Not long after lunch, Chang Geng brought over the duck down, and Chen'er followed him. As she stepped down from the carriage, Chen'er remarked, "Sister, you promised to bring me along next time you came to town, but you didn't even tell me you were leaving today. Really."

Lin He laughed, saying, "You little imp, why are you running around everywhere? And yet, here you are, even though I didn't explicitly invite you."

Chen'er stuck out her tongue and followed Lin He into the shop with her maid, Zi Huan. Chen'er rarely visited town; Lin He usually only brought her out for fun once every few months. This time, being able to stay in town for a few extra days made Chen'er ecstatic. Upon spotting Da Bao in the shop, she excitedly headed toward him. Lin He smiled and said, "Chen'er, older brother has serious business to attend to. Come with me to the back courtyard first. I’ll take you out on the streets later."

Still possessing a child’s nature, Chen'er immediately trotted obediently toward the back courtyard upon hearing that they would go out later, deciding not to bother Da Bao there. Once in the back courtyard, Lin He and Zi Yu took out the duck down stored in the bags. The down was perfectly preserved, emanating a pleasant scent of mint. Lin He, fearing the down might develop an odor confined in the bags, had placed some mint leaves inside the wrapping cloth to deodorize it.

In truth, the duck down was ready-made and perfectly suitable for making pillows. All that was required was a trip to the silk drapery shop that afternoon to purchase some fine fabric for the pillowcases, then stuff the down in and air the finished pillows in the sun.

Chen'er lingered in the back courtyard for a while. Seeing that Lin He showed no sign of leaving, she called out, "Big Sister, if we don't leave now, it will be dark soon! Didn't you say you were taking me out? Let’s go now."

Lin He chuckled and replied, "My Lady, alright, we’ll leave right away. I wonder what you’re so eager to buy on the streets."

Once they reached the street, Chen'er was like a bird released from its cage. She had to look at every single stall, and she had to buy something from every one she looked at. When she exhausted the money she carried, she asked Lin He for more. Before they had walked down a single street, Zi Huan trailing behind her was already laden with a massive pile of items. Lin He glanced at the assortment—hair ties, dough figurines, colorful masks—all trivial things for a child. Lin He shook her head and called out, "Chen'er, stop buying! If you buy one more random thing, I won't give you any more money."

"Oh, then we don't have to buy anything. Let’s go play at Brother Xiao Mo’s shop. Didn't he say he was going to give me something last time? Since we’re already here, I’ll just go get it myself," Chen'er suggested.

"That’s fine, Miss Chen'er. Let’s go to the Silver House; that also belongs to the Third Young Master's family," Zi Yu interjected from the side.

Lin He shot Zi Yu a look and said, "Chen'er, let’s not go. It’s improper to go demand things like that; let Xiao Mo bring it to you next time."

"Then I won't go demand things, I can just go visit Brother Xiao Mo, right?" Chen'er asked slyly.

"Of course, of course, why wouldn’t you be able to? The Third Young Master has long wanted to play with you and Young Master Xiao Bao. Let’s go to the Silver House; the Third Young Master will definitely be there," Zi Yu chimed in again.

Hearing Zi Yu’s words, Chen'er didn't wait to see if Lin He agreed. She grabbed Zi Yu’s arm and declared, "Great, let's go! Where is the Silver House? You lead the way."

This wretched girl's audacity was growing; she was making decisions for herself now. Lin He exchanged a glance with Zi Yu and said, "Then Zi Yu, you accompany Chen'er to find Xiao Mo. I'll take Zi Huan to the silk drapery shop to buy some things."

"Why don't we all go to the silk drapery shop first to buy what you need, and then we can all go to the Silver House together, Miss?" Zi Yu said with an ingratiating smile.

Lin He paid her no mind and proceeded toward the silk drapery shop on her own, intending to select a suitable fabric for the pillowcases. Chen'er and Zi Yu whispered amongst themselves on the side, Lin He unable to hear what they were saying, though they occasionally glanced over here. Lin He knew Zi Yu; although her demeanor was somewhat flighty in front of her, Zi Yu knew her boundaries regarding certain conversations. Lin He wasn't worried about what Zi Yu might say, but the way the two of them were chatting and laughing so openly in public—what would it look like? Fortunately, only Lin He was present; if Madam Huang had seen them, who knew what she would have said. Lin He shot them a chiding look and announced, "I’ve chosen what I need. Let’s go."

"Okay, we’re going to find Brother Xiao Mo now!" Chen'er exclaimed happily.

Seeing her so delighted, Lin He couldn't bear to dampen her spirits, so she remained silent and followed them toward the Silver House. Lin He planned to let them explore on their own; Xiao Mo might not even be at the Silver House; perhaps the chance of finding him at Cai Die Xuan was greater. Still, letting them check wouldn't hurt.

Lin He waited outside while Chen'er and Zi Yu walked in. To their surprise, Xiao Mo was indeed at the Silver House. Seeing Chen'er and Zi Yu enter, Xiao Mo called out, "Chen'er, what brings you here today? I haven't seen you and Xiao Bao in ages; I was just planning to visit you in a few days. Are you here to buy something?"

"Why is it you, Zi Yu? You’re here. Did He'er come too? Why don’t I see He'er?" Wen Ning Mo, as always, loved to chatter, bombarding Chen'er with questions the moment she entered. Lin He could hear it all from outside.

"The Miss is here; she’s waiting just outside," Zi Yu replied with a smile.

Upon hearing Zi Yu, Wen Ning Mo hurried out of the shop. Seeing Lin He standing outside, he pulled her inside as well, then led the group upstairs. This Silver House had two stories; the ground floor was the shop, and the upper floor was likely reserved for entertaining esteemed guests occasionally.

Wen Ning Mo and Chen'er got along wonderfully, chatting as they walked. They discussed everything from events since their last meeting, major family affairs, down to what they had eaten that morning. Lin He mused that this was the essence of kindred spirits; they could find common ground on any topic. It was no wonder Chen'er enjoyed Xiao Mo’s company so much; there truly wasn't anyone with Xiao Mo's temperament in her own household.

Da Bao wasn't very talkative and usually didn't play with Chen'er. In front of Chen'er, Lin He maintained the demeanor of an elder sister and didn't engage in idle chatter. Xiao Bao often teased Chen'er when they were idle, and the two younger ones couldn't converse yet. Xiao Mo was very good to Chen'er and Xiao Bao. Even though he was a few years older, they could play well together, and Xiao Mo was adept at cheering people up, so it made sense that Xiao Bao and Chen'er were fond of him.

Wen Ning Mo led them all the way upstairs to a room. He lowered his voice and said, "My second brother is inside looking over the accounts. Let’s keep our voices down. If he hears us, he’ll accuse me of causing trouble again and forbid me from coming here next time."

Before Wen Ning Mo finished speaking, a cool, clear voice sounded from within: "Xiao Mo, come in."

Wen Ning Mo gave them a 'look,' then pushed the door open and stepped inside. Lin He and the others were standing right at the threshold. As the door opened, Lin He saw Wen Ning Xuan sitting before a large desk in the room. Wen Ning Xuan also noticed Lin He standing outside. He registered a flicker of surprise, but his expression remained outwardly unchanged.