The very next day, Lin He and Chen'er returned home with the maids. When Madam Huang saw them unloading another cartload of goods, she exclaimed, "Chen'er, you’ve been reckless with money again. How much did all this cost? You really know how to burn through cash."

"These are all gifts from Brother Xiaomo; I didn’t pay for any of it myself," Chen'er pouted.

"Still from Xiaomo. You child, why are you so thoughtless? Xiaomo isn’t earning money either; he’s using family funds. How could you have the nerve to let him buy you so many things?" Madam Huang grew even more annoyed upon hearing this and scolded her.

"He'er, you let her be," Madam Huang said, turning to Lin He at the side.

"Mother, look, this is a hairpin I bought for you. I used my own money. Don't you think it's pretty?" Chen'er quickly rummaged through her bundle and presented a hairpin to Madam Huang.

Madam Huang took the hairpin and laughed, saying, "This child, you still remember to buy things for your mother, even though you always spend money carelessly."

Lin He watched Madam Huang’s reaction and smiled. Mother was just like this, making a big fuss over trifles; Chen'er was happy enough over a single hairpin. Seeing her mother quiet down, Chen'er stuck her tongue out at Lin He, grabbed her bundle, and ran off to play with Yuanzhu and Dayuan, who were waiting nearby.

Lin He presented the set of jewelry she had bought for Madam Huang. Madam Huang’s face instantly blossomed into a smile. "My daughter is the most thoughtful. Da Bao has been in town for so many years, yet he never thought to buy me even a single hairpin."

"Isn't Big Brother busy? Besides, how would a young man know how to buy such things? Come, Mother, let me put this jewelry on you to see how it looks," Lin He said with a smile.

She then handed over the remaining small pieces of jewelry she had bought, explaining they were for Grandmother and Maternal Grandmother. If Madam Huang wore these, Grandmother would surely be displeased upon seeing them. Madam Huang praised Lin He for her thoughtfulness, tucked the bundle away, and went inside to admire her new jewelry.

Lin He looked out at the little girls in the courtyard—Yuanzhu, Dayuan, and Chen'er—their heads already adorned with the hair ornaments Chen'er had brought back, laughing and chatting. Lin He chuckled, called them over, helped tie up their hair, and instructed them on how to wear the ornaments and which styles suited them best. After Lin He’s careful styling, the three young girls instantly looked lovelier.

As Lin He was braiding the girls' hair, Ziqing entered from outside, calling out, "Miss, you're back!"

Lin He nodded and motioned for Ziqing to sit down: "I took Ziyu with me these past few days. Can you manage both sides on your own?"

"I can manage. I'm used to it now, and there isn't much demanding work," Ziqing replied with a smile.

Lin He smiled, looking at Ziqing. Ziqing and Ziyu were different; Ziyu was the best sort of maid, but Ziqing possessed excellent managerial talent—she was responsible and possessed a steady temperament. That was why Lin He always left Ziqing in charge when she had to be away for extended periods. Lin He suggested, "Why don't you take a couple of days off and let Ziyu take over for a while?"

"No need, Miss, I’m not tired," Ziyu said, genuinely touched.

Lin He let it go, her thoughts drifting to Wen Ningxuan’s proposition that she join him on a trip sometime soon. She was still undecided. If she went, it would likely be for several days, and she worried if the household could manage without her. Since the family began mass-producing these goods, she hadn't traveled far; at most, she'd only gone to the town. Any urgent matters at home could always reach her quickly.

Just as Lin He was contemplating this, she saw Madam Zhao walking in through the doorway, calling out from a distance, "Da Xiong, Xiao Xiong, what are you doing? Grandma is here to see you."

Da Xiong looked up and called out "Grandma" but remained standing still. Xiao Xiong, however, was obedient and ran straight toward Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao picked up Xiao Xiong, laughing heartily. In the last few years, Madam Zhao had improved significantly compared to before. Although she still had moments of displeasure, she rarely came over to cause trouble or pick fights, and her visits to Lin He’s house had become more frequent. Even though each visit was primarily to check on Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong, Madam Zhao’s relationship with Madam Huang had mended somewhat over the years.

Madam Huang, likely hearing Madam Zhao’s voice from inside the house, came out and called, "Mother, you've come."

Madam Zhao nodded with a smile, then saw Lin He and said cheerfully, "He'er and Chen'er are back from town?"

Lin He and Chen'er greeted Madam Zhao. Seeing Dayuan and Yuanzhu nearby, Madam Zhao smiled, "Who dressed you up? You’ve turned into two lovely little girls. Look how pretty those flower clips in your hair are."

Dayuan replied, "Sister He tied our hair for us, Grandma. Don't you think it looks good? Chen'er also bought us lots of things! Look!" She pulled the contents of her bundle out to show Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao laughed and said, "He'er, don't spoil them so much. Buying this many things will cost a fortune. A simple hair tie would have been enough for them."

Lin He smiled, "It doesn't cost much; they're just children's trinkets, and they love them."

Madam Zhao smiled, gazing at Lin He with affection. "Our He'er grows more beautiful the older she gets. Look at this fair skin; she hardly looks like a farmer's daughter. In a few years, the number of suitors lining up to propose to our family will be overwhelming."

Madam Huang chuckled alongside her. "He'er isn't in a hurry. I'd prefer to keep her at home for a couple more years."

Lin He lowered her head. At her age, people often offered such praise, but to maintain a semblance of modesty, she felt obligated to play along.

After a while, Madam Zhao changed the subject. "Yes, He'er isn't rushed, but we must press Da Bao on marriage. His father married you when he was about this age."

"Yes, I do worry about Da Bao. That child is always busy with the shop business in town. When he was studying, he at least came home twice a month, but now? He doesn't come back even once a month. Seeing that other men his age are already fathers, he hasn't even settled down with anyone," Madam Huang lamented.

Madam Zhao asked, "What is Da Bao thinking? Money needs to be earned, but this matter cannot be delayed. Moreover, if Da Bao isn't settled, it will eventually hinder He'er's prospects too."

"Yes, I worry about that too, but the child is grown. He said he wants to wait two more years. I can't force him to marry, can I?" Madam Huang replied with visible concern.

"Second Daughter-in-law, I actually have an idea. I have several distant relatives on my mother's side whose daughters are close to Da Bao's age. They are all well-featured girls, and I think they would suit Da Bao. Both girls are quite capable at home. What do you think…" Madam Zhao inquired.

It was then that Lin He realized Grandmother had come specifically to discuss Da Bao’s marriage prospects. Truthfully, it was an appropriate age for Da Bao to marry, but Lin He felt a flicker of concern. When she had casually asked Da Bao if he had someone he liked during their last visit to town, his reaction had been rather odd.