Wen Ningxuan smiled watching the flowers and plants. He recalled Ziyu once mentioning that Lin He loved tending to flora when she had free time, so these must all be Lin He’s cultivation. Such a woman was indeed singular; the more Wen Ningxuan learned about Lin He, the more he realized how utterly unique she was.

Wen Ningxuan felt Lin He presented a contradiction. Sometimes, she seemed merely a young girl, barely a teenager, utterly innocent. Yet at other times, she carried an air suggesting far more experience, capable in every conceivable aspect. And Xiao Mo was right; her mind truly worked differently from others. Many of her thoughts and actions suggested she couldn't have been raised in this simple environment, despite her background being that of a girl from an ordinary family. As Wen Ningxuan pondered this, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips—he hadn't even noticed how much more often he found himself smiling since meeting Lin He.

In the afternoon, Xiao Bao returned from school, delighted to see Xiao Mo had arrived. He began whispering secrets to Xiao Mo, then turned to Wen Ningxuan, asking, "Are you Brother Xuan? The Brother Xuan who gave us so many presents last time?"

Wen Ningxuan nodded with a smile. Having clearly received gifts before, Xiao Bao was effusively warm towards him, constantly bringing out his toys to share, including a checkerboard game Lin He had helped him make. Xiao Bao had won many matches with it, even besting Xiao Mo, and he presented it to Wen Ningxuan like a treasured artifact.

Wen Ningxuan had never seen such a thing and was quite curious, agreeing to a few games. Xiao Bao won every round initially, but once Wen Ningxuan grasped the pattern, Xiao Bao was quickly outmatched. Still, seeing Xiao Bao’s excitement, Wen Ningxuan let him win a few times. Xiao Bao, shocked that Brother Xuan surpassed him so quickly, became deeply impressed, declaring he would practice hard so he could finally win when Wen Ningxuan visited next time.

After playing checkers with Xiao Bao for a while, Madam Huang urged them to take Xiao Mo and Wen Ningxuan out to look around. After all, visitors from the outside world would naturally be curious about the countryside and shouldn't remain confined indoors. Since the weather was warm, at dusk, Lin He arranged for Chen'er and Xiao Bao to accompany the two brothers touring the village. Lin He felt she was too old to wander about with two men; it might invite gossip from the villagers.

After Chen'er and the others left, Madam Huang confided in Lin He about Yu'er’s troubles. Lin He was momentarily stunned. She had always thought Zhao Yu’s mother was merely petty and overbearing, not that she would dare resort to poisoning Yu'er. In Lin He’s view, Yu'er should simply confront Zhao Yu; continuing to live under his mother’s thumb was impossible. A marriage wasn't about acquiring a servant girl. They should either divide the household immediately, allowing Yu'er and Zhao Yu to live independently—not needing much from Zhao Yu’s mother, just recovering the dowry Yu'er brought—which would ease their hardship. If Zhao Yu refused, they should divorce while Yu'er was still young and childless, removing future complications. Waiting until they had children and were older would make separation far more difficult.

However, hearing Lin He’s suggestion, Madam Huang rebuked her, "Child, why do you suggest divorce at the drop of a hat? Do you think divorce is a good thing? Do you believe a better person awaits after separation?"

"Then what should Sister Yu'er do in her current state?" Lin He asked Madam Huang with a hint of helplessness.

"Yu'er has only been there a short time; she hasn't yet adapted to her mother-in-law’s temperament. Once she conceives, her mother-in-law will surely soften. Every daughter-in-law faces trials from her husband’s mother," Madam Huang reasoned.

Lin He understood that in this era, no matter how miserable life was in her in-laws' home, divorce was rarely considered unless one was prepared for mutual ruin. Even then, life often became merely tolerable, enduring until the mother-in-law passed away, by which time Yu'er herself would be older. Looking back on her whole life, it would be a memory filled only with the mother-in-law’s torments, devoid of true joy—making one question the purpose of existence.

"He'er, you must think clearly. Ningxuan’s family is large, and there are likely all sorts of people there. Figure things out sooner rather than later, because once you marry in, it will be too late, and your parents won't be able to help. And why did Ningxuan come alone? Why didn't he bring his family to finalize this engagement?" Madam Huang inquired.

"He told me; I asked him to wait, that I still need time to consider. Mother, don't worry about me. I won't allow myself to end up like Sister Yu'er," Lin He replied, gazing into the distance, as if speaking as much to herself as to her mother.

"Just decide what you want. You are an intelligent child with your own mind from a young age, and Ningxuan is a good boy. I am not worried about you, but Chen'er is what troubles me. I truly don't know what to do about her," Madam Huang fretted, shifting her concern to Chen'er.

Lin He remained silent, looking at her mother. Truthfully, Lin He was somewhat worried about Chen'er too, but seeing her mother so distressed, she preferred not to add to her burden by speaking.

Noticing the evening drawing in, Lin He thought it was time for the others to return. She instructed Ziyu and the others to prepare a light meal, emphasizing it shouldn't be too much, as they wouldn't eat heartily that night.

Wen Ningxuan and Xiao Mo stayed at Lin He’s house for two days. Since Wen Ningxuan hadn't yet managed to visit the silver shop in town, he couldn't linger longer. He stayed just one night and, in a rush, left for town with Xiao Mo on the afternoon of the second day.

Before departing, Wen Ningxuan told Lin He to notify him as soon as she reached town. He mentioned that the Cai Die Xuan there was ready, and he planned to stay in town overseeing the silver shop during this period.

Wen Ningxuan and Xiao Mo had arrived by carriage. On the return journey, Xiao Mo stared at Wen Ningxuan for quite a while before suddenly asking, "Second Brother, do you like He'er?"

Though phrased as a question, it was stated with absolute certainty. Wen Ningxuan looked at Xiao Mo, realizing the boy was growing up. Not wishing to deceive him, he simply nodded. "How did you know?"

Xiao Mo watched his elder brother; his expression seemed subtly different from usual, as if he had something more to say but ultimately held it back.