The sweltering heat of Jiangnan was made even more oppressive by the grand "treasure parade." In the streets and alleys, during leisure time, the focus of discussion was no longer the new tea from Shuyue Tea House, but rather the Crown Prince, far away in the capital, consumed by jealousy and behaving with an almost childish arrogance. The Shen family courtyard had been bustling with activity these past few days.
"Oh my, Yuewei, you didn't see it!" Second sister-in-law Lin Qingwan, holding her already protruding belly, laughed so hard she was shaking, and was carefully supported by Shen Wenbai beside her. "Those two big coral trees, so red, they almost blinded the manager of the silk shop next door! And that box of pearls, my goodness, it was just left open in the sunlight, tsk tsk tsk, is His Highness the Crown Prince afraid that the whole of Jiangnan will not know that his jealousy has spilled into the Grand Canal?" She imitated the exaggerated tone of the women watching on the street at that time, and it was very lifelike.
Madam Shen brought in a plate of freshly chilled bayberries, her face beaming with smiles. She gave Lin Qingwan a reproachful look and said, "You have such a mouth! Be careful not to corrupt An'an." Despite her words, the wrinkles around her eyes crinkled with laughter, clearly extremely pleased with the Crown Prince's "protective" behavior towards his food.
An'an was lying on the couch, fiddling with a Hepu pearl the size of a pigeon's egg in a brocade box, her round eyes full of curiosity: "Mommy, did Daddy give An'an so many shiny stones to play with?"
Shen Yuewei was writing something when she heard this. She looked up, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, and gently tapped her daughter's nose: "This is what Father gave to Mother... um, 'betrothal gifts'." She spoke the last two words very softly, with a hint of sweet helplessness and shyness. On the desk in front of her, several sheets of gold-flecked paper were spread out, the ink still wet.
"Dowry?" An'an blinked, seemingly understanding but not quite.
“Yes, the betrothal gifts!” Lin Qingwan chimed in, teasing her on purpose. “It’s because your father was afraid someone would steal your mother away! So, he showed off all these treasures to tell everyone: ‘This is my wife! Nobody is allowed to covet her!’” She imitated the man’s gruff voice, making An’an giggle. Even the usually composed Mr. Shen stroked his beard and laughed out loud.
Shen Yuewei was so embarrassed that she glared at Lin Qingwan: "Second sister-in-law!" She put down her pen, picked up the letter she had written, and blew on the ink. "If you keep talking nonsense, I won't draw new patterns for you."
"No, no, no!" Lin Qingwan immediately begged for mercy, touching her belly. "For the sake of your little nephew and niece's new clothes, I'll shut up!" She leaned closer and mischievously glanced at the letter in Shen Yuewei's hand. "Tsk tsk, this letter is for that 'jealous prince,' right? Tell me quickly, what did it say? Is it meant to make fun of him for being petty, childish, and jealous?"
Shen Yuewei carefully folded the letter, placed it in an elegant envelope, tapped it lightly with her fingertip, and smiled a sly yet gentle smile: "I have a clever plan. Chuntao!"
"You're here, Miss!" Chun Tao entered in response, her face still flushed—the magnificent fabrics the Crown Prince had just sent had dazzled her.
"This letter, delivered by express courier, is to the Eastern Palace in the capital." Shen Yuewei handed over the envelope, adding a hint of mockery in her voice, "Be sure to deliver it to His Highness the Crown Prince personally. Tell him that it's hot in Jiangnan, and that he should... calm down."
Chun Tao smiled and solemnly accepted the gift: "Yes, Miss!" She ran out with light steps.
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