Lin He recalled the time she shared a carriage with Wen Ningxuan a few years prior, remembering she had indeed said such a thing then. Lin He blinked and replied, "People do make progress."

Wen Ningxuan raised an eyebrow, then smiled again, looking at Lin He with indulgent affection: "Other than growing a few years older, in what aspects has He'er improved?"

Lin He gave Wen Ningxuan a look that was half-smile, half-knowing glance, then lowered her head to read the book in her hands. At this time, travelogues were the only genre that truly captured Lin He's interest. She immersed herself in reading, even forgetting the other two people sitting nearby. After reading for a while, finding her posture uncomfortable, she straightened up slightly and turned her head, only then remembering Wen Ningxuan was seated beside her. Lin He closed the book and asked, "How long until the carriage reaches our destination?"

"It's a bit farther than when we went to Taiping County last time. Are you tired? Shall I have them stop the carriage and rest?" Wen Ningxuan asked with a trace of urgency in his tone.

"No need, I was just asking. Let's rest when it’s noon and time for a meal; otherwise, we’ll delay our journey," Lin He quickly waved her hand, saying.

Wen Ningxuan nodded, picked up a cup from the table, and poured himself some tea. Lin He glanced over at Ziyu, who had already slumped over, fast asleep. Lin He smiled helplessly—this girl... Wen Ningxuan brought the tea over to Lin He, then poured another cup for himself, saying, "I heard the servant boy today say your family has quite a few people. Aren't there only you and Chen'er, the two sisters in your household?"

"Oh, yes, two are distant relatives. Mother says my elder brother is getting on in years, so she's helping him look for a suitable match."

"Dabao? I saw Dabao with a young lady in town the other day. I thought that might be his sweetheart."

"When was this? Why haven't I heard Big Brother mention it? None of us knew."

"A few days ago."

"If Big Brother has someone he likes, why didn't he tell us? That's wonderful news! Mother prays every day for Big Brother to take a wife," Lin He said with a smile.

"My father prays for me every day, too," Wen Ningxuan teased deliberately.

"Didn't Xiaomo say your grandmother brought back many young ladies for you to see? Why didn't the Second Young Master take a liking to any of them?"

"That Xiaomo boy doesn't know anything and just spouts nonsense. Grandmother only urged me a couple of times."

"Oh?"

"I wonder which day He'er will be willing to return with me?"

Lin He shot Wen Ningxuan a look of playful reproach and didn't speak, picking up the tea from the table to drink. Wen Ningxuan watched Lin He, remaining silent, as if waiting for her reply.

However, Lin He certainly wouldn't answer that question. Even if Lin He wasn't constrained by the propriety of the era, even if people at that time might arrange marriage after only one meeting, in her mind, she and Wen Ningxuan hadn't reached the stage of discussing such matters. They hadn't even managed the simplest mutual understanding. Although everyone involved might have some inkling, Lin He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to casually discuss something so ** intimate ** with Wen Ningxuan.

Lin He simply gazed out the carriage window, sipping her tea leisurely without uttering a word. Wen Ningxuan didn't press further either. He merely leaned back in the carriage, his gaze soft as he watched the scenery outside, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Lin He rarely saw Wen Ningxuan like this; this version of him felt much closer to her than before.

Lost in her thoughts, Lin He's eyes naturally settled on Wen Ningxuan's face. Wen Ningxuan returned her gaze, holding her eyes with a faint smile, remaining silent. At first, Lin He was too deep in her musings to notice. When she finally realized she was being watched and saw the knowing amusement in Wen Ningxuan's eyes, she felt a slight awkwardness, coughed lightly, and asked, "What is the main purpose of our trip this time? Isn't the model for opening the Cai Die Xuan over there going to be similar to the one here?"

Wen Ningxuan chuckled and replied, "You’ll know once you get there."

In truth, Wen Ningxuan merely wanted an extended period to be alone with Lin He. Opening the Cai Die Xuan there wasn't a matter of great importance; he could handle it entirely himself. He was afraid that if he stated this plainly, Lin He wouldn't agree, which was why he had manufactured an excuse.

Wen Ningxuan had always understood his own feelings clearly. He was not someone who expressed himself easily, nor was he one to fall in love lightly. The reason he wanted Lin He to accompany him this time was to spend some time together, allowing the two of them to know each other better. Although marriages for men and women at this time were largely arranged blindly, Wen Ningxuan did not desire such a union. He couldn't quite articulate the kind of affection he sought, but he felt that beyond the initial stirrings of the heart, there needed to be some degree of understanding.

His feelings were certain, but as for what Lin He truly thought, Wen Ningxuan remained somewhat unclear. He couldn't be sure if Lin He felt the same way about him as he felt about her. He intended to use this trip as an opportunity for Lin He to fully sense the depth of his regard and, simultaneously, to ascertain his own significance in Lin He’s heart.

From their first meeting until now, it seemed Lin He had shown no particular interest in him—much the same way she seemed toward Xiaomo. This time, to persuade Lin He to come out with him, he dared not ask directly, citing only the Cai Die Xuan matter. He didn't know when he had become so hesitant and cautious. This was not his true nature, yet every time he was around Lin He, the words he intended to speak would stick in his throat.

This was something Wen Ningxuan himself didn't realize: people always behave this way—the more someone or something matters, the more precious it is held, and the less daring one is to speak freely as usual, unlike how they treat things of little consequence where the outcome doesn't matter.

Seeing Wen Ningxuan remain silent, Lin He continued, "Why does Uncle Wen want you to open a Cai Die Xuan in Qinghe County? Is that area very prosperous?"

"Mm, it is quite prosperous. Qinghe County is much larger than the Taiping County we visited last time, with a larger population and a bigger town. Just wandering through the shops there, you might need a full day and still not see them all; they have many large establishments," Wen Ningxuan explained.

"Oh? Really? Then I must enjoy a thorough tour," Lin He said with a smile.

"You enjoy shopping that much? Do you like buying things?"

"All young women enjoy strolling through markets. It has nothing to do with purchasing goods; just looking brings joy. Aren't your sisters and cousins the same?"

"I'm not very close with them usually, so I wouldn't know about such things."

"Oh." Lin He had heard some things about his family from Ziyu and understood a little, so she didn't press further, merely offering a simple acknowledgment.

"Does He'er wish to hear about my family matters?" Wen Ningxuan inquired.