After the showdown over "freedom" and "palace walls," the atmosphere in the courtyard froze briefly. Xiao Chengjing remained silent for a long time, so long that Shen Yuewei thought he would storm off or resort to force.
However, he only looked at her deeply, deeply, with a complex expression that was hard to describe—there was loss, confusion, and frustration, but in the end, what settled in those deep eyes was a kind of weariness that was almost resigned to fate and a deep appreciation for the person in front of him.
He didn't say anything more, but silently picked up An'an, who had just woken up and was babbling and looking for someone. He gently rubbed his stubble against his daughter's soft face, making the little one giggle. That laughter was like a warm current, melting the ice in the air.
In the days that followed, Xiao Chengjing seemed to have truly put those worries behind him. He no longer mentioned returning to the capital, nor the investiture ceremony, but focused solely on playing the role of an awkward yet incredibly dedicated father, and a "guest" trying his best to adapt to the rhythm of Jiangnan.
He tried to use the ceramic pot on Shen Yuewei's small clay stove to boil water and make tea, although he often boiled the water dry; he followed Chun Tao to pick osmanthus flowers with great interest, but he clumsily shook the petals off the ground, which made Chun Tao feel very sorry for him; he even tried to pick up the charcoal pencil that Shen Yuewei used to draw patterns and doodle on the paper, wanting to draw a kitten for An An, but the drawing turned out to be a mess, which An An disdainfully slapped away with her little hand, making Shen Yuewei cover her mouth and laugh.
More often than not, he would hold An'an in his arms, sitting under the osmanthus tree, watching Shen Yuewei handle the shop's accounts, or drawing those exquisitely beautiful patterns that he couldn't understand. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, falling on them, and the fragrance of osmanthus filled the air. He would point to the busy Shen Yuewei and say to his daughter, "An'an, look how amazing Mommy is." His tone carried a pride he himself was unaware of, and an indescribable sense of peaceful satisfaction.
Looking at Xiao Chengjing like this, Shen Yuewei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She cherished this hard-won peace without conflict. He would carefully brush the fallen petals from her shoulders, silently hand her a cup of warm osmanthus honey water while she drew, and naturally take the bowl of An'an to soothe her when she was being noisy. He had restrained all his sharpness and domineering nature, like an ordinary husband who cherished his wife and daughter.
This stolen moment of leisure, like the sweet osmanthus honey of Jiangnan, is intoxicatingly sweet, yet subtly unsettling, for it is destined to end. Both tacitly avoid confronting the fundamental contradiction, simply indulging in the cozy, osmanthus-scented everyday life before them.
The tranquility was broken by two messages sent by carrier pigeon from the capital.
The first letter came from Lu Zheng, the heir apparent of the Duke of Dingguo, a trusted advisor and close friend of the Crown Prince who remained in the capital. The letter bore Lu Zheng's strong and vigorous handwriting, yet its content carried a hint of solemnity:
> To my brother Chengjing:
> Is the fragrance of osmanthus from Jiangnan truly intoxicating? Yet, a gust of wind rises in the capital, lest it disturb your peaceful dreams, my brother. The Third Prince, Chengyu, has been rather "restless" lately. The Empress favors him greatly, frequently summoning him to the Phoenix Palace for conversations and showering him with gifts. While observing affairs at the Ministry of Works, he actually accomplished several tasks, both minor and significant, such as dredging river channels and repairing official granaries, earning him a reputation for practicality. Even more remarkable is his humility and courtesy; his interactions with others are impeccable, and he is especially respectful to the Empress, paying his respects morning and evening as if she were his own son. Some upright officials in the court have already praised him as "gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and possessing the qualities of a benevolent ruler." His mother, Consort Lan, formerly unknown, has also recently been frequently summoned by the Empress, and her complexion has improved considerably.
> In my opinion, this is not a sudden enlightenment from Consort Lan and her son. It is likely that a mastermind is guiding them, using the Empress's influence to achieve their hidden ambitions. Her Majesty the Empress is a woman of deep thought; her support of Cheng Yu is probably intended to maintain balance, or perhaps... for your long-term benefit? I have already dispatched more people to keep an eye on things. You are in Jiangnan, and you should be aware of the situation. I look forward to your return.
> — Zheng's handwritten letter
Xiao Chengjing stood beneath the osmanthus tree, clutching the letter, his eyes unfathomable. Chengyu… his half-brother, only two years younger than him, the one he always remembered as quietly following behind, his eyes timid? The Empress supporting him? A check on him? Or… a backup plan for this “disobedient” Crown Prince? A cold smile curved his lips. What a fine description of “gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and possessing the qualities of a benevolent ruler!” It seemed that during his absence from the capital, some people had become restless. He lit the letter over the embers of the clay stove, watching it turn to ashes and scatter in the wind. Deep within his eyes, the sharp edge temporarily suppressed by the warm sun of Jiangnan re-emerged.
The second letter came from Lin Qingwan. The letter paper carried a faint fragrance of orchids, and the handwriting was elegant and graceful. However, the content instantly relaxed Xiao Chengjing's tense nerves, and he couldn't help but smile.
> How is Yuewei, my dear sister? The autumn scenery in Jiangnan must be intoxicating, making Qingwan envious. Enclosed are some new baby toys and clothing patterns from the capital; I hope An'an likes them.
> I am writing this letter today because I cannot contain my excitement and want to share a...interesting story with my sister. Your dear second brother, Shen Wenbo, finally "mustered up his courage" yesterday and came to propose marriage with generous gifts!
> My sister didn't see that scene! The usually composed and confident Second Young Master Shen, who was a force to be reckoned with in the business world, was so nervous in front of my father that he was practically jumping around! When he presented the gift list, his fingers were trembling, and he almost dropped it! My father deliberately put on a stern face and asked him a few questions, such as "How will you make a living?", "How will you support your family?", and "What are your expectations for your daughter?" He answered sincerely and clearly, but the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and his slightly trembling voice were really... quite amusing!
The funniest thing was that when his father asked, "After marriage, will you live in the capital or travel with me to trade?" he blurted out, "Wherever Qingwan is, Wenbai will be! Whether in the capital or in Jiangnan, to the ends of the earth, we will never be apart!" Upon hearing this, not only his father, but even his mother and I, who were eavesdropping behind the screen, were stunned! His father, who had been deliberately keeping a straight face, couldn't help but burst out laughing, saying repeatedly, "Good! Good! For your devotion, I grant your request!"
> You didn't see the expression on my second brother's face at that moment. He was stunned at first, then overjoyed. Like a young boy, he performed a standard kneeling bow to my father and shouted, "Your son-in-law thanks you for granting my request!" His voice was so loud that it almost shook the dust off the roof beams!
> Now that the engagement is settled, the wedding date is set for next spring. Don't worry, little sister, I'll remember your second brother's silly nervousness and his words, "No matter where we are, we will never be apart."
> I hope that Jiangnan is well and that we can reunite soon.
> — A gentle smile accompanied by three soft laughs.
After reading it, Xiao Chengjing imagined Shen Wenbai's nervous, flustered, and ecstatic kneeling appearance, and then recalled his composure and occasional sharpness when facing him in Jiangnan. The contrast was so great that he couldn't help but chuckle. He handed the letter to Shen Yuewei beside him: "Look, even your second brother has his day."
Shen Yuewei took the letter and read it carefully, a bright smile spreading across her face, her eyes sparkling with mischief: "We really should let Father and Mother see what Second Brother looks like! We always complain that he's mature beyond his years, but now he's shown his true colors in front of Father-in-law!" She shook her head with a smile, "However, 'Wherever Qingwan is, Wenbai will be,' that's something Second Brother would actually say. He truly cherishes Sister Qingwan."
She looked up at Xiao Chengjing, and the two smiled at each other. The gloom that had arisen from the letter from the capital seemed to have been somewhat dispelled by this joyous occasion. The courtyard was once again filled with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
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