With less competition from the elders, An'an spent more time nestled in her mother's arms. Shen Yuewei had fully recovered from her postpartum confinement, her complexion was rosy, and her brows showed a gentle serenity befitting a new mother, as well as the confidence and composure of someone successful in her career.
She no longer needed to be at "Jinwei's Shop" all the time; Manager Wang had managed the business perfectly, only sending over important decisions and accounts periodically. Shen Yuewei's days became increasingly leisurely and comfortable.
She would wake up to the sound of birdsong at dawn, first checking on her daughter sleeping soundly in the cradle, then taking Chuntao to the courtyard to practice a set of gentle martial arts exercises to loosen their muscles. Chuntao had now mastered the moves quite well, and the two of them would stretch their bodies in the soft morning light, smiling at each other.
"Miss, look at these osmanthus flowers! They're blooming more beautifully than ever before, and their fragrance is intoxicating!" Chun Tao stood on tiptoe, gently inhaling the golden osmanthus blossoms on the branches, her face filled with delight.
“Yes, let’s pick some and make some sweet osmanthus lotus root and some osmanthus honey.” Shen Yuewei instructed with a smile, “An’an should also start eating some complementary foods. We can mix some rice cereal with osmanthus honey, she’ll definitely like it.”
"Yes! Leave it to me!" Chun Tao said with great enthusiasm.
In the mornings, Shen Yuewei often held An'an on the soft couch by the window, handling some simple shop paperwork while playing with her daughter. An'an babbled and waved her little hands to grab her mother's pen or account book, making Shen Yuewei both laugh and cry, her heart filled with tenderness. Chun Tao, meanwhile, did needlework or tidied the house, occasionally coming over to play with An'an, filling the small courtyard with warm, playful sounds.
In the afternoon, if the sun is shining, Shen Yuewei will take An'an and Chuntao out. Sometimes they will go to "Jinwei Ji" to look at the newly arrived fabrics and chat with Manager Wang about business; other times they will accept invitations from several familiar ladies to have a small gathering at their residences.
That day, at the invitation of the Prefect's wife, Shen Yuewei took An'an and Chun Tao to her villa outside the city to admire the chrysanthemums. The villa was built by the lake, and the chrysanthemums were in full bloom, some as yellow as gold, some as white as snow, and some as purple as the sunset, all vying for beauty.
"Sister Shen is here! Please come in! Oh my, the little princess is here too, what a rare guest!" The prefect's wife greeted her warmly, her gaze falling on the exquisitely beautiful An'an in Shen Yuewei's arms, her affection overflowing.
Several familiar ladies and young women were already waiting in the flower hall. When they saw Shen Yuewei and her daughter, they all gathered around. An'an became the undisputed focus of attention, being hugged by one person and teased by another. The little one was not shy at all and giggled, which made everyone even more fond of her.
"Little Yuewei is so lucky! Look how adorable An'an is!"
"Yes, my sister is now very successful in her career, and her daughter is so beautiful and lovely. She is truly a winner in life!"
"That's right! I heard that 'Jinwei Ji's' new autumn/winter fabrics sold out as soon as they hit the shelves? We really envy your business acumen, sister!"
Shen Yuewei responded with a smile, neither overly humble nor ostentatious, sharing her parenting tips and anecdotes about running a business with a natural and generous demeanor. The conversation naturally shifted to chrysanthemums, poetry, and the scenery of Jiangnan. Everyone sipped fragrant tea, ate delicate chrysanthemum cakes, admired the beautiful garden, and chatted about lighthearted topics in a harmonious and relaxed atmosphere. Surrounded by this unassuming friendship, which stemmed purely from shared interests, Shen Yuewei felt a sense of peace and tranquility.
Chun Tao held An An under the eaves, watching the koi in the lake. The little one excitedly pointed at the fish and babbled. Chun Tao patiently taught her, "Fish, fish, fish..." The sunlight shone on them, warm and cozy.
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