In the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei reclined on a chaise lounge, reflecting on the past year's achievements. Under Ye Qiushuang's management, her two shops, "Weiyan Records" and "Qixiang Studio," had yielded substantial profits. Shen Wei now planned to expand further by opening additional branches.
Her elder sister, Shen Qiang, had managed the fertile farmland in the southern mountains exceptionally well. Last autumn, the harvest had been bountiful, and this spring, Shen Qiang was preparing to gather farmers for sowing once again.
With the imperial examinations approaching, Shen Xiuming had made remarkable progress under the tutelage of Scholar Yang Xuanji. Shen Xiuming regarded Yang Xuanji almost as a father figure, even promising to care for him in his old age—a gesture that moved the childless scholar to tears and inspired him to teach with even greater dedication.
In short, everything was moving in a positive direction.
