Lin He had her own considerations. If the family opened a shop, Da Bao would certainly become even busier, meaning he probably wouldn't be able to return home as often. Moreover, her eldest brother had truly worked too hard outside these past few years; allowing Da Bao to stay home for a while now would save their mother from constant worrying.

Besides, there were many matters at home that Da Bao, having been away so often over the years, was unaware of and hadn't participated in. As the eldest son, he needed to know about the household affairs, regardless of whether his direct involvement was necessary. Furthermore, Da Bao needed to understand the nuances of social etiquette within the family; he was no longer a child. Having turned thirteen after the New Year, he would soon reach the age for betrothal discussions.

After Lin He settled the matter with Da Bao, he went out to inform Huang Shi and the others that he wouldn't be going to the town anymore and would stay at home. The family was naturally delighted, especially Huang Shi, who said she had longed for Da Bao’s return. Huang Shi never wished for her children to achieve grand success; she simply wished for them to be by her side, which she considered wonderful.

That evening, when Er Niu returned and heard that Da Bao would no longer be going to town, he was surprised but also very happy. This eldest son had spent too little time by his side. Whether the family was poor or had prospered these past few years, the thought of this elder son always brought a pang of heartache; the boy had endured much suffering over the years.

However, seeing how happy they were, Lin He found it truly unbearable to mention the plan for Da Bao to return to town to open a shop in a few weeks. She couldn't bear to spoil their good mood, and perhaps Da Bao felt the same, so neither of them said anything, deciding to address it later.

Huang Shi was exceptionally joyful. Having not cooked much recently, she left the children under Lin He’s and the maid’s care, and took Zi Qing and Zi Yu into the kitchen, preparing an abundance of exquisite dishes. Describing it as a "nine-course feast" wouldn't be an exaggeration. There were several types of staple foods alone—baked flatbreads, steamed buns, and filled dumplings—and no shortage of vegetable dishes either, covering steaming, stir-frying, boiling, deep-frying, and stewing—all made to specially celebrate Da Bao’s return.

Even though Da Bao was back, the time he spent leisurely with Lin He and the others at home was brief. Er Niu often took him out to inspect his fields and mountain plots. Only then did Da Bao gain a concrete understanding of his family's land holdings. In the past, during his short monthly visits, he only heard descriptions; he never grasped how vast the more than one hundred mu of land they owned truly was. Seeing it out by the fields with his father, he realized it was much larger than he had imagined—the expanse stretched beyond sight.

When he had nothing else to do, Da Bao also enjoyed following Er Niu to do some farm work, pruning branches and leaves on the mountain for the fruit trees. His time at home was limited. After all, Da Bao was different from Lin He; a boy who didn't study had to learn to work; he couldn't just stay home doing nothing every day.

At Lin He’s residence, the two siblings brought back from town previously had settled in. Thanks to Ling Er’s meticulous care, Qing Er’s illness had nearly subsided, and she could now go out to the courtyard to watch Xiao Bao and the others play.

Qing Er was naturally timid. Arriving in a strange place where everything was unfamiliar, she spent the first few days recuperating alone in the back courtyard. Once she recovered, she dared not venture into the front yard to play because her older sister had told her that they were servants in this household, meant to serve others, and couldn't simply do as they pleased.

After her younger brother recovered, Ling Er went to the front yard to ask Lin He for tasks. Lin He looked at Ling Er, considering that she was serving under an indenture agreement. She assigned Ling Er to do household chores in the courtyard daily, instructing Zi Qing and Zi Yu to teach her the rules and etiquette. Lin He also stipulated that as for her brother Qing Er, once he was fully recovered, he would accompany Xiao Bao in his studies. Xiao Bao also needed an attendant, or more accurately, a playmate, as Qing Er was nearly the same age as him. For the time being, this arrangement sufficed.

When it was nearly April, before dawn, while everyone in the household was still asleep, a loud knocking startled them. Chang Geng, who lived closest to the courtyard gate, got up to answer it. Seeing Madam Zhao standing anxiously at the entrance, Chang Geng bowed respectfully. Madam Zhao paid no heed to Chang Geng, marching directly into the house. Upon reaching the main hall, she began shouting Er Niu’s name loudly.

“Er Niu, that sounds like Mother’s voice calling. Hurry and get up,” Huang Shi exclaimed, scrambling out of bed and pulling on her clothes upon hearing Madam Zhao’s voice.

Er Niu heard it too. Madam Zhao's cries grew increasingly urgent; it was impossible not to hear. Er Niu and Huang Shi quickly dressed and entered the main hall, asking, “Mother, what is it? It’s still dark out. What brings you up so early?”

Madam Zhao looked at her son and daughter-in-law, her expression somewhat awkward, as if she had something difficult to articulate. Er Niu and Huang Shi’s hearts hammered in their chests. Seeing their mother like this, they feared something major had happened. Er Niu spoke up, “Mother, tell us! Your demeanor is going to frighten us to death.”

Madam Zhao sighed heavily and recounted the unspeakable matter. It turned out that Old Man Lin and she had gone to Madam Zhao’s natal family yesterday for some urgent business and might not return that night. Madam Zhao had instructed Dong Yu to watch the house and tidy up the rooms and courtyard before they left.

Because Hong Xia and the children were working with the long-term laborers, they were usually not home during the day, only returning at night to sleep. Thus, Madam Zhao specifically told Dong Yu to look after the house well, warning her that if anything went missing, she would be held accountable. Unexpectedly, Madam Zhao and Old Man Lin concluded their business quickly and rushed back that afternoon.

Upon returning, the courtyard gate was slightly ajar, and no one was around. The dirty laundry they had changed out of that morning was still piled in the wooden basin in the courtyard, and the courtyard was messy—exactly as it had been when they left. Madam Zhao felt a strange unease. With Hong Xia and the others gone, Dong Yu should certainly have been working at home. Had the wretch been lazy, thinking Madam Zhao wouldn't return today, and run off somewhere to play? She hadn't even secured the gate or cleaned the yard. Madam Zhao grew angry and called out several times, “Dong Yu! Dong Yu!”

There was no response from inside the house, but a muffled sound came from Dong Yu’s room. This angered Madam Zhao further, thinking Dong Yu was deliberately lazing about, sleeping in her room in broad daylight while neglecting her chores. With that thought, Madam Zhao strode to Dong Yu’s door and flung it open. The scene revealed by the opened door startled Madam Zhao profoundly.