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Shen Chuwei looked at the fabrics on the table, noting the subtle patterns that likely indicated their value. There were understated and vibrant colors, all of which were attractive.

She picked out a few fabrics with nice colors and said, "This golden yellow is very flattering to the skin, and so are the turquoise and moon white. They all look quite nice to me."

The Empress watched as Shen Chuwei selected several colors of fabric and was very pleased, generously complimenting her, "Your eye for color is really good. I’ve been looking for so long and haven’t found any fabric that really caught my fancy."

Shen Chuwei, feeling the fabrics, said, "The Empress’ taste is also very good; the materials are all quite comfortable."

The Empress, with a smile in her eyes, said, "The baby’s skin is delicate. Shu brocade is the best material for him. Later on, we can also make some little shoes."

The Empress wanted to make clothes for her baby, and Shen Chuwei was of course very happy. She leaned in, "Do you need some patterns, Your Majesty?"

The Empress looked at Shen Chuwei in confusion. "What patterns?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "Patterns for making clothes."

Surprised, the Empress exclaimed, "You can design clothes?"

Shen Chuwei said tentatively, "A little bit. I’m better at drawing the patterns."

"Then show me your designs." The Empress turned her head and ordered Qing Ying, "Go prepare brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone."

Shen Chuwei quickly stopped Mammy Qingying, "There’s no need for that, the patterns are ready at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. When the Empress has time to visit the Pavilion, I can explain them to you."

The Empress, hearing this, was not in a hurry, "Alright, when I visit, you can show them to me."

"By the way, have you experienced any leg cramps or swelling lately?" The Empress had severe leg cramps and swelling at night when she was pregnant. Back then, the Emperor wasn’t as unreasonable as he is now and would massage her legs at night, saying she had worked hard.

Who knew that later on, the Emperor would become so unbearable, provoking such irritable frustration.

Shen Chuwei replied, "I haven’t had those symptoms; my sleep quality has been rather good."

The Empress nodded, "That’s good. If it stays this way, you’ll suffer less."

After sitting for a while, Shen Chuwei and Chun Xi then left the Fengyi Palace.

As soon as they came out, Chun Xi couldn’t help saying, "Little mistress, why didn’t you say the Emperor asked you to move around the Fengyi Palace? Taking such a risk."

Shen Chuwei said, "We’ll just follow the Emperor’s orders for now, and now the Empress’ as well, right?"

Chun Xi was taken aback, "That works?"

"Why wouldn’t it? We have been listening to both the Emperor and the Empress," Shen Chuwei chuckled.

Chun Xi: "..." Fair enough!

The next day, the Empress came to visit Shen Chuwei with nourishing soup and brought Qing Ying to see the patterns.

For her precious grandson’s clothes, she planned to work with Qing Ying.

Shen Chuwei had the patterns ready early.

Actually, children’s clothes were much more convenient than adults’.

The pattern Shen Chuwei provided was of a one-piece garment, because clothes in separate pieces were somewhat ill-fitting for newborns. If the waist of the trousers was too large, they would fall off; if too tight, they would be uncomfortable for the baby.

One-piece clothing would be very comfortable for the baby.

The Empress had never seen such clothes before and found them novel, "Lady Shen has been very thoughtful. One-piece clothes are very suitable for the baby to wear."

Shen Chuwei gave a guilty smile. She had seen onesies in shopping malls and knew they were easy to wear and cute on babies, so she kept a pattern.

The Empress and Qing Ying studied it again, and once they understood exactly how to sew it, they were eager to return to Fengyi Palace to make clothes for the precious grandson.

After the ban was lifted, Qin Xiao found it easier to enter.

Before he left, Xiao Jinyan had instructed him to buy some snacks and delicacies from outside the palace for Shen Chuwei every few days.

Qin Xiao was almost always buying food on his way out of the palace.

Because Xiao Jinyan had said, the delicacies should not repeat.

Qin Xiao went through every main street and alley, just to find something Shen Chuwei hadn’t eaten before.

Shen Chuwei, who had been craving stir-fried crayfish, lit up when she saw Qin Xiao arrive.

"Qin Xiao."

Qin Xiao placed the delicacies he had bought onto the table in front of Shen Chuwei, "Lady Shen, these are what I bought on Southern City Street. Please have a taste."

Hearing there was food, Shen Chuwei eagerly sat up with the help of her couch. Her movements had inevitably become somewhat restricted with her growing belly.

Opening the oily paper wrap, she saw neatly separated, snow-white dragon whisker pastries.

"Qin Xiao, you actually found dragon whisker pastries." She picked up a pastry, carefully biting into it. It melted in her mouth with a sweet, nutty flavor.

"If Lady Shen likes it, that’s good," said Qin Xiao, placing a hand behind his back as he stepped outside.

Chun Xi had just finished two baby bibs and was about to hang them to dry when she turned around and saw Qin Xiao standing behind her.

On his previous visits, Qin Xiao hadn’t encountered Chun Xi, but this time he had deliberately sought her out.

Qin Xiao was so tall that Chun Xi had to tilt her head back to see his handsome face, "What are you doing standing behind me?"

Qin Xiao took a package from behind his back and stuffed it into Chun Xi’s hands, "This is for you."

Chun Xi looked down at the suddenly presented item wrapped in oily paper, unable to discern what was inside.

"Qin Xiao, what is this?" When Chun Xi looked up, Qin Xiao’s figure was nowhere to be seen—he had already dashed off.

"What a strange man." After hanging the bibs to dry, Chun Xi unwrapped the oily paper to find two items inside: a wooden box and another oily paper package.

She opened the wooden box to find a white and green Pearl Flower, quite pretty to look at.

She then opened the other oily paper package and found some food inside, which she didn’t recognize.

Since it was a gift from Qin Xiao, it should be fine to eat it.

She took a bite and found it melted in her mouth, sweet with the flavor of nuts, and it was quite delicious.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao had not actually gone far. He was hiding somewhere where Chun Xi couldn’t see him, secretly watching her reaction.

...ps: One update, 3000 words