Lin He stroked her head and said, "Big Sister is back, isn't she? I bought you so many things; they're already in your room. Go see if you like them."

Hearing about the gifts, the young Xiong siblings looked longingly at Lin He. Lin He smiled and told the maids to take them to see the presents as well. She then pulled Da Bao up and said, "Brother, this is Chun'er. She’s been staying with us for a while now. By age, she counts as a cousin."

Da Bao greeted Chun'er. She remained somewhat shy, calling him 'Cousin' hesitantly before stepping aside. Just as Chun'er retreated, Tao Hua emerged from the courtyard. Before Madam Huang or Lin He could introduce her, Tao Hua walked straight to Lin He and Da Bao, smiling, "So, you must be Cousin Da Bao."

Da Bao nodded, saying little, a polite smile fixed on his face. Tao Hua was clearly more adept at navigating social graces than Chun'er. She turned to Lin He and said, "Little Sister He'er is back too! I missed you while you were gone so long. You must be tired from the journey. Come, rest a bit first."

Lin He looked at Tao Hua and smiled faintly. "I'm fine, not tired at all. Actually, Sister Tao Hua, you’ve been staying here a while—have you settled into life here?"

"I have, it's quite similar to my own home," Tao Hua replied with a smile.

Lin He then sat down beside Da Bao, and Tao Hua followed suit. The group in the courtyard continuously peppered Lin He with questions about her adventures outside. Lin He chatted back, laughing, all the while subtly observing Tao Hua and Chun'er. Tao Hua seemed decidedly content with her life here, at times even speaking with an air of proprietorship. Tao Hua was naturally attractive, and coupled with her good family background, seated there in her pale yellow dress with light makeup, she was indeed a beauty. However, certain nuances in her mannerisms struck Lin He as slightly affected.

Chun'er, on the other hand, remained quiet, listening far more than speaking, a faint smile perpetually gracing her lips. Chun'er had been at Lin He's house for nearly a month now. Her skin had whitened considerably, and once a girl's complexion lightens, her features seem to sharpen. Chun'er was already lovely, but with the paler skin, she grew more captivating the longer one looked.

Lin He also noticed that whenever Tao Hua spoke, her own mother, Madam Huang, would gaze at her with an expression of pure maternal affection, as if Tao Hua were already her daughter-in-law. Da Bao, listening to the conversation, remained silent, showing no discernible reaction to either Tao Hua or Chun'er. It was impossible to tell whom he favored; perhaps neither.

In the afternoon, Xiao Bao returned from school. Seeing both his eldest and second elder sisters home, he uncharacteristically neglected his studies and was busy tearing into the gifts Lin He had brought back in his room. His siblings were all gathered there, laughing. Chen'er was fiddling with a silver bracelet Lin He had brought her, constantly holding it up for Lin He to see. Suddenly, Xiao Bao asked, "Big Sister, did Brother Xiao Mo's brother give you this gift?"

Lin He nodded.

"Second Sister, are you going to marry Brother Xiao Mo's brother?" Xiao Mo continued to press.

"No, who told you that? Talking nonsense at such a young age," Lin He chided lightly.

"Then why did he send so many things to our house?"

"Brother Xuan sent those for you to play with. Doesn't Xiao Mo often buy you things anyway?"

"But Brother Xiao Mo is different."

Da Bao tapped Xiao Bao's head. "If someone gives you a gift, you take it. Besides, with so many things, next time we go out, nobody should bring you gifts—it's too much trouble."

Xiao Bao immediately sealed his lips and went back to examining his treasures. Lin He smiled, watching the little ones’ happiness. Then Chen'er asked, "Big Sister, did you bring gifts for Da Yuan and Zhu'er? They asked several times already, wondering why you hadn't returned."

Lin He nodded. Chen'er asked again, "What about Sister Chun'er? Did you bring her a gift? If not, just take one of mine and give it to her."

"Do you like Sister Chun'er very much? What have you and Sister Chun'er been doing these past few days while Big Sister was away? Have you been diligent with your embroidery?" Lin He inquired.

"Mhm, I embroidered every day. Sister Chun'er kept me company every day. Brother, would you marry Sister Chun'er as your sister-in-law? We like her so much," Chen'er said, smiling.

Da Bao laughed. "You children are all so busybody. Just because someone keeps you company while you embroider, you think I should marry her? Wouldn't you end up with many sisters-in-law then?"

"That's not the same! Sister Chun'er was brought here by Mother specifically to be your wife. Look how wonderful Sister Chun'er is—industrious, gentle, and she often plays with us. I'm not the only one saying this; Xiao Bao said it too. Ask Xiao Bao if you don't believe me," Chen'er retorted, unconvinced.

Lin He looked over at Xiao Bao, who nodded firmly. "Second Sister is right. Sister Chun'er is indeed excellent—the best candidate for a wife."

Lin He laughed at Xiao Bao's precocious manner. He often heard Lin He using such adult phrasing and had absorbed it perfectly. While the children's words were somewhat naive, they were intensely truthful. In reality, a person's character is often best reflected through children, as adults frequently filter their judgment through subjective emotion. Children do not; good is good, bad is bad—they don't lie, and they genuinely feel who is kind to them.

Lin He then asked, "What about Sister Tao Hua? What do you all think of her?"

Chen'er paused to think. "Nothing bad, exactly, but nothing particularly good either. She mostly stays close to Mother, and when Grandmother visits, she becomes especially lively. She speaks little with us. Usually, if Mother needs something, she sits alone in the courtyard embroidering. I heard Mother say her embroidery is good, and I asked her a few times, but when Mother is present, she patiently teaches me. When Mother isn't around, she doesn't talk to me much."

Hearing Chen'er's description, Lin He turned to Da Bao. "Brother, what about you? You just saw Tao Hua and Chun'er. What do you think of them?"

"They're both fine," Da Bao replied simply.

Lin He knew Da Bao's response was merely perfunctory. He hadn't truly focused on either of them and naturally hadn't observed them closely. However, since Da Bao was back this time, she wouldn't force him, but he still needed to give their mother some sort of answer. If he favored one of them, she would need to bring it up with him later. If he didn't like either, Tao Hua and Chun'er would have to be sent back.