Lin He saw Chun'er busy with Ziyu and said with a smile, "Sister Chun'er, don't bother yourself. You are a guest. Ziyu and the others will handle these things. Go over and keep my mother company, sister Taohua."

Mother Huang, having overheard Lin He and the others talking, called out, "Chun'er, come sit here."

Lin He nudged Chun'er, and Chun'er moved toward Mother Huang. Mother Huang smiled and asked, "Chun'er, what do you usually do at home? Can you do embroidery?"

"There isn't much to do at home at this time. I watch my sister-in-law and can do some embroidery, but I'm not very good; I just do it casually," Chun'er replied.

Mother Huang nodded. Taohua, standing nearby, said, "Auntie, Chun'er is quite capable. When our family was still in the village, many people said she was more capable than the boys. During the busy farming season, she always went to the fields with her parents. My mother always says I only know how to embroider at home, which simply doesn't compare to Chun'er."

Mother Huang laughed and said, "She truly is capable. Our few girls here don't know how to do anything, let alone go to the fields."

Chun'er also smiled but didn't say much. Lin He watched from the side, thinking that Taohua was indeed sharp-tongued. Her intention in saying that was merely to highlight that her family's circumstances were better than Chun'er's, giving her a sense of superiority, and also to make Mother Huang clearly aware that Chun'er was inferior to her in terms of family background.

Taohua continued, "Auntie, you jest. I heard my mother say that Sister He'er and Sister Chen'er are both beautiful and intelligent. Especially Sister He'er, she manages all the household affairs! How old is Sister He'er to be managing the house already?"

Mother Huang smiled and said, "Taohua, your mouth is coated in honey; it’s truly sweet. Whoever marries you in the future will be very fortunate."

Taohua shyly lowered her head and said, "Auntie is teasing me."

Taohua and Mother Huang chatted quite happily. Chun'er was clearly unaccustomed to such an environment, merely sitting to the side, helping Mother Huang trim threads, listening to Taohua and Mother Huang, and occasionally joining in with a laugh.

After breakfast that morning, while Lin He was resting on the lounge chair in the courtyard, Ziyu ran over to say that the Second Young Master had sent someone. Lin He hurried out and indeed saw a young servant of Wen Ningxuan. He said the Second Young Master sent him to inform Miss He'er that a carriage would come to pick her up at the same time tomorrow. She should pack her things, as this trip might take some time, and she should bring everything necessary.

Lin He sent the servant back with a reply and went into Mother Huang's room to tell her that they were leaving tomorrow. Mother Huang said, "Why so suddenly? I haven't even prepared anything yet. Leaving tomorrow—what should we do?"

Lin He smiled and walked out, letting Mother Huang worry by herself.

As Lin He passed through the courtyard, she saw Taohua and Chun'er again. She walked back and told Mother Huang, "Mother, don't rush to decide about Taohua and Chun'er. Wait until older brother returns himself. Besides, we haven't seen enough of them in just these few days to draw any conclusions."

Lin He could see that Mother Huang and Er Niu were clearly very fond of Taohua, but Lin He didn't see it that way. She felt that between the two, although Chun'er was a bit timid, her disposition was quite good, making her a suitable candidate for a wife after some guidance.

Mother Huang didn't quite understand Lin He's words and said, "What do you mean you can't see? I think Taohua is quite good. I want to settle things for your elder brother; he needs to marry soon."

Lin He herself hadn't spent much time with either Taohua or Chun'er, only a relatively short period. If she spoke too definitively, it might seem unfair to Taohua. Moreover, such matters couldn't be decided merely on intuition. Lin He thought for a moment and said, "If you think they are good, Mother, let them stay here for a while longer, at least until I return from my trip. When I come back, I can ask older brother about things in the town."

Mother Huang nodded, agreeing, and Lin He went to her own room. She called Ziyu and told her to pack some things as well, saying she was taking Ziyu to the county with her. Ziyu was delighted to hear this and immediately packed things efficiently into bundles, saying she was ready for departure.

Lin He thought for a moment and then had Ziyu call for Ziqing. She instructed Ziqing, "Ziqing, I am taking Ziyu on a long trip tomorrow. I am leaving all the matters here to you. You must keep a close watch on the ointment workshop. If you get too busy, have Big Aunt and Third Mother look after that side. You stay here guarding things. Also, keep an eye on the household matters. Pay attention to Taohua and Chun'er when you have time."

Ziqing nodded, "Miss, go without worry. I understand these things."

Lin He nodded; entrusting these matters to Ziqing was the most reassuring option.

The next morning, Mother Huang prepared some breakfast for Lin He and the others. This time, Mother Huang wasn't particularly nervous about Lin He leaving; she only asked if Lin He had packed everything and requested that she return immediately after finishing her business, as a girl traveling outside worries her family.

After Lin He finished breakfast, someone announced that the ride had arrived. Lin He told Ziyu to fetch the luggage, saying they were leaving now. Ziqing followed Ziyu toward the house, saying, "Take good care of the Miss while you are out. Don't get distracted by fun. Everything must prioritize the Miss, and you must know propriety, or people will mock you..."

Ziqing continued speaking from the courtyard into the room, and from the room back out to the courtyard. Lin He found Ziqing's demeanor somewhat amusing. Mother Huang smiled and said, "Ziqing, don't be so tense. They travel often; Ziyu knows the ropes. Let them leave early; it's impolite to keep people waiting."

Lin He and Ziyu left the courtyard gate. Only Wen Ningxuan's young servant was waiting outside; there was no carriage in sight. Lin He was slightly surprised. Just as she was about to ask, she saw a carriage approaching from ahead. When the carriage stopped, the servant placed a small stool underneath for them to board. As soon as Lin He stepped up, a hand reached out from inside the carriage to help her. Lin He looked up and saw Wen Ningxuan looking at her with a faint smile. Lin He said with a smile, "Why are you here? I thought you would be waiting for us in town."

Wen Ningxuan helped Lin He up and settled her across from him before saying, "We aren't leaving from town; we can go from here too."

Lin He was unaware of this and smiled. Ziyu below also boarded, looking surprised to see Wen Ningxuan. However, she still called out, "Second Young Master," before sitting down next to Lin He. Wen Ningxuan's servant and the driver sat outside. Once he saw that Lin He and the others were settled, Wen Ningxuan signaled it was time to leave.

Lin He noticed a book placed by Wen Ningxuan's small table, presumably for passing the time in the carriage. She picked it up and started reading. It turned out to be a travelogue, a genre Lin He was quite interested in. Wen Ningxuan gave a silent smile and said, "Didn't you say you didn't know many characters? Can you actually understand this book?"