"Right, it's been years since I spent the holidays at home. You're leaving tomorrow, when will you be back?" Wen Ningxuan inquired.

"After the festival, once the weather turns cold, I probably won't come out often unless there's something specific. But... you can bring Xiao Mo over to visit us when you're free," Lin He paused with a playful glint in her eyes.

A smile touched the corner of Wen Ningxuan's lips, and his ink-black eyes rested gently on Lin He. They just watched each other in silence for a long moment before Wen Ningxuan finally asked, "My father came by your shop the other day?"

Lin He nodded.

"Did he say anything to you?"

"Nothing much, he just ordered some pastries and then left."

Wen Ningxuan nodded. Lin He observed him closely; it seemed like a casual inquiry, with no particular expression on his face.

Wen Ningxuan stayed a while longer. Everything outside had been unloaded—mostly fine bolts of cloth, along with some fresh fruit and many other items. For the past few years, Uncle Wen had sent gifts to Lin He's family during festivals, usually practical things, and Lin He had grown accustomed to it.

Da Bao and the others came in. Wen Ningxuan exchanged a few words with Da Bao, glanced at Lin He, and then departed. Lin He instructed someone to put the goods away, mentioning she was leaving early the next morning for the festival.

When she returned home the next day, it was mid-morning. The maids were busy in the kitchen preparing festival dishes. Chen'er was embroidering in the courtyard, while Cai Qing was watching Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong with another young maid. Lin He's mother, Lady Huang, was not home. Lin He asked Zi Qing, who said they had just finished eating a short while ago; Er Niu and Lady Huang had both been called away by Zhao Shi, and Zhao Shi's expression seemed rather sour when she arrived—it was unclear why.

Lin He asked Zi Qing if anything unusual had happened around the house lately. Zi Qing thought for a moment and replied, "Nothing much, just that the Old Madam seemed to visit a few days ago and mentioned something about the maternal aunt. I don't know the specifics."

Hearing Zi Qing, Lin He surmised it was about her paternal aunt, Hongxia. She had known about it when she was last home, but it shouldn't be a big issue—if her aunt agreed, fine; if not, that was fine too. Why would the grandmother summon her father and mother on the festival holidays? What was going on?

Lin He waited until nearly noon, and when her mother still hadn't returned, she sent Zi Yu over to the grandmother's house to check. Zi Yu returned, saying there were many people at Zhao Shi's place. As she reached the courtyard entrance, she overheard Zhao Shi seemingly cursing someone, though she couldn't tell who. Thinking to report back to Lin He, Zi Yu hurried back without listening closely.

Lin He called Da Bao, saying they should go to the grandmother's place to see what the trouble was. When the two arrived at the entrance of Zhao Shi's courtyard, they heard Zhao Shi's voice: "Third daughter-in-law, you still try to hide things well! To think you could stir up trouble with a man right under my nose, and you thought I didn't know? Do you remember how you conducted yourself before?"

"Mother, please don't speak so harshly. How could I have seduced any man? I don't even know what you're talking about," came Zhou Shi's voice.

"You don't know? Then how did others say he took a liking to you? You speak sweetly here, but thank goodness I acted quickly. Otherwise, I might not have found out until the day you were holding your wedding banquet. You still tried to deceive me, didn't you?" Zhao Shi's voice was furious.

"Mother, please calm down first. Let me go back and ask clearly about this. It might truly have nothing to do with Third Sister-in-law. It's the New Year holiday today; you’re causing such a scene, letting others make sport of us. Stop arguing. Everyone go home for the holiday today, and we can discuss this tomorrow. Everyone leave now." That was Er Niu's voice.

Immediately following, Old Man Lin's voice rang out, "Yes, Er Niu is right. Everyone go back and celebrate the holiday today. Whatever it is, we'll discuss it tomorrow. Let's disperse for now."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment. Lin He pulled Da Bao, and the two walked into the yard. Indeed, there were quite a few people there: Da Jiang, her own parents, Hongxia, Hongyun, and San Niang were all present. No wonder Zi Yu said there were many people—it was nearly the whole extended family. As Lin He and Da Bao entered, Zhao Shi spotted Da Bao, and her expression softened considerably. She said, "Da Bao and He'er are back! You've returned for the holiday, haven't you? Then let's end it here for today. You all should return to celebrate."

With that, everyone began to disperse. Lin He glanced at Zhou Shi beside her; her eyes were red-rimmed, suggesting she had been crying. Upon hearing Zhao Shi dismiss them, Zhou Shi didn't exchange farewells but walked out by herself.

Lady Huang and Er Niu called Da Bao and Lin He to head home. On the way, Lin He asked, "Mother, what happened? Why was San Niang crying?"

"She's a young woman; don't ask too many questions about such things," Lady Huang merely stated.

Back home, the family ate their meal. Lin He watched Da Xiong and Xiao Xiong play in the courtyard while Er Niu and Lady Huang quietly discussed the morning's events. Lin He and Da Bao also overheard the general gist of it.

The situation was this: Before Lin He had left for town previously, Zhao Shi had visited their home to discuss Hongxia's situation. At that time, after listening to Er Niu's analysis, Zhao Shi felt both Chang Geng and Li Ping were suitable candidates. However, after careful consideration, Zhao Shi decided Li Ping was the better match. Thus, when she had time, she went to the long-term laborer's quarters to have a look. She saw Li Ping was tall, well-built, honest, and dependable—a good man—so she intended to settle on Li Ping.

Then, when Hongxia was home, Zhao Shi brought up the matter. Hongxia initially refused, saying she had no intention of marrying; she was perfectly content as she was. Zhao Shi couldn't persuade her at first. Later, she called Hongyun over, and the two tried to persuade Hongxia together. Zhao Shi even told Hongxia that Li Ping already knew and had agreed, and he didn't mind that she had a child. Hongxia thought about it; she knew Li Ping, which was better than marrying a stranger. Moreover, she thought Li Ping was a decent man. Finally, Hongxia agreed, saying that would work too.

Seeing that Hongxia consented, Zhao Shi arranged for someone to speak to Li Ping. Originally, she planned for Er Niu to do it, but Er Niu felt it was inappropriate since he was the employer. He suggested Da Sheng, Hongyun's husband, do the proposing. He specifically instructed Da Sheng not to be too direct, as it was the woman's side initiating the match, and being too blunt might harm Hongxia's reputation. Da Sheng agreed.

Somehow, Da Sheng explained the situation, and when he returned, he reported that Li Ping had agreed immediately, saying he would send a proper matchmaker in a few days to formalize the proposal. Zhao Shi was naturally pleased and waited at home for Li Ping to call. However, several days passed with no sign of Li Ping coming to call. Instead, yesterday, she heard from someone in the village that a matchmaker, a legitimate one with all the proper courtesies observed, had visited the Third Daughter-in-law's home—and the person sending the matchmaker was Li Ping himself.