Before seeing the person, one heard her voice—clear, pleasant, and captivating. Then, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen appeared before Lin He and the others. Her raven-black hair was loosely styled in a princess bun, adorned with a pearl huā hairpin from which tassels dangled, swaying gently whenever she spoke.

Lin He looked closer; she was truly a beauty. Her face was fair and spotless, her skin soft and delicate. Her eyebrows were long and graceful as if drawn by a brush, and her eyes sparkled like stars. Beneath a small nose was a small mouth, its lips thin, the corners curving faintly upward in a slight smile. Her entire visage was exquisitely refined and ethereal, utterly untouched by the dust of the mundane world. She wore a pale pink shānzi embroidered with flowers over a white pleated skirt. Standing there, she exuded dignity, nobility, quiet elegance—so pure, so tender, like a lotus blossom just emerging from the water, immaculate and unstained.

The young lady stood beside Wen Ningxuan. Just by appearances, anyone would marvel at what a perfect pair they made. Lin He and her companions were somewhat surprised but remained silent. Wen Ningxuan gave no indication of introducing her, merely saying, "Ningnuo, go back to your room first. Tell Xiao Mo to accompany you out tomorrow."

"Brother Xuan, didn't we agree you would go out with us? Why must only Xiao Mo go with me?" the maiden named Ningnuo pouted, speaking with an almost unbearable cuteness.

"I have something pressing tomorrow and won't be able to join you. Having Xiao Mo there is the same thing," Wen Ningxuan replied expressionlessly.

Ningnuo nodded in dissatisfaction, then turned to ascend the stairs, followed by a small maidservant. As she passed Lin He, she glanced over with an indifferent expression before continuing upstairs. Lin He suddenly felt as if they were intruding on a couple’s intimate exchange, finding herself awkwardly unsure whether to stay or leave.

Once Ningnuo was gone, a smile lit Wen Ningxuan's eyes as he approached Lin He. "Why have you come? Is there something you need?"

"Yes, it’s about that matter Lin He saw last time..."

"It’s nothing too specific. Big Brother just said Qinghe County is very prosperous, so we came for a look and will return in a couple of days," Da Bao was intercepted by Lin He before he could finish.

Wen Ningxuan seemed to guess that whatever they needed to discuss was not suitable for that moment, so Lin He cut off Da Bao. Da Bao, in turn, did not press the matter further, instead asking, "I just heard you mention Xiao Mo is here too. Where is he? Why don't we see him?"

"Yes, Xiao Mo arrived a few days ago. He just said he had something urgent and stepped out; he should be back soon," Wen Ningxuan replied.

Da Bao nodded and fell silent. Lin He also remained quiet. After sitting for a while, Ziyu, who was nearby, spoke up, "Second Master hasn't had dinner yet, has he? Miss stewed some restorative soup for you in the kitchen. Shall I fetch it?"

Wen Ningxuan stopped Ziyu, instructing her instead to have the waiter send the food up to his room later. The three of them sat downstairs for a bit longer until Wen Ningmo returned from outside. Seeing Lin He and Da Bao, he exclaimed with genuine delight, "He'er, Da Bao! Why are you here? What brings you to this place?"

Lin He briefly summarized their purpose. Wen Ningmo was clearly overjoyed by the sight of Lin He and Da Bao, excitedly chattering on about how wonderful Qinghe County was and how much fun there was to be had. Then, he chided Da Bao and Lin He for not coming together earlier, lamenting that the journey would have been much more lively with more companions. Finally, Wen Ningmo finished speaking, and it was time for everyone to retire for the night.

Back in her room, Lin He found that Ziyu had already spread out her bedding. Seeing Lin He return, Ziyu asked, "Miss, who was that girl Second Master called Ningnuo? She seemed quite familiar with him, didn't she?"

"If you don't know, how could I possibly know? Haven't you been a maid in the Wen family for several years?" Lin He teased, smiling.

"When I was there, I never saw this girl. She called Second Master 'Brother Xuan.' She must be some relative of Second Master's family, right? But Second Master’s maternal relatives never associate with this side of the family, and the current Madam Wen is an only child. How could there be any relatives?" Ziyu muttered to herself thoughtfully.

"Being called 'Brother' doesn't necessarily mean they are related by blood; sometimes they just forge a connection. Why are you, a little maid, thinking so much? Just focus on your own duties," Lin He tapped Ziyu's head lightly.

"Miss, you are too careless! Don't you think that girl and Second Master seem awfully close? You know Second Master's temperament; he doesn't engage with people casually. This Ningnuo is rather strange; she acts as if they are intimate, even calling him 'Brother Xuan,'" Ziyu said, pursing her lips slightly.

Lin He laughed softly and shook her head. This girl was certainly possessive. To become so agitated over a mere girl appearing near Wen Ningxuan—Lin He felt a flicker of curiosity herself about the girl's identity. Although Ziyu's concern bordered on possessiveness, it did hold a certain logic.

Wen Ningxuan did indeed seem very familiar with Ningnuo; even their forms of address were intimate. Logically, if she were a relative of the Wen family, Ziyu would surely have known her. Since Ziyu claimed never to have seen her before, they must have met only in recent years.

Judging by the girl's attire and bearing, she was likely from a prominent household. A young lady from such a family would not casually venture out alone unless she was extremely close to her company. The fact that this girl could spend time alone with both Wen Ningmo and Wen Ningxuan suggested a profound intimacy. However, since Wen Ningxuan had not offered an introduction, it was improper for them to ask. Since they were all staying at the same inn, they would eventually find out.

"Miss, you didn't even ask Second Master about it? Why didn't you clarify this matter? You are being too careless," Ziyu pressed.

"What is there to ask? It's just a girl. Wen Ningxuan probably knows countless girls. Am I supposed to question him about every single one? Alright, stop worrying and get some sleep. We have important business tomorrow," Lin He urged Ziyu.

It was truly a case of the emperor not worrying while the eunuch fretted. Ziyu shook her head, combed Lin He's hair, brought hot water for her to wash her hands and face, then blew out the candle. Because they had been genuinely exhausted these past few days, Lin He and Ziyu fell asleep almost immediately upon reaching their beds.

The next morning, Lin He woke up very early. This was her habit: if something weighed on her mind, she would rise before dawn, feeling an unresolved tension that kept her from deep rest. Thinking about the proprietor of Yin Ruoxuan and the plans for the day, she couldn't sleep and got up early.

After washing up, Ziyu was taking the wash water out when she ran into Wen Ningxuan. Wen Ningxuan also rose early every day. Likely noticing Ziyu’s comings and goings and realizing Lin He was awake, Ziyu went in to inform Lin He that the Second Master had arrived. Wen Ningxuan walked into Lin He’s room while Ziyu remained outside, keeping watch. (To be continued)