistently gentle, polite, and measured demeanor, Chun Tao completely let down her guard. This Zhou scholar seemed genuinely to admire her young lady's talent and character, treating her as a respectable friend. His affection for her was undeniable. This… was good enough. In Jiangnan, besides business partners, her young lady should also have some like-minded friends.