Lin He gave Zi Yu a weak look. This girl probably viewed the Second Young Master as too innocent. Even after saying all that, how could he not know? The man had read some books; what wasn't in books? Besides, Wen Ning Xuan left immediately after hearing Zi Yu’s words without asking a single follow-up question. It was impossible for him not to know.

Zi Yu pondered for a moment, feeling as if she had said the wrong thing. Then she laughed sheepishly, trying to appease Lin He, "Miss, don't be angry. I misspoke. But since it's already said, there's no changing it. At least the Second Young Master isn't a stranger."

Lin He glanced at Zi Yu, too weary to waste words on her. What was said was said; getting angry served no purpose. Still, for Lin He, it wasn't a major issue, just a bit embarrassing.

The next morning, Lin He woke up later than usual. Zi Yu said, "Miss, you're up! The Second Young Master is waiting for you in the courtyard to eat breakfast."

Zi Yu helped Lin He dress and wash up. When she arrived in the courtyard, she indeed saw Wen Ning Xuan sitting there. Seeing Lin He emerge, deep concern was written plainly on his face, yet perhaps feeling it inappropriate to press, he finally just said, "He'er, you're up."

After breakfast, as Wen Ning Xuan was leaving, he still offered a final instruction: "Be mindful these next few days. Just command Zi Yu and the others if you need anything. Don't wander around much. You should stay away from the factory for a few days; I'll go check on it."

Lin He responded with a slight blush. After Wen Ning Xuan left, Lin He shot Zi Yu a few sharp looks. Zi Yu just smiled, "Miss, see? It's wonderful. The Second Young Master cares for you so much."

Not wanting to argue with Zi Yu, Lin He recalled some items she had conceived the day before. She had Zi Yu find some soft cloth and cotton hua, scalded everything in boiling water, and then laid them out to dry in the courtyard. Meanwhile, she kept Zi Yu busy making several pairs of the kind of underpants she remembered from her past life inside the house. Making these underpants was extremely simple; they had plenty of fabric at home, and since she knew how to sew, she quickly finished several pairs.

Zi Yu watched from the side and remarked, "Miss, how did you ever think of making this style? This is definitely better than what we currently wear, especially for when the lai kui shui comes—it’s much more convenient."

The undergarments available at this time were all very large, square-cut drawers that could easily pass as outer trousers in her previous life. Lin He had always felt unaccustomed to them. She had modified the design, making the trousers smaller, keeping a similar overall shape but infinitely more comfortable. When at home, Lin He dared not make such things for fear her mother would scold her; if her mother saw these triangular underpants, she certainly would have something to say.

Hearing Zi Yu, Lin He laughed and said, "It’s not just that. There are many other things. Like the dudou you wear; people where I come from don't wear those at all. That dudou is completely useless."

Zi Yu asked, "Where you come from? Where is that? Aren't we from the same place? Why is there a 'here' and a 'there'? I see all the maids in the household wear these, and doesn't Miss Chen'er wear them too? Where are you talking about?"

Lin He secretly smiled to herself, having momentarily forgotten herself. She explained to Zi Yu, "Not our place. What I meant was, I read in books that people in many other regions are different from us. Those people are wealthier, so their food and clothing are naturally more particular than ours."

"Oh, I see. Then what do people in those other places wear, Miss? Can you make one to show me? I've never seen one." Zi Yu stopped pressing for specifics about the location.

Lin He figured she had nothing else to do, so she might as well make something to broaden the girl's horizons. She had Zi Yu prepare some cloth and ribbon, and she fashioned a simple bra, the kind from her past life, to show Zi Yu. Zi Yu took the item in her hands, examining this thing called an nei yi (undergarment)—a few thin straps connecting two palm-sized pieces of cloth. Zi Yu asked curiously, "Miss, how do you wear this clothing? This is hardly clothing at all!"

"That’s why it’s called nei yi. Nei yi isn't meant to be shown to others; it’s enough that you feel comfortable wearing it. This one is for you. Go try it on later; I guarantee it will be more comfortable than what you wear now." Lin He glanced at Zi Yu's chest and added, "However, it might not have much effect on you right now. Wait a couple of years before wearing it." After speaking, Lin He placed the bra against Zi Yu's body to demonstrate how to put it on.

Upon hearing this, Zi Yu's face flushed a deep crimson, so much so that it looked like blood could drip. She stamped her foot and said, "Miss, where did you see these strange, bizarre things? Be careful Madam finds out; you'll certainly be scolded then!"

Lin He smiled noncommittally, thinking to herself, It's just that you, little maid, lack insight. In my previous life, plenty of people walked around wearing this style openly. When people vacationed on the seashore, didn't most women wear these? Now, just wearing it as an undergarment causes such a fuss—the difference is truly vast.

For the next few days while her lai kui shui lasted, Lin He remained confined to the courtyard, never leaving. Lin He proposed going out for a walk several times, but Zi Yu insisted it was the Second Young Master’s instruction that she rest more and not wander about these few days. Lin He felt helpless, but it was a minor matter. Now it seemed as if she were suffering from some serious illness—Wen Ning Xuan was like this, and so was Zi Yu. Arguing with Zi Yu was fruitless; Zi Yu maintained that as long as Miss had settled things with the Second Young Master, she had no objections. But this matter was not up for discussion with Wen Ning Xuan. Thus, Lin He had no choice but to stay indoors for several days, without stepping out the courtyard gate.

Fortunately, these few days were not entirely without occupation. Lin He had bought quite a bit of fur from the shop with Wen Ning Xuan previously. Lin He decided to make a set of clothes and a pair of boots for Wen Ning Xuan. The garment she made was a lined jipao suitable for the current climate. Thinking that he wouldn't look too bulky, she used slightly thicker cloth for the main body, then added fur trim along the sleeves and collar for some added warmth.

As for the leather boots, they were made from the deer hide purchased earlier and lined with a layer of soft fur inside. Wen Ning Xuan was constantly running around outside, so comfortable shoes were very important. Once these few days passed, Lin He had Zi Yu take the items she made to Wen Ning Xuan.

Wen Ning Xuan looked at the things in his hands. The stitching on the clothes was remarkably even, showing the extreme care taken by the person who made them. When he flipped the sleeves, a tiny lotus flower embroidered with silk thread was visible inside. Thinking of Lin He as she made these garments, a brilliant smile broke across his face, much to the astonishment of Ling Xiao, who stood by. Having followed his master for so many years, this was the first time Ling Xiao had seen such a radiant smile on the young master’s face.

It seemed this little maid named Lin He had truly captured his master's attention. The master received countless such gifts every year, yet he always tossed them aside, never asking who sent them. This was just a simple set of clothes, not made of any particularly fine material, yet the master was this pleased. It seemed this girl was certainly destined to become his primary wife. Ling Xiao decided he needed to be more polite to her from now on, and also to her personal maid. (To be continued)