All the women, including Hongxia, had daughters. Niu Er had Mother Huang say this out loud to prevent any unnecessary speculation on their part. In truth, Hongxia and the others had saved up some money from working at Niu Er’s house over the years and wouldn't fuss over such matters. Hearing Mother Huang’s words, they all smiled. Hongyun remarked, “Then I’ll be rich from now on; we have two daughters at home.”

Mother Huang shot Hongyun a playful, chiding glance, then laughed, saying, “We have two daughters too.”

“Second Sister-in-law, by the time your He’er and Chen’er marry off, they won’t care about dowries like ours. I fear you’ll have trouble managing things within your own household,” Hongyun said with a smile.

Lin He and Chen’er sat nearby, and Mother Zhou, seated beside them, looked at the two sisters and said with a smile, “Our He’er and Chen’er aren’t the sort ordinary farm boys can marry. They are destined to be young mistresses.”

Lin He didn't actually feel embarrassed; growing up and marrying was the natural order of things. However, people in those days weren't quite so open-minded. Lin He pretended to be shy and said, “Third Aunt, what are you saying? They are still young.”

The courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter until Mother Zhao finally said, “Stop laughing and let’s talk business. The gift from the second branch will certainly bring a lot of prestige for that girl Yu’er. That He Shi is ungrateful. It’s rare that you all care so much for Yu’er. Second Daughter-in-law, Mother keeps track.” Mother Zhao nodded at Mother Huang.

Mother Huang smiled and replied, “Mother, what are you saying? Yu’er is still a child; adult matters shouldn’t be laid at her feet. Besides, for us as the second uncle and aunt, if we can afford to contribute a decent dowry, we naturally will do our best.”

“Mmm, then tell me what would be good to add for Yu’er. I was planning on preparing two ounces of silver. Perhaps I should have He’er buy some jewelry for her in town?” Mother Zhao pondered.

“Mother, that would be good too. Perhaps you can get a piece of jewelry for Yu’er; an ordinary one would suffice. Moreover, if money is tight later, jewelry can always be treated as currency, which is much better than clothes, don’t you think?” Mother Huang suggested.

“But just one piece of jewelry seems a bit little, and it might not look very nice. How about I add two bolts of cloth? We can present them together, and it will look better,” Mother Zhao added.

Mother Huang nodded and said with a smile, “That works too.”

Finally, all the women in the room decided to give Yu’er one piece of jewelry plus one bolt of cloth. Since the value was about the same, they all agreed to have Lin He go into town to buy the jewelry, instructing her not to buy duplicates so that each piece would form a set later, making it more practical.

In the afternoon, Lin He was tasked with going into town to procure these items. Lin He first stopped by the pastry shop, intending to ask Dabao to come along, as he was more familiar with the town. At the pastry shop, however, she ran into both brothers, Wen Ningxuan and Wen Ningmo, sitting there. Seeing Lin He arrive, Wen Ningmo stood up and called out, “He’er, come quickly! This is my second brother. Remember him?”

He’er rolled her eyes. She had seen him just a few days ago; of course, she remembered. She assumed Wen Ningmo didn't know they had met, hence the introduction. He’er walked over and smiled at Wen Ningxuan. Wen Ningxuan looked at her but didn't speak, only giving a slight nod in acknowledgment. Lin He thought this was much better today; at least he hadn't pretended not to see her.

Dabao looked surprised to see Lin He arrive and asked, “He’er, why are you here today? You were just here the other day. Is something going on at home?”

“Nothing, Sister Yu’er is getting married. Mother and Grandmother want me to come into town to get some things for her dowry. I brought Ziqing and Ziyu with me. Big Brother, do you know which jeweler in town is good?” Lin He inquired.

“He’er, you’re being silly! Since you’re in Tianxin Town, of course, you should go to our family’s jeweler! Ours is the best in town! I’ll take you, and I’ll give you a discount,” Wen Ningmo interjected before Dabao could reply.

“You have a jeweler? Where is it? How come I never knew?” Lin He asked.

“You didn’t know? You’ve never bought anything at our jeweler? Don’t girls your age all love these kinds of ornaments?” Wen Ningmo asked curiously.

Lin He glanced at him and said, “You’ve known me for so long. Have you ever seen me wear any of those things?”

Wen Ningmo stared at Lin He for a moment, then understood why he always felt He’er was different from other girls—this was it. He realized Lin He dressed differently. Other girls her age were at the age where they loved to adorn themselves, wanting to wear everything possible. Yet, Lin He only used a single jade hairpin to secure her hair in a very simple bun, letting the rest hang straight down her back. Her ears only held tiny, almost invisible earrings. She wore no other ornamentation, yet she gave off an aura of refreshing simplicity.

Dabao laughed from the side, saying, “My sister is different from the usual girls. Even Chen’er, who is only ten, wears some trinkets, but He’er dislikes them. She says they’re too cumbersome, practically torture.”

“He’er, why don’t you like ornaments? My mother says all girls love these things,” Wen Ningmo genuinely had the makings of a gossip.

Lin He shot Wen Ningmo a look but remained silent. Dabao, however, suddenly blurted out, “Except for bracelets, though. She likes bracelets. Chen’er said she has a very beautiful bracelet in her room that she treasures too much to wear, but we don't know when she bought it.”

Lin He instantly felt the urge to strangle Dabao. This Big Brother usually didn’t talk much, but why was he saying so much today, and right in front of Wen Ningxuan? The bracelet was a gift from Wen Ningxuan. She kept it on the dressing table cabinet, and Chen’er had seen it once. Chen’er had asked for it, but since Lin He considered it a gift from someone else, she hadn't given it to her. Chen’er had told Dabao that Lin He treasured that bracelet and wouldn’t wear it.

“Oh? What kind of bracelet is it?” Wen Ningxuan, who had been quiet, spoke up, a faint smile seeming to play on his lips.

“It’s a—”

“Big Brother, we need to go to the jeweler, or we won’t make it back tonight,” Dabao interrupted before he could finish.

“Yes, I can take you all. Second Brother, perhaps you should head back first?” Wen Ningmo offered upon hearing Lin He say they were going to the jeweler.

“I’ll go with you all. I might as well take a walk past the jeweler’s,” Wen Ningxuan said.

“You don’t need to come. My brother should know where the jeweler is. We can go by ourselves. If you have things to do, you should go ahead,” Lin He said, feeling uncomfortable because Wen Ningxuan’s slight smile suggested he had heard Dabao mention how precious she considered the bracelet.