Dabao worried about Lin He back at home, and Lin He, over here, was also thinking of home. It had been nearly a month since Lin He left, and life in Qinghe County was slightly busier than at home. Generally, she spent the mornings in the courtyard with the young maids making clothes and shoes for the winter, and every other afternoon she would visit the factory. Occasionally, she would take walks to scenic spots with Wen Ningxuan. Lin He loved this life—simple, tranquil, and relaxing.

One day, Lin He was embroidering with Ziyu and the others when she sneezed. Ziyu laughed and said, "Miss, your mother and the others must be missing you."

Lin He smiled. These things had no scientific basis, yet this girl spoke of them as if they were true. Still, she knew she had been away for so long that her family certainly missed her. She often thought of them too, wondering if any major events had happened recently back home, or if the younger ones were behaving. Thinking this, Lin He spoke, "I wonder how things are at home lately. The last letter from Elder Brother mentioned that Mother had arranged a match for him. I wonder what that girl is like; the letter didn't say much, only that I'd see her when I returned."

Ziyu remarked, "It's good that Young Master Da's marriage is settled; it saves the Master and Madam from fretting about it day in and day out. It is indeed time for Young Master Da to marry." Ever since Madam Zhao mentioned Caiqing that time, everyone now referred to Madam Huang as 'Madam.'

"I know that. Elder Brother will marry someday. It's just that he mentioned in the letter he’d only glanced at the girl twice before everything was settled. That seems too hasty. How can marriage be settled so simply?" Lin He replied.

"Miss, marriage is just like that. It’s like that for everyone. How many people in this world get to know each other as thoroughly as you and Second Young Master did? That’s only because Second Young Master spoils you; not everyone can be that way," Ziyu said playfully.

The two young maids beside Lin He had been with her for quite some time now, growing familiar with her as they often embroidered together. Initially, they were struck dumb watching Ziyu speak with Lin He, thinking this hardly resembled a conversation between a maid and her mistress—perhaps not even sisters spoke this way. But after observing for a while, they ceased to be surprised and chuckled along when Ziyu said that.

Yuezhi chimed in, "Miss, I agree with Elder Sister Ziyu. Second Young Master is truly good to you. When my sister got married back home, I didn't even know what my brother-in-law looked like."

Yuezhi was younger and more lively, and had never been a maid before. Although she had been taught some rules by the matchmaker, Lin He was not overly strict, so she wasn't overly constrained. Yuegui, being older, understood decorum better and was more steady. Even after becoming close to Lin He, she remained quite proper and wouldn't speak out of turn, perhaps accustomed to the ways of her previous master's household; Lin He and the others let her be.

Ziyu and Yuezhi's comments made Lin He laugh. She smiled and said, "Ziyu, that's incredible! Second Young Master has gained another loyal fan. You'll have company now."

Lin He had said such things often enough that Ziyu understood and laughed too. Meanwhile, Yuezhi, not knowing what a 'fan' was, looked at Lin He somewhat blankly, wondering what connection this 'fan' had with Second Young Master. But assuming it was just one of Miss's jokes, she laughed along. After the laughter subsided, Lin He spoke with lingering concern, "While that's what we say, I still hope Elder Brother finds a good match. It will make life easier for the entire family later on. The little ones are still young; if Sister-in-law is good, their lives at home will be much better."

"That's certainly true. But Miss, you will be home for the next two years and can watch over them. Don't worry too much. We'll be heading back in less than two months. I heard the houses over there are being rushed to completion. We should definitely be back before the New Year; it's only a little over two months away now," Ziyu comforted Lin He.

"Yes, it’s almost New Year again. Time flies so fast, another year gone already," Lin He murmured with feeling.

"Indeed, time passes quickly. Miss, you'll be fourteen after the New Year," Ziyu suddenly blurted out after a moment.

The two young maids looked at Ziyu strangely, wondering why she suddenly brought up Miss's age. But Lin He understood. She shot Ziyu a glance and said, "You'll be fourteen too, won't you? What are you trying to say?"

Ziyu stuck out her tongue and laughed. As she was laughing, footsteps sounded from the doorway. Ziyu knew it must be Second Young Master arriving, so she quickly ushered the two maids inside. Sure enough, not long after, Wen Ningxuan walked into the courtyard. Lin He looked at him and asked with a slight smile, "Why do you have time to visit in the middle of the day today?"

"Mhm. Nothing urgent at the shops today; I left someone in charge," Wen Ningxuan said, sitting opposite Lin He, his eyes full of amusement.

Lin He looked at his smile and knew Wen Ningxuan must have overheard what Ziyu had just said. His beaming expression confirmed he was thinking about Ziyu’s words. Lin He guessed correctly. Not long after he sat down, Wen Ningxuan spoke, "He'er, you'll be fourteen after the New Year. You're not little anymore."

Lin He shot him a chiding glance, not responding. Wen Ningxuan leaned closer, set aside the embroidery in Lin He's hands, and gazed at her tenderly. "He'er, Dabao's engagement is settled. When we return for the New Year, I will ask Father to visit your home and settle things between us?"

Lin He blinked. After a moment, she looked at Wen Ningxuan and nodded gently. Wen Ningxuan had been considering this issue for days, hesitating whether to bring it up again. He feared Lin He would call him impatient, or that she might refuse him once more. Hearing Ziyu’s comment just now had prompted him to try testing the waters, but he hadn't expected Lin He to agree. When he asked the question, Wen Ningxuan had almost held his breath, his heart feeling as if it were swinging somewhere outside his body. Receiving Lin He's answer, he felt his heart settle back into place, simultaneously filled with a intoxicating joy. His eyes, dark as ink jade, burned into Lin He. A moment later, a particularly happy smile blossomed on his face—one Lin He had never seen before, a smile that seemed to contain a thousand things, bearing a feeling of profound relief. Wen Ningxuan spoke, "Good. When we return, you tell your uncle and aunt that I will ask my father to go over there sooner."

Lin He looked at Wen Ningxuan. Though she didn't know the internal battle he had just fought, she could tell he was immensely happy about her answer. She stared at him for a long moment, recalling what Wen Ningxuan had said to her outside the city last time. Hesitantly, she asked, "Ningxuan, what you told me outside the city last time—did someone else in your family disapprove of me?"

"You don't need to worry about anyone else. You are the wife I have chosen; you don't need to care what others think," Wen Ningxuan replied with ease.

Although Wen Ningxuan sounded relaxed, his answer confirmed Lin He's suspicion: there were indeed people in his family who were less than pleased about the matter. However, seeing Wen Ningxuan’s demeanor, he seemed unconcerned by others' opinions. Yet, Lin He felt a knot of anxiety in her chest. After all, Wen Ningxuan's family was where she would spend the rest of her life, and no matter how unconcerned she tried to be, a worry about that place would always linger.

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